Sandal, thong or the like with reversible tongue, vamp, or strap
Footwear, in the category of a sandal, and which may include a thong, slide-on, clog, or related structured sandal, wherein one side or the other of a tongue, upper vamp, or sandal strap may be adhered to an upper part of the sandal sole, or its vamp or cross strap, so that one side of the sandal strap structure may be displayed during its wearing, and can be turned to expose its opposite surface for varying the styling of the worn sandal. The tongue, upper vamp, or strap may be secured by a fastening device, such as a swivel, that allows for turning of these components to expose a selected surface in order to vary the aesthetics and appearance of the worn sandal.
This continuation patent application claims priority to application having Ser. No. 11/880,154, filed on Jul. 20, 2007, which claims priority to the continuation application having Ser. No. 11/142,610, which was filed on Jun. 1, 2005, which claims priority to the continuation-in-part application having Ser. No. 10/771,196, which was filed on Feb. 3, 2004, which claims priority as a continuation-in-part of the divisional patent application having Ser. No. 10/437,140, which was filed on May 13, 2003; and is a continuation-in-part of application having Ser. No. 222,313, filed on Aug. 15, 2002 and also is a continuation-in-part of the regular letters patent application having Ser. No. 10/122,995 filed on Apr. 11, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,887, which application is derived from a provisional application having Ser. No. 60/285,693, filed Apr. 24, 2001; all owned by a common Assignee.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically pertains to footwear in the category of a sandal, thong, slip-on, clog, or the like, or even a beach shoe, wherein the tongue, gusset, upper part of the vamp, or strap, may be reversed, in order to change the aesthetics, coloration, indicia, or other appearance of the overall footwear, when worn.
Obviously, numerous styles of footwear, constructed of various components, for achieving a multitude of purposes, have long been considered in the prior art. Most of these types of innovations have been in the area of running or athletic shoes, which have been substantially in vogue for the past three decades, and wherein various styles or modifications to the shoes, as in their sole configuration, to make them more resilient, or add efficiency to the runner, have been considered in the prior art. In addition, various accessories have been added to footwear, such as adding pockets to the side or quarter portions of the shoe, putting a pocket within the tongue or gusset for the shoe, and these have all been considered in the prior art. For example, see the patent to Adamik, U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,060, relating to this type of technology, and their modifications.
This has even considered reversing various components to footwear, in order to add to their aesthetics, and change their style and appearance, as when worn. For example, the United States patent to Benjamin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,049,347, shows a shoe wherein a strap, held by one or more of D-Rings, can be turned to reverse the positioning of the strap within the shoe structure, as can be noted therein. In addition, the patent to Tonkel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,321, shows the use of a separable tongue held by Velcro to its vamp, but which must be removed to provide for its turning and vary the appearance of the shown shoe.
The current invention seeks further modifications to the structure of the identified type of footwear, in order to add further variations in the usage of the shoe, enhance its styling, and further enhance the attractiveness of the sandal, by providing alternative uses and applications to various of its components, when structured into the footwear itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to the formation of footwear in general, but more specifically, pertains to the fabrication of what will be generically described as a sandal type of shoe, which may include a sandal, a thong, a slip-on, a clog, and related types of footwear, but having the concept of this invention embodied within its structure, as will be readily determined upon reviewing this invention. In this particular development, a select segment of these types of sandals will be reversible, in its structure, as embodied within the manufactured sandal, so as to provide for a change in the coloration, indicia, design, or to vary other appearance aspects of the sandal, when the structure of this invention is assembled. In the preferred embodiment, there will be a sandal strap, an upper part of a vamp for a sandal, or the upper strap portion of a thong, that will be reversible, in its manipulation, where these types of components can be turned to expose one surface, which may have a stylized and attractive surface provided thereon, or it may be reversed, to furnish an entirely different appearance to the sandal, when worn. This can be done without removal of the reversible structure of the shoe.
This invention primarily relates to the modification to structure in a sandal type of footwear, in general, as fabricated and worn.
Means are provided for accommodating the reversing of these types of components in a sandal, and to hold it to the sole of the shoe, or the front vamp portion, but which components, such as part of a tongue, strap, upper vamp, or the like, can be readily turned, simply upon opening of its fastening feature, which normally holds the components in position, and which incorporate a swivel, that allows for the component to be turned, to achieve these results, as previously reviewed.
