VERSATILE SANDAL HAVING ADJUSTABLE STRAPS

Abstract

A sandal having easily adjustable straps that allows a user to quickly modify the tightness of the sandal to adjust to the exact dimensions of the user's foot in order to secure the most comfortable grip for either casual or athletic activities. The sandal exhibits a lightweight, robust, high strength, flexible construction including an elongated sole for supporting a foot, where the sole has a toe end and a heel end, a center toe strap, an interior strap, and an exterior strap. The toe strap is anchored in the toe and includes a distal end fixedly connected to a pivot means, such as a buckle, for securing and redirecting the side straps. The interior and exterior straps are fixedly secured near the middle of the sole of the sandal and extend forwardly with a slip fit through the front pivot means, then rearwardly back upon themselves. The interior and exterior straps have a free end portion on which a fastener device, such as a hook and loop strip is mounted, which allows it to be adjustably fashioned back upon itself. The adjustment of both the interior and exterior end straps allows the user to adjust the tightness of the sandal to prevent slippage and to secure the sandal snugly to the users foot, thereby minimizing the typical “flip-flop” movement and sound associated with nonadjustable sandals.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to sandals, specifically to a sandal that is easily adjustable to support a custom range fits to the unique size and shape of a user's foot.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Many other sandal strap arrangements have been marketed and/or proposed over the centuries, but most have been designed to support alternatively, either a casual fit or a sport fit.

The casual fit sandal has been referred to by a number of names throughout the United States. Often this type of sandal is referred to as either a thong-type sandal or as a flip-flop. In its conventional form, the causal fit sandal is characterized by a sole, often made of a synthetic material, having an elongated shape to define a toe portion and a heal portion. Attached to the top portion is a wishbone shaped strap that extends into two side straps that are attached to the interior and exterior sides of the sole. The thong fits between the big toe and its adjacent toe, and the straps fit over the top and sides of the foot to hold the sandal to the user's foot.

Examples of casual use sandals are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,883,252, 6,883,252, 4,069,601, and 2,947,095. All of the sandals have a generally Y or wishbone shape, with the ends (the legs of the Y) being inserted through respective apertures in the insole. However, none of these sandals allow the wearer to adjust the fit of the sandal to the unique size and shape of the wear's foot. As such, these sandals are likely to be either too loose or too tight on the unique foot of the user, and as such, the “one size fits all” approach reduces the comfort of the sandal.

Furthermore, because these types of sandals do not properly fit the wearer's foot, there is an increased chance that the sandal will slip or roll during physical activity. This can lead to tripping, as well as injuries to the foot or ankle.

Another problem caused by an improperly fitting sandal is that as the wearer walks, the sandal does not maintain contact with the wearer's foot, causing the sandals to slap against the users foot, thereby creating the “flip-flop” sound from which its namesake is derived.

Examples of sport fit sandals are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 35,452, 5,205,054, 4,793,075, and 6,237,250. Each of the sports sandals allows the user to adjust the straps on the sandal to ensure a secure fit for more active activities. However, each of the designs also require additional heel and/or ankle straps to accomplish the goal of a secure fitting sandal.

Although these additional straps further secure the sandals placement on the foot of the wearer, they also significantly increase the amount of effort that the wearer must expend to both put on and take off the sandal. Each time the wearer wishes to put on the sandal, the wearer must go through a time consuming process to first loosen the straps to allow the foot into the strap harness and then the user must readjust all the straps to tighten the fit. To remove the sandal, the user must first loosen a number of straps to allow the foot to gain freedom.

These additional heel and/or ankle straps also cause discomfort from irritation and redness, to painful blisters where they touch the wearers skin, especially on the heel and ankle contact points.

3. Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are a sandal that maximizes the user's convenience, comfort, and safety.

