Selectable Configuration PLatform Shoe with Interlayer Keys

Abstract

A platform shoe has a wearer-determinable configuration. The shoe comprises a footwear upper. A housing bottom member has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the housing bottom member defines a housing bottom member anchoring shape. A platform member has a top platform surface and a bottom platform surface, the top platform surface of the platform member defines a platform top anchoring shape. The platform top anchoring shape mates with the housing bottom member anchoring shape. The bottom platform surface of the platform member defines a platform bottom anchoring shape. A base member has a top base surface and a bottom base surface, the top base surface of the base member defines a base top anchoring shape. The base top anchoring shape mates with the platform bottom anchoring shape. The base member is configured to underlie and support the platform member.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A platform shoe with a wearer-determinable configuration, comprising:
 (a) a footwear upper for housing a foot of a wearer, said footwear upper defining a lower attachment surface;   (b) a housing bottom member, said housing bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of said housing bottom member being secured to said lower attachment surface of said footwear upper, said bottom surface of said housing bottom member defining a housing bottom member anchoring shape, said housing bottom member configured to underlie the foot of the wearer, said housing bottom member and said footwear upper defining a volume to receive the foot of the wearer;   (c) a platform member, said platform member having a top platform surface and a bottom platform surface, said top platform surface of said platform member defining a platform top anchoring shape, said platform top anchoring shape mating with said housing bottom member anchoring shape, said housing bottom member anchoring shape being positioned to overlie said platform top anchoring shape when said housing bottom member is aligned with said platform member, said bottom platform surface of said platform member defining a platform bottom anchoring shape, and said platform member being configured to underlie and support the housing bottom member; and   (d) a base member, said base member having a top base surface and a bottom base surface, said top base surface of said base member defining a base top anchoring shape, said base top anchoring shape mating with said platform bottom anchoring shape; said platform bottom anchoring shape being positioned to overlie said base top anchoring shape when said platform member is aligned with said base member, said base member being configured to underlie and support the platform member.   
     
     
         2 . A platform shoe as in  claim 1 , further comprising securement structure for securing said housing bottom member, platform member and base member into a single unitary body. 
     
     
         3 . A platform shoe as in  claim 2 , wherein said housing bottom member, platform member and base member define interfaces where they meet, and said securement structure comprises pairs of upper and lower mating securement members, the upper mating securement member of each pair being secured to the bottom of one member at the interface and the lower mating securement member of each pair being secured to the top of the other member at said interface. 
     
     
         4 . A platform shoe as in  claim 3 , further comprising a single connection assembly for coupling said housing bottom, platform and base members together. 
     
     
         5 . A platform shoe as in  claim 4 , wherein said single connection assembly comprises an elongated member having two ends, one of said and being securable into said housing bottom member, the other of said and being securable into said base member, said elongated member passing through holes defined in said platform member. 
     
     
         6 . A platform shoe as in  claim 3 , wherein said pairs of upper and lower mating securement members releasably secure to each other and allow for limited movement in a plane defined by the respective member to which they are secured, and wherein the mating securement members are secured within cavities defined within the surfaces to which they are secured. 
     
     
         7 . A platform shoe as in  claim 6 , wherein said top and bottom anchoring shapes define mating male and female surfaces, whereby alignment between members is effected. 
     
     
         8 . A platform shoe as in  claim 6 , wherein said securement members comprise hook and loop type contact engagement and releasable securement structures. 
     
     
         9 . A platform shoe as in  claim 8 , further comprising a single connection assembly for coupling said housing bottom, platform and base members together. 
     
     
         10 . A platform shoe as in  claim 9 , wherein said single connection assembly comprises an elongated member having two ends, one of said and being securable into said housing bottom member, the other of said and being securable into said base member, said elongated member passing through holes defined in said platform member. 
     
     
         11 . A platform shoe as in  claim 10 , wherein said top anchoring shapes are female, and said bottom anchoring shapes are male. 
     
     
         12 . A platform shoe as in  claim 2 , further comprising a single connection assembly for coupling said housing bottom, platform and base members together. 
     
     
         13 . A platform shoe as in  claim 12 , wherein said single connection assembly comprises an elongated member having two ends, one of said and being securable into said housing bottom member, the other of said and being securable into said base member, said elongated member passing through holes defined in said platform member. 
     
