FOOTWEAR AND FOOTWEAR KIT

Technical field

The present invention relates to footwear.

In particular, the present invention relates to footwear of any type comprising a sole and an upper. In the description that follows, reference will be made, by way of example, to an "open" type of footwear (i.e., footwear in which the upper does not completely cover the user's foot), e.g., sandals, flip-flops, heeled shoes, clogs, etc., without loss of generality of the invention because of this.

The sole defines the lower part of the footwear configured to receive the user's foot in a supporting manner on one side and the treadable floor/ground on the other; the upper defines the upper part of the footwear, which wraps around the foot and may consist of one or more shaped pieces attached to the sole typically by stitching, gluing or hot injection. Background art

The process of making footwear has always provided the upper being irreversibly connected to the sole (by means of appropriate processes of known type) to prevent the accidental separation or breakage of the footwear during use. Thus, the uppers are permanently and definitively connected to the sole until now.

Generally, when the upper becomes unstitched or unstuck even only partially from the sole as a result of wear or excessive mechanical stress, the footwear is compromised and the user may attempt, if possible, to restore the original connection (e.g., by taking it to a cobbler) or is forced to have to replace the entire footwear.

The Applicant noted that nowadays one of the main disadvantages of footwear, most felt by consumers, is its lack of versatility. Until now, footwear essentially defines a static and invariable system (except for wear). Indeed, given an item of footwear, there is no possibility of varying 2 the aesthetic, morphological, or stylistic appearance, except by replacing small accessories (e.g., the laces).

Typically, the component of the footwear with the greatest aesthetic and visual impact is the upper, so the aesthetic and stylistic morphology of the upper (shape, color, type, pattern, material, style, etc.) is the defining element in the choice of an item of footwear.

However, as mentioned above, the upper is irreversibly connected to the sole and, therefore, its customization is very limited once assembled. Therefore, consumers needed to buy multiple pairs of footwear to vary their outfits and thus have a wide range of footwear with different uppers.

Object of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to suggest footwear which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

Specifically, it is the object of the present invention to make available footwear which is aesthetically versatile and highly customizable.

It is a further object of the present invention to suggest footwear which is structurally simple and practical to use.

It is a further object of the present invention to suggest footwear which is more durable over time.

The technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by footwear comprising the technical features illustrated in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, the present invention provides footwear comprising a sole, an upper, and means of reversible coupling of the upper to the sole.

The sole has a supporting surface on which at least one groove is obtained, being transversal with respect to a main extension direction of the sole and leading at respective openings of side edges of the sole which are opposite to the main extension direction of the sole. Advantageously, the upper comprises at least one coupling portion, which 3 is reversibly insertable into the at least one groove along an insertion direction perpendicular to the supporting surface and wherein the groove is shaped to prevent axial sliding of the respective coupling portion when this is inserted into the groove.

Advantageously, the reversible coupling means are switchable between an operational configuration, in which the at least one coupling portion is inserted into, and constrained in the at least one groove to prevent the extraction of the respective coupling portion along the insertion direction, and a non-operational configuration, in which the at least one coupling portion and the at least one groove are not constrained to each other so that the upper and the sole are separated or separable, and vice versa. Advantageously, said reversible coupling means comprise first coupling elements fixed within the groove and respective second coupling elements fixed to the coupling portion, which are mutually reversibly couplable so as to define a quick fastening/unfastening system.

By virtue of the quick fastening/unfastening system, users can easily and rapidly proceed by the fitting/removal of the coupling portions 31 they desire to configure the footwear according to their stylistic or functional needs.

Therefore, by virtue of the present invention, the piece of footwear can be customized by simply removing the upper, or part of it, and by replacing it with another one.

The mechanical stability of the coupling between the sole and upper is provided by the presence of the coupling means and the conformation of the groove, which prevents the axial sliding of the coupling portion of the upper so that it remains in place within the groove when it is coupled.

The invention just described grants the user an infinite range of possible customizations of the footwear, simply by replacing the coupling portions of the upper, which can thus be made of different materials, shapes and colors.

Therefore, the consumers, by purchasing footwear equipped with a 4 grooved sole, according to the present invention, will be able to increase the durability of their footwear because the wear on the upper will be distributed among the various portions of the coupling portions available to them.

Consumers can have infinite items of footwear with a single sole simply by changing the coupling portions autonomously through the reversible coupling means.

The dependent claims, incorporated herein by reference, correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent in the following indicative and consequently non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of footwear, as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an item of footwear according to the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are diagrammatic, perspective views from below of the footwear in figure 1 during an operational and a non-operational configurations of the reversible coupling means, respectively.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a first alternative embodiment of the footwear shown in figure 1.

Figures 5 and 6 are a diagrammatic side view and a diagrammatic perspective view from below of a second alternative embodiment of the footwear in figure 1 , respectively.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying figures, footwear is indicated by reference numeral 1 as a whole.

