DEVICE FOR MUTING SOUND ASSOCIATED WITH WEARING SANDALS

Abstract

A simple, comfortable device that can reduce, mute or eliminate the noise associated with walking in sandals while retaining the comfort and stylish appearance of the sandal is disclosed. The device cushions the slap of the seat of the insole of a sandal against the heel of the wearer and can also decrease the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the wearer of the sandal, reducing the “slapping” noise. The device can further increase the comfort of walking in sandals. The device comprises an insert affixed to the seat of the insole of a sandal or disposed between the sole and the insole of a sandal in the seat portion that reduces the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer, and also or alternatively dampens the “slapping” sound heard when wearing sandals. The device may be made of different materials and may be affixed permanently or removably. The strap of the sandal may be removably attached to the sandal and interchanged. The device can provide varying aesthetic appearances to a pair of sandals either alone or when used in conjunction with different straps.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/428,665, filed on Dec. 30, 2010, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Sandal-type shoes are a staple style of modern footwear. These shoes are comfortable, convenient to wear and stylish. One drawback, however, is that when worn, certain types of sandals can make a distinctive “slapping” or “flip flop” noise when the wearer is walking These types of sandals are not affixed or otherwise attached to the ankle of the wearer and therefore the seat portions of the insoles of the shoes are free to snap upward and strike the heel of the foot of the wearer as the wearer walks. The resulting noise detracts from the functionality of the sandal and, for example, may limit the contexts in which the sandals can be worn. It would be advantageous therefore to provide a device which ameliorates or eliminates the associated noise when walking in sandals but which also maintains the comfort and stylish appearance of the sandals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a simple, comfortable device that can reduce, mute or eliminate the noise associated with walking in sandals while retaining the comfort and stylish appearance of the sandal. The instant invention cushions the slap of the seat portion of the insole of the sandal against the heel of the wearer and can also decrease the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the wearer of the sandal, reducing the “slapping” noise. The device of the invention can further increase the comfort of walking in sandals.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a device for use in conjunction with a sandal that reduces or mutes altogether the “slapping” noise created when the seat portion of the insole of the sandal strikes the heel of the wearer as the wearer walks in the sandals as well as reduces the distance between the seat portion of the insole of the sandal and the heel of the wearer, further decreasing the “slapping” noise while also increasing the comfort to the wearer of the sandal.

In one embodiment, the device is an insert that comprises a compressible or sound dampening material that can be affixed, permanently or removably, to the insole of a sandal in the seat area. The insert thus dampens the sound made when the seat portion of the insole of the shoe meets the heel of the foot of the wearer, which reduces or prevents the sound created by the slapping of the seat of the sandal against the heel of the foot of the wearer. In another embodiment, the insert can be inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal in the seat portion.

In different embodiments of the invention, the size and dimensions of the insert can vary. For example, the insert may comprise a wedge-shape having an inclined surface. The wedge-shaped insert reduces the distance between the seat portion of the insole of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer, thereby reducing or preventing the sound created by the slapping of the seat of the sandal against the heel of the foot of the wearer. The incline angle of the surface of the wedge-shaped insert can be increased to reduce the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the wearer of the sandal, thus reducing the amount of movement of the seat of the sandal from the heel of the foot of the wearer and further diminishing the noise made by the “slapping” of the seat of the sandal against the heel of the foot of the wearer when walking In other embodiments, a wedge-shaped insert having a lower inclined surface may be provided that may be less conspicuous while still providing a measure of dampening of the “slapping” sound of the seat of the sandal against the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal when walking It should be noted that a wide variety of shapes of inserts may also be used without varying from the invention disclosed herein and the insert according to the invention is in no way limited to a wedge-shape.

The material of composition of the insert may be combined with the shape of the insert to create differing degrees of noise-reduction according to the desire of the wearer of the sandal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals.

FIG. 1A depicts a sandal.

FIG. 1B depicts an insert according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C depicts a sandal having an insert disposed on the insole at the seat portion of the sandal according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1D depicts a sandal having an insert disposed between the sole and the insole at the seat portion of the sandal according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1E depicts a sandal having an insert incorporated into the sole of a sandal according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts commercially available adhesive strips affixed to the bottom surface of an insert for affixing the insert to the seat portion of the insole of a sandal according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict alternative embodiments of inserts according to the invention.

FIGS. 3C to 3H depict alternative shapes of inserts according to the invention.

