Modular Shoe Systems and Methods of Using Same

Abstract

Modular shoe systems include an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and several midsole inserts. Each midsole insert is positionable in overlying relationship with the outsole and can operatively engage the outsole to form an assembled shoe. The outsole can include a receptacle, such as a depression or opening, configured to receive a protrusion in the midsole insert. Multiple midsole pieces can be cooperatively engaged to form the midsole insert. The midsole pieces are selected based on their properties and the needs of the user. Methods for customizing a shoe include selecting a midsole insert based on a property and positioning the midsole insert in overlying relationship with the outsole to operatively engage the midsole insert and outsole. The midsole insert can be removed and a different midsole insert can be selected and positioned based on another property. The midsole insert(s) can be assembled using several midsole pieces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular shoe system, comprising:
 an upper;   an outsole attached to said upper, said outsole having an outwardly facing surface and an opposed inner surface; and   at least one midsole insert,   
       wherein said at least one midsole insert is positionable in overlying relationship with said inner surface of said outsole, and wherein said at least one midsole insert is configured to operatively engage at least a portion of said outsole. 
     
     
         2 . The modular shoe system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one midsole insert has a first face, a second opposing face, and a side surface extending between said first face and said second face, wherein said at least one midsole insert comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least one of said second face and said side surface; and
 wherein said outsole defines at least one receptacle configured to receive said at least one protrusion.   
     
     
         3 . The modular shoe system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one receptacle comprises at least one depression extending from said inner surface toward said outwardly facing surface, 
     
     
         4 . The modular shoe system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one receptacle comprises at least one opening extending from said inner surface to said outwardly facing surface, wherein said protrusion defines a third face distal of said second face, and wherein said midsole insert comprises treads on at least a portion of said third face of said at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The modular shoe system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one midsole insert comprises a plurality of midsole inserts, wherein each midsole insert has at least one property selected from the group consisting of stiffness, cushioning, shock absorption, heel-to-toe drop height, density, heel support, arch support, and shape, and wherein at least one property of one midsole insert differs from at least one property of at least one other midsole insert. 
     
     
         6 . The modular shoe system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one midsole insert comprises at least an upper layer comprising said first face and a lower layer comprising said second face, wherein said upper layer comprises a material having a first property, wherein said lower layer comprises a material having second property, and wherein said first property is different from said second property. 
     
     
         7 . The modular shoe system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one midsole insert comprises at least two separable midsole pieces that are configured for selective engagement with each other to form said at least one midsole insert. 
     
     
         8 . The modular shoe system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one midsole insert is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyurethane-based materials, open-cell polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymer (EVA), leather, monofilament TPU-coated mesh, nylon mesh, rubber, plastic, polymers, canvas, fabric, and natural materials. 
     
     
         9 . A modular shoe system, comprising:
 an upper;   an outsole attached to said upper, said outsole having an outwardly facing surface and an opposed inner surface; and   at least two separable midsole pieces that are configured for selective engagement with each other to form a midsole insert,   
       wherein said midsole insert is positionable in overlying relationship with said inner surface of said outsole to form an assembled shoe. 
     
     
         10 . The modular shoe system of  claim 9 , wherein the assembled shoe is configured to be worn on a foot of a wearer, and wherein each respective midsole piece is configured to support a corresponding region of the foot. 
     
     
         11 . The modular shoe system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least two separable midsole pieces comprise at least one toe and ball support piece, at least one arch support piece, and at least one heel support piece. 
     
     
         12 . The modular shoe system of  claim 9 , wherein each of said plurality of midsole pieces has at least one property selected from the group consisting of stiffness, cushioning, shock absorption, shape, and density. 
     
     
         13 . The modular shoe system of  claim 9 , wherein said midsole insert is configured to operatively engage at least a portion of said outsole. 
     
     
         14 . The modular shoe system of  claim 13 , wherein said outsole defines at least one receptacle, and wherein at least one of said midsole pieces comprises a protrusion configured to extend into said at least one receptacle when said midsole insert is positioned in overlying relationship with said inner surface of said outsole. 
     
     
         15 . The modular shoe system of  claim 13 , wherein said outsole defines at least one protrusion, and wherein at least one of said midsole pieces comprises a receptacle configured to receive said at least one protrusion of said insole when said midsole insert is positioned in overlying relationship with said inner surface of said outsole. 
     
     
         16 . A method of customizing a shoe, comprising:
 providing a modular shoe system, comprising:
 an upper, 
 an outsole attached to said upper, and 
 a plurality of midsole inserts, each midsole insert having at least one property, 
   selecting a first midsole insert from said plurality of midsole inserts based on at least one said property of said first midsole insert; and   positioning said selected first midsole insert in overlying relationship with said outsole such that said first midsole insert is operatively engaged with at least a portion of said outsole.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 selecting a second midsole insert from said plurality of midsole inserts based on at least one said property of said second midsole insert that differs from said at least one property of said first midsole insert;   disengaging said first midsole insert from said outsole;   removing said first midsole insert; and   positioning said selected second midsole insert in overlying relationship with said outsole such that said second midsole insert is operatively engaged with at least a portion of said outsole.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one property of each said midsole insert is selected from the group consisting of stiffness, cushioning, shock absorption, heel-to-toe drop height, density, heel support, arch support, and shape. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the modular shoe system comprises at least two separable midsole pieces, and wherein the step of selecting a first midsole insert comprises selectively engaging said at least two separable midsole pieces to form said first midsole insert. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the modular shoe system comprises at least two separable midsole pieces, and wherein the step of selecting a second midsole insert comprises selectively engaging said at least two separable midsole pieces to form said second midsole insert.