US20150282553A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20150282553A1
Application number: US14/678,838
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Alan Tussy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-03
Filing date: 2015-04-03
Publication date: 2015-10-08

Abstract

A sandal having an adjustable strap includes a sole having a foot bed, a toe strap, and a lateral strap. The two strap has a first end that connects to the sole and a second end that includes an attachment surface. The lateral strap has a first and second ends that connected to the sole and an attachment surface disposed between the first and second ends of the lateral strap. The attachment surfaces of the lateral strap and the toe strap are configured to be releasably connected at a plurality of positions relative to each other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/974,997 which was filed Apr. 3, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to footwear and in particular to sandals which an adjustable strap.

2. Related Art

Sandals, also known as flip flops, are popular footwear in warm weather and when engaged in many active or outdoor activities. In addition, sandals are often used after bathing, in the shower, or at the gym. Moreover, sandals are made in numerous styles to suit beach environments to high fashion.

While sandals are popular and have many benefits, present sandal designs suffer from at least one drawback. One drawback is that present sandal designs do not provide a proper fit for a large percentage of the population. And, even if the sandal were to fit the wearer at one time, it may not fit that same wearer at a later time due to changes in the size of a person's foot or if the sandal strap material stretches or shrinks.

Present sandal designs suffer from sizing issue because prior art sandals have a fixed size. With typical footwear, the size of the footwear is fixed based on the length and width of the footwear. Such footwear typically has adjustable laces that allow the footwear to be adjusted in size to fit wearers with different heights or widths of feet. However, a sandal (flip flop) has a fixed strap and toe strap lengths, and fixed positions at which these elements attach to the sandal, and are therefore not adjustable. For a given sandal that fits a person with an average size foot for a given foot size, a person with a wider or taller foot of the same length would not be able to fit their foot into the sandal. If their foot was to be forced into the sandal, it would not be a comfortable fit. Likewise, for that same sandal, a person with the same length foot, but whose foot is thin or not as tall, would find the sandal to not fit well because the sandal would be loose. Because the strap is loose, the sandal is likely to fall off the foot or irritate the foot when worn.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a sandal which may adjust to the varying dimensions of different feet, even when the foot is of the same length.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments have been developed in light of the above and aspects of the invention may include sandals with an adjustable strap that can be worn by users with feet having varying heights and widths for a given shoe size or lengths. Further aspects of the invention may include adjustable straps, and methods for adjusting the size of a sandal.

According to one embodiment, a sandal having an adjustable strap includes a sole having a foot bed, a toe strap, and a lateral strap. The two strap has a first end that connects to the sole and a second end that includes an attachment surface. The lateral strap has a first and second ends that connected to the sole and an attachment surface disposed between the first and second ends of the lateral strap. The attachment surfaces of the lateral strap and the toe strap are configured to be releasably connected at a plurality of positions relative to each other.

In some embodiments, the toe strap comprises an upper toe strap and a lower toe strap. The upper toe strap may include the toe strap attachment surface, and the lower toe strap may be permanently affixed to the lateral strap.

The sandal may further comprise a toe strap anchor that attaches the toe strap to the sole. The toe strap anchor may be configured to allow the toe strap to slide through the anchor. In some instances, the toe strap is elastic in a longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the attachment surfaces may each comprise one side of a hook and loop fastener. The loop side of the hook and loop fastener may be disposed on the lateral strap attachment surface in order to increase the comfort of a user.

In other embodiments, the sandal may further comprise a slot disposed in the lateral strap near a rearward edge of the lateral strap. This allows the toe strap to be received through the slot from a lower side to an upper side of the lateral strap. Here, the toe strap attachment surface may be disposed on an inner surface of the toe strap.

In some embodiments, the toe strap comprises an upper toe strap and a lower toe strap. The upper toe strap has the toe strap attachment surface, and the lower toe strap is configured to be received through the slot. The lower toe strap may comprise an inner attachment surface and an outer attachment surface. The inner attachment surface may be configured to releasably attach to the lateral strap attachment surface, and the outer attachment surface may be configured to releasably attach to the toe strap attachment surface. The toe strap attachment surface, the lateral strap attachment surface, the inner attachment surface, and the outer attachment surface may each comprise one side of a hook and loop fastener.

