ANKLE STRAP TRANSFORMATION FOOTWEAR FOR SLIPPER AND SANDAL CONVERSION

Abstract

A novel ankle strap transformation footwear capable of transforming from an ankle-strapped sandal mode to an ankle-strapless slipper mode is disclosed. In the ankle-strapped sandal mode, a first ankle strap piece and a second ankle strap piece are bound together to form a combined ankle strap. In the ankle-strapless slipper mode, the first ankle strap piece and the second ankle strap piece are separated, swiveled forward, and then attached to a main cover or a main strap of the novel ankle strap transformation footwear. Preferably, in the ankle-strapped sandal mode, the first ankle strap piece and the second ankle strap piece utilize attachment strips and a belt loop for binding together. In the ankle-strapless slipper mode, the first ankle strap piece and the second ankle strap piece utilize attachment strips to attach to the main cover or the main strap of the novel ankle strap transformation footwear.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to various embodiments of a novel ankle strap transformation footwear for slipper and sandal conversion.

Most sandals and slippers in the market today fall under similar but separate categories of footwear. For example, a conventional sandal typically embodies an “open toe” design, but also sometimes embodies a “closed toe” design with a main cover or a main strap. A sandal that has a main strap separating a big toe from other toes while holding a user's foot is commonly called a “flip-flop” sandal. Furthermore, a sandal typically includes an ankle strap to enable ergonomically-comfortable and extended walking for a user. A conventional slipper, on the other hand, can also embody an open toe or closed toe design, but generally lacks an ankle strap because the conventional slipper is not designed for an extended walking.

Although some sandal designs accommodate manual removal of their ankle straps to enable ankle-strapless walking, the manual removal of ankle straps often result in lost ankle straps or inconvenient storage problems, especially if the user is in the middle of walking or away from his or her shoe cabinet. Furthermore, if the user does not own many different pairs of sandals and slippers, yet keep the convenience and versatility of both categories of footwear without resulting in lost shoe parts, such as removed pieces of ankle straps, conventional sandal and slipper designs may not adequately satisfy the user's preferences and needs.

Therefore, it may be advantageous to provide a novel footwear that can be transformed as an ankle-strapped sandal or as an ankle-strapless slipper, with two distinct modes of operation and appearance. Furthermore, it may also be advantageous to provide a novel footwear that does not require physical removal of any shoe parts during transformation from the ankle-strapped sandal to the ankle-strapless slipper, and vice versa. In addition, it may also be advantageous to provide a novel footwear that utilizes one or more swiveling pins on a body of the novel footwear to accommodate seamless transformation from an ankle-strapped sandal to an ankle-strapless slipper, and vice versa.

SUMMARY

Summary and Abstract summarize some aspects of the present invention. Simplifications or omissions may have been made to avoid obscuring the purpose of the Summary or the Abstract. These simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, an ankle strap transformation footwear is disclosed. This ankle strap transformation footwear comprises: a foot cushion supporting a bottom of a user's foot; a main strap attached to the foot cushion; a first ankle strap piece pinned to a first side of the main strap by a first swivel pin, wherein the first ankle strap piece forms an ankle-strapless slipper mode when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the first side of the main strap, and wherein the first ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to a heel area of the foot cushion; and a second ankle strap piece pinned to a second side of the main strap by a second swivel pin, wherein the second ankle strap piece is folded approximately in half when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the second side of the main strap to form the ankle-strapless slipper mode, and wherein the second ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to the heel area of the foot cushion to be interlocked with the first ankle strap piece to form an ankle-strapped sandal mode.

In another embodiment of the invention, another ankle strap transformation footwear is disclosed. This ankle strap transformation footwear comprises: a foot cushion supporting a bottom of a user's foot; a main cover attached to the foot cushion; a first ankle strap piece pinned to a first side of the main cover by a first swivel pin, wherein the first ankle strap piece forms an ankle-strapless slipper mode when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the first side of the main cover, and wherein the first ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to a heel area of the foot cushion; and a second ankle strap piece pinned to a second side of the main cover by a second swivel pin, wherein the second ankle strap piece forms the ankle-strapless slipper mode when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the second side of the main cover, and wherein the second ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to the heel area of the foot cushion to be attached with the first ankle strap piece to form an ankle-strapped sandal mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear in an ankle-strapless slipper mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during a step in transformation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during another step in transformation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during another step in transformation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during another step in transformation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear in an ankle-strapped sandal mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear in an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

The detailed description is presented largely in terms of description of shapes, configurations, and/or other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble one or more ankle strap transformation footwear for sandal and slipper conversion. These process descriptions and representations are the means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, separate or alternative embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order and do not imply any limitations in the invention.

