Modular footwear and an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper for said footwear

Abstract

A modular footwear for being worn on a wearer's foot includes an outer sole (1), an inner sole (2, 102) and an upper (3, 103) removably connected together;wherein the outer sole (1) and the inner sole (2, 102) include first connectors (4A, 4B) configured to removably connect said inner sole to said outer sole;wherein the outer sole (1) and the upper (3, 103) include second connectors (5A, 5B) configured to removably connect said upper to said outer sole;wherein the outer sole (1), the inner sole (2, 102) and the upper (3) are parts of the footwear that are all distinct and separable from each other and individually replaceable, when the respective connectors (4A, 4B, 5A, 5B) do not connect these components to each other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 63 / 736,840, filed Dec. 20, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a modular footwear and an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper for said footwear according to the pre-characterizing portion of the independent claims, wherein the footwear comprises an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper which are parts of the footwear that are all distinct and separable from each other and individually replaceable.BACKGROUNDKnown footwear generally consists of an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper; these footwear components can be shaped in a plurality of different forms and can have different technical characteristics depending on their use.

[0004] The specific configuration of the upper, the outer sole and the inner sole varies significantly depending on the (for example sporty or elegant) style of the footwear and the intended use of the footwear.

[0005] The upper can cover the entire foot or only part of the foot, such as in sandals.

[0006] The outer sole generally offers a durable and wear-resistant outer surface and has a plurality of recessed and projecting parts on the bottom surface thereof which comes into contact with the ground to improve its grip on the ground.

[0007] The inner sole is generally provided to attenuate ground reaction forces and absorb the energy of the impact with the ground.

[0008] In known footwear, the outer sole and the upper and often also the inner sole are generally permanently attached to each other.

[0009] This configuration of the know footwear has several drawbacks.

[0010] The first drawback is that when one of the upper structures and / or the outer sole and / or the inner sole gets damaged, the entire footwear becomes unusable and must be replaced.

[0011] A second drawback is that known footwear may present cleaning problems.

[0012] For example, the upper may be at least partially made in a material, such as fabric or leather, which is different from the material of the outer and inner soles and requires a different cleaning treatment than that of the soles.

[0013] Furthermore, some parts of the footwear may be difficult to reach and therefore difficult to clean.

[0014] Furthermore, the consumers increasingly feel the need to be able to customize footwear by choosing, for example, a particular colour combination for the various parts of the footwear, and / or a particular shape of the upper and / or the sole.

[0015] In the attempt to provide the consumers with footwear which overcomes one or more of these drawbacks, several footwear designs have been developed in which the upper is separable from the sole structure.

[0016] Footwear with an interchangeable upper is disclosed, for example, in prior art documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,538,628, 6,931,766, WO2013 / 151845, US2022 / 0304418.

[0017] Footwear with an interchangeable inner sole is disclosed, for example, in prior art documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,822,888 and 3,902,259

[0018] Footwear with interchangeable upper, inner sole and outer sole is disclosed, for example, in prior art documents U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,259, WO2012 / 004577, and WO2011 / 080779, WO2011 / 051984, and US2022 / 104578.

[0019] FR 3 126 858 A1 discloses a footwear with an upper, an inner sole and an outer sole which can be interchanged in particular with a reconfigurable orthopaedic inner sole, wherein the connectors for connecting the upper and / or the inner sole to the outer sole partially extend along the sidewall of the outer sole. The portions of the connectors provided at the sidewall of the outer sole might be exposed to impacts and damage, and could easily wear or deteriorate.

[0020] Known modular footwear is generally difficult to manufacture and / or has connectors for connecting the various components of the footwear which do not guarantee a reliable connection of these components, and / or requires complex operations to connect or remove the various components to and from each other.SUMMARY

[0021] The object of the present invention is to provide a modular footwear, an inner sole, an outer sole and an upper according to the characterising portion of the independent claims, which are alternative to known modular footwear, outer soles, inner soles and uppers, which offers the consumer a high possibility of customizing the footwear, in a simple and rapid way, both with regard to the technical characteristics of the footwear and to the aesthetic characteristics, for example, and with regard to the colour of the various footwear components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A further object is to provide a footwear wherein the footwear components can be associated with each other and also removed from each other in a simple and rapid way.

[0023] A further object is to provide a modular footwear, an inner sole, an outer sole and an upper which are easy to manufacture.

[0024] For a better understanding of the present invention, the following drawings are attached by way of not-limiting example, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a top, schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of a footwear according to the invention,

[0026] FIG. 2A is a top and exploded schematic perspective view of the footwear of FIG. 1,

[0027] FIGS. 2B and 2C are top and bottom schematic views of the footwear of FIG. 1,

[0028] FIGS. 3 and 4A are top and bottom perspective schematic views, respectively, of only the outer sole of the footwear of FIG. 1,

[0029] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the detail indicated by arrow V3 of FIG. 4A.

[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6 are a top and a bottom schematic view, respectively, of the footwear of FIG. 1,

[0031] FIGS. 7-9 are a top perspective schematic view, a side schematic view and a bottom schematic view, respectively, of only the inner sole of the footwear of FIG. 1,

[0032] FIGS. 10-12 are cross sectional schematic views, respectively, of the footwear of FIG. 1, taken along the section lines X-X, XI-XI, and XII-XII of FIG. 2B,

[0033] FIGS. 13 and 14 are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the upper of the footwear of FIG. 1,

[0034] FIGS. 15 and 16 are top schematic perspective views, respectively, of two separable parts of the upper of FIG. 13,

[0035] FIGS. 17 and 18, are a top and an exploded schematic perspective view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a footwear according to the invention,

[0036] FIG. 19 is a bottom enlarged schematic view of only the upper of the footwear of FIG. 17,

[0037] FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the detail indicated by arrow V3 of FIG. 4A,

[0038] FIGS. 21-23 are a side, a front and a bottom enlarged schematic view, respectively, of the detail indicated by arrow V2 of FIGS. 13 and 18,

[0039] FIGS. 24A, 24B are bottom partial schematic views of a front portion of only the lower sole of the footwear of FIG. 17, in two different configurations;

[0040] FIGS. 25A-B are a schematic plan view and a bottom perspective view, respectively, of a first variant of the second through openings shown in FIG. 20, comprised in the footwear,

[0041] FIGS. 26A-B are a plan schematic view and a bottom perspective view, respectively, of a second variant of the second through openings shown in FIG. 20, comprised in the footwear,

[0042] FIGS. 27A and B are a perspective schematic view and a front schematic view of a first variant of the second projections for connecting the upper to the outer sole,

[0043] FIG. 28 is a plan view of one of the second projections according to the first variant of FIGS. 27A-B when associated with the outer sole,

[0044] FIGS. 29A and B are cross sectional schematic views of the positioning of one of the second projections according to the first variant of FIGS. 27A-B before and after being connected to the outer sole,

[0045] FIG. 30 is a bottom perspective schematic view a footwear component.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] With reference to FIGS. 1-16, they show a first embodiment of a modular sandal-shaped footwear, specifically a footwear having a upper which is band-shaped and leaves at least a portion of the toes and the heel uncovered.

[0047] The footwear comprises: an outer sole 1, an inner sole 2 and an upper 3. The outer sole 1 and the inner sole 2 comprise first connectors 4A, 4B (FIGS. 2A, 8, 10) configured to removably connect said inner sole to said outer sole. The outer sole 1 and the upper 3 comprise second connectors 5A, 5B (FIG. 2A) configured to removably connect said upper to said outer sole.

[0048] The outer sole 1, the inner sole 2 and the upper 3 are parts of the footwear that are all distinct and separable from each other and individually replaceable, when the respective connectors 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B do not connect these components to each other.

[0049] The outer sole 1 comprises: a bottom surface 6A (FIG. 4) configured to contact the ground, an upper surface 6B (FIG. 3) opposed to the bottom surface and configured to contact a lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2, and a lateral wall 6C departing from the perimeter edge 6D of said upper surface 6B and having an inner lateral surface 6E.

[0050] The upper surface 6B and the inner lateral surface 6E of the outer sole 1 delimit a recessed seat 6F configured to at least partially house the inner sole 2.

[0051] The inner sole 2 comprises: the lower surface 7A (FIG. 9) configured to overlap the upper surface 6B of the body 6 of the outer sole 6, an upper surface 7B (FIG. 7) configured to act as a support surface for the sole of the foot and a lateral surface 7C.

[0052] When the two outer sole 1 and inner sole 2 are connected to each other, the lower surface 7A of the body 7 of the inner sole 2 is completely housed in the recessed seat 6F and at least one portion of the lateral surface 7C of the body 7 of the inner sole is housed inside said recessed seat 6F (FIGS. 1, 10).

[0053] The upper 3 comprises: at least one covering portion 3A, 3B configured to extend at least partially over a portion of the back and the base of the foot, said at least one cover 3A, 3B comprising a right lower end portion 3D (FIG. 2A) and a left lower end portion 3C, configured to be positioned at the base of the foot.

[0054] According to the invention, the first connectors 4A, 4B for the removable connection of the inner sole 2 to the outer sole 1, comprise:

[0055] at least one first through opening 8A, 8B (FIG. 8) provided in the outer sole 1, (in the outer sole of FIG. 3 two through openings are provided), delimited by a lateral wall 8C, 8D,

[0056] and at least one first portion 9A, 9B projecting from the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2 (in the inner sole of FIG. 8 two projections are provided) configured to couple with and close said at least one first through opening 4A of the outer sole 1, and to create a shape coupling with said lateral wall 8C, 8D of the at least one first through opening 8A, 8B, so as to removably connect together said inner sole 2 and said outer sole 1 (FIG. 1),

[0057] wherein said at least one first projection 9A, 9B has a bottom surface 9C, 9D (FIG. 2C) configured to come into contact with the ground, remain visible from the outside and form portion of the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1, when the inner sole 2 is constrained to the outer sole 1.

[0058] According to the invention, the second elements 5A, 5B for the removable connection of the upper to the outer sole comprise:

[0059] a plurality of second through openings 10 (FIGS. 3-6) provided in the outer sole 1 and

[0060] delimited each by at least one wall 10A (FIG. 4B), in the outer sole of FIG. 5 six through openings are provided,

[0061] and a plurality of second projections 11, one for each of said plurality of second through openings 10, departing from said at least one lower end portion 3C, 3D of said at least one covering portion 3A, 3B,

[0062] wherein said second projections 11 (FIGS. 2A, 13-16) are configured to couple with and close said second through openings 10 and create a shape coupling with said walls 10A of said plurality of second through openings 10, so as to removably connect together said upper and said outer sole (FIGS. 11-12);

[0063] wherein said plurality of second projections 11 each have a bottom surface 11A (FIGS. 2C, 14) configured to contact the ground, remain visible from the outside and form part of the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1, when the inner sole 2 is constrained to the outer sole 1 (FIG. 2C).

[0064] Preferably, with reference to the embodiment in question, the outer sole 1 consists of a single body 6 (FIG. 3) having the bottom surface 6A configured to contact the ground, the upper surface 6B opposed to the bottom surface and configured to contact a lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2, and the lateral wall 6C departing from the perimeter edge 6D of said upper surface 6B and having an inner lateral surface 6E, with the upper surface 6B and the inner lateral surface 6E of the outer sole 1 which delimit the recessed seat 6F configured to at least partially house the inner sole 2 (FIGS. 2A, 3).

[0065] Preferably, the outer sole has two through openings, preferably a first opening 8B is provided in a rear area S1 of the outer sole 1 which supports the back of the foot including the heel and calcaneus, and a second opening 8A is provided in an front area S2 of the sole which supports the portion of the bottom and front portion of the foot comprising the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges.

[0066] Preferably, these two portions S1 and S2 of the outer sole are those on which the footwear wearer's foot exerts the greatest downward force.

[0067] Preferably, the two openings are arranged symmetrically to a central axis X1 (FIG. 5) of the footwear so that, as explained below, the thrust exerted by the foot on the portions 9A, 9B of the inner sole 2 which close these openings 8A, 8B is uniform.

[0068] Preferably, the two openings 9A and 9B have identical shape and dimensions.

[0069] Preferably, the openings 8A, 8B have significant dimensions, compared to the dimensions of the outer sole 1, for example, these dimensions considered at the upper surface 6B of the sole 1 are:

[0070] the width L1 (FIG. 5) of the rear opening 8B is between 40% and 70%, more preferably approximately 50%, of the width L5 of the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 measured at the centre C1 of said opening 8B,

[0071] the length L3 (FIG. 5) of the front opening 8A is between 30% and 60%, more preferably approximately 40%, of the width L7 of the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 measured at the centre C2 of said opening 8A,

[0072] the length L2, L4 of the two openings is between approximately 10% and 30%, more preferably approximately 18% of the overall length L6 of the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1.

[0073] This large size of the two openings makes it easier and quicker to connect the inner sole 2 to the outer sole 2, and also facilitates the moulding of the sole.

[0074] Preferably, the lateral walls 8C, 8D of the openings 8A, 8B are tapered downward (FIG. 10), so that the area of the openings is greater at the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1 than the area of the opening at the upper surface 6B.

[0075] Preferably, the lateral walls 8C, 8D have for example an inclination A (FIG. 10) which is between 30° and 60°, more preferably equal to approximately 45°.

