CN111163659A

CN111163659A - Modular shoe system

Info

Publication number: CN111163659A
Application number: CN201880061168.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 梅达·利维; 理查德·库欣斯基
Original assignee: Creative Footwear Solutions Co Ltd
Current assignee: Creative Footwear Solutions Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-20
Filing date: 2018-09-20
Publication date: 2020-05-15
Also published as: WO2019056111A1; US20200268103A1

Abstract

A modular shoe having interchangeable: outer shoe shell, insole and inner heel collar. The outer shell provides the entire upper secured to the outsole. The insole provides the primary cushioning for the wearer's foot, and the inner heel collar is releasably secured to the insole, the insole and the inner heel collar presenting a subassembly that can be mounted within the outer shell. The modular system may include additional components, such as a tongue extension and various trim pieces.

Description

Modular shoe system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a modular shoe system.

Background

Although a wide variety of shoe designs are available on the market, each design is typically mass produced to split development and manufacturing costs into multiple units, thereby enabling the average consumer to be relatively affordable for a pair of shoes. However, some consumers are also eager for personality. To be truly personalized, the consumer needs to design and manufacture a unique pair of shoes, which can be an expensive task. A modular shoe system that enables a consumer to interchange various components can overcome this challenge and allow the consumer to express his or her own personality at a reasonable price point.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a modular shoe is provided that includes an outer shoe shell, an interchangeable insole, and an interchangeable inner heel collar. The insole and the inner heel collar each comprise a connector for releasably securing the insole and the inner heel collar to each other and forming part of an assembly mountable within the one-piece outer shell.

The outer shell can include an outsole incorporating a bottom line and an upper that surrounds the front, rear, medial and lateral sides of a wearer's foot when the shoe is worn.

The insole preferably provides the primary cushioning for the wearer's foot.

A tightening mechanism may also be provided for securing the shoe to the foot of the wearer.

The upper may include a first heel counter and the internal heel collar may include a second heel counter opposite the first heel counter.

The insole and the collar of the inner heel can be connected together through tongue-and-groove joints. More particularly, the inner heel collar may include a semi-rigid or rigid receptacle; the rear portion of the insole may comprise an at least semi-rigid or rigid plate; and one of the cartridge and the plate may include an elongate tongue and the other of the plate and the receptacle may include a matching elongate groove, such that when the tongue is inserted into the groove, the insole is seated in the cartridge. The reinforcing rib may surround the groove.

The insole and the inner heel collar may additionally or alternatively be connected by a snap fit joint.

The interchangeable inner heel collar may include a high top style in which the inner heel collar is significantly higher than the rear cuff of the upper and a low top style in which the inner heel collar is not significantly higher than the rear cuff of the upper.

The medial and lateral portions of the upper and the medial and lateral portions of the internal heel collar may each include one or more magnets for registering the respective upper and internal heel collar portions.

The tightening mechanism may include lace eyelets, and the medial upper magnets and the lateral upper magnets may be disposed around the medial rearmost and lateral rearmost eyelets.

The upper may include a tongue and an interchangeable tongue extension that may be connected to the tongue.

An interchangeable U-shaped trim piece may be attached to the internal heel collar. An interchangeable decorative band may be attached to the U-shaped trim piece, the band having magnets therein for holding the band in a looped configuration around the wearer's leg while wearing the shoe.

The foregoing modular shoe enables a consumer to interchange various components and/or trim pieces, allowing the consumer of the modular shoe to express his or her own creativity and/or personality at a reasonable price.

Drawings

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a modular shoe system employing a first set of interchangeable components according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a subassembly of the modular shoe system shown in FIG. 1, the subassembly providing a footbed and an inner heel collar;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the subassembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of the insole of FIG. 1 shown in isolation;

FIG. 5 is a top front perspective view of the subassembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top front perspective view of the outer shell of FIG. 1 shown in isolation;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the outer shoe shell of FIG. 1 shown in isolation;

FIG. 8 is an opposite side perspective view of the outer shoe shell shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled modular shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the assembled modular shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the assembled modular shoe of FIG. 1 with an attached decorative trim;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a modular shoe system employing a second set of interchangeable components according to a second embodiment that are interchangeable with similar components of the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded, partially assembled view of the modular shoe of FIG. 12; and

fig. 14 is an assembled view of the modular shoe of fig. 12.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-11 illustrate a modular shoe system 10 (which may be abbreviated herein as "modular shoe" or simply "shoe") that utilizes a plurality of interchangeable components to provide an athletic or sport-style shoe 10, according to a first embodiment. Examples of these components may have different colors, textures, decorative features, and manufacturing details. Fig. 12- __ illustrate a modular shoe 10 according to a second embodiment that may use the same or similar components as the first embodiment. Examples of these components may also have different colors, textures, decorative features, and manufacturing details.

