Panel shoe and method of making same

Abstract

A panel shoe is provided. The shoe has a blank having a heel and an insole; a shoe upper assembly comprising a first panel, a second panel and a foot base, the first and second panels extend upwardly from a periphery of said foot base and have an upper edge disposed on a side opposite said foot base, the foot base being disposed over the blank, the shoe upper assembly having a geometric dimension smaller than a peripheral edge of the blank; and center panel having a peripheral edge, the center panel being positioned over the upper edges of the first and second panels such that the upper edges of the first and second panels align with the peripheral edge of the center panel.

1 . A panel shoe, comprising:
 a blank having a heel and an insole;   a shoe upper assembly comprising a first panel, a second panel and a foot base; said first and second panels extending upwardly from a periphery of said foot base, said first and second panels having an upper edge disposed on a side opposite said foot base, said foot base being disposed over said blank, said shoe upper assembly having a geometric dimension smaller than a peripheral edge of said blank; and   a center panel having a peripheral edge,   wherein said center panel is positioned over the upper edges of said first and second panels such that said upper edges of said first and second panels align with the peripheral edge of said center panel,   wherein said center panel is secured to said shoe upper assembly; and   wherein the peripheral edges of said center panel are trimmed as necessary to form a completed shoe.   
     
     
         2 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said blank is formed of wood, cork, rubber, rope, resin, plastic and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said shoe upper assembly is integrally formed. 
     
     
         4 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said shoe upper assembly is formed of discrete components including said first and second panels and said foot base said components being attached to form an assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said shoe upper assembly further comprises cushioning materials, odor absorbing materials, insulating materials, decorative materials and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said center panel has a larger profile than a space defined between said first panel and said second panel. 
     
     
         7 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said foot base is attached to said shoe upper assembly by adhering means such as stitching, gluing, hot welding, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said shoe upper assembly is formed of leather, imitation leather, plastic, vinyl, rubber, canvas, mesh, cotton or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The panel shoe of  claim 1 , wherein said center panel  130  is canted, pivoted or otherwise manipulated to form a proper seam in said panel shoe. 
     
     
         10 . A method for making a panel shoe, comprising the steps of:
 preparing a blank having a heel and an insole;   preparing a shoe upper assembly comprising a first panel, a second panel and a foot base; said first and second panels extending upwardly from a periphery of said foot base, said first and second panels having an upper edge disposed on a side opposite said foot base, said foot base being disposed over said blank, said shoe upper assembly having a geometric dimension smaller than a peripheral edge of said blank;   preparing a center panel;   positioning said center panel over the upper edges of said first and second panels such that said first and second panel upper edges align with the peripheral edges of said center panel;   securing said center panel to said shoe upper assembly; and   trimming the edges of said center panel as necessary to form a completed shoe.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of forming said shoe upper assembly and said blank is automated. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said positioning step compensates for inaccuracies and misalignment of said first and said second panel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said positioning of center panel is accomplished by canting, pivoting, or other manipulation so that a proper seam is achieved. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of trimming is automated.