US20060174514A1

US20060174514A1 - Interchangeable Shoe with Clips and Loops

Info

Publication number: US20060174514A1
Application number: US11/307,460
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank Scozzafava; Ann French
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-09
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2006-08-10

Abstract

The invention pertains to footwear where the upper, or straps, may be interchanged, in order to alter the style, material, hardware, or other appearance of the footwear. The shoe includes a shoe base for supporting a foot, uppers (straps) for securing the foot to said shoe base, which is achieved by provision of a three part clip and loop design. The base of the shoe is outfitted with a integrated loop, where the specially designed “clip” would then attach. All straps are made with integrated loops at the ends. The loops are then attached to the “clip” by sliding each end through the integral opening in the “clip,” creating a finished product.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to footwear, and more specifically, pertains to women's shoes. For the most part, shoes comprise of a base for supporting the foot and uppers for securing the foot to the base. Many styles of footwear, constructed of various components, have long existed. The uppers play a large role as to the appearance and function of the shoe. The uppers may be of a variety of colors and materials, such as fabric, leather or a synthetic material.
Certain shoes have been manufactured with removable uppers for varying the appearance of the shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,058 (Jneid) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,915 (Colli) use a detachable shoe strap system where snap fasteners are affixed to the shoe base with the uppers also having a snap fasteners. The disadvantages of both Jneid and Colli range from aesthetics, the snap fasteners are visible, and function, the protruding snaps can catch on external objects causing the shoe to come apart and risk possible injury to the foot.
Both problems may be solved with a shoe who fastener is both aesthetically pleasing and well as flush and strong to protect the foot in the base of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a shoe having a base with clips for attaching straps/uppers. It is another object of the invention to provide a shoe having removable straps/uppers that have an integrated loop to attach said clips. Still another object of the invention is to provide a selection of changeable straps/uppers manufactured from a variety of materials such as including but not limited to fabric, leather and synthetics. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a variety of clips that come in several shapes based on utility and aesthetics.
These objects of the invention are achieved by provision of an interchangeable shoe with a three part clip and loop design, with the ability to interchange the straps, also known as the uppers, from the main base of the shoe. This is achieved by outfitting the base with a integrated loop, where the specially designed “clip” would then attach. All straps are made with integrated loops at the ends. The loops are then attached to the “clip” by sliding each end through the integral opening in the “clip,” creating a finished product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawing A, FIG. 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 4 a & 5 a depict several styles of “clips” that are used to connect the loop that is attached to the base of the shoe (shown in Drawing C FIG. 1 c) and the “upper” straps (shown in Drawing B FIG. 1 b & 2 b)
Drawing B, FIG. 1 b & 2 b depict the front and rear “upper” straps of the shoes. FIG. 1 b (front strap) connects at 2 points on the front of the shoe (left & right) by looping to the “clips” depicted in Drawing A, FIG. 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 4 a & 5 a which in-turn connect to the (front of the sole) in Drawing C, FIG. 1 c. FIG. 2 b (rear strap) connects at 2 points on the back of the shoe (left & right) by looping to the “clips” depicted in Drawing A, FIG. 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 4 a & 5 a which in-turn connect to the (rear of the sole) in Drawing C, FIG. 2 c.
Drawing C, FIG. 1 c & 2 c depict the sole of the shoe that connect with the “clips” shown in Drawing A, FIG. 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 4 a & 5 a, that in-turn connect with the straps depicted in Drawing B, FIG. 1 b & 2 b to make up the “The Interchangeable Shoe with Three Part Clips and Loops”.

Claims

1. A shoe having a changeable upper (straps) portion, comprising: a shoe base for supporting a foot; an upper (straps) portion of the shoe for securing the foot to said shoe base; said shoe base having a front left side integrated loop for securing said upper (strap); said shoe base having a front right side integrated loop for securing said upper (strap); said shoe base having a rear left side integrated loop for securing said upper (strap); and said shoe base having a rear right side integrated loop for securing said upper (strap), each having at least one securing “clip” mechanism for securing said upper (straps) portion to said shoe base.

2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein a method for switching the “uppers” (straps) of women's shoes from the base of women's shoes by “looping” the strap to a metal, plastic, or aluminum “clip.” The clip can be round and/or other shaped.

3. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the “straps” have an integrated loop sewn at each end where they attach to the “clip” through the opening. The “clip” also attaches to the base of the shoe through the opening in the “clip” which is inserted into an integrated loop and/or loops in the base of the shoe.