Flip-flop capable of changing to a sandal having an embedded rear strap movable between two positions

Abstract

The present invention provides footwear capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal. The structure of a flip-flop which includes a sole having a top section, a bottom section, a forefoot section, a heel section, and a sidewall section. Also, a forefoot cover having V-shaped straps is positioned and extends over at least a part of the forefoot section and is attached to the top section of the sole. A horizontal recess is formed in the heel section of the sole for receiving therein a horizontal strap, which is removably placed in the horizontal recess. The horizontal strap is moveable by the user between a first stored position in the recess, and a second in-use raised position, wherein the horizontal strap extends above the horizontal recess and covers the bridge of the user's foot in order to convert the flip-flop to a sandal for securing the foot more securely.

Claims

1. Footwear capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal comprising: a sole including a top section, a forefoot section, a heel section, and a sidewall section; and forefoot V-shaped straps positioned and extending over at least a part of the forefoot section, and being secured to the top section of said sole; a horizontal recess formed in the heel section of said top section of said sole for receiving a horizontal strap; said horizontal strap being removably placed in said horizontal recess of the top section of said sole, wherein said horizontal strap is capable of moving between a first stored position within said horizontal recess and a second in-use raised position above the horizontal recess of the top section of the sole.

2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said horizontal strap includes elastic material for adjusting said horizontal strap.

3. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of said terminal ends is removably attached by a buckle, a snap, or a hook and loop fastener to the sole.

4. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of said terminal ends is removably attached by a buckle, a snap, or a hook and loop fastener within said horizontal recess formed in the heel section of said sole.

5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of the terminal ends is placed within said horizontal recess formed in the heel section of said sole.

6. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said horizontal strap includes two terminal ends and at least one of the terminal ends is attached to said sidewall section of the sole.

7. Footwear capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal comprising: a sole including a top section, a forefoot section, and a heel section; and forefoot straps extending over at least a part of the forefoot section, and being secured to the top section of the sole; a horizontal recess formed in the heel section of the top section of the sole for receiving a horizontal strap; the horizontal strap being removably placed in the horizontal recess of the top section of the sole, wherein the horizontal strap is capable of moving between a first stored position within the horizontal recess and a second in-use raised position above the top section of the sole.

8. The footwear of claim 7, wherein the horizontal strap includes elastic material for adjusting the horizontal strap.

9. The footwear of claim 7, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of the terminal ends is removably attached by a buckle, a snap, or a hook and loop fastener to the sole.

10. The footwear of claim 7, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of the terminal ends is removably attached by a buckle, a snap, or a hook and loop fastener within the horizontal recess.

11. The footwear of claim 7, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of the terminal ends is placed within the horizontal recess formed in the sole.

12. The footwear of claim 7, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends and at least one of the terminal ends is attached to a sidewall section of the sole.

13. The footwear of claim 7, wherein the forefoot straps are V-shaped or Y-shaped.

14. Footwear capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal comprising: a sole including a top section and forefoot section; and a forefoot strap positioned and extending over at least a part of the forefoot section, and being secured to the top section of the sole; a horizontal recess formed in the top section of the sole for receiving a horizontal strap; the horizontal strap being removably placed in the horizontal recess of the top section of the sole, wherein the horizontal strap is capable of moving between a first stored position within the horizontal recess and a second in-use raised position above the sole.

15. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the horizontal strap includes elastic material for adjusting the horizontal strap.

16. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of the terminal ends is removably attached by a buckle, a snap, or a hook and loop fastener to the sole.

17. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of the terminal ends is removably attached by a buckle, a snap, or a hook and loop fastener within the horizontal recess.

18. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends, and at least one of the terminal ends is placed within the horizontal recess.

19. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the horizontal strap includes two terminal ends and at least one of the terminal ends is attached to a sidewall section of the sole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of the footwear functioning as a flip-flop with the horizontal strap in its stored flat position embedded in a horizontal recess or pocket in the heel section of the upper sole;

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the upper sole of the footwear showing the horizontal recess or pocket for embedding the horizontal strap in the upper sole;

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of the sole of the footwear functioning as a sandal with the horizontal strap in its raised position for encircling and covering the bridge of the wearer's foot to provide additional support and security for the wearer's foot;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of the footwear functioning as a sandal with the horizontal strap in its raised position for encircling and covering the bridge of the wearer's foot to provide additional support and security for the wearer's foot;

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of the footwear functioning as a flip-flop with the horizontal strap in its stored flat position embedded in the horizontal recess or pocket of the heel section of the sole;

(6) FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of a top view of the footwear functioning as a flip-flop with the horizontal strap attached to the side of the sole and having a releasable buckle in its stored flat position embedded in the horizontal recess or pocket of the heel section of the sole;

(7) FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the footwear functioning as a sandal with the horizontal strap attached to the side of the sole and having a releasable buckle in its raised position for encircling and covering the bridge of the wearer's foot to provide additional security for the wearer's foot;

(8) FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of a top view of the footwear functioning as a flip-flop with the horizontal strap attached within the horizontal recess or pocket having a releasable buckle in its stored flat position embedded in the horizontal recess or pocket of the heel section of the sole; and

(9) FIG. 9 is a third embodiment of the footwear functioning as a sandal with the horizontal strap attached within the horizontal recess or pocket having a releasable buckle in its raised position for encircling and covering the bridge of the wearer's foot to provide additional security for the wearer's foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

First Preferred Embodiment

(10) The first preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, provides footwear 10 capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal. The structure of the flip-flop includes a sole 20 having a top section 20a, a bottom section 20b, a forefoot section 20c, a heel section 20d, a right sidewall section 20e, and a left sidewall section 20f. The sole 20 may be formed of materials including: rubber, vulcanized rubber, leather, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, dual density SSR, or any other synthetic or natural materials known in the art for constructing footwear soles.

(11) Also, a forefoot cover 22 having V-shaped or Y shaped straps that take the shape of a “toe thong” passes between the first and second toes and around both sides of the foot. However, the forefoot cover 22 may also have any other shape that is desired by the user. The forefoot cover 22 is positioned and extends over at least a part of the forefoot section 20c and is attached to the top section of the sole 20a. The forefoot cover 22 is preferably comprised of elastic material and may be formed from synthetic fabric, but may alternatively be formed of any material such as leather, nylon, or any other material known within the field. Further, the forefoot cover 22 may be attached to the sole 20 using rivets, screws, latch members, adhesives, glue, or any other means known within the art. Alternatively, instead of mechanically attaching the forefoot cover 22 to the sole 20, the forefoot cover 22 and sole 20 may be a molded as a single unit of footwear construction.

(12) In addition, the footwear 10 includes a horizontal strap 24 embedded in a horizontal recess or pocket 26 for converting the flip-flop into a sandal. Specifically, a horizontal recess 26 is formed, having a right side 26a and a left side 26b, and is formed in the heel section of the sole 20d for receiving the horizontal strap 24. The horizontal strap 24 is removably embedded within the horizontal recess 26 of the top section of the sole 20a. Also, horizontal strap 24 is capable of moving between a first stored flat position 30 within the recess 26, wherein the horizontal strap 24 fits flush within the recess 26, and a second in-use raised position 32. In the second in-use raised position 32, the horizontal strap extends above the horizontal recess 26 to cover and support the bridge portion and top portion of the ankle of the wearer's foot. In this respect, the horizontal strap 24 permits the footwear 10 to function as a sandal and provides greater support for the wearer's foot, in addition to the support provided by the “toe thong” construction of the forefoot cover 22.

(13) The horizontal strap 24 is preferably formed of synthetic elastic fabric to aid in adjusting the horizontal strap around and over the bridge of the wearer's foot. Horizontal strap 24 may alternatively be formed from any natural or synthetic materials such as rubber, leather, nylon, or any other material known within the art. Furthermore, horizontal strap 24 may optionally include various adjusters for adjusting the length of the horizontal strap 24, so that it provides a tighter fit around the bridge and upper ankle portion of the wearer's foot, as desired. Adjusters may include buckles, cinches, loops or any other mechanical devices known within the art for tightening or controlling the length of the horizontal strap 24.

(14) In the preferred embodiment, horizontal strap 24 is one solid band having a first terminal end 24a attached to the right sidewall section 20e of the sole 20, and a second terminal end 24b attached to the left sidewall section 20f of the sole 20. Alternatively, the first terminal end 24a may be attached to the right side 26a of the horizontal recess 26 and the second terminal end 24b may be attached to the left side 26b of the horizontal recess 26. The two terminal ends 24a and 24b of the horizontal strap 24 may be attached to the sole 20 or may be attached within the horizontal recess 26 using rivets, screws, latch members, adhesives, glue, or any other structure known within the art.

