US20240381970A1

US20240381970A1 - Multi-functional shoe system

Info

Publication number: US20240381970A1
Application number: US18/663,927
Authority: US
Inventors: Caroline BOWATER
Original assignee: Crocs Inc
Current assignee: Crocs Inc
Priority date: 2023-05-16
Filing date: 2024-05-14
Publication date: 2024-11-21

Abstract

A multi-functional shoe system includes detachable components including a shroud, handle, sole attachment, and/or straps. Each shoe component can detach from and reattach to a shoe in various ways to meet different needs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/502,573, filed May 16, 2023, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to shoe systems, and more specifically to versatile shoes with detachable components that can be used in various ways to enhance functionality.

BACKGROUND

Shoes are often limited to being worn on the user's feet. Users are also often limited to buying different types of shoes that can serve different functions, such as to withstand different weather conditions or to satisfy different shoe styles.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a multi-functional shoe system with detachable components, including a shroud, handle, sole attachment, and straps that can be used in various ways to transform the shoe into different embodiments.
According to some embodiments, a multi-functional shoe system includes a shoe having one or more openings on its top portion and a cinch groove, a detachable shroud that covers at least a portion of the shoe, the detachable shroud being open at the top end and at least partially open at the bottom end; and the opening of the detachable shroud at the bottom end being configured to be cinched at the cinch groove in the shoe. Such a multi-functional shoe system can include an open heel region with a back strap. According to embodiments of such systems, the detachable shroud covers all open regions in the shoe when it interfaces with the shoe. In some embodiments, one or more detachable handles are attached to the detachable shroud, and the detachable handles may be detached from the detachable shroud and wrapped around at least a portion of the detachable shroud. The detachable shroud may include a drawstring.
According to some embodiments, one or more detachable sole attachments attach to the shoe over the detachable shroud. The detachable sole attachments may attach to one or more recesses in the shoe, for example. In some embodiments, the detachable sole attachments include recesses that attach to one or more protrusions in the shoe. One or more of the detachable sole attachments may include one or more straps, for example. According to some embodiments, a multi-functional shoe system includes a shoe having openings on its top portion and a cinch groove, and one or more detachable sole attachments that attach to the shoe. The detachable sole attachments may attach to one or more recesses in the shoe, for example. According to some embodiments, the detachable sole attachments include recesses that attach to one or more protrusions in the shoe. One or more of the detachable sole attachments include one or more straps, in some embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a shoe, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multi-functional shoe system with the shoe of FIG. 1 and a detachable shroud and detachable handle, in a bag configuration, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the multi-functional shoe system of FIG. 2 , with a detachable shroud and detachable handle, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another view of the multi-functional shoe system of FIGS. 2 and 3 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates the multi-functional shoe system of FIGS. 2-4 , with a detachable handle wrapped around the detachable shroud, in a boot configuration, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates front and rear detachable sole attachments with straps, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the shoe of FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a multi-functional shoe system with front and rear detachable sole attachments attached to the shoe of FIG. 1 with straps, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates alternative multi-functional shoe systems with front and rear detachable sole attachments attached to shoes with alternative straps, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates the multi-functional shoe system of FIG. 5 with front and rear detachable sole attachments attached to the shoe over the shroud with straps, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates another view of the multi-functional shoe system of FIG. 10 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the multi-functional shoe system of FIGS. 10-11 , with a foot inserted thereinto, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalent, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a shoe 100 that may be a component of the multi-functional shoe system, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the shoe 100 includes one or more openings in the top portion of the shoe 100. The openings can be a variety of shapes, including circles of approximately equal or varying sizes, perfect or imperfect ovals of approximately equal or varying sizes, or any other shapes known to those in the art, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the shoe can have an opening near the heel region with a back strap. In some embodiments, the shoe 100 can have a cinch groove 101. The cinch groove 101 is a groove, channel, divot, or any combination thereof that extends about at least a portion of the shoe. In some embodiments, the cinch groove is near the heel of the shoe. In some embodiments, the shoe 100 can be manufactured by injection molding. Injection molding is a process that can be used for manufacturing various types of articles. The process generally involves injecting a molding material into a mold, which shapes the material into articles. In some embodiments, the molding material includes ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a multi-functional shoe system 200 with a detachable shroud 201 and detachable handle 202, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the shoe 100 is at least partially covered by a detachable shroud 201. The detachable shroud 201 can be a variety of shapes including a tubular shape, a conical shape, or any other shapes known to those in the art, and any combination thereof. The top end of the detachable shroud 201 has an opening and the bottom end of the detachable shroud 201 is at least partially open. In some embodiments, the bottom end of the detachable shroud 201 has a closed portion and an open portion. The closed portion encircles the front of the shoe, covers the bottom of the shoe, and extends up the side of the shoe. The open portion has a perimeter that generally corresponds to the cinch groove 101 in the shoe 100. The cinch groove 101 accommodates the detachable shroud 201 such that a drawstring 203 can be pulled, twisted, and/or tightened to cinch the detachable shroud 201 at the cinch groove 101. The cinch groove 101 is at least partially overhung and/or at least partially underhung so as to inhibit displacement of the detachable shroud 201 from the shoe 100, particularly when the drawstring 203 tightens the detachable shroud 201 about the shoe 100 at the cinch groove 101. Though one cinch groove 101 configuration is shown, others are possible, including with other types of styles of footwear.
