BIDIRECTIONAL SLIPPER

Abstract

A slipper is disclosed which is symmetrically configured so as to be able to be worn on a person's foot with either end accented to the front or rear.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/323,075 filed on Apr. 12, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is an enormous variety of footwear available, much of it designed for specific uses. Most footwear is designed to be used in a specific orientation. That is, each piece of footwear is designed to be worn with one end adjacent the toes of one foot and the opposite end adjacent the heel of the same foot. While some footwear, such as simple slippers, may be designed such that one piece may be worn on the left foot or the right foot, such a piece of footwear is still designed to be worn only in a single orientation with respect to the heel and toes of the foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a slipper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the slipper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the slipper of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating that the slipper may be worn with the heel of a foot adjacent either end of the slipper; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a slipper in accordance with the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a slipper that is bidirectional. By bidirectional, it is meant that a slipper may be worn with one end of the slipper adjacent either the heel or the toes of a foot. While the term “slipper” is sometimes used to define informal footwear designed for indoor use only, the term “slipper” as used herein is defined in the broader sense to mean footwear with a relatively simple construction and that is open above the toes and/or around the heel. This may include slippers for indoor use as well as sandals for outdoor and/or shower use, as well as other uses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a slipper 10 with a base 12 and a band 14. The base 12 has a bottom surface 16 for contacting a floor or the ground and an upper surface 18 for receiving a foot. The base may be said to have a first end 20 and an opposed second end 22 with a midsection 24 defined therebetween. The base 12 may also be said to have a pair of opposed sides 26 and 28.

The band 14 has a first end 30 and a second end 32 that are both interconnected with the base 12. The band further has a mid portion 34 that extends upwardly between the ends 30 and 32. This mid portion 34 is spaced above the midsection 24 of the base so as to define an opening to receive a foot. Unlike typical footwear, the band 14 is disposed midway between the first and second ends 20 and 22 of the base such that the slipper may be worn in either direction.

Referring to FIG. 3, a foot 40 is shown in two opposite positions, either of which is possible with the bidirectional slipper 10. In other words, the foot 40 may be positioned such that the heel of the foot is adjacent the end 20 or the end 22 of the base, with the toes at the opposite end. In either position, the band 14 passes over the upper side of the foot so as to retain the slipper on the foot.

In some embodiments, the band 14 may have an elastic gusset or elastic portion adjacent one or both ends to allow the band to flex and match the angle of the upper surface of the foot. That is, if the foot is inserted from one end, the band may flex so as to bend towards the opposite end and if the slipper is worn from the other direction, the band may flex in the opposite direction. Alternatively, the band may be made out of material that is sufficiently flexible that a specific elastic portion is not necessary. As a further alternative, the elastic may be at other locations, such as at or near a midpoint of the band.

In some embodiments, the band has a first width at the ends where the band is interconnected with the base and a second width at a center of the mid portion. The second width may be less than 50% of the first width. For example, in FIGS. 1-3, it can be seen that the band is substantially narrower at the center of the mid portion than it is where it joins the base. This tapered shape, present in some embodiments, may provide additional stability of the slipper on the foot.

In further embodiments, the base may be said to have a perimeter and to have a rim portion 42 extending upwardly from this perimeter. Preferably, this rim portion 42 extends upwardly from the entire perimeter so as to provide a generally concave receiving area for the foot. The band 14 may be integral with the rim portion 42, such as is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The rim may be considered to form a wall around the heel and/or toes to help retain the slipper on a foot.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the slipper is substantially symmetrical end to end and/or side to side. The illustrated embodiments are all symmetrical both end to end and side to side, though other embodiments may not be as symmetrical as illustrated.

In some embodiments of the slipper, the band 14 has a front to back width at its center point of less than 2 inches.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a slipper in accordance with the present invention. As will be clear to those of skill in the art, a slipper in accordance with the teaching of the present invention may be constructed in ways other than as illustrated and discussed, without departing from the scope or teaching of the present invention. As such, the specification should be interpreted broadly.

Claims

1. A bidirectional slipper to be worn on a person's foot oriented with opposite ends thereof adjacent to the person's heel or toes, the slipper comprising:

a base having a bottom surface for contacting a floor and an upper surface for receiving a person's foot, the base having a first end and an opposed second end with a midsection defined therebetween, the base further having a pair of opposed sides; and

a band having a first and second end comprising said opposite ends interconnected with the base and a mid portion extending upwardly therebetween, the mid portion being disposed above the midsection of the base so as to define an opening to receive the foot;

wherein the band is disposed midway between the first and second ends of the base such that the slipper may be selectively worn on a person's foot with the heel of the person's foot disposed adjacent the first end or second end of the base.

2. The bidirectional slipper according to claim 1, wherein the band has at least one elastic gusset adjacent an end of the band.

3. The bidirectional slipper according to claim 1, wherein the band has a first width where the band is interconnected with the base and a second width at a center of the midportion, the second width being less than 50% of the first width.

4. The bidirectional slipper according to claim 1, wherein the base has a perimeter and further includes a rim portion extending upwardly from the perimeter.

5. The bidirectional slipper according to claim 4, wherein the band is integral with the rim portion.

6. The bidirectional slipper according to claim 1, wherein the slipper is substantially symmetrical end to end.

7. The bidirectional slipper according to claim 1, wherein the slipper is substantially symmetrical side to side.