The footwear 1 comprises a sole 20 having a supporting surface 21 on which at least one groove 22 is obtained, being transversal with respect to 5 a main extension direction X of the sole 20 and leading at respective openings 23 of side edges 24 of the sole 20 which are opposite to the main extension direction X of the sole 20.

In other words, the groove 22 extends between the side edges 24 of the sole 20 and is preferably continuous to define a notch in the sole 20 which runs from one side edge 24 to the other.

It is worth noting that the term "supporting surface" indicates the surface of the sole 20 configured to be in direct contact with the ground/floor treadable by the footwear 1 during use, thus representing the interface between the footwear 1 and the ground.

Particularly in the case of so-called "flat" soles 20, the prevailing extension direction X of the sole 20 is parallel to the ground during use.

The footwear 1 then comprises an upper 30 comprising at least one coupling portion 31 reversibly insertable into the at least one groove 22 along an insertion direction Y perpendicular to the supporting surface 21.

In particular, in the examples of the embodiment shown in figures 1-4, the upper 30 preferably comprises two coupling portions 31 (one front and one rear) and the sole 20 comprises two grooves 22 (one front and one rear) respectively configured to receive the respective coupling portions 31.

In other words, the upper 30 is wrapped in use about the sole 20 at the coupling portions 31 inserted within the respective grooves 22 of the sole 20.

Advantageously, each groove 22 of the sole 20 is shaped to prevent the axial sliding of the respective coupling portion 31 when it is inserted inside the groove 22. In other words, the groove 22 is shaped so that once a respective coupling portion 31 counter-shaped along the insertion direction Y (as shown in figure 3) is inserted, it can no longer slide axially along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction Y and the prevailing extension direction X.

This allows the coupling portion 31 to be properly held in place within the groove 22 during the use of the footwear 1 , thus preventing the coupling 6 portion 31 from moving around generating potential irritation or discomfort to the user in posture or while walking.

The upper 30 may then comprise other wrapping portions 32 of the foot connected to the coupling portions 31 , e.g., such as ribbons, laces, buckles, wires, zippers, chains, etc.

Advantageously, the footwear 1 according to the present invention further comprises reversible coupling means 40 of the upper 30 to the sole 20 switchable between an operational configuration (clearly visible in figure 2), in which the coupling portions 31 are inserted and constrained in their respective grooves 22 to prevent the extraction of the respective coupling portion 31 along the insertion direction Y; and a non-operational configuration (clearly visible in figure 3), in which the coupling portions 31 and grooves 22 are not constrained to each other so that the upper 30 and sole 20 are separated or separable, and vice versa.

Therefore, in the operational configuration, the user can wear the footwear 1 and use it for walking/running; while in the non-operational configuration, at least one coupling portion 31 is separated/removed/independent from the respective groove 22 so that the footwear 1 cannot be used but an insertion and constraint must be provided by acting through of the reversible coupling means 40.

Thus, the present invention does not provide an irreversible type of coupling between the sole 20 and the upper 30 (e.g., by stitching or gluing) but a coupling of the reversible type that advantageously allows the entire upper 30 or part of it to be replaced as desired and/or if necessary (e.g., by replacing only a portion of the coupling 31 ).

In this respect, the footwear 1 according to the present invention can be considered "dynamic," because its versatility of construction allows the upper 30 to be varied quickly and immediately to achieve different customizable configurations. 7

The material, style, and pattern, in addition to the shape and color, can be easily changed by operating simply through the coupling means 31. Therefore, the user can match infinite types of coupling portions 31 (or whole uppers 30) with the same sole 20. Therefore, the footwear 1 is configured as an extremely versatile and customizable fashion accessory. As clearly shown in figures 2, 3 and 6, each groove 22 preferably has a central zone 25 with reduced cross-section defining a throat of the groove 22 at which a respective central part 31a with a reduced cross-section of the coupling portion 31 is insertable.

Advantageously, the presence of the central narrowing defined by the throat allows the coupling portion 31 to be retained within the groove 22, preventing axial sliding.

Preferably, the throat thickness, measured along the prevailing extension direction X of the sole 20, has a value comprised between 10 mm and 18 mm, preferably equal to 13 mm.

In particular, the thickness of the throat is less than the average thickness of the openings 23 of the side edges 24.

Again preferably, the thickness of the throat is variable as a function of the average thickness of the openings 23, which in turn is variable according to the size of the sole 20 (i.e., the size of the footwear). Furthermore, it is worth noting that the thickness of the throat can be sized according to the type of footwear.

Preferably the groove 22 has an "hourglass" type conformation, so the thickness progressively increases from the groove toward the openings 23.

Furthermore, the groove 22 preferably has an average depth value, measured perpendicularly to the supporting surface 21 comprised between 15 mm and 35 mm, preferably equal to 25 mm. Even more preferably, the depth is constant and may vary as a function of the height of the sole 20 and of the type of footwear.

