CONVERTIBLE SHOE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE VAMP

Abstract

A convertible shoe, having a sole defining a plurality of first attachment points and second attachment points, such as snap fasteners and pins. A heel connects to the sole, and a vamp detachably connects to the sole at the corresponding plurality of first and second attachment points.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Non-Provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/476,477 filed Apr. 18, 2011, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This invention relates to a convertible shoe and, more specifically, to a shoe with an interchangeable vamp.

[0004] People wear different shoes for different activities and occasions. For example, women in business settings tend to wear more formal dress shoes, but prefer more casual shoes for everyday activities. However, in many situations, it is not possible to return home to change between different pairs of shoes in between various activities. Therefore, women may carry spare shoes in a spare bag or store a supply of shoes at the workplace. However, these solutions are inconvenient and costly.

[0005] Therefore, what is needed is a shoe that is interchangeable that can be configured for multiple situations to achieve different appearances, such as color or design.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible shoe;

[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the convertible shoe with the sole, the platform, and the vamp separated;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the convertible shoe along Line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of FIG. 3 of the connection between the vamp and the platform at a front end;

[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along Line 5-5 of FIG. 1 of the connection between the vamp and the sole at the instep;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the convertible shoe along Line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the shoe vamp;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the shoe vamp;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vamp with both attachment devices; and

[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a convertible shoe with an interchangeable band.

[0017] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1-9, an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally referred to as a convertible shoe 10, includes an elongate sole 14, a detachable and interchangeable plurality of heels 16 attached to the rear portion 18 of the sole 14, and a plurality of vamps 20 detachably and interchangeably connected to the sole 14. As shown, the style of the convertible shoe 10 is generally referred to as a "mule", which has no fitting around the heel, sometimes referred to as "backless". However, the convertible shoe 10 can also comprise other styles of shoes, including, but not limited to, high heels, slingbacks, slide, and the like.

[0020] The sole 14 includes an upper insole 22 having a heel portion 24, an instep portion 26, and an arcuate front portion 28. The sole 14 also includes a lower outsole 30 generally corresponding to the shape and size of the insole 22, and attached to the upper insole 22. A platform 32 is attached to the underside of the upper insole 22. The insole 22 and platform 32 are preferably made from leather, but can be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, natural materials, synthetic materials, or a combination thereof.

[0021] The heel 16 is a generally semi-circular block that is detachably connected, such as with a fastener 34, to the lower surface of the heal portion 24 of the sole 14. In FIGS. 1-2, the heel 16 is preferably a height of between about 1.5''-5'', but any suitable height can be used. The fastener 34 is preferably a threaded bolt that inserts through a hole 36 in the sole 14 to secure within an insert in the heel 16 (FIG. 6). A tool, such as a socket wrench can be used to secure and unsecure the fastener 34. The head of the fastener 34 should be flush or recessed with the surface of the insole 22. If desired, a cover can be attached to the head of the fastener 34 to form a seamless surface with the insole 22 to prevent any irritation or discomfort to the users foot. The user can replace the heel 16 with a replacement heel of a different style or height by unsecuring the fastener from the heel 16, removing the heel 16, and securing the replacement heel with the fastener 34. Although the fastener 34 is shown as a hexagonal threaded bolt, any suitable fastener can be used, including, but not limited to, a screw, a hook and loop device, magnetic device, spring pin, toggle fastener, clip, retaining ring, and the like. If desired, the heel 16 can also be permanently attached to the sole 14. The heel 16 is preferably made from leather, but can be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, natural materials, synthetic materials, or a combination thereof.

[0022] A shown in FIGS. 7-9, the vamp 20 is a generally U-shaped body 36 and generally corresponds to the size and shape of the front portion 16 of the sole 14. A portion of the body 36 folds over the inner surface 38 of the vamp 20 to define a trim 40 of a predetermined width along the perimeter. The size and shape of the trim 40 should accommodate attachment points 42 and 44 for detachable connection to the sole 14. The vamp 20 is preferably made from leather, but can be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, natural materials, synthetic materials, or a combination thereof.

[0023] A first set of attachment points 42 are secured to the trim 40 along a front portion 46 of the vamp. Preferably, the first set of attachment points 42 are pins attached to a singular base, where the pins extend inwardly through corresponding holes 48 in the trim for engagement with holes 50 along the perimeter of the platform 32 of the sole 14. Preferably, the pins are secured within the holes 50 with a friction fit, however, other methods can be used. The base prevents the pins 42 from passing completely through the hole 48. Although FIG. 9 shows seven pins spaced equally along the trim 40, any number and arrangement of pins can be used. In addition, other types of fasteners can be used. A second set of attachment points 52 are secured to the trim 40 along side portions 54, such as flaps, of the vamp 20. Preferably, the second set of attachment points are snap fasteners 52 that correspond with snap fasteners 56 on the instep portion of the outsole 30. Preferably the snap fasteners 52 and 56 are corresponding male and female snap fasteners. While three sets of snap fasteners are shown, any suitable number of snap fasteners can be used. The fasteners 52 can attach to the vamp 30 and sole 14 using any suitable method, such as stitching, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, and the like.

