Interchangeable footbed for footwear and a modular shoe system having an interchangeable footbed

Abstract

A footbed for a modular shoe system, a modular shoe system, and an interlocking fastener system for a footbed or for a modular shoe system, are provided. The interlocking fastener system includes a plurality of interlocking elements on a footbed configured to interlock with a plurality of complementary interlocking elements on a shoe base to releasably secure the footbed to the shoe base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A footbed for a modular shoe system, the footbed comprising:
 a top surface; and   a bottom surface;
 wherein the bottom surface comprises a plurality of integrally-formed first interlocking elements; 
 wherein the modular shoe system comprises a plurality of integrally-formed second interlocking elements; 
 wherein the integrally-formed first interlocking elements are complimentary to the integrally-formed second interlocking elements such that the footbed is releasably secured to the modular shoe system by interlocking the plurality of integrally-formed first interlocking elements and the plurality of integrally-formed second interlocking elements. 
   
     
     
         2 . The footbed of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first interlocking elements and the plurality of second interlocking elements each comprise a resilient material. 
     
     
         3 . The footbed of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient material comprises polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, rubber, and/or ethylenevinyl acetate. 
     
     
         4 . The footbed of  claim 1 , wherein the integrally-formed first interlocking elements are complimentary to the integrally-formed second interlocking elements along an entire length of the integrally-formed second interlocking elements. 
     
     
         5 . The footbed of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is flat and the footbed comprises a foot support coupled to the top surface, wherein the foot support comprises a top side configured to support a foot of a user and a bottom side that is coupled to the top surface. 
     
     
         6 . The footbed of  claim 5 , wherein the foot support is permanently coupled to the top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The footbed of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface comprises an integrally-formed foot support configured to support a foot of a user. 
     
     
         8 . A modular shoe system comprising:
 a shoe base comprising a bottom surface and a top surface;   a midsole comprising a bottom surface and a top surface; and   a footbed comprising a bottom surface and a top surface;
 wherein the top surface of the shoe base is flat, 
 wherein the bottom surface of the midsole is flat and coupled to the top surface of the shoe base; 
 wherein the top surface of the midsole comprises a plurality of integrally-formed first interlocking elements; 
 wherein the bottom surface of the footbed comprises a plurality of integrally-formed second interlocking elements; and 
 wherein the integrally-formed first interlocking elements are complimentary to the integrally-formed second interlocking elements such that the footbed is releasably secured to the modular shoe system by interlocking the plurality of integrally-formed first interlocking elements and the plurality of integrally-formed second interlocking elements. 
   
     
     
         9 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom surface of the shoe base is flat and the modular shoe system comprises a sole coupled to the bottom surface of the shoe base. 
     
     
         10 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom surface of the shoe base comprises an integrally-formed sole. 
     
     
         11 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the top surface of the footbed is flat and the modular shoe system comprises a foot support coupled to the top surface of the footbed, wherein the foot support comprises a top side configured to support a foot of a user and a bottom side that is coupled to the top surface of the footbed. 
     
     
         12 . The modular shoe system of  claim 11 , wherein the foot support is permanently coupled to the top surface of the footbed. 
     
     
         13 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the top surface of the footbed comprises an integrally-formed foot support configured to support a foot of a user. 
     
     
         14 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the modular shoe system is a closed-back shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the modular shoe system is an open-back shoe. 
     
     
         16 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the modular shoe system comprises an upper coupled to the shoe base. 
     
     
         17 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the shoe base further comprises an integrally-formed upper. 
     
     
         18 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first interlocking elements and the plurality of second interlocking elements each comprise a resilient material. 
     
     
         19 . The modular shoe system of  claim 18 , wherein the resilient material comprises polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, rubber, and/or ethylenevinyl acetate. 
     
     
         20 . The modular shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the integrally-formed first interlocking elements are complimentary to the integrally-formed second interlocking elements along an entire length of the integrally-formed second interlocking elements.