Sandal with Detachable Foot Cover

Abstract

A sandal or slide with a base which includes a top surface upon which a human foot rests, and first and second opposed side surfaces, the first and second opposed side surfaces each having at least one pin. The sandal also has a foot cover, which is selectively detachable from the base, that includes a planar surface with a first terminal edge and a second terminal edge, and at least one receptacle defined proximate the first and second terminal edges. Each of the at least one receptacle includes an inlet, a neck connected to the inlet, and a bottom connected to the neck, such that the bottom has a protrusion, and the at least one pin engages with an end of the protrusion when the sandal is assembled.

Claims

1. A sandal, comprising: a base, comprising: a top surface upon which a human foot rests; and first and second opposed side surfaces, said first and second opposed side surfaces each having at least one pin; and a foot cover, selectively detachable from said base, comprising: a planar surface with a first terminal edge and a second terminal edge; and at least one receptacle defined proximate each of said first and second terminal edges, wherein said at least one receptacle comprises: an inlet; a neck connected to said inlet; and a bottom connected to said neck, wherein said bottom comprises a protrusion, such that said pin engages with an end of said protrusion when said sandal is assembled.

2. The sandal of claim 1, wherein said at least one pin comprises: a head; a shaft with a diameter smaller than a diameter of said head; and a neck connecting said shaft to said head, wherein said neck is chamfered at an angle ? with respect to said first opposed side surface or second opposed side surface.

3. The sandal of claim 2, wherein said first and second opposed side surfaces each have a base connector piece, said base connector piece comprising: a plate, and a pair of said pins which are attached to, or integral with, said plate, wherein an interface between said shaft and said plate includes a fillet.

4. The sandal of claim 2, wherein a width of said inlet is greater than a width of said neck but less than a width of said bottom, wherein said inlet, said neck, and said bottom form an L-shape such that said protrusion extends in one direction beyond said neck.

5. The sandal of claim 4, wherein said protrusion extends perpendicularly to an inlet direction of said at least one pin, and wherein a length of said protrusion is greater than a diameter of said head.

6. The sandal of claim 3, wherein said receptacle forms a cavity for receiving said corresponding pin, said cavity comprising: a top wall; angled side walls connected to said top wall; and an edge surface, wherein said angled side walls form an angle ? with respect to said edge surface.

7. The sandal of claim 6, wherein said angle ? is equal to said angle ?, such that said neck is flush with said angled side walls when said sandal is assembled, and wherein said angled side walls include a vertical segment that is perpendicular to said edge surface.

8. The sandal of claim 7, wherein said edge surface engages a surface of said plate with said pair of pins.

9. The sandal of claim 6, wherein said at least one receptacle is located on a cover connector piece, wherein said cover connector piece comprises: a top half which includes said top wall; and a bottom half which includes said angled side walls and said edge surface, wherein said top half and said bottom half are permanently affixed to one another.

10. The sandal of claim 6, wherein said at least one receptacle is located on a cover connector piece, wherein said cover connector piece comprises: a pair of said receptacles for receiving a corresponding pair of said pins of said base, wherein said pair of receptacles are spaced an equivalent distance from either said first terminal edge or said second terminal edge; and a recessed portion between said pair of receptacles, wherein said recessed surface is recessed in relation to said edge surface.

11. A selectively detachable foot cover for sandals, comprising: a body; a planar surface with a first terminal edge and a second terminal edge; and at least one receptacle defined proximate each of said first and second terminal edges, wherein said at least one receptacle comprises: an inlet; a neck connected to said inlet; and a bottom connected to said neck, wherein said bottom comprises a protrusion, such that a corresponding pin engages with an end of said protrusion.

12. The selectively detachable foot cover of claim 11, wherein a width of said inlet is greater than a width of said neck but less than a width of said bottom, wherein said inlet, said neck, and said bottom form an L-shape such that said protrusion extends in one direction beyond said neck.

13. The selectively detachable foot cover of claim 12, wherein said protrusion extends perpendicularly to an inlet direction of said corresponding pin, and wherein a length of said protrusion is greater than a diameter of a head of said corresponding pin.