[0024] In operation, the vamp 20 is removed from the sole 14 by disconnecting the snap fasteners 52 on the vamp from the corresponding snap fasteners 56 on the sole 14. Next, the pins 42 are removed from the holes 50 in the platform 32 of the sole 14. A replacement vamp is selected by the user and secured to the sole 14 by inserting the pins into respective holes 50, and attaching snap fasteners 44 to the corresponding snap fasteners 46. This process can be repeated to replace the vamp 30 with any other suitable vamp 30.

[0025] Therefore, the present invention provides a convertible shoe 10 capable of transformation between multiple styles by removing and replacing a vamp 30. In this way, a user can substitute different vamps to achieve different appearances, such as color or design, with a single shoe.

[0026] With respect to the shoes shown with which the invention may be used, the styles are different but the procedure is exactly as described above. For example, a sling back shoe may require an additional permanent vamp part. The adaptability of the invention to a full vamp or heel vamp may similarly require additional parts but the attachment of the front part of the vamp and the attachment of the instep part would still require a front attachment and an instep attachment. Also, it may be possible to use a different attachment devices, for example, Velcro® or other hook and loop fastening may be used for the attachment means. Also, a plurality of detachable vamps can be used.

[0027] In another alternative embodiment, the vamp 20 can be permanently attached to the sole 14, while other interchangeable parts are detachably connected to the convertible shoe 10. For example, interchangeable bands 70, such as shown in FIG. 10, or interchangeable platforms 80 detachably connected to the insole 22.

[0028] Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A convertible shoe, comprising: a sole defining a plurality of first attachment points; a heel connected to the sole; and a vamp detachably connected to the sole at the corresponding plurality of first attachment points.

2. The convertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a first snap fastener member attached to the vamp; and a second snap fastener member attached to the sole configured for engagement with the first snap member and detachable connection of the vamp to the sole at one of the attachment points.

3. The convertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of fasteners attached to a trim portion of the vamp; and wherein the sole defines a second plurality of attachment points sized and shaped for detachable connection with the plurality of fasteners.

4. The convertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of pins extending inwardly from a trim portion of the vamp; and wherein the sole defines a plurality of holes sized and shaped to receive the corresponding plurality of pins.

5. The convertible shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel is detachably connected to the sole.

6. The convertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising, a band detachably connected to the sole.

7. A convertible shoe system, comprising: a sole having a plurality of first attachment points; a plurality of heels detachably connected to the sole; and a plurality of vamps, each vamp detachably connected to the sole at the corresponding plurality of first attachments points.

8. The convertible shoe system of claim 7, further comprising: a first snap fastener member attached to the vamp; and a second snap fastener member attached to the sole configured for engagement with the first snap member and detachable connection of each vamp of to the sole at one of the first attachment points.

9. The convertible shoe system of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality of fasteners attached to a trim portion of each vamp; and wherein the sole defines a second plurality of attachment points sized and shaped for detachable connection with the plurality of fasteners.

10. The convertible shoe system of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality of pins extending inwardly from a trim portion of each vamp; and wherein the sole defines a plurality of holes sized and shaped to receive the corresponding plurality of pins.

11. The convertible shoe system of claim 7, further comprising, a band detachably connected to the sole.

12. A method of converting a shoe, comprising the steps of: providing a sole defining a plurality of first attachment points; providing a heel connected to the sole; providing a first vamp detachably connected to the sole at the corresponding plurality of first attachment points; providing a second vamp detachably connected to the sole at the corresponding plurality of first attachment points; detaching the first vamp from the sole; and attaching the second vamp to the sole at the corresponding first attachment points.

13. The method of converting a shoe of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing a first snap fastener member attached to the vamp; and providing a second snap fastener member attached to the sole configured for engagement with the first snap member and detachable connection of the vamp of to the sole at one of the attachment points.

14. The method of converting a shoe of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of fasteners attached to a trim portion of the vamp; and wherein the sole defines a second plurality of attachment points sized and shaped for detachable connection with the plurality of fasteners.

15. The method of converting a shoe of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of pins extending inwardly from a trim portion of the vamp; and wherein the platform defines a plurality of holes sized and shaped to receive the corresponding plurality of pins.

16. The method of converting a shoe of claim 12, wherein the heel is detachably connected to the sole.