Multifunctional shoes

Abstract

The present application provides multifunctional shoes, comprising an upper and a sole. The upper includes a vamp with two ends and a quarter for covering the heel of one foot. At least one of the vamp and the quarter is retractable. The sole comprises an upper surface, a rear edge, two opposite side edges, and a receiving portion. The receiving portion is configured in at least one of the following ways: disposed along the rear edge to accommodate the quarter; and disposed along the two opposite side edges to accommodate the two ends of the retractable vamp allowing the two ends to move along an extending direction of the two opposite side edges.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This case relates to a multi-functional shoe, and more particularly to a multi-functional shoe that can be transformed into different forms. [Previous Technology]

[0002] With the increasing diversification of modern lifestyles, people's needs for shoes are becoming more detailed and flexible. A pair of shoes that can freely switch between slippers, closed shoes, and sandals is undoubtedly an ideal design to solve multi-scenario needs. Such shoes can easily adapt to diverse situations in daily life. For example, during commuting, they can be worn as more supportive shoes to provide necessary protection and support, while quickly transforming into slippers or sandals in the office or at home, providing a relaxing and comfortable wearing experience. In addition, such shoes are particularly practical for travelers because they can serve multiple functions in one pair, reducing the need to carry multiple pairs of shoes and thus lightening the burden of luggage. For those who frequently need to switch between indoor and outdoor environments, such as those who need to frequently change shoes between home, office, or outdoor activities, a multi-purpose shoe is undoubtedly an efficient solution. Therefore, there is a high demand for multi-functional shoes in this field.

[0003] While current multi-functional shoes on the market claim to meet the needs of multiple scenarios, they still have some obvious drawbacks. First, the structural design of many multi-functional shoes is overly complex, increasing the weight and thickness of the shoes and affecting wearing comfort. Second, the conversion mechanism is often not durable enough and cannot withstand long-term use, easily becoming damaged or malfunctioning, reducing practicality. In addition, some multi-functional shoes on the market are cumbersome to operate during function switching, requiring a lot of time or tools, and cannot truly achieve the effect of instant convenience.

[0004] For example, traditional push-button slippers are a type of multi-functional shoe, but they still have certain shortcomings in terms of flexibility and practicality. Push-button slippers use a special back panel design, which can be folded or flattened to the sole, allowing users to switch between slipper mode and wrap mode. In slipper mode, the back panel is flattened to allow the heel to move freely in and out, suitable for quick on and off; in wrap mode, the back panel is folded up to wrap around the heel, providing additional stability and support. While push-button slippers are convenient, repeatedly pressing down the back panel may damage the shoe's structure, leading to a shorter lifespan. Furthermore, in slipper mode, the flattened back panel not only makes the shoe look bulky and unattractive but also affects foot comfort, especially when its thickness is uneven or the material is stiff, which may cause discomfort to the wearer. In addition, push-button slippers may reduce stability when walking, which limits their application scenarios.

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the applicant of this case, through careful experimentation and research, and with a persistent spirit, finally conceived the "multifunctional shoe" of this case, which can overcome the shortcomings of the previous technology. The following is a brief description of this case. [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] In response to the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art, this invention proposes a multi-functional shoe that can switch shoe modes by retracting the heel counter into the sole. This concept is applicable to various types of footwear. The multi-functional shoe of this invention has a simple structure, and the mode-changing mechanism is easy to operate without requiring additional tools. For users, it allows for convenient and immediate mode switching according to different needs or usage scenarios.

[0007] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a multi-functional shoe comprising an upper and a sole. The sole includes an upper surface, a rear edge, and a groove, the groove being disposed along the rear edge and extending downward from the upper surface. The upper includes a heel counter piece connected to the rear edge of the sole and used to cover the heel portion of the foot. The multi-functional shoe has a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when the multi-functional shoe is in the second configuration, the heel counter piece is received in the groove, and when the multi-functional shoe is in the first configuration, the heel counter piece extends out of the groove and covers the heel portion of the foot.

