US20130255106A1

US20130255106A1 - Assembled footwear

Info

Publication number: US20130255106A1
Application number: US13/876,216
Authority: US
Inventors: Seong Guk Cho; Jong Ho YOON
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-22
Filing date: 2011-04-18
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Also published as: KR101054622B1; WO2012086880A1

Abstract

Disclosed is assembled footwear including: an outsole including a bottom portion having a shape of a bottom of a foot, an extension portion upward extended from an edge of the bottom portion to form a peripheral rim, and a plurality of coupling protrusions positioned inside the extension portion and protruding toward the bottom portion; one or more uppers having a pair of connection holes to be selectively fitted with the coupling protrusions in order to change a pattern; and a bottom pad having a predetermined thickness to be seated on the bottom portion of the outsole, and accommodation spaces formed on a bottom surface thereof so as to accommodate the coupling protrusions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to slippers, and more particularly, to assembly footwear capable of preventing coupling portions of uppers from being exposed to the outside, by detachably coupling the uppers having various shapes to the inside of an outsole, and capable of protecting feet in case of rain or at a summer resort or a travel destination.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, slippers refer to footwear which may be put on and taken off in a sliding manner, and which has no shoelace or connection irons. In Korea, slippers refer to sandal-type house shoes having flat heels, and provided with covering bands for covering only the top of the feet. However, such slippers correspond to bath slippers, or bedroom slippers, or scuffs.
The concept of slippers is very wide. Generally, the slippers have a height lower than the ankle bones, and the height of the heels thereof is various. The slippers include ballet shoes or pumps-type shoes. In ancient Egypt, the slippers were already used. After that, the form of such slippers was followed in the Ancient Roman Ages or the Middle Ages. The term ‘slippers’ has been used since the 16th century. The Anglo-Saxon race called the slippers ‘slip-shoes’, that is, a general name of loafers which may be easily put on and taken off.
Especially, the slippers are much used at a summer resort or a travel destination for a purpose of easily wearing, owing to advantages that they may be simply put on for comfort at home or at work, and that they may be put on in summer
Such slippers include outsoles where the feet are seated, and uppers fixed to the outsoles so as to prevent the slippers from being detached from the feet by covering the feet.
The design of the slippers is variable in accordance with the arrangement of the uppers and a method of fixing the uppers.
However, since the uppers are fixed to the outsoles in a particular form, the shape of the uppers may not be transformed. Accordingly, when a wearer wishes to have various designs of the uppers, the wearer needs to purchase respective slippers having different designs.
In order to solve such problem, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0509657 discloses a technology including: uppers for implementation of the footwear having various shapes; a sole including of an insole, a midsole having fixing clips attached thereto at constant intervals along a circumferential surface thereof, and an outsole; and connection bars detachably fixed to the fixing clips of the midsole, and to which the uppers are fitted.
The assembled footwear disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0509657 has an advantage that a wearer may implement footwear having various designs using the uppers. However, the assembled footwear has a difficulty in operation, because connection rings of the uppers need to be connected to the fixing clips formed on the circumferential surface of the midsole using the connection bars.
Further, because the plurality of fixing clips of the midsole protrudes outward, the design may be degraded, and the fixing clips may cause damage to the feet when being in contact with the feet, due to the protruding state thereof.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide assembled footwear capable of preventing coupling portions of uppers from being exposed to the outside, and capable of facilitating the coupling operation, by detachably coupling the uppers having various shapes to the inside of an outsole.
Another object of the present invention is to provide assembled footwear capable of protecting a user's feet in case of rain, or at a summer resort or a travel destination.