[0076] This configuration of the openings 8A, 8B allows an interlocking shape coupling, that will be referred to below as a dovetail-like shape coupling, of the inner sole with the outer sole, as better explained below.

[0077] The shape, number, and dimensions of the openings 8A and 8B may be different from those described; for example, there may be a single opening extending not only along the areas of the sole that support the heel and forefoot but also in the arch area, or more than two openings, having smaller dimensions than those described so far.

[0078] Preferably, the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3, in the shown example, comprise an upper portion 10C (FIG. 5), open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1, and a lower portion 10D (FIG. 6) open at the bottom surface 6A.

[0079] Preferably, the second through openings 10 at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 are provided at the perimeter edge 6D of this upper surface 6B of the footwear sole, from where the inner surface 6E of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1 departs. For example, the openings 10 are provided at a distance which is between 0 mm and 10 mm from said external edge (in FIG. 5, the openings are provided precisely at said perimeter edge).

[0080] Preferably, the second through openings 10 at the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1 are slightly spaced from the external perimeter edge 6D of this lower surface 6B; for example, the openings 10 are provided at a distance S10 (FIG. 6) which is between 3 mm and 20 mm from said external edge.

[0081] Preferably, the rectilinear upper portion 10C of the openings 10 is oriented parallel to the perimeter edge 6D of the upper surface 6B and bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1.

[0082] This positioning of the second through openings ensures a stable and reliable connection between the upper and the outer sole.

[0083] Preferably, the upper portion 10C of the opening 10 has an area (compared to a cross-section thereof) which is smaller than the lower portion 10D; for example, the area of the portion 10C is between 1% and 50% of the area of the portion 10D, more preferably it is approximately 5%, for a footwear sole size 37.

[0084] Preferably, the upper portion 10C of the openings 10 has a substantially rectilinear linear shape, similar to a cut, and has a length L8 (FIG. 20) between 1 cm and 3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 1.9 cm and a width L19 between 0.05 cm and 0.3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 0.1 cm.

[0085] Preferably, the lower portion 10D of the openings 10 has an elliptical shape with the major axis of the ellipse substantially coinciding with the upper portion 10C of the opening. The lower portion 10D of the openings 10 delimits a hollow seat open at the bottom 10D′ (FIG. 4B) configured to house without clearance a head 11C (FIGS. 11-13) of the second connectors 5A, 5B of the upper 3, as better described below. The lower portion 10D of the openings 10 is, therefore, shaped and sized in such a way that, when the connectors 5A, 5B of the upper enter and engage with these openings 10, the bottom surface 11A facing the ground of the heads 11C of these connectors is substantially flush with the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1.

[0086] For example, the lower portion 10D has a length L20 (FIG. 20) between 1 cm and 3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 2.1 cm and a width L21 between 1 cm and 2.5 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 1.4 cm.

[0087] Preferably, the upper portion 10C of the openings 10 extends for a section S3 (FIG. 11) between 30% and 80%, more preferably between 40% and 50%, of the overall thickness S1 of the outer sole 1 measured between the upper surface 6B and the bottom surface 6A of this sole at the considered opening 10, in the remaining part of the thickness of the sole the lower portion 10D of the openings 10 develops; with these dimensions, as explained in greater detail below, the passage of the heads 11C of the connectors 5A, 5B of the upper through the upper portions 10C of the openings 10 is facilitated.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 4B, preferably the seat 10D′ for the heads 11C of the connectors has a height S7 (FIGS. 4B and 11) which is lower than the height S8 of the heads 11C (FIG. 11), said head are therefore partly housed in the seats 10D′ and partly protruding from these seats contributing to form the reliefs 14 present in the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole.

[0089] These dimensions of the seats 10D′ also contributes to simplify and facilitate the connection and insertion of the second projections 11 of the upper into the relative second through openings 10 of the outer sole 1.

[0090] Preferably, as shown in the embodiment in question, in the case of sandal-shaped footwear the openings 10 are at least three on each side and are provided in the portion of the outer sole 1 configured to support the portion of the foot comprised between the proximal and intermediate phalanges and the heel.

[0091] For example, the openings 10 are at least three on each side and are provided:

[0092] at the front area S2 (FIG. 5) of the sole which supports the bottom and front portion of the foot at the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges, and preferably on the sides of the front opening 8A of the first openings 8A, 8B for the connection of the inner sole 2;

[0093] at a central area S3 of the upper which supports the arch of the foot,

[0094] and at a rear area S1 of the upper at the portion of the upper which supports the bottom and rear portion of the foot at the heel, preferably laterally slightly forward of the rear opening 8B of the first openings 8A, 8B for the connection of the inner sole 2.

[0095] Preferably, the three openings are not equally spaced, but the central opening is for example provided closer to the front opening; the connectors can thus be associated to the upper in a single way and the upper is prevented from being incorrectly connected to the outer sole.

[0096] The shape, number, size and position of the openings 10 depends on the shape of the upper and more specifically on the extension of the lower perimeter portion 3C, 3D of the upper.

[0097] These openings 10 could therefore have a different shape, number, size, and position than those described so far; however they must in any case guarantee a reliable connection of the upper to the outer sole.

[0098] Preferably, the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1 also comprises one or more non-through openings 110D′ which are identical to the portion 10D of the through openings 10 described so far;

[0099] FIGS. 2C and 4A show one of these non-through openings 110D′ which is provided at the front end portion of the bottom surface 6A of the sole 1. This non-through opening 110D′, as better described below, is configured to allow the outer sole 1 to be also used with an upper that has a greater number of connectors 5A provided on the upper. In fact, to also use the non-through opening 110D′ for an additional connecting element of the upper, a rectilinear opening identical to the previously described openings 10C can be simply created along the major axis of the opening 110D′ to turn the non-through opening 110D′ into a through opening 10 identical to the through openings described so far, and with which a connecting element 11 of the type described so far can be engaged.

[0100] Preferably, the bottom surface 6A and the upper surface 6B, when seen in longitudinal section (FIG. 10), have a rear portion Z1 and a front portion Z2 which are slightly raised upwards compared to a central portion Z3 (for example raised by a distance between 1 mm and 10 mm), so as to facilitate walking and comfort.

[0101] Preferably, the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 6 comprises a plurality of open channels or recessed portions 13 (FIGS. 4A and 6) configured to delimit a plurality of raised portions 14 having different sizes, in the example having an irregular elliptical shape, which improve the overall aesthetic appeal of the sole and also improve grip on the ground. The bottom surfaces 9C, 9D, 11A of the first and second connectors 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B are preferably flush with the corresponding lower surfaces of the raised portions 14 of the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1.

[0102] Preferably, the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1 has a height that decreases with respect to the upper surface 6B from the rear portion to the front portion of the sole. Consequently, the height of the seat 6F that houses the inner sole 2 is also maximum H1 (FIG. 3) at the area of the sole which houses the heel and is minimum H2 at the area which houses the toes; for example, the maximum height H1 is between 1 cm and 3 cm and the minimum height H2 is between 0.5 cm and 2 cm.

[0103] This difference in height of the seat 6F enables the perfect accommodation of an inner sole 2 which, as usual for this portion of the footwear, has a greater thickness at the portion thereof on which the heel rests and a smaller thickness at the portion thereof on which the phalanges rest.

[0104] The lateral wall 6C contributes to keep the inner sole 2 connected to the outer sole 1, preventing lateral displacements of this inner sole 2 with respect to the outer sole 1.

[0105] For this purpose, the external lateral surface 7C (FIG. 7) of the inner sole is preferably configured to abut the corresponding inner lateral surface 6E of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1. In the areas B1, B2 (FIG. 7) of the footwear in which the upper is not comprised, the lateral surfaces 7C and 6E are in direct contact with each other, while in the areas B3 where the base bands 3L, 3M of the upper are interposed between said surfaces (FIG. 11) they are in indirect contact as the base bands 3L, 3M of the upper are interposed between the two surfaces.

[0106] Preferably, the lateral wall 6C has a reduced height portion 6Z (FIG. 2A), in the rear end portion of the outer sole 1 which leaves a corresponding rear end portion 7H of the inner sole 2 free and visible when the footwear is assembled.

[0107] Preferably, the lateral wall 6C, at least in the part thereof configured to come into contact with the base bands 3L, 3M of the upper, is slightly inclined outward with respect to the upper surface 6B from which it departs, for example by an angle K (FIG. 11) which is between 95° and 120°. This inclination helps and simplifies the connection of the upper to the outer sole.

[0108] With reference to the embodiment in question, preferably the inner sole 2 consists of a single body 7 (FIGS. 7-9) having the lower surface 7A configured to overlap and contact the upper surface 6B of the body 6 of the outer sole 6, an upper surface 7B configured to act as a support surface for the sole of the foot and a lateral surface 7C.

[0109] Preferably the shape and dimensions of the lower surface 7A and the shape of the lateral surface 7C of the inner sole 2 are substantially identical to the shape and dimensions of the upper surface 6B and to the inner surface 6E of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole, so that when the two soles are connected together, the lower surface 7A of the body 7 of the inner sole 2 is completely housed in the recessed seat 6F and at least one lower portion of the lateral surface 7C of the body 7 of the inner sole is housed within said recessed seat 6F.

[0110] Preferably, the lateral surface 7C of the body 7 has a height that decreases from the rear portion to the front portion of the sole.

[0111] Preferably, the height of the lateral surface 7C is always greater than the height of the inner lateral surface 6E of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1, so that the inner sole always protrudes laterally from the seat 6F provided in the outer sole 1 to house the inner sole. In this way, the foot always rests only on the inner sole 2 and is therefore always correctly supported, and there is no risk for it to come into contact with the upper edge of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole.

[0112] To facilitate the positioning of the lower base bands 3M, 3L of the upper 3, preferably the lateral surface 7C of the body 7 of the inner sole 2 comprises a recessed seat 7J, on both the right side and the left side thereof, which runs the full height of the sole and has a length L12 which is equal to the length L10, L11 of these lower base bands, and has a depth which is equal to the thickness of these base bands.

[0113] Thanks to these recessed lateral seats 7J, a shaped passage is created between the opposing lateral surfaces 6E, 7C of the lateral walls of the outer sole 1 and the inner sole 2, which accommodates the base bands 3L, 3M of the upper and prevents the formation of discontinuities between said opposing lateral surfaces 6E, 7C, due to the thickness of these base bands, which are provided only in certain specific sections of said opposing lateral surfaces 6E, 7C (FIG. 11).

[0114] Preferably, the upper surface 7B of the outer sole has a hollow shape which is conventional to those skilled in the art and comprises usual shaped portions 7K which are designed to improve the footwear wearer's comfort.

[0115] As an alternative to the recessed lateral seats 7J or in combination with these recessed lateral seats 7J, recessed lateral seats completely similar to the corresponding recessed seats 7J provided in the outer sole 2 could also be provided in the inner surface 6E of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1 at the portions thereof which are configured to come into contact with the base bands 3L, 3M of the upper.

[0116] Preferably, the inner sole 2 also comprises for each of the two through openings 8A, 8B of the outer sole 1 a connecting element 4A, 4B (FIGS. 8, 9) which comprises a portion 9A, 9B projecting from the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2, each configured to couple with and close the two first through openings 4A of the outer sole 1 and to create a shape coupling with the lateral wall 8C, 8D of the two through openings 8A 8B, so as to removably connect together said inner sole 2 and said outer sole 1.

[0117] Each projection 9A, 9B has a bottom surface 9C, 9D configured to come into contact with the ground, remain visible from the outside and form portion of the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1, when the inner sole 2 is constrained to the outer sole 1.

[0118] Preferably, the projections 9A, 9B have a shape which is complementary to the shape of the through openings 8A, 8B and have therefore a tapering equal to but opposite to the tapering of the two first through openings 8A, 8B, so as to achieve an interlocking shape coupling, which in the present context is defined as a dovetail-like shape coupling, of the inner sole with the outer sole when said inner sole 2 is connected to said outer sole 1.

[0119] Preferably, the projections 9A, 9B tapered upwards, specifically the area of said projections is smaller at the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2 and is greater at their bottom surface 9C.

[0120] Preferably, the projections 9A, 9B are tapered inwards and upwards at an angle A (FIG. 10) which develops around the outer periphery of each projecting element, that is to say the area of said projections is smaller in their upper portion (on the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2) and is greater in their bottom surface 9C, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0121] Preferably, the end portion 9M of the projections 9A, 9B is chamfered to facilitate the insertion of the projections 9A, 9B into the through openings 8A, 8B of the outer sole 1.

[0122] Preferably, the projections 9A, 9B are positioned precisely above the through openings 8A, 8B of the outer sole 1, in such a way that the projections can be inserted into said through openings (FIG. 10) when the inner sole 2 and the outer sole 1 are connected together.

[0123] Preferably, the projections 9A, 9B are also, therefore, provided at a rear area S1′ (FIG. 9) of the inner sole supporting the bottom and rear part of the foot at the heel and calcaneus, and at a front area S2′ of the sole supporting the bottom and front part of the foot at the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges.

[0124] These two portions S1′ and S2′ of the inner sole 2 are the portions on which the foot of the footwear wearer exerts the greatest downward force, and therefore also exerts a greater thrust aimed at keeping the projections 9A, 9B and the relative through openings 8A, 8B connected to each other.