[0008] Another object of this invention is to provide a multi-functional shoe comprising an upper and a sole. The sole includes an upper surface, a rear edge, two opposite side edges, and a groove or channel. The groove is disposed along the rear edge and extends downward from the upper surface, and the channel is disposed along the two opposite side edges. The upper includes a forefoot piece and a heel piece. The forefoot piece has a movable unit having two ends connected to the sole. The heel piece is connected to the rear edge of the sole and is used to cover the heel. The multi-functional shoe has a first form and a second form. When the multi-functional shoe is in the second form, the heel piece is received in the groove; when the multi-functional shoe is in the first form, the heel piece extends out of the groove and covers the heel. When the sole includes the channel, the two ends of the movable unit are embedded in the channel, so that the movable unit moves back and forth along the channel. The multi-functional shoe may include both the groove and the channel, or only one of them.

[0009] Another object of this invention is to provide a multi-functional shoe comprising an upper and a sole. The upper includes a heel counter for covering the heel. The sole includes an upper surface, a rear edge, and a groove for receiving the heel counter, the groove being disposed along the rear edge and having an upper edge flush with the upper surface.

[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a multi-functional shoe comprising an upper and a sole. The upper includes a forefoot piece having two ends; and a heel piece for covering the heel of a foot. At least one of the forefoot piece and the heel piece is retractable. The sole includes a top surface, a rear edge, two opposite side edges, and a retractable portion. The retractable portion is configured in at least one of the following ways: along the rear edge to receive the retracted heel piece; and along the two opposite side edges to allow the two ends of the retractable forefoot piece to move along the extending direction of the two opposite side edges.

[0011] Another object of this invention is to provide a method for transforming the aforementioned multifunctional shoe into a second type, wherein the back panel includes a plurality of laterally extending and overlapping units, the method comprising folding the plurality of units of the back panel to overlap each other, and inserting the back panel into the groove to transform from the first type to the second type.

[0012] For specific embodiments of this case, please refer to the drawings for further explanation of the technical content of this case.

Implementation Method

[0013] Please refer to the accompanying drawings for the following detailed description, which are provided by way of example to illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and to provide an understanding of how to implement the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention provide sufficient content for those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments disclosed herein, or to implement embodiments derived from the content disclosed herein. It should be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and some embodiments can be appropriately combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments; that is, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. Furthermore, for the sake of brevity and clarity, relevant details are not excessively disclosed in the embodiments; even if specific details are disclosed, they are only illustrative to make the reader clear, and the relevant specific details in the embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure of the present invention.

[0014] Unless otherwise limited or specified in a particular example, the following definitions apply to the terms used throughout this specification.

[0015] The terms “comprising” or “including” as used herein mean that, in addition to the components and / or elements described, one or more other components and / or elements are not excluded. The term “a” as used herein means that the grammatical object of the article is one or more.

[0016] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2, which show schematic diagrams of the multifunctional shoe according to the first embodiment of this invention. The multifunctional shoe 1 of the first embodiment includes an upper 10 and a sole 13. To facilitate understanding of the structure of the multifunctional shoe 1, the right side of the cut line in Figures 1 and 2 shows a side cross-sectional view cut along the center line of the heel.

[0017] The upper 10 includes a forefoot piece 102 and a heel piece 104. The forefoot piece 102 is disposed in the front half of the upper 10, corresponding to the toes and the instep. The heel piece 104 is disposed in the rear half of the upper 10, referring to the portion from the center line of the heel to the forefoot piece 102, and in the first embodiment, specifically referring to the portion covering the heel. The heel includes the area around the heel and the area around the Achilles tendon. The heel piece 104 is made of a flexible and / or foldable material, preferably a material that can maintain its shape and performance under repeated folding. The material of the heel piece 104 may be, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), elastic nylon, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), spandex, polyurethane (PU) leather, or fabric to ensure smooth bending or overlapping and unfolding.

[0018] The sole 13 includes an upper surface 132, a front edge 134, and a rear edge 136. The forefoot piece 102 of the upper 10 is connected to the front edge 134 of the sole 13, while the rear foot piece 104 of the upper 10 is connected to the rear edge 136 of the sole 13. In some embodiments, the forefoot piece is connected to the front and rear edges of the sole. The sole 13 also includes a groove 138, which is provided along the rear edge 136 and extends downward from the upper surface 132 to form a receiving space for receiving the rear foot piece 104. The shape of the receiving space is adapted to the rear foot piece 104. To facilitate the receipt of the rear foot piece 104 in the groove 138, the rear foot piece 104 may have various forms that facilitate bending or overlapping. For example, the rear foot piece 104 of the first embodiment includes a plurality of laterally extending, interconnected, and overlapping units, which are connected to each other by a connecting element (not shown). The connecting element may be at least a connecting cord, stitch, or pleat. In this embodiment, the multiple units of the heel counter 104 are independent of each other, but in other embodiments, the multiple units of the heel counter may not be separated from each other. In some embodiments, the multiple units of the heel counter are in contact with each other. To reduce the length of the groove 138 extending from the upper surface 132 of the sole 13 towards the ground to accommodate a wider variety of shoe shapes, preferably, when the heel counter 104 is received in the groove 138, the multiple units at least partially overlap, and preferably completely overlap (as shown in the enlarged view of FIG3).