The concept of this invention is to provide a link between the shoe component, of that type as previously explained, as being reversible in this concept, such as the upper vamp, strap, tongue, or the like, that lets the wearer reverse these components, as desired, for revealing other coloration, indicia, or design as sought by the wearer. It provides versatility to the usage of the sandal. Such a linkage could be or comprise a short length of cord, it may be an elastic or twistable cord, a resilient cord, or perhaps could comprise a swivel clasp, or any other type or form of clasp, having some degree of flexibility, and which may be twisted or turned, as required. In addition, it may include a clasp, formed of a two-part swivel, that may be interconnected between the lower vamp, and the upper vamp, or it may connect between the sandal strap, and any upper covering portion, such as the upper vamp, or it may comprise a swivel mechanism that connects with the thong stem, the component that normally fits between at least a pair of toes of the wearer, so as to allow for reversing or swiveling of the upper vamp or strap, as may be desired. Furthermore, the swivel may be separable, through the exertion of some amount of force, so that the upper vamp or strap may be removed, and another one relocated, to add further dexterity and versatility to the usage of this invention. In order to prevent the unauthorized removal, or the displacement of the turnable components, for such sandals, as for example, when displayed for sale, the pulling force required to separate the clasp, that forms the swivel, may be excessive, up to seventy to eighty pounds (70 to 80 lbs.) or more of force, or it may only require a slight amount of force, to separate the clasp, at the desire of the manufacturer, the retailer, or even the user, once the shoes are placed in usage. It is also likely that the strap or vamp may be of a compound structure, and have swivel means between each of their sections, which will allow for turning, of just segments, of the gusset or vamp, along its length or height.
It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide a reversible upper vamp, strap, or the like, for sandals, thongs, clogs, beach shoes, and slip-ons.
Another object of this invention is to provide a reversible component for a sandal, that may have difference styles of appearance upon either of its surfaces, so that the upper vamp, strap, or the like, can be reversed, and completely change in appearance and attractiveness for the sandal, at the interest of the footwear user. For example, the consumer can coordinate with team colors, fashion trends, and the like.
Still another object of this invention is to provide footwear, in the category of sandals that incorporates reversible components, of this invention, which adds to the versatility of the appearance and usage of the subject footwear.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel swivel that can be used for applying the reversible tongue, gusset, upper vamp, or strap, at the upper central portion of the sandal, to stably hold these components in position and in place, while the shoe is worn, but when opened, can be turned, so as to display different aesthetics.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a usage of a swivel means, in conjunction with the stem of a thong, or with the bottom cap that holds the thong stem in permanent position, so as to allow the turning and reversing of components that secure with the swivel, as integrated into the structure of such a style of footwear.
These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of this invention, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings.
In referring to the drawings,
In referring to the drawings, and in particular
In any event, sandal 1 as shown therein comprises a sole portion 2, a sole strap or lower vamp portion 3, and an upper vamp or tongue portion 4 as can be noted. The tongue portion 4 is attached to the strap portion by a retaining means 5, of the type as forming a swivel, or other linking means, as will be subsequently described. The tongue portion 4 is further removably attached to the midsole portion of the shoe sole, by means of a snap 6, as can be noted. One of these will be provided to either side of the shown sandal. However, the present invention is not limited to the usage of a snap, since other types of known attachments devices such as Velcro, or the like, as embodied in a hook and pile type of attachment, can be used for holding the tongue in place, to either side of the shown sandal. The reason for this is that when the fastener is released, on both sides, the tongue or upper vamp 4 may be reversed, through the operations of the swivel or linking means 5, to allow for turning of it to display different coloration or design, for the shown sandal, as desired.
The sandal of
The sandal of
Obviously, the style of sandal as shown herein could just as easily be modified, and constructed, for use for domestic services, such as for use as a slipper, or the like, for application around the household. Or, it may be made more into the style of a thong, as previously explained, to be used for casual purposes, or for wearing at the beach, as can also be understood.
In
In
In the preferred embodiment, as can be seen in
In addition, the diameter of the bore 47 may be selected such that the ball 45 may be forcibly removed from its socket 47 by resiliently deflecting the top part, as noted at 43′, with respect to its socket as can be noted. Furthermore, this allows sufficient deflection to provide clearance between the upper vamp or tongue, or strap, as the foot is being inserted into the sandal, or to aid in this removal, as noted. Alternatively, it can be provided that the ball 45 is not removable from the bore 47. In this instance, it can be seen that the socket 47 may be formed of the two halves 45 and 46, as previously explained. These two parts may be adhesively or otherwise secured together, to form the permanent socket 47, as noted. Thus, to provide for a permanent mount of the ball 45 within the socket bore 47, the ball 45 must be placed within the socket before the top and bottom parts 45 and 46 are attached to one another. Or, as previously explained, there may be some slight resiliency in the upper part 43, to allow the ball 45 to be forcibly removed from the socket when it is desired to separate the tongue, upper vamp, or strap, from the shown shoe, as noted. In either instance, it is preferred that the ball 45 and hence the tongue or strap, have sufficient clearance to allow for the tongue to be rotatable by means of its ball 45 within the socket bore 47, in order to expose a second side of the tongue or strap, as can understood. In this manner, the tongue of the shoe may have first and second sides, as may be configured into the structure of any strap that a swivel applies to the lower vamp or sole strap, of differing color, material, designs, and/or displaying indicia, and may be alternatively displayed by the user by mere rotation of the tongue or strap, to achieve the spirit of this invention.
