Customizable shoe sole with removable graphics plate

Abstract

The technology described herein provides a graphics plate bearing a graphic and configured for placement on a bottom surface of a sole of a shoe. The graphics plate is removable and interchangeable. In a second embodiment, a shoe is provided having a graphics plate bearing a graphic and configured for placement in a shoe, a sole of the shoe being molded and configured for receipt of the graphics plate. In a third embodiment, a footwear system is provided for imprinting customized messages on a surface below. The footwear system includes a shoe having a molded sole and a graphics plate bearing a graphic and configured for placement on a bottom surface of the molded sole of the shoe. Once inserted into the shoe, the graphics plate leaves an imprint of a surface below the sole of the shoe as a wearer of the shoes walks and runs.

1 . A removable, interchangeable graphics plate comprising:
 a graphics plate bearing a graphic that is raised from a surface of the graphics plate, the graphics plate configured for placement on a bottom surface of a sole of a shoe; and   wherein the graphics plate is removable and interchangeable with the sole of the shoe; and   wherein, when worn in a shoe, the graphic disposed upon the graphics plate leaves an impression on a ground surface as a wearer walks.   
     
     
         2 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , wherein the graphics plate is configured for insertion into a cavity on a bottom surface of a sole of a shoe so that the graphics plate, once inserted, is flush with the sole of the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an at least one locking screw configured for placement through a hole in the graphics plate; and   wherein the locking screw, once the graphics plate is inserted into the sole of the shoe, is rotated to lock the graphics plate in place in the sole of the shoe.   
     
     
         4 . The graphics plate of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a graphics plate key, wherein the key comprises an edge for insertion into and rotating the at least one locking screw.   
     
     
         5 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an at least one tab disposed upon the graphics plate configured for insertion into the sole of a shoe, wherein the tab provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate in the sole of the shoe.   
     
     
         6 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , wherein the graphic comprises text. 
     
     
         7 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , wherein the graphic comprises a stylized design. 
     
     
         8 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , wherein the graphic comprises text and a stylized design. 
     
     
         9 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an at least one locking screw configured for placement through a hole in the graphics plate; and   an at least one tab disposed upon the graphics plate configured for insertion into the sole of a shoe, wherein the tab provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate into the sole of the shoe.   
     
     
         10 . The graphics plate of  claim 1 , wherein the graphics plate is comprised a material from the group consisting of rubber, plastic, epoxy, wood, metal, and composite. 
     
     
         11 . A shoe comprising:
 a graphics plate bearing a graphic that is raised from a surface of the graphics plate, the graphics plate configured for placement in a shoe;   a sole of the shoe, the sole being molded and configured for receipt of the graphics plate;   wherein the graphics plate is removable and interchangeable with the sole of the shoe; and   wherein, when worn in a shoe, the graphic disposed upon the graphics plate leaves an impression on a ground surface as a wearer walks.   
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the sole of the shoe comprises a cavity on a bottom surface so that the graphics plate, once inserted, is flush with the sole of the shoe. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the cavity further comprises a recessed tab area to receive a tab disposed upon the graphics plate. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the cavity further comprises a recessed locking screw area to receive a portion of a locking screw inserted through the graphics plate and rotated to lock the graphics plate to the sole of the shoe. 
     
     
         15 . A footwear system for imprinting customized messages on a surface below, the system comprising:
 a shoe;   a molded sole of the shoe;   a graphics plate bearing a graphic that is raised from a surface of the graphics plate, the graphics plate configured for placement on a bottom surface of the molded sole of the shoe;   wherein the graphics plate is removable and interchangeable with the sole of the shoe; and   wherein, once inserted into the shoe, the graphics plate leaves an imprint of a surface below the sole of the shoe as a wearer of the shoes walks and runs.   
     
     
         16 . The footwear system of  claim 15 , wherein the graphics plate comprises at least one of the group consisting of text and stylized design. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear system of  claim 15 , further comprising
 a locking screw mechanism, wherein an at least one locking screw is utilized to secure the graphics plate to the molded sole of the shoe.   
     
     
         18 . The footwear system of  claim 15 , further comprising
 a tab mechanism, wherein the graphics plate comprises an at least one tab configured for insertion into the sole of the shoe, wherein the tab provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate into the sole of the shoe.   
     
     
         19 . The footwear system of  claim 15 , further comprising
 a locking screw mechanism, wherein an at least one locking screw is utilized to secure the graphics plate to the molded sole of the shoe; and   a tab mechanism, wherein the graphics plate comprises an at least one tab configured for insertion into the sole of the shoe, wherein the tab provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate into the sole of the shoe.   
     
     
         20 . The footwear system of  claim 15 , further comprising
 a graphics plate key for securing the inserted graphics plate to the sole of the shoe and for removing the graphics plate from the sole of the shoe.