[0019] In the first embodiment, the sole 13 includes an outsole 131 (or outsole) and a midsole 133 (or insole). In some other embodiments, the outsole and midsole are integrally formed, and in this case, they are both referred to as the sole.

[0020] The outsole 131 is the part of the outer side of the sole 13 that contacts the ground, providing anti-slip grip and the first layer of cushioning. It is usually made of a more wear-resistant material (such as rubber) and different patterns are designed according to different functions to generate good grip. The midsole 133 is located between the upper 10 and the outsole 131, playing the role of shock absorption, propulsion feedback, and maintaining stability. Commonly used materials for the midsole 133 are, for example, PHYLON, PU, ​​EVA, etc. In embodiments where the sole 13 includes the midsole 133 and the outsole 131, the groove 138 is preferably provided along the rear edge 136 of the midsole 133 and extends downward from the upper surface 132 of the midsole 133, and the depth of the groove 138 must be at least equal to or greater than the vertical length of one unit of the heel counter 104.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2, which respectively show schematic diagrams of the multi-functional shoe of the first embodiment in a first mode and a second mode. The multi-functional shoe 1 of the first embodiment has a first mode and a second mode, the second mode being a concealed mode (as shown in Figure 2), and the first mode being a covered mode (as shown in Figure 1). When the multi-functional shoe 1 is in the second mode (concealed mode), the back panel 104 is concealed by being accommodated in the groove 138, and the multi-functional shoe 1 appears as a simple and comfortable slipper or, in some cases, as a sandal. When the multi-functional shoe 1 is in the first mode (covered mode), the back panel 104 unfolds upward outside the groove 138 and covers the heel, and the multi-functional shoe 1 appears as a sandal or a closed shoe. The multi-functional shoe 1 of this invention can switch between the second mode and the first mode.

[0022] The multi-functional shoe 1 of this invention also includes a fixing element 15 for performing a fixing function. In this embodiment, it is used to connect the back panel 104 (as shown in FIG1) when the multi-functional shoe 1 is in the first state. Preferably, it connects the uppermost unit of the back panel 104 to fix the back panel 104 in a suitable position that fits against the heel of the foot.

[0023] The fastening element is selected from at least one of the following: Velcro, cords, fasteners, and elastic bands. Velcro is a combination of a hook side (also called male side, barbed side, needle side, A side) and a pile side (also called female side, felt side, blanket side, B side). Depending on the type of fastening element, the fastening function can be achieved, for example, by at least one of the following methods: connecting the fastening element to the back panel (e.g., contacting the pile side with the hook side of the Velcro), changing the position of the fastening element, and locking the fastening element (e.g., fastening the fastener, tying the cord, etc.). In other words, the fastening function can be released, for example, by at least one of the following methods: separating the fastening element from the back panel, changing the position of the fastening element, and unlocking the fastening element (e.g., unfastening the fastener or cord, etc.).

[0024] The multifunctional shoe 1 of the first embodiment also includes a movable element 16, wherein a fixing element 15 is provided on the inner or outer surface of its intermediate region for securing the heel piece 104 to a suitable position that fits against the heel. In this embodiment, the fixing element 15 may be a hook or loop surface of Velcro. The hook or loop surface corresponding to the fixing element 15 is provided on the inner surface of the uppermost unit of the heel piece 104 to contact and engage with the fixing element 15 of the movable element 16. The movable element 16 is pivotally connected to the forefoot piece 102 of the upper 10 through a locking element 17, which is a buckle or other element that allows the movable element 16 to rotate about the locking element 17 as an axis. Through the locking element 17, the movable element 16 can change between a first position (covering the upper 10 above the instep) and a second position (covering the area near the heel) (the arrow in FIG2 indicates that the movable element 16 has moved to the first position). When the multi-functional shoe 1 is in the second mode (hidden mode), the moving element 16 can be in the first position (the multi-functional shoe 1 is presented as a slipper) or the second position (the multi-functional shoe 1 is presented as a sandal). When the multi-functional shoe 1 is in the first mode (covered mode), the moving element 16 is in the second position so that the fixing element 15 holds the back panel 104 in a suitable position that fits against the heel, at which time the multi-functional shoe 1 is presented as a closed shoe.

