FABRIC-TYPE OPEN TOE FOOTWEAR SYSTEM

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an open toe footwear system including a base member, toe post, and strap member. The toe post is coupled to the base member at a region corresponding to a location between a user's big toe and the adjacent toe. The strap member is intercoupled between the toe post and two lateral foot coupling regions on the base member. The strap member includes a structural portion which may be composed of a stiffer fabric type material that is configured to maintain separation from the base member. The strap member further includes a stretched padding portion coupled to and extended over the structural portion so as to be externally exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the strap member. The coupling on the top surface of the strap member between the stretched padding portion and the structural portion may be seamless. The stretched padding portion may include both a wrapping and retaining tensile extension.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to open toe footwear. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved fabric-type strap member for an open toe footwear system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Open toe footwear comprises various footwear systems that include a supportive base member disposed under the sole of the foot along with a retaining system to hold the foot on the base member. One particular type of open toe footwear is a sandal or flip-flop that includes a specific triangular foot retaining system. A sandal or flip-flop may also be referred to as a Zori, a thong, or a three point strap configuration sandal. The foot retaining system of a flip-flop commonly includes a toe post and two lateral foot posts intercoupled via a strap member. The toe post and lateral foot posts are coupled to the base member. The toe post is positioned on the base member so as to align with the region of the foot between the first and second toes. The lateral foot posts are positioned on the base member on either side of the user's foot with respect to the toe post. The strap member extends between the toe post and each of the respective lateral foot posts. The frontal region of a user's foot is thereby retained between the base member and the strap member via the toe post and lateral foot posts. This form of frontal foot retainment enables a user's foot to efficiently articulate about the metatarsal region, including allowance of the heel region to separate from the base member. One alternative form of sandal and open toe footwear includes a strap member extending between two lateral foot posts without a toe post.

Open toe footwear systems are often worn barefoot or without fabric foot coverings such as socks. One particular type of open toe footwear is a fabric-type strapped sandal that includes a strap member and/or a toe post composed of fabric like materials rather than plastic or rubber composites. Fabric-type strapped sandals are generally considered more formal and comfortable than sandals composed primarily of rubber like materials. One of the problems commonly associated with fabric-type strapped sandals is discomfort due to repeated pressure, pinching, chaffing, bruising and/or rubbing of the strap member on the skin of a user's foot. This chaffing occurs particularly while a user is walking or articulating the foot within the sandal. During operation, the user's heel lifts causing the muscles in the foot to flex which results in pressure between the top of the foot and the strap member of the sandal. Various improved fabric-type sandals have attempted to minimize or reduce the chaffing by adjusting the material compositions of the toe post and/or strap members of the sandal. Unfortunately, existing solutions are either ineffective at sufficiently reducing the discomfort or they are aesthetically damaging to the overall appearance of the sandal.

Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an improved fabric-type sandal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to open toe footwear. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an open toe footwear system including a base member, toe post, and strap member. The toe post is coupled to the base member at a region corresponding to a location between a user's big toe and the adjacent toe. The strap member is intercoupled between the toe post and two lateral foot coupling regions on the base member. The strap member includes a structural portion which may be composed of a stiffer fabric type material that is configured to maintain separation from the base member. The strap member further includes a stretched padding portion coupled to and extended over the structural portion so as to be externally exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the strap member. The stretched padding portion may be composed of a softer material with elastic properties, including but not limited to NYLON, SPANDEX, stretchable leather, etc. The coupling on the top surface of the strap member between the stretched padding portion and the structural portion may be seamless. The stretched padding portion may include both a wrapping and retaining tensile extension. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for stretching a padded portion across a fabric-type sandal strap member. The method may include acts of coupling a padded member to the bottom surface of the strap member, elastically extending the padded member across the bottom surface and a portion of the top surface, and coupling the elastically extended padded member to the top surface of the strap member.