An object of the invention is to provide a sandal with a system of adjustment that allows the wearer to customize the fit of the sandal to the exact dimensions of their foot.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sandal that once properly fitted to the user's foot will keep this fit correctly positioned when the user puts on or removes the sandal.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sandal, that has the tightness and security of a sport sandal, but that also allows the user to conveniently put on or remove the sandal, without the burden that is imposed by sandal designs that require the wearer to adjust and manipulate heel and/or ankle straps.

It is an additional object of this invention to allow the user to quickly and easily, with only two quick movements, adjust the sandal to create a custom fit that ensures the most comfortable fitting to the unique size and shape of a user's foot. Furthermore, the secure fitting also prevents the user from having to grip the sandal with their toes in order to keep the sole in the correct position when walking. The constant necessity of the wearer to grip a loose fitting sandal can exhaust the foot causing discomfort when the user wears the shoe for an extended period.

Additionally, by fitting the sandal securely to the user's foot, the sandal minimizes the “flip-flop” sound that is caused as poorly fitting sandals slap against the user's foot as they walk.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sandal, that a user may adjust to fine-tune the fit of the sandal, such that it can be loosened when less strenuous activity is required, or tightened when vigorous activity is required. The ability to securely tighten the sandal to the user's foot increases the safety and mobility of the wearer when he or she is engaged in more athletic activity.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sandal in accordance with the present invention comprising an elongated sole with a toe end and a heel end. A center toe strap is anchored in the toe end, which terminates in an attached pivot means. The sandal has side straps attached to the interior and exterior area of the sole. These straps pass forwardly through the pivot means, and then are folded rearwardly over on themselves. The user can then pull on the folded over ends of the strap to tighten the fit of the shoe to the unique size and shape of his foot. Once adjusted to a proper length, the straps are then held in place by a fastening device such as a hook and loop fastener or a buckle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a sandal having an adjustable strap system, showing a sole, the interior and exterior straps, a center toe strap, and a means for adjusting the straps.

FIG. 2 is side elavational view of a sandal having an adjustable strap system, showing a sole, the interior and exterior straps, a center toe strap, and a means for adjusting the straps. The sandal is depicted as it would appear when it is secured to the wearer's foot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The novel sandal of this invention can be better understood by reference to FIG. 1. It includes a sole 1 which is configured to the profile of a human foot. The sole can consist of a multitude of layers, including an insole 2, an outsole 3, and any number of mid soles [not shown here]. These soles are cemented together after the straps and anchor members are secured to the undersurface of the insole 4. The sole 1 is typical of those found in sandals with the base having various tread patterns [not shown] suitable for the application for which the sandal is designed. Regardless of the soles design, all of the novel sandals of this invention have an adjustable strap system 5 to comfortably retain it in on a wearer's foot. This system is typically made of soft, nonstretchable nylon webbing and is specially constructed so that articulation of the foot will not allow the system to loosen during rigorous sport activities.

More particularly, the novel adjustable strap system 5 is composed of two units, which are the toe unit 6, and the strap unit 7, which is composed of the interior strap 8 and the exterior strap 9. The interior and exterior straps are fixedly secured near the middle of the sole of the sandal and extend forwardly towards the toe strap unit. Furthermore, the interior and exterior strap can consist of single strap that is threaded through an opening 4.

The toe unit 6 includes a toe strap 10 which is connected adjacent to the inside edge of the sole near the toe end 11 of the sandal. It emerges from the sole in a position so the toe strap will fit between the 1^st metatarsal and its connected plalange [big toe bone] and the second metatarsal. The distal end of the toe strap extends about an inch above the top of the sole and terminates in an attached pivot means 12.

The attached pivot means 12 could be any type of shape that will allow the interior and exterior straps to be threaded through the shape, and then rearwardly pivoted towards the heel portion of the sole 13 when the straps are cinched on the wearer's foot. More particularly, the shape of the pivot means could be circular or triangular. The attached pivot means could also have threaded slots 14 as guides for the straps.