[0025] The multi-functional shoe 1 of this invention can be converted from a first type to a second type, and the operation is as follows: Release the fixing function of the fixing element 15. Selectively, fold multiple units of the back panel 104 sequentially so that the multiple units overlap each other. Next, insert the back panel 104 downwards into the groove 138 along the rear edge 136 of the sole 13. When the back panel 104 is fully accommodated in the groove 138, the multi-functional shoe 1 completes the conversion to the second type.

[0026] The multi-functional shoe 1 of this invention can be converted from a second form to a first form, and the operation is as follows: The heel counter 104 is removed from the groove 138. Selectively, if multiple units are available, multiple folded or overlapping units are unfolded. Next, the heel counter 104 is adjusted to fully unfold and cover the heel of the foot. The fixing element 15 is used to perform a fixing function to secure the heel counter 104 in a suitable position that conforms to the heel of the foot.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 4 and 5, which respectively show schematic diagrams of the multifunctional shoe 2 of the second embodiment of this invention in the first type (Figure 4) and the second type (Figure 5). The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and can be switched between the second type and the first type. The following only describes the differences from the first embodiment, and the same parts will not be described again.

[0028] In the second embodiment, the upper includes a forefoot piece 202 and a heel piece 204, and the sole includes an upper surface 232, a front edge 234, and a rear edge 236. The forefoot piece 202 of the upper is connected to the front edge 234 of the sole, while the heel piece 204 of the upper is connected to the rear edge 236 of the sole. The sole also includes a groove 238, which is provided along the rear edge 236 and extends downward from the upper surface 232 to form a receiving space for accommodating the heel piece 204. The sole also includes an outsole 231 and a midsole 233. The midsole 233 is used to conform to the bottom of the foot and can therefore be configured as a flexible, comfortable, and moisture-wicking insole. Specifically, the groove 238 of the sole is provided along the rear edge 236 of the midsole 233 and extends downward from the upper surface 232 of the midsole 233. In the second embodiment, the back panel 204 does not contain multiple units; therefore, the depth of the groove 238 must be at least equal to or greater than the vertical length of the back panel 204 to fully accommodate it. In this case, the second embodiment is more suitable for high-heeled shoes with thick soles.

[0029] The multi-functional shoe 2 of the second embodiment also includes a fixing element 25, which is connected to the heel counter 204 and is used to perform a fixing function, which means fixing the heel counter 204 in a suitable position that fits against the heel. As shown in FIG4, in this embodiment, the fixing element 25 is a rope buckle, which is used to wrap around the ankle and fasten when the multi-functional shoe 2 is in the first form (as shown in FIG4), so as to prevent the heel counter 204 from falling into the groove 238 and to fix the heel counter 204 in a suitable position that fits against the heel.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when transitioning from the first type (Figure 4) to the second type (Figure 5), it is only necessary to release the fixing function of the fixing element 25. Next, the heel counter 204 is inserted downwards into the groove 238 along the rear edge 236 of the sole (as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5), and the fixing element 25 is fastened to the sole. When the heel counter 204 is fully accommodated in the groove 238, the multi-functional shoe 2 has completed its transition to the second type.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 6 to 8, which show schematic diagrams of the multifunctional shoe 3 of the third embodiment of this invention in the first type (Figures 6 and 7) and the second type (Figure 8). The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, and can switch between the first type and the second type. The following description only describes the differences from the second embodiment, and the same parts will not be repeated.

[0032] In the third embodiment, the upper includes a forefoot piece 302 and a heel piece 304, and the sole includes an upper surface 332, a front edge 334, a rear edge 336, and a groove 338. The sole also includes an outsole 331 and a midsole 333, the midsole 333 being used to conform to the bottom of the foot. Specifically, the groove 338 of the sole is provided along the rear edge 336 of the midsole 333 and extends downward from the upper surface 332 of the midsole 333. The heel piece 304 of the third embodiment includes two laterally extending, interconnected, and overlapping units, so the depth of the groove 338 must be at least equal to or greater than the vertical length of one of the units of the heel piece 304 to fully accommodate the heel piece 304. The two units of the heel piece 304 are not independent of each other and are connected by a connecting element 3042, which may be a pleat to facilitate folding the two units together.