One objective of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel footwear with two modes of operation, an ankle-strapped sandal mode and an ankle-strapless slipper mode.

Another objective of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel footwear that does not require physical removal of any shoe parts during transformation between the ankle-strapped sandal mode to the ankle-strapless slipper mode.

A further objective of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel footwear that utilizes one or more swiveling pins on a body of the novel footwear to accommodate seamless transformation between an ankle-strapped sandal and an ankle-strapless slipper.

For the purpose of describing the invention, a term “sandal” is defined as an ankle-strapped shoe with an open-toe main cover, an open-toe main strap (i.e. a flip flop), a closed-toe main cover, or a closed-toe main strap. In one example, a flip flop is a sandal with an open-toe main strap, wherein the open-toe main strap typically separates a big toe from other toes.

Furthermore, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “slipper” is defined as an ankle-strapless shoe with an open-toe main cover, an open-toe main strap, a closed-toe main cover, or a closed-toe main strap. An indoor shoe with a closed-toe main cover is an example of a slipper.

In addition, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “footwear” is defined as a shoe worn by a user's foot. Examples of footwear include, but are not limited to, sandals, slippers, sneakers, casual shoes, and formal dress shoes.

Moreover, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “removable” is used to refer to easily detachable, attachable, and changeable characteristics of a device.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear in an ankle-strapless slipper mode (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear comprises a foot cushion (101) supporting a bottom of a user's foot, a main strap (103, 109) attached to the foot cushion (101), a first ankle strap piece (107), a first swivel pin (105), a second ankle strap piece (113), and a second swivel pin (111). Preferably, the foot cushion (101) is made of rubber, polyurethane, plastic, or a combination thereof. The ankle-strapless slipper mode (100) as shown in FIG. 1 keeps both the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) swiveled forward to attach each ankle strap piece on top of each side of the main strap (103, 109). Iin this embodiment of the invention, the main strap (103, 109) comprises a first side (103) of the main strap and a second side (109) of the main strap. In another embodiment of the invention, the main strap may have a plurality of branches, resulting in a plurality of sides comprising the main strap.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first ankle strap piece (107) is pinned to the first side (103) of the main strap by the first swivel pin (1105). The first ankle strap piece (107) forms the ankle-strapless slipper mode when the first ankle strap piece (107) is swiveled forward to be attached to top of the first side (103) of the main strap. The first ankle strap piece (107) can also be swiveled backward to a heel area of the foot cushion (101), so that the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) can be interlocked, bound, and/or attached together to form an ankle-strapped sandal mode (i.e. as shown in FIG. 6), after a variety of transformational steps (i.e. as shown in FIGS. 2˜5).

Preferably, a plurality of attachment strips (e.g. Velcro strips) can be utilized to removably attach the first ankle strap piece (107) to the top of the first side (103) of the main strap. In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips may be utilized to attach the first ankle strap piece (107) to the top of the first side (103) of the main strap.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the second ankle strap piece (113) is pinned to the second side (109) of the main strap by the second swivel pin (111). Preferably, the second ankle strap piece (113) can be folded approximately in half when swiveled forward to be attached to the top of the second side (109) of the main strap, in order to form the ankle-strapless slipper mode along with the swiveling-forwarding of the first ankle strap piece (107), as described previously. Furthermore, the second ankle strap piece (113) can also be swiveled backward to a heel area of the foot cushion (101), and then extended out from the folded position, so that the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) can be interlocked, bound, combined, and/or attached together to form a combined ankle strap for the ankle-strapped sandal mode (i.e. as shown in FIG. 6), after a variety of transformational steps (i.e. as shown in FIGS. 2˜5).