Indeed, the groove 22 is preferably delimited by a bottom wall 26, in use 8 facing and parallel to the supporting surface 21 , and by two inner walls 27, preferably transversal with respect to the supporting surface 21. Preferably, the groove 22 thus has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The openings 23 are thus defined by the edges between the side edges 24, the inner walls 27 and the bottom wall 26.

Advantageously, if the inner walls 27 are transversely converging toward the supporting surface 21 (as illustrated in the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures), the surface area value of the footprint of the groove 22 on the supporting surface 21 is smaller than a surface area value of the bottom wall 26. Advantageously, such a tapered/convergent conformation prevents the unintentional/accidental slippage of the coupling portion 31 from the groove 22 and reduces the infiltration of dirt and debris within the groove 22, thus preventing the upper 30 from being damaged or inadvertently removed by a rough walking surface.

Preferably, the thickness of the coupling portion 31 is comprised between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, even more preferably equal to 1.5 mm, and smaller than the groove depth value 22. It is worth noting that the thickness is variable as a function of the material and type of footwear.

In other words, the coupling portion 31 is completely inserted (and protected) inside the groove 22, so it is not configured to be arranged in contact with the walking surface during the operational configuration. Advantageously, the reversible coupling means 40 comprise first coupling elements 41 fixed to the inside of groove 22 (visible in figure 3) and respective second coupling elements 42 fixed to the coupling portion 31 , in which the first coupling elements 41 and second coupling elements 42 are reversibly coupled to each other.

In particular, the first and second coupling elements 41 , 42 thus define a quick fastening/unfastening system, e.g.: press studs, magnetic clips or tear systems, and the like.

Said quick fastening/unfastening system is immediately and easily implementable by the users to proceed with the fitting/removal of the 9 coupling portions 31 they desire to configure the footwear 1 according to their stylistic or functional needs.

With reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures, two first coupling elements 41 are preferably mounted on the bottom wall 26 at opposite positions with respect to the throat of the groove 22, so the fixing of the coupling portion 31 to the sole 20 is guaranteed at two separate locations easily accessible to the user.

As mentioned above, the upper 30 may comprise one or more coupling portions 31.

In particular, in the example embodiment in figures 1-3, the upper 30 comprises two mutually independent coupling portions 31 that are couplable to two separate grooves 22 of the sole 20. A first groove 22 is arranged in the front area of sole 20, where the user's toes are placed in use, and a second groove 22 in the rear area of sole 20, where the user's heel is placed in use.

In the example embodiment in figure 4, the upper 30 still comprises two coupling portions 31 , however, this time, the respective wrapping portions 32 are connected or connectable to each other by a connecting element 33, so the two coupling portions, in this case, can be replaced either together or individually (according to whether the connecting element 33 is irreversibly attached to the two wrapping portions 32 or not).

Instead, in the example embodiment in figures 5 and 6, an embodiment variant of footwear 1 (e.g., a "heeled shoe/sandal") according to the present invention is illustrated so that preferably:

- the sole 20 comprises a heel 28 and an inclined connecting surface 29 between the heel and the supporting surface 21 , and

- the upper 30 comprises at least one fastening portion 34, which can be reversibly coupled with said inclined connecting surface 29.

In other words, in this case, there is only one coupling portion 31 arranged within a groove 22 in the front area of the sole 20 at the supporting surface 21. 10

As in this type of footwear the inclined connecting surface 29 is typically much thinner than the supporting surface 21 , it is inadvisable to make a groove 22 at the inclined surface 29 (in order to avoid excessive weakening of the resistant section of the sole 20), so the present invention provides for a direct coupling of the reversible type between sole 20 and upper 30 without providing grooves.

For example, in the embodiment shown, the footwear 1 comprises two press studs 50 (also named "snap fasteners") interposed between the coupling portion 34 and the inclined surface 29, reversibly couplable to achieve a convenient fitting/removal of the fastening portion 34 to/from the sole 20.

The presence of at least two press studs 50 is advisable to keep the coupling portion 34 in a stationary position during use. As with coupling portions 31 , the fastening portion 34 is also connected or connectable to a respective wrapping portion 32, which in turn is connected or connectable to a wrapping portion 32 connected or connectable to a coupling portion 31.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a footwear kit comprising a piece of footwear 1 according to the present invention and a plurality of mutually different coupling portions 31.

The term different means, for example, shape, color, type, pattern, material, and style.

Furthermore, the kit may preferably comprise a plurality of fastening portions 34 if the footwear 1 is of the type shown in figures 5 and 6.

The present invention achieves the proposed objects by overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art and by making available to the user the piece of footwear 1 of innovative type which by virtue of the presence of special grooves 22 made in the sole 20 and the presence of appropriate reversible coupling means 40 between the sole 20 and the upper 30 allows the appearance and type of footwear 1 to be varied in a practical, simple and rapid manner.