In general, the modular shoe 10 includes an interchangeable outer shell 12, an interchangeable insole 14, an interchangeable inner heel collar 16, an optional interchangeable tongue extension 18, and one or more optional interchangeable trim pieces 20.

Outer shell 12 provides outsole 22, upper 24, optional side rail 26, optional tongue 28 (best seen in fig. 6), and tightening mechanism 30.

As shown in the first and second embodiments, outsole 22 may include (preferably includes) a tread 23. Outsole 22 may be manufactured by bonding two primary components: a front outsole 22a and a rear outsole 22b, each of which may have a different ground pattern. Rear outsole 22b may include a curved portion 22c positioned substantially under the arch of the foot, as provided by the non-ground-grain thin-wall section of outsole 22. Rear outer sole member 22b may also include a sidewall 22d adjacent to bead 26. Rear outsole 22b may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The

outer bottom pieces

22a, 22b may be formed of rubber or of any other desired material by a molding operation.

As shown in the first and second embodiments, the upper 24 surrounds at least a portion of the toes, instep, and hindfoot of the wearer such that the upper 24 surrounds the front, rear, medial, and lateral sides of the foot of the wearer when the footwear 10 is worn. As best seen in fig. 6 of the first embodiment, the upper 24 may be provided by a variety of elongated members, including an outer environmentally-oriented liner 24j and an inner comfortably-oriented liner 24 k. The upper 24 provides a toe box portion 24a, an upper portion 24b, and a medial quarter 24c and a lateral quarter 24c joined along seams 24 d. It should be appreciated that the upper 24 may alternatively be formed from various other pieces that are stitched or otherwise joined together, as will be seen in fig. 12-14 of the second embodiment. As shown by the dotted line 24e in fig. 1, 7 and 8, a heel counter may be incorporated between the outer liner 24j and the inner liner 24k to define a generally U-shaped outer heel collar 24f that provides rigidity to the upper 24 in the rear region and maintains the shoe opening 24g clear. Heel counter 24e may be omitted if desired.

The upper 24 may be stitched, adhered, or otherwise secured to the outsole 22. Straps 26 may abut upper 24 and outsole 22. As shown in the first and second embodiments, the edge strip 26 may surround the outer shell 12 to conceal seams between the upper 24 and the outsole 22. The edge strips 26 may be shortened in length or omitted entirely.

The tongue 28 may be stitched or otherwise secured to the upper 24, and may include one or more connector portions for attaching the optional interchangeable tongue extension 18 to the tongue 28/upper 24. As shown in the first and second embodiments, these connector portions may include snap-fit members 28a (best seen in fig. 6) and magnets 28b (shown in dotted lines), the magnets 28b being stitched or otherwise embedded between an outer liner that is oriented in the external environment and an inner liner that forms a comfortable guide for the tongue 28. Any other suitable connector may be used to attach the optional interchangeable tongue extension 18 to the tongue 28/upper 24, such as hook and loop fasteners, laces, or buckles.

As shown in the first and second embodiments, tongue 28 may be relatively long and substantially coextensive with the length of eyelets 32 a. In alternative embodiments, the length of the tongue 28 may be significantly shortened such that the connection with the tongue extension 18 occurs around the location of the foremost eyelet 32b ".

Tightening mechanism 30 may include at least one of a lace 32 and a strap 34, as best seen in fig. 6. As seen in the first and second embodiments, the strap 32 may include eyelets 32a secured to the upper 24 having eyelets 32b for receiving a lace 32 c. As best seen in fig. 6-8 of the first embodiment, the strap 34 may include a D-ring 34a connected to the outer shoe shell 12, for example, via a flexible flap 34b, the flexible flap 34b being secured to one side of the upper 24. The strap 34 may include hook and loop type fastening straps 34c, 34D for tightening the strap 34 to close upon itself when passing through the slot of the D-ring 34 a. In an alternative embodiment, the lace 32 and strap 34 may be omitted, and the tightening mechanism provided by the elastic non-bifurcated tongue 28, so as to provide a "push-off" shoe.