Preferably, a plurality of attachment strips can be utilized to removably attach the second ankle strap piece (113) to the top of the second side (109) of the main strap. In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips, such as buttons, pins, clips, and etc., may be utilized to attach the second ankle strap piece (113) to the top of the second side (109) of the main strap.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear utilizes an open-toe main strap with one or more branches, as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment of the invention, a closed-toe main strap with one or more branches may be utilized for the ankle strap transformation footwear, if a closed-toe shoe structure is preferred for a particular application. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear utilizes a main cover instead of a main strap, if the main cover design is preferred for a particular application. For example, the ankle strap transformation footwear in an alternate embodiment of the invention may utilize a thick main cover instead of the main strap.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during a first step (200) in transformation from an ankle-strapless slipper mode to an ankle-strapped sandal mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 2, the first step (200) in transformation from the ankle-strapless slipper mode to the ankle-strapped sandal mode shows the first ankle strap piece (107) separating from a first main strap attachment strip (117), while swiveling backward. Likewise, the second ankle strap piece (113) is also shown as separating from a second main strap attachment strip (115), while also swiveling backward. Preferably, the first main strap attachment strip (117) is on top of the first side (103) of the main strap, and the second main strap attachment strip (115) is on top of the second side (109) of the main strap.

In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips, such as buttons, pins, clips, and etc., may be utilized to attach the first and the second ankle strap pieces (107, 113) to the first side (103) and the second side (109) of the main strap, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a belt loop (119) is attached to a tip of the first ankle strap piece (107). This belt loop (119) enables the second ankle strap piece (113) to interlock with the first ankle strap piece (107) through the belt loop (119) in forming the ankle-strapped sandal mode.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during a second step (300) in transformation from an ankle-strapless slipper mode to an ankle-strapped sandal mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 3, the second step (300) in transformation from the ankle-strapless slipper mode to the ankle-strapped sandal mode shows that the first ankle strap piece (107) is swiveling further backward towards a heel area of the foot cushion (101). Likewise, the second ankle strap piece (113) is also swiveling further backward towards the heel area of the foot cushion (101). As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first swivel pin (105) and the second swivel pin (111) serve as pivoting points for swiveling movements by the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) for transformation between the ankle-strapless slipper mode and the ankle-strapped sandal mode.

Furthermore, a first ankle strap piece attachment strip (121) is exposed in FIG. 3. Preferably, this first ankle strap piece attachment strip (121) is either a male attachment strip or a female attachment strip, which is opposite to the gender of the first main strap attachment strip (117) for proper attachment, if the first ankle strap piece (107) were to be placed on top of the first side (103) of the main strap in the ankle-strapless slipper mode. Likewise, a third attachment strip (114) of the second ankle strap piece (113) is exposed in FIG. 3. Preferably, the third attachment strip (114) of the second ankle strap piece (113) is either a male attachment strip or a female attachment strip, which is opposite to the gender of the second main strap attachment strip (115) for proper attachment, if the second ankle strap piece (113) were to be placed on top of the second side (109) of the main strap. In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips, such as buttons, pins, clips, and etc., may be utilized to attach the first and the second ankle strap pieces (107, 113) to the first side (103) and the second side (109) of the main strap, respectively.

Furthermore, the second ankle strap piece (113) as shown in FIG. 3 is still folded approximately in half. In one example, the length of the inner fold may be slightly longer than the outer fold, due to an extra space required for placing the second swivel pin (111) in the second ankle strap piece (113). The second ankle strap piece (113) can be swiveled backward to the heel area of the foot cushion (101), and then extended out from the folded position, so that the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) can be interlocked, bound, combined, and/or attached together to form a combined ankle strap for the ankle-strapped sandal mode after a variety of transformational steps, including the second step (300) as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the belt loop (119) attached to the tip of the first ankle strap piece (107) serves as an interlocking element that can bound the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) together in forming the ankle-strapped sandal mode. Alternatively, another interlocking element, such as a button, a pin, a clip, or a pair of attachment strips, may be used instead of the belt loop (119).

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during a third step (400) in transformation from an ankle-strapless slipper mode to an ankle-strapped sandal mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 4, the third step (400) in transformation from the ankle-strapless slipper mode to the ankle-strapped sandal mode shows that the second ankle strap piece (113) is now fully extended from the folded position, and exposes a first attachment strip (123) of the second ankle strap piece (113), and a second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113).

