US20140013621A1

US20140013621A1 - Convertible Footwear

Info

Publication number: US20140013621A1
Application number: US13/545,719
Authority: US
Inventors: Tony L. DuPree; Tony Rogers
Original assignee: CABRIO FOOTWEAR Inc
Current assignee: CABRIO FOOTWEAR Inc
Priority date: 2012-07-10
Filing date: 2012-07-10
Publication date: 2014-01-16

Abstract

Footwear that includes a base and an attachable high top. The base forms low-top footwear that includes an ankle opening to receive the ankle of the wearer, and laces or straps to secure the base to the wearer's foot. The base also includes one or more strap openings. The footwear also includes a high-top that is attachable to the base to form a high-top to better support the wearer's ankle. The high-top includes one or more connectors that include an enclosed channel with an inlet and an outlet. An attachment strap is inserted through the one or more openings in the base and one or more connectors in the high-top to secure the sections together. The strap is constructed of a semi-rigid material that is longitudinally supportive to be pushed through the openings and connectors. The longitudinally-supportive strap and the one or more connectors provides for a straightforward and quick manner of attaching and detaching the high-top from the base.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of footwear and more particularly, to footwear having a detachable high-top for converting the footwear between a low-top and a high-top.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different footwear are worn by users when involved in various activities. Footwear may include athletic shoes, dress shoes, work boots, and various others. Footwear is often specialized for performing a specific event. Although the footwear can also be worn to perform other events, it may not be comfortable or may not be practical for the wearer. For example, athletic footwear for use in various athletic activities, such as running, basketball, soccer, and football, have been constructed in basically two styles—low-top shoes and high-top shoes. Low-top shoes are generally preferred for activities such as running, tennis, or soccer because they do not impinge on the movement of the ankle. High-top shoes, on the other hand, are generally preferred for activities which involve jumping, such as basketball or other activities where increased ankle support is necessary.
Presently, persons engaged in a variety of activities will purchase both low-top and high-top footwear to use. However, many people cannot afford to purchase two sets of footwear and must make do with only a single pair even though it may not be suited for all the activities in which the purchaser is engaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,484 is directed to a convertible athletic shoe. The shoe includes an upper with an opening to receive the wearer's ankle, a detachable high-top, and an attachment strap to attach the high-top to the upper. Each of the high-top and the upper include one or more openings that receive the attachment strap. When the high-top is attached, the openings in the high-top are aligned with the openings in the upper, and the attachment strap is inserted through the openings.
One issue with the design is the difficulty in threading the strap through the openings to attach the high-top to the upper. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the strap 200 includes a body 202 with outer ends 201. The strap 200 is structurally limp and constructed of a material such as nylon, leather, vinyl, mesh, canvas, and combinations thereof. The strap 200 does is not longitudinally supporting, meaning that if a central section 203 of the strap is held by the user, the arms 204 will sag downward and be limp. This may make it difficult for the user to thread the strap 200 through the openings. Further, this construction requires that the user pull the strap through the openings, as the structurally limp strap cannot be pushed through the openings. The ends 201 of the straps may be constructed from a more rigid material, but the remainder of the body 202 is limp and not longitudinally supporting. Threading the strap through the openings is a time-consuming process that may detract from the overall quality of the footwear.
Therefore, there is a need for a footwear that is convertible between a low-top and a high-top in a straight-forward and relatively quick manner.