[0125] Preferably, the projections 9A, 9B, as well as the through openings 8A, 8B, are arranged symmetrically to a central axis of symmetry X1′ (FIG. 9) of the footwear so that, as explained below, the thrust exerted by the foot on the portions 9A, 9B of the inner sole 2 which close these openings 8A, 8B is uniform.

[0126] Preferably, the two projections 9A, 9B have identical shape and dimensions.

[0127] Preferably, the projections 9A, 9B have significant dimensions compared to the dimensions of the inner sole, for example, if considered at their bottom view (FIG. 9) these dimensions are:

[0128] the width L21 (FIG. 9) of the rear projection 9B is between 40% and 70%, more preferably approximately 50%, of the width L25 of the lower surface 7A of the outer sole 1 measured at the centre C1′ of said projection 9B,

[0129] the length L23 of the front projection 9A is between 30% and 60%, more preferably approximately 40%, of the width L27 of the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2 measured at the centre C2′ of said projection 9A,

[0130] the length L22, L24 of the two projections 9A, 9B is between approximately 10% and 30%, more preferably approximately 18% of the overall length L26 of the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2.

[0131] Preferably, the lateral walls 9C, 9D have an inclination A (FIG. 10) which is between 30° and 60°, more preferably equal to approximately 45°, however substantially equal to the inclination of the lateral walls 8C, 8D of the through openings 8A, 8B.

[0132] Furthermore, without referring to FIGS. 2A, 3, 8-10 and 11, those skilled in the art recognize a further interaction and advantage of the proposed construction and arrangement. As indicated above, the angle A of the projections 9A, 9B (see FIG. 10 and also FIG. 11, where the angle has not been indicated with a reference) interacts with the (opposite) angle of the openings 8A, 8B so as to create a snap connection which adjusts during the flexion movement of the foot to ensure a better connection of the footwear components. In fact, when the outer sole 1 bends in a walking movement, the inner sole 2 and consequently also the body 7 of the inner 2 bend. Since the inner sole and the outer sole are made of a flexible material, the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 slightly compacts or shortens in length, during walking, with respect to the bottom surface 6A, which slightly lengthens. This movement also involves a movement of the openings 8A, 8B which move together with the respective projecting elements 9A, 9B and the angles (angle A) of the elements 9A, 9B necessarily further engage and tighten and fit inside the respective receiving angles of the openings 8A, 8B.

[0133] In the embodiment in question, the upper 3 has the usual shape for the uppers of an adjustable sandal; it, therefore, has the shape of a flexible flat wall which is configured to come into contact with a central part of the foot and leaves at least part of the toes and the heel uncovered. Uppers for footwear other than sandals and which cover a more or less extensive part of the foot also fall within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0134] Preferably, in the embodiment in question, the upper 3 comprises two covering portions 3A, 3B configured to extend over a portion of the back and base of the foot.

[0135] Preferably, the two portions 3A, 3B are distinct and comprise each a base band 3L, 3M (FIG. 13),

[0136] from a lower portion 3C, 3D of these base bands, which also form the substantially rectilinear lower edge of these base bands, the connectors 5A for connecting the upper to the outer sole 1 depart,

[0137] and from an upper edge of these base bands 3L, 3M two covering bands 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H depart, whose free ends can be connected together by means of usual connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K which allow the length of the covering bands to be adjusted and consequently allow the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back sizes.

[0138] Preferably, the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K of the ends of the covering bands 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H are for example of the type comprising a plate 3P (FIG. 15), at the ends of a first pair of covering bands 3E, 3G, from which a pin 3N departs outwards which is configured to engage in one of the holes 3N provided at a second pair of covering bands 3G, 3H (FIG. 16), and a slot 3Q to hold the ends of the covering bands 3E, 3F which engage with the pin 3N.

[0139] Preferably, the connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K is made of metal and is constrained to the ends of the pair of covering bands 3G, 3H in a manner usual to those skilled in the art, for example by riveting, with the rivet heads 3R (FIG. 14) rounded and flush with the inner surface of the pair of covering bands 3G, 3H.

[0140] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K are removably connected to the upper in order to allow a purchaser of the footwear to also customize this footwear component and / or to be able to replace them if damaged.

[0141] For this purpose, the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K are connected to the upper for example by means of usual connecting members 3S (FIG. 30) of the type usual to those skilled in the art.

[0142] For example, the connecting members 3S comprise:

[0143] two pins 3T which depart from a base wall 3U of the plate 3P of the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K,

[0144] and two heads 3V having an axial hole 3V′, configured to engage with the pins 3T so as to removably connect the heads 3V to the pins 3T, for example by a snap connection.

[0145] Preferably, the heads 3V have a flat, disc-like and rounded shape so that they do not protrude excessively inside the upper and not to cause discomfort to the wearer (as shown in FIG. 14 for the rivet heads 3R).

[0146] Preferably, the ends of the covering bands 3E, 3F have two through-holes for the passage of the pins 3T of the connecting and a adjusting elements 3J, 3K at the portions thereof to which the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K are to be associated; by passing these pins 3T through these through-holes and then connecting the heads 3V to these pins, the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K are attached to the ends of the covering bands 3E, 3F.

[0147] Since the connection of the heads 3V to the pins 3T is a removable connection, the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K can be easily replaced if damaged or to customize the footwear, for example, with connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K having a particular colour or shape.

[0148] According to a further variant, the heads 3V are stably associated with the pins 3T of the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K and the ends of the covering bands 3E, 3F, at the end portions thereof, to which the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K are to be associated, have two seats, for example two through-holes having for example a diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of said heads 3V, so that, by using the elasticity of the material of which the covering bands 3E, 3F are made, said heads can be removably associated with the seats of the bands themselves, thus also removably associating the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K with the covering bands 3E, 3F.

[0149] Preferably, the connectors 5A comprise for each of the two covers 3A, 3B three projections 11, which are shaped to engage each with one of the second through openings 10 of the outer sole 1, as previously discussed. Each of the projections 11 comprises a connecting foot 11B (FIG. 13) which departs from the lower edge 3C, 3D of the covers 3A, 3B and ends with the head 11C which develops perpendicularly with respect to said feet. The connecting foot 11B is shaped and sized to couple with and close the upper portion 10C of the through openings 10 while the head 11C is shaped and sized to couple with and close the lower portion 10D of these openings 10, with the bottom surface 11A of these heads configured to come into contact with the ground, remain visible from the outside and form part of the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1 when the upper is constrained to the outer sole 1.

[0150] Preferably, at least for a footwear size 37, the feet 11B of the projections 11 have an area (compared to a cross-section thereof) which is smaller than the area of the head 11C; for example, the area of the feet is between 10% and 50% of the area of the head, more preferably it is equal to approximately 20%.

[0151] Preferably, the feet 11B have shape and size which are substantially similar to those of the first portion 10C of the through openings 10, therefore preferably they have a flat shape, and have a length L28 (FIG. 21) which is between 1 cm and 3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 1.7 cm, a width L29 which is between 0.1 cm and 0.4 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 0.25 cm, and a height L30 which is between 1 cm and 0.3 cm, preferably equal to approximately 0.6 cm.

[0152] Preferably, the feet 11B have a rectangular cross-section and have a thickness L29 which is equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the base band 3L, 3M of the two portions 3A, 3B of the upper 3, from which they depart (FIG. 11).

[0153] Preferably, the thickness L29 (FIG. 22) of the feet 11B is greater than the thickness L9 (FIG. 20) of the rectilinear portion 10C of the second through openings 10, so that when the upper is connected to the outer sole, the portions 10C of the through openings 10 are always perfectly closed by the feet and the latter are housed without clearance in said openings. For example, the thickness L29 (FIG. 22) of the feet 11B is greater than the thickness L9 (FIG. 20) by a value between 5% and 20%.

[0154] Preferably, the heads 11C comprise a bottom surface 11A and an upper surface 11F, these two surfaces are parallel to each other, the connecting foot connects to the heads perpendicularly and centrally to their upper surface; the connecting foot thus divides the head into two portions 11H, 11G (FIG. 22) equal to each other.

[0155] Preferably, the heads 11C, have shape and size which are substantially identical to those of the second portion 10D of the through openings 10, therefore they preferably have a cylindrical shape with an elliptical cross-section, with the major axis of the ellipse substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis L20 (FIG. 23) of the feet 11B.

[0156] As already previously discussed, preferably the seat 10D′ for the heads 11C of the connectors has a height S7 (FIGS. 4B and 11) lower than the height S8 of the heads 11C (FIG. 11), these heads are therefore partly housed in the seats 10D′ and partly protruding from these seats contributing to form the reliefs 14 present in the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole.

[0157] To assemble the footwear illustrated so far, the procedure is as follows.

[0158] Preferably, the footwear is assembled by the end user who purchases all the footwear components separately and distinctly from each other, so that he or she can, for example, choose them according to his or her colour preferences, and who then personally assemble the footwear.

[0159] To assemble the footwear, first the upper 3 is connected to the outer sole 1; to carry out this operation, preferably the heads 11C are pushed into the upper portion 10C of the through openings 10, first making one half 11H of the heads 11C enter the upper portion 10C of the opening and then pushing the other half 11G into this upper portion 10C, so that the head goes beyond this upper portion 10C and, by rotating it by 90°, positions itself in the seat 10D′ delimited by the lower portion 10D of the opening 10, and with the external surface 11A of the head 11C parallel and flush with the reliefs 14 of the lower surface 6B of the outer sole (as shown in FIG. 2C).

[0160] The elasticity of the polymeric material of which the outer sole is made and the greater hardness of the polymeric material of which the projecting elements 11 are made allow these projecting elements 11 to be easily connected in the corresponding through openings 10.

[0161] The particular shape and size of the heads 11C and the through openings 10 make this operation particularly simple.

[0162] Preferably, a similar procedure is performed to remove the upper from the outer sole, rotating the heads 11C by approximately 90° in the lower portion 10D of the opening 10, so that a first half 11H of the head enters the upper portion 10C of the opening 10 and then pushing the other half 11G of the head into this upper portion 10C until the entire head comes out through the opening 10.

[0163] Once the two portions 3A, 3B of the upper 3 have been connected to the outer sole 1, the upper is formed and its width is adjusted by connecting the ends of the covering bands 3E-3H together.

[0164] When the upper has been connected to the outer sole, the inner sole 2 is connected to the outer sole 1; to this end, the inner sole 2 is pushed into the dedicated seat delimited by the upper surface 6B and the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1, allowing the projecting elements 9A, 9B which depart from the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2 to couple, close and engage with the through openings 8A, 8B of the outer sole 1.

[0165] The elasticity of the polymeric material of which the outer sole and the inner sole are made allows the projecting elements 9A, 9B to deform so that they can easily fit into the corresponding through-holes 8A, 8B; the large size of these through-holes further facilitates the connection.

[0166] The footwear is now fully assembled and ready to wear.

[0167] To remove the inner sole 2, the surface 9C of the projecting elements 9A, 9B of the inner sole 2 can be simply pushed from the outside towards the inside of the footwear, so as to disengage these projecting elements from the relative through openings 8A, 8B of the outer sole. Since the surface 9C forms part of the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 2, when the inner sole 2 is connected to the outer sole 1, this surface 9C of the projecting elements 9A, 9B is easily identified and accessed, thus facilitating the operation of removing the inner sole 2.

[0168] It should also be noted that since the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2 is located above at least one portion of the heads 11C of the second connectors 5A, 5B, when the footwear is assembled, the thrust exerted by the footwear wearer's foot on the inner sole 2 keeps these heads firmly housed in the relative openings 10 C in which they are inserted.

[0169] The operations for assembling the footwear are extremely simple and quick, and do not require the use of special tools as they can be done simply with fingers.

[0170] Furthermore, the inner sole can be removed without the need to remove the upper.

[0171] FIGS. 25A-C and 26A-C show two variants of the openings 10, which further simplify the operations of connecting the upper to the outer sole; the parts in common with the openings 10 previously described are indicated in these two variants with the same numbering used for the opening 10, increased by 200 and 300, respectively.

[0172] In these two variants, the second through openings 210, 310 again have an upper portion 210C, 310C, configured to house the connecting foot 11B (FIG. 21, 22) of the second projections 11 of the upper, and a lower portion 210D and 310D, configured to house the head 11C of the second projecting portions 11 of the upper.

[0173] According to these variants, the upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 210, 310 again, preferably, have a substantially rectilinear linear shape, but have a length L8′ (FIGS. 25A, 26A) greater than the length L20′ of the major axis of the lower portions 210D and 310D, configured to house the head 11C of the second projections 11 of the upper. The upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 210, 310, preferably, thus has a central portion W3, W3′ and two extensions W1, W2, W1′, W2′ projecting outward from the lower portion 210D and 310D of the openings; for example, the extensions W1, W2, W1′, W2′ have a length L40 which is between 5% and 20% of the overall length L8′ of the central portion W3 of the upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 210, 310.

[0174] The extensions W1, W2, W1′, W2′ have a width L9′ which is preferably equal to the width of the central portion W3 and equal to the width L9 of the previously described linear rectilinear openings 10C (FIG. 20).

