SOLE-LESS SANDAL

Abstract

A sole-less sandal includes a top strap assembly that includes a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side, and second strap fastener attached to the second strap side. A front strap assembly includes a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly. A toe bar attaches to the bottom end of the front strap assembly. In certain embodiments, a first strap fastener and second strap fastener fasten to a first pant fastener and a second pant fastener respectively. The first pant fastener and the second pant fastener attach to the inside of a pant leg.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application number 61/865,872, filed Aug. 14, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to flip flops and, more particularly, to a sole-less sandal.

Currently, there are no devices or systems that give the flexibility between going barefoot, appearing to have footwear and putting on actual shoes. Other items are targeted for only one sex with no convertible flexibility.

As can be seen, there is a need for a sole-less sandal that may tuck into the pants leg to allow for shoe ear when required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a sole-less sandal comprises: a top strap assembly comprising a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side, and second strap fastener attached to the second strap side; a front strap assembly comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly; and a toe bar attached to the bottom end of the front strap assembly.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for presenting the appearance of wearing footwear while being barefoot comprises: removably sliding a toe bar of a sole-less sandal underneath a big toe and a second toe of a foot of a user, wherein the sole-less sandal comprises a top strap assembly comprising a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side and a second strap fastener attached to the second strap side; a front strap assembly comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly; and the toe bar attached to the bottom end of the front strap assembly; placing the front strap assembly through the opening between the big toe and the second toe; placing the top strap assembly over a top portion of the foot; and removably securing the first strap side and the second strap side.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for rotating from the appearance of wearing footwear while barefoot to wearing shoes comprises: removing a toe bar of a sole-less sandal from underneath a big toe and a second toe of a user, wherein the sole-less sandal comprises a top strap assembly comprising a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side and a second strap fastener attached to the second strap side; a front strap assembly comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly; and the toe bar attached to the bottom end of the front strap assembly, first strap fastener attached to a first pant fastener attached to the inside of a pant leg and the second strap fastener attaches to a second pant fastener attached to the inside of a second pant leg; and tucking in the toe bar within the inside of the pant leg.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use with straps within a pant leg; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a sole-less sandal that includes a top strap assembly that includes a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side, and second strap fastener attached to the second strap side. A front strap assembly includes a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly. A toe bar attaches to the bottom end of the front strap assembly. In certain embodiments, a first strap fastener and second strap fastener fasten to a first pant fastener and a second pant fastener respectively. The first pant fastener and the second pant fastener attach to the inside of a pant leg.

The present invention may allow a person to have the appearance of wearing shoes, sandals, flip-flops and the like, when the person may continue to be comfortably barefoot.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, a sole-less sandal 10 may include a top strap assembly 19, a front strap assembly 17, and a toe bar 12. The sole-less sandal 10 may give the appearance of a sandal being worn, a flip-flop sandal being worn, or the like. The top strap assembly 19 may include a first strap side 24, a second strap side 22, a first strap fastener 26 and a second strap fastener 28. The first strap fastener 26 may attach to the first strap side 24 and the second strap fastener 28 may attach to the second strap side 22. In certain embodiments, the first strap fastener 26 may attach to an end of the first strap side 24, and the second strap fastener 28 may attach to an end of the second strap side 22. The top strap assembly 19 may include an upper foot strap 18 including a first strap side 24 and a second strap side 22 attached to a lower foot strap 20. The upper foot strap 18 and the lower foot strap 20 may be attached through a foot strap stitching 32 or the like. The front strap assembly 17 may include a top end 15 and a bottom end 13. The front strap assembly 17 may attach to the top strap assembly 19. In certain embodiments, the top end 15 of the front strap assembly 17 may attach to the top strap assembly 19. The front strap assembly 17 may include an upper toe strap 14 attached to a lower toe strap 16. The upper toe strap 14 and the lower toe strap 16 may be attached through a toe strap stitching 30 or the like. The toe bar 12 may attach to the bottom end 13 of the front strap assembly 17. In certain embodiments, the toe bar 12 may be positioned between the upper toe strap 14 and the lower toe strap 16. In certain embodiments, the toe bar 12 may be approximately perpendicular to the front strap assembly 17.