In some embodiments, the detachable shroud 201 contains one or more detachable handles 202 that can attach to the detachable shroud 201. The detachable handles 202 can attach to the detachable shroud 201 through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, snap on systems, magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, pins, or any other attachment designs known to those in the art, and any combination thereof. The detachable handles 202 can be fashioned in a variety of styles. In certain embodiments, the detachable handles 202 can include one or more buckles 204. In one embodiment, one end of the detachable handle 202 snaps on one side of the top end of the detachable shroud 201 and attaches via a buckle mechanism to another side of the top end of the detachable shroud 201. The detachable handle 202 may be adjustable in length via a buckle or other length adjustment mechanism.
The multifunctional shoe system 200 can function as a bag configuration when the detachable shroud 201 is attached to the shoe 100. The multifunctional shoe system 200 can also function as a bag when both the detachable shroud 201 is attached to the shoe 100 and the detachable handle 202 is attached to the detachable shroud 201 or wrapped around the detachable shroud 201.
The detachable shroud 201 and the detachable handle 202 can be made from a variety of materials, for example those that are sufficiently durable and/or strong enough to carry at least the weight of the shoe 100. The detachable shroud 201 can also be made from breathable materials. Exemplary materials for the detachable shroud 201 and the detachable handle 202 include plastic, thermochromic plastic, fibers, cotton, nylon, leather, canvas fabric, rubber, or any other material known to those in the art, and any combination thereof.
FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-functional shoe system 200 with a detachable handle 202 wrapped around the detachable shroud 201, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the detachable handle 202 can be detached from the detachable shroud 201 and be used to wrap around the detachable shroud 201. Wrapping the detachable handle 202 around the detachable shroud 201 can transform the multi-functional shoe system 200 into a taller shoe structure or into a bag structure. For example, in some embodiments, when the detachable handle 202 is wrapped around the detachable shroud 201, the multi-functional shoe system 200 can function as a rain or snow boot. The drawstring 203 of the detachable shroud 201 being tightened around the cinch groove 101 can create a water-resistant seal to keep the wearer's foot dry in wet conditions such as rain or snow, while permitting decorative ventilation in the shoe 100 through the openings in the shoe 100 when the detachable shroud 201 is removed. In some embodiments, the open portion in the bottom end of the detachable shroud 201 allows a solid molded portion of the shoe 100 to protrude from the bottom end of the detachable shroud 201 which, when the drawstring 203 is tightened around the cinch groove 101, facilitates the water-resistant boot configuration. When the detachable handle 202 is wrapped around the detachable shroud 201, it can remain loose to give the visual impression of a boot, and/or be tightened to further inhibit water or moisture from entering the shoe.
FIG. 6 illustrates detachable sole attachments 500 and straps 501, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The detachable sole attachments 500 can include a front and rear pair or, in some cases, one of a front or a rear element. The detachable sole attachments 500 and straps 501 can be made from a variety of materials, such as rubber, leather, plastic, or any other material known to those in the art, and any combination thereof. The detachable sole attachments 500 can be placed directly onto the shoe or over the detachable shroud 201. Straps 501 can be included on the detachable sole attachments 501 to provide extra grip support to help keep the detachable sole attachment 500 on the shoe 100. The detachable sole attachments 500 can be used as traction enhancement items, for example to provide greater grip or traction, either in general or in specific conditions such as wet, snowy, icy, slippery, or oily conditions. In some embodiments, the detachable sole attachments 500 can be used for ornamentation and can have varying designs on the front and/or rear element. For example, the front and/or rear elements can have a different color, shape, illustrations, material, or texture, and any combination thereof.
FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of a shoe 100 that may be a component of the multi-functional shoe system 200, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the shoe 100 can include recesses 700 on the bottom of the shoe 100. The detachable sole attachments 500 can include protrusions that attach to the recesses 700 either directly on the shoe 100 or over the detachable shroud 201 that is covering the shoe 100. This attachment method can deter disarrangement of the detachable sole attachment 500 from the shoe 100. In some embodiments, the detachable sole attachments 500 can attach to the shoe 100 with a pressure fit or snap-on type interface. In some embodiments, the bottom of the shoe 100 can include protrusions that fit into recesses in the detachable sole attachments 500.
FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a multi-functional shoe system 200 with detachable sole attachments 500 and straps 501 attached to a shoe 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The detachable sole attachments 500 can attach to the shoe 100 itself or onto the detachable shroud 201 as it is at least partially wrapped over the shoe 100. The detachable sole attachments 500 could be a single sole attachment that spans both the front and rear of the shoe or could be two separate attachments. The multi-functional shoe system 200 can include one or more straps 501.
The straps 501 provide extra support for the detachable sole attachments 500 to grip onto the shoe 100. The straps 501 can be attached to the detachable sole attachments 500 in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, being glued, pinned, sewn, taped, or any other attachment design known to those in the art, and any combination thereof. The straps 501 can be configured in a variety of styles that allow the straps 501 to fit over the shoe 100. In certain embodiments, the straps 501 can extend from one side of the detachable sole attachments 500 to the other side. In certain embodiments, the straps 501 can form a T-shape configuration on the detachable sole attachments 500. The straps 501 can also be fashioned in a variety of styles. In certain embodiments, the straps 501 can include buckles 204. In some embodiments, the same straps 501 can be used for the detachable sole attachments 500, the drawstring 203, and/or the detachable handle 202.
FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a multi-functional shoe system 200 with detachable sole attachments 500 and straps 501 attached to a shoe 100 that is covered by a detachable shroud 201, and which has a detachable handle 202 wrapped around the detachable shroud 201, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
Various other modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features or particular steps, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features or steps, and embodiments that do not include all of the above-described features or steps.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-functional shoe system, comprising:

a shoe having one or more openings on its top portion and a cinch groove;

a detachable shroud that covers at least a portion of the shoe;

the detachable shroud being open at the top end and at least partially open at the bottom end; and

the opening of the detachable shroud at the bottom end being configured to be cinched at the cinch groove in the shoe.

2. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 1, wherein the shoe further comprises an open heel region with a back strap.

3. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 1, wherein the detachable shroud covers all open regions in the shoe when it interfaces with the shoe.

4. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 1, wherein one or more detachable handles are attached to the detachable shroud.

5. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 4, wherein the detachable handles are detached from the detachable shroud and wrapped around at least a portion of the detachable shroud.

6. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 1, wherein the detachable shroud further comprises a drawstring.

7. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 1, further comprising one or more detachable sole attachments that attach to the shoe over the detachable shroud.

8. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 7, wherein the detachable sole attachments attach to one or more recesses in the shoe.

9. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 7, wherein the detachable sole attachments include recesses that attach to one or more protrusions in the shoe.

10. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 7, wherein one or more of the detachable sole attachments include one or more straps.

11. A multi-functional shoe system, comprising:

a shoe having openings on its top portion and a cinch groove; and

one or more detachable sole attachments that attach to the shoe.

12. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 11, wherein the detachable sole attachments attach to one or more recesses in the shoe.

13. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 11, wherein the detachable sole attachments include recesses that attach to one or more protrusions in the shoe.

14. The multi-functional shoe system of claim 11, wherein one or more of the detachable sole attachments include one or more straps.