US20060026861A1

US20060026861A1 - Shoe system

Info

Publication number: US20060026861A1
Application number: US10/911,133
Authority: US
Inventors: Heather Manzi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-03
Filing date: 2004-08-03
Publication date: 2006-02-09

Abstract

A sole has a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally vertical peripheral side wall between the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of rings is coupled to side wall. A strap has opposed ends. The opposed ends are threaded through the rings for securing a wearer's foot to the sole.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shoe system and more particularly pertains to providing varied shoe styles for a wearer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of footwear systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, footwear systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of providing shoe styles for a wearer through conventional methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,798 to Colan a footwear system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,736 to Courian discloses a sandal. U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,294 to Riecken discloses a article of footwear. U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,412 to Anderson et al discloses an orthopedic shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,997 to Sheinhaus et al discloses a sandal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,054 to York, Jr. discloses an adjustable sandal. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,345 to Manzi discloses a shoe system.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe shoe system that allows providing varied shoe styles for a wearer.
In this respect, the shoe system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing varied shoe styles for a wearer.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved shoe system which can be used for providing varied shoe styles for a wearer. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of footwear systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved shoe system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved shoe system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a sole. The sole has a top surface and a bottom surface. The sole has a generally vertical peripheral side wall between the top and bottom surfaces. The sole has a generally horizontal forward region. The forward region supports the forward portion of a wearer's foot including the toes. The sole has a rearward region. The rearward region supports the rearward portion of a wearer's foot including the heel. The sole further has an intermediate region. The intermediate region is provided between the forward and rearward regions. The intermediate region supports the intermediate portion of a wearer's foot including the instep. The sole has a high heel. The high heel extends downwardly from the rearward region. In this manner a sharply angled intermediate region is created. The side wall has a periphery there around.
A relatively flat soft resilient pad is provided. The pad has a periphery. The pad of the periphery is essentially coextensive with the periphery of the sole. Adhesive is provided. The adhesive couples the pad to the sole. In this manner a wearer's foot is comforted during operation and use.
Six D-rings are provided next. The D-rings constitute a lower pair. The lower pair is located adjacent to the forward and intermediate regions. The D-rings also constitute an intermediate pair. The intermediate pair is located adjacent to the midpoint of the intermediate region. The D-rings further constitute a rearward pair. The rearward pair is located adjacent to the forward and intermediate regions. Each D-ring has a lower linear section and an upper semicircular section. A semicircular opening is provided between the lower linear and upper semicircular sections. The linear sections include a lower pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings. The lower pair of D-rings is provided at a wide first distance. The linear sections also include an upper pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings. The upper pair of D-rings is provided at a narrow second distance less than the first distance. The linear sections further include an intermediate pair of laterally spaced D-rings. The intermediate pair of D-rings form an acute angle at an intermediate third distance less than the first distance but greater than the second distance. The intermediate D-rings are located closer to the upper pair than the lower pair.
Further provided is a plurality of attachment members. Each attachment member includes an upper end. The upper end has a loop. The loop receives and pivotally supports the linear portion of a D-ring. Each attachment member also includes a lower end. The lower end is positionable between the sole and the pad and retained in position by the adhesive.
Provided last is a single strap. The single strap has opposed ends. The single strap is threaded through the openings of the D-rings. In this manner the wearer's foot is secured to the pad and sole. The opposed ends are adapted to be wrapped around a wearer's ankle. The opposed ends terminate in a bow. The bow is adjacent to the upper extent of a wearer's ankle for securement purposes. The strap is readily removed from, and coupled to, a sole for allowing a wearer to select a particular strap design for a particular occasion.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe system which has all of the advantages of the prior art footwear systems of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe system which is of durable and reliable constructions.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shoe system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such shoe system economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe system for providing varied shoe styles for a wearer.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe system. A sole has a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally vertical peripheral side wall between the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of rings is coupled to side wall. A strap has opposed ends. The opposed ends are threaded through the rings for securing a wearer's foot to the sole.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the primary embodiment of the shoe system, sole and strap, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the system taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the system taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the system taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved shoe system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
The present invention, the shoe system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a sole, a plurality of rings and a strap. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.
First provided is a sole 14. The sole has a top surface 16 and a bottom surface 18. The sole has a generally vertical peripheral side wall 20 between the top and bottom surfaces. The sole has a generally horizontal forward region 22. The forward region supports the forward portion of a wearer's foot including the toes. The sole has a rearward region 24. The rearward region supports the rearward portion of a wearer's foot including the heel. The sole further has an intermediate region 26. The intermediate region is provided between the forward and rearward regions. The intermediate region supports the intermediate portion of a wearer's foot including the instep. The sole has a high heel 28. The high heel extends downwardly from the rearward region. In this manner a sharply angled intermediate region is created. The side wall has a periphery 30 there around.
A relatively flat soft resilient pad 34 is provided. The pad has a periphery 36. The pad of the periphery is essentially coextensive with the periphery of the sole. Adhesive 38 is provided. The adhesive couples the pad to the sole. In this manner a wearer's foot is comforted during operation and use.
Six D-rings 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 are provided next. The D-rings constitute a lower pair 40, 42. The lower pair is located adjacent to the forward and intermediate regions. The D-rings also constitute an intermediate pair 44, 46. The intermediate pair is located adjacent to the midpoint of the intermediate region. The D-rings further constitute a rearward pair 48, 50. The rearward pair is located adjacent to the forward and intermediate regions. Each D-ring has a lower linear section 52 and an upper semicircular section 54. A semicircular opening 56 is provided between the lower linear and upper semicircular sections. The linear sections include a lower pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings. The lower pair of D-rings is provided at a wide first distance. The linear sections also include an upper pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings. The upper pair of D-rings is provided at a narrow second distance less than the first distance. The linear sections further include an intermediate pair of laterally spaced D-rings. The intermediate pair of D-rings form an acute angle at an intermediate third distance less than the first distance but greater than the second distance. The intermediate D-rings are located closer to the upper pair than the lower pair.
Further provided is a plurality of attachment members 60. Each attachment member includes an upper end 62. The upper end has a loop 64. The loop receives and pivotally supports the linear portion of a D-ring. Each attachment member also includes a lower end 66. The lower end is positionable between the sole and the pad and retained in position by the adhesive.
Provided last is a single strap 68. The single strap has opposed ends 70, 72. The single strap is threaded through the openings of the D-rings. In this manner the wearer's foot is secured to the pad and sole. The opposed ends are adapted to be wrapped around a wearer's ankle. The opposed ends terminate in a bow. The bow is adjacent to the upper extent of a wearer's ankle for securement purposes. The strap is readily removed from, and coupled to, a sole for allowing a wearer to select a particular strap design for a particular occasion.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A shoe system for providing varied shoe styles for a wearer comprising, in combination:

a sole having a top surface and a bottom surface and a generally vertical peripheral side wall there between, the sole having a generally horizontal forward region for supporting the forward portion of a wearer's foot including the toes and a rearward region for supporting the rearward portion of a wearer's foot including the heel and an intermediate region there between for supporting the intermediate portion of a wearer's foot including the instep, the sole having a high heel extending downwardly from the rearward region to create a sharply angled intermediate region, the side wall having a periphery there around;

a relatively flat soft resilient pad having a periphery essentially coextensive with the periphery of the sole and adhesive coupling the pad to the sole to comfort a wearer's foot during operation and use;

six D-rings and, constituting a lower pair located adjacent to the forward and intermediate regions, an intermediate pair located adjacent to the midpoint of the intermediate region, and a rearward pair located adjacent to the forward and intermediate regions, each D-ring having a lower linear section and an upper semicircular section with a semicircular opening there between, the linear sections including a lower pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings at a wide first distance, and also including an upper pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings at a narrow second distance less than the first distance, and also including an intermediate pair of laterally spaced D-rings forming an acute angle at an intermediate third distance less than the first distance but greater than the second distance with the intermediate D-rings being located closer to the upper pair than the lower pair;

a plurality of attachment members, each attachment member including an upper end with a loop for receiving and pivotally supporting the linear portion of a D-ring and a lower end positionable between the sole and the pad and retained in position by the adhesive; and

a single strap having opposed ends threaded through the openings of the D-rings for securing a wearer's foot to the pad and sole with the opposed ends adapted to be wrapped around a wearer's ankle and terminating in a bow adjacent to the upper extent of a wearer's ankle for securement purposes, the strap being readily removed from, and coupled to, a sole for allowing a wearer to select a particular strap design for a particular occasion.

2. A shoe system comprising:

a sole having a top surface and a bottom surface and a generally vertical peripheral side wall there between; and

a plurality of rings coupled to side wall; and

a strap having opposed ends threaded through the rings for securing a wearer's foot to the sole.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a pad adhesively coupled to the sole with attachment members coupling the rings to the side wall.

4. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the rings are D-rings with linear sections and including a lower pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings at a wide first distance, and also including an upper pair of essentially parallel laterally spaced D-rings at a narrow second distance less than the first distance, and also including an intermediate pair of laterally spaced D-rings forming an acute angle at an intermediate third distance less than the first distance but greater than the second distance and located closer to the upper pair than the lower pair.