[0175] Furthermore, according to a first variant (FIGS. 25A-B) the extensions W1 and W2 run the full thickness of the outer sole thus creating two though openings W1, W2 that span the entire thickness of the sole and connect with the central portion W3. Conversely, according to the second variant (FIGS. 26 A-B), the second through opening 310 configured to house the head 11C of the second connectors 11 has at its major axis and the through opening 310C two recessed ears 310S and 310T having a base wall coplanar to the base wall of the through opening 310 and also having the same height S7 as the through opening 310; in these hollow ears 310S and 310T the extensions W1′ and W2′ of the central portion W3 of the rectilinear through opening 310C extend.

[0176] Thanks to the extensions W1, W2, W1′, W2′ the upper portion 210C, 310C of the through openings 210, 310 has greater dimensions than the corresponding upper portion 10C of the through openings 10, and therefore less force is required to push the heads 11C into the upper portion 210C, 310C of the through openings 210, 310, making this operation easier.

[0177] This also applies when the upper must be removed from the outer sole.

[0178] To further simplify the connection of the upper to the outer sole, the second connectors can be modified as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28; to describe this variant of the second connecting means, the same reference numbering used to describe the various parts of the second connecting means 11 will be used, but increased by 100.

[0179] The second connecting means 111 (FIGS. 27A and 27B) comprise a connecting foot 111B having the same characteristics and dimensions as the connecting foot 11B previously described; at one end of the connecting foot 111B there is a head 111C. The connecting foot 111B divides the upper base of the head 111C into two equal portions 111H and 111G.

[0180] According to this variant, the thickness of the head 111C is not uniform, it decreases from its side 111S (FIG. 28) which, when the upper is associated with the outer sole, is closer to the outer edge 6G (FIG. 28) of the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1. The head 111C thus has at its lower face 111A which remains in view, when the upper is associated with the outer sole, a portion P1 (FIG. 27B) having a maximum thickness and a portion P2 having a thickness which decreases from the lower face 111A to the upper base 111H.

[0181] For example, the head 111 has a thickness which is uniform and maximum at and for the entire portion of the head 111 which comprises the portion 111G of the upper base of the head and decreases from the centre of the head towards the outside of the head, in the portion of the head which comprises the portion 111H of the upper base.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 29A, to connect the upper to the outer sole, the feet 111 are positioned with their portion P2 with reduced thickness facing the rectilinear portion 10C of the second through openings 10 and then pushed downwards, as indicated by the arrow R (FIG. 29A). Thanks to the reduced thickness of the portion P2 of the foot, it is easier to connect the upper to the sole is. The operation required to release the upper from the outer sole is also equally easy; in this case too, in fact, first of all the portion P2 of the head 111c is pushed and rotated upwards to make it enter the rectilinear portion 10C of the second through openings 10.

[0183] Advantageously, the combination of the particular, more elongated shape of the rectilinear portion 210C, 310C (FIGS. 25 and 26) and the head 111 having a reduced thickness further facilitate the operations required to connect and remove the upper from the outer sole.

[0184] It should be noted that in a simplified embodiment of the footwear described so far, the upper can be made in a single piece having the shape of an arched band.

[0185] FIGS. 17-19, 24A and 24B show a variant of the embodiment described so far wherein the most significant change compared to the previous embodiment is represented by the upper which now has the usual shape of the upper of the clogs; this change in the upper also involved a partial change in the inner sole, as described in detail below.

[0186] Preferably, the upper 103 has therefore an arched shape configured to come into contact with and cover a front and central part of the foot and which leaves the heel uncovered.

[0187] Preferably, the upper 103 comprises a cover 103A configured to extend over a portion of the toes, the back and base of the foot, and having a convex shape which is usual for this type of footwear.

[0188] Preferably, this cover 103A comprises a lower continuous edge 103M having, in a bottom view (FIG. 19), a U shape (FIG. 19) with the opening of the U facing the portion of the footwear that houses the heel.

[0189] The lower edge 103M, preferably, comprises: a right lower end portion 103D (FIG. 19), a left lower end portion 103C and a front end portion 103N configured to be positioned at the base of the foot, and from which the connecting element 105A (FIG. 18) for connecting the upper to the outer sole 1 depart.

[0190] Preferably, the upper 103 comprises immediately above and along its entire lower free edge 103M a continuous base band 103L (FIG. 19) which is placed between the inner surface 6E (FIG. 3) of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1 and the lateral wall 107C′ (FIG. 18) of the inner sole 102, when the footwear is assembled. Preferably, to facilitate the housing of this continuous base band 103L between the surfaces of the outer and inner sole, this continuous band is slightly inclined inwards with respect to the upper surface of the upper 103 from which it departs, at an angle which is substantially equal to the angle K (FIG. 11) of inclination of the inner surface 6E of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1.

[0191] Preferably, the covering portion 103A comprises, in the upper and lower portion thereof configured to be positioned above the back of the foot, a slot 103N and an adjusting band 103P by tightening which it is possible to bring the sides 103Q, 103R (FIG. 19) of the slot 103N closer together and consequently tighten the covering band so as to adapt it to the different size of the back of the foot of the footwear wearer.

[0192] As usual to those skilled in the art:

[0193] one end of the adjusting band 103P is preferably fixedly or removably connected to a first lateral portion 103S (FIG. 19) of the covering wall, for example by means of two usual buttons 103T (only one is visible in FIG. 19) provided at said first lateral portion 103S,

[0194] while the other end of the adjusting band 103P preferably comprises a plurality of holes 103U configured to engage with a connecting and adjusting element 103J completely similar to the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K previously described and comprising a plate from which a pin 3N′, configured to be engaged in one of said holes 103U, outwards departs and a slot 3Q′ to hold the free end of the adjusting band 103P.

[0195] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjusting band 103P as well as the connecting and adjusting element 103J are removably connected to the upper in order to allow a purchaser of the footwear to also customize these components of the footwear.

[0196] The connecting and adjusting element 103J is for example removably connected, for example similarly to what discussed with reference to the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K and shown in FIG. 30 or to what discussed with reference to the variant in which the heads 3V of the connecting and adjusting elements are stably associated with the pins 3T of the elements themselves.

[0197] The connectors 105A are identical to the connecting members 5A previously described and will therefore not be further described; their portions will be indicated with the same reference numbers used with reference to the previous embodiment, however increased by 100.

[0198] The connectors 105A are provided in the right lower end portion 103D (FIG. 9) and in the left lower end portion 103C, of the covering portion 103A in positions and at distances identical to those intended for the connectors 5A of the covering portion 3A of the upper 3 previously described, so as to be able to engage with the through openings 10 (FIG. 19) of the sole 1 previously described and in a manner completely similar to what previously explained.

[0199] The connectors 105A also comprise an additional connecting element 105A′ provided at the front end portion 103M of the covering portion 103A of the upper 103.

[0200] The additional connecting element 105A′ is also preferably identical to the connecting members 5A previously described.

[0201] This additional connecting element 105A′ is configured to engage in the opening 110D′ (FIG. 4A, 6, 24A, 24B) of the outer sole 1 once also a rectilinear opening 110C (FIG. 24B), identical to the rectilinear openings 10C provided in the other through openings 10, has been made in this opening 110D′ along its major axis.

[0202] It is thus possible to turn the non-through opening 110D′ (FIG. 24A) into a through opening 10 (FIG. 24B) identical to all the other openings 10 described so far. Once the opening 110D′ has been modified in the manner described above, it is identical to the other through openings 10 provided in the sole 1, and it is therefore possible to associate the additional connecting element 105A′ with it in an identical manner to what previously described with reference to the connectors 5A and the through openings 10 of the footwear shown in FIGS. 1-16.

[0203] To connect the upper 103 to the outer 1 the procedure to be carried out is analogous to what previously described with reference to the upper 3.

[0204] The inner sole 102 is substantially identical to the inner sole 2 previously described. The identical characteristics will therefore not be further described again later; only the characteristics which are modified compared to the sole 2 will be described below. The modified characteristics only relate to a different shape of its lateral walls 107C, 107C′, given that the shape of the base wall 103L of the upper 103, which must come into contact with the lateral wall of the inner sole 102 is different.

[0205] In fact, since the upper 103 has a lower edge 103M and a relative continuous band 103L (FIGS. 18 and 19) which extends not only laterally, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-16, but also in the front portion of the footwear, to facilitate the positioning of this continuous band 103L, the inner sole 102 comprises on both its right and left sides and in its front portion a continuous portion 107J which is recessed with respect to the portion 107R of the outer sole on which the heel rests and which does not come into contact with the lower edge of the upper. This continuous recessed portion 107J runs the full height of the sole has a length which is equal to the length of this continuous band 103L, and has a depth equal to the thickness of this continuous band.

[0206] The inner sole 102 thus comprises a lateral wall 107C in the area of the sole configured to house the heel, which protrudes further outward than the remaining lateral wall 107C′ which houses the continuous lower band 103L of the upper 103.

[0207] Thanks to this recessed portion 107J, when the inner sole 102 is associated with the outer sole 1, a shaped passage is created between the opposing lateral surfaces 6E, 107C′ of the lateral walls of the outer sole 1 and the inner sole 102, which houses the continuous base band 103L of the upper and prevents the formation of discontinuities between said opposing lateral surfaces 6E, 107C′, due to the thickness of this base band 103L.

[0208] According to the invention, not only the upper 3 and the inner sole 2, but also the upper 103 and the inner sole 102 can be thus associated to the same outer sole 1 previously described.

[0209] By making the necessary changes to the lateral wall of the inner sole, the outer sole 1 can be associated with any other upper comprising all or only some of the connectors 5A, 105A described so far, configured to engage with all or only some of the through openings 10 provided in the outer sole 1 described so far.

[0210] To simplify the production process, the outer sole 1 and also the inner sole 2, 102 are preferably made of a polymeric material, preferably EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and more preferably EVA and “bio based EVA”, with the latter for example in a percentage between 10% and 30%, more preferably between 15% and 20%.

[0211] The outer sole 1 and also the inner sole 2 are preferably made by injection moulding.

[0212] Preferably, the hardness of the outer sole is greater than the hardness of the inner sole, for example the outer sole has a hardness between 10% and 30% greater than the hardness of the inner sole 2, and more preferably approximately 20% greater.

[0213] For example, the hardness of the outer sole is between 50 shore C and 70 shore C and more preferably it is equal to approximately 60 shore C.

[0214] It has been experimentally verified that these hardness values allow the uppers to efficiently connect to each other and ensure good comfort performance of the footwear.

[0215] The two portions 5A, 5B of the upper 3 and also the upper 103 are also preferably made of a polymeric material, preferably of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and more preferably of TPU and “bio based TPU”, with the latter for example in a percentage between 10% and 30%, more preferably between 15% and 20%.

[0216] TPU is chosen as the material for the upper as TPU is generally a material which is more resistant than EVA.

[0217] Preferably, the hardness of the upper is greater than the hardness of the inner sole and the outer sole, for example the hardness of the upper is between 70 shore C and 90 shore C, and more preferably approximately 80 shore C.

[0218] The two portions 5A, 5B of the upper 3 and the upper 103 are also preferably made by injection moulding.

[0219] As usual to those skilled in the art, the outer sole and / or the inner sole could be made of a plurality of different materials and / or layers; for example, the outermost portion of the outer sole, which comes into contact with the ground, could be made with a layer of a different material than that of the remaining innermost portion of the said outer sole, specifically a material adapted to ensure better grip of the sole with the ground (for example, a rubber-based compound).

[0220] The outer sole and / or the inner sole could also comprise, as usual to those skilled in the art, parts made of different materials, for example to improve the cushioning features of the various parts of the sole.

[0221] The upper could also be made of a variety of materials and / or layers usual to those skilled in the art; for example, it could comprise covering bands 3E-3H made of leather or a similar flexible material, and sewn to the terminal portion 3L, 3M of the upper.

[0222] As discussed with reference to the two embodiments illustrated so far, the footwear according to the invention is preferably made of an extremely limited number of components: An outer sole 1 made in a single piece,

[0223] An outer sole 2, 102 made in a single piece,

[0224] An upper 3, 103 made in two pieces or in a single piece,

[0225] A connecting member for connecting the two portions of the upper and / or for adjusting the size of the upper, comprising one or two connecting and / or adjusting elements 3K, 3J, 3Q′, 103P, 103J,

[0226] wherein all said components are removably connected to the footwear so that they can be replaced if damaged and / or to customise the footwear.

[0227] The whole footwear according to the two embodiments described so far consists only of:

[0228] six pieces (FIG. 2A): an outer sole 1, an inner sole 2 and an upper 3 in two pieces 3B, 3C, which are distinct and connectable to each other by their own connecting and adjusting element 3K, 3J;

[0229] or six pieces (FIG. 17): an outer sole 1, an inner sole 102 and a one-piece upper 103, and an upper size connecting and adjusting element consisting in turn of three pieces: an adjusting band 103P, a connecting member 103T for connecting a first end of this band to the upper 103 and a connecting and adjusting element 103J for connecting the other end of this band to the upper, wherein all said pieces are removably connected to the footwear, so that they can be replaced if damaged and / or to customise the footwear.

[0230] wherein all said pieces are removably connected to the footwear, so that they can be replaced if damaged and / or to customise the footwear.