14. The selectively detachable foot cover of claim 13, wherein said corresponding pin comprises: a head; a shaft with a smaller diameter than said head; and a neck connecting said shaft to said head, wherein said neck is chamfered at an angle ? with respect to a top surface of said head.

15. The sandal of claim 14, wherein said receptacle forms a cavity for receiving said corresponding pin, said cavity comprising: a top wall; angled side walls connected to said top wall; and an edge surface, wherein said angled side walls form an angle ? with respect to said edge surface.

16. The selectively detachable foot cover of claim 15, wherein said angle ? is equal to said angle ?, such that said neck is flush with said angled side walls when said selectively detachable foot cover is assembled on a sandal, and wherein said angled side walls include a vertical segment that is perpendicular to said edge surface.

17. The selectively detachable foot cover of claim 11, wherein said at least one receptacle is located on a cover connector piece, wherein said cover connector piece comprises: a top half which includes said top wall; and a bottom half which includes said angled side walls and said edge surface, wherein said top half and said bottom half are permanently affixed to one another.

18. The selectively detachable foot cover of claim 11, wherein said at least one receptacle is located on a cover connector piece, wherein said cover connector piece comprises: a pair of said receptacles for receiving a corresponding pair of said pins, wherein said pair of receptacles are spaced an equivalent distance from either said first terminal edge or said second terminal edge; and a recessed portion between said pair of receptacles, wherein said recessed surface is recessed in relation to said edge surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts an example article of footwear, a sandal or slide, having an interchangeable cover, according to an example embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the sandal or slide of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross section of a base separate from a foot cover, according to an example embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 4 depicts the foot cover separate from the base, according to an example embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 and in the direction generally indicted from arrows of FIG. 2.

[0030] FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged view of an example affixation of the foot cover to the base of FIG. 5, according to an example embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 7 depicts a side exploded view of the sandal or slide of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged view of the foot cover and the base from the foot cover of FIG. 7, according to an example embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 9 depicts a top perspective view of a cover connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 10 depicts a top plan view of the cover connector piece of FIG. 9, according to an example embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a cross-section taken along the line 11-11 and in the direction generally indicted from arrows of FIG. 10.

[0036] FIG. 11a is a cross-section taken along the line 11a-11a and in the direction generally indicted from arrows of FIG. 10.

[0037] FIG. 12 depicts a cross section of a cover connector piece affixed to a base connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 13 depicts a bottom perspective view of a base connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 14 depicts a side plan view of the base connector piece of FIG. 13, according to an example embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 15 depicts an enlarged view of a pin of the base connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 15a depicts an enlarged view of an alternate pin of the base connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 16 depicts a top perspective view of an alternate cover connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 17 depicts a top perspective view of an example affixation of an alternate cover connector piece with the base connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 18 depicts a top plan view of the example affixation of a cover connector piece with the base connector piece of FIG. 17, according to an example embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 19 is a cross-section taken along the line 19-19 and in the direction generally indicted from arrows of FIG. 18.

[0046] FIG. 20 depicts a top plan view of an example affixation of a second alternate cover connector piece with the base connector piece, according to an example embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 21 depicts an enlarged view of an example affixation of the second alternate cover connector piece with the base connector piece of FIG. 20, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a sandal or slide 10 has a base 12 with a body 13, as well as a foot cover 14 which is selectively removable from the base 12 as shown in FIG. 5. Each base 12 includes a top surface 16 upon which a human foot (not shown) rests, as well as a first and second opposed side surfaces 18, 20. The foot cover 14 includes an upper planar surface 22, a lower planar surface 23, and first and second terminal edges 24, 26.

[0049] As displayed in FIG. 3, the base 12 preferably includes a first base connector piece 28 on the first side surface 18, and a second base connector piece 30 on the second side surface 20. The first and second opposed side surfaces 18, 20 are optionally recessed within the body 13 of the base 12, and the base connector pieces 28, 30 are optionally placed within the recesses of the first and second opposed side surfaces. Alternatively, the base connector pieces 28, 30 are attached to the first and second opposed side surfaces 18, 20 which are flush with the body 13 of the base 12.