Second Embodiment

(15) In a second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the horizontal strap 24 includes two horizontal bands, a first horizontal band 34 and a second horizontal band 36 that are mateably engageable with mechanical fasteners. These mechanical fasteners may include a hook-loop fastener, buckle, button, clip, snap, fastener, magnet, latch or any other means that are known within the art.

(16) The first horizontal band 34 includes a first terminal end 34a and a second terminal end 34b. The first terminal end 34a of the first horizontal band 34 is attached to the right sidewall section 20e of the sole 20. The second terminal end 34b of the first horizontal band 34 is attached to a first mechanical fastener 40.

(17) Similarly, the second horizontal band 36 includes a first terminal end 36a and a second terminal end 36b. The first terminal end 36a of the second horizontal band 36 is attached to the left sidewall section 20f of the sole 20. The second terminal end 36b of the second horizontal band 36 is attached to a second mechanical fastener 42.

(18) The first mechanical fastener 40 of the second terminal end 34b of the first horizontal band 34 is mateably engageable with the second mechanical fastener 42 of the second terminal end 36b of the second horizontal band 36. As a result, the first horizontal band 34 and the second horizontal band 36 can be removably connected.

Third Embodiment

(19) In a third embodiment as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, horizontal strap 24 includes two horizontal bands, a first horizontal band 34 and a second horizontal band 36 that are mateably engageable with mechanical fasteners. These mechanical fasteners may include a hook-loop fastener, buckle, button, clip, snap, fastener, magnet, latch or any other means that are known within the art.

(20) The first horizontal band 34 includes a first terminal end 34a and a second terminal end 34b. The first terminal end 34a of the first horizontal band 34 is attached to the right side 26a of the horizontal recess 26. The second terminal end 34b of the first horizontal band 34 is attached to a first mechanical fastener 40.

(21) Similarly, the second horizontal band 36 includes a first terminal end 36a and a second terminal end 36b. The first terminal end 36a of the second horizontal band 36 is attached to the left side 26b of the horizontal recess 26. The second terminal end 36b of the second horizontal band 36 is attached to a second mechanical fastener 42.

(22) The first mechanical fastener 40 of the second terminal end 34b of the first horizontal band 34 is mateably engageable with the second mechanical fastener 42 of the second terminal end 36b of the second horizontal band 36. As a result, the first horizontal band 34 and the second horizontal band 36 can be removably connected.

(23) While various embodiments of footwear 10 that is capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal have been described, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. For example, the shape, materials of construction, and design of the sole, forefoot cover, and horizontal strap as illustrated and described were not intended to be limiting.

OPERATION

(24) The present invention provides footwear 10 capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal. When functioning as a flip-flop, the horizontal strap 24 is in the closed position and is removably embedded within the horizontal recess 26. In this position, the wearer's feet are secured to the flip-flop by their toes being secured to the toe thong construction of the forefoot cover 22.

(25) In order to convert the footwear from a flip-flop to a sandal, the wearer pulls up the horizontal strap 24 from its embedded position within the horizontal recess 26 and then fastens and adjusts the horizontal strap 24 around the bridge and upper ankle portion of the wearer's foot, depending on the wearer's preferences. In this position, the wearer's feet are secured to the sandal by their toes being secured by the toe thong construction of the forefoot cover 22, and also secured to the sandal by the bridge and upper ankle portion of their feet being secured by the horizontal strap 24.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(26) It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a new and improved flip-flop that can optionally and easily be converted into a sandal by the user moving a horizontal strap that is stored and embedded within a recess formed in the sole of the flip flop when it is not in use.

(27) Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a flip-flop with a movable horizontal strap that provides greater support and security to the bridge, heel, or ankle of the user's foot.

(28) Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved flip-flop that can be converted into a sandal which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

(29) Another advantage of the present invention to provide a new and improved flip-flop that can be converted into a sandal which has a durable and reliable construction.

(30) Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved flip-flop that can be converted into a sandal for providing multiple footwear styles for a wearer.

(31) A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved flip-flop that can be converted into a sandal that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to materials and labor, and has a low cost to the consumer.

(32) A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.