Technical Solution

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided assembled footwear, including: an outsole including a bottom portion having a shape of a bottom of a foot, an extension portion extended upward from an edge of the bottom portion to form a peripheral rim, and a plurality of coupling protrusions positioned inside the extension portion and protruding toward the bottom portion; one or more uppers having a pair of connection holes to be selectively fitted with the coupling protrusions in order to change a pattern; and a bottom pad having a predetermined thickness to be seated on the bottom portion of the outsole, and accommodation spaces formed on a bottom surface thereof so as to accommodate the coupling protrusions.
The coupling protrusions may include protrusion pieces formed to be extended from the inside of the extension portion, and separation preventing extension pieces integrally formed at ends of the protrusion pieces.
Preferably, concaved portions, which accommodate ends of the uppers when the uppers are fitted with the coupling protrusions, may be formed at a circumference of the bottom portion adjacent to the extension portion.
Preferably, cut slits for providing elasticity may be formed at one side of the connection hole of the upper.
Velcro may be further provided on a bottom surface of the bottom pad, and on an upper surface of the bottom portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided assembled footwear, including: an outsole including a bottom portion having a shape of a bottom of a foot, an extension portion upward extended from an edge of the bottom portion to form a peripheral rim, and a plurality of coupling protrusions positioned at a lower end inside the extension portion and protruding toward the bottom portion along an inner side of the extension portion; and water shoes having a bottom member seated on the bottom portion of the outsole and provided with fixing portions formed in a bottom surface thereof so as to be coupled to the coupling protrusions, and the water shoes having a body upward extended from the bottom member to enclose feet, the body having a plurality of communication holes communicated with the outside.
Preferably, the coupling protrusions may include protrusion pieces formed to be extended from the inside of the extension portion, and separation preventing extension pieces integrally formed at ends of the protrusion pieces.
Preferably, the fixing portion may include an accommodation groove for accommodating the extension piece of the coupling protrusion; and a fitting opening formed at one side of the accommodation groove, and having a width smaller than a diameter of the protrusion piece such that the protrusion piece is fitted thereinto when the extension piece is accommodated in the accommodation groove.
Preferably, Velcro may be further provided on a bottom surface of the bottom member, and on an upper surface of the bottom portion.

Advantageous Effects

In the assembled footwear according to the present invention, as the uppers having various shapes are detachably coupled to the inside of the outsole, the coupling portions of the uppers may not be exposed to the outside, and the coupling operation of the uppers may be facilitated.
Further, as the coupling portions of the uppers are not exposed to the outside, accidents to the feet may be prevented and the design may be enhanced.
Further, as the water shoes having excellent ventilation characteristics are selectively coupled to the outsoles, the feet may be protected in case of rain, or at a summer resort or a travel destination.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of assembled footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state of the assembled footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 2, which illustrates a state where uppers is coupled to an outsole;

