Interchangeable Footwear Assembly with Removable Attachments

Abstract

Footwear, such as a sandal or shoe, and other articles having an attachment mechanism that is useful in attaching replaceable and interchangeable ornaments such as gems, jewels or other decorative ornaments and attachments. The footwear upper portion is easily changed out, but can incorporate various replaceable lacing strips and ornamental beads to enhance the beauty of the footwear, thereby making a lasting impression on users, especially to males.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear, with removable attachments, comprising:
 an upper, including a lacing area disposed on a lateral side of the upper and on a medial side of the upper, the upper having a skin on its lateral side and on its medial side;   a sole structure;   a vamp part with a first longitudinal end and second longitudinal end; and   at least one detachable vamp attachment with a first edge and a second edge;   wherein,   the said detachable vamp attachment has its first edge disposed at the first longitudinal end of the vamp part, and its second edge disposed at the second longitudinal end of the vamp part;   at least one fastening member; and   wherein,   the said detachable vamp attachment is removably attached to the skin of the vamp part on each of the lateral side and the medial side of the shoe upper.   
     
     
         2 . An interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear, wherein the article is a sandal. 
     
     
         3 . An interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper, including at least one strap, and a lacing area disposed on a lateral side and a medial side of the upper;   a sole structure;   at least one detachable strap attachment;   at least one fastener;   wherein,   the said detachable strap attachment is removably attached to the skin of the at least one strap of the sandal on each of the lateral side and the medial side of the sandal.   
     
     
         4 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the said detachable strap attachments are provided in number according to the number and design of the straps of the sandal. 
     
     
         5 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein a second detachable layer comprised of lace is removably attached on top of the detachable vamp attachment, and fastened with it by fastener or fasteners and comprising a first edge disposed at a first longitudinal end of the vamp member; and a second edge disposed at a second longitudinal end of the vamp member. 
     
     
         6 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable vamp layer is formed of materials including but not limited to cotton, leather, neoprene, beads made of plastic or glass, wooden beads and metal charms. 
     
     
         7 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastening member includes one or more of hook-and-loop fasteners, boat snaps and buckle snaps. 
     
     
         8 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 1 , the assembly further comprising an illuminating footwear accessory coupled to the vamp, and to one of a tongue and said lateral and medial sides. 
     
     
         9 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the illuminating footwear accessory may include one or more of an LED, fibre optic and electro luminescence material. 
     
     
         10 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising means attaching to a pair of said articles of footwear for carrying while walking or hiking said pair of said articles of footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the said means includes a pocket provided near the upper end of the said vamp part in each of said pair of articles of footwear, the pocket holding a loop ring stitched inside with a cord having a magnet at the end thereof.