[0033] The multifunctional shoe 3 of the third embodiment also includes a fixing element 35, which is connected to the heel counter 304 and performs a fixing function to hold the heel counter 304 in a suitable position that fits against the heel. A concave fold line is provided at the junction of the fixing element 35 and the heel counter 304 so that the fixing element 35 folds concave towards the heel counter. As shown in FIG6, the fixing element 35 in this embodiment can be an elastic band, used to wrap around the ankle and instep when the multifunctional shoe 3 is in the first form (coverage mode), to prevent the heel counter 304 from falling into the groove 338 and to hold the heel counter 304 in a suitable position that fits against the heel.

[0034] Figure 7 shows the transition state of the multi-functional shoe 3 of the third embodiment when it changes from the first type (Figure 6) to the second type (Figure 8). First, the fixing function of the fixing element 35 is released by changing the position of the fixing element 35. Specifically, the fixing element 35 (elastic band) is folded inward toward the back panel 304 through the concave fold line (as shown by the arrow in Figure 7) to overlap with the back panel 304. Next, the two units of the back panel 304 are folded together by the pleating part. The back panel 304 together with the fixing element 35 is inserted downward into the groove 338 along the rear edge 336 of the sole, and the multi-functional shoe 3 completes the transformation to the second type (as shown in Figure 8). This hidden mode presents the appearance of a slipper.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 9 and 10, which show schematic diagrams of the multifunctional shoe 4 of the fourth embodiment of this invention in the first type (Figure 9) and the second type (Figure 10). The fourth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment, and can switch between the first type and the second type. The following description only focuses on the differences from the third embodiment, and the same parts will not be repeated.

[0036] In the fourth embodiment, the upper includes a forefoot piece 402 and a heel piece 404, and the sole includes an upper surface 432, a front edge 434, a rear edge 436, and a groove 438. The sole also includes an outsole 431 and a midsole 433. The groove 438 of the sole is provided along the rear edge 436 of the midsole 433 and extends downward from the upper surface 432 of the midsole 433. The heel piece 404 of the fourth embodiment is similar to that of the third embodiment, with the two units of the heel piece 404 connected by a connecting element 4042 (pleat). The difference is that the heel piece 404 has an opening 4044 for the forefoot piece 402 to pass through. Specifically, the forefoot piece 402 is composed of a first unit and a second unit, which correspond to the areas around the toes and the instep, respectively. The first unit of the forefoot piece 402 is connected to the front edge 434 of the sole. The second unit of the forefoot piece 402 is connected to the rear edge 436 of the sole and passes through the opening 4044 of the heel piece 404, intersecting with the heel piece 404.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 9, the multifunctional shoe 4 of the fourth embodiment further includes a fixing element 45 disposed in or on the surface of the uppermost unit among the plurality of units of the heel counter 404, for performing a fixing function to hold the heel counter 404 in a suitable position that conforms to the heel. The fixing element 45 is an elastic band or elastic cord, which prevents the heel counter 404 from falling into the groove 438. Optionally, the elastic band or elastic cord may be integrated with the uppermost unit among the plurality of units of the heel counter 404.

[0038] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when transitioning from the first type (Figure 9) to the second type (Figure 10), it is only necessary to release the fixing function of the fixing element 45 by changing its position. Specifically, the fixing function of the fixing element 45 can be released by pulling it down. Next, the two units of the back panel 404 are folded together by the pleating part. Then, the back panel 404 and the fixing element 45 are inserted downward into the groove 438 along the rear edge 436 of the sole. When the back panel 404 is fully accommodated in the groove 438, the multi-functional shoe 4 has completed the transition to the second type, at which point the multi-functional shoe 4 takes the form of a slipper.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 11 and 12, which respectively show schematic diagrams of the multifunctional shoe 5 of the fifth embodiment in the first and second modes. The first mode of the multifunctional shoe 5 of the fifth embodiment is a covered mode (as shown in Figure 11); the second mode is a hidden mode (as shown in Figure 12), in which the front panel and / or the back panel are completely or partially hidden. The fifth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and can switch between the first and second modes. The following description only focuses on the differences from the first embodiment, and the same parts will not be repeated.