Embodiments of the present invention represent a significant advance in the field of open toe footwear system. Fabric-type open toe footwear is often preferred to rubber/plastic open toe footwear for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to conformation, formality, appearance, durability, etc. Conventional fabric-type footwear causes undesirable chaffing and/or rubbing between the strap member and the user's foot. All attempted improvements to fabric-type footwear which may reduce or eliminate the problem of chaffing/rubbing also cause a substantial decrease in performance and/or appearance. Embodiments of the present invention maintain the optimal structural characteristics of the strap member while decreasing or eliminating the chaffing upon a user's foot. In addition, embodiments of the present invention may maintain the desirable aesthetics of a fabric-type strap member by utilizing a seamless coupling on the top surface. Further, the tensile stretching of the padded portion of the strap member creates a progressive flex upon a user's foot during operation that improves performance of the system. In addition, conventional sandals are commonly sized loosely to avoid rubbing whereas embodiments of the present invention may be precisely fit as a result of the integrated padding.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the invention can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the invention and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the invention. In the Figures, the physical dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an open toe footwear system with a fabric-type strap member in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a detailed perspective view of the fabric-type strap member illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1C illustrates an elevational top view of the open toe footwear system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1D illustrates an elevational bottom view of the open toe footwear system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A illustrates a lateral profile view of an open toe footwear system with a fabric-type strap member in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a medial profile view of an open toe footwear system with a fabric-type strap member in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates an elevational top view of an open toe footwear system with a fabric-type strap member in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a profile schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a progressive flex concept.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to open toe footwear. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an open toe footwear system including a base member, toe post, and strap member. The toe post is coupled to the base member at a region corresponding to a location between a user's big toe and the adjacent toe. The strap member is intercoupled between the toe post and two lateral foot coupling regions on the base member. The strap member includes a structural portion which may be composed of a stiffer fabric type material that is configured to maintain separation from the base member. The strap member further includes a stretched padding portion coupled to and extended over the structural portion so as to be externally exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the strap member. The stretched padding portion may be composed of a softer material with elastic properties, including but not limited to NYLON, SPANDEX, stretchable leather, etc. The coupling on the top surface of the strap member between the stretched padding portion and the structural portion may be seamless. The stretched padding portion may include both a wrapping and retaining tensile extension. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for stretching a padded portion across a fabric-type sandal strap member. The method may include acts of coupling a padded member to the bottom surface of the strap member, elastically extending the padded member across the bottom surface and a portion of the top surface, and coupling the elastically extended padded member to the top surface of the strap member.

Also, while embodiments are described in reference to fabric-type sandals, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are application to other areas.

The following terms are defined as follows:

DEFINITIONS

Open toe footwear system—Any form of human footwear configured to keep the user's toes exposed, including sandals, flip flops, thongs, and certain slippers.

Toe post—A post of material coupled to the top surface of a base member of an open toe footwear system. The toe post is disposed at a location on the base member corresponding to the region between a user's big toe and adjacent toe.

Lateral foot post region—A medial and lateral coupling region of a strap member on an open toe footwear system such as a sandal.

Tensile extension—An elastic extension of a material or member. For example, a tensile extension of an elastic fabric-type material over another non-elastic fabric-type material.

Seamless coupling—A coupling between two members that does not include a visible seam. Various types of glue, heat, and/or cold coupling techniques may be utilized to create a seamless coupling between members.

Reference is initially made to FIGS. 1A-D, which illustrate an open toe footwear system, designated generally at 100. The system includes a base member 105, a toe post 110, and a strap member 120. The base member 105 is an elongated platform structure configured to support the sole of a user's foot. The shape and surface contour of the base member 105 is configured to correspond to a particular user foot size. For example, the top surface of the base member 105 may include a particular ergonomic contour configured to support the arch and correspond to the anatomy of a user's foot. Likewise, the bottom of the base member 105 (FIG. 1D) may include a particular tread pattern that both optimizes foot comfort and creates traction between the system 100 and the ground. The base member 105 may also include one or more force absorbent materials configured to absorb certain compression forces between a user's foot and the ground. The force absorbent materials may include various foams. The toe post 110 is coupled to the base member 105 at a location around which a user's big toe and adjacent toe may circumvent. The illustrated toe post 110 is composed of a fabric-type material having a particular stiffness and flexibility. In addition, the illustrated toe post 110 does not extend through the base member 105 as is common on rubber type flip flops. Rather, the toe post 110 is coupled to the top and/or medial surfaces of the base member 105. The strap member 120 is an elongated substantially flat structure that curves and extends across the base member between the toe post 110 and the two lateral foot coupling regions 125, 130. The strap member 120 includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface faces outward and/or perpendicular with respect to the base member 105 at the two lateral coupling regions 125, 130. The top surface also faces substantially opposite the base member 105 at the toe post 110. The top surface of the strap member 120 is also the only exposed surface of the strap member 120 when a user's foot is engaged with the system 100. The bottom surface faces substantially inward at the two lateral coupling regions 125, 130. The bottom surface also faces substantially towards the base member 105 at the toe post 110.

The strap member 120 further includes a structural portion 150 and a stretched padded portion 160. The structural portion 150 forms the length and shape of the strap member 120 between the two lateral foot coupling regions 125, 130. The structural portion 150 may be composed of a durable, stiff, and substantially non-elastic material configured to maintain a separation from the base member 105 in a non-engaged state. The non-engaged separation of the strap member 120 form the base member 105 is achieved as a result of the arc-shaped configuration of the strap member 120 and the composition of the strap member 120. The strap member 120 is folded or curved between the two lateral foot coupling regions 125, 130 so as to substantially form an arc with the apex at the toe post 110. The ends of the strap member 120 are also coupled to the base member 105 in a configuration to support the apex of the arc shape. Therefore, the shape and composition of the strap member are configured to elevate the apex of the arc and maintain a separation between the strap member 120 and the base member 105 in a non-engaged state. The non-engaged separation is a desirable feature that allows a user to engage the system with minimal adjustments. For example, a user may be able to simply slide their foot between the strap member 120 and the base member 105, thereby engaging the system 100. The structural portion 150 may be composed of materials including but not limited to NYLON, DENIM, leather, etc.

