WO2009008607A1

WO2009008607A1 - Multipurpose shoes

Info

Publication number: WO2009008607A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003676
Authority: WO
Inventors: Myong Eon Cho
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-10
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-10
Also published as: KR20090005851A; KR100898362B1

Abstract

The present invention provides a multipurpose shoe which is constructed such that a lower portion of a shoe body can be removably coupled to a traveling unit, such as an ice skate, a rollerblade, a short ski, etc. To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the multipurpose shoe of the present invention includes a shoe body (1), a support frame (30) and at least one traveling unit. The shoe body has an upper part (10), which receives the foot of a user therein, and a sole (20), which is provided under the upper part. The support frame (30) is fastened to the lower portion of the shoe body using a plurality of fastening units and covers the front and rear portions of the shoe body. The traveling unit is coupled to the support frame so as to be removable therefrom.

Description

Description MULTIPURPOSE SHOES

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to multipurpose shoes and, more particularly, to a multipurpose shoe which is constructed such that a lower portion of a shoe body can be removably coupled to a traveling unit, such as an ice skate, a rollerblade, a short ski, etc. Background Art

[2] Generally, in structures of conventional shoes having traveling units for leisure activities, the traveling units, such as ice skates, rollerblades, short skis, etc., are fixed to respective corresponding shoe bodies. Thus, when a user, who is wearing shoes having one kind of traveling unit, desires to replace the wearing shoes with new shoes having different traveling units, the user must remove the wearing shoes and put on the new shoes having the desired traveling units. This process inconveniences the user. Furthermore, because every traveling unit requires a separate shoe body, the production costs thereof are increased.

[3] In addition, in the case where several users use a single kind of traveling unit and the sizes of the feet of the users differ from each other, several pairs of shoes are required in order to correspond to the sizes of the feet of the users. There is a disadvantage in that the economic burden is increased. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose shoe which is constructed such that a lower portion of a shoe body can be removably coupled to a traveling unit, such as an ice skate, a rollerblade, a short ski, etc., to be used for enjoying leisure, thus making the use of various kinds of traveling units convenient.

[5] A second object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose shoe which is constructed such that the length of a support frame is adjustable depending on the size of the foot of a user.

[6] A third object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose shoe in which the support frame is firmly fastened to the shoe body using a plurality of fastening units, thus forming a reliable coupling structure. Technical Solution

[7] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a mul- tipurpose shoe, including: a shoe body, having an upper part to receive a foot of a user therein, and a sole provided under the upper part; a support frame fastened to a lower portion of the shoe body using a plurality of fastening units, the support frame covering front and rear portions of the shoe body; and at least one traveling unit coupled to the support frame so as to be removable.

[8] Preferably, the support frame may include: a front frame having a coupling slot extending from a central portion thereof to an inner end thereof; and a rear frame fitted into the coupling slot of the front frame.

[9] Furthermore, an open space may be formed through the sole in a lateral direction.

[10] In addition, the multipurpose shoe may further include a cylindrical reinforcing support member provided in the open space.

[11] Meanwhile, the fastening units may comprise fastening protrusions protruding from respective opposite sidewalls of the rear frame.

[12] As well, the fastening units may comprise fastening bands provided on the support frame such that the fastening bands cross over each other.

[13] Furthermore, the fastening units may comprise a fastening belt provided at a predetermined position on the rear frame.

[14] In addition, the fastening units may comprise a bolt member coupled to a rear portion of the rear frame.

[15] Preferably, an insert depression may be formed in a lower surface of the rear frame, a plurality of fitting protrusions may be provided at a first position in the insert depression, and an elastic part may be provided at a second position in the insert depression.

[16] The traveling unit may comprise one selected from among an ice skate, a rollerblade and a short ski.

Advantageous Effects

[17] As described above, a multipurpose shoe of the present invention is constructed such that the lower portion of a shoe body can be removably coupled to a traveling unit, such as an ice skate, a rollerblade, a short ski, a snowboard, etc. Therefore, a user can conveniently use various kinds of traveling units for enjoying leisure. Furthermore, because the present invention does not require the production of many kinds of shoe bodies corresponding to various kinds of traveling units in separate processes, there is an advantage in that the production costs are reduced.