Although flexible flap 34b holding D-ring 34a is shown secured to one side of upper 24, in alternative embodiments flap 34b may be releasably secured to upper 24, for example, by hook and loop fasteners, snap fits, buckles, or hooks. This will allow the wearer to quickly change flaps 34b and change the style or color of the shoe as desired. The strap 34 may also be releasably secured to the upper 24, for example, by hook and loop fasteners, snap fits, buckles, or hooks, to enable the wearer to quickly replace the strap 34, and the strap 34 may be stylistically matched to the replacement flap 34 to allow for changes in the style or color of the shoe at will. Thus, the interchangeable flap 34b and strap 34 can be considered a form of decorative element.

While the outer shell 12 appears to be a complete shoe, it should be noted that the outsole 22, which is comprised primarily of the bottom band 23, and the outer heel collar 24f are relatively thin and difficult to handle, and are not anatomically configured to directly receive the foot. Due to insufficient comfort/support of the sole and heel, the outer shell 12 is unlikely to be worn for a long period of time, and is particularly unsuitable for its intended function as a sports or leisure shoe. The interchangeable insole 14 and inner heel collar 16 provide additional components for making the shoe 10 practical.

The insole 14 provides core cushioning for the foot. The insole 14 may have an upper face 14a for receiving the anatomy of a typical foot (best seen in fig. 4), including a rear concave hollow 14b for the lower portion of the heel, a central convex formation 14c for the arch, and a front concave recess 14d for the ball of the foot. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the insole 14 does not have a covering midsole or liner, but such covering may be provided in the alternative. As best seen in fig. 1 and 3, the lower face 14e of the footbed 14 may be substantially flat to mate with the substantially flat inner surface of the outsole 22, which allows the footbed 14 to slide into the outer shell 12 relatively unimpeded over the inner surface of the outsole 22. Insole 14 may be formed of a resilient material, such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or Polyurethane (PU), and may be relatively thick, having a typical thickness of from about 1/2 inches to about 2 inches, particularly outsole 22 may have a typical thickness of from about 1/4 inches to about 1/2 inches, as compared to outsole 22. As interchangeable, the various insoles 14 may have different thicknesses or densities, e.g., soft or hard, to accommodate personal preferences and/or different intended activities, e.g., walking or exercising. The modular shoe 10 also allows the worn or compressed sockliner 14, which typically wears much faster than the outsole 22, to be easily replaced without having to replace the entire shoe.

The insole 14 includes a connector 40, described in more detail below, for connecting the insole 14 to the inner heel collar 16.

As seen in the first and second embodiments, and with particular reference to fig. 1-3 and 5, the inner heel collar 16 may have a side wall 16a and a rear wall 16b for collectively supporting the heel of the wearer. The inner heel collar 16 may be formed of an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer having a relatively stiff heel counter, as shown by the dotted line 16c, sewn or otherwise secured therebetween. Footwear 10 thus provides opposing, mutually reinforced

heel counters

24e, 16c in the upper and inner heel collar, respectively, for resisting rearward forces. The inner heel collar 16 may also include padding on its front side to enhance comfort for the wearer.

The inner heel collar 16 may be provided in different interchangeable styles. For example, fig. 1-3, 5, 9 and 10 of the first embodiment illustrate the internal heel collar 16 of the high top style 16A, and fig. 11-13 of the second embodiment illustrate the internal heel collar 16 of the low top style 16B. The modular shoe 10 thus enables a wearer to quickly and conveniently switch between a high top style and a low top style at his or her convenience, without having to purchase additional shoes.

As best seen in FIG. 9, the high top style inner heel collar 16A is emphasized over the collar 24h of the upper 24, and may include thicker padded straps 16d positioned to encompass the rear, medial, and lateral sides of the foot above the ankle of the wearer when the shoe 10 is worn. The high top style inner heel collar 16A may include medial 16e and lateral 16e eyelets (see FIGS. 1 and 6) that may be juxtaposed with the uppermost medial 32b 'and lateral 32 b' eyelets on the upper 24 for tightening the high top style inner heel collar 16A with a lace 32 c. If desired, the magnets 36 may be secured around the heel collar aperture 16e and the upper uppermost aperture 32 b' in the high top style to releasably align with one another. The high top style inner heel collar 16A may further include additional eyelets 16f provided at the ends of the spacer straps 16d for additionally tightening the high top style inner heel collar 16A with the shoelace 32 c. The high top style inner heel collar 16A may also include hook and loop fastening straps 16g (best seen in FIG. 1) for releasably attaching trim pieces, as discussed in more detail below.