FIG. 3I depicts an insert having decoration to provide an aesthetic effect to the sandal according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a simple, comfortable device that can reduce, mute or eliminate the noise associated with wearing sandals while retaining the comfort and stylish appearance of the sandal. The device of the invention may also act to cushion the slap of the seat portion of the insole of the sandal against the heel of the wearer and increase the comfort of walking in the sandals.

Accordingly, provided for herein is an invention for use in conjunction with a sandal that reduces or mutes altogether the slapping noise created when the heel portion of the sandal strikes the heel of the wearer as the wearer walks in the sandals.

The device can be used with many different types of sandals, and is not limited to sandals attached to the foot by means of one or more straps and/or a thong. The device may be used in connection with any type of sandal which creates a “slapping” noise when in use.

In one embodiment, the device comprises an insert that comprises a compressible material that can be affixed, permanently or removably, to the seat portion of the insole of a sandal. The material of composition of the insert may be combined with the shape of the insert to create differing degrees of noise-reduction according to the desire of the wearer of the sandal.

The insert may comprise polyurethane or other foam material. It may alternatively comprise other suitably compressible materials such as synthetic neoprene rubber; cloth wedges, including wedges with foam stuffing; or felt, leather or synthetic leather. In other embodiments, bladders filled with air or other substances could be used. Alternatively, the insert could comprise gel-like materials. The insert thus creates a dampening effect of the noise caused when the seat portion of the insole of the sandal meets the heel of the foot of the wearer.

The insert may be housed entirely or partially in a covering material, such as moleskin, cotton, felt, nylon, silk or other material, which can improve the appearance or comfort of the insert. The upper surface of the insert may be covered with a layer of any of those or similar materials to improve the appearance and comfort of the insert.

In alternative embodiments, the size and dimensions of the insert can vary. For example, the insert may comprise a wedge-shape having an inclined upper surface. A wedge-shaped insert reduces the distance between the seat portion of the insole of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer, thereby reducing or preventing the sound created by the slapping of the seat of the sandal against the heel of the foot of the wearer. The incline angle of the upper surface of the wedge-shaped insert can be adjusted to reduce the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the wearer of the sandal, reducing the movement of the seat of the sandal from the heel of the foot of the wearer and further diminishing the noise made by the “slapping” of the seat of the sandal against the heel of the foot of the wearer. In other embodiments, a wedge-shaped insert having a lower angle of incline on its upper surface may be used that is less conspicuous while still dampening of the “slapping” sound of the seat of the sandal against the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal. Similarly, the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer may be reduced by using thicker inserts. One advantage to the invention is that it allows the use of inserts of varying dimension with the same pair of sandals. In other embodiments inserts of appropriate size can be used in conjunction with a wide spectrum of sandal sizes. The dimensions of the insert may vary so long as the insert is of suitable dimension to provide the desired noise dampening effect.

The insert may be of differing dimensions depending, among other factors, on the degree of noise dampening needed or the aesthetic appearance of the sandal. The type of material used to fabricate the insert may impact the dimension because some materials of construction may provide greater dampening qualities than others.

Furthermore, while the term wedge-shaped has been used to describe the insert, it should be understood that inserts of varying shapes and dimensions can be employed. For example, the insert may comprise a semi-cylindrical shape; a hemispherical shape; a wedge-shape tapering to a point; or a rectangle. Further, the insert may have a decorative shape such as a flower, a star or other shape designed to achieve an aesthetic effect. An extremely wide variety of shapes may therefore be used consistent with this invention to vary both the dampening effect as well as the aesthetic appearance. Such shapes may be customized or decorated in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Additionally, the upper surface of the insert can be substantially planar, or it may have a concave shape to more closely mold to the shape of the heel of the wearer.

In other embodiments, the insert may be used to provide an aesthetic enhancement to the sandal. Thus, the insert itself may, in certain embodiments, be colored and provide, for example, a color accent. The insert may be decorated with different patterns or similar adornments in one embodiment. One advantage of the insert to allow the wearer to enhance the aesthetics of the sandal using removable and interchangeable inserts. Accents and features provided by the insert may be varied to alter the appearance of the sandal and provide different appearances and looks. In some sandals where the strap attaching the sandal to the wearer's foot is removable or interchangeable, the appearance of the strap can also be varied. By attaching different decorative elements by way of the insert and the strap, a single pair of sandals may employ multiple variations to provide a number of looks.

The insert may be affixed either permanently or removably to the seat portion of the insole of the sandal. The insert may be affixed directly to the seat portion of the insole of the sandal, or the insert can be inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal in the seat portion.