[0231] In a simplified version of the footwear according to the invention, which neither comprises a multi-piece upper nor connecting and / or adjusting members of the upper, the footwear can consist of only three pieces:

[0232] An outer sole made in a single piece,

[0233] An inner sole made in a single piece,

[0234] An upper made in a single piece.

[0235] The footwear according to the invention offers a number of advantages compared to the conventional footwear in which the different components are not separable from each other.

[0236] For example, one of the three parts of the footwear, the outer sole 1, the inner sole 2 and the upper 3,103, could be damaged due to excessive wear or improper use. In conventional footwear, the entire footwear would be discarded due to the damage to a single part. In the footwear according to the invention, however, the damaged part can be separated from the undamaged parts and replaced. This offers a clear advantage for the consumers.

[0237] The footwear according to the invention can also be cleaned more effectively than the conventional footwear.

[0238] In both the footwear according to the invention and the conventional footwear, sweat, dirt, debris, or other contaminants can affect the appearance and odour of the footwear. Conventional footwear often incorporates an insole attached to the inside of the footwear by adhesive. Therefore, cleaning this area can be difficult. In the footwear according to the invention, both the upper and the inner sole are completely removable from the outer sole and can therefore be cleaned quickly, easily, and effectively.

[0239] Furthermore, the outer and / or inner sole of a footwear may be made of polymeric materials, which may have different cleaning requirements than the upper, which may be made at least partially of textile materials or leather. With the footwear according to the invention, however, the different materials which form the upper part and the outer and / or inner part of the sole may be cleaned separately, so as to appropriately take into account their specific materials or cleaning requirements.

[0240] The footwear according to the invention simplifies the need for the footwear manufacturers to offer the consumers footwear which is aesthetically pleasing and cyclically changes its external appearance, for example its colour or materials.

[0241] For example, there is a strong need to offer the consumers footwear in numerous colour combinations. However, this requirement involves significant production investments for the manufacturers and manufacturers, to limit these investments, offer footwear in limited colour combinations. The footwear according to the invention, however, offers the consumers the option of purchasing the various footwear components separately: the outer sole, the inner sole and the upper, so that they can create a footwear with a unique and customised colour combination. Similar considerations can also be applied to the designs applied to the footwear and the materials used to make the various components.

[0242] In addition to modifications for aesthetic purposes, the footwear according to the invention can also be modified with regard to its technical characteristics.

[0243] For example, one person might need footwear with a low arch, while another person might need a high arch. The footwear according to the invention solves this problem simply by producing two inner soles with different arch support, both of which can be connected to the same outer sole and upper.

[0244] This also applies to the comfort and / or ground grip characteristics of the outer sole; for example, it may be necessary to have an outer sole configured to walk on soft surfaces, such as sand, or configured to walk on harder surfaces, such as rocks, which require an outer sole and / or inner sole with specific shock absorption and / or attenuation properties. The footwear according to the invention solves these problems simply by producing two or more outer soles and / or inner soles with different technical characteristics, all of which can be connected to the same upper.

[0245] The footwear according to the invention also allows the consumer to use the same inner and outer sole with a plurality of uppers of a different type.

[0246] The footwear described so far is of the sandal or “clog” type, but as previously discussed, the upper could also have a configuration other than the two configurations described so far, although usual to those skilled in the art. The footwear according to the invention can therefore be easily converted from a first type of shoe to a second type of shoe simply by changing the upper.

[0247] It is reiterated that the upper shapes described so far are provided for by way of example only and that the upper may also have the configuration of a shoe or a boot. The outer and / or inner sole may also be replaced with an outer and / or inner sole having a different shape and / or configuration to modify the style of the footwear according to the invention. Consequently, the caulking according to the invention allows the manufacturer to easily modify many aspects of the footwear, including aesthetics, fit, and style.

[0248] The present invention has been described so far with reference to a variety of embodiments. However, the object of the present description is to exemplify the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit its scope. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications to the embodiments described above can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0249] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the footwear described so far but it also relates to the footwear individual components, and in particular to an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper as described so far and as claimed in claims 8-13.

[0250] Therefore, the invention also relates to an outer sole 1 for a modular footwear of the type comprising said outer sole 1, an inner sole 2, 102, and an upper 3, 103 which can be removably connected to each other;

[0251] wherein the outer sole 1 provides connectors 4A configured to cooperate with counter connectors 4B of the inner sole to removably connect said inner sole to said outer sole;

[0252] wherein said connectors of the outer sole are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors 4B of the inner sole and removably connect said inner sole 2, 102 and said outer sole 1 to each other;

[0253] wherein the outer sole 1 provides further connectors 5A configured to cooperate with counter connectors 5B of the upper to removably connect said upper to said outer sole;

[0254] wherein said further connectors are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors 5B of the upper and removably connect together said inner sole 2, 102 and said upper 3, 103;

[0255] wherein the outer sole 1 is a part of the footwear which is distinct and separable from the inner sole and the upper and individually replaceable, when the respective connectors 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B do not connect the outer sole to the inner sole and the upper;

[0256] wherein the outer sole 1 comprises:

[0257] a bottom surface 6A configured to contact the ground,

[0258] an upper surface 6B opposed to the bottom surface and configured to contact a lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2,

[0259] and a lateral wall 6C departing from the perimeter edge 6D of said upper surface 6B and having an inner lateral surface 6E,

[0260] wherein the upper surface 6B and the inner lateral surface 6E of the outer sole 1 delimit a recessed seat 6F configured to at least partially house the inner sole 2.

[0261] wherein the elements 4A for removably connecting the inner sole 2, 102 to the outer sole 1, comprise:

[0262] at least one first through opening 8A, 8B which connects the upper surface 6A and the lower surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and which is delimited by at least one lateral wall 8C, 8D,

[0263] wherein said at least one first through opening 8A, 8B is configured:

[0264] to couple with at least one first portion 9A, 9B of the counter connectors of the inner sole 2, 102,

[0265] and to be closed and house said at least one first portion 9A, 9B of the inner sole 2, 102,

[0266] and the further connectors 5A, 5B for removably connecting the upper 3, 103 to the outer sole comprises:

[0267] a plurality of second through openings 10 which connect the upper surface 6A and the lower surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and are delimited each by at least one lateral wall 10A,

[0268] wherein each of said plurality of said second through openings 10 is configured:

[0269] to couple with at least one first portion 11, 111 of the counter connectors of the upper 3, 103,

[0270] and to be closed and house said at least one first portion 11, 111 of the counter connectors of the upper.

[0271] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the connectors 4A, 4B for removably connecting the inner sole 2 to the outer sole 1, comprise two first through openings 8A, 8B; that a first through opening 8B is provided in a rear area S1 of the outer sole 1 configured to support the back of the foot including the heel and calcaneus, and that a second through opening 8A is provided in a front area S2 of the sole configured to support the bottom and front part of the foot comprising the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges.

[0272] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the further through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a lower portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1 comprises one or more non-through openings 110D′ identical to the lower portion 10D of the second through openings 10, said non-through openings being configured to comprise and be in communication with also an upper portion 10C identical to said upper portion 10C of the through openings 10 and be thus turned into openings having the same characteristics as said second through openings 10.

[0273] Preferably, the outer sole provides that said at least one first through opening 8A, 8B is a large opening and has:

[0274] a width L1, L3 between 30% and 70% of the width L5 of the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 measured at the centre C1 of said opening 8B,

[0275] and a length L2, L4 between approximately 10% and 50% of the overall length L6 of the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1.

[0276] Preferably, the outer sole provides that said at least one first through opening 8A, 8B is tapered downwards, so that the area of said opening is greater at the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1 and is smaller at the upper surface 6B, so as to achieve a dovetail-like shape coupling of the inner sole with the outer sole when said inner sole 2 is connected to said outer sole 1 and when said at least one first portion 9A, 9B of the inner sole 2 has a tapering equal to but opposite to that of said at least one first through opening 8A, 8B.

[0277] Preferably, the outer sole provides that said at least one first through opening 8A, 8B is tapered downwards, so that the area of said opening is greater at the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1 and is smaller at the upper surface 6B, and that said lateral wall 8C, 8D has an inclination A between 30° and 60°.

[0278] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 are comprised in the outer sole 1, further out than the first through openings 8A, 8B.

[0279] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 are at least three and are provided:

[0280] at the front area S2 of the sole configured to support the part of the bottom and front part of the foot at the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges,

[0281] at a central area S3 of the upper configured to support the arch of the foot,

[0282] and at a rear area S1 of the upper at the part of the upper configured to support the lower and rear part of the foot at the heel.

[0283] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 are at least three and are not uniformly spaced apart from each other.

[0284] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that said upper portion 10C has a rectilinear shape and is oriented parallel to the perimeter edge of the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1.

[0285] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that said upper portions 10C are provided at the perimeter edge 6D of said upper surface 6B of the sole of the footwear, and at the base of the inner surface 6E of the lateral wall 6C of the outer sole 1.

[0286] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the area, considered in cross-section, of the upper portion 10C of the opening 10 is between 1% and 50% of the area of the lower portion 10D, and preferably is about 5%.

[0287] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the upper portion 10C of the openings 10 has a substantially rectilinear linear shape.

[0288] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the upper portion 10C of the openings 10 has a substantially rectilinear linear shape, and has a length L8 which is between 1 cm and 3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 1.9 cm and a width L19 which is between 0.05 cm and 0.3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 0.1 cm.

[0289] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the lower portion 10D of the openings 10 has a polygonal shape, preferably elliptical, with a major axis of the polygon, preferably of the ellipse, substantially coinciding with the upper portion of rectilinear shape 10C of the opening.

[0290] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the lower portion 10D of the openings 10 delimits a hollow seat open at the bottom 10D′, configured to house without clearance a head 11C of the second upper connectors 5A, 5B of the upper 3.

[0291] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the lower portion 10D has a length L20 which is between 1 cm and 3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 2.1 cm and a width L21 which is between 1 cm and 2.5 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 1.4 cm.

[0292] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the upper portion 10C of the openings 10 extends in height for a section S3 between 30% and 80%, more preferably between 40% and 50% of the overall thickness S1 of the outer sole 1 measured between the upper surface 6B and the lower surface 6A of the outer sole 1 at the considered opening 10.

[0293] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the lower portion 10D of the openings 10 delimits a hollow seat 10D′ configured to house without clearance a head 11C of the second connectors 5A, 5B of the upper 3, and that said seat 10D′ has a height S7 lower than the height S8 of said head 11C, said head being partly housed in the seat 10D′ and partly protruding from said seat and contributing to form one of the reliefs 14 present in the upper surface 6A of the outer sole.

[0294] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 10 have a substantially rectilinear linear shape and has a length L8′ greater than the length L20′ of the major axis of the lower portion 210D and 310D, configured to house the head 11C of the second projections 11 of the upper;

[0295] said upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 210, 310 having a central portion W3, W3′ and two extensions W1, W2, W1′, W2′ projecting outwards with respect to said lower portion 210D and 310D of the openings;

[0296] wherein said extensions W1, W2, W1′, W2′ have a length L40 which is between 5% and 205% of the overall length L8′ of the central portion W3 of the upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 210, 310.

[0297] Preferably, the outer sole provides that the second through openings 10 for connecting the upper 3 comprise an upper portion 10C, open at the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 and in communication with a second portion 10D open at the outer surface 6A of the outer sole 1, and that the upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 10 have a substantially rectilinear linear shape and has a length L8′ greater than the length L20′ of the major axis of the lower portion 210D and 310D, configured to house the head 11C of the second projections 11 of the upper;

[0298] said upper portion 210C and 310C of the openings 210, 310 having a central portion W3, W3′ and two extensions W1, W2, W1′, W2′ projecting outwards with respect to said lower portion 210D and 310D of said openings; wherein said extensions W1 and W2 extend across the entire thickness of the outer sole, thus creating two through openings W1, W2 that span the entire thickness of the sole and connect with the central portion W3;

[0299] or that said second through opening 310 configured to house the head 11C of the second connectors 11 has at its major axis and the through opening 310C two recessed ears 310S and 310T having a base wall which is coplanar to the base wall of the through opening 310 and also having the same height S7 as the through opening 310, and that in these hollow ears 310S and 310T said extensions W1′ and W2′ of the central portion W3 of the rectilinear through opening 310C develop.

[0300] Preferably, the outer sole 1 consists of a single body 6 having the upper surface 6A, the upper surface 6B, and the lateral wall 6C and the at least one first through opening 8A, 8B and the plurality of second through openings 10.

[0301] Preferably, the outer sole 1 is entirely made of a polymeric material.

[0302] Preferably, the outer sole is made of EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate).

[0303] Preferably, the outer sole 1 is made of EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and “bio based EVA” and the “bio based EVA” is expected to be between 10% and 30%, more preferably between 15% and 20%.

[0304] Preferably, the outer sole 1 is entirely made by injection moulding.

[0305] Preferably, the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole 1 is made is greater than the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole 2 is made, and the outer sole 1 has a hardness between 10% and 30% greater than the hardness of the inner sole 2, and preferably approximately 20% greater.

[0306] Preferably, the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole 1 is made is greater than that of the outer sole 2, the hardness of the outer sole 1 is between 10% and 30% greater than the hardness of the inner sole 2, and preferably approximately 20% greater, and the hardness of the outer sole is between 50 shore C and 70 shore C and preferably approximately 60 shore C.