In one embodiment of the invention, the first attachment strip (123) of the second ankle strap piece (113) is a attachment strip of opposite gender from the second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113), so that these two attachment strips (123, 125) can be securely and removably attached together after interlocking with the first ankle strap piece (107) through the belt loop (119) or another interlocking element. Furthermore, these two attachment strips (123, 125) can also be securely and removably attached together for folding approximately in half before the folded second strap piece (113) swivels forward to the top of the second side (109) of the main strap, as previously shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first swivel pin (105) and the second swivel pin (111) serve as pivoting points for swiveling movements by the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) for transformation between the ankle-strapless slipper mode and the ankle-strapped sandal mode. Furthermore, a first ankle strap piece attachment strip (121) is exposed in FIG. 4. This first ankle strap piece attachment strip (121) is either a male attachment strip or a female attachment strip, which is opposite to the gender of the first main strap attachment strip (117) for proper attachment, if the first ankle strap piece (107) were to be placed on top of the first side (103) of the main strap in the ankle-strapless slipper mode. In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips, such as buttons, pins, clips, and etc., may be utilized to attach the first and the second ankle strap pieces (107, 113) to the first side (103) and the second side (109) of the main strap, respectively.

Furthermore, the second ankle strap piece (113) as shown in FIG. 4 is now fully unfolded. The first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) can be interlocked, bound, combined, and/or attached together to form a combined ankle strap for the ankle-strapped sandal mode after a variety of transformational steps, including the third step (400) as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the belt loop (119) attached to the tip of the first ankle strap piece (107) serves as an interlocking element that can bound the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) together in forming the ankle-strapped sandal mode. The second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113) can be inserted into and looped around the belt loop (119) before the second ankle strap piece (113) is folded in half to enable a secure attachment of the first attachment strip (123) of the second ankle strap piece and the second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113) for secure interlocking. Alternatively, another interlocking element, such as a button, a pin, a clip, or a pair of attachment strips, may be used instead of the belt loop (119).

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear during a fourth step (500) in transformation from an ankle-strapless slipper mode to an ankle-strapped sandal mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 5, the fourth step (500) in transformation from the ankle-strapless slipper mode to the ankle-strapped sandal mode shows that the second ankle strap piece (113) is now inserted into the belt loop (119), with a folding point situated between the first attachment strip (123) and the second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113).

In one embodiment of the invention, the first attachment strip (123) of the second ankle strap piece (113) is a attachment strip of opposite gender from the second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113), so that these two attachment strips (123, 125) can be securely and removably attached together after interlocking with the first ankle strap piece (107) through the belt loop (119) or another interlocking element, as shown in the fourth step (500) in transformation from the ankle-strapless slipper mode to the ankle-strapped sandal mode. In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips, such as buttons, pins, clips, and etc., may be utilized to attach or interlock the first ankle strap piece (107) with the second ankle strap piece (113) to form the ankle-strapped sandal mode.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) can be interlocked, bound, combined, and/or attached together to form a combined ankle strap for the ankle-strapped sandal mode after a variety of transformational steps, including the fourth step as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the belt loop (119) attached to the tip of the first ankle strap piece (107) serves as an interlocking element that can bound the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) together in forming the ankle-strapped sandal mode. As shown in the fourth step (500) of transformation from the ankle-strapless slipper mode to the ankle-strapped sandal mode, the second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113) can be inserted into and looped around the belt loop (119) before the second ankle strap piece (113) is folded in half to enable a secure attachment of the first attachment strip (123) of the second ankle strap piece and the second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113) for secure interlocking. Alternatively, another interlocking element, such as a button, a pin, a clip, or a pair of attachment strips, may be used instead of the belt loop (119).

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear in an ankle-strapped sandal mode (600), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear in the ankle-strapped scandal mode (600) shows that the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) are now fully interlocked using the belt loop (119) and a folded contact between the first attachment strip (e.g. 123 of FIG. 5) and the second attachment strip (e.g. 125 of FIG. 5) of the second ankle strap piece (113).

Preferably, the belt loop (119) attached to the tip of the first ankle strap piece (107) serves as an interlocking element that can bound the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) together in forming the ankle-strapped sandal mode. The second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113) can be inserted into and looped around the belt loop (119) before the second ankle strap piece (113) is folded in half to enable a secure attachment of the first attachment strip (123) of the second ankle strap piece and the second attachment strip (125) of the second ankle strap piece (113) for secure interlocking. Alternatively, another interlocking element, such as a button, a pin, a clip, or a pair of attachment strips, may be used instead of the belt loop (119).

