Re-configurable sole for footwear

Abstract

A footwear product adapted to mark surfaces with which it comes into contact is disclosed. The footwear product includes a sole having recessed section. The footwear product further includes an upper portion attached to at least some section of the sole, the upper portion adapted to conform to at least some portion of the anatomy of the foot of an individual wearer, the upper portion operative to maintain the wearer's foot in proximity to the sole. The footwear product further includes an interchangeable plug adapted to selectively fit within the recessed section of the sole. A locking mechanism is operative to maintain the plug within the recessed section of the sole. An emblem portion of the plug has a profile which deviates from a plane formed by the lower surface of the sole and the perimeter surface of the plug, the emblem portion is operative to mark surfaces with which it comes into contact.

1 . A footwear product adapted to mark surfaces with which it comes into contact, comprising: 
 (a) a sole having recessed section,    (b) an upper portion attached to at least some section of the sole, the upper portion adapted to conform to at least some portion of the anatomy of the foot of an individual wearer, the upper portion operative to maintain the wearer's foot in proximity to the sole,    (c) an interchangeable plug adapted to selectively fit within said recessed section of said sole,    (d) a locking mechanism operative to maintain said plug within said recessed section of said sole,    (e) an emblem portion of said plug having a profile which deviates from a plane formed by the lower surface of said sole and the perimeter surface of said plug, said emblem portion operative to mark surfaces with which it comes into contact.    
     
     
         2 . The footwear product of  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises: 
 (a) a first mating element formed along a surface of said recessed section,    (b) a second mating element formed along a surface of said plug, said second mating element adapted to engage in a fixed relationship said first mating element, wherein when said mating elements are engaged said plug is maintained in said recessed section.    
     
     
         3 . The footwear product of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (a) at least one opening defined in said sole,    (b) a strap attached to said plug, said strap extending outwardly from said plug, said strap having a dimension sized to be received by said opening, said strap including a retaining element, said retaining element being operative to maintain said plug within said recessed section of said sole.    
     
     
         4 . The footwear product of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises: 
 (a) a first mating element formed along a surface of said recessed section,    (b) a second mating element formed along a surface of said plug, said second mating element adapted to engage in a fixed relationship said first mating element, wherein when said mating elements are engaged said plug is maintained in said recessed section,    (c) at least one opening defined in said sole,    (d) a strap attached to said plug, said strap extending outwardly from said plug, said strap having a dimension sized to be received by said opening, said strap including a retaining element, said retaining element being operative to maintain said plug within said recessed section.    
     
     
         5 . The footwear product of  claim 2 , wherein said first mating element is a channel and said second mating element is a ridge.  
     
     
         6 . The footwear product of  claim 4 , wherein said first mating element is a channel and said second mating element is a ridge.  
     
     
         7 . The footwear product of  claim 3 , wherein said retaining element comprises a buckle.  
     
     
         8 . The footwear product of  claim 4 , wherein said retaining element comprises a buckle.  
     
     
         9 . The footwear product of  claim 3  wherein said retaining element comprises a Velcro closure.  
     
     
         10 . The footwear product of  claim 4  wherein said retaining element comprises a Velcro closure.  
     
     
         11 . The footwear product of  claim 3  wherein said opening comprises at least one aperture.  
     
     
         12 . The footwear product of  claim 4  wherein said opening comprises at least one aperture.  
     
     
         13 . The footwear product of  claim 3  wherein said opening comprises at least one channel.  
     
     
         14 . The footwear product of  claim 4  wherein said opening comprises at least one channel.  
     
     
         15 . A re-configurable footwear product adapted to mark surfaces with which it comes into contact, comprising: 
 (a) a sole adapted to receive an interchangeable plug,    (b) an upper portion attached to said sole, said upper portion adapted to conform to the foot of an individual wearer, the upper portion operative to maintain the wearer's foot in a retained relationship with said sole,    (c) an interchangeable plug adapted to selectively engage said sole,    (d) a lock, said lock operative to maintain said plug in said engaged relationship with said sole,    (e) a selectively changeable emblem portion of said plug, said emblem portion extending outwardly from a bottom portion of said sole when said plug is engaged with said sole, said emblem portion having a profile which deviates from the plane of said sole, said emblem portion operative to mark surfaces with which it comes into contact.    
     
     
         16 . The re-configurable footwear product of  claim 15 , wherein said lock comprises: 
 (a) a strap adapted to engage said sole, said sole having a means for receiving said strap and maintaining said strap in an engaged relationship, said strap having a mechanical element operative to maintain said plug in proximity to said sole.    
     
     
         17 . A reconfigurable footwear product adapted to selectively mark surfaces with a plurality of interchangeable designs, comprising 
 (a) a sole,    (b) an upper portion attached to said sole,    (c) an emblem portion selectively engaged with said sole, said emblem portion having a profile which deviates from a plane formed along the bottom portion of said sole,    (d) an element for maintaining said emblem portion in a selectively engaged relationship with said sole,    (e) whereby said emblem portion is adapted to mark surfaces with which it comes into contact upon articulation of said sole.    
     
     
         18 . The re-configurable footwear product of  claim 17 , wherein said emblem portion is selectively received into a recessed portion of said sole.  
     
     
         19 . The re-configurable footwear product of  claim 17 , wherein said emblem portion is selectively attached to said sole and extends outwardly there from.  
     
     
         20 . The re-configurable footwear product of  claim 17 , wherein said emblem portion is selectively attached to said sole and the profile of said emblem portion functions to accommodate a negative relief of an image.