Footwear system having a sole adaptable to different dimensions of shoes

Abstract

A footwear system includes at least two uppers of different sizes having respective first sole members which are different in dimension, and a second sole member for attachment to either one of the first sole members. The second sole member is adjustable at least in dimension to be adaptable to dimensions of both of the first sole members and has at least one hollow part whose dimension is changeable for adjustment the second sole member. When the second sole member is attached to one of the first sole members, the hollow part is adjusted to a first width. When the second sole member is attached to the other first sole member, the hollow part is adjusted to a second width different from the first width.

1 . A footwear system comprising: 
 at least two uppers of different sizes having respective first sole members, each of said first sole members having a toe part, a heel part, an intermediate part, and a peripheral end surrounding said toe, heel and intermediate parts, said first sole members being different at least in dimension; and    a second sole member for attachment to either one of said first sole members and being adjustable at least in dimension to be adaptable to the dimensions of both of said first sole members, said second sole member having at least one hollow part whose dimension is changeable for adjustment of said second sole member,    wherein, when said second sole member is attached to one of said first sole members, said hollow part is adjusted to a first width, and when said second sole member is attached to the other one of said first sole members, said hollow part is adjusted to a second width which is different from said first width.    
   
   
       2 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second sole member includes at least two sole portions which are formed as separate pieces and which are spaced apart to have therebetween a gap that defines said hollow part.  
   
   
       3 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second sole member has a cutout to define said hollow part.  
   
   
       4 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said sole portions are attached respectively to said toe part and said heel part.  
   
   
       5 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each of said sole portions includes a front sole portion and a rear sole portion, said front and rear sole portions having respectively peripheral edges substantially flush with said peripheral end of one of said first sole members attached to said second sole member.  
   
   
       6 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each of said front and rear sole portions has at least one cutout to define said hollow part.  
   
   
       7 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said front and rear sole portions are made of different materials.  
   
   
       8 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said second sole member further comprises a middle sole portion attached to said intermediate part between said front and rear sole portions.  
   
   
       9 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said middle sole portion has at least one cutout to define said hollow part.  
   
   
       10 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said middle sole portion has left and right peripheral edges flush with said peripheral end of one of said first sole members attached to said second sole member.  
   
   
       11 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second sole member further includes an insert piece to fill said hollow part.  
   
   
       12 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said second sole member further includes an insert piece to fill said gap and said cutout.  
   
   
       13 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said second sole member further includes left and right lateral sole portions which are provided between said front and rear sole portions and which are spaced apart from each other, and a middle sole portion disposed between said left and right sole portions and between said front and rear sole portions.  
   
   
       14 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first sole members has a multilayered structure which includes at least one fabric layer for attachment to said second sole member.  
   
   
       15 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each of said first sole members has a surface to be in contact with said second sole member, said surface being provided with at least one alignment indicator to indicate at least one position at which at least one of said sole portions is to be located.  
   
   
       16 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said sole portions has a flange which projects from said second sole member to one of said first sole members attached to said second sole member and which covers a portion of said peripheral end of said one of said first sole members.  
   
   
       17 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said second sole member is composed of left and right sole portions each of which extends from said toe part to said heel part and which are spaced part in a transverse direction of said first sole members to define said gap.  
   
   
       18 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each of said left and right sole portions has a flange which projects from said second sole member to one of said first sole members attached to said second sole member, said flanges of said left and right sole portions extending around said peripheral end of said one of said first sole members, said one of said first sole members having front and rear protrusions to project between said flanges of said left and right sole portions from said peripheral end.  
   
   
       19 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a third sole member to be connected to one side of one of said first sole members opposite to said second sole member.  
   
   
       20 . The footwear system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said third sole member is adjustable in dimension and shape like said second sole member.