Abstract
A sandal, also known as a slide, having a base and a foot cover. The base has a top surface upon which a human foot rests and a periphery defined by a peripheral heel end, and a peripheral toe end. Further, the base has a longitudinal extent measured from the heel end to the toe end. On the periphery of the base, there are first and second opposed peripheral sides, the first peripheral side having at least one pin and the second peripheral side having at least one pin. The foot cover, which is selectively detachable from the base, has at least one tapered opening for receipt of the at least one pin on the first peripheral side and at least one tapered opening for receipt of the at least one pin on the second peripheral side.
Claims
1. A sandal, comprising: a base, comprising: a top surface upon which a human foot rests; a periphery defining a peripheral heel end, a peripheral toe end, a longitudinal extent measured from said heel end to said to end, and first and second opposed peripheral sides, said first peripheral side having at least one pin and said second peripheral side having at least one pin; a foot cover, selectively detachable from said base, comprising: at least one tapered opening which receives said at least one pin on said first peripheral side; and at least one tapered opening which receives said at least one pin on said second peripheral side, wherein said tapered openings are defined by recessed surfaces in said foot cover, and wherein said foot cover includes cavities which are defined by said recessed surfaces such that each of said cavities includes at least two sidewalls.
2. The sandal of claim 1, wherein said tapered openings are througholes.
3. The sandal of claim 1, wherein said tapered openings have a keyhole shape.
4. The sandal of claim 1, wherein said pins extend outwardly beyond the periphery of said base.
5. The sandal of claim 1, wherein said first peripheral side comprises a pair of said pins and said second peripheral side comprises a pair of said pins.
6. The sandal of claim 5, wherein the pair of said pins on said first peripheral side define a first distance therebetween, and wherein the pair of said pins on said second peripheral side define a second distance therebetween and wherein said first distance is different from said second distance.
7. The sandal of claim 5, wherein one of the pair of said pins on said first peripheral side is spaced a greater distance from the top surface of said base than the other of the pair of said pins on said first peripheral side.
8. The sandal of claim 5, wherein said first distance is 1.540.5 inches (39.112.7 mm) and said second distance is 1.910.5 inches (48.512.7 mm).
9. The sandal of claim 5, wherein said first distance is 1.140.5 inches (29.012.7 mm) and said second distance is 1.510.5 inches (38.412.7 mm).
10. The sandal of claim 5, wherein said first distance is 1.940.5 inches (49.312.7 mm) and said second distance is 2.310.5 inches (58.712.7 mm).
11. The sandal of claim 1, wherein said foot cover further comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein said second layer comprises a cushioning material and said first layer comprises au image layer, said image layer being exterior to said cushioning layer.
12. The sandal of claim 11, further comprising end caps capturing said first and second layers.
13. A selectively detachable foot cover for sandals which includes a planar surface with a first terminal edge and a second terminal edge, comprising: a body; a main planar surface of said body extending between said first and second terminal edges; at least one tapered opening defined proximate said first terminal edge; and at least one tapered opening defined proximate said second terminal edge, wherein said tapered openings are defined by recessed regions in said body of said foot cover and wherein said foot cover includes cavities which are defined by said recessed surfaces such that said cavity includes at least two sidewalls.
14. The foot cover of claim 13, wherein said tapered openings are througholes.
15. The foot cover of claim 13, wherein said tapered openings have a keyhole shape.
16. The foot cover of claim 13, further comprising a pair of said tapered openings proximate said first terminal edge and a pair of said tapered openings proximate said second terminal edge.
17. The foot cover of claim 16, wherein the pair of said tapered openings proximate said first terminal edge defines a first distance therebetween, and wherein the pair of said tapered openings proximate said second terminal edge define a second distance therebetween and wherein said first distance is different from said second distance.
18. The foot cover of claim 17, wherein one of the pair of said tapered openings proximate said first terminal edge is spaced a greater distance from said first terminal edge than the other of the pair of said tapered openings proximate said first terminal edge.
19. The foot cover of claim 17, wherein said first distance is 1.540.5 inches (39.17.12.7 mm) and said second distance is 1.910.5 inches (48.512.7 mm).
20. The foot cover of claim 17, wherein said first distance is 1.140.5 inches (29.012.7 mm) and said second distance is 1.510.5 inches (38.412.7 mm).
21. The foot cover of claim 17, wherein said first distance is 1.940.5 inches (49.312.7 mm) and said second distance is 2.310.5 inches (58.712.7 mm).
