Sandal/footwear carrying device

Abstract

One embodiment of a small, versatile sandal/footwear carrying device comprising a resistance type clip 30, 32, and 36 to attach to ones clothing, two pieces of ribbon 20 and 20a of predetermined length for means of holding sandals/footwear, three rings 18, 18a, and 18b for means of attaching said ribbon 20 and 20a together, a clasp 24 for means of securing said sandals/footwear, and a hook 26 for an alternative means of attaching said sandal/footwear carrying device to ones purse or backpack.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No.61/211,207, filed 2009 Mar. 28 by the present inventor(s).

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND-FIELD

This relates to devices that carry sandals/footwear, specifically to devices that would allow users to carry their sandals/footwear on their person, backpack, or purse.

BACKGROUND-PRIOR ART

When walking on the beach, boating, or doing other shoreline activities, many times people want to take their sandals off having to carry them in their hands, which can be cumbersome. The footwear carrying devices currently available are large, complex, awkward and do not offer much, if any, versatility. Most of the devices do not have any means of securing them to the user, which restricts the users activities and limits the users freedom of movement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,842 to Taras (1997), U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,261 to Moore (1997), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,337 to McPherson et al. (1996) are all similar strap-like devices designed for carrying skates, shoes, and the like. All three devices have separate components for attaching skates, shoes, and the like with a strap that can be worn around the waist, but more specifically, to be slung over ones shoulder. None of these devices have any type of restraint on them to keep them from falling off, limiting ones activities while in use. They are large, complex and bulky.

While much simpler in design, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,470 to Cousins (1984), shows a convertible strap system for carrying skates and the like. The device consists of a single strap with clamps at either end to secure skates, etc. and is slung freely over ones shoulder with no restraints, again limiting the users movements and activities.

Schleifer, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,849 (2002) shows a carrying device which consists of an elongated strap with clamps at both ends and a method of securement that comprises two additional straps attached to the elongated strap in the area directly above the clamps to fasten the two ends together. This device is intended to be worn on the users back and though it is secured to the user, allowing freedom of movement, it is large, cumbersome to wear, and does not offer any versatility.

Both U.S. Pat. No. D554,377 S to Therrio et al. (2007) and U.S. Pat. No. D574,160 S to Therrio et al. (2008) show a holder for sandals. These ornamental design holders are used specifically for holding sandals for display purposes and in no way a means to carry or tote sandals/footwear.

In conclusion, insofar as we are aware, there is no sandal/footwear carrying device that is user friendly, in that it is simple, easy to use, versatile, and allows the user complete freedom of movement.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a sandal/footwear carrier comprises a clip; ribbon, webbing, or cord; a means of securement for the ribbon; three rings, and a clasp and/or hook.

Accordingly, several advantages are to provide a smaller, more user-friendly, and versatile means of carrying sandals/footwear that will give the user complete freedom of movement, allowing them to enjoy their shoreline activities. Further advantages will become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a whistle clip with a faceplate.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a whistle clip with the faceplate.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the whistle clip with the faceplate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the entire embodiment of the sandal/footwear device.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show various views of the whistle clip without the faceplate.

FIGS. 6E to 6H show various views of a clip without the whistle.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of a whistle 14, a clip 12, wherein together they form the whole of whistle clip 30 with a faceplate 10. The whistle clip 30 and faceplate 10 wherein together create the whole whistle clip with faceplate 32, which is approximately 6.4 cm by 3.8 cm. The whistle 14, is approximately 5 cm long, the clip 12, is approximately 3.8 cm in length, connected to the back of it, a hole 16 positioned at the bottom of the whistle 14 and the faceplate 10 attached to the front. The faceplate 10 will be in the shape of a flip flop, but is not limited to such a design. The whistle clip 30 and the faceplate 10 will be made of any hard material which can be molded or shaped, including but not limited to, plastic or metal.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the whistle clip with the faceplate 32 which gives the reader a clear view of each of the components described above.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the whistle clip with the faceplate 32.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view constructed in accordance with one embodiment comprising a ring 18, approximately 26 mm in diameter that may be a circular ring or other shape, i.e. heart shaped and constructed of metal or plastic, but not limited to said materials, which will be inserted into hole 16 on the whistle clip with faceplate 32. Ribbon 20, approximately 2 cm wide by approximately 12.7 cm long, will be folded over on both ends about 1.3 cm each time and secured by rivets, snaps, or sewn 28 on each end, leaving a finished length of about 6.4 cm. One end of the ribbon 20, along with a hook 26 about 3.8 cm long, will be threaded onto first said ring 18 and the other end of said ribbon 20 threaded onto a second ring 18a. Ribbon 20a, with an approximate length of 23 cm, will be folded over twice on both ends, about 13 mm each time and secured by rivets 28 on each end, leaving a finished length of about 18 cm. One end of ribbon 20a will be threaded onto second said ring 18a and the other end threaded onto a third ring 18b. A clasp 24 approximately 5 cm by 2.5 cm will be placed on third said ring 18b.

