Replaceable-Skin Shoe System

Abstract

A replaceable-skin shoe system is disclosed. The replaceable-skin shoe system includes a base shoe and one or more replaceable-skins, wherein the replaceable-skins can include skins for the top of the shoe and/or skins for the bottom of the shoe. The replaceable-skin shoe system also provides replaceable accessories. The top skins and bottom skins can be attached to the base shoe via, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener system or a rail system.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A replaceable-skin shoe system comprising:
 a base shoe comprising one or more shoe parts, wherein the base shoe or one or more shoe parts thereof have an outer surface substantially covered with or comprising one or more strips of at least one component of a hook-and-loop fastening system; and   one or more replaceable skins, wherein the one or more replaceable skins has an inner surface substantially covered with or comprising one or more strips of an opposite component of the hook-and-loop fastening system or comprises a fabric having a nap comprising loops in which one or more hooks of the hook-and-loop fastener can reversibly bind or fasten thereto;   wherein the hook and the loop components of the hook-and-loop fastener system project outwardly from the outer surface of shoe parts of the base shoe or the inner surface of the one or more replaceable skins such that each component is configured to reversibly bind or fasten to an opposing component of the fastener system.   
     
     
         2 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 1 , wherein the base shoe comprises a shoe part selected from the group consisting of an upper, a top line, a vamp, one or more quarter panels, a throat, a top cap, one or more eyelets, a back seam, a backstay, a heel cap, a sole, and outsole, an insole, a heel, a heel seat, a feather, a welt, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 one or more strips of a hook-and-loop fastener system comprising a hook component attached along a lower edge of an upper of the base shoe proximate a sole of the base shoe;   one or more strips of a hook-and-loop fastener system comprising a hook component along a top line of the upper of the shoe;   one or more strips of a hook-and-loop fastener system comprising a loop component attached along a lower edge of an inner surface of the one or more replaceable skins; and   one or more strips of a hook-and-loop fastener system comprising a loop component attached along a top line of an inner surface of the one or more replaceable skins;   wherein the one or more strips of a hook-and-loop fastener system comprising a hook component of the base shoe are oriented opposite to the one or more strips of a hook-and-loop fastener system comprising a loop component of the replaceable skin such that the strips can be reversibly bound or fastened thereto.   
     
     
         4 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more replaceable skins comprise a fabric having a nap comprising loops in which one or more hooks of the hook-and-loop fastener can reversibly bind or fasten thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric is selected from the group consisting of wool, felt, fleece, velvet, and velour. 
     
     
         6 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more accessories. 
     
     
         7 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more accessories are integrated into the replaceable skin. 
     
     
         8 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more accessories are attached to an outer surface of the replaceable skin or an outer surface of the base shoe or shoe parts thereof by a hook-and-loop fastener system. 
     
     
         9 . A replaceable-skin shoe system comprising:
 a base shoe comprising one or more shoe parts, wherein the base shoe or one or more shoe parts thereof comprise one or more female rails comprising a first base plate and a pair of side rails, wherein a first side rail is orthogonal to and connected to one side of the first base plate and the second side rail is orthogonal to and connected to an opposite side of the first base plate; and   one or more replaceable skins, wherein the one or more replaceable skins comprise one or more male rails comprising a second base plate and a fin plate adapted to slidably couple with the female rail, wherein the fin plate is substantially orthogonal to the second base plate.   
     
     
         10 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 9 , wherein the male rail and the female rail comprise a material independently selected from the group consisting of a metal, plastic, or nylon. 
     
     
         11 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 9 , wherein the fin plate of the male rail is attached to one or more inside edges of the one or more replaceable skins 
     
     
         12 . The replaceable-skin shoe system of  claim 9 , wherein the first base plate of the female rail is attached to one or more outside edges of the base shoe.