SUMMARY

The present application is directed to convertible footwear that can convert between a high-top configuration and a low-top configuration. The footwear includes a lower unit, and upper unit, and a strap to attach the two units together. The footwear is configured to be worn with just the lower unit for one type of use, and to be worn with both the upper and lower units for another type of use.
One embodiment of the convertible footwear includes a sole portion with an upper fixed to the sole portion. The upper defines an ankle opening through which the wearer's foot is inserted into the footwear. A flap is attached to an exterior of the upper and defines a pocket in the upper adjacent to the ankle opening. One or more strap openings are formed in said flap. A detachable high-top is releasably secured to the upper to convert the footwear from a low top to a high-top. The high-top includes a lower edge that is received in the pocket so the flap overlies the lower edge of the high-top. One or more connectors are attached to an outer surface of the high-top and align with the strap openings in the flap when the high-top is attached to the upper. Each of the connectors extends outward from the outer side of the high-top and includes an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate enclosed channel. A securing strap is configured to pass through the aligned one or more strap openings and the one or more connectors to secure the detachable high-top to the upper.
Another embodiment of the convertible footwear includes a base with a sole and an upper. The upper has an ankle opening to receive a wearer's foot with a first pair of spaced-apart openings along a first side of the ankle opening and a second pair of openings along a second side of the ankle opening. A detachable high-top is releasably secured to the base to convert the footwear from a low top to a high-top. First and second connectors are attached to the high-top with the first connector positioned between the first pair of openings on the upper and the second connector positioned between the second pair of openings on the upper when the high-top is attached to the base. Each of the connectors includes a body with an inlet, an outlet, and an enclosed channel. A securing strap is configured to pass through the first and second pairs of openings in the base and the first and second connectors in the high-top to secure the detachable high-top to the upper. The strap is constructed of a material to be longitudinally supporting to be pushed through the openings and the connectors.
Another embodiment of the convertible footwear includes a low-top with a sole and an upper, with the upper having an ankle opening to receive a wearer's foot and a pocket formed at the ankle opening. A first pair of spaced-apart openings are positioned along a first side of the ankle opening and a second pair of openings are positioned along a second side of the ankle opening with each of the pairs of openings extending into the pocket. A detachable high-top includes a lower edge that seats within the pocket. The high-top has a folded configuration when attached to the low-top. A first connector is positioned at the lower edge of the high-top and is sized to fit between the openings of the first pair of openings and a second connector is positioned at the lower edge of the high-top and is sized to fit between the openings of the second pair of openings. Each of the connectors includes an enclosed channel, and are attached to an outer surface of the high-top to face away from the ankle opening when the high-top is attached to the low-top. A securing strap is configured to pass through the first and second pairs of openings in the low-top and the first and second connectors in the high-top to secure the detachable high-top to the low-top. The strap includes a central section and two outwardly-extending arms with the arms constructed from a semi-rigid material to extend outward from the central section.
The various aspects of the various embodiments may be used alone or in any combination, as is desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art strap with a limp construction that is not longitudinally supporting.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a convertible athletic shoe with a high-top attached.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a convertible athletic shoe with the high-top removed.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a tongue in an unfolded orientation.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-section of a shoe illustrating a high-top positioned above an upper.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a high-top in a flat orientation.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a high-top.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connector.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view cut along line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a strap in a flat orientation.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a longitudinally supporting support strap.

FIG. 12 is an exploded elevation view of a high-top positioned above a shoe upper.