It is further just as likely that the ball and socket connection could be replaced with a bayonet style of locking device, for example, with a bayonet style of swivel locking device, the tongue may be pivoted in one direction, to expose its upper surface from the shoe sole, or it may be pivoted in a 180° (180 degrees) direction, to expose the bottom portion of the shoe tongue or strap. But, at the midpoint or 90° (90 degrees) turn, the stem extending off the ball portion may obtain clearance from the socket for removal of the top part of the bayonet lock, and the tongue, from the vamp or socket. Or, one of that bead style of ball and socket connectors, such as currently available for use in the construction of a necklace, bracelet, or the like, could be adapted for use for swively connecting the tongue or gusset to the vamp portion of the footwear.
The concept of this invention may be generally paraphrased by reviewing
A similar type of structure is shown in
A further method of connecting the swivel to the upper part of the sole as shown at 71, in
Other variations upon the structure of this type of sandal or thong can be seen in
In addition,
Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the disclosure as provided herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of this development, are intended to be encompassed with in scope of any claims to invention provided within this patent. The description of the preferred embodiment, as also depicted in the drawings, is set forth herein for illustrative purposes only.
Claims
1. A sandal comprising a sole, a sole strap, said sole strap being affixed rigidly to the sole, and a fastening strap portion wherein the fastening strap portion is attached to the sole strap by a swivel means, which allows the fastening strap portion to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said swivel means without separating the fastening strap portion from said swivel means and with respect to the sole strap to display alternative sides of the sandal fastening strap portion, there being a pair of sole fasteners, one of each sole fastener being affixed to opposite sides of the sole, and the fastening strap portion at each side being removably attached to the sole fasteners during usage, but said fastening strap portion at each side being capable of loosening from the sole fasteners, to allow the fastening strap portion to be rotated, upon its swivel means, to display alternative of its sides.
2. The sandal of claim 10 wherein the swivel means allows for rotation of the strap fastener portion through a limited angle about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the swivel without separating the fastening strap portion from said swivel means.
3. A sandal comprising a sole, a sole vamp connecting with and extending upwardly around a forward portion of the sandal sole, a foot strap removably connecting proximate each lateral edge of the sandal sole and extending rearwardly thereof, a swivel interconnecting the foot strap with the approximate center of the sandal sole vamp, whereby upon loosening of the strap, the foot strap may be turned to expose its opposite surface to change the aesthetics of the formed sandal without said foot strap separating from said sole vamp, and then said foot strap reconnecting proximate each lateral edge of the said sandal sole.
4. A sandal comprising a sole having a front denoted by the location of the toes of a person wearing said sandal and back denoted by the location of the heel of a person wearing said sandal, a partial vamp, and at least one sandal strap for securing with the sandal sole, the strap at its back edge being connected by a swivel upon the approximate central back of the sole, the fastening of the front of the sandal straps with the lateral sole being removable to allow for pivoting of the sandal strap about the center of the sandal strap to expose its opposite surface and to change the aesthetics of the formed sandal, and said at least one sandal strap reconnecting with the sole after pivoting.
5. A sandal comprising a sole, a sole strap, said sole strap being affixed rigidly to the sole, and a fastening strap portion wherein the fastening strap portion is attached to the sole strap by a linking means, which allows the fastening strap portion to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said linking means without separating the fastening strap portion from said linking means and thereby allowing the sole strap to display alternative sides of the sandal fastening strap portion, there being a pair of sole fasteners, one of each sole fastener being affixed to opposite sides of the sole, and the fastening strap portion at each side being removably attached to the sole fasteners during usage, but said fastening strap portion at each side being capable of loosening from the sole fasteners, to allow the fastening strap portion to be rotated, upon its swivel means, to display alternative of its sides.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 4, 2010
Publication Date: May 6, 2010
Inventors: Lindell B. Jones (Chesterfield, MO), Raymond F. Tonkel (Sudbury, MA)
Application Number: 12/655,617
International Classification: A43B 3/24 (20060101); A43B 3/12 (20060101);