[0040] The multifunctional shoe 5 of the fifth embodiment includes an upper and a sole. The upper includes a forefoot piece 502 and a heel piece 504. The forefoot piece 502 is disposed in the front half of the upper, corresponding to the toes and the instep. The heel piece 504 is disposed in the rear half of the upper, referring to the portion from the center line of the heel to the forefoot piece 502, and in the fifth embodiment, specifically referring to the portion covering the heel. In this embodiment, the forefoot piece 502 and the heel piece 504 are separate from each other.

[0041] The sole includes an upper surface 532, a front edge 534, a rear edge 536, and two opposite side edges 537. The forefoot piece 502 of the upper is connected to the front edge 534, the two opposite side edges 537, and the rear edge 536 of the sole, while the heel piece 504 of the upper is connected to the rear edge 536 of the sole. The sole also includes an outsole 531 and a midsole 533.

[0042] In the fifth embodiment, the forefoot panel 502 includes a first unit 5022 connected to the front edge 534 of the sole and a second unit 5024 connected to the rear edge 536 of the sole. The forefoot panel 502 also includes a movable unit 5026 having two ends, which are respectively connected to two opposite side edges 537 of the sole. According to the user's needs, the movable unit 5026 can change between a first movable position and a second movable position. The first movable position is between the first unit 5022 and the second unit 5024 (as shown in FIG. 11), and the second movable position is a position that at least partially overlaps with the first unit 5022 (as shown in FIG. 12).

[0043] The sole also includes a storage portion configured in at least one of the following ways: (1) disposed along the rear edge 536 to receive and store the rear upper piece 504; and (2) disposed along two opposite side edges 537 of the sole to allow two ends of the front upper piece 502 (specifically, two ends of the moving unit 5026 of the front upper piece 502) to move along the extending direction of the two opposite side edges 537 of the sole. Specifically, the storage portion includes at least one of a groove 538 and a channel 539.

[0044] The groove 538 of the fifth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. The groove 538 is provided along the rear edge 536 of the midsole 533 and extends downward from the upper surface 532 of the midsole 533 to form a receiving space for accommodating the heel counter 504. The shape of this receiving space is adapted to the heel counter 504. The groove 538 has an upper edge flush with the upper surface 532 and is provided within or adjacent to the sole. To facilitate the accommodation of the heel counter 504 in the groove 538, the heel counter 504 can have various forms that facilitate bending or overlapping. For example, the heel counter 504 of the fifth embodiment includes a plurality of laterally extending, interconnected, and overlapping units, which are connected, fitted, or sleeved together. The plurality of units of the heel counter 504 of this embodiment are independent of each other and engage with each other when unfolded, and their pattern can be, for example, similar to the pattern of a commercially available telescopic cup.

[0045] As shown in FIG11, the multifunctional shoe 5 of the fifth embodiment further includes a fixing element 55, which is disposed on the second unit 5024 of the front vamp 502 and connected to the rear vamp 504, preferably connected to the uppermost unit among the plurality of units of the rear vamp 504. The fixing element 55 is used to perform a fixing function so that when the multifunctional shoe 5 is in the first configuration, the rear vamp 504 is positioned in a position that conforms to the heel.

[0046] The fixing element 55 includes a guide rail 552 and a positioning buckle 554. The guide rail 552 has multiple positioning points to facilitate the movement of the positioning buckle 554 within the guide rail 552 and its positioning at one of the multiple positioning points. The positioning buckle 554 is embedded in the guide rail 552 to move along the guide rail 552 and is connected to the back panel 504 to be positioned through the multiple positioning points, thereby determining the degree of unfolding of the back panel 504. As shown in the example of Figure 11, the guide rail 552 has three positioning points (upper, middle, and lower), and the user can adjust the position of the positioning buckle 554 to one of the three positioning points.

[0047] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, when transitioning from the first form (Figure 11) to the second form (Figure 12), it is only necessary to change the position of the fixing element 55 to release its fixing function. Specifically, the fixing function of the fixing element 55 can be released by pulling down the positioning buckle 554 of the fixing element 55. As shown in Figure 12, when the user adjusts the positioning buckle 554 to the lowest positioning point, the back panel 504 is completely or almost completely retracted into the groove 538, at which point the multi-functional shoe presents the second form (hidden mode). Next, the multiple units of the back panel 504 are released from their latches and overlap together. Then, the back panel 504 is inserted downwards into the groove 538 along the rear edge 536 of the sole. When the back panel 504 is completely accommodated in the groove 538, the multi-functional shoe 5 completes the transition to the second form, at which point the multi-functional shoe 5 presents a slipper-like appearance.