[0307] The invention also relates to an inner sole 2, 102 for a modular footwear of the type comprising: an outer sole 1, said inner sole 2, 102, and an upper 3, 103 which can be removably connected to each other;

[0308] wherein said inner sole 2, 102 comprises connectors 4B configured to cooperate with counter connectors 4A of the outer sole to removably connect said inner sole to said outer sole;

[0309] wherein said connectors 4B of the inner sole are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors 4a of the outer sole and removably connect together said inner sole 2, 102 and said outer sole 1;

[0310] wherein the inner sole 2, 102 is a portion of the footwear which is distinct and separable from the inner sole and the outer sole and individually replaceable, when said connectors 4A 4B do not connect the inner sole and the outer sole;

[0311] wherein the inner sole 2, 102 comprises:

[0312] a lower surface 7A, 107A configured to overlap an upper surface 6B of the outer sole 6,

[0313] an upper surface 7B, 107B configured to support the sole of the foot,

[0314] and a lateral surface 7C, 107C,

[0315] wherein the connection elements 4B of the inner sole, for removably connecting the inner sole 2, 102 to the outer sole 1, comprise:

[0316] at least one first portion 9A, 9B projecting from the lower surface 7A, 107A of the inner sole 2, 102, configured to couple with and close at least one first through opening 4A, of the connectors 4A of the outer sole 1, and to form a shape coupling with a lateral wall 8C, 8D of said at least one first through opening 8A, 8B of the outer sole, so as to removably connect together said inner sole 2, 102 and said outer sole 1;

[0317] wherein said at least one first projection 9A, 9B has a bottom surface 9C, 9D configured to contact the ground, remain visible from the outside and form portion of a bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1, when said at least one first portion 9A, 9B projecting from the bottom surface 7A, 107A of the inner sole 2, 102, couples with and closes said at least one first through opening 4A of the connectors 4A of the outer sole 1.

[0318] Preferably, the inner sole 2, 102 provides that the at least one first portion 9A, 9B projecting from the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2, 102, configured to couple with and close said at least one first through opening 4A of the outer sole 1, is tapered upwardly, i.e., the area of said at least one first projection is smaller at the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2 and is greater at its lower surface 9C.

[0319] Preferably, the inner sole 2, 102 provides two first projections 9A, 9B provided at a rear area S1′ of the inner sole supporting the bottom and rear portion of the foot at the heel and calcaneus, and at a front area S2′ of the sole supporting the bottom and front portion of the foot at the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges.

[0320] Preferably, the inner sole 2, 102 provides that the at least one first portion 9A, 9B projecting from the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2, 102 is a large projection and has:

[0321] a width L21, L23 between 30% and 70% of the width L5 of the upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1 measured at the centre C1 of said opening 8B,

[0322] and a length L22, L24 between approximately 10% and 50% of the overall length L26 of the bottom surface 7A of the inner sole 2.

[0323] Preferably, the inner sole 2, 102 provides that said lateral surface 7C, 107C of the inner sole comprises at least one portion 7J, 107J which is recessed with respect to the remaining lateral surface 7C, 107C of the inner sole 2, 102,

[0324] wherein said at least one recessed portion 7J, 107J is configured to house at least one lower base band 3L, 3M, 103L of the upper 3, 103;

[0325] and wherein said at least one recessed portion 7J, 107J runs the full height of the lateral surface 7C, 107C and has a length L12 equal to the length of said at least one lower base band 3L, 3M 103L, and has a depth equal to the thickness of said at least one lower base band 3L, 3M, 103L.

[0326] Preferably, the inner sole 2, 102 provides that, when the outer sole 1 and the inner sole 2, 102 are connected together, the lower surface 7A, 107 of the inner sole 2, 102 is configured to be completely housed in a recessed seat 6F of the outer sole 1,

[0327] and with at least one portion of the lateral surface 7C, 107C of the inner sole housed within said recessed seat 6F and in direct or indirect contact with a corresponding portion of an inner surface 6E of a lateral wall of the outer sole 1 in such a way that said portion of the lateral surface 7C, 107C of the inner sole cooperating with said inner surface 6E of the lateral wall of the outer sole 1 cooperates in keeping the inner sole 2 connected to the outer sole 1, preventing lateral displacements of said inner sole 2 with respect to the outer sole 1.

[0328] Preferably, the inner sole 2, 102 provides that the shape and dimensions of the lower surface 7A of the inner sole 2, 102 are substantially identical to the shape and dimensions of an upper surface 6B of the outer sole 1, so that said upper surface 6B and lower surface 7A may overlap and contact each other.

[0329] Preferably, the inner sole 2, 102 provides that the inner sole is formed by a single body 7 having the lower surface 7A, the upper surface 7B, the lateral surface 7C and the at least one first projection 9A, 9B.

[0330] Preferably, the inner sole is formed by a single body 7 having the lower surface 7A, the upper surface 7B, the lateral surface 7C, and the at least one first projection 9A, 9B, and said single body 7 of the inner sole 2 is made with one or more layers or portions of one or more polymeric materials.

[0331] Preferably, the inner sole 2 is entirely made of a polymeric material.

[0332] Preferably, the inner sole 2 is made of EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate).

[0333] Preferably, the inner sole 2 is made of EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and “bio based EVA” and the “bio based EVA” is expected to be between 10% and 30%, more preferably between 15% and 20%.

[0334] Preferably, the inner sole 2 is entirely made by injection moulding.

[0335] Preferably, the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole 1 is made is greater than the hardness of the polymeric material of which the inner sole 2 is made, and the outer sole 1 has a hardness between 10% and 30% greater than the hardness of the inner sole 2, and preferably approximately 20% greater.

[0336] Preferably, the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole 1 is made is greater than that of the outer sole 2, the hardness of the outer sole 1 is between 10% and 30% greater than the hardness of the inner sole 2, and preferably about 20% greater, and the hardness of the outer sole is between 50 shore C and 70 shore C, and preferably approximately 60 shore C.

[0337] The invention also relates to an upper 3, 103 for a modular footwear of the type comprising: an outer sole 1, said inner sole 2, 102, and an upper 3, 103 which can be removably connected to each other;

[0338] wherein the upper 3, 103 has connectors 5B configured to cooperate with counter connectors 5A of the outer sole 1 to removably connect said upper to said outer sole;

[0339] wherein said upper connectors 5B are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors 5a of said outer sole and removably connect together said upper 3, 103 and said inner sole 2, 102;

[0340] wherein the upper 3, 103 is a part of the footwear which is distinct and separable from the inner sole and the outer sole and individually replaceable, when said connectors 5A, 5B do not connect the upper and the outer sole together;

[0341] wherein upper 3, 103 comprises:

[0342] at least one cover 3A, 3B, 103A configured to extend at least partially over a portion of the back and base of the foot,

[0343] wherein said at least one cover 3A, 3B, 103A provides at least one lower end portion 3C, 3D, 103L, configured to be positioned at the base of the foot,

[0344] wherein said connectors 5B of the upper 3, 103 provide:

[0345] a) a plurality of projections 11, 111 each comprising a connecting foot 11B, 111B extending from said at least one lower end portion 3C, 3D, 103L of said at least one cover 3A, 3B, 103A of the upper, and that said connecting foot terminates in a head 11C, 111C extending perpendicularly to said foot,

[0346] b) that said connecting foot has a thickness L29 equal to or slightly less than the thickness of said at least one lower end portion 3C, 3D, 103L of the upper from which it departs,

[0347] c) that said head 11C, 111C runs perpendicular to said foot,

[0348] d) that said connecting foot has a flat shape,

[0349] e) and that the head 11C,111C comprises a lower surface 11A and an upper surface 11F, that said lower surface comprises at least one portion thereof which is parallel to said upper surface, that the connecting foot is connected to the heads perpendicularly and centrally to their upper surface, and that the connecting foot divides the upper surface 11F of the head 11C into two portions 11H, 11G equal to each other.

[0350] Preferably, the upper provides that the thickness of the head 111C is not uniform, it decreases from its side 111S which, when the upper 3, 103 is associated with the outer sole 1, is closer to the outer edge 6G than the bottom surface 6A of the outer sole 1.

[0351] Preferably, the upper provides that the head 111C has, at its lower face 111A which remains visible when the upper is associated with the outer sole, a portion P1 having a maximum thickness and a portion P2 having a thickness which decreases from the lower face 111A of the head to an upper base 111H of the head 111.

[0352] Preferably, the upper provides that the connecting foot has a flat shape, and has a length L28 between 1 cm and 3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 1.7 cm, a width L29 between 0.1 cm and 0.4 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 0.25 cm, and a height L30 between 1 cm and 0.3 cm, more preferably equal to approximately 0.6 cm.

[0353] Preferably, the upper provides that the second projections 11 comprise a connecting foot 11B departing from said at least one lower end portion 3C, 3D, 103L of said at least one covering portion 3A, 3B, 103A of the upper, that said connecting foot terminates in a head 11C extending perpendicularly with respect to said foot, and that the head has substantially a cylindrical shape, preferably with an elliptical cross-section, with the major axis of the base of the cylinder substantially coinciding with the base of the connecting foot 11B.

[0354] Preferably, the upper provides that the second projections 11 comprise at least three feet 11B departing from said at least one lower end portion 3C, 3D, 103L of said at least one covering portion 3A, 3B, 103A of said upper, said at least three feet being spaced apart from each other and being provided:

[0355] at the lower and front area S2′ of the upper configured to cover a bottom and front part of the foot at the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges,

[0356] at a central and lower area S3′ of the upper configured to cover a central part of the foot at the arch,

[0357] and at a rear and lower area S1 of the upper configured to cover a rear part of the foot at the heel.

[0358] Preferably, the upper provides that the second projections 11 comprise at least three feet 11B departing from said at least one lower end portion 3C, 3D, 103L of said at least one covering portion 3A, 3B, 103A of the upper, and that said at least three feet are not uniformly spaced apart from each other.

[0359] Preferably, the upper provides that the cover 103 of the upper extends and is configured to contact only a central part of the foot but not also the toes and the heel, the footwear having the shaped of a sandal.

[0360] Preferably, the upper provides that the cover 3A, 3B of the upper extends and is configured to come into contact only with a central part of the foot and the toes but not also with the heel, the footwear having the shaped of a clog.

[0361] Preferably, the upper provides that the cover comprises at least one connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to allow the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back sizes.

[0362] Preferably, the upper provides that the cover comprises at least one connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to allow the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back sizes; and that said connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J comprises connectors 3S for removably coupling said connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J to the upper.

[0363] Preferably, the upper 3 consists only of the cover 3A, 3B, 103 and a connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J, connected to said cover 3A, 3B, 103, configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to adapt the upper to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein said cover is entirely made of a polymeric material.

[0364] Preferably, the upper consists only of the cover 3A, 3B, 103 and at least one connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J, connected to said cover 3A, 3B, 103, configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to adapt the upper to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein at least said cover is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0365] Preferably, the upper 3 consists only of the cover 3A, 3B, 103 and at least one connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J, connected to said cover 3A, 3B, 103, configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to adapt the upper to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein at least said cover is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and “bio based TPU”, and wherein said “bio based TPU” is provided in a percentage between 10% and 30%, preferably between 10% and 30%.

[0366] Preferably, the upper 3 consists only of the cover 3A, 3B, 103 and at least one connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J, connected to said cover 3A, 3B, 103, configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to adapt the upper to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein at least said cover is made of a polymeric material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the material of the inner and / or outer sole.

[0367] Preferably, the upper 3 consists only of the cover 3A, 3B, 103 and at least one connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J, connected to said cover 3A, 3B, 103, configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to adapt the upper to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein at least said cover is made of a polymeric material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the material of the inner and / or outer sole, the hardness of the upper being between 70 shore C and 90 shore C and more preferably being approximately 80 shore C.

[0368] Preferably, the upper 3 consists only of the cover 3A, 3B, 103 and at least one connecting and adjusting element 3J, 3K, 103J, connected to said cover 3A, 3B, 103, configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to adapt the upper to a plurality of feet having different back dimensions, wherein at least said cover is made by injection moulding.

[0369] The invention also relates to a method for creating customized footwear and for marketing them.

[0370] According to this method, a plurality of outer soles, a plurality of inner soles, and a plurality of uppers are manufactured, wherein:

[0371] all the outer soles, the inner soles, and the uppers have the same technical characteristics described so far, and are configured to allow the outer sole, the inner sole, and the upper to be removably connected to create a finished shoe,

[0372] and wherein:

[0373] all the outer soles have a first plurality of different external colours and / or finishes,

[0374] all the inner soles have a second plurality of different external colours and / or finishes,

[0375] all the uppers have a third plurality of different external colours and / or finishes,

[0376] with these first, second, and third pluralities of external colours and / or finishes which can be coincident or even different from each other.

[0377] According to the invention, the end consumer can create the footwear he or she desires by choosing the outer sole, the inner sole and the upper in the colours and / or finishes he or she desires and then manually connecting them together to create a finished footwear.