Operation FIGS. 1 to 4

To operate the sandal/footwear carrying device, one would first slide the clasp 24 and ribbon 20a through both straps of ones footwear bringing the clasp 24 up to ring 18a and fasten said clasp 24 to said ring 18a as shown in FIG. 7. The user would then place the whistle clip with faceplate 32 on their shorts, swimwear, or other attire; or use hook 26 and snap it on their backpack or purse.

Description FIGS. 5A to 6H

FIGS. 5A TO 5D are various views, front, side, back, and perspective, of a whistle clip 30 without the faceplate. This embodiment will be assembled and operated in exactly the same manner as the embodiment in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6E to 6H are different views, front, side, perspective, and back, of a clip with faceplate 36 which is comprised of a clip 12, faceplate 10, and a channel 34 through which hardware can be attached. It is constructed of either plastic or metal, but not limited to said materials. This embodiment will be assembled and operated in exactly the same manner as the embodiment in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Thus one can see that at least one embodiment of the sandal/footwear carrying device provides a small, easy to use and versatile way of allowing the user to freely enjoy any shoreline activities.

While the above description contains several specifities, they should not be construed as restrictions, but as a representation of several preferred embodiments. Many other variations are possible. For example, instead of a single piece of said ribbon, webbing, or cord 20a attached to ring 18a there could be two pieces of cord 20a with clasps 24 or hooks 26 connected to each end and you would still get the same result. Another variation would be to remove clip 30, clip 32, or clip 36 completely and have just hook 26 as a way of attachment to a purse or backpack only. Yet another variation would be that there would be no faceplate on clip 36.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Faceplate

12 Clip

14 Whistle

16 Hole

18 Ring

18a Ring

18b Ring

20 Ribbon, Webbing, or Cord

20a Ribbon, Webbing, or Cord

24 Clasp

26 Hook

28 Snap, Rivet, or Stitch line

30 Collective of clip and whistle

32 Collective of clip, whistle, and faceplate

34 Channel

36 Collective of clip and faceplate

Claims

1. A sandal/footwear carrying device comprising: whereby, the user will have a simpler, more versatile means of carrying their sandals/footwear hands-free, allowing them to enjoy their shoreline activities unencumbered.

a. a one piece resistance type clip approximately 6.4 cm long by 3.8 cm wide, made of rigid material with a hole at the bottom of said clip for means of attaching hardware, which will slide onto an article of clothing i.e. shorts or swimwear at the waist, and

b. three rings approximately 26 mm in diameter made of rigid material with the first of said rings being attached to said clip through said hole, and

c. two pieces of ribbon, webbing, or cord, with the first said piece of ribbon having a finished length of approximately 6.4 cm which will be attached to first said ring on one end and a second said ring on the other end, and the second said piece of ribbon having a finished length of approximately 23 cm will be attached to second said ring on one end and third said ring on the other end, and

d. four rivets, snaps, or stitch lines which will be a means of attaching said ribbon to said rings, and

e. a clasp approximately 5 cm in length by 3.8 cm wide of rigid material will be attached to third said ring which will be strung through the sandals/footwear with the second said ribbons and brought up to attach to second of said rings, and

f. a hook approximately 3.8 cm in length made of rigid material which will be attached to first of said rings so as the user may have an alternative way of attaching said sandal/footwear carrying device on a purse or backpack,