US20210153601A1

US20210153601A1 - A Self-Assembled Shoe and A Method of Manufacturing Thereof

Info

Publication number: US20210153601A1
Application number: US16/610,509
Authority: US
Inventors: Ricardo Da Costa Leite
Original assignee: Rival Shoes Design Ltd
Current assignee: Rival Shoes Design Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-26
Filing date: 2017-07-26
Publication date: 2021-05-27
Also published as: WO2019019061A1; TWM564942U; CN209547053U

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-assembled shoe and a method of manufacturing thereof. The self-assembled shoe comprises one or more locking systems for connecting a shoe base with one or more shoe components. The locking system is manually releasable upon actuation by a user at an actuating portion of the shoe base, and is substantially covered from view from an exterior of the shoe when assembled. The locking system further comprises an actuator arranged to be in direct contact with a medium of shoe base at the actuating portion, such that actuation at the actuating portion of the shoe base is directly transmissible through the shoe base medium to the actuator of the locking system to thereby actuate the locking system. The invention also relates to a covering member adapted to substantially cover one or more recesses defined by a female locking member of the locking system for the self-assembled shoe as described above. The covering member comprises one or more extensions configured to conform with the respective one or more recesses thereby, when the covering member is arranged to engage the female locking member, the one or more extensions are receivable by the respective one or more recesses to substantially cover the one or more recesses.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to footwear and a method of manufacturing thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Footwear such as shoes and sandals are typically purchased in their finished forms with designs and configurations predetermined by the footwear companies and/or the manufacturers. Once a certain part of a shoe is worn out or when the appearance of the shoes is no longer favored due to a fashion change, the shoes may be less frequently worn or even disposed of as there is normally no easy way to replace the worn out part or to customize the appearance of the shoes by the user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-assembled shoe, in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative.
Another object of the invention is to mitigate or obviate to some degree one or more problems associated with known self-assembled footwear.
The above object is met by the combination of features of the main claims; the sub-claims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention.
One skilled in the art will derive from the following description other objects of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing statements of object are not exhaustive and serve merely to illustrate some of the many objects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first main aspect, the invention provides a self-assembled shoe. The self-assembled shoe comprises one or more locking systems for connecting a shoe base with one or more shoe components, the locking system being manually releasable upon actuation by a user at an actuating portion of the shoe base, and is substantially covered from view from an exterior of the shoe when assembled; wherein the locking system comprises an actuator arranged to be in direct contact with a medium of the shoe base at the actuating portion, such that actuation at the actuating portion of the shoe base is directly transmissible through the shoe base medium to the actuator of the locking system to thereby actuate the locking system.
In a second main aspect, the invention provides a covering member adapted to substantially cover one or more recesses defined by a female locking member of a locking system for a self-assembled shoe of the first aspect. The covering member comprises one or more extensions configured to conform with the respective one or more recesses thereby, when the covering member is arranged to engage the female locking member, the one or more extensions are receivable by the respective one or more recesses to substantially cover the one or more recesses.
In a third main aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a self-assembled shoe. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold for molding a shoe base; arranging a female locking member at the mold; covering substantially one or more recesses defined by the female locking member; introducing a molding material into the mold with the female locking member arranged therein, such that, when the molding material is solidified to form the shoe base, the female locking member is incorporated into the molding material of the shoe base.
In a fourth main aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a self-assembled shoe. The method comprises the steps of providing a shoe base formed from a selected material; and fixedly accommodating a female locking member within the material forming the shoe base near an inner peripheral edge of the shoe base in such a manner that the accommodated locking member is concealed from view by the material of the shoe base when viewed from an exterior surface of said peripheral edge; the material forming the shoe base is selected as one that has sufficient flexibility or resilience as to enable a locking mechanism of the locking member to be actuated through manual depression the shoe base material at a position on an exterior surface of the shoe base adjacent to the concealed locking member; wherein the female locking member comprises an actuator arranged to be in direct contact with an inner wall of the shoe base, such that the manual depression of the shoe base material is directly transmissible to the actuator to thereby actuate the locking system.
The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all the features essential for defining the invention; the invention may reside in a sub-combination of the disclosed features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments which are provided by way of example only in connection with the accompanying figures, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the self-assembled shoe according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view showing a number of shoe components of an embodiment of the self-assembled shoe prior to the assembly;

FIG. 3 is a top view showing a shoe base of the shoe of FIG. 2 having a plurality of locking systems;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an actuator of the locking system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing a female locking member of a locking system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing two male locking members of the corresponding locking systems of the shoe of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is perspective view showing a retention unit as embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an embodiment of a covering member according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the covering member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the covering member of FIG. 8 engaged with a female locking member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the engaged female locking member and covering member as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the engaged female locking member and covering member as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the engaged female locking member and covering member as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a top view showing another embodiment of the female locking member of a locking system of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a top view showing a shoe base having a plurality of the female locking members of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying the invention into effect.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.
In the claims hereof, any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function. It is thus regarded that any means that can provide those functionalities are equivalent to those shown herein.
Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an embodiment of the self-assembled shoe according to the present invention in its assembled state. The self-assembled shoe 10 comprises a shoe base 12 and a number of shoe components such as, but not limited to, one or more shoe straps 14 and a shoe sole 16. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the shoe 10 in its disassembled state, with the shoe base 12, the shoe straps 14 and the shoe sole 16 detached from one another. FIG. 2 also shows a plurality of locking systems 20 each comprising a female locking member 22 and a male locking member 24 releasably connectable with each other. The locking systems 20 are provided to connect the shoe base 12 with the other shoe components during the assembling process so as to form a shoe in its wearable form, and are adapted to release and thus detach the shoe base 12 from the other shoe components when the locking systems 20 are actuated manually by a user at an actuating portion 18 of the shoe base 12. In one embodiment, the locking systems 20 are actuatable by manual depression or applying pressure at the corresponding actuating portions 18 of the shoe base 12.
In the embodiment as shown in the figure, the female locking members 22 are arranged at the shoe base 12, and the male locking members 24 are provided at the shoe straps 14, although a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the female locking members 22 may possibly be arranged at any one of the shoe components and that the male locking members 24 may be provided at the shoe base 12 for connecting the shoe components with the shoe base 12. In a further embodiment, the locking system 20 may also be applied to connect different shoe components together for assembling the shoe 10.
Preferably, the locking system 20 when locked is located in or at the shoe base 12. More preferably, the locking system 20 when locked is located near a peripheral edge of the shoe base 12, such that the actuating portion 18 can be provided at, for example, one or more outer surfaces or side walls at the peripheral edge of the shoe base 12 adjacent the locking system 20. This arrangement allows the locking systems 20 to be substantially covered or concealed from view from an exterior of the shoe 10 when assembled. This is advantageous in that it provides the flexibility and customizability to the shoe 10 and yet, with the connections being substantially invisible from the exterior of the shoe 10, the self-assembled shoes 10 are aesthetically pleasing and are indistinguishable from the traditional, ready-made shoes.
FIG. 3 shows the shoe base 12 of FIG. 2 having a plurality of female locking members 22 arranged near the peripheral edge of the shoe base 12. In this embodiment, the female locking members 22 each comprises one or more recesses 30, with at least one of the recesses 30 adapted to releasably engage the male locking member 24 to thereby connect the female locking member 22 with the male locking member 24. The female locking member 22 also comprises an actuator 40 manually actuatable to release the female locking member 22 from the male locking member 24. Specifically, the actuator 40 is arranged to be in direct contact with a medium of the shoe base 12 at the actuating portion 18, such that manual pressure at the actuating portion 18 is directly transmissible through the shoe base medium to the actuator 40 to thereby actuate the locking system 20 to release the male locking member 24.
In one embodiment, the actuator 40 may comprise an enlarged head portion 42 and a neck portion 44, as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the head portion 42 may comprise a substantially flat engaging surface which allows a direct, close contact between the actuator 40 and the medium of the shoe base 12.
The direct contact between the actuator 40 and the medium of the shoe base 12 at the actuating portion 18 is advantageous in that it allows a more effective actuation of the locking system 20 by reducing the distance of depression by the user and improving the transmission of pressure once the manual depression is applied. The applied pressure is directly transmissible through the shoe base medium to the actuator 40 to allow a more sensitive actuation and thus, allowing a more precise actuation with less effort required from the user. In addition, the longer is the distance between the medium of the shoe base 12 and the actuator 40, the more stretching of the medium is required for the actuator 40 to be actuated. The direct contact between the shoe base medium and the actuator 40 therefore reduces the mechanical fatigue of the shoe base 12 and thus prolongs the lifespan of the shoe base 12. The direct engagement between the flat head portion 42 of the actuator 40 and the shoe base medium also minimizes or substantially prevents the building up of stress at the contact point when the shoe base medium engages the actuator 40 during a depression.
Particularly, the female locking members 22 are arranged such that they are accessible from an upper surface of the shoe base 12 adjacent the shoe sole 16 and the sole of the user when in use.
In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the female locking member 22 comprises a housing 23 defining the recess 30 for receiving an arm 32 of the male locking member 24. Particularly, the female locking member 22 comprises a stopping means 36 adapted to engage the arm 32 of the male locking member 24 when the arm 32 is inserted into the recess 30. Preferably, at least one of the stopping means 36 of the female locking member 22 and the arm 32 of the male locking member 24 comprises a plurality of teeth members 38, 39, respectively, for securing the engaged stopping means 36 and the arm 32. More preferably, at least one of the stopping means 36 of the female locking member 22 and the arm 32 of the male locking member 24 is resilient, such that when one of the members is resiliently flexed by, for example, an applied pressure from the user at the actuation portion 18, the other one of the members disengages from the counterpart so as to release the shoe base 12 from the shoe strap 14.
When the actuator 40 is actuated by, for example, a manual depression by a user at the actuation portion 18 at the peripheral edge of the shoe base 12, the applied pressure is directly transmitted through the medium of the shoe base 12 to the actuator 40 due to the direct contact between the shoe base medium and the head portion 42 of the actuator 40. The actuator 40 is thereby depressed inwardly towards the housing 23 to flex at least one of the stopping means 36 of the female locking member 22 and the arm 32 of the male locking member 24 to disengage the female and the male locking members 22, 24. For example, the actuator 40 may cause the engaged teeth 38, 39 of the locking members 22, 24 to part and thus become disengaged from each other. Since the actuator 40 is embedded within the shoe base 12, and the actuation thereof is achievable by an indirect pressing action via the medium of the peripheral edge of the shoe base 12 at the actuation portion 18, it is therefore not necessary for the actuator 40 to be exposed from the exterior of the shoe 10, but still, can be easily accessible and actuatable by the user.
In the specific embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the female locking member 22 may comprise a base member 26 for anchoring the locking system 20 at the medium of the shoe base 12. The base member 12 may comprise one or more extended portions 28, with at least one of the extended portions 28 as comprising a hollow space or aperture 29 adapted to allow the medium of the shoe base 12 to pass through to thereby fixedly secure the female locking member 22 at the shoe base 12.
FIG. 6 further shows an embodiment of the shoe strap 14 having two male locking members 24. In this embodiment, the male locking member 24 is configured substantially in a U-shape such that it is adapted to receive partially the actuator 40, or more specifically, the neck portion 44 of the actuator 40 when the locking system 20 is in a locked configuration. Nevertheless, it is appreciated that the male locking member 24 and/or the female locking member 22 can be provided in other possible configurations, as long as they fulfil the purpose of the present invention.
In one further embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the shoe 10 may further comprise one or more retention units 50 for connecting the shoe base 12 with the other shoe components. For example, a retention unit 50 having an enlarged stud part 52 depending from a narrower neck portion can be provided at the shoe strap 14 for engaging a corresponding hole at the shoe base 12 via a snap-fitting connection. A plurality of snap fitting studs 52 can also be provided at the under surface of the shoe sole 16 for engaging corresponding holes at the shoe base 12 in a similar manner.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a covering member 60 adapted to substantially cover the one or more recesses 30, such as the gap 30A and/or the recess 30B as defined by the female locking member 22 of the locking system 20 for the self-assembled shoe 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 8-13, the covering member 60 may comprise one or more extensions 70 configured to conform with the respective one or more recesses 30 of the female locking member 22. In use, when the covering member 60 is arranged to engage the female locking member 22 prior to the molding of the shoe base 12, the one or more extensions 70, due to their specific shapes and configurations, will be allowed to be snugly received by the respective one or more recesses 30 of the female locking member 22 to substantially cover or seal the one or more recesses 30. The covering or sealing of the recesses 30 is of particular importance during the molding process of the shoe base 12 to reduce, minimize or substantially prevent any molding material from entering the recesses or gaps 30. After the molding material is solidified and the shoe base 12 is formed, the covering member 60 can be easily removed to disengage the female locking member 22 and to uncover the recesses 30.
For example, the covering member 60 can be configured with extensions 70 having one or more leg members 72 and/or one or more block members 74 configured to conform with the respective one or more gap 30A and/or one or more recess 30B. Specifically, when the covering member 60 is arranged to engage the female locking member 22, the leg members 72 will be inserted into the gap 30A between an outer wall of the housing 23 and the head portion 42 of the actuator 40, such that the leg members 72 are allowed to substantially surround the neck portion 44 of the actuator 40. At the same time, the block members 74 will be inserted into the recess 30B defined by the housing 23 of the female locking member 22. Preferably, the leg members 72 are configured substantially in a U-shape to surround at least partially the neck portion 44; and that the block members 74 are substantially elongate for receiving the male locking member 24 of the locking system 20.
In yet a further embodiment, the covering member 60 may comprise either one of the leg member 72 and the block member 74 for blocking or covering the gap 30A or the recess 30B. The recess 30 which is not covered by the covering member 60 may possibly be filled, masked or covered by other masking means such as, but are not limited to, one or more resilient materials, for example, silicone rubber prior to the molding step. After the molding and that the shoe base 12 is formed, the resilient materials may then be removed to release the recess 30.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a self-assembled shoe 10. The method comprises steps of providing a mold for molding a shoe base 12; arranging a female locking member 22 at the mold; covering substantially one or more recesses 30 defined by the female locking member 22; and introducing a molding material into the mold with the female locking member 22 arranged therein, such that, when the molding material is solidified to form the shoe base 12, the female locking member 22 is incorporated into the molding material of the shoe base 12. The molding material may comprise one or more resilient materials, such as, but are not limited to, synthetic polymers, rubbers and/or foamed materials, etc. In one embodiment, the shoe base 12 can be formed of or at least partially formed of one or more rubbery materials. It is preferred for the manufactured shoe base to possess a resilient, flexible and/or depressible physical property at least at its peripheral edge such that the self-assembled shoe can be easily disassembled by pressing onto the shoe base by the user. The resiliency prevents the shoe base from being deformed by the applied pressure.
Preferably, the covering step comprises releasably engaging a covering member 60 with the female locking member 22. The covering member 60 comprises one or more extensions 70 receivable into the respective one or more recesses 30 to thereby substantially cover the one or more recesses 30. The method may further comprise a step of uncovering the recesses 30 after the molding material is solidified.
Preferably, the arranging step comprises positioning the female locking member 22 near a side wall of the mold such that, when the shoe base 12 is formed, the female locking member 22 is incorporated near an inner peripheral edge of the shoe base 12. Particularly, the female locking member 22 is incorporated near an inner peripheral edge of the shoe base 12, but not at said peripheral edge such that the female locking member 22 is covered from view by the material of the molded shoe base 12 when viewed from an exterior surface of said peripheral edge.
The method of manufacturing the self-assembled shoe 10 may further comprise a step of connecting a male locking member 24 with a shoe component such as a shoe strap 14, such that the shoe base 12 and the shoe strap 14 are connectable by engaging the female locking member 22 with the male locking member 24.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a self-assembled shoe 10. The method comprises steps of providing a shoe base 12 formed from a selected material; and fixedly accommodating a female locking member 22 within the material forming the shoe base 12 near an inner peripheral edge of the shoe base 12 in such a manner that the accommodated locking member is concealed from view by the material of the shoe base 12 when viewed from an exterior surface of said peripheral edge; the material forming the shoe base 12 is selected as one that has sufficient flexibility or resilience as to enable a locking mechanism of the locking member to be actuated through manual depression the shoe base material at a position on an exterior surface of the shoe base 12 adjacent to the concealed locking member. Particularly, the female locking member 22 comprises an actuator 40 arranged to be in direct contact with an inner wall of the shoe base 12, such that the manual depression of the shoe base material is directly transmissible to the actuator to thereby actuate the locking system 20.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the female locking member 22 can be secured at the shoe base 12 via one or more connecting means such as screws or any suitable connectors instead of being molded into the shoe base 12. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the female locking member 22 can be configured to comprise one or more connecting means engaging portions 62 adapted to engage or receive one or more respective connecting means, such as but not limited to, screws (not shown) for connecting and positioning the female locking members 22 at the shoe base 12. In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the connecting means engaging portions 62 can be provided at the base member 26 of the female locking member 22, such as the extended portions 28 in the form of through holes to allow screw connections at two lateral sides of the housing 23 for a stable connection of the female locking member 22 at the shoe base 12. In one embodiment, the shoe base 12 can be previously formed or molded with a plurality of cavities 64 adapted to snugly accommodate the corresponding female locking members 22. The female locking members 22 may subsequently be positioned and secured at the shoe base 12 by, for example, screw connections via the respective connecting means engaging portions 62. The provision of the connecting means engaging portions 62 at the female locking member 22 allows a convenient alternative for mechanically connecting and positioning the female locking members 22 at the shoe base 12. The mechanical connection may also be applicable along with the earlier described molding method to further enhance the strength of connection between the female locking member 22 and the shoe base 12.
Although a footwear or a shoe in the form of a sandal is embodied in the drawings and the corresponding description, a person skilled in the relevant art would appreciate that the present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiment of a sandal. Instead, various kinds of footwear or shoes such as boots, sport shoes or sneakers, thongs, slippers and footwear with or without heels, etc. should also be encompassed.
In general, the present invention provides a footwear with parts which can be releasably connected and detached in a quick and easy manner. This is particularly useful when a certain part of a shoe is worn out and thus requires a replacement. It is also beneficial in allowing a user the flexibility to customize the appearance of the shoes by changing one or more parts of the shoes with parts of different designs such as variations in colors, patterns and/or textures. The customization may also be provided by variation in structural components of the shoes such as top covers, straps or heels etc. so as to vary the style of the shoes.
In addition, the connections between the parts, including the means for connecting and releasing the connections, are substantially invisible from the exterior of the shoe when assembled. Particularly, the connections can be released by simply pressing on the actuating portion at the peripheral edge of the shoe base by the user to thereby actuating the release mechanism. The exterior surface of the shoe base may carry discrete indicators of where a user should depress the material of the shoe base to actuate a locking member. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the actuator to be exposed at the exterior of the shoe in order to be accessible by the user. As a result, the present invention allows the self-assembled shoes with flexibility and customizability over the traditional, ready-made shoes and yet, the self-assembled shoes are aesthetically pleasing and are substantially indistinguishable from the traditional, ready-made shoes.
Furthermore, the self-assembled shoe of the present invention comprises a locking system with an actuator arranged to be in direct contact with a medium of a shoe base. The direct contact is advantageous in that it allows a more effective actuation of the locking system by reducing the distance of depression by the user and improving the transmission of pressure once the manual depression is applied. The applied pressure is directly transmissible through the shoe base medium to the actuator to allow a more sensitive actuation and thus, allowing a more precise actuation with less effort required from the user. In addition, the longer is the distance between the medium of the shoe base and the actuator, the more stretching of the medium is required for the actuator to be actuated. The direct contact between the shoe base medium and the actuator therefore reduces the mechanical fatigue of the shoe base and thus prolongs the lifespan of the shoe. The direct engagement between the flat head portion of the actuator and the shoe base medium in accordance with the present invention also minimizes or substantially prevents the building up of stress at the contact point when the shoe base medium engages the actuator during a depression.
The present description illustrates the principles of the present invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope.
Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and do not limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It can be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be used with any embodiment. The illustrative embodiments are not exclusive of each other or of other embodiments not recited herein. Accordingly, the invention also provides embodiments that comprise combinations of one or more of the illustrative embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the invention as herein set forth can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Claims

1. A self-assembled shoe comprising:

one or more locking systems for connecting a shoe base with one or more shoe components, the locking system being manually releasable upon actuation by a user at an actuating portion of the shoe base, and is substantially covered from view from an exterior of the shoe when assembled;

wherein the locking system comprises an actuator arranged to be in direct contact with a medium of shoe base at the actuating portion, such that actuation at the actuating portion of the shoe base is directly transmissible through the shoe base medium to the actuator of the locking system to thereby actuate the locking system.

2. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the locking system is actuatable by applying pressure at the actuating portion of the shoe base.

3. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the locking system when locked is located near a peripheral edge of the shoe base; and the actuating portion is located at the peripheral edge of the shoe base adjacent the locking system.

4. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the locking system comprises a male locking member and a female locking member releasably connectable with each other, with one of the male and female locking members being arranged at the shoe base, and the other one being arranged at the shoe component; wherein the locking member arranged at the shoe base is accessible from a surface of the shoe base adjacent a sole of the user when in use.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 4, wherein the female locking member comprises a recess for receiving an arm of the male locking member.

8. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 7, wherein the female locking member comprises a stopping means adapted to engage the arm of the male locking member; wherein at least one of the stopping means of the female locking member and the arm of the male locking member is resilient.

9. (canceled)

10. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 8, wherein the actuator is arranged at the female locking member, the actuator, when actuated, is adapted to flex at least one of the stopping means of the female locking member and the arm of the male locking member to thereby disengage the male and the female locking members.

11. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 4, wherein the female locking member and the male locking member each comprises a plurality of teeth members for engaging with one another.

12. (canceled)

13. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 7, wherein the arm of the male locking member is arranged such that it receives partially the actuator when the male locking member engages the female locking member.

14. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 4, wherein the female locking member comprises a base member for anchoring the locking system at the medium of the shoe base.

15. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 14, wherein the base member comprises one or more extended portions, at least one of the extended portions comprises a hollow space adapted to allow the medium of the shoe base to pass through.

16. The self-assembled shoe according to claim 4, wherein the female locking member comprises one or more connecting means engaging portions adapted to engage one or more respective connecting means for connecting the female locking member at the shoe base.

17. (canceled)

18. A covering member adapted to substantially cover one or more recesses defined by a female locking member of a locking system for a self-assembled shoe in accordance with claim 1, the covering member comprising:

one or more extensions configured to conform with the respective one or more recesses thereby, when the covering member is arranged to engage the female locking member, the one or more extensions are receivable by the respective one or more recesses to substantially cover the one or more recesses.

19. The covering member according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the one or more extensions comprises one or more leg members insertable into the respective recess to engage a neck portion of the actuator of the lock system.

20. The covering member according to claim 19, wherein the one or more leg members are configured substantially in a U-shape to surround at least partially the neck portion.

21. A method of manufacturing a self-assembled shoe, comprising steps of:

providing a mold for molding a shoe base;

arranging a female locking member at the mold;

covering substantially one or more recesses defined by the female locking member;

introducing a molding material into the mold with the female locking member arranged therein, such that, when the molding material is solidified to form the shoe base, the female locking member is incorporated into the molding material of the shoe base.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the covering step comprises releasably engaging a covering member with the female locking member, the covering member comprising one or more extensions receivable into the respective one or more recesses to thereby substantially cover the one or more recesses.

23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising a step of uncovering the one or more recesses after the molding material is solidified.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the arranging step comprises positioning the female locking member near a side wall of the mold such that, when the shoe base is formed, the female locking member is incorporated near an inner peripheral edge of the shoe base, but not at said peripheral edge such that the female locking member is covered from view by the material of the molded shoe base when viewed from an exterior surface of said peripheral edge.

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. The method according to claim 21, further comprising a step of connecting a male locking member with a shoe component such that the shoe base and the shoe component are connectable by engaging the female locking member with the male locking member.

28. (canceled)