The stretched padded portion 160 is composed of an elastic, soft, and abrasion resistant material including but not limited to NEOPRENE, SPANDEX, etc. The stretch padded portion 160 may be laminated to a backing of soft elastic material including but not limited to a rubber foam. The stretch padded portion 160 may include compositions having 2-way or 4-way directional stretch properties. The stretched padded portion 160 is coupled to and elastically stretched over the structural portion 150 including portions of both the top and bottom surfaces of the strap member 120. In particular, the illustrated stretched padded portion 160 extends over the entire bottom surface of the strap member 120 and wraps over onto a portion of the top surface of the strap member 120. Therefore, the stretched padded portion 160 is wrapped in a manner that covers the upward facing side surface of the strap member 120, as illustrated. The unique wrapping configuration of the stretched padded member 160 better protects the user's foot from chaffing and/or rubbing than positioning a padded member on the bottom and/or the top surfaces of the strap member 120. This is because during operation, the user's foot articulates at the metatarsal region and the strap member 120 and may thereby rub against the top surface and the region between the bottom surface and top surface of the strap member. For example, as a user's foot articulates, their skin may fold over the strap member 120. The strap member could also bend to accommodate the contour of the top of the user's foot, thereby causing contact between the user's skin and the top and side surfaces of the strap member 120.

The coupling between the stretched padded portion 160 and the structural portion 150 includes a top surface coupling 164 and a bottom surface coupling 164 (See FIG. 1B). The illustrated bottom surface coupling 164 includes a stitched type coupling between the stretched padded portion 160 and the structural portion 150. The stitched coupling of the bottom surface coupling 164 is also visible on the top surface of the strap member 120. Alternatively, the bottom surface coupling 164 may be replaced with some form of seamless coupling in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated top surface coupling 162 includes a seamless coupling between the stretched padded portion 160 and the structural portion 150. Various seamless couplings may be used, including but not limited to glue, temperature, and/or chemical adhesion based processes. The utilization of a seamless coupling for the top surface coupling 162 further enables the stretched padded member 160 to elastically expand rather whereas a rigid stitch type coupling would impede certain elastic expansion directions. The stretched padded portion 160 is specifically shaped so as to not wrap over from the bottom surface onto the top surface in the region adjacent to the lateral coupling regions 125, 130. This unique shape and configuration further enhances the progressive flex supportive characteristics of the retaining tensile extension 174 described below. In addition, the unique shape enhances the support of the strap member 120 at the lateral coupling regions 125, 130, thereby maintaining optimal fit characteristics.

The couplings 162, 164 of the stretched padded portion 160 are configured to create and maintain a multi-directional tensile extension of the material. In particular, the tensile extension of the stretched padded portion includes a wrapping tensile extension 172 and a retaining tensile extension 174 (See FIG. 1B). The wrapping tensile extension 172 is specifically oriented between the top and bottom surface couplings 164, 162, as illustrated. Therefore, the orientation of the wrapping tensile extension 172 is substantially normal to the lengthwise axis of the strap member 120. The wrapping tensile extension 172 creates a durable and tight adhesion between the stretched padded portion 160 and the structural portion 150. The durable and tight adhesion mitigates potential rubbing or float between the stretched padded portion 160 and the structural portion 150. The retaining tensile extension 174 is specifically oriented between the lateral foot regions 125, 130 of the strap member. The retaining tensile extension 174 is oriented substantially parallel to the lengthwise orientation of the strap member 120, as illustrated. The retaining tensile extension 174 creates a tight and durable adhesion between the stretched padded portion 160 and the structural portion 150. As discussed above, the durable and tight adhesion mitigates potential rubbing or float between the stretched padded portion 160 and the structural portion 150. In addition, the retaining tensile extension 174 creates a progressive flex of the strap member 120 during operation so as to improve performance. The progressive flex is further illustrated and described with reference to FIG. 3A-3C below.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 2A-C, which illustrate an alternative open toe footwear system, designated generally at 200. The system 200 also includes a base member 205, a toe post 210, and a strap member 220. The strap member 220 further includes a stretched padded portion 260 and a structural portion 250. As discussed above, the stretched padded portion 260 is stretched across the structural portion 250 to create a wrapping and retaining tensile extension 272, 274.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 3A-C, which illustrate an operational sequence illustrating the progressive flex concept. The sequence illustrated the operation between a sandal system 300 and a user's foot 350. Initially, the user's foot is in total contact with the base member of the sandal 300 (FIG. 3A). Next, as the user articulates the foot at the metatarsal region via plantarflexion, the heel region of the foot separates from the base member of the system 300 (FIG. 3B). As the angle of articulation between the user's foot 350 and system 300 increases, the retaining tensile extension exerts a progressively increasing retaining force corresponding to the angle between the user's foot and the base member (FIG. 3C). The progressive retaining force increases as the angle between the user's heel and base member 105 is increased as a result of the elastic properties of the stretch padded portion on the system 300. This progressive retaining force minimizes dorsiflexion and/or plantarflexion muscle strain in the user's foot by assisting in reapproximating the base member with the user's heel region at the end of each step.

