GB2463265A

GB2463265A - Footwear with an interchangeable vamp

Info

Publication number: GB2463265A
Application number: GB0816202A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernadette Hurst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-05
Filing date: 2008-09-05
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Also published as: GB0816202D0

Abstract

Footwear with an interchangeable vamp comprising a sole with a vamp 7 that passes over the instep of the wearer's foot, the vamp 7 is releasably fastened to the sole 6 via a fastener 1. The changeable vamps 7 may be alternative colours, shapes, sizes and/or designs that allow the wearer to change the appearance of the footwear or to replace worn vamps. Preferably the fastener is a popper or button, and the vamp is in the shape of a thong.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB08 16202.6 RTM Date:8 January 2009 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

I

SHOE KIT

FIELD

This invention relates to a ladies and childs shoe.

In particular it relates to a shoe kit to provide different looks for the shoe for use on different occasions and to match different outfits.

BACKGROUND

Many different types of shoes are known and there is today a significant industry in designing shoes for all types of occasions.

It is often desirable to select a pair of shoes which co-ordinates with the colour or design or style of clothes that a person is to wear.

It is common for persons to own many pairs of shoes to overcome this problem.

It is also very expensive to have to buy shoes in many colours.

A problem however is limited storage space, or if a person is going on holiday or a week end break, there is limited space in the bag or suitcase.

It is known that from US 2004/0194349 to provide athletic shoes with a removable panel.

This panel represents only a small portion of the shoe.

However and thus even if it is changed the fundamental design and colour of the shoe is unaffected.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shoe, in particular a shoe for ladies and children, the colour and / or style and or design of which can be totally and easily changed.

Thus making a whole different shoe In particular embodiments of the invention, an object is to provide a shoe kit which meets one or more of the problems in the prior art and effectivly provides alternative pairs of shoes in a space efficient manner.

Little girls also learn from an early age to match items of clothing to their shoes.

Childrens shoes are these days more expensive than adults shoes.

With this design children will also feel they have a new pair of shoes if just the vamp is changed.

Children also love to mix and match their shoes as to adults.

With this design of shoe it is possible to wear one pair of shoes and use a vamp of two different colours for example, a lady or little girl might be wearing an outfit of two colours, say red and white, with this design of shoe, the wearer can change the vamps and wear one red vamp and one white.

If wearing a four colour combination outfit, the wear could wear one vamp of two colours on one shoe and a vamp two colours on the other shoe.

There are many options available to the wearer by wearing these shoes.

Wardrobe space and space in luggage when travelling abroad is a problem for women all around the globe.

It is because i had 15 pairs of shoes in my suitcase and got charged by the airline for excess baggage that I came up with this invention.

INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides a shoe, comprising a sole held to the wearers foot, wherein the vamp (the upper of the shoe) is removably attached to the sole by a popper or button.

The poppers/buttons can be made of metal or plastic or combinations of both.

The popperslbuttons allow the wearer to remove one colour upper and attch a whole new colour and design to the shoe.

The spare uppers will be available in kit form and sepaeratly so the wearer can have over 20 different looks of shoes in one shoe.

In use the wearer wears the shoe in the usual way and can remove the Vamp (upper) by using the poppers and replacing the upper with one of a different colour, shape or design.

The replacing vamp can simply be the same, for example if the first one has been damaged or worn out.

Generally shoes are worn in a pair so 2 pairs of shoes are provided by left and right soles and 3 different colours and designs of vamps (uppers).

This is highly space efficient. In a preferred embodiment 3 shoes are provided by I sole and 3 vamps, and as can be appreciated many prior art shoes can be replaced by a single sole of the invention with many vamps.

In a typical shoe of the invention, the wearers foot passes through the vamp, when attached to the sole, and the vamp is attached to opposite sides of the sole. Hence a preferred vamp of the invention comprises a first side which can be attached to a right hand side of the shoe by a first popper stud I button and the second side and front of the shoe by the same poppers/ buttons.

To replace the vamp with a new colour or new style all 3 poppers/buttons are undone and the vamp is removed and a replacement is then attached using the 3 poppers/buttons.

In an embodiement of the invention, as illustrated, the shoe has a front centre and side portions.

These all have poppers/ buttons to attach and detach the vamps (uppers.) With this design the whole part of the shoe is transformed into another colour and design thus giving a whole new look to match an outfit or occasion.

Some of the vamps are plain in colour to match clothing such as holiday clothes.

Other vamps include beads, chains, metal loops, shoe broaches for a more glamorous occasions or clothing.

As mentioned, shoes of the invention preferably have vamps available of different types.

In one embodiment, shoes are provided with different colours. Hence the colour of the shoe is changed.

In further embodiment shoes are provided with vamps of different shapes.

Hence the whole shape of the shoe is changed by changing the vamp.

In a still further embodiment, shoes are provided with vamps of different styles.

Hence the style of the shoe is changed by changing the vamp.

In yet a further embodiment, shoes are provided with vamps ofdifferent sizes.

Shoes of the invention can have vamps which incorporate one or more or all of the above, and also the vamps can be of different colour and design, or a different colour and shapeor a different style and size.

The invention also provides a kit which includes 1 pair of shoes of the invention and at least 3 pairs of vamps for use with the shoes, thus, I pair of soles and three pairs of vamps.

One kit comprises of a pair of shoes according to any embodiment of the invention, and for the sole of each shoe at least three spare pairs of vamps in different colours and styles.

Another kit comprises of a pair of shoes according to any embodiment of the invention and for the sole of each shoe at least 3 vamps of different shapes.

Yet another kit comprises of a pair of shoes according to any embodiment of the invention, and for the sole of each shoe at least 3 vamps of different sizes.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A shoe, comprising a sole held to the wearers foot by a vamp passing over the instep of the wearers foot, wherein the vamp is removably attached to the sole by a popperlbutton fastener.
2 A shoe according to claim 1 wherein the fastener is a popper! button 3 A shoe according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the vamp has a first side attached to a right hand side of the shoe by a first popper/button fastener and a second side attached to a left hand side of the shoe by a second popper/button fastener and the front /middle of the shoe attached by a popper/button fastener.4 A shoe wherein the vamp is adjustable by means of a buckle, a hook and eye fastener, velcro or a popper/snap fastener.A shoe kit comprising of a pair of shoes according to any claims 1-4 and for each shoe at least three vamps of different colours.6 A shoe kit comprising of a pair of shoes according to any claims 1-4 and for each shoe at least 3 vamps of different shapes.7 A shoe kit comprising a pair of shoes according to any claims 1-4 and for each shoe at least three vamps of different designs.8 A shoe kit comprising a pair of shoes according to any claims 1-4 and for each shoe at least three vamps of different sizes.