Interchangeable boot attachment

Abstract

An interchangeable boot attachment is provided. An interchangeable boot attachment comprising a buckle strap affixed to a baseplate around a heel of the baseplate and an insert. The baseplate having an insert channel along a bottom of the baseplate that tapers from an opening at the heel towards a toe end of the baseplate. The insert having a tapered projection that tapers in an identical formation to the insert channel and is coupled to the insert channel during assembly such that a dovetail joint is formed between the opening, the insert channel and the tapered projection. The opening providing access to the insert channel for the insert. The buckle rotated and snapped to apply tension along the strap to secure the insert. The buckle decoupled and released from the strap to remove the strap from the opening to allow for removing the insert.

1 . An interchangeable boot attachment comprising:
 a baseplate configured for attachment to a sole of a boot, said baseplate having a tapered channel extending from a heel opening toward a toe end; and   an insert having a tapered projection configured to form an interlocking joint with said tapered channel of said baseplate; and   a strap configured to traverse said heel opening and coupled to a locking mechanism operable to either apply tension across said strap to retain, with the interlocking joint, said insert inside said baseplate, or release said tension to permit removal of said insert.   
     
     
         2 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 1 , wherein said interlocking joint is a dovetail joint. 
     
     
         3 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 1 , wherein said baseplate is molded into the boot. 
     
     
         4 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 1 , wherein said baseplate further comprises a plurality of channels configured to receive fasteners for securement to said sole. 
     
     
         5 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 1 , wherein said tapered projection of said insert and said tapered channel of said baseplate are shaped to facilitate self-tightening of said insert as it is inserted. 
     
     
         6 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 1 , wherein said insert comprises a rear cap shaped to fill said heel opening of said baseplate to provide more surface area for engagement by said strap to further resist ejection forces acting on said insert. 
     
     
         7 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 6 , wherein said rear cap is configured to indicate a correct orientation for insertion of said insert into said baseplate. 
     
     
         8 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism is a quick release locking mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The interchangeable boot attachment of  claim 8 , wherein said quick release locking mechanism includes a buckle configured to be rotated and snap into a locked position that maintains tension across said strap. 
     
     
         10 . An insert for use with an interchangeable boot attachment, comprising:
 a tapered projection extending from an upper surface of the insert, said projection configured to slidingly engage with a tapered channel of a baseplate to form an interlocking joint.   
     
     
         11 . The insert of  claim 10 , wherein said interlocking joint is a dovetail joint. 
     
     
         12 . The insert of  claim 10 , wherein a bottom portion of said insert is selected from a group consisting of a treaded sole, a skate blade, a roller wheelset, a ski, a snowshoe, or a snowboard. 
     
     
         13 . The insert of  claim 10 , further comprising a carry case configured to store one or more inserts, wherein said carry case includes a front side composed of a fabric having a grippy surface to assist with handling said inserts; a back side composed of a fabric suitable for wiping or drying said inserts; and an interior pouch composed of a quick-drying fabric to prevent rusting of said inserts when stored. 
     
     
         14 . A method of efficiently interchanging boot modes using an interchangeable boot attachment system, the method comprising the steps of:
 sliding an insert comprising a tapered projection extending from an upper surface of said insert into a tapered channel extending from a heel opening toward a toe end of a baseplate coupled to a sole of a boot to form an interlocking joint,   securing a strap across the heel opening of said baseplate by engaging a locking mechanism coupled to said strap to apply tension to said strap and secure the insert;   releasing said locking mechanism and removing said strap from said heel opening to replace the insert;   sliding a different insert comprising said tapered projection into said tapered channel of said baseplate to form said interlocking joint; and   securing said different insert by securing said strap across said heel opening of said baseplate by engaging said locking mechanism to apply tension to said strap and secure said different insert.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said locking mechanism is a quick release locking mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein engaging said locking mechanism includes rotating a buckle to snap said buckle into a locked position that maintains tension across said strap.