     
         14 . A platform shoe as in  claim 13 , wherein said housing bottom member, platform member and base member define interfaces where they meet, and said securement structure comprises pairs of upper and lower mating securement members, the upper mating securement member of each pair being secured to the bottom of one member at the interface and the lower mating securement member of each pair being secured to the top of the other member at said interface. 
     
     
         15 . A platform shoe as in  claim 14 , wherein said pairs of upper and lower mating securement members releasably secure to each other and allow for limited movement in a plane defined by the respective member to which they are secured, and wherein the mating securement members are secured within cavities defined within the surfaces to which they are secured. 
     
     
         16 . A platform shoe as in  claim 15 , wherein said securement members comprise hook and loop type contact engagement and releasable securement structures. 
     
     
         17 . A platform shoe as in  claim 1 , wherein said top and bottom anchoring shapes define mating male and female surfaces, whereby alignment between members is effected. 
     
     
         18 . A platform shoe as in  claim 17 , wherein said top anchoring shapes are female, and said bottom anchoring shapes are male. 
     
     
         19 . A platform shoe as in  claim 17 , wherein said securement members comprise hook and loop type contact engagement and releasable securement structures. 
     
     
         20 . A platform shoe as in  claim 19 , wherein said securement members are glued within recesses in the surfaces to which they are attached. 
     
     
         21 . A platform shoe as in  claim 20 , wherein said securement members form a connection of a relatively flexible nature, and said securement members are positioned near the center of the surface to which they are attached, whereby the flexible nature of the connection allows adjustment in the relative position of the members. 
     
     
         22 . A platform shoe as in  claim 1 , further comprising (i) a first connector rigidly secured in said footwear upper, (ii) a second connector secured within said base member, and (iii) an elongated member having a top and bottom end, said top end mating with said first connector, and said bottom end mating with said second connector, whereby said first and second connectors and said elongated member may be secured to each other to form a single securement structure binding said housing bottom member, platform member and base member together. 
     
     
         23 . A platform shoe as in  claim 22 , wherein said elongated member has threads at its bottom and top end, wherein said top end of said elongated member may be screwed into said first connector, wherein said second connector is rotatably mounted on said base member and positioned within said base member, said second connector having a threaded bore for receiving and mating with the threads on the bottom end of the elongated member, and wherein said bottom end of said elongated member may be engaged within the bore of said second connector by said second connector being rotated. 
     
     
         24 . A platform shoe as in  claim 23 , further comprising structure secured to said base member for preventing said second connector from falling out of said base member. 
     
     
         25 . A platform shoe with a wearer-determinable configuration, comprising:
 (a) a footwear upper for housing a foot of a wearer, said footwear upper defining a lower attachment surface;   (b) a housing bottom member, said housing bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of said housing bottom member being secured to said lower attachment surface of said footwear upper, said housing bottom member configured to underlie the foot of the wearer, said housing bottom member and said footwear upper defining a volume for receiving the foot of the wearer;   (c) a platform member, said platform member having a top platform surface and a bottom platform surface, said top platform surface of said platform member defining a platform top anchoring shape, and said platform member being configured to underlie and support the housing bottom member;   (d) a base member, said base member having a top base surface and a bottom base surface, said base member being configured to underlie and support the platform member;   (e) a first connector rigidly secured in said footwear upper;   (f) a second connector secured within said base member; and   (g) an elongated member having a top and bottom end, said top end mating with said first connector, and said bottom end mating with said second connector, whereby said first and second connectors and said elongated member may be secured to each other to form a single securement structure binding said housing bottom member, platform member and base member together.   
     
     
         26 . A platform shoe as in  claim 25 , wherein said elongated member has threads at its bottom and top end, wherein said top end of said elongated member may be screwed into said first connector, wherein said second connector is rotatably mounted on said base member and positioned within said base member, said second connector having a threaded bore for receiving and mating with the threads on the bottom end of the elongated member, and wherein said bottom end of said elongated member may be engaged within the bore of said second connector by said second connector being rotated. 
     
     
         27 . A platform shoe as in  claim 26 , further comprising structure secured to said base member for preventing said second connector from falling out of said base member.