[0048] When transitioning from the second type (Fig. 12) to the first type (Fig. 11), because the positioning buckle 554 is connected to the uppermost unit among the multiple units of the heel counter 504, when the user adjusts the positioning buckle 554 from the lowermost positioning point to the uppermost positioning point, the uppermost unit of the heel counter 504 is simultaneously pulled upwards, and the multiple units unfold and engage with each other to position the heel counter 504 in a position that fits against the heel. In actual use, the user can adjust the positioning buckle 554 to the lowermost positioning point to put on the shoe, and after the foot is in the shoe, adjust the positioning buckle 554 to the uppermost positioning point.

[0049] When the storage section includes a groove 539 located on the sole, the two ends of the moving unit 5026 of the forefoot piece 502 are embedded in the groove 539, so that the moving unit 5026 moves substantially along the extending direction of the two opposite side edges 537, that is, moves back and forth along the groove 539. In this embodiment, the groove 539 is provided within the midsole 533 of the sole. However, in other embodiments, the groove may also be provided adjacent to the sole.

[0050] Through the groove 539, the moving unit 5026 of the front panel 502 can change between a first moving position (as shown in FIG. 11) and a second moving position (as shown in FIG. 12), thereby allowing the user to determine the degree of shoe cover of the multi-functional shoe. The fixing method of the moving unit 5026 in the first and second moving positions includes various fixing methods known in the art, such as Velcro, fasteners, zippers, laces, snaps, etc. For example, Velcro can be provided at the junction of the moving unit 5026 and the second unit 5024 of the front panel 502 to bond and fix the two together.

[0051] In short, a major difference from other embodiments is that the fifth embodiment provides a retractable or collapsible front panel 502 and a rear panel 504. In other embodiments, at least one of the front and rear panels is collapsible or retractable. As a variation of the fifth embodiment, the multi-functional shoe may have the shape of a boot. Depending on the boot's shaft height, the boot's fastening elements have a longer guide rail and more positioning points than those in a typical closed shoe. Through a configuration similar to the fifth embodiment, the rear panel can be positioned via multiple positioning points, thereby determining the degree of unfolding of the rear panel, making it easier for the user to put on and take off the boots.

[0052] The multi-functional shoes of each embodiment of this invention can switch between a first type and a second type. The first type is a wrap-around mode, in which the heel counter unfolds and wraps around the heel to provide additional stability and protection, suitable for sports, commuting, or occasions requiring more protection. The second type is a concealed mode, in which the heel counter is concealed and stored in a groove in the sole to provide a lightweight and comfortable wearing experience, suitable for daily walking or long-term wear in the office and at home. The way the heel counter is concealed in the groove of the sole not only maintains the simplicity and streamlined appearance of the shoe, but also prevents the heel counter from being worn due to exposure, extending the lifespan of the shoe. In addition, this storage method ensures that the heel counter fits tightly with the sole, without affecting the stability or comfort of walking. The multi-functional shoes of this invention are particularly practical for travelers because they can accommodate multiple functions in one pair of shoes, reducing the need to carry multiple pairs of shoes and thus lightening the burden of luggage. This flexible design of the multi-functional shoes of this invention, which can switch between multiple modes, allows users to quickly adjust the mode according to the environment, greatly improving the applicability and practicality of the shoes, and is undoubtedly an ideal solution for solving multi-scenario needs.

[0053] Furthermore, the multi-functional shoes in this case also meet the current market's expectations for versatility and environmental friendliness. A pair of shoes that can serve multiple purposes means less resource waste and less environmental burden. This multi-functional design can reduce the need for multiple pairs of shoes, decrease consumers' desire to buy extra shoes, and thus reduce overconsumption. For brands, such products can not only attract consumers who value practicality and environmental protection, but also open up the market through innovation and meet consumers' needs for fashion and personalization. From functionality to commercial value, the multi-functional shoes in this case demonstrate great potential.