A method of making the sole-less sandal 10 may include the following. The upper toe strap 14, the lower toe strap 16, the upper foot strap 18, and the lower foot strap 20 may be made from a fabric that may be used for making a sandal, sandal flip-flop, or the like. The toe bar 12 may be made from foam, or the like. The first strap fastener 26, the second strap fastener 28, the first pant fastener 36, and the second pant fastener 34 may be a hook and loop fastener or the like.

A method of using the sole-less sandal 10 may include the following. When entering a location where a user may be unsure of the social acceptance of bare feet, the user may removably secure the first strap side 24 of the top strap assembly 19 and the second strap side 22 of the top strap assembly 19. In certain embodiments, the top strap assembly 19 may be removably secured by attaching the first strap fastener 26 to a first pant fastener 36 and attach the second strap fastener 28 to a second pant fastener 34. The first pant fastener 36 and the second pant fastener 34 may be attached to an inside of a pant leg 38. In certain embodiments, the first pant fastener 36 may be positioned on an approximately opposite side of the pant leg 38 as the second pant fastener 34. The sole-less sandal 10 may be removably fastened to the pant leg 38 then. The top strap assembly 19 may be positioned along a top of a user's foot 40. The front strap assembly 17 may be placed in between a user's big toe 42 and a user's second toe 44. The toe bar 12 may be placed underneath the user's big toe 42 and the user's second toe 44. When not wearing the sole-less sandal, the toe bar 12 may be removed from underneath the user's foot 40 and tucked inside the pant leg 38 of the user. These steps may be repeated for a second foot as is shown in FIG. 1.

The user may appear as if the user is wearing footwear, however, with the sole-less sandal, the user may still be able to be bare foot. When the user has to actually wear footwear, the user may tuck the toe bar 12, the front strap assembly 17, and the top strap assembly 19 inside the pant leg 38 of the user for later use. For example, when in an office a user may wear the sole-less sandal 10. The user may then have to go to a meeting. The user may tuck the sole-less sandal 10 inside the pant leg 38, place footwear on, attend the meeting, return and put the sole-less sandal 10 back in use.

In certain embodiments, the first strap side 24 of the top strap assembly 19 and the second strap side 22 of the top strap assembly 19 may be removably secured by fastening the first strap fastener 26 to the second strap fastener 28 behind a user's ankle 46.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sole-less sandal comprising:

a top strap assembly comprising a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side, and second strap fastener attached to the second strap side;

a front strap assembly comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly; and

a toe bar attached to the bottom end of the front strap assembly.

2. The sole-less sandal of claim 1, wherein the top strap assembly comprises an upper foot strap attached to a lower foot strap.

3. The sole-less sandal of claim 1, wherein the front strap assembly comprises an upper toe strap attached to a lower toe strap, wherein the toe bar is positioned between the upper toe strap and the lower toe strap.

4. The sole-less sandal of claim 1, wherein the first strap fastener and the second strap fastener are a hook and loop fastener.

5. The sole-less sandal of claim 1, wherein the toe bar is made from a foam material.

6. A method for presenting the appearance of wearing footwear while being barefoot comprising:

removably sliding a toe bar of a sole-less sandal underneath a big toe and a second toe of a foot of a user, wherein the sole-less sandal comprises a top strap assembly comprising a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side and a second strap fastener attached to the second strap side; a front strap assembly comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly; and the toe bar attached to the bottom end of the front strap assembly;

placing the front strap assembly through the opening between the big toe and the second toe;

placing the top strap assembly over a top portion of the foot; and

removably securing the first strap side and the second strap side.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein securing the first strap side and the second strap side comprises attaching the first strap fastener to a first pant fastener attached to an inside of a pant leg and attaching the second strap fastener to a second pant fastener attached to the inside of the pant leg.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the top strap assembly extends around an ankle of the user, wherein the first strap fastener fastens to the second strap fastener.

9. A method for rotating from the appearance of wearing footwear while barefoot to wearing shoes comprising:

removing a toe bar of a sole-less sandal from underneath a big toe and a second toe of a user, wherein the sole-less sandal comprises a top strap assembly comprising a first strap side, a second strap side, a first strap fastener attached to the first strap side and a second strap fastener attached to the second strap side; a front strap assembly comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the front strap attaches to the top strap assembly; and the toe bar attached to the bottom end of the front strap assembly, first strap fastener attached to a first pant fastener attached to the inside of a pant leg and the second strap fastener attaches to a second pant fastener attached to the inside of a second pant leg; and

tucking in the toe bar within the inside of the pant leg.