FIG. 13 is a detail view illustrating a securing strap as it is fed through slots of the upper and connectors of the high-top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is directed to footwear with a base and an attachable high top. The base forms a low-top footwear that includes an ankle opening to receive the ankle of the wearer, and laces or straps to secure the base to the wearer's foot. The base also includes one or more strap openings. The footwear also includes a high-top that is attachable to the base to form a high-top to better support the wearer's ankle. The high-top includes one or more connectors that include an enclosed channel with an inlet and an outlet. An attachment strap is inserted through the one or more openings in the base and one or more connectors in the high-top to secure the sections together. The strap is constructed of a semi-rigid material that is longitudinally supporting to be pushed through the openings and connectors. The longitudinally-supporting strap and the one or more connectors provides for a straight-forward and quick manner of attaching and detaching the high-top from the base.
The two-piece footwear may be applicable for a variety of different uses and applications. Examples include but are not limited to athletic shoes, dress shoes, and work boots. The drawings included in this application illustrate athletic shoes, although it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to a variety of different footwear types that may be used for a variety of different contexts.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an athletic shoe 10 is illustrated that includes a sole assembly 12, an upper 20 which is attached to the sole assembly 12 and a detachable high-top 80 which can be releasably secured to the upper 20.
The sole assembly 12 is constructed in a conventional manner. The sole assembly 12 includes an outsole portion 14 made of rubber, a midsole portion 16, and an insole (not illustrated). The bottom of the outsole portion 14 may include treads, cleats, or lugs depending upon the intended use of the shoe. The midsole 16, which may be a single layer or multiple layers, is preferably made of a resilient cushioning material such as an EVA sponge. Since the construction of the sole assembly 12 is already well known to those skilled in the art, further discussion of the same will be omitted.
The upper 20 is joined along its lower edge to the sole assembly 12. The upper 20 is preferably made of a strong, wear resistant material such as leather or vinyl. Other materials, such as canvas or nylon mesh, can also be used.
The upper 20 includes a heel portion 22, a toe portion 24, and a midsection 26. The heel portion 22 is the portion which extends around the back of the wearer's heel. The toe portion 24 is the portion of the upper 20 which covers the front end of the wearer's foot including the wearer's toes. The midsection 26 is the portion of the upper 20 which extends between the heel portion 22 and the toe portion 24.
The upper 20 defines an ankle opening 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3 through which the foot is inserted into the shoe. A tongue opening 32 extends from the ankle opening 30 forward to the toe portion 24 of the upper 20. The tongue opening 32 divides the midsection of the upper 20 into two halves. A tongue 50 is attached to the toe portion 24 and extends rearwardly along the tongue opening 32 to the ankle opening 30. A series of lace holes 36 extend along the midsections 26 of the upper 20 on both sides of the tongue opening 34. A shoe lace 38 is threaded through the lace holes 36 in a conventional manner and serves to secure the shoe to the foot of the wearer. It is appreciated, however, that other fastening means may be utilized in connection with the present invention, such as VELCRO, fasteners, buckles, and straps.
The upper 20 further includes pairs of openings 34 that are spaced apart along each lateral side. A first opening 34 of each pair is in proximity to the heal portion 22, and a second opening 34 of each pair is in proximity to the tongue opening 32. The openings 34 of each pair are aligned to receive a strap 100 as will be explained in detail below.
The upper 20 may also include one or more pockets 39 between the pairs of openings 34. The pockets 39 are sized to receive the connectors 90 that face outward away from the ankle opening 30. In one embodiment, the outer layer 40 includes extra material that forms the pockets 39 and is sized to extend around the connectors 90. In another embodiment, the upper 20 includes an opening with a separate piece of material attached to and extending over the opening to form the pockets 39.
The tongue 50, as previously mentioned, is attached to the toe portion 24 of the upper 20 and extends along the tongue opening 32. The tongue 50 is shown more clearly in FIG. 4. The tongue 50 includes a lower part 52 and an upper part 54. The upper part 54 is designed so that it can be folded back against the lower part 52 when the high-top 80 is not being used. When the high-top 80 is used, the upper part 54 can be unfolded so that it extends towards the top of the high-top 80.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the construction of the upper 20 is illustrated in more detail. The upper 20 includes an outer layer 40 which is made of leather, vinyl, nylon mesh, or canvas, or a combination of these materials. The outer layer 40 may comprise one or more overlapping pieces which are bonded and/or stitched together. The individual pieces of the outer layer 40 may be of different colors and include a variety of intricate shapes or cut-outs to make a pleasing aesthetic design.