The insert may be affixed directly to the seat portion of the insole of the sandal using any number of methods. The insert, for example, could be attached using suitable glue, tape or other adhesive. Hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro® or similar substances, may also be used. Alternatively, the insert could be attached to the seat portion of the insole of the sandal using mechanical means such as snaps, hooks, buttons, magnets or other methods.

In one embodiment, the insert is attached to the seat portion of the insole of the sandal using one of several commercially available adhesive strips that can be activated by removing a protective strip that seals the adhesive until removal of the strip. When the strip is removed, the insert is placed onto the insole of the sandal so that the adhesive strip adheres to the insole of the sandal in an appropriate area, for example at the seat. The insert could also be attached to the sandal permanently using suitable glue or other fixative. In another embodiment, the insert could additionally incorporate a sticky or adhesive upper surface to adhere to the foot of the wearer as well as the insole of the sandal.

In another embodiment, the insert may be inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal in the seat portion either permanently or removably. In this embodiment, an aperture may be incorporated into the insole to allow removal of the insert. In yet another embodiment, the insert may itself form a part of or be integrated into the sole of the sandal.

In another embodiment, for sandals that have no insole, the insert can be permanently or removably disposed on the sole in the seat portion of the sandal, or can be permanently formed as part of the sole.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1A depicts a side view of a sandal 10 comprising a sole 19; a strap 16; an insole 17; and a seat 15.

FIG. 1B depicts an insert according to one embodiment of the invention. Insert 11 comprises top surface 18 and bottom surface 13. Depending on various factors including the degree of dampening of the “slapping” noise desired or aesthetics, insert 11 may comprise varying dimensions. For example, when insert 11 is wedge-shaped as depicted in FIG. 1B, incline angle 12 of top surface 18 of insert 11 can be adjusted. Alternatively, or in addition, the length of base 13 of insert 11 can be varied. Width 14 of insert 11 may also be varied. Shown here the upper surface 18 of insert 11 is substantially planar. Upper surface 18 of insert 11 can comprise a portion that is of a substantially concave shape to mold to the shape of the heel of the wearer of sandal 10.

In FIG. 1C, sandal 10 is depicted comprising an insert 11 according to one embodiment of the invention. Insert 11 comprises top surface 18 and bottom surface 13. Insert 11 is affixed to insole 17 of seat 15 of sandal 10.

As seen in FIG. 1D, insert 11 may be affixed, either permanently or removably, between sole 19 and insole 17 in one embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1E, an aperture (not shown) may be incorporated into insole 17 to allow insertion and removal of insert 11 between insole 17 and sole 19. In yet another embodiment, insert 11 may itself form a part of or be integrated into insole 17 or sole 19.

As seen in FIG. 2, insert 11 may be affixed to seat 15 of insole 17 of sandal 10 by use of commercially available adhesive strips 20 that can be activated by removing a protective strip 21 sealing adhesive until removal of protective strip 21. When protective strip 21 is removed, adhesive strip 20 is affixed to seat 15 of insole 17 of sandal 10, and insert 11 is placed onto seat 15 of insole 17 of sandal 10 so that adhesive strip 20 adheres to insole 17 of sandal 10. Insert 11 can also be attached to insole 17 permanently using suitable glue or other fixative. Moreover, in another embodiment, insert 11 can further incorporate a sticky or adhesive on upper surface 18 to adhere to the heel of the foot of the wearer as well as insole 17 of sandal 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, some embodiments of insert 30 may be thicker than other inserts 31. Dimensions of inserts 30 and 31 may vary by varying incline angle 32 or overall base length of the insert 33. Thus while a greater incline angle 32 of inserts 30 or 31 may lead to less “slapping” noise, it may be more noticeable and less desirable and therefore an insert 30 or 31 having a lower incline angle 32 may be desirable. One advantage is that the invention allows the use of inserts 30 and 31 of varying dimensions with the same sandals. In other embodiments inserts 30 and 31 of desired size can be used in conjunction with a wide spectrum of sandal sizes and styles.

Furthermore, while the use of a wedge shaped insert is disclosed herein as one embodiment, the invention is not limited to the use of a wedge shaped insert. Inserts of other shapes and dimensions could also be employed. For example, FIG. 3C shows another embodiment of the invention using, for example, a semi-cylindrical foam piece 35 that can be affixed to insole 17 of sandal 10. In another embodiment seen in FIG. 3D, a hemispherical-shaped foam insert 36 can be used. FIG. 3E depicts a wedge-shaped insert 37 tapering to a point. FIG. 3F depicts a rectangular insert 38.

Alternatively, the insert may itself be in the form of a decorative shape such as a flower 39a as seen in FIG. 3G, star 39b as seen in FIG. 3H or other shape designed to achieve an aesthetic effect.

