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  Shoe with interchangeable strap systemUSPTO Application #: 20070186443Title: Shoe with interchangeable strap system Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe with a sole member having an upper surface for receiving a user's foot and a lower surface for contacting a support surface. The sole member has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are spaced apart and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The sole member also has a slot defined therethrough, with the slot extending between the first and second sidewalls. A strap has a pair of opposed ends and a midportion therebetween. The midportion is designed to be received in and retained by the slot. The slot also has a closure member for joining the opposed ends. When the midportion of the strap is received in the slot and the closure member joins the opposed ends, the strap and the sole cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot. (end of abstract) Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c - Troy, MI, US Inventors: David G. Berg, Thomas E. McGann USPTO Applicaton #: 20070186443 - Class: 036011500 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, Sandals The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070186443. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/231,611, filed Sep. 2, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/911,069, filed Aug. 4, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,814, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/011,117, filed Nov. 13, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,696, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/248,167, filed Nov. 13, 2000, the entire contents of each application are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to footwear and, more specifically, to a shoe with an interchangeable strap to allow aesthetic and functional changes to the shoe. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Footwear comes in an enormous variety of styles and designs to suit numerous functional and aesthetic goals. Fashion conscious consumers often wish to coordinate their footwear with the remainder of their attire. For example, some consumers may wish to own several pairs of very similar shoes in a variety of colors so as to color-coordinate with a variety of outfits. However, this may require the purchase of a large number of pairs of shoes, sandals, boots, and other footwear. This presents both a financial burden and difficulty in storing the footwear. In light of this, there is a need for footwear that allows easy coordination with a variety of clothing. [0004] There have been a number of attempts to provide footwear that has changeable portions to allow alterations in the appearance and/or function of the footwear. U.S. Pat. No. 2,495,984 to Roy provides a flat sole with laces that may be used to tie a removable upper thereto. Two slots are provided in the sole, one under the toes and one under the heel. The upper also has snaps that allow it to snap to the sole to hold it in place. This design is complicated, the laces do not reliably locate the foot or define the upper, and snaps are required to locate the upper. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,491,297 to Brown provides a piece of footwear having a sole with a slot through the sole position just forward of the heel and an upper that may be tied on with the lace in cooperation with an attachment eyelet extending upwardly between the toes of the user. Again, this is a complicated design. Also, the lace that ties the upper on does not define an upper and can only operate in cooperation with the between-the-toes eyelet. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,330 to Kao discloses a "flip-flop" or thong-like sandal wherein the upper straps are detachable from the sole. Vertical holes pass from the upper surface of the sole to the lower surface and the ends of the strap engage these holes. This design does not provide for reliable attachment between the straps and the lower, the straps require a complicated design, an attachment is forced between the user's toes, and the straps may not be easily interchanged. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,090 to Smith provides a sandal with the sole having upperwardly extending flanges with openings to receive laces. Again, this is a complicated design. Several designs have been proposed wherein a detachable upper connects to a sole using snaps or other fasteners on the sides of the soles. A representative example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,102 to DeVincentis. These designs are typically complicated and provide a non-aesthetic appearance. [0008] None of the various approaches has caught on as they have been overly complicated, functioned poorly, and/or were too expensive. Therefore, there remains a need for simple footwear that allows changes in appearance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides improved footwear that overcomes many of the limitations of the prior art. A shoe according to the present invention, includes a sole member with an upper surface for receiving a user's foot and a lower surface for contacting a support surface. The sole member has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are spaced apart and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The sole member also has a slot defined therethrough, with the slot extending between the first and second sidewalls. A strap has a pair of opposed ends and a midportion therebetween. The midportion is designed to be received in and retained by the slot. The slot also has a closure member for joining the opposed ends. When the midportion of the strap is received in the slot and the closure member joins the opposed ends, the strap and the sole cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe according to the present invention with the opposed ends of an interchangeable strap interconnected to form the shoe's upper; [0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe of FIG. I with the opposed ends of the strap released from one another; [0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a shoe sole for use with the present invention; [0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the shoe sole of FIG. 3; [0014] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the shoe sole of FIG. 3; [0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the shoe sole of FIG. 3, the opposite side being a mirror image thereof; [0016] FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the shoe sole of FIG. 3; [0017] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the shoe sole of FIG. 3; [0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shoe sole for use with the present invention; [0019] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the shoe sole of FIG. 9; Continue reading... Full patent description for Shoe with interchangeable strap system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Shoe with interchangeable strap system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Shoe with interchangeable strap system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Device and method for shoe covering Next Patent Application: Article of footwear with a removable foot-supporting insert Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Shoe with interchangeable strap system patent info. 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