[0378] Preferably, to further increase the possibilities to customize the footwear, as described above, the upper 3 according to the first embodiment described so far (FIG. 13) can be made in two parts 3A and 3B which can be connected to each other by means of two connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K. The method according to the invention provides that the parts 3A and 3B are each produced in a fourth and fifth plurality of external colours and / or finishes, and if the connecting and adjusting elements 3J, 3K are also removably connected to the parts 3A and 3B, that these connecting and adjusting elements are also produced in a sixth plurality of colours; with this fourth, fifth, sixth plurality of external colours and / or finishes which can be coincident or even different from each other and / or from the first, second and third plurality of colours.

[0379] This also applies to the second embodiment of the upper 103 (FIG. 18) wherein the three components of the element for connecting and adjusting the size of the upper, specifically the adjusting band 103P, the connecting member 103T for connecting a first end of this band to the upper 103 and a connecting and adjusting element 103J for connecting and adjusting the other end of this band to the upper, according to the invention, are each produced in a seventh, eighth and ninth plurality of external colours and / or finishes; with this seventh, eighth, ninth plurality of external colours and / or finishes which can be coincident or even different from each other and / or from the first, second and third plurality of colours.

[0380] The invention also relates to a method of producing footwear wherein the end consumer does not purchase a finished footwear but he or she purchases the footwear components, all separated and distinct from each other, and then personally assembles these pieces together to create a finished footwear. This method of producing footwear offers significant advantages in terms of reducing the overall size of the footwear, the possibility of customizing the footwear and the possibility of replacing damaged or worn parts, as previously discussed.

[0381] The invention therefore also relates to a kit for creating a modular footwear, characterised by the fact that it comprises one or more of the following components:

[0382] an outer sole according to one or more of the embodiments described so far,

[0383] an inner sole according to one or more of the embodiments described so far,

[0384] an upper according to one or more of the embodiments described so far,

[0385] wherein said components are all distinct and separated components and are not connected together and are configured to be connected together and create a footwear finished by the end user of the footwear.