In other embodiments, the insert may be used to provide an aesthetic enhancement to the sandal. Thus, the insert itself may, in certain embodiments, be colored and provide, for example, a color accent. Or, the insert may be decorated with different patterns or similar adornments as seen in FIG. 31.

An extremely wide variety of shapes, colors and styles of inserts may be used consistent with the invention to vary both the dampening effect as well as the aesthetic appearance. Such shapes may be customized or decorated in a wide variety of patterns and colors consistent with the invention. One advantage of the use of removable inserts is that a greater variety of aesthetics of a single pair of sandals can be achieved. For example, the insert alone may be varied to alter the appearance of the sandal. In some sandals where the strap may be removable or interchangeable, or the appearance of the strap may be varied, multiple variations of aesthetics can be achieved through various combinations of different removable or interchangeable straps in connection with different removable or interchangeable inserts.

The foregoing embodiments have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. The scope of the invention is to be determined from the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A sandal comprising:

a sole, the sole configured to accommodate substantially the entire foot of a wearer of the sandal;

an insole, the insole comprising a layer of material overlaying the sole;

at least one strap, where at least one strap extends the width of the sandal, wherein at least one strap is configured to accommodate the forefoot of a wearer of the sandal;

a seat located at the portion of the sandal configured to accommodate the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal; and

an insert removably disposed on the seat,

wherein the insert is configured to reduce the range of movement between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal that is experienced when the wearer of the sandal walks and the seat extends from being positioned on the ground to meeting the heel of the wearer.

2. (canceled)

3. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the insert is disposed on the insole through the use of glue, tape, adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, hooks, buttons, magnets or any combination thereof

4. The sandal of claim 3, wherein the seat is disposed on the insole by use of a strip of double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on the seat of the insole and on the bottom surface of the insert.

5. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a compressible material.

6. The sandal of claim 5, wherein the compressible material comprises foam, synthetic neoprene rubber, cloth wedges, felt, leather, synthetic leather, bladders filled with air or other substances or gel.

7. The sandal of claim 6, wherein the foam comprises polyurethane.

8. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a wedge-shape, a semi-cylindrical shape, a hemispherical shape, a rectangle, or a star shape.

9. The sandal of claim 1, wherein insert is covered with moleskin, cotton, felt, nylon, or silk.

10. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the insert is covered with moleskin, cotton, felt, nylon, or silk.

11. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the insert is inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal in the seat portion.

12. The sandal of claim 11, wherein the insert is permanently inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal.

13. The sandal of claim 11, wherein the insert is removably inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal.

14. (canceled)

15. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the strap is removably attached to the sandal.

16. A method of changing the aesthetics of a sandal, comprising:

selecting an insert; and

disposing the insert on a sandal;

wherein the sandal comprises:

a sole, the sole configured to accommodate substantially the entire foot of a wearer of the sandal;

an insole, the insole comprising a layer of material overlaying the sole;

at least one strap, wherein at least one strap extends the width of the sandal, wherein at least one strap is configured to accommodate the forefoot of a wearer of the sandal; and

a seat removably disposed on the portion of the sandal configured to accommodate the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal;

wherein the insert is disposed on the insole of the sandal at the seat, wherein further the insert is configured to reduce the range of movement between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal that is experienced when the wearer of the sandal walks and the seat extends from being positioned on the ground to meeting the heel of the wearer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the seat is disposed on the insole at the seat by use of a strip of double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on the seat of the insole and on the bottom surface of the insert.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the insert comprises polyurethane.

19. A method of changing the aesthetics of a sandal, comprising:

selecting an insert;

disposing the insert on a sandal;

selecting a strap; and

disposing the strap on the sandal,

wherein the sandal comprises:

a sole, the sole configured to accommodate substantially the entire foot of a wearer of the sandal;

an insole, the insole comprising a layer of material overlaying the sole;

at least one strap, wherein at least one strap extends the width of the sandal, wherein at least one strap is configured to accommodate the forefoot of a wearer of the sandal; and

a seat removably disposed on the portion of the sandal configured to accommodate the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal;

wherein the insert is disposed on the insole of the sandal at the seat, wherein further the insert is configured to reduce the range of movement between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal that is experienced when the wearer of the sandal walks and the seat extends from being positioned on the ground to meeting the heel of the wearer,

wherein the strap is removably disposed across the width of the sandal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the seat is disposed on the insole at the seat by use of a strip of double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on the insole and on the bottom surface of the insert.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the insert comprises polyurethane.