In one embodiment, there is a sandal having an adjustable strap that includes a sole, a toe strap, and lateral straps. The toe strap may comprise an upper toe strap and a lower tow strap, and may be anchored to the sole by a toe strap anchor. The lateral straps may comprise a first end connected to the sole and a second end connected to the lower toe strap. A first attachment surface may be disposed on an upper surface of the lower toe strap; and a second attachment surface may be disposed on a lower surface of the upper toe strap. In this manner, the first and second attachment surfaces are configured to attach the lower toe strap to the upper toe strap at a plurality of positions relative to each other, allowing the sandal to be adjustable in size.

In this embodiment, the first and second attachment surfaces each comprise one side of a hook and loop fastener. Further, the toe strap anchor may be configured to allow the toe strap to slide there through.

According to other embodiments, there is a method for adjusting a size of a sandal. The method includes providing a sandal that comprises a sole having a foot bed, a toe strap comprising a first end connected to the sole and a second end that comprises a toe strap attachment surface, and a lateral strap comprising a first end connected to the sole, a second end connected to the sole; and a lateral strap attachment surface disposed between the first end and second ends of the lateral strap. With such a sandal, a user may remove and reattach the lateral strap attachment surface to the toe strap attachment surface at one of a plurality of positions relative to each other, thereby allowing the size of the sandal to be adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the difference views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a sandal with adjustable straps according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the sandal ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the sandal ofFIG. 1 with the adjustable strap in use, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the sandal ofFIG. 1 with the adjustable strap in use, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a sandal with adjustable straps, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the sandal ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a sandal with adjustable straps, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a sandal with adjustable straps according to one exemplary embodiment. A sandal, often referred to as a flip flop, includes a sole100 that is constructed with afoot bed104 on a top surface of the sole. The sole100 andfoot bed104 form a unitary structure. The sole100 andfoot bed104 include a healsection108 and an opposingtoe section112. A mid-section110 is between the healsection108 and thetoe section112. Atoe strap120 extends upward from the sole100 andfoot bed104 near the front of the sandal from atoe strap anchor140. Thetoe strap120 is the part of the sandal that is placed between the user's toes, such as between the user's first and second largest toes.

The top portion of thetoe strap120 connects to or extends into two or more

lateral straps

124A,124B that extend in a general V shape on the top of and to each side of the foot toward the healsection108 ormid-section110 of the sole100 andfoot bed104. Thetoe strap120 andlateral straps124 may be made of any type material such as fabric, strapping, plastic, rubber, leather, synthetic leather, hook and loop material, or any other material.

In use, the user places their foot on thefoot bed104 of the sandal under and between the V shaped lateral straps124. The foot is pushed forward such that thetoe strap120 of the sandal slides between the user's two largest toes. Placement of the foot under thelateral straps124 and placement thetoe strap120 between the user's toes secures the sandal to the user's foot.

For purposes of discussion, a foot size is defined by three primary dimensions, namely the length, width, and height. Each dimension may change along different positions on the foot. The length is generally measured from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe. Traditional shoe sizing, particularly for sandals, only defines the size of the footwear by the length of the foot. While in some cases, the size may also define a wide or narrow fit for a given length, this is not typical with sandals such as flip flops. As a result, two people with the same length foot (same shoe size) may have substantially different foot widths and foot heights. In addition, the foot width and foot height may change over the course of a day or the course of a month.

The sandal is ideally fit when the user is able fit their foot under thestrap124 and forward into the proper foot position on thefoot bed104. In many instances when the foot is too loose in the sandal, or the foot is too tight in the sandal, a less than ideal fit is established which leads to discomfort to the user, blisters, or the sandal falling off during use.

