Interchangeable shoe assembly

Abstract

An improved shoe having interchangeable soles and uppers. The upper is composed of a footbed and mid-sole with an attached last that inserts into the molded interior of the sole base in such a manner that the upper can be removed and replaced with another upper and such that the connection is secure while wearing the shoe. Shoes produced in this manner allow the consumer to personalize and customize their foot apparel by creating unique combination of uppers and soles.

1 . A shoe having a replaceable sole and a replaceable upper, comprising: 
 a shoe upper having a lower surface; and    a shoe sole having an upper surface which is releasably connected to the shoe upper around the periphery of the shoe and wherein at least a portion of the lower surface of the shoe upper away from the shoe periphery is releasably connected to the upper surface of the shoe sole.    
   
   
       2 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shoe upper is releasably connected to the shoe sole by means of a plurality of extensions extending from the lower surface of the shoe upper and a plurality of openings in the upper surface of the shoe sole which accept the extensions.  
   
   
       3 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the plurality of extensions include flanges which are forced through the plurality of openings in the upper surface of the shoe sole.  
   
   
       4 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the plurality of extensions are made from a flexible material.  
   
   
       5 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the plurality of extensions are made from rubber.  
   
   
       6 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shoe upper comprises: 
 a footbed having an upper surface and a lower surface;    a support layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the support layer being attached to the lower surface of the footbed;    an overlayment having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the pliable layer being attached to the lower surface of the support layer;    an underlayment having an upper surface and a lower surface; and    a last, the lateral edges of which are attached to the lower surface of the overlayment and the upper surface of the underlayment.    
   
   
       7 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the support layer, the overlayment and the underlayment are made from a pliable material.  
   
   
       8 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the support layer is made from foam.  
   
   
       9 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the overlayment and underlayment are made from rubber.  
   
   
       10 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shoe sole is made from a durable material.  
   
   
       11 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shoe sole is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, metal, wood, plastic, and composite materials.  
   
   
       12 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shoe sole includes at least one support area.  
   
   
       13 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shoe sole includes a ridge surrounding the periphery of the shoe sole.  
   
   
       14 . A shoe having a replaceable sole and a replaceable upper, comprising: 
 a shoe upper having a lower surface; and    a shoe sole having an upper surface which is releasably connected to the shoe upper around the periphery of the shoe by means of a plurality of extensions extending from the lower surface of the shoe upper and a plurality of openings in the upper surface of the shoe sole which accept the extensions and wherein at least a portion of the lower surface of the shoe upper away from the shoe periphery is releasably connected to the upper surface of the shoe sole by means of a plurality of extensions extending from the lower surface of the shoe upper and a plurality of openings in the upper surface of the shoe sole which accept the extensions.    
   
   
       15 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the plurality of extensions include flanges which are forced through the plurality of openings in the upper surface of the shoe sole.  
   
   
       16 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the shoe upper comprises: 
 a footbed having an upper surface and a lower surface;    a support layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the support layer being attached to the lower surface of the footbed;    an overlayment having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the pliable layer being attached to the lower surface of the support layer;    an underlayment having an upper surface and a lower surface; and    a last, the lateral edges of which are attached to the lower surface of the overlayment and the upper surface of the underlayment.    
   
   
       17 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the overlayment and underlayment are made from rubber and the lateral edges of the last are thermally fused between the underlayment and the overlayment.  
   
   
       18 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the support layer is made from foam and the shoe sole is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, metal, wood, plastic, and composite materials.  
   
   
       19 . The shoe as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the shoe sole includes a ridge surrounding the periphery of the shoe sole.  
   
   
       20 . A shoe having a replaceable sole and a replaceable upper, comprising: 
 a shoe upper having a lower surface; and    a shoe sole having an upper surface which is releasably connected to the shoe upper around the periphery of the shoe by means of a plurality of extensions extending from the upper surface of the shoe sole and a plurality of openings in the lower surface of the shoe upper which accept the extensions and wherein at least a portion of the lower surface of the shoe upper away from the shoe periphery is releasably connected to the upper surface of the shoe sole by means of a plurality of extensions extending from the upper surface of the shoe sole and a plurality of openings in the lower surface of the shoe upper which accept the extensions.