As best seen in FIG. 13, the low top style internal heel collar 16B protrudes less significantly above the cuff 24h of the upper 24 and may include medial 16e and lateral 16e eyelets that may be juxtaposed with the uppermost medial 32B 'and lateral 32B' eyelets on the upper 24 for tightening the low top style internal heel collar 16B with a lace 32 c.

Regardless of the style, the inner heel collar 16 may include a connector 44 (best seen in fig. 1-3) for connecting the inner heel collar 16 to the footbed 14. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 44 may include a semi-rigid U-shaped receptacle 44a in which a rear portion of the insole 14 may be releasably seated in the receptacle 44 a. More particularly, the U-shaped cartridge 44a may be emphasized by a bottom wall 44b and a continuous U-shaped side wall 44 c. The bottom wall 44b may be emphasized by an elongated recess 44d with a semicircular inlet aperture 44e, and may also include a U-shaped reinforcing rib 44f surrounding the elongated recess 44 d. Sidewall 44c may be accented with a plurality of spaced apart apertures, such as medial and

lateral apertures

44g, 44g and posterior aperture 44 h. The rear portion of the insole may have a U-shaped notch 14f for receiving the cartridge 44 a. Insole connector 40 may include a substantially rigid plate 40a secured to the underside 14e of the insole cushioning material (best seen in fig. 1). The plate 40a may incorporate a substantially rigid elongated tongue 40b, the tongue 40b terminating in an at least substantially rigid semi-circular wall 40c, the semi-circular wall 40c being disposed generally under the arch convex formation 14 c. The plate 40a may also include a locating lug 40d and a snap finger including an inner cantilever beam 40e and an outer cantilever beam 40e with a terminating hook lug 40f, the

lugs

40d, 40f being disposed around the insole sidewall.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the footbed tongue 40b may be inserted into the inner heel collar groove 44 d. In this process, the insole locating lugs 40d seat in the internal heel collar rear apertures 44h and the insole hook lugs 40f deflect until they are inserted into the internal heel collar inner and outer apertures 40g, whereupon the cantilever beams 40e return to their original shape to releasably lock the insole 14 with the internal heel collar 16. In this manner, the insole and internal

heel collar connectors

40, 44 provide a tongue and groove joint as well as a snap fit joint. Once the sockliner 14 and the inner heel collar 16 are attached to one another, the subassembly (see, e.g., FIG. 2) may then be inserted as a unit into the outer shell 12, whereupon the upper 24 may be tightened. The elongated tongue and groove joint particularly ensures that the insole 14 and the inner heel collar 16 are securely connected to each other and do not become detached during use, as the wearer's foot bends during walking or running.

In an alternative embodiment, the male and female sides of the tongue and groove joint may be reversed, with the tongue located on the inner heel counter and the groove provided on the cleat. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment, the male and female sides of the snap-fit joint may be reversed, with the aperture located on the insole and the snap fingers located on the internal heel collar receptacle.

The internal heel collar receptacle 44a may be colored, in which case the color may be visible through the rear outsole 22b if the rear outsole 22b is transparent or translucent.

As best seen in fig. 1, the tongue extension 18 may include a projection 18a with a snap-fit member 18b, the snap-fit member 18b engaging with a tongue snap-fit member 28 a. A magnet, shown by dotted line 18c, may be provided in the tongue extension 18 to couple with the magnet 28b in the tongue 28 to facilitate the task of connecting the tongue extension snap-fit member 18b and the tongue snap-fit member 28 a. If desired, tongue extension 18 may be padded.

The trim piece 20 may include a generally U-shaped trim piece 20a having a hook and loop fastening strip 20b for attaching the trim piece 20a to the hook and loop fastening strip 16g of the high top style inner heel collar 16A. If desired, the garnish 20 may include a buckle receptacle 20c on a terminal end thereof. As seen in fig. 11, a trim strip 46 having a clip 46a may be connected to the receptacle 20c of the trim piece 20 a. The decorative band 46 may include magnets thereon (shown by dotted lines 46 b) such that the band 46 may be maintained in an annular configuration around the legs of the wearer.