In addition, an adjustable sandal strap allows the sandal to be adjusted to fit different users or a user as that user grows. For example, as a child grows, the sandal strap may be adjusted to account for growth of the child. Likewise, sandals may be shared between people. Moreover, stores can now stock only once sandal in one size fits all configuration.

Accordingly, in this embodiment as shown inFIGS. 2-4, the sandal further includes an adjustment feature that allows the length of thetoe strap120 to be adjusted. In this example embodiment, thetoe strap120 is separated into two or more elements. Anupper toe strap150 extends up from the sole100 of the sandal and is configured to be removably attachable to a top surface of the lateral straps124. Alower toe strap152 extends up from the sole100 of the sandal and is configured to attach to a bottom or rear surface of the lateral straps124.

Theupper toe strap150 is selectively attachable to anattachment surface154. Theattachment surface154 is disposed on a top surface of thelateral straps124 so as to be in line with thetoe strap120. Theattachment surface154 may be one side of a hook and loop fastener, commonly known by the trade name Velcro. For example, theattachment surface154 may be covered with or includes the hook material while theupper toe strap150 has a toestrap attachment surface156 that is covered with or includes loop materials. Placing loop material on theupper toe strap150 may provide a softer surface for the user for enhanced comfort.

It is noted that the embodiments are not limited to hook and loop fasteners. Any other suitable fastener may similarly be employed including buttons, snaps, hooks, and the like. Whichever fastener is selected, the fastener allows for theupper toe strap150 to attach to theattachment surface154 at a plurality of locations.

By the connection between theupper toe strap150 and theattachment surface154, the

straps

120,124 of the sandal may be adjusted to accommodate feet of different widths and heights for a given length or shoe size, or to accommodate foot size changes that occur during the course of the day or week. This is done by placing theupper toe strap150 at different positions along theattachment surface154 of thelateral strap124 to effectively increase and decrease the distance between thelateral straps124 and thefoot bed104. Thus, by moving thelateral strap124 upward or downward in relation to thefoot bed104, and then attaching theattachment surface154 of thelateral strap124 to the toestrap attachment surface156, the size of the sandal is adjusted.

It is further contemplated that the

lateral strap

124A,124B may be made of one piece of material or two or more pieces of material that may be connected such as hook and loop fastener to provide further adjustability by allowing the length of the lateral strap to be lengthened or shortened. In such an embodiment, the distance between thefoot bed104 and the lateral strap124 (at the attachment section) is thus adjustable, as is the overall length of the lateral strap. The length of the lateral strap may be adjusted in any manner.

In some embodiments, theupper toe strap150 and/or thelower toe strap152 may be configured to be elastic in a longitudinal direction. The elasticity may further aid in the adjustability of the

straps

120,124 of the sandal.

Theupper toe strap150 and thelower toe strap152 are anchored to the sole100 by thetoe strap anchor140. In one embodiment, the upper and lower toe straps150,152 are formed as a single strap, and thetoe strap anchor140 is configured to allow the upper and lower toe straps150,152 to move through the anchor. Thus, if theupper toe strap150 is pulled so as to be lengthened, then the length of thelower toe strap152 is decreased.

In some embodiments, the lateral straps124A,124B are configured to extend from the sides of thetoe strap120. In this instance,

lateral straps

124A,124B extend laterally from each side of thelower toe strap152. Theattachment surface154 is disposed on the upper surface of thelower toe strap152.

In some embodiments, thetoe strap120 may be configured to surround thelateral straps124 and be affixed thereto, such as by stitching, to increase the strength of the sandal. In this instance, thelower toe strap152 may be configured to surround thelateral straps124 and to be permanently attached thereto, such as by stitching. Theattachment surface154 may be disposed on the upper surface of thelower toe strap152.

In other embodiments, different structures for the upper and

lower toe strap

150,152, and theattachment surface154 may be used. For example, thetoe strap120 may comprise round shapes or multiple straps or bands of hook and loop material that connect and disconnect. By varying the location at which theupper toe strap150 and theattachment surface154 connect, the length (or height) of the toe strap is adjustable, which in turn adjusts the distance between thelateral straps124 and thefoot bed104, and thus the fit of the sandal.

