Interchangeable modular stackable sole system for footwear

Abstract

A series of interchangeable stackable intermediate core sole modules have mating connectors for stacking a series of the core modules. Footwear uppers have a conventional top foot accommodating structure and a bottom surface with mating components to interconnect with the core modules. Footwear bottoms have a bottom surface with conventional soles and have an upper surface with mating components to interconnect with the core modules. Interchangeable core modules vary in material, color, texture, style, shape, thickness, and other physical features for individualizing footwear.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A footwear system having interchangeable components to alter the height, shape, style, material, color, texture, pattern, and other features of the footwear, the system comprising: 
 at least one core module having two faces with at least one interconnecting means on a first face capable of connecting with at least one mating interconnecting means on a second face from another identical core module, wherein a series of core modules are stackable and interchangeable;    a top component having an upper portion configured as a wearable portion of a piece of footwear and a bottom face having at least one interconnecting means capable of connecting with the interconnecting means on the first face of the at least one core module;    a bottom component having a bottom portion configured as a sole portion of a piece of footwear and a top face having at least one interconnecting means capable of connecting with the mating interconnecting means on the second face of the at least one core module.    
     
     
         2 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein a series of core modules are stackable and interchangeable in any desired order and number, and the core modules each have characteristics which may vary from other core modules in material, color, texture, pattern, style, shape, thickness, and other physical features.  
     
     
         3 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one core module has two flat faces and the at least one interconnecting means comprises mating hook and loop fasteners.  
     
     
         4 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises at least one protruding guide post and the mating interconnecting means comprises at least one mating opening.  
     
     
         5 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one core module further comprises a peripheral edge which assists in retaining an adjacent core module in contact therewith.  
     
     
         6 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises the at least one core module having an upper surface patterned with a mating surface configuration to a bottom sole configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a hook and pivot hinge.  
     
     
         8 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a spherical end on a post aligned for interconnection with a mating hole having a narrow passageway communicating with a spherical interior hollow space.  
     
     
         9 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a series of pins aligned for interconnection with a series of mating longitudinal openings.  
     
     
         10 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises two mating halves of a snap fastener.  
     
     
         11 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a mating zipper configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises an elongated thin tabular element mounted on a post which is insertable in a mating opening in an adjacent core module and then capable of twisting within an enlarged interior space to retain the tabular element.  
     
     
         13 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a mating paired slot and ridge configuration.  
     
     
         14 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a mating latching means and pin.  
     
     
         15 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a mating S-clip and pin.  
     
     
         16 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a mating pivotable angled insert and receiving opening.  
     
     
         17 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a screwing means through the top and bottom components and the at least one core module.  
     
     
         18 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a pair of mating curved layers creating suction.  
     
     
         19 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a strap wrapped around the at least one core module and the top and bottom components.  
     
     
         20 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a mating attractive paired surface on the at least one core module.  
     
     
         21 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises an adjustable tightening means such as a pulley and cord through the top and bottom components and the at least one core modules.  
     
     
         22 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interconnecting means comprises a contractible means through the top and bottom components and the at least one core module.  
     
     
         23 . The footwear system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one core module is fabricated of a material taken from the list of materials including real rubber, artificial rubber, rubber-like material, leather, plastic, foam, fibre, resin, nylon, metal, inflatable material, air-filled material, liquid-filled material, composite material, solid material, resilient material, bendable material, flexible material, and rigid material.