The upper 20 also includes an inner lining 42. The inner lining 42 preferably extends around at least the heel portion 22 and the underside of the tongue 50. If desired, the lining 42 may cover the entire inner surface of the upper 20. A padding material 43 may also be interposed between the lining 42 and the outer layer 40 at predetermined locations to make the shoe fit the wearer's foot more comfortably. For example, padding 43 may be added around the ankle opening 30 and to the tongue 50.
In a conventional shoe, the inner lining 42 would be joined at its upper end to the outer layer 40. In the present footwear, a separate collar piece 44 may be used. The collar piece 44 includes an upper edge and a lower edge. The upper edge of the collar piece 44 is stitched to the upper edge of the shoe lining 42. The lower edge of the collar piece 44 is attached to the inner surface of the outer layer 40 at some distance below the upper margin of the ankle opening 30. Consequently, a pocket 46 is formed between the outer layer 40 and the collar piece 44 that extends around the ankle opening 30. The pocket 46 may be continuous. However, in the embodiment shown, a separate pocket 46 is formed on either side of the ankle opening 30. Each pocket 46 extends from the front of the ankle opening 30 to the heel portion 22. In one embodiment, an extension extends around the heel portion 22 of the shoe and joins together flaps 48 of the outer layer 40. As will be hereinafter described, the detachable high-top 80 fits into the pocket 46 and the outer layer 40 forms the flap 48 that covers the lower edge of the detachable high-top 80.
While it is preferred that the pocket 46 be formed by adding a collar piece 44 as previously described, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a pocket to receive the detachable high-top 80 can also be formed by attaching external flaps to the outer layer 40 of the shoe upper.
The detachable high-top 80 is shaped into the form of an open cuff that extends around the wearer's ankle. FIG. 6 illustrates the high-top 80 in a flat configuration. The high-top 80 includes an elongated shape with opposing top and bottom sides 81, 83. Front edges 85 are positioned at the tongue opening 32 when the high-top 80 is attached to the upper 20. The high-top 80 includes a central extension portion 87. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the central extension portion 87 includes a greater width measured between the top and bottom sides 81, 83.
The high-top 80 also includes a series of lace holes 88 adjacent the front edges 85 thereof. When the high-top 80 is attached to the upper 20, the lace holes 88 in the high-top 80 form a continuation of the lace holes 36 on the upper 20. The shoe lace 38 can then be laced through the lace holes 88 in the detachable high-top 80 to further secure the high-top 80.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the high-top 80 includes an outer layer 82 made of leather, vinyl, nylon mesh, canvas, or a combination of these materials. The outer layer 82 may comprise one or more individual pieces which are overlapped and stitched together. The inner layer 84 is made using the same lining material which was used for the shoe upper 20. A padding material 43 is added between the outer layer 82 and inner layer 84 to form a soft, cushioned ankle cuff.
Connectors 90 are positioned on the outer side of the outer layer 82. The connectors 90 include an enclosed channel 91 for receiving the strap 100 as will be explained in detail below. The connectors 90 include a first end 91 that faces towards a back of the shoe 10 when the high-top 80 is inserted into the upper 20, and a second end 92 that faces towards the toe portion 24. The length of the passage 91 may vary, depending upon the context of use. In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6, the connectors 90 include an elongated shape that is substantially straight to facilitate insertion of the strap.
FIG. 8 illustrates a connector 90 that includes the enclosed channel 91 that extends between the first end 92 and the second end 93. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the inner surfaces of the channel 91 are smooth to facilitate pushing the strap 100 through the channel 91. Further, the channel 91 is substantially straight to again facilitate pushing the strap. The length of the channel 91 measured between the first and second ends 92, 93 is less than a length between the pair of openings 34 on the upper 20. This positions the first end 92 in proximity to the first opening 34, and the second end 93 in proximity to the second opening 34 when the high-top 80 is positioned and aligned within the upper 20.
The connector 90 also includes a base 94 that extends outward beyond the first and second ends 92, 93 of the channel 91. The base 94 may also extend outward beyond one or both upper and lower edges of the channel 91. The base 94 provides a platform for attaching the connector 90 to the high-top 80. The back surface 96 of the base 94 may be flat to abut and seat against the high-top 80.
The connectors 90 are fixedly attached to the high-top 80. In one embodiment, the connectors 90 are sewn onto the high-top 80. In one specific embodiment, the outer ends of the base 94 that extend outward beyond the channel 91 are stitched to the outer layer 40. The connectors 90 may also be attached with various other methods, including but not limited to adhesives, mechanical fasteners such as rivets, VELCRO, and combinations thereof.