As shown in FIG. 6, the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) can be interlocked, bound, combined, and/or attached together to form a combined ankle strap for the ankle-strapped sandal mode (600) after a variety of transformational steps, as previously described in association with FIGS. 2˜5. A key advantage of various embodiments of the present invention is the use of swiveling pins (105, 111) that enable the first ankle strap piece (107) and the second ankle strap piece (113) to be separately swiveled forward or backward to perform transformation between the ankle-strapless slipper mode (100) of FIG. 1 to the ankle-strapped sandal mode (600) of FIG. 6. Furthermore, unlike conventional footwear designs, various embodiments of the present invention do not require any physical part removal or separated storage during attachment or detachment of various parts of the footwear.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear utilizes an open-toe main strap with one or more branches, as shown in FIG. 6. In another embodiment of the invention, a closed-toe main strap with one or more branches may be utilized for the ankle strap transformation footwear, if a closed-toe shoe structure is preferred for a particular application. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear utilizes a main cover instead of a main strap, if the main cover design is preferred for a particular application. For example, the ankle strap transformation footwear in an alternate embodiment of the invention may utilize a thick main cover instead of the main strap.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an ankle strap transformation footwear in an alternate embodiment (700) of the invention. This alternate embodiment (700) comprises a foot cushion (701) supporting a bottom of a user's foot, a main strap (711) attached to the foot cushion (701), a first ankle strap piece (703), a first swivel pin (709), a second ankle strap piece (705), and a second swivel pin (707). Preferably, the foot cushion (701) is made of rubber, polyurethane, plastic, or a combination thereof. In an ankle-strapless slipper mode, this alternate embodiment (700) of the invention also keeps both the first ankle strap piece (703) and the second ankle strap piece (705) swiveled forward to attach each ankle strap piece on top of each side of the main strap (711). in this embodiment of the invention, the main strap (711) has a flip-flop design, which separates the user's big toe from other toes when the footwear is worn. In another embodiment of the invention, a main cover may be used instead of the main strap (711), wherein the main cover does not separate the user's big toe from other toes when the footwear is worn.

Furthermore, in this alternate embodiment (700) of the invention, the first ankle strap piece (703) is pinned to a first side of the main strap by the first swivel pin (709). The first ankle strap piece (703) forms the ankle-strapless slipper mode when the first ankle strap piece (703) is swiveled forward to be attached to top of the first side of the main strap (711). The first ankle strap piece (703) can also be swiveled backward to a heel area of the foot cushion (701), so that the first ankle strap piece (703) and the second ankle strap piece (705) can be interlocked, bound, and/or attached together to form an ankle-strapped sandal mode by merely using attachment strips, instead of a belt loop and secure interlocking of the straps as previously disclosed in other embodiments of the invention.

In this alternate embodiment (700), a plurality of attachment strips can be utilized to removably attach the first ankle strap piece (703) to the top of the first side of the main strap (711) in the ankle-strapless slipper mode. In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips may be utilized to attach the first ankle strap piece (703) to the top of the first side of the main strap (711).

Continuing with FIG. 7, the second ankle strap piece (705) is pinned to a second side of the main strap by the second swivel pin (707). In this alternate embodiment (700), the second ankle strap piece (705) does not need to be folded in half when swiveled forward to be attached to the top of the second side of the main strap (711), in order to form the ankle-strapless slipper mode along with the swiveling-forwarding of the first ankle strap piece (703). Furthermore, the second ankle strap piece (705) can also be swiveled backward to a heel area of the foot cushion (701), so that the first ankle strap piece (703) and the second ankle strap piece (705) can be interlocked, bound, and/or attached together to form an ankle-strapped sandal mode by merely using attachment strips, instead of a belt loop and secure interlocking of the straps as previously disclosed in other embodiments of the invention.

Preferably, a plurality of attachment strips can be utilized to removably attach the second ankle strap piece (705) to the top of the second side of the main strap (711). In another embodiment of the invention, another attachment element other than attachment strips, such as buttons, pins, clips, and etc., may be utilized to attach the second ankle strap piece (705) to the top of the second side of the main strap (711).

In one embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear in the alternate embodiment (700) utilizes an open-toe main strap (711) with one or more branches, as shown in FIG. 7. in another embodiment of the invention, a closed-toe main strap with one or more branches may be utilized for the ankle strap transformation footwear, if a closed-toe shoe structure is preferred for a particular application. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, the ankle strap transformation footwear utilizes a main cover instead of a main strap, if the main cover design is preferred for a particular application. For example, the ankle strap transformation footwear in an embodiment of the invention may utilize a thick main cover instead of the main strap.