The toe unit and the strap unit are connected by threading the distal end 15 of the interior strap 8 and the distal end 15 of the exterior strap 9 through the pivot means 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Both straps are them looped back against themselves.

An adjustable fastener device 16 then joins the opposing portions of each strap together to adjust each straps length. The adjustable fastening device 16 can consist of hook and loop fasteners that are between the surfaces of the opposing portions of the straps. The distal end of each strap 15 can have an elongated hook patch 17 sewn to it and then there is a corresponding loop patch sewn to the central portion of the strap 18. It can be appreciated that by pulling on the distal end of the strap it can be cinched angularly across the top of the wearer's foot and then held in place when the two patches are brought in contact. Furthermore, the fastener device can consist of a buckle on the lower portion of each strap. [Not shown] Once the distal end of each strap is threaded through the pivot means, and folded over, it can then be threaded though the buckle to both adjust the length of the strap as well as maintain its adjusted length.

As a result the wearer is assured the sandal will stay in place, whether walking or engaged in more athletic activity.

Claims

1. A sandal having adjustable straps for securing said sandal to the foot of a wearer thereof comprising:

an insole;

an outsole;

said insole and said outsole are joined together to form a unitary elongated sole for supporting a foot, said sole having a toe end and a heel end, and an interior and exterior side;

a center toe strap, said toe strap is anchored in the toe end of said sandal, said center toe strap having a distal end which terminates in an attached pivot means;

an interior strap, said interior strap is secured to the interior area of said sole, said interior strap passes forwardly through said pivot means, and then said interior strap is folded rearwardly over on itself to bring first and second portions thereof into opposing relationship;

a first adjustable fastener device, said first adjustable fastener device joins the opposing portions of said interior strap together to adjust the length of said interior strap;

an exterior strap, said exterior strap is secured to the exterior area of the sole, said exterior strap passes forwardly through said pivot means, and then said exterior strap is folded rearwardly over on itself to bring first and second portions thereof into opposing relationship;

a second adjustable fastener device, said second adjustable fastener device joins the opposing portions of said exterior strap together to adjust the length of said exterior strap;

whereby adjustment of the length of the interior and exterior straps allows the user to vary the fit of the sandal to a particular foot on said elongated sole.

2. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said pivot means is formed with a ring.

3. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said pivot means includes a plurality of slots for enabling the side straps to fold back upon themselves;

4. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said first and second adjustable fastener devices are formed with hook and loop patches on said straps

5. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said first and second adjustable fastener devices are formed with a buckle on said straps

6. A sandal having adjustable straps for securing said sandal to the foot of a wearer thereof comprising:

an elongated sole for supporting a foot, said sole having a toe end and a heel end, and an interior and exterior side;

a ring, said ring contains a plurality of slots;

a center toe strap, said toe strap is anchored in the toe end of said sandal, said center toe strap having a distal end which terminates in said ring;

an interior strap, said interior strap is secured to the interior area of said sole, said interior strap passes forwardly through the slots of said ring, and then said interior strap is folded rearwardly over on itself to bring first and second portions thereof into opposing relationship;

a first pair of hook and loop fasteners, said first pair of hook and loop fasteners join the opposing portions of said interior strap together to adjust the length of said interior strap;

an exterior strap, said exterior strap is secured to the exterior area of the sole, said exterior strap passes forwardly through the slots of said ring, and then said exterior strap is folded rearwardly over on itself to bring first and second portions thereof into opposing relationship;

a second pair of hook and loop fasteners which joins the opposing portions of said exterior strap together to adjust the length of said exterior strap;

whereby adjustment of the length of the interior and exterior straps allows the user to vary the fit of the sandal to a particular foot on said elongated sole.

7. The sole sandal of claim 6 wherein said elongated sole is composed of an insole and an outsole, whereby said insole and said outsole are joined together to form a unitary elongated sole for supporting a foot, said unitary sole having a toe end and a heel end, and an interior and exterior side;