One alternative non-illustrated embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for stretching a padded portion across a fabric-type sandal strap member. The method may include acts of coupling a padded member to the bottom surface of the strap member, elastically extending the padded member across the bottom surface and a portion of the top surface, and coupling the elastically extended padded member to the top surface of the strap member.

It should be noted that various alternative system designs may be practiced in accordance with the present invention, including one or more portions or concepts of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 or described above. Various other embodiments have been contemplated, including combinations in whole or in part of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. An open-toe footwear system comprising:

a base member;
a toe post coupled to the base member;
a strap member intercoupled between the toe post and two lateral foot coupling regions on the base member, wherein the strap member includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the strap member includes a structural portion and a stretched padding portion; and
wherein the stretched padded portion is elastically stretched over the structural portion between a bottom surface coupling and a top surface coupling.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretched padding portion substantially covers the bottom surface and extends onto the top surface of the strap member.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein structural portion of the strap member is composed of a fabric material having a particular stiffness configured to maintain a separation from the base member at the toe post.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface coupling of the stretched padded portion includes a stitching between the stretched padded member and the structural portion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the top surface coupling of the stretched padded portion includes a seamless coupling between the stretched padded member and the structural portion.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretched padded member extends across the entire bottom surface of the strap member including between the toe post coupling and the two lateral foot post couplings.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein portion of the stretched padded member that extends onto the top surface is configured to be separated from the two lateral foot couplings on the top surface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the top surface is oriented opposite the base member at the toe post and oriented perpendicular to the base member at the two lateral foot coupling regions.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the elastic stretching of the stretched padded portion is multi-directional including a wrapping tensile extension between the bottom surface coupling and the top surface coupling.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the elastic stretching of the stretched padded portion is multi-directional including a retaining tensile extension between the two lateral foot coupling regions and the toe post coupling.

11. An open-toe footwear system comprising:

a base member;
a toe post coupled to the base member;
a strap member intercoupled between the toe post and two lateral foot coupling regions on the base member, wherein the strap member includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the strap member includes a structural portion and a stretched padding portion;
wherein the stretched padding portion substantially covers the bottom surface and extends onto the top surface of the strap member, and wherein the stretched padded portion is elastically stretched over the structural portion between a bottom surface coupling and a top surface coupling, and wherein the elastic stretching is multi-directional including both a wrapping and retaining tensile oriented extension.

12. A method for stretching a padded portion across a fabric-type sandal strap member, comprising the acts of:

providing a base member, a toe post coupled to the base member, and a strap member intercoupled between the toe post and two lateral foot coupling regions on the base member, wherein the strap member includes a top surface and a bottom surface;
coupling a padded member to the bottom surface of the strap member;
elastically extending the padded member across the bottom surface and a portion of the top surface; and
coupling the elastically extended padded member to the top surface of the strap member.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of coupling the padded member to the bottom surface of the strap member includes stitching the padded member to the strap member.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of coupling the elastically extended padded member to the top surface of the strap member includes a seamless coupling.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of elastically extending the padded member across the bottom surface and a portion of the top surface includes creating a wrapping tensile extension and a retaining tensile extension of the padded member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the wrapping tensile extension is oriented across the padded member between the top surface coupling and the bottom surface coupling.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the retaining tensile extension is oriented across the padded member between the toe post and the two lateral foot coupling regions.

18. The method of claim 12, further including coupling the padded member to the strap member at the lateral foot post regions.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the padded member substantially covers the bottom surface of the strap member.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the padded member is separated from the lateral foot post regions on the top surface of the strap member.

Patent History
Publication number: 20110314693
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 28, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2011
Inventors: Eli Marmar (San Rafael, CA), Martin Shane Kim (Portola Velley, CA)
Application Number: 12/824,810
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Sandals (36/11.5); 12/142.00S
International Classification: A43B 3/12 (20060101);