Claims

1) A modular footwear for being worn on a wearer's foot, comprising: an outer sole (1), an inner sole (2, 102), and an upper (3, 103) removably connected together;wherein the outer sole (1) and inner sole (2, 102) comprise first connectors (4A, 4B) configured to removably connect said inner sole to said outer sole;wherein the outer sole (1) and the upper (3, 103) have second connectors (5A, 5B) configured to removably connect said upper to said outer sole;wherein the outer sole (1), the inner sole (2, 102) and the upper (3) are parts of the footwear which are all distinct and separable from each other and individually replaceable, when the respective connectors (4A, 4B, 5A, 5B) do not connect these components to each other;wherein the outer sole (1) comprises:a bottom surface (6A) configured to contact the ground,an upper surface (6B) opposed to said bottom surface and configured to contact a lower surface (7A) of the inner sole (2),and a lateral wall (6C) comprising a first portion (6C′) departing from the perimeter edge (6D) of said upper surface (6B) and having an inner lateral surface (6E), and a second portion (6C″) externally connecting said bottom and upper surfaces (6A, 6B);wherein the upper surface (6B) and the inner lateral surface (6E) of the outer sole (1) delimit a recessed seat (6F) configured to at least partially house the inner sole (2);wherein the inner sole (2, 102) comprises:said lower surface (7A, 107A) configured to overlap the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (6),an upper surface (7B, 107B) configured to support the sole of the wearer's foot,and a lateral surface (7C, 107C),wherein when the outer sole (1) and the inner sole (2, 102) are connected to each other, the lower surface (7A, 107A) of the inner sole (2, 102) is completely housed in the recessed seat (6F) and at least one portion of the lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the inner sole (2, 102) is housed within said recessed seat (6F);wherein the upper (3, 103) comprises:at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) configured to extend at least partially over a portion of the back and base of the wearer's foot,wherein said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) comprises at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L), configured to be positioned at the base of the wearer's foot, wherein,the first connectors (4A, 4B) for removably connecting the inner sole (2, 102) to the outer sole (1), comprise:at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) provided in the outer sole (1),wherein said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B):connects said bottom surface (6A) and said upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1),is provided only in the portion of the outer sole (1) comprising said lower and upper surfaces (6A, 6B) and not also in the lateral wall (6C) of the outer sole (1),and is delimited by: a lower edge (8E, 8F) provided in said bottom surface (6A), an upper edge (8G, 8H) provided in said upper surface (6B) and a lateral wall (8C, 8D) provided between said upper and bottom surfaces (6A, 6B) of the outer sole (1);at least one first portion (9A, 9B) projecting from the lower surface (7A, 107A) of the inner sole (2, 102), configured to couple with and close said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) of said outer sole (1), and to create a shape coupling with said lateral wall (8C, 8D) of the at least one first through opening (8A, 8B), and to removably connect together said inner sole (2, 102) and said outer sole (1);wherein said at least one first projection (9A, 9B) has a bottom surface (9C, 9D) configured:to come into contact with the ground,to remain visible from the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1),to form part of the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), when the inner sole (2, 102) is attached to the outer sole (1);and in that the second elements (5A, 5B) for removably connecting the upper (3, 103) to the outer sole comprise:a plurality of second through openings (10) provided in the outer sole (1),wherein each opening of said plurality of second through openings (10):connects said bottom surface (6A) and said upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1),is provided only in the portions of the outer sole (1) comprising said lower and upper surfaces (6A, 6B) and not also in the lateral wall (6C) of the outer sole (1),comprises an upper portion (10C), open at said upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1), and a lower portion (10D) open at said bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1),and is delimited by at least one lateral wall (10A), provided between said upper and bottom surfaces (6A, 6B) of the outer sole (1);and a plurality of second projections (11, 111), one for each of said plurality of second through openings (10), departing from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A),wherein said second projections (11, 111) are configured to couple with and close said second through openings (10), to create a shape coupling with said lateral walls (10A) of said plurality of second through openings (10), and to removably connect together said upper and said outer sole;wherein said plurality of second projections (11, 111) each have a bottom surface (11A, 111A) configured:to contact the ground,to remain visible from the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1),and to form part of the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), when the inner sole (2) is connected to the outer sole (1).2) The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the footwear only consists of:six pieces only comprising: an outer sole (1), an inner sole (2), an upper (3) in two pieces (3B, 3C), and two connecting and adjusting element (3K, 3J) configured to connect said two upper pieces and to adjust the length of said two upper pieces;or by six pieces only comprising: an outer sole (1), an inner sole (102), a one-piece upper (103), and an upper size connecting and adjusting member consisting of three pieces: an adjusting band (103P), a connecting element (103T) configured to connect one first end of this band to the upper (103), and a connecting and adjusting element (103J) configured to connect the other end of said band (103P) to the upper and to adjust the length of said band (103P);and that all the six pieces of the footwear are removably connected together to form the footwear, so that they can be replaced if damaged or to customise the footwear.3) The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first connectors (4A, 4B) for removably connecting the inner sole (2) to the outer sole (1), comprise two first through openings (8A, 8B);that a first through opening (8B) is provided in a rear area (S1) of the bottom and upper surfaces (6A, 6B) of the outer sole (1), wherein said rear area (S1) is configured to support the back of the wearer's foot including a heel and calcaneus,and that a second opening (8A) is provided in a front area (S2) of the bottom and upper surfaces (6A, 6B) of the outer sole (1), wherein said rear area Se is configured to support a bottom and a front part of the wearer's foot comprising metatarsal bones and proximal and intermediate phalanges.4) The footwear according to claim 1, wherein that said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) is tapered downwards, so that the area of said opening is greater at the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1) and is smaller at the upper surface (6B); and that said at least one first portion (9A, 9B) projecting from the lower surface (7A) of said inner sole (2) has a tapering which is equal to but opposite to that of said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B), so as to make a dovetail-like shape coupling of the inner sole with the outer sole when said inner sole (2) is connected to said outer sole (1);and / or that the upper portion (10C) of each opening of said plurality of second through openings (10) has a rectilinear shape, is oriented parallel to the perimeter edge of the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1) and is provided further out than said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B).5) The footwear according to claim 4, wherein the upper portion (10C) of the second through openings (10) extends in height for a section (S3) between 30% and 80% of the overall thickness (S1) of the outer sole (1) measured between the upper surface (6B) and the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1) at the considered opening (10),and that the lower portion (10D) of the second through openings (10) delimit a hollow seat (10D′), configured to house without clearance a head (11C) of the second connectors (5A, 5B) of the upper 3, and that said seat (10D′) has a height (S7) lower than the height (S8) of said head (11C), said head being partly housed in the seat (10D′) and partly protruding from said seat and contributing to form one of the reliefs (14) present in the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole.6) The footwear according to claim 1, whereinthat the upper (2, 102) has at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L) configured to come into contact with at least one portion of the inner surface (6E) of the first portion (6C′) of the lateral wall (6C) of the outer sole (1) and with at least one portion of the lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the inner sole (2, 102), and that said lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the inner sole comprises at said at least one portion of the lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the inner sole (2, 102), at least one portion (7J, 107J) which is recessed relative to the remaining lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the inner sole (2, 102) that does not contact said at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L), wherein said at least one recessed portion (7J, 107J) is configured to house said at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L); and that said at least one recessed portion (7J, 107J) runs the full height of the lateral surface (7C, 107C) and has a length (L12) equal to the length of said at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L), and has a depth equal to the thickness of said at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L),and that, when the outer sole (1) and the inner sole (2, 102) are connected together, the bottom surface (7A) of the body (7, 107) of the inner sole (2, 102) is completely housed in the recessed seat (6F) and at least one portion of the lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the body (7, 107) of the inner sole is housed within said recessed seat (6F) and at least one portion of said lateral surface (7C, 107C) is in direct contact with a corresponding portion of the inner surface (6E) of the lateral wall of the outer sole (1) or is in direct contact with a lower portion (3L, 3M, 103L) of the upper which is in turn in direct contact with a corresponding portion of the inner surface (6E) of the lateral wall of the outer sole (1), so that said inner surface (6E) of the lateral wall of the outer sole (1) cooperates to keep the inner sole (2) attached to the outer sole (1), preventing lateral displacements of said inner sole (2) with respect to the outer sole 1.7) The footwear according to claim 6, wherein the second projections (11, 111) comprise a connecting foot (111B) departing from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) of the upper, that said connecting foot terminates in a head (11C, 111C 111C) which develops perpendicularly to said connecting foot,That the second projections (11, 111) comprise a connecting foot (111B) departing from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) of the upper, that said connecting foot terminates in a head (111C),wherein the thickness of the head (111C) is not uniform, it decreases from its side (111S) which, when the upper (3, 103) is associated with the outer sole (1), is closer to the outer edge (6G) of the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1);that the second projections (11, 111) comprise a connecting foot (111B) departing from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L9 of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) of the upper, that said connecting foot terminates in a head (111C),wherein said head (111C) has at its lower face (111A), which remains visible when the upper is associated with the outer sole: a portion (P1) having a maximum thickness and a portion (P2) having a thickness which decreases from the lower face (111A) of the head to an upper base (111H) of the head (111).8) The footwear according to claim 1, whereinthat the outer sole (1) consists of a single body (6) having the bottom surface (6A), the upper surface (6B), and the lateral wall (6C) and the at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) and the plurality of second through openings (10),that the inner sole consists of a single body (7) having the lower surface (7A), the upper surface (7B), the lateral surface (7C) and the at least one first projection (9A, 9B),that said single body (6) of outer sole (1) and said single body (7) of the inner sole (2) are made of one or more layers or parts of one or more polymeric materials;that the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole (1) is made is greater than the hardness of the polymeric material of which the inner sole (2) is made, and that the outer sole (1) has a hardness between 10% and 30% greater than the hardness of the inner sole (2);that the upper (3) consists of a cover and a connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J), connected to said cover (3A, 3B, 103), configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein said cover (3A, 3B, 103) is entirely made of a polymeric material.9) An outer sole (1) for a modular footwear for being worn on a wearer's foot of the type comprising said outer sole (1), an inner sole (2, 102), and an upper (3, 103) removably connectable to each other,wherein the outer sole (1) comprises first connectors (4A) configured to cooperate with counter connectors (4B) of the inner sole to removably connect said inner sole to said outer sole;wherein said first connectors of the outer sole are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors (4B) of the inner sole and removably connect said inner sole (2, 102) and said outer sole (1) to each other;wherein the outer sole (1) comprises second connectors (5A) configured to cooperate with counter connectors (5B) of the upper to removably connect said upper to said outer sole;wherein said second connectors are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors (5B) of the upper and removably connect said inner sole (2, 102) and said upper (3, 103) to each other;where the outer sole (1) is a distinct and separable part of the footwear from the inner sole and the upper and individually replaceable, when the respective connectors (4A, 4B, 5A, 5B) do not connect the outer sole to the inner sole and the outer sole to the upper;wherein the outer sole (1) comprises:a bottom surface (6A) configured to contact the ground,an upper surface (6B) opposed to the bottom surface and configured to contact a lower surface (7A) of the inner sole (2),and a lateral wall (6C) comprising a first portion (6C′) departing from the perimeter edge (6D) of said upper surface (6B) and having an inner lateral surface (6E), and a second portion (6C″) which connects externally said bottom and upper surfaces (6A, 6B),wherein the upper surface (6B) and the inner lateral surface (6E) of the outer sole (1) delimit a recessed seat (6F) configured to at least partially house the inner sole (2);wherein,said first connectors (4A) for removably connecting the inner sole (2, 102) to the outer sole (1), comprise:at least one first through opening (8A, 8B)which connects said bottom surface (6A) and said upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1),is provided only in the portions of the outer sole (1) comprising said bottom and upper surfaces (6A, 6B) and not also in the lateral wall (6C) of the outer sole (1),and is delimited by: a lower edge (8E, 8F) provided in said bottom surface (6A), an upper edge (8G, 8H) provided in said upper surface, and a lateral wall (8C, 8D) provided between said bottom and upper surfaces (6A, 6B) of the outer sole (1);wherein said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) is configured:to form a shape coupling with at least one first portion (9A, 9B) of the counter elements of the inner sole (2, 102),and to be closed and house said at least one first portion (9A, 9B) of the inner sole (2, 102),and that the second connectors (5A, 5B) for removably connecting the upper (3, 103) to the outer sole comprise:a plurality of second through openings (10) provided in the outer sole,wherein each of said plurality of second through openings (10):connects said bottom surface (6A) and said upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1),is provided only in the portions of the outer sole (1) comprising said bottom and upper surfaces (6A, 6B) and not also in the lateral wall (6C) of the outer sole (1),comprises an upper portion (10C), open at said upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1), and a lower portion (10D) open at said bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1),and is delimited by at least one lateral wall (10A), provided between said upper and bottom surfaces (6A, 6B) of the outer sole (1);wherein each of said plurality of said second through openings (10) is configured:to form a shape coupling with at least one first portion (11, 111) of the counter elements of the upper (3, 103),to be closed and house said at least one first portion (11, 111) of the counter elements of the upper, and to removably connect together said upper and said outer sole.10) The outer sole according to claim 9, further including one or more of the following features:a) the first connectors (4A, 4B) for removably connecting the inner sole (2) to the outer sole (1), comprise two first through openings (8A, 8B);a first through opening (8B) is provided in a rear area (S1) of the outer sole (1) configured to support the back of the foot including a heel and calcaneus,and a second through opening (8A) is provided in a front area (S2) of the sole configured to support the bottom and front part of the wearer's foot comprising metatarsal bones and proximal and intermediate phalanges;b) said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) is tapered downwardly, so that the area of said opening is greater at the bottom surface (6A) of said outer sole (1) and is smaller at the upper surface (6B); so that a dovetail type coupling of the inner sole with the outer sole can be achieved when said inner sole (2) is connected to said outer sole (1) and when said at least one first portion (9A, 9B) of said inner sole (2) has a tapering equal to, but opposite, to that of said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B),c) the second through openings (10) for connecting the upper (3) are provided in the outer sole (1), further out than the first through openings (8A, 8B);d) the second through openings (10) for connecting the upper (3) comprise an upper portion (10C) open at the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1) and in communication with a second portion (10D) open at the outer surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), and said upper portion (10C) has a rectilinear shape and is oriented parallel to the perimeter edge of the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1);e) the second through openings (10) for connecting the upper (3) comprise an upper portion (10C), open at the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1) and in communication with a second portion (10D) open at the outer surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), and said upper portions (10C) are provided at the perimeter edge (6D) of said upper surface (6B) of the sole of the footwear, and at the base of the inner surface (6E) of the lateral wall (6C) of the outer sole (1),f) the second through openings (10) for connecting the upper (3) comprise an upper portion (10C), open at the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1) and in communication with a second portion (10D) open at the outer surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), and the upper portion (10C) of the openings (10) has a substantially rectilinear linear shape,g) the second through openings (10) for connecting the upper (3) comprise an upper portion (10C), open at the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1) and in communication with a second portion (10D) open at the outer surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), and the lower portion (10D) of the openings (10) has a polygonal shape with a major axis of the polygon substantially coinciding with the upper portion of rectilinear shape (10C) of the opening;h) the second through openings (10) for connecting the upper (3) comprise an upper portion (10C), open at the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1) and in communication with a second portion (10D) open at the outer surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), and the lower portion (10D) of the openings (10) delimits a hollow seat open at the bottom (10D′), configured to house without clearance a head (11C) of the second upper connectors (5A, 5B9 of the upper (3),i) the second through openings (10) for connecting the upper (3) provide an upper portion (10C), open at the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (1) and in communication with a second portion (10D) open at the outer surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), and the lower portion (10D) of the openings (10) delimits a hollow seat open at the bottom (10D′), configured to house without clearance a head (11C) of the second connectors (5A, 5B) of the upper (3), and said seat (10D′) has a height (S7) lower than the height S8 of said head (11C), said head being partly housed in the seat (10D′) and partly protruding from said seat and contributing to form one of the reliefs (14) present in the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole;j) the outer sole (1) comprises a single body (6) having the bottom surface (6A), the upper surface (6B), and the lateral wall (6C) and the at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) and the plurality of second through openings (10),k) the inner sole is formed by a single body (7) having the lower surface (7A), the upper surface (7B), the lateral surface (7C), and the at least one first projection (9A, 9B), and said single body (6) of the outer sole (1) is made of one or more layers or parts of one or more polymeric materials,l) the outer sole (1) is entirely made of a polymeric material, orm) the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole (1) is made is greater than the hardness of the polymeric material of which the outer sole (2) is made, and the outer sole (1) has a hardness between 10% and 30% greater than the hardness of the inner sole (2.11) An inner sole (2, 102) for a modular footwear for being worn on a wearer's foot of the type comprising: an outer sole (1), said inner sole (2, 102), and an upper (3, 103) removably connectable to each other;wherein said inner sole (2, 102) comprises connectors (4B) configured to cooperate with counter connectors (4A) of the outer sole to removably connect said inner sole to said outer sole;wherein said connectors (4B) of the inner sole are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors (4A) of the outer sole and removably connect together said inner sole (2, 102) and said outer sole (1);the inner sole (2, 102) is a part of the footwear that is distinct and separable from the inner sole and the outer sole and individually replaceable, when said connectors (4A, 4B) do not connect the inner sole and outer sole (1);wherein the inner sole (2, 102) comprises:a lower surface (7A, 107A) configured to overlap an upper surface (6B) of the outer sole (6),an upper surface (7B, 107B) configured to support the sole of the foot,and a lateral surface (7C, 107C),whereinthe connectors (4B) of the inner sole, for removably connecting the inner sole (2, 102) to the outer sole (1), comprise:at least one first portion (9A, 9B) projecting from the lower surface (7A, 107A) of the inner sole (2, 102), configured to couple with and close said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) of the connectors (4A) of said outer sole (1), and to form a shape coupling with a lateral wall (8C, 8D) of said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) of the outer sole, so as to removably connect together said inner sole (2, 102) and said outer sole (1);wherein said at least one first projection (9A, 9B) has a bottom surface (9C, 9D) configured:to contact the ground,to remain visible from the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1)and to form portion of a bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1), when said at least one first portion (9A, 9B) projecting from the bottom surface (7A, 107A) of the inner sole (2, 102), couples with and closes said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) of the connectors (4A) of the outer sole (1).12) The inner sole (2, 102) according to claim 11, further comprising one or more of the following features:a) the at least one first portion (9A, 9B) projecting from the lower surface (7A) of the inner sole (2, 102), configured to couple with and close said at least one first through opening (8A, 8B) of the outer sole (1), is tapered upwardly, i.e., the area of said at least one first projection is smaller at the lower surface (7A) of the inner sole (2) and is greater at its lower surface (9C);b) two first projections (9A, 9B) are provided at a rear area (S1′) of the inner sole supporting a bottom and rear portion of the foot at a heel and calcaneus, and at a front area (S2′) of the sole supporting the bottom and front portion of the wearer's foot at metatarsal bones and proximal and intermediate phalanges;c) the at least one first portion (9A, 9B) projecting from the lower surface (7A) of the inner sole (2, 102), is a large projection and has:a width (L21, L23) between 30% and 70%, of the width (L5) of the upper surface (6B) of the outer sole 1 measured at the centre (C1) of said opening (8B),and a length (L22, L24) between approximately 10% and 50%, of the overall length (L26) of the bottom surface (7A) of the inner sole (2);d) said lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the inner sole comprises at least one portion (7J, 107J) recessed with respect to the remaining lateral surface (7C, 107C) of the inner sole (2, 102),wherein said at least one recessed portion (7J, 107J) is configured to house connecting at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L) of the upper (3, 103);and said at least one recessed portion (7J, 107J) runs the full height of the lateral surface (7C, 107C) and has a length (L12) equal to the length of said at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L), and has a depth equal to the thickness of said at least one lower base band (3L, 3M, 103L),e) the inner sole is formed by a single body (7) having the lower surface (7A), the upper surface (7B), the lateral surface (7C), and the at least one first projection (9A, 9B),f) and / or the inner sole is formed by a single body (7) having the lower surface (7A), the upper surface (7B), the lateral surface (7C), and the at least one first projection (9A, 9B), and said single body (7) of the inner sole (2) is made of one or more layers or parts of one or more polymeric materials; org) the inner sole (2) is entirely made of a polymeric material.13) An upper (3, 103) for a modular footwear for being worn on a wearer's foot of the type comprising:an outer sole (1), an inner sole (2, 102), and said upper (3, 103) removably connectable to each other;wherein the upper (3, 103) has connectors (5B) configured to cooperate with counter connectors (5A) of the outer sole (1) to removably connect said upper to said outer sole;wherein said upper connectors (5B) are configured to form a shape coupling with said counter connectors (5A) of the outer sole and removably connect together said upper (3, 103) and said inner sole (2, 102);where the upper (3, 103) is a part of the footwear that is distinct and separable from the inner sole and outer sole and individually replaceable, when said connectors (5A, 5B) do not connect the upper and outer sole;wherein upper (3, 103) comprises:at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) configured to extend at least partially over a portion of the back and base of the wearer's foot;wherein said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) provides at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L), configured to be positioned at the base of the wearer's foot,wherein said connectors (5B) of upper (3, 103) comprise:a plurality of projections (11, 111) each comprising a connecting foot (11B, 111B) extending from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) of the upper, and said connecting foot terminates in a head (11C, 111C) extending perpendicularly to said foot,said connecting foot has a thickness (L29) equal to or slightly less than that of said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of the upper from which it departs,said head (11C, 111C) runs perpendicular to said foot,said connecting foot has a flat shape,the head (11C, 111C) comprises a bottom surface (11A) and an upper surface (11F); said bottom surface comprises at least one portion thereof which is parallel to said upper surface,the connecting foot is connected to the heads perpendicularly and centrally to their upper surface;and the connecting foot divides the upper surface (11F) of the head (11C) into two parts (11H, 11G) equal to each other.14) The upper (3, 103) according to claim 13, wherein comprising one or more of the following features:a) the thickness of the head (111C) is not uniform, it decreases from its side (111S) which, when the upper (3, 103) is associated with the outer sole (1), is closer to the outer edge (6G) than the bottom surface (6A) of the outer sole (1);b) said head (111C) has at its lower face (111A) which remains visible when the upper is associated with the outer sole: a portion (P1) having a maximum thickness and a portion (P2) having a thickness which decreases from the lower face (111A) of the head to an upper base (111H) of the head (111);c) said second projections (11) comprise the connecting foot (11B) departing from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) of the upper, said connecting foot terminates in a head (11C) extending perpendicularly with respect to said foot, and said head has substantially a cylindrical shape, with the major axis of the base of the cylinder substantially coinciding with the base of the connecting foot (11B);d) said second projections (11) comprise at least three feet (11B) departing from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) of said upper, said at least three feet being spaced apart from each other and being provided:at the lower and front area (S2′) of the upper configured to cover a back and front part of the connecting foot at the metatarsal bones and the proximal and intermediate phalanges,at a central and lower area (S3′) of the upper configured to cover a central part of the connecting foot at the arch,and at a rear and lower area (S1) of the upper configured to cover a rear part of the connecting foot at the heel;e) said second projections (11) comprise at least three feet (11B) departing from said at least one lower end portion (3C, 3D, 103L) of said at least one cover (3A, 3B, 103A) of said upper, and said at least three feet are not uniformly spaced apart from each other,f) the cover (103) of the upper extends and is configured to contact only a central part of the foot, but not also the toes and the heel, the footwear being shaped like a sandal,g) the cover (3A, 3B) of the upper extends and is configured to come into contact only with a central part of the connecting foot and the toes, but not also with the heel, the footwear being shaped like a clog,h) the cover comprises at least one connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J) configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to allow the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back sizes;i) the cover comprises at least one connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J) configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and to allow the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back size; and said connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J) comprises connectors (3S) for removably coupling said connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J) to the upper;j) the upper (3) consists only of the cover (3A, 3B, 103) and a connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J), connected to said cover (3A, 3B, 103), configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein said cover is entirely made of a polymeric material,k) the upper (3) consists only of the cover (3A, 3B, 103) and at least one connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J), connected to said cover (3A, 3B, 103), configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back sizes, wherein at least said cover is made of a polymeric material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the material of the inner and / or outer sole, orl) the upper (3) consists only of the cover (3A, 3B, 103) and at least one connecting and adjusting element (3J, 3K, 103J), connected to said cover (3A, 3B, 103), configured to allow the length of said cover to be adjusted and the upper to be adapted to a plurality of feet having different back size, wherein at least said cover is made by injection moulding.

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