In another embodiment, the adjustment features described above may be implemented for thelateral straps124 in addition to or place of thetoe strap120. For example, each of the right and left

lateral straps

124A,124B may comprise two straps which include hook and loop materials. The position at which the two straps connect via the hook and loop fasteners is adjustable to change the length of the lateral straps124. By changing the length of the lateral straps the fit of the sandal may be adjusted.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a sandal with adjustable straps according to another exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, thetoe strap120 is split into anupper toe strap250 and alower toe strap252. The lateral straps124 include anattachment surface254 configured with material of one side of a hook and loop fastener. Aslot242 is disposed near the rearward edge of theattachment surface254 of the lateral straps124. Theslot242 is sized to receive thelower strap252.

Thelower strap252 is comprised of alower portion252A and anupper portion252B. Theupper portion252B is configured to fit through theslot242 and fold downward onto theattachment surface254. Theupper portion252B of thelower toe strap252 has hook and loop material on both sides. In this manner, theupper portion252B of thelower toe strap252 fits through theslot242 and folds down onto theattachment surface254. Theattachment surface254 also comprises material for one side of hook and loop fastener which is configured to fasten to one side of theupper portion252B of thelower toe strap252. This secures thelower toe strap252 to thelateral straps124 in an adjustable manner.

Theupper toe strap250 is also configured with material for one side of a hook and loop fastener disposed on aninner surface264. Anouter surface262 does not comprise a hook and loop fastener, but may instead facilitate a logo or other decoration to be applied thereto. The hook and loop material on theinner surface264 releasably secures to theattachment surface254 and also to theouter surface272 of theupper portion252B of thetoe strap252 that extends through theslot242 and is folded downward on to theattachment surface254.

This embodiment provides the benefit of a very secure connection between thetoe strap120 and thelateral straps124 while also allowing theouter surface262 of thefront strap252 to cover and hide the hook and loop material on theattachment surface254 and theouter surface272 of theupper portion252B of thelower toe strap252.

In some embodiments, the lower surface of thelateral straps124 may also include material for one side of a hook and look fastener. This may be used to connect to the inner surface of thelower toe strap252. This further helps to secure thelower toe strap252 to the lateral straps124.

To give further adjustability, theupper toe strap250 and thelower toe strap252 may be configured as a single, unitary strap. Thetoe strap anchor140 that attaches thetoe strap120 to the sole100 may allow theupper toe strap250 and thelower toe strap252 to slide through theanchor140 to further enhance the adjustability of the sandal.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sandal with adjustable straps according to another exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, thelateral straps124 include anattachment surface254 configured with material for one side of a hook and loop fastener on an outer surface. Aslot242 in thestrap124 is configured to receive anupper portion352B of thetoe strap320 such that theupper portion352B of thetoe strap320 fits through theslot242 and folds downward on to theattachment surface254.

In this embodiment, anouter surface372 of theupper portion352B of thetoe strap320 is not configured with hook and loop material. However, a lower surface of thelateral straps124 may also be configured with material for one side of a hook and loop fastener to attach to the inner surface on thelower portion352A of thetoe strap320. This further secures thelateral straps124 to thetoe strap320. It is also noted that in this embodiment, as compared to those shown inFIGS. 1-6, thetoe strap320 does not need to include an upper and a lower two strap.

The various features of different embodiments may be combined in any combination or individually to form a sandal. While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sandal having an adjustable strap, the sandal comprising:

a sole that comprises a foot bed;

a toe strap that is anchored to the sole and comprises a toe strap attachment surface; and

a lateral strap comprising:

a first end connected to the sole;

a second end connected to the sole; and

a lateral strap attachment surface disposed between the first end and second end of the lateral strap, the lateral strap attachment surface and the toe strap attachment surface being configured to releasably connect at a plurality of positions relative to each other.