[0054] Based on the teachings presented in the foregoing description and related figures, those skilled in the art will conceive of many modifications and other embodiments illustrated herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the foregoing modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, although the foregoing description and related figures describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0055] The aforementioned objectives and advantages of this invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0056] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the first embodiment of this invention in the first type.

[0057] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the first embodiment of this invention in the second form.

[0058] Figure 3 shows an enlarged schematic diagram of the rear part of the multifunctional shoe of the first embodiment of this case in the second type.

[0059] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the second embodiment of this invention in the first form.

[0060] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the second embodiment of this invention in the second type.

[0061] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the third embodiment of this invention in the first form.

[0062] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the third embodiment of this invention during the transition period from the first type to the second type.

[0063] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the third embodiment of this invention in the second type.

[0064] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the fourth embodiment of this invention in the first form.

[0065] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the fourth embodiment of this invention in the second form.

[0066] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the fifth embodiment of this invention in the first type.

[0067] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of the multifunctional shoe of the fifth embodiment of this invention in the second type.

Claims

1. A multi-functional shoe, comprising: A shoe sole includes: an upper surface; a rear edge; two opposing side edges; and a groove or a channel, the groove being disposed along the rear edge and extending downward from the upper surface, and the channel being disposed along the two opposing side edges; and an upper includes: a forefoot piece having a movable unit having two ends connected to the shoe sole; and a heel piece connected to the rear edge of the shoe sole for covering a heel portion; wherein the multi-functional shoe has a first form and a second form, wherein when the multi-functional shoe is in the second form, the heel piece is accommodated in the groove, when the multi-functional shoe is in the first form, the heel piece extends out of the groove and covers the heel portion, and when the shoe sole includes the channel, the two ends of the movable unit are embedded in the channel so that the movable unit moves back and forth along the channel.

2. The multi-functional shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back panel comprises a plurality of laterally extending, interconnected and overlapping units.

3. The multifunctional shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of units are connected to each other via a connecting element.

4. The multi-functional shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of units are independent of each other, and the connecting element is at least one connecting cord.

5. The multifunctional shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of units are in contact with each other, and the connecting element is a seam or a pleat.

6. The multi-functional shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the multi-functional shoe is in the second form, the plurality of units overlap each other and are received in the groove.

7. The multi-functional shoe as described in claim 1, further comprising: A fixing element is connected to the heel counter to position the heel counter in a position that fits against the heel when the multi-functional shoe is in the first configuration.

8. The multi-functional shoe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fastening element is selected from at least one of the following: a Velcro, a lacing cord, a buckle, and an elastic band to perform a fastening function.

9. The multi-functional shoe as described in claim 7, wherein: The sole also includes a leading edge, and the forefoot piece further includes: a first unit connected to the leading edge of the sole; and a second unit connected to the trailing edge of the sole; and the movable unit varies between a first movable position and a second movable position, the first movable position being between the first unit and the second unit, and the second movable position being a position that at least partially overlaps with the first unit.

10. The multi-functional shoe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixing element is disposed on the vamp piece and includes: One guide rail with multiple positioning points; And a positioning buckle, which is embedded in the guide rail to move along the guide rail and is connected to the back panel to be positioned through the multiple positioning points, thereby determining the degree of unfolding of the back panel.

11. A multi-functional shoe, comprising: An upper includes: a forefoot piece having two ends; and a heel piece for covering a heel portion, wherein at least one of the forefoot piece and the heel piece is retractable; a sole includes: a top surface; a rear edge; two opposing side edges; and a retractable portion configured in at least one of the following ways: disposed along the rear edge to receive the retracted heel piece; and disposed along the two opposing side edges to allow the two ends of the retractable forefoot piece to move along the extending direction of the two opposing side edges.

12. The multi-functional shoe as claimed in claim 11, wherein the storage portion includes a groove disposed along the rear edge and having an upper edge flush with the upper surface, and the groove is disposed within or adjacent to the sole.

13. The multi-functional shoe as claimed in claim 11, wherein the storage portion includes a groove disposed within or adjacent to the sole, and the two ends of the forefoot piece are embedded in the groove for movement along the groove.

14. A method for transforming a multi-functional shoe as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 from the first form to the second form, wherein the back panel comprises a plurality of laterally extending and overlapping units, the method comprising: Fold the multiple units of the back panel so that they overlap each other; And insert the rear panel into the groove to change from the first type to the second type.

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