22. The foot cover of claim 13, wherein said foot cover comprises first and second layers, wherein said second layer comprises a cushioning material and said first layer comprises an image layer, such that said first layer is exterior to said second layer.
23. The foot cover of claim 22, further comprising end caps capturing said first and second layers.
24. A sandal, comprising: a base, comprising: a top surface upon which a human foot rests; a periphery defining a peripheral heel end, a peripheral toe end, a longitudinal extent measured from said heel end to said toe end, and first and second opposed peripheral sides, said first peripheral side having at least one pin and said second peripheral side having at least one pin; a foot cover, which includes a planar surface with a first terminal edge and a second terminal edge and is selectively detachable from said base, comprising: at least one tapered opening which receives said at least one pin on said first peripheral side; and at least one tapered opening which receives said at least one pin on said second peripheral side, wherein said tapered openings have a keyhole shape, such that a narrow portion of said keyhole shape is closer to said first or second terminal edge than a large portion of said keyhole shape.
25. The sandal of claim 24, wherein said narrow portion of said keyhole shape is wider than a shaft of said pin.
26. The sandal of claim 24, wherein said first peripheral side comprises a pair of said pins and said second peripheral side comprises a pair of said pins.
27. The sandal of claim 26, wherein the pair of said pins on said first peripheral side define a first distance therebetween, and wherein the pair of said pins on said second peripheral side define a second distance therebetween and wherein said first distance is different from said second distance.
28. The sandal of claim 26, wherein one of the pair of said pins on said first peripheral side is spaced a greater distance from the top surface of said base than the other of the pair of said pins on said first peripheral side.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1a depicts an example article of footwear, a sandal or slide, having an interchangeable cover, according to an example embodiment.
(2) FIG. 1b depicts a side view of the sandal or slide of FIG. 1a, according to an example embodiment.
(3) FIG. 1c depicts a base separate from a foot cover, according to an example embodiment.
(4) FIG. 1d depicts the foot cover separate from the base, according to an example embodiment.
(5) FIG. 2a depicts a side view of the sandal or slide of FIG. 1a, according to an example embodiment.
(6) FIG. 2b depicts an enlarged example affixation of the foot cover to the base of FIG. 2a, according to an example embodiment.
(7) FIG. 3a depicts an exploded side view of the sandal or slide of FIG. 1a, according to an example embodiment.
(8) FIG. 3b depicts an enlarged view of the foot cover and the base from the foot cover of FIG. 3a, according to an example embodiment.
(9) FIG. 3c depicts an enlarged tapered opening having a keyhole shape of FIG. 3a, according to an example embodiment.
(10) FIG. 4a depicts an example foot cover with end caps, according to an example embodiment.
(11) FIG. 4b is a cross-section taken along the line 4b-4b and in the direction generally indicted from arrows of FIG. 4a.
(12) FIG. 5a depicts a side view of a sandal or slide with the foot cover with end caps of FIG. 4a, according to an example embodiment.
(13) FIG. 5b depicts an enlarged example affixation of the foot cover with caps to the base of FIG. 5a, according to an example embodiment.
(14) FIG. 5c is a cross-section taken along the line 5c-5c and in the direction generally indicted from arrows of FIG. 5b.
(15) FIG. 5d depicts a side view of the slide of FIG. 5a rotated at a forty-five-degree angle, according to an example embodiment.
(16) FIG. 6a depicts an example foot cover with receptacles, according to an example embodiment.
(17) FIG. 6b depicts a bottom view of the foot cover of FIG. 6a, according to an example embodiment.
(18) FIG. 6c depicts a side view of the foot cover of FIG. 6a, according to an example embodiment.
(19) FIG. 6d depicts and enlarged view of the foot cover of FIG. 6c, according to an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(20) Referring to FIG. 1a, FIG. 1c, and FIG. 1d, a sandal or slide 20 has a base 22, and a foot cover 24 which is selectively removable from the base 22 as shown in FIG. 3a. As displayed in FIG. 1d, the foot cover 24 includes at least one tapered opening 26a, 26b which preferably have a keyhole shape. FIG. 1b shows a longitudinal extent L defined between a heel end 34, and a toe end 36. The foot cover 24 includes a depth dimension W measured along the longitudinal extent L FIG. 1d shows a terminal edge 30 of the foot cover 24 which includes at least one tapered opening 26a, 26b. Similarly, a terminal edge 32 opposite the terminal edge 30 includes at least one tapered opening 28a, 28b.