2. The sandal according toclaim 1, wherein the toe strap comprises an upper toe strap and a lower toe strap, the upper toe strap comprising the toe strap attachment surface, and the lower toe strap being permanently affixed to the lateral strap.

3. The sandal according toclaim 2, further comprising a toe strap anchor that anchors the toe strap to the sole, the toe strap anchor being configured to allow the toe strap to slide through the toe strap anchor and the sole.

4. The sandal according toclaim 1, wherein the toe strap is elastic in a longitudinal direction.

5. The sandal according toclaim 1, wherein the toe strap attachment surface and the lateral strap attachment surface each comprise one side of a hook and loop fastener.

6. The sandal according toclaim 5, wherein a loop side of the hook and loop fastener is disposed on the lateral strap attachment surface.

7. The sandal according toclaim 1, further comprising a slot disposed in the lateral strap near a rearward edge of the lateral strap, the toe strap being configured to be received through the slot from a lower side to an upper side of the lateral strap.

8. The sandal according toclaim 7, wherein the toe strap attachment surface is disposed on an inner surface of the toe strap.

9. The sandal according toclaim 7, wherein the toe strap comprises an upper toe strap and a lower toe strap, the upper toe strap comprising the toe strap attachment surface, and the lower toe strap being configured to be received through the slot,

the lower toe strap comprises an inner attachment surface and an outer attachment surface, and

the inner attachment surface is configured to releasably attach to the lateral strap attachment surface, and the outer attachment surface is configured to releasably attach to the toe strap attachment surface.

10. The sandal according toclaim 9, wherein the toe strap attachment surface, the lateral strap attachment surface, the inner attachment surface, and the outer attachment surface each comprise one side of a hook and loop fastener.

11. The sandal according toclaim 1, further comprising a slot disposed in the lateral strap near a rearward edge of the lateral strap, wherein

the toe strap comprises an upper toe strap and a lower toe strap, the upper toe strap comprising the toe strap attachment surface,

the lower toe strap comprises an inner attachment surface and an outer attachment surface and is configured to be received through the slot from a lower side to an upper side of the lateral strap, and

12. The sandal according toclaim 11, wherein the toe strap attachment surface, the lateral strap attachment surface, the inner attachment surface, and the outer attachment surface each comprise one side of a hook and loop fastener.

13. The sandal according toclaim 11, further comprising a toe strap anchor that attaches the toe strap to the sole, the toe strap anchor being configured to allow the toe strap to slide through the toe strap and the sole.

14. A sandal having an adjustable strap, the sandal comprising:

a sole;

a toe strap comprising an upper toe strap and a lower tow strap, the toe strap being prevented from sliding through the sole by a toe strap anchor;

a lateral strap, formed of one or more sections, comprising ends connected to the sole;

a first attachment surface disposed on an upper surface of the lower toe strap; and

a second attachment surface disposed on a lower surface of the upper toe strap, the lower toe strap being configured to partially surround the lateral strap, and the first and second attachment surfaces being configured to attach the lower toe strap to the upper toe strap at a plurality of positions relative to each other.

15. The sandal according toclaim 14, wherein the first and second attachment surfaces each comprise one side of a hook and loop fastener.

16. The sandal according toclaim 14, wherein the toe strap anchor is configured to allow the toe strap to slide there through.

17. The sandal according toclaim 14, wherein a connection section is disposed on the lateral strap, the connection surface being configured to releasably secure to at least one of the second attachment surface and a third attachment surface disposed opposite the first attachment surface of the lower toe strap to thereby releasably secure the lateral strap to the toe strap in either of a first position or a second position.

18. A method for adjusting a size of a sandal comprising:

providing a sandal that comprises:

a sole having a foot bed;

a lateral strap comprising a first end connected to the sole, a second end connected to the sole; and a lateral strap attachment surface disposed between the first end and second ends of the lateral strap; and

removing and reattaching the toe strap attachment surface to the lateral strap attachment surface at one of a plurality of positions along the lateral strap attachment surface to change the fit of the sandal.