Footwear with interchangeable uppers

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe having removable uppers. The shoe further includes a shoe base for supporting a foot, uppers for securing the foot to said shoe base, a left side wall and a right side wall of the shoe base, a left recess in at least one localized area of the left side wall, a right recess in at least one localized area of the right side wall, and at least one securing mechanism attached to each of the left and right recesses, each securing mechanism for removably securing the uppers to the shoe base. The recesses permit the uppers to be attached while simultaneously masking the fasteners.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shoe having a removable upper portion, comprising: 
 a shoe base for supporting a foot;    an upper portion of the shoe for securing the foot to said shoe base;    said shoe base having a left side wall and a right side wall;    said left side wall having a left recess in at least one localized area;    said right side wall having a right recess in at least one localized area; and    said left recess and said right recess each having at least one securing mechanism for removably securing said upper portion to said shoe base.    
     
     
         2 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface of said upper portion being, when placed in said left recess and said right recess and secured to said at least one securing mechanism, generally flush with said left side wall and said right side wall.  
     
     
         3 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein said securing mechanism is removably attached to both said right and said left recesses.  
     
     
         4 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein said left recess further comprises a left indentation for positioning a surface of said securing mechanism generally flush with a surface of said left recess.  
     
     
         5 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein said right recess further comprises a right indentation for positioning a surface of said securing mechanism generally flush with a surface of said right recess.  
     
     
         6 . The shoe according to  claim 5 , wherein said right indentation is a countersunk hole.  
     
     
         7 . The shoe according to  claim 5 , wherein said right indentation further comprises a pilot hole for positioning said at least one securing mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of left and right recesses in a plurality of localized areas.  
     
     
         9 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion further comprises a receiving mechanism for mating with said securing mechanism to secure said upper portion to said shoe base.  
     
     
         10 . The shoe according to  claim 9 , wherein said upper portion further comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer covering said inner layer for masking said receiving mechanism.  
     
     
         11 . The shoe according to  claim 9 , wherein said receiving mechanism is an aperture.  
     
     
         12 . The shoe according to  claim 9 , wherein said receiving mechanism is a fastener.  
     
     
         13 . The shoe according to  claim 9 , wherein said shoe further comprises a stud attached to and extending away from said receiving mechanism for mating with an ornamental mechanism.  
     
     
         14 . The shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein said shoe further comprises a second receiving mechanism for mating with said stud.  
     
     
         15 . The shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein said second receiving mechanism is removably attachable.  
     
     
         16 . The shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein said second receiving mechanism further includes a decorative feature.  
     
     
         17 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion is a strap.  
     
     
         18 . A shoe having a removable upper portion, comprising: 
 a shoe base for supporting a foot;    an upper portion of the shoe for securing the foot to said shoe base;    said shoe base having a left side wall and a right side wall;    said left side wall having a left recess in at least one localized area;    said right side wall having a right recess in at least one localized area;    said left recess and said right recess each having at least one securing mechanism for removably securing said upper portion to said shoe base; and    a surface of said upper portion being, when placed in said left recess and said right recess and secured to said at least one securing mechanism, generally flush with said left side wall and said right side wall.    
     
     
         19 . A fastener, comprising: 
 a securing mechanism attached to a first object;    a receiving mechanism attached to a second object for removably mating with said securing mechanism, thereby connecting said first and said second objects;    said receiving mechanism including: 
 a socket comprising a generally cylindrical apparatus and a concave surface, said concave surface attached to a first side of said second object;  
 said socket further comprising a hole extending generally perpendicularly from said concave surface and along a length of said socket;  
 a studded eyelet comprising a stud and a flange, said flange being attached to a second side of said second object and said stud piercing through said second object and into said hole of said socket; and  
 said flange being conformed to a shape of said concave surface.  
   
     
     
         20 . The fastener according to  claim 19 , wherein said stud is moldable.  
     
     
         21 . The fastener according to  claim 19 , wherein said stud is severable.