The connectors 90 may be positioned towards the bottom side 83 of the high-top 80. In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5, the connectors 90 are positioned along a section that is away from the padding 43 positioned between the outer and inner layers 82, 84.
The two connectors 90 may be the same or different. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 includes the connectors 90 having the same size and shape. Further, the connectors 90 are positioned at the same location along opposing sides of the high-top 80. Connectors 90 may also be different, to include different sizes and/or shapes. Further, the connectors 90 may be positioned at different locations along the high-top 80.
The connectors 90 may be positioned on the outer side of the outer layer 82 as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. One or both connectors 90 may also be positioned on the inner side of the outer layer 82. In this position, the connectors 90 face inward towards the ankle opening 30 when the high-top is attached to the upper 20.
The high-top 80 is positioned within the ankle opening 30 for the connectors 90 to align respectively with each pair of openings 34 that are formed in the upper 20. The securing strap 100 threads through the corresponding openings 34 and connectors 90 in the shoe upper 20 and the detachable high-top 80 respectively to secure the detachable high-top 80 to the shoe upper 20.
FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a strap 100 in a flat configuration. The strap 100 includes a central section 101 with outwardly-extending arms 102. The central section 101 is configured to contact against the heel 22 of the upper 20. The central section 101 may include an enlarged sized to position a logo or other type of identifying indicia, such as a manufacturer name, team name, school, etc. In another embodiment, the central section 101 includes a width that is about the same as the arms 102.
The arms 102 are sized to extend through openings 34 and the connectors 90. One or more openings 104 are positioned towards the ends 103 of the arms 102 to receive the shoelace 38 when the high-top 80 is attached to the upper 20. The openings 104 preferably, but not necessarily, align with corresponding lace openings 36 in the shoe upper 20. The shoe lace 38 can be threaded through the openings 104 in the securing strap 90 so that when the shoe lace 38 is tightened, the securing strap 100 is placed in tension thereby providing increased support to the wearer's heel. In one embodiment, a width of the arms 102 between the upper and lower edges is less than a width of the channel 91 to allow the arms 102 to be inserted into the connectors 90.
The strap 100 is preferably constructed from a semi-rigid material to facilitate pushing through the openings 34 and connectors 90. FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment demonstrating that the strap 100 is longitudinally supporting. The central section 101 of the strap can be grasped by a user and the arms 102 remain in an extended orientation for insertion into the openings 34 and connectors 90. The arms 102 are able to support themselves and do not sag. Further, the longitudinally supporting arms 102 can be pushed through the openings 34 and connectors 90. The strap 100 may be constructed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic and rubber. In one embodiment, the entire strap 100 includes the same construction. Other embodiments may include one or more sections of the strap 100 having a different construction.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate how the high-top 80 is secured to the shoe upper 20. As shown in FIG. 12, the lower edge of the high-top 80 is first inserted into the pocket 46 formed in the shoe upper 20 so that the flap 48 covers the lower edge of the high-top 80. After the high-top 80 is in place, it is secured by inserting the securing strap 100 through the openings 34 in the upper 20 and the connectors 90 in the high-top 80 as shown in FIG. 13. In one embodiment, the strap 100 is pushed through the openings 34 and connectors 90 to make the process quicker. The tongue 50 of the shoe is folded out so that it extends to the top of the detachable high-top 80. Thereafter, the shoe lace 38 is threaded through the openings 104 in the securing strap 100 and the lace openings 88 in the detachable high-top 80.
To convert the shoe back to a low-top shoe, the shoe lace 38 is removed from the lace holes 88 in the high-top 80, the securing strap 100 is removed, and the detachable high-top 80 is lifted out of the pocket 46. If desired, the securing strap 100 may be threaded back through the openings 34 in the shoe upper 20.
The present invention provides an improved convertible footwear 10. The high-top 80 can be quickly and easily attached or removed as circumstances require. The high-top 80 when used provides increased ankle and heel support. The low-top allows for greater freedom of movement. Thus, a single pair of footwear constructed in accordance with the present invention can be used in a wide variety of activities.
Embodiments of a convertible athletic shoe are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,484 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description.
As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Convertible footwear, comprising:

a sole portion;

an upper fixed to the sole portion, wherein the upper defines an ankle opening through which the wearer's foot is inserted into the footwear;

a flap attached to an exterior of the upper so as to define a pocket in the upper adjacent to the ankle opening;

one or more strap openings formed in said flap;

a detachable high-top releasably secured to the upper to convert the footwear from a low top to a high-top, said high-top including a lower edge that is received in the pocket so the flap overlies the lower edge of the high-top;

one or more connectors attached to an outer surface of the high-top to align with the strap openings in said flap when the high-top is attached to the upper, each of the connectors extends outward from the outer side of the high-top and include an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate enclosed channel; and

a securing strap configured to pass through the aligned one or more strap openings and the one or more connectors to secure the detachable high-top to the upper.

2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the strap is longitudinally supporting to be pushed through the one or more strap openings and the one or more connectors.

3. The footwear of claim 1, wherein each of the connectors is attached to the high-top at the lower edge and is positioned below an upper edge of the upper when the high-top is attached to the upper.

4. The footwear of claim 1, wherein two connectors are attached to the high-top with each of the connectors being identical in shape and size.

5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein two connectors are attached to the high-top with each spaced an equal distance away from a mid-point along a length of the high-top.

6. The footwear of claim 1, further comprising enlarged pockets positioned in the upper at each of the strap openings, each of the pockets being sized to receive one of the connectors when the high-top is attached to the upper.

7. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the strap has elongated straight arms and includes a semi-rigid construction configured for the arms to maintain a straight shape when the strap is pushed through the strap openings and the connectors.

8. Convertible footwear, comprising:

a base with a sole and an upper, the upper having an ankle opening to receive a wearer's foot with a first pair of spaced-apart openings along a first side of the ankle opening and a second pair of openings along a second side of the ankle opening;

a detachable high-top releasably secured to the base to convert the footwear from a low top to a high-top;

first and second connectors attached to the high-top with the first connector positioned between the first pair of openings on the upper and the second connector positioned between the second pair of openings on the upper when the high-top is attached to the base, each of the connectors including a body with an inlet, an outlet, and an enclosed channel; and

a securing strap configured to pass through the first and second pairs of openings in the base and the first and second connectors in the high-top to secure the detachable high-top to the upper, the strap being constructed of a material to be longitudinally supporting to be pushed through the openings and the connectors.

9. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the first connector includes a first length that is less than a second length measured between the first pair of openings for the inlet of the first connector to align with a first one of the openings and the outlet of the first connector to align with a second one of the openings when the high-top is secured to the base.

10. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the strap includes an enlarged central section with a pair of outwardly-extending arms, the central section being wider than the connectors and the arms being narrower than the connectors.

11. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the channels include smooth inner walls to facilitate pushing the strap through the connectors.

12. The footwear of claim 8, further comprising a pair of pockets in the upper with each pocket positioned in proximity to ankle opening, a first one of the pockets configured to receive the first connector and a second one of the pockets configured to receive the second connector when the high-top is secured to the upper.

13. The footwear of claim 8, wherein each of the connectors includes a common shape and size.

14. The footwear of claim 8, wherein each connector includes a base that extends outward beyond the inlet and the outlet, the base including a flat back surface to abut against an outer surface of the high-top.

15. Convertible footwear, comprising:

a low-top with a sole and an upper, the upper having an ankle opening to receive a wearer's foot and a pocket formed at the ankle opening;

a first pair of spaced-apart openings along a first side of the ankle opening and a second pair of openings along a second side of the ankle opening, each of the pairs of openings extending into the pocket;

a detachable high-top including a lower edge that seats within the pocket and an opposing upper edge, the high-top having a folded configuration when attached to the low-top;

a first connector positioned at the lower edge of the high-top and sized to fit between the openings of the first pair of openings and a second connector positioned at the lower edge of the high-top and sized to fit between the openings of the second pair of openings, each of the connectors including an enclosed channel, each of the connectors further attached to an outer surface of the high-top to face away from the ankle opening when the high-top is attached to the low-top; and

a securing strap configured to pass through the first and second pairs of openings in the low-top and the first and second connectors in the high-top to secure the detachable high-top to the low-top, the strap including a central section and two outwardly-extending arms with the arms constructed from a semi-rigid material to extend outward from the central section.

16. The footwear of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second connectors includes a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

17. The footwear of claim 15, wherein the channels of the first and second connectors include smooth surfaces to facilitate insertion of the securing strap.

18. The footwear of claim 15, wherein the central section and the arms of the securing strap include a unitary, one-piece construction.

19. The footwear of claim 15, wherein the connectors are positioned on an inner surface of the high-top.