FIG. 4 is a reference view illustrating a state where uppers is coupled to assembled footwear, in various shapes, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of assembled footwear according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state of the assembled footwear of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 6.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments and the drawings are merely to help understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of assembled footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state of the assembled footwear of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 2, which illustrates a state where uppers is coupled to an outsole, and FIG. 4 is a reference view illustrating a state where uppers is coupled to assembled footwear, in various shapes, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, assembled footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented as slippers having various shapes, by a plurality of uppers.
The assembled footwear includes: an outsole 100 including a bottom portion 110 having a shape of a bottom of a foot, an extension portion 120 upward extended from an edge of the bottom portion 110 to form a peripheral rim, and a plurality of coupling protrusions 130 positioned inside of the extension portion 120 and protruding toward the bottom portion 110; one or more uppers 200 having a pair of connection holes 210 to be selectively fitted with the coupling protrusions 130 in order to change a pattern; and a bottom pad 300 having a predetermined thickness to be seated on the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100, and accommodation spaces 310 formed on a bottom surface thereof so as to accommodate the coupling protrusions 130.
The outsole 100 is a part to be directly in contact with the ground, and includes a bottom portion 110, an extension portion 120, and coupling protrusions 130.
The bottom portion 110 has a shape corresponding to a bottom of a foot, and has a predetermined thickness. Sliding preventing concavo-convex portions (not illustrated) having various shapes are formed on a lower surface of the bottom portion 110.
The extension portion 120 is upward extended, by a predetermined height, from the edge of the bottom portion 110 to form a peripheral rim. A bottom pad 300, which will be described below, is seated on the inside of the peripheral rim, e.g., the upper surface of the extension portion 120.
The coupling protrusions 130 are coupled to uppers 200, which will be described below, and protrude from a position adjacent to the bottom portion 110, i.e., a lower end inside the extension portion 120, toward the bottom portion 110 along an inner side of the extension portion 120.
Here, the coupling protrusions 130 include cylindrical protrusion pieces 131 extended from the inside of the extension portion 120, and cylindrical separation preventing extension pieces 133 integrally formed at ends of the cylindrical protrusion pieces 131.
In this embodiment, the coupling protrusions 130 may be formed in various shapes. Therefore, the shape and the structure of the coupling protrusions 130 are not limited.
The uppers 200 are disposed at an upper portion of the outsole 100 in a long shape such as a band, and are configured to allow a user to stably wear the slippers by supporting the top of the feet. The uppers 200 include a pair of connection holes 210 selectively fitted with the coupling protrusions 130 formed at the outsole 100. At least one of the connection holes 210 is fitted with the coupling protrusions 130, for providing various patterns of the slippers.
Preferably, the uppers 200 are formed of synthetic resin having flexibility.
Preferably, cut slits 210 a for providing elasticity are formed at one side of the connection holes 210 of the uppers 200. The reason is in order to facilitate insertion of the extension pieces 133 of the coupling protrusions 130, into the connection holes 210, by widening the connection holes 210.
Preferably, concaved portions 110 a for accommodating the ends of the uppers 200 when the extension pieces 133 of the coupling protrusions 130 are fitted into the connection holes 210 of the uppers 200, are formed at the circumference of the bottom portion 110 adjacent to the extension portion 120.
In this case, the concaved portions 110 a are formed below the coupling protrusions 130, and have the same number as the coupling protrusions 130.
Under such configuration, both ends of the uppers 200 fitted with the coupling protrusions 130 are accommodated in the concaved portions 110 a, so that motion of the uppers 200 may be prevented. Further, as both sides of the uppers 200 are disposed between the extension portion 120 and a bottom pad 300, which will be described below, by the bottom pad 300, a user may maintain his or her desired pattern of the uppers 200 (see FIG. 4).
The bottom pad 300 has a shape corresponding to the outsole 100, has a predetermined thickness, and is seated on the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100 so as to be in contact with the bottom of the foot. The accommodation spaces 310 for accommodating the coupling protrusions 130 are formed on a bottom surface of the bottom pad 300.
The accommodation spaces 310 are formed from the bottom surface of the bottom pad 300, toward the side edge of the bottom pad 300.
The accommodation spaces 310 are configured to stably seat the bottom pad 300 on the bottom portion 110, by accommodating the coupling protrusions 130 formed in the extension portion 120 thereinto when the bottom pad 300 is seated on the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100. Further, the accommodation spaces 310 are configured to provide a user with comfortable feeling of wearing by preventing the coupling protrusions 130 from being pressed by the bottom pad 300 when the user wears the slippers.
The number of the accommodation spaces 310 corresponds to the number of the coupling protrusions 130.
While the bottom pad 300 is in contact with the bottom of the foot, the weight of the human body is applied to the bottom pad 300. Therefore, the bottom pad 300 is preferably formed of one of natural rubber, polyurethane and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), each having excellent cushion feeling and elasticity.
In order to increase an adhesive force and a coupling force between the bottom pad 300 and the bottom portion 110, Velcro 500 may be further provided on the bottom surface of the bottom pad 300, and the upper surface of the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100, respectively.
The Velcro 500 is a general adhesion means, and thus detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of assembled footwear according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state of the assembled footwear of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 6.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the assembled footwear is implemented as water shoes 400.