(21) Referring to FIG. 1c, the base 22 has peripheral sides 38, 40. The peripheral side 38 includes at least one pin, and in a particular embodiment, a pair of pins 42a, 42b. Similarly, the peripheral side 40 includes at least one pin 44a, 44b. Each pin 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b preferably has an elongated shaft 45 and a radially enlarged bead 45a. Thus, in one embodiment, the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b resemble conventional nails. However, other configurations of the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b are contemplated as are known in the art. FIG. 1d shows the foot cover 24, with a distance D1 defined between the tapered openings 26a, 26b, and a distance D2 defined between the tapered openings 28a, 28b. Moreover, FIG. 1c shows the base 22, with a distance D3 defined between pins 42a, 42b and a distance D4 defined between pins 44a, 44b. D1 is preferably equal to D3 so that the pins 42a, 42b are engaged with the respective tapered openings 26a, 26b. Similarly, D2 is preferably equal to D4, so that the pins 44a, 44b are engaged with the respective openings 28a, 28b. The base 22 is preferably made of a flexible PVC or rubber-like material, or other suitable material known to those in the art.
(22) Referring to FIG. 3a the sandal or slide 20, is disassembled into its components, the base 22 and the foot cover 24. FIG. 3b shows an enlarged view of the pins 42a, 42b, and the tapered openings 26a, 26b, from FIG. 3a. FIG. 3c shows an enlarged view of the tapered opening 26a, having a large portion 46 and a relatively narrow portion 48. In the preferred embodiment, the two portions 46, 48 are in communication with each other. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the large portion 46 is preferably semi-circular, and the narrow portion 48 is generally U-shaped. Other configurations of the tapered openings 28a, 28b are contemplated as are known in the art.
(23) Referring to FIG. 2b, the tapered openings 26a, 26b preferably have a keyhole shape to facilitate insertion of the pins 42a, 42b. A method for applying the foot cover 24 to the base 22 involves placing the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b into the large portion 46 of the corresponding tapered openings 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b and moving the foot cover 24 so that the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b are in contact with the bottom of the narrow portion 48 of the tapered openings 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b. Then, as the foot of the wearer pushes up on the foot cover 24, the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b push against the bottom of the tapered openings 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b facilitating a more secure connection.
(24) Referring to FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, an alternate embodiment of the foot cover 24 is generally designated 49. Components shared with the foot cover 24 are designated with identical reference numbers. Important distinguishing features of the foot cover 49 include the presence of end caps 50, 52, a cushioning layer 54, and/or an image layer 56. As illustrated by FIG. 4b, the end cap 52 has recessed surfaces 58a, 58b proximate the terminal edge 32. Similarly, the end cap 50 has recessed surfaces 60a, 60b proximate the terminal edge 30. The recessed surfaces 58a, 58b, 60a, 60b are preferably recessed relative to the image layer 56 which is on an exterior of the foot cover 49. Inside the recessed surfaces 58a, 58b are the tapered openings 28a, 28b and inside the recessed surfaces 60a, 60b are the tapered openings 26a, 26b. Moreover, cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b which are defined by the recessed surfaces 58a, 58b, 60a, 60b, respectively, also include sidewalls 66. In a preferred embodiment, the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b form a rectangular prism between sidewalls 66, such that the enlarged radial heads 45a of the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b are located within the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b when the slide 20 is assembled. However, other shapes of the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b are contemplated as are known in the art. Additionally, the sidewalls 66 may be either flat or curved, in forming the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b.
(25) Referring to FIG. 5a, the sandal or slide 20 has the base 22 and the alternate foot cover 49 which is selectively removable from the base 22. FIG. 5b shows an enlarged view of the pins 42a, 42b residing in the cavities 64a, 64b, formed by the recessed surfaces 60a, 60b, and the sidewalls 66. As illustrated by FIG. 5c, the pins 42a, 42b fit within the cavities 64a, 64b. The bottom surface of enlarged radial heads 45a of the pins 42a, 42b preferably pushes against the recessed surfaces 60a, 60b to secure the alternate foot cover 49. If the pins 42a, 42b are in contact with the recessed surfaces 60a, 60b, the pressure they provide maintains the alternate foot cover 49 securely fastened to the base 22. Each of the cavities 64a, 64b are ideally large enough so that the enlarged radial heads 45a of the pins 42a, 42b have sufficient room such that they do not contact the side walls 66 when assembling or disassembling the slide 20.