Various embodiments of the present invention, as described above, provide several advantages over conventional sandals and slippers. For example, an embodiment of the present invention provides a novel footwear with two unique transformational modes of operation, an ankle-strapped sandal mode and an ankle-strapless slipper mode. Instead of purchasing or carrying a sandal and a slipper separately, a user can utilize a single pair of the novel footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and can choose to wear the novel footwear in the ankle-strapped sandal mode or the ankle-strapless slipper mode.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention provides a novel footwear that does not require physical removal of any shoe parts during transformation between the ankle-strapped sandal mode and the ankle-strapless slipper mode, thereby preventing part losses and reducing user inconvenience related to storing shoe parts separately after a mode conversion.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a novel footwear that utilizes one or more swiveling pins on a body of the novel footwear to accommodate seamless and convenient transformation between the ankle-strapped sandal mode and the ankle-strapless slipper mode.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

1. An ankle strap transformation footwear comprising:

a foot cushion supporting a bottom of a user's foot;

a main strap attached to the foot cushion;

a first ankle strap piece pinned to a first side of the main strap by a first swivel pin, wherein the first ankle strap piece forms an ankle-strapless slipper mode when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the first side of the main strap, and wherein the first ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to a heel area of the foot cushion; and

a second ankle strap piece pinned to a second side of the main strap by a second swivel pin, wherein the second ankle strap piece is folded approximately in half when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the second side of the main strap to form the ankle-strapless slipper mode, and wherein the second ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to the heel area of the foot cushion to be interlocked with the first ankle strap piece to form an ankle-strapped sandal mode.

2. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 1, further comprising a belt loop attached to a tip of the first ankle strap piece, wherein the second ankle strap interlocks with the first ankle strap through the belt loop in forming the ankle-strapped sandal mode.

3. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 1, further comprising a first main strap attachment strip on top of the first side of the main strap, and a second main strap attachment strip on top of the second side of the main strap.

4. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 3, further comprising a first ankle strap piece attachment strip on the first ankle strap piece, wherein the first main strap attachment strip on top of the first side of the main strap gets bonded with the first ankle strap piece attachment strip in the ankle-strapless slipper mode.

5. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 3, further comprising a first attachment strip of the second ankle strap piece and a second attachment strip of the second ankle strap piece for folding the second ankle strap piece approximately in half before swiveling forward and attaching a third attachment strip of the second ankle strap piece to the second main strap attachment strip on top of the second side of the main strap to form the ankle-strapless slipper mode,

6. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 1, wherein the main strap forms an open-toe flip flop shoe structure.

7. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 1, wherein the main strap is part of a closed-toe shoe structure.

8. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 1, wherein the foot cushion is made of rubber, polyurethane, plastic, or a combination thereof.

9. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 1, wherein the first swivel pin and the second swivel pin are either permanent or temporary elements of attachments that enable the first ankle strap piece and the second ankle strap piece to swivel forward or backward.

10. An ankle strap transformation footwear comprising:

a foot cushion supporting a bottom of a user's foot;

a main cover attached to the foot cushion;

a first ankle strap piece pinned to a first side of the main cover by a first swivel pin, wherein the first ankle strap piece forms an ankle-strapless slipper mode when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the first side of the main cover, and wherein the first ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to a heel area of the foot cushion; and

a second ankle strap piece pinned to a second side of the main cover by a second swivel pin, wherein the second ankle strap piece forms the ankle-strapless slipper mode when swiveled forward to be attached to top of the second side of the main cover, and wherein the second ankle strap piece is also able to swivel backward to the heel area of the foot cushion to be attached with the first ankle strap piece to form an ankle-strapped sandal mode.

11. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 10, further comprising a first main cover attachment strip on top of the first side of the main cover, and a second main cover attachment strip on top of the second side of the main cover.

12. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 11, further comprising a first ankle strap piece attachment strip on the first ankle strap piece, wherein the first main cover attachment strip on top of the first side of the main cover gets bonded with the first ankle strap piece attachment strip in the ankle-strapless slipper mode.

13. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 11, further comprising a first attachment strip of the second ankle strap piece that attaches to the second main cover attachment strip on top of the second side of the main cover to form the ankle-strapless slipper mode when the second ankle strap piece is swiveled forward.

14. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 10, wherein the main cover an open-toe flip flop shoe structure.

15. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 10, wherein the main cover is part of a closed-toe shoe structure.

16. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 10, wherein the foot cushion is made of rubber, polyurethane, plastic, or a combination thereof.

17. The ankle strap transformation footwear of claim 10, wherein the first swivel pin and the second swivel pin are either permanent or temporary elements of attachments that enable the first ankle strap piece and the second ankle strap piece to swivel forward or backward.