For your reference, parts having the same configuration as those of the aforementioned embodiment will be provided with the same reference numerals.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the assembled footwear of the present invention includes an outsole 100 including a bottom portion 110 having a shape of a bottom of a foot, an extension portion 120 extended upward from the edge of the bottom portion 110 to form a peripheral rim, and a plurality of coupling protrusions 130 protruding toward the bottom portion 110 inside the extension portion 120; and water shoes 400 having a bottom member 420 seated on the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100 and provided with fixing portions 430 for coupling the coupling protrusions 130, and the water shoes 400 having a body 410 upward extended from the bottom member 420 to enclose feet, the body having a plurality of communication holes 410 a communicated with the outside.
The outsole 100 to be directly in contact with the ground includes the bottom portion 110, the extension potion 120 and the coupling protrusions 130.
The bottom portion 110 has a shape corresponding to a bottom of a foot, and has a predetermined thickness. Sliding preventing concavo-convex portions (not illustrated) having various shapes are formed on the lower surface of the bottom portion 110.
The extension portion 120 is upward extended, by a predetermined height, from the edge of the bottom portion 110 to form a peripheral rim. A bottom pad 300, which will be described below, is seated on the inside of the peripheral rim, e.g., the upper surface of the extension portion 120.
The coupling protrusions 130 are coupled to uppers 200, which will be described below, and protrude from a position adjacent to the bottom portion 110, i.e., the inner lower end of the extension portion 120, toward the bottom portion 110.
The coupling protrusions 130 include cylindrical protrusion pieces 131 extended from the inside of the extension portion 120, and cylindrical separation preventing extension pieces 133 integrally formed at the end of the cylindrical protrusion pieces 131.
In this embodiment, the coupling protrusions 130 may be formed in various shapes. Therefore, the shape and the structure of the coupling protrusions 130 are not limited.
The water shoes 400 are configured to protect the feet from external risky factors in case of rain, or at a valley of a summer resort, and so on. And, the water shoes 400 include a bottom member 420 seated on the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100, and having fixing portions 430 on a bottom surface thereof, the fixing portions to which the coupling protrusions 130 are coupled; and a body 410 upward extended from the bottom member 420 to cover the feet, and having a plurality of communication holes 410 a connected to the outside.
The communication holes 410 a may be formed in a circular shape or various shapes.
Preferably, the water shoes 400 are formed of flexible natural synthetic resin which provides comfortable feeling of wearing.
The bottom member 420 has a shape corresponding to the outsole 100, and is seated on the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100 with a predetermined thickness so as to be in contact with the feet. On the bottom surface of the bottom member 420, formed are a plurality of fixing portions 430 to which the coupling protrusions 130 of the extension portion 120 are coupled.
The fixing portions 430 are configured to integrate the water shoes 400 and the outsole 100 with each other by fixing the bottom member 420 to the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100, by accommodating the coupling protrusions 130 protruding from the extension portion 120 of the outsole 100 thereinto. The fixing portion 430 includes an accommodation groove 433 for accommodating the extension piece 133 of the coupling protrusion 130; and a fitting opening 435 formed at one side of the accommodation groove 433, and having a width smaller than a diameter of the protrusion piece 131 so that the protrusion piece 131 may be inserted thereinto when the extension piece 133 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 433.
Preferably, the fitting opening 435 is open toward the outer edge of the bottom member 420 so that the protrusion piece 131 may be inserted thereinto.
As the extension piece 133 of the coupling protrusion 130 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 433 and the protrusion piece 131 is inserted into the fitting opening 435, the protrusion piece 131 is prevented from being separated from the fitting opening 435. Under such configuration, a coupled state between the bottom member 420 and the outsole 100 may be maintained.
It is needless to say that the coupling between the fixing portion 430 and the coupling protrusion 130 is performed by pressure, because the width of the fitting opening 435 is smaller than the diameter of the protrusion piece 131.
It is also needless to say that the number of the fixing portions 430 corresponds to the number of the coupling protrusions 130.
The body 410 configured to protect the foot from environmental factors and to allow ventilation of the foot is upward extended from the bottom member 420 so as to enclose the foot. A plurality of through holes 410 a having various shapes and communicated with the outside is formed on the external surface of the body 410.
In order to increase an adhesive force and a coupling force between the bottom member 420 and the bottom portion 110, Velcro 500 may be further provided on the bottom surface of the bottom member 420, and the upper surface of the bottom portion 110 of the outsole 100, respectively.
The Velcro 500 is a general adhesion means, and thus detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.
The assembled footwear described so far has the following advantages. Firstly, as the uppers 200 having various shapes are detachably coupled to the inside of the outsole 100, the coupling portions of the uppers 200 are not exposed to the outside, and the coupling operation of the uppers 200 is facilitated.
Further, as the coupling portions of the uppers 200 are not exposed to the outside, accidents to the feet may be prevented and the design may be enhanced.
Further, as the water shoes 400 having an excellent ventilation characteristic is selectively coupled to the outsole 100, the feet may be protected in case of rain, or at a summer resort or a travel destination.
It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
For instance, the number and shape of the uppers 200, a coupling method between the bottom pad 300 and the outsole 100, the shape and structure of the coupling protrusions 130, the number and shape of the concaved portions 110 a, the material of the bottom pad 300, a fixing method of the uppers 200, the shape of the water shoes 400, a coupling method between the water shoes 400 and the outsole 100, the shape of the communication holes 410 a, the material of the water shoes 400, the number and structure of the fixing portions 430, etc. may not be a criteria for defining the technical scope of the present invention. Rather, the present invention may be defined only within the claim scope.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. Assembled footwear, comprising:

an outsole including a bottom portion having a shape of a bottom of a foot, an extension portion upward extended from an edge of the bottom portion to form a peripheral rim, and a plurality of coupling protrusions positioned inside the extension portion and protruding toward the bottom portion;

one or more uppers having a pair of connection holes to be selectively fitted with the coupling protrusions in order to change a pattern; and

a bottom pad having a predetermined thickness to be seated on the bottom portion of the outsole, and accommodation spaces formed on a bottom surface thereof so as to accommodate the coupling protrusions.

11. The assembled footwear of claim 10, wherein the coupling protrusions includes:

protrusion pieces formed to be extended from the inside of the extension portion; and

separation preventing extension pieces integrally formed at ends of the protrusion pieces.

12. The assembled footwear of claim 10, wherein concaved portions, which accommodate ends of the uppers when the uppers are fitted with the coupling protrusions, are formed at a circumference of the bottom portion adjacent to the extension portion.

13. The assembled footwear of claim 12, wherein cut slits for providing elasticity are formed at one side of the connection holes of the uppers.

14. The assembled footwear of claim 13, wherein Velcro is further provided on a bottom surface of the bottom pad and on an upper surface of the bottom portion.

15. The assembled footwear of claim 11, wherein concaved portions, which accommodate ends of the uppers when the uppers are fitted with the coupling protrusions, are formed at a circumference of the bottom portion adjacent to the extension portion.

16. The assembled footwear of claim 10, wherein cut slits for providing elasticity are formed at one side of the connection holes of the uppers.

17. The assembled footwear of claim 10, wherein Velcro is further provided on a bottom surface of the bottom pad and on an upper surface of the bottom portion.

18. Assembled footwear, comprising:

an outsole including a bottom portion having a shape of a bottom of a foot, an extension portion upward extended from an edge of the bottom portion to form a peripheral rim, and a plurality of coupling protrusions positioned at a lower end inside the extension portion and protruding toward the bottom portion along an inner side of the extension portion; and

water shoes having a bottom member seated on the bottom portion of the outsole and provided with fixing portions formed in a bottom surface thereof so as to be coupled to the coupling protrusions, and the water shoes having a body upward extended from the bottom member to enclose the feet, the body having a plurality of communication holes communicated with the outside.

19. The assembled footwear of claim 18, wherein the coupling protrusions include:

separation preventing extension pieces integrally formed at end of the protrusion pieces.

20. The assembled footwear of claim 19, wherein the fixing portion includes:

an accommodation groove for accommodating the extension piece of the coupling protrusion; and

a fitting opening formed at one side of the accommodation groove, and having a width smaller than a diameter of the protrusion piece such that the protrusion piece is fitted thereinto when the extension piece is accommodated in the accommodation groove.

21. The assembled footwear of claim 20, further comprising Velcro provided on a bottom surface of the bottom member and on an upper surface of the bottom portion.

22. Assembled footwear, comprising:

an outsole including a bottom portion, an extension portion upward extended from an edge of the bottom portion, and a plurality of coupling protrusions protruding inside the extension portion; and

one or more uppers having a pair of connection holes to be selectively fitted with the coupling protrusions.

23. The assembled footwear of claim 22, wherein the coupling protrusion includes a protrusion piece formed to be extended from the inside of the extension portion.

24. The assembled footwear of claim 23, wherein a separation preventing extension piece is integrally formed at an end of the protrusion piece.

25. The assembled footwear of claim 22, wherein concaved portions, which accommodate ends of the uppers when the uppers are fitted with the coupling protrusions, are formed at a circumference of the bottom portion adjacent to the extension portion.

26. The assembled footwear of claim 22, wherein cut slits for providing elasticity are formed at one side of the connection holes of the uppers, respectively.

27. The assembled footwear of claim 22, comprising a bottom pad seated on the bottom portion of the outsole.

28. The assembled footwear of claim 27, wherein Velcro is provided on a bottom surface of the bottom pad and on an upper surface of the bottom portion.

29. The assembled footwear of claim 27, wherein the bottom pad has accommodation spaces for accommodating the coupling protrusions.