[0050] Additionally, the first and second opposed side surfaces 18, 20 each include at least one pin 32, and in a particular embodiment, a pair of pins 32. FIG. 3 shows the base 12, with a distance D3 defined between the pair of pins 32 on the second side surface 30 and a distance D4 defined between the pair of pins on the first side surface 28. The base 12 is preferably made of a flexible PVC or rubber-like material, or other suitable material known to those in the art.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows the foot cover 14 with the lower planar surface 23 which has a first cover connector piece 36 proximate the first terminal edge 24, and a second cover connector piece 38 proximate the second terminal edge 26. The cover connector pieces 36, 38 include at least one, and preferable, a pair of receptacles 40, which will be described in greater detail below. A distance D2 is defined between the receptacles 40 on the first cover connector piece 36, and a distance D1 is defined between the receptacles 40 on the second cover connector piece 38. Moreover, D2 is preferably equal to D4 so that the pins 32 on the first side surface 18 are engaged with the respective receptacles 40 on the first terminal edge 24. Similarly, D1 is preferably equal to D3, so that the pins 32 on the second side surface 20 are engaged with the respective receptacles 40 on the second terminal edge 26. Preferably D1 is greater than D2 and D3 is greater than D4. In a preferred embodiment, the foot of the wearer is placed against the lower planar surface 23 when the sandal 10 is assembled.

[0052] FIGS. 5 and 6, each depict a cross-section taken along the lines 5-5 in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the base connector piece 30, with the corresponding pins 32, is integral with the body 13 of the base 12. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover connector piece 38 is attached to the lower planar surface 23 of the cover 14. It is also contemplated that the cover connector piece 38 is optionally integral with the lower planar surface 23, such that the cover 14 is a single component. As depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, sandal 10 is assembled, and the pins 32 are engaged with the receptacle 40, such that the connection between the base 12 and the cover 14 is secure.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 7 the sandal or slide 10, is disassembled into its components, the base 12 and the foot cover 14. FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the receptacles 40 according to an example embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 40 includes an edge surface 41, an inlet 42, a neck 44, and a bottom 46 with a protrusion 47 where the pin 32 rests against an end 47a of the protrusion. Additionally, the protrusion 47 has a length L measured from the edge of the neck 44 and extending to a center of the end 47a of the protrusion. In one embodiment, the end 47a of the protrusion 47 is semicircular in shape. However, it is also contemplated that the end 47a of the protrusion 47 preferably includes a straight segment between the curved regions.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, the cover connector piece 38 preferably includes two receptacles 40. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 40 forms a cavity which receives the pin. Specifically, beneath the edge surface 41, angled side walls 48 form the sides of the receptacle 40.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 12, an embodiment of the base connector piece 30 and the cover connector piece 38 is generally designated 100. As shown in FIGS. 11, 11a, and 12, the angled side walls 48 form an angle ? with respect to the edge surface 41. Preferably, the angled side walls 48 include a include a vertical segment 48a that is perpendicular to the edge surface 41.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, a width of the inlet 42 is greater than a width of the neck 44 but less than a width of the bottom 46. Moreover, the inlet 42, the neck 44, and the bottom 46 form an L-shape such that the protrusion 47 extends in one direction beyond the neck 44. Referring to FIG. 9, a space between the receptacles 40 preferably includes a recessed surface 49 which is recessed in relation to the edge surface 41.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the recessed surface 49 includes a label which includes letters indicating the location of the cover connector piece 36, 38. For example, if the cover connector piece 36, 38 is located on the outside of the left cover 14, the recessed surface 49 optionally includes letters L and O for left and outside. These labels are optionally stickers applied to the recessed surface 49. Alternatively, the labels are formed by indentations in the recessed surface 49. However, alternate labels are contemplated as is known in the art.

[0058] Further, the cover connector piece 38 optionally includes a lip 50 which is secured to the second terminal edge 26. The optional lip 50 provides an additional surface for securing the cover connector piece 38 to the cover 14. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 11a, the receptacle 40 also includes a top wall 51 which is connected to the angled edge walls 48.