(26) FIG. 5d shows an angled view of the interface between the alternate foot cover 49 and the base 22. Specifically, this view illustrates that within a preferred embodiment, the cavities 64a, 64b have a rectangular prism shape formed by the sidewalls 66 and the recessed surfaces 60a, 60b. The pins 42a, 42b are dimensioned relative to the corresponding cavities 64a, 64b and openings 26a, 26b so that they are allowed to slide from the large portion 46 to the narrow portion 48 of the tapered openings 26a, 26b until they are secure at the bottom of the tapered openings 26a, 26b. With the pins 42a, 42b pressing against the recessed surfaces 60a, 60b, and the bottom of the tapered openings 26a, 26b, the alternate foot cover 49 has a secure connection with the base 22 of the slide 20.
(27) As illustrated by FIG. 5a-5d, by placing each of the tapered openings 26a, 26b in the recessed surfaces 58a, 58b, the enlarged radial heads 45a of the pins 44a, 44b preferably do not extend past the alternate foot cover 49 in the fully assembled slide 20. This is primarily because the recessed surfaces 58a, 58b, are sufficiently recessed from the image layer 56. The end caps 50, 52 are preferably made of hard plastic, epoxy resin, or other suitable material known to those in the art. Further, the cushioning layer 54 is preferably made of a durable, flexible material that is more soft and flexible than the end caps 50, 52. Finally, the image layer 56, is made of a material, such as but not limited to, synthetic paper with laser printing or sublimation on sublimation compatible materials, to allow unique designs and logos to be transferred onto the top of the alternate foot cover 49. Contemplated are other materials and methods for creating the alternate foot cover 49 as are known in the art. Also contemplated is a transparent foot cover 68 has no image layer 56 and has only a transparent cushioning layer 70, and end caps 50, 52.
(28) Referring to FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b, an alternate embodiment of the foot cover 24 is generally designated 72. Components shared with the foot cover 24 and alternate foot cover 49 are designated with identical reference numbers. Important distinguishing features of the foot cover 72 include the presence of receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b. Specifically, the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b have tapered openings 26a, 26b, 28a, 28a and cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b defined by the recessed surfaces 58a, 58b, 60a, 60b, respectively, which also include sidewalls 66. The receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b fit within cutouts in the cushioning layer 56. Then, the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b and the cushioning layer 56 are covered by the image layer 54. FIG. 6c depicts a side view of the alternate embodiment. Additionally, FIG. 6d shows an enlarged view of the receptacle 74a, within the cushioning layer 56, beneath the image layer 54. In this preferred embodiment, the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, include a ceiling 78 which encapsulates the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, such that the walls 66, and the ceiling 78 form five of the six sides of the enclosure which makes up the receptacle 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b. Additionally, in this preferred embodiment, the recessed surfaces 58a, 58b, 60a, 60b with the tapered openings 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, form the sixth side of the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b. As the ceiling 78 is underneath the image layer 54, the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b are not seen when the sandal 20 is assembled. But differently, in an embodiment, the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b, are simply the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, with the ceilings 78, which cover the one side which was exposed in the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b. Other shapes of the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b are contemplated as are known in the art. Additionally, the sidewalls 66 may be either flat or curved, in forming the cavities 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, and the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b.
(29) The manufacturing process for the present sandal or slide 20, as illustrated by FIGS. 5a-5d, preferably begins with receiving the image or design to be displayed on the detachable foot cover 24. Using an image transfer method, such as, but not limited to, a laser printer with synthetic paper or sublimation, the image is placed on the image layer 56. Then, the image layer 56 is attached to the cushioning layer 54 with an attachment process such as, but not limited to, adhesive or stitching. Once the cushioning layer 54 and the image layer 56 are attached, the two are cut to the correct shape. In an example embodiment, the end caps 50, 52, which cover the terminal edges 30, 32, are attached to the cushioning layer 54 and the image layer 56. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 6a-6d, the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b are attached to the cushioning layer 56. Then the receptacles 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b and the cushioning layer 54 are attached to the image layer 56. Various forms of attachment are contemplated as are known in the art. In one embodiment, the base 22 is made by inserting the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b into the base 22 at the necessary location so that preferably, the tapered openings 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b line up properly with the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b. Alternatively, the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b are attached to the base 22 with an attachment process such as, but not limited to, adhesive. Additional methods for attaching the pins 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b to the base 22 are contemplated as are known in the art.
(30) Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use what is herein disclosed and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of this disclosure are reserved.