As can be appreciated from the above, the modular shoe described herein enables a consumer to interchange various components and trim pieces to achieve different appearances and styles without having to purchase a new pair of shoes, thereby allowing the consumer to express his or her own creativity and personality at a reasonable price.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. For example, while modular shoes of the athletic style have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that the modular shoes may embody other styles, such as casual, formal, or any other desired style. Also, the present invention may include combinations or sub-combinations of the various features described herein, as well as modifications, variations and permutations of alignment that would occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the fair meaning of the claims appended hereto.

Feature list

10 Modular shoe System

12 outer shoe shell

14 shoe-pad

14a above

14b heel hollow

14c arch construction

14d recess

Under 14e

14f notch

16 inner heel collar

16A high-upper style inner heel collar

16B low-upper style inner heel collar

16a side wall

16b rear wall

16c heel part

16d liner tape

16e eyelet

16f eyelet

16g hook and loop fastening tape

18 tongue extension

20 decorative part

20a U shaped decoration

20b hook and loop fastening tape

20c buckle receptacle

22 outer sole

22a front outer sole

22b rear outer sole member

22c curved portion

22d side wall

23 shading

24 upper

24a toe box portion

24b upper portion

24c waist of shoes

24d seam

24e counter

24f collar of outer heel

24g opening

24h shoe opening

24j outer liner

24k inner liner

26 side strip

28 tongue

28a snap-fit member

28b magnet

30 tightening mechanism

32 tie

32a eyelet

32b eyelet

32c shoelaces

34 binding belt

34a D Ring

34b wing

34c, d hook and loop fastening tape

36 magnet

40 connector

40a board

40b tongue

40c wall

40d positioning lug

40e Beam

40f hook lug

44 connector

44a card holder

44b bottom wall

44c side wall

44d groove

44e inlet hole

44f stiffening rib

44g hole

44h hole

46 decorative band

46a clamp

46b magnet

Claims

1. A modular shoe, comprising:

an outer shoe shell comprising an outsole and an upper, wherein the outsole incorporates a ground pattern, and wherein the upper surrounds a front side, a rear side, a medial side, and a lateral side of a wearer's foot when the shoe is worn;

an interchangeable insole that provides primary cushioning to the wearer's foot;

the collar of the inner heel can be exchanged,

wherein the insole and the inner heel collar comprise connectors for releasably securing the insole and the inner heel collar to each other, the insole and the inner heel collar being mountable within the monolithic outer shell; and

a tightening mechanism for securing the shoe on the foot of the wearer.

2. The modular shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper includes a first heel counter, and wherein the internal heel collar includes a second heel counter opposite the first heel counter.

3. The modular shoe of claim 1, wherein the insole and the inner heel collar are connected together by a tongue and groove joint.

4. The modular shoe of claim 3, wherein:

the inner heel collar comprises a semi-rigid or rigid clamping seat;

the rear portion of the insole comprises an at least semi-rigid or rigid plate;

one of the cartridge and the plate includes an elongate tongue and the other of the plate and the cartridge includes a matching elongate groove, wherein the insole is seated in the cartridge when the tongue is inserted into the groove.

5. The modular shoe of claim 4, including a reinforcing rib surrounding the groove.

6. The modular shoe of claim 3, wherein the insole and the inner heel collar are connected by a snap-fit joint.

7. The modular shoe of claim 1, wherein the insole and the inner heel collar are connected by a snap-fit joint.

8. The modular shoe of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable inner heel collar comprises a high top style in which the inner heel collar is significantly higher than a rear cuff of the upper and a low top style in which the inner heel collar is not significantly higher than the rear cuff of the upper.

9. The modular shoe of claim 1, wherein the medial and lateral flex portions of the upper and the medial and lateral flex portions of the internal heel collar each include one or more magnets for registering the respective flex portions.

10. The modular shoe of claim 9, wherein the tightening mechanism includes lace eyelets, and wherein the medial upper magnet and lateral upper magnet are disposed around the medial and lateral rearwardmost eyelets.

11. The modular shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper includes a tongue, and further comprising an interchangeable tongue extension connectable to the tongue.

12. The modular shoe of claim 1, including an interchangeable U-shaped trim piece attachable to the inner heel collar.

13. The modular shoe of claim 13, including an interchangeable trim band connectable to the U-shaped trim piece, the band having a magnet therein for holding the band in a looped configuration around the wearer's leg when the shoe is worn.