[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 15a, the base connector piece 30 optionally includes a plate 52 with a pair of pins 32 extending from the plate. The pin 32 includes a head 54, a shaft 56, and a neck 58 which connects the head 54 and the shaft 56. A diameter of the head 54 is greater than a diameter of the shaft 56. Preferably, the neck 58 is chamfered at an angle ? with respect to the plate 52 and the second opposed side surface 30. Preferably still, a top surface of the head 54 is parallel to the plate 52.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the angle ? is equal to the angle ?, such that the neck 58 is flush with the angled side walls 48 when the sandal 10 is assembled. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the length L of the protrusion 47 is greater than the diameter of the head 54. Preferably, the interface between the shaft 56 and the plate 52 includes a fillet, and the top edge of the head 54 is rounded.

[0061] Moreover, a height of the pin 32 above the plate 52 is preferably less than a distance between the edge surface 41 and the top wall 51, such that there is a space between the top of the head 54 and the top wall.

[0062] FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment of the cover connector piece 38, generally designated 138. Elements shared with the cover connector piece 38 are indicated with identical reference numbers. The cover connector piece 138 includes a bottom half 140 and a top half 142. When attached, the bottom half 140 and the top half 142 form a complete cover connector piece 138, which preferably has the same structure as the cover connector piece 38. In particular, the top half 142 includes the recessed surface 49 and the top wall 51. Optionally, the top half 142 includes part of the angled side wall 48 depending on the depth of the bottom half 140 and the top half 142. Including the cover connector piece 138 as the bottom half 140 and the top half 142 improve the manufacturability of the cover connector piece 138. In particular, forming a cavity in plastic parts is difficult with traditional manufacturing techniques including injection molding or 3D printing.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 18-20, an embodiment of the base connector piece 30 and the cover connector piece 138 is generally designated 200. In particular, the dividing line between the top half 142 and the bottom half 140 is at the interface between the top wall 51 and the angled side wall 48.

[0064] FIGS. 21 and 22 depict an embodiment of the base connector piece 30 and an alternate embodiment of the cover connector piece 238, which is generally designated 300. In particular, the cover connector piece 238 includes the bottom half 140, but no the top half 142. Optionally, the pin 32 contacts the lower planar surface 23 of the cover 14. Alternatively, the bottom half 142 has a thickness greater than the thickness of the pin 32, and the head 54 of the pin 32 does not contact the lower planar surface 23 of the cover 14.

[0065] FIG. 22 depicts a method of assembling the sandal 10. Specifically, the pin 32 enters the inlet 42 of the receptacle 40 and slides in a first direction S1 which is an inlet direction of the receptacle. Once the pin 32 reaches the bottom 46, the pin slides in a second direction S2, which is preferably perpendicular to the inlet direction S1, until the pin engages with the end 47a of the protrusion 47. As a result, the pin 32 is secured within the receptacle 40. As the foot of the wearer pushes up and forward on the foot cover 14, the pins 32 push against the end 47a of the protrusion 47 facilitating a more secure connection. Additionally, when the base 12 strikes the ground (not shown) the upward force applied by the ground causes the pin 32 to press against a top of the end 47a, and the cover 14 remains secure on the base 12.

[0066] Preferably, the cover 14 includes a cushioning layer and/or an image layer, such that the cushioning layer includes the lower planar surface 23, and the image layer includes the upper planar surface 22. The cover connector pieces 36, 38, and the base connector pieces 28, 30 are preferably made of hard plastic, epoxy resin, or other suitable material known to those in the art. Further, the cushioning layer is preferably made of a durable, flexible material. Finally, the image layer 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 foot cover 14. Contemplated are other materials and methods for creating the foot cover 14 as are known in the art. Also contemplated is a transparent foot cover which has no image layer and has only a transparent cushioning layer.

[0067] In an example embodiment, the cover connector pieces 36, 38 which are proximate the terminal edges 24, 26, are attached to the lower planar surface 23. Various forms of attachment, such as use of adhesive, are contemplated as are known in the art.

[0068] It should be understood that variations on the illustrated sandal 10 are possible. For example, the sandal 10 may take on various sizes and/or shapes, and be constructed from various materials, depending upon the implementation. The sandal is configured for wear on a left foot, and is part of a pair that includes a sandal (not shown) that is a mirror image of sandal 10 and is configured for wear on a right foot.

[0069] 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.