Sandal strap arrangement and tensioning system

Abstract

A sandal having two independent support straps that are joined over the metatarsal region of the foot and tensioned, over the top of the foot and around the ankle of the user, posterior to the connection point.

Claims

1. A sandal comprising; a sole having, a top surface, a bottom surface, an edge surface, a forefoot portion, a heel cup portion, a lateral side strap attachment tab having a hole, a medial side strap attachment tab having a hole, a toe strap attachment hole formed in formed in the forefoot portion, proximate the location of the gap between a users' first and second toes, a first support strap having a first end connected to the toe strap attachment hole, a running portion and, a second end extended toward the lateral side strap attachment tab and connected to the sole by inserting the second end through the hole from the top surface to the bottom surface, the second end routed from the bottom surface, over the edge surface, around the running portion of the first support strap and extended toward the heel cup, a second support strap having a first end connected to the first support strap between the connection points of the first support strap to the sole at the toe strap attachment hole and the lateral side strap attachment tab proximate a users' metatarsal region, a running portion, and a second end extended toward the medial side strap attachment tab and connected to the sole by inserting the second end through the hole from the top