Shoes with interchangeable and inter-zippable tops

Abstract

A shoe with reversible and moveable tops is presented and includes fasteners, such as snaps or zippers, positioned all around the base of the shoe in order for the top half of the shoe to be changed. The tops are made of various materials and different styles, There can be full-covered footwear, sandal-type or any type of strapped shoe for women or men. Alternative embodiments comprise a sole, an upper, a leg shaft, a leg shaft extension, and a finishing collar that may be combined to create a distinctive shoe. The leg shaft and the leg shaft extension may have laces or vertical zippers to provide a better fit for the user. The finishing collar, leg shaft, and leg shaft extension are configured to provide a protective layer between zippers and a user's skin.

Description

RELATED FILINGS[0001]This invention has been previously disclosed in Disclosure Document Number 536219 dated Aug. 11, 2003, and this application is a Continuation-In-Part of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10 / 922,366, entitled “Shoes with interchangeable and inter-zippable tops”, filed on Aug. 20, 2004, and currently co-pending, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60 / 497,052 filed Aug. 22, 2003, and currently expired, 60 / 499,647 filed Sep. 3, 2003, and currently expired, and 60 / 529,952 filed Dec. 16, 2003, and currently expired, with each application fully incorporated herein by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically, to shoes having interchangeable parts.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Shoes have evolved over the years from simple moccasins to more elaborate and sophisticated sneakers and athletic shoes. De...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0055]In use, a wearer assembles shoe 530 using sole 502, upper 506, leg shaft 540, and leg shaft extension 532. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that a sole of one color and material, an upper of a different color and material, a leg shaft extension of a third color and material, and a leg shaft of a fourth color and material may be combined to form a distinctive shoe 530. Zippers 536 and 550 are disengaged by moving sliders 539 and 549 from the top to the bottom of leg shaft extension 532 and leg shaft 540 respectively, thereby allowing a wearer to more easily put on and take off shoe 530. Once the wearer puts on shoe 530, sliders 539 and 549 are moved from the bottom to the top of leg shaft extension 532 and leg shaft 540 respectively, thereby engaging zippers 536 and 550. The wearer then pulls on laces 538 and 544 until the wearer achieves the desired fit. After laces 538 and 544 are adjusted to achieve the desired fit, the wearer only needs to use zippers 536 and 550 to more quickly and easily put on and take off shoe 530. Since zippers 536 and 550 are reversible, leg shaft 540 and leg shaft extension 532 may be turned inside out while still allowing the use of zippers 536 and 540.

[0056]Moving now to FIG. 23, an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention described in FIG. 22 is shown. The exploded view demonstrates the modular nature of the present invention. FIG. 23 shows a sole 502 attached to upper 506. Also shown is the interior surface 507 of upper 506. Also shown is leg shaft extension 512. Lastly, FIG. 23 shows leg shaft 540 complete with lace 544, lace tabs 546a and 546b, as well as zipper 550 with slider 549. In use, a wearer may choose to use leg shaft extension 512 or leg shaft extension 532, or may choose to not use any leg shaft extension. If a leg shaft extension is not used, then the wearer attaches the leg shaft directly to the upper. Alternatively, the wearer may choose to use leg shaft extension 532 and leg shaft 510, th...

Problems solved by technology

Despite these marvelous advancements in the footwear industry, there is nevertheless a challenge which exists with all footwear.

Specifically, a shoe, onc...

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