Interchangeable footwear system

Abstract

An interchangeable footwear system comprising a shoe assembly including: (a) a base shoe; (b) interchangeable covers, in which any one of a plurality of said covers are adapted to allow fitting to said base shoe forming an assembly so as to change the appearance and use environment of said shoe assembly.

1 . An interchangeable footwear system comprising a shoe assembly including 
 (a) a base shoe    (b) interchangeable covers    in which any one of a plurality of said covers are adapted to allow fitting to said base shoe forming an assembly so as to change the appearance and use environment of said shoe assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 1  wherein said base shoe comprises a sole portion and an upper portion.  
     
     
         3 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 2  wherein said sole portion is provided with an upwardly extending perimeter rim portion.  
     
     
         4 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 4  wherein said upwardly extending perimeter rim portion is provided with a first mating element.  
     
     
         5 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 4  wherein said interchangeable covers are provided with a second mating element along the lower perimeter of said covers,  
     
     
         6 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 5  wherein said first mating element is female.  
     
     
         7 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 6  wherein said first mating element is male.  
     
     
         8 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 7  wherein said second mating element is male.  
     
     
         9 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 8  wherein said second mating element is female.  
     
     
         10 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 9  wherein said first and second mating elements are substantially V-shaped in section.  
     
     
         11 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 10  wherein said V-shaped sections of said mating elements are provided with matching protrusions and recesses so as to provide a snap-fit when said cover is assembled to said base shoe.  
     
     
         12 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 11  wherein said base shoes are provided in a range of shapes, and sizes.  
     
     
         13 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 12  wherein said covers are provided in a matching range of shapes and sizes adapted to fit said base shoes.  
     
     
         14 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 13  wherein said covers are provided in a range of colours and patterns.  
     
     
         15 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 1  wherein said base shoe and said covers are made from any of a selection of materials, said selection including leather, canvas, rubber, plastic and other synthetic materials.  
     
     
         16 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 1  wherein a one of said covers includes an indicia-receiving portion.  
     
     
         17 . The interchangeable footwear system of  claim 16  wherein said indicia-receiving portion is adapted to display promotional indicia.  
     
     
         18 . A method of altering the appearance of a shoe, said method comprising utilising the interchangeable footwear system of  claim 1.