[18] As well, because the length of a support frame is adjustable to correspond to the size of the foot of a user, a single traveling unit can be used by several users having different foot sizes. Hence, the financial burden on the users is reduced.

[19] Moreover, the present invention is constructed such that the support frame is firmly fastened to the shoe body using a plurality of fastening units. Thanks to this reliable coupling structure, the user can use the multipurpose shoe more safely. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an upper part and a sole of a multipurpose shoe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [21] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sole of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [22] FIG. 3 is a side view of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of FIG. 3;

[24] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a critical part of a rear frame of the multipurpose shoe according to another embodiment of the present invention; [25] FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view showing a heel portion of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [26] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view showing the rear frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [27] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an elastic part of FIG. 7;

[28] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing the multipurpose shoe according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an elastic part of FIG. 9;

[30] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a support frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [31] FIG. 12 is an exploded plan view showing the support frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [32] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening belt of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [33] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the coupling of an ice skate, which is a traveling unit, to the support frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[34] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' of FIG. 14;

[35] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 14;

[36] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a rollerblade, which is another example of a traveling unit that can be removably coupled to the support frame of the multipurpose shoe, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [37] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a short ski, which is another example of a traveling unit that can be removably coupled to the support frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and [38] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a sole of a multipurpose shoe, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[39] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an upper part and a sole of a multipurpose shoe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sole of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[40] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a critical part of a rear frame of the multipurpose shoe according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view showing a heel portion of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[41] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view showing the rear frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an elastic part of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing the multipurpose shoe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[42] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an elastic part of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a support frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an exploded plan view showing the support frame of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening belt of the multipurpose shoe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[43] As shown in the drawings, the multipurpose shoe can be removably fitted with various kinds of traveling units, such as an ice skate, a rollerblade, a short ski, etc. The multipurpose shoe includes a shoe body 1, a support frame 30 and a traveling unit.

[44] The shoe body 1 includes an upper part 10 and a sole 20.

[45] The upper part 10 has a shape such that the foot of a user can be seated thereinto. A screw hole 19 is formed in a heel portion of the upper part 10.

[46] The sole 20 is provided under the lower surface of the upper part 10. The lower surface of the heel portion of the sole 20 is rounded in the longitudinal direction of the sole 20 and is generally planar in the lateral direction of the sole 20 such that the shoe is prevented from being undesirably tilted. An open space 21 is formed through the heel portion of the sole 20 in the lateral direction. A cylindrical reinforcing support member 22 is provided in the open space 21. [47] The support frame 30 includes a front frame 40, which covers the front portion of the lower portion of the shoe body, and a rear frame 50, which is coupled to the front frame 40 and the rear portion of the lower portion of the shoe body. The support frame 30 is fastened to the lower portions of the outer surfaces of the upper part 10 and the sole 20 using a plurality of fastening units.

[48] The front frame 40 has a coupling slot 41, which extends from the central portion of the front frame to the inner end of the front frame. A plurality of locking protrusions 42 is provided on each of the opposite side edges of the coupling slot 41.

[49] Meanwhile, an insert hole 59 is formed in a heel portion of the rear frame 50. A coupling part 55, which is fitted into the coupling slot 41 of the front frame 40, is provided on the front end of the rear frame 50. A locking part 56 is provided on each of the opposite side edges of the coupling part 55. The locking part 56 has therein locking notches 57, to which the corresponding locking protrusions 42 of the coupling slot 41 are locked.

[50] Furthermore, an insert depression 52, into which insert protrusions 103, 203 or 303 of the traveling unit are inserted, is formed in the lower surface of the rear frame 50. Several fitting protrusions 53 are provided at a first position in the insert depression 52. An elastic part 90 is provided at a second position in the insert depression 52. Each fitting protrusion 53 has a rectangular shape having a predetermined thickness and protrudes from the lower end of the corresponding sidewall of the insert depression 52 in the horizontal direction.

[51] Here, a space, into which the insert protrusions 103, 203 or 303 of the traveling unit are fitted, is formed between the fitting protrusions 53 and the inner surface of the insert depression 52. The elastic part 90 includes an elastic member 91, which is provided at a predetermined position, and an elastic support plate 92, which has a rectangular shape having a predetermined thickness and is coupled to one end of the elastic member. It is preferable that the elastic support plate 92 be made of reinforcing plastic, but the material of the elastic support plate 92 is not limited to reinforcing plastic. The elastic member 91 is made of a spring, which is expanded/contracted by elastic force in the vertical direction.

[52] Meanwhile, the fastening units comprise one or more selected from among fastening protrusions 51, fastening bands 70, a fastening belt 60 and a bolt member 80.

[53] The fastening protrusions 51, each of which has a cylindrical shape, protrude inwards from the respective opposite sidewalls of the rear frame 50. The fastening protrusions 51 are fitted into the reinforcing support member 22, which is provided in the sole 20.

[54] Meanwhile, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the present invention may be constructed such that the fastening protrusions 51 are fitted into an open space 421, which is formed through the heel portion of the sole 20 in the lateral direction. In this case, the open space 421 preferably has a cylindrical shape.

[55] The fastening bands 70 are provided on the support frame 30 such that the fastening bands 70 cross each other on the support frame 30 to thus form an 'X' shape. The upper portions of the fastening bands 70 are brought into close contact with the outer surface of the upper part 10 of the shoe body, thus fastening the upper part 10 to the support frame 30.

[56] The fastening belt 60 is provided at a first position on the rear frame 50 and is preferably constructed such that it is fitted into a fastening hole 65b of a fastening catch 65, which is provided at a second position on the rear frame 50. The fastening catch 65 has therein the fastening hole 65b, into which the end of the fastening belt 60 is fitted. A plurality of locking slots 65a is formed through one sidewall of the fastening catch 65. A plurality of fastening protrusions 60a is provided on the end of the fastening belt 60. Thus, the fastening protrusions 60a snap into the corresponding locking slots 65a in the fastening catch 65.

[57] The bolt member 80 is inserted into the insert hole 59 of the rear frame 50 and is tightened into the screw hole 19, which is formed in the heel portion of the shoe body.

[58] Meanwhile, FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the coupling between the support frame of the multipurpose shoe and the ice skate, which is one example of the traveling unit, according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 14.

[59] FIG. 17 is a perspective showing the rollerblade, which is another example of a traveling unit that can be removably coupled to the multipurpose shoe, according to the present invention. FIG. 18 is a perspective showing the short ski, which is another example of a traveling unit that can be removably coupled to the multipurpose shoe, according to the present invention.

[60] As shown in the drawings, the traveling unit includes several insert protrusions 103,

203 or 303, which are provided on the upper surface of the traveling unit. The insert protrusions 103, 203 or 303 are fitted between the insert depression 52 and the fitting protrusions 53 of the support frame 30. Here, preferably, the traveling unit comprises one selected from among an ice skate, a rollerblade, a short ski and a snowboard.

[61] The ice skate 100 includes a skate blade 104, which has a linear beam shape, a lower edge of which has a predetermined width, a support member 102, which is provided on the upper end of the skate blade, and a plurality of insert protrusions 103, which are provided on the upper surface of the support member 102.

[62] The rollerblade 200 includes a support member 202, which is provided at an upper position, a plurality of insert protrusions 203, which are provided on the upper surface of the support member 202, and wheels 204, which are coupled to the respective opposite ends of the support member 202 so as to be rotatable using hinges. [63] The short ski 300 includes a support plate 302, which has a predetermined width and is wrapped to have an elliptical longitudinal cross-section, and a plurality of insert protrusions 303, which are provided on the upper surface of the support plate 302.

[64] The operation and effect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained herein below. To wear the multipurpose shoe, the user seats the shoe body 1 onto the support frame 30 and fastens the shoe body 1 to the support frame 30 using the fastening units.

[65] Here, the shoe body 1 is seated onto the support frame 30 such that it is disposed between the fastening bands 70 and the support frame 30. Thereafter, the fastening bands 70 fasten the front portion of the upper part 10 of the shoe body 1 to the support frame 30.

[66] Subsequently, the fastening protrusions 51, which are provided on the respective opposite sidewalls of the support frame 30, are fitted into the respective opposite ends of the reinforcing support member 22, which is provided in the sole 20. Thereby, the sole 20 of the shoe body 1 is fastened to the support frame 30.

[67] Furthermore, the bolt member 80 is inserted into the insert hole 59, which is formed in the rear portion of the support frame 30, and is then screwed into the screw hole 19, which is formed in the heel portion of the upper part 10 of the shoe body 1. Thereby, the heel portion of the upper part 10 of the shoe body 1 is fastened to the support frame 30.

[68] In addition, the fastening belt 60, which is provided at the first position on the upper end of the support frame 30, is inserted into the fastening hole 65b in the fastening catch 65, which is provided at the second position on the support frame 30. Then, the fastening protrusions 60a, which are provided on the end of the fastening belt 60, are locked to the corresponding locking slots 65a, which are formed through the sidewall of the fastening catch 65, thus fastening the upper portion of the upper part 10 of the shoe body to the support frame.

[69] As such, the support frame 30 can be reliably fastened to the shoe body 1 using various kinds of fastening units, such that the user can stably use the multipurpose shoe.

[70] Meanwhile, to mount the traveling unit to the support frame 30, the insert protrusions

103, 203 or 303 of the traveling unit are inserted into the insert depression 52, which is formed in the lower surface of the support frame 30. In detail, the insert protrusions are inserted into spaces, which are formed between the inner surface of the insert depression 52 and the fitting protrusions 53 provided at predetermined positions in the insert depression 52.

[71] At this time, the insert protrusions are inserted into the insert depression 52 via the elastic part 90, which is provided at the second position in the insert depression 52. That is, when the insert protrusions are brought into close contact with the elastic part 90 and are pushed, the plate spring, which is the elastic member 91 of the elastic part 90, is contracted, thus allowing the insert protrusions to be inserted into the space defined between the insert depression 52 and the fitting protrusions 53.

[72] Thanks to the reliable and simple coupling structure between the traveling unit and the support frame 30, various kinds of traveling units can be conveniently and firmly mounted to the support frame 30.

[73] Meanwhile, the coupling part 55 of the rear frame 50 is inserted into the coupling slot

41 in the front frame 40. At this time, the locking protrusions 42, which are provided in the coupling slot 41, are locked to the corresponding locking notches 57, which are provided on the locking part 56 of the rear frame 50. Here, to adjust the length of the support frame 30 depending on the size of the shoe body 1, the depth to which the rear frame 50 is fitted into the front frame 40 can be adjusted. Industrial Applicability

[74] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[75] Therefore, it is to be understood that the bounds of the present invention should not be limited to the preferred embodiments, but should be defined by the accompanying claims and equivalents of the claims.

Claims

[1] A multipurpose shoe, comprising: a shoe body, having an upper part to receive a foot of a user therein, and a sole provided under the upper part; a support frame fastened to a lower portion of the shoe body using a plurality of fastening units, the support frame covering front and rear portions of the shoe body; and at least one traveling unit coupled to the support frame so as to be removable. [2] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises: a front frame having a coupling slot extending from a central portion thereof to an inner end thereof; and a rear frame fitted into the coupling slot of the front frame. [3] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 1, wherein an open space is formed through the sole in a lateral direction. [4] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 3, further comprising: a cylindrical reinforcing support member provided in the open space. [5] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening units comprise: fastening protrusions protruding from respective opposite sidewalls of the rear frame. [6] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 1, wherein the fastening units comprise: fastening bands provided on the support frame such that the fastening bands cross over each other. [7] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening units comprise: a fastening belt provided at a predetermined position on the rear frame. [8] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening units comprise: a bolt member coupled to a rear portion of the rear frame. [9] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 2, wherein an insert depression is formed in a lower surface of the rear frame, a plurality of fitting protrusions is provided at a first position in the insert depression, and an elastic part is provided at a second position in the insert depression. [10] The multipurpose shoe according to claim 1, wherein the traveling unit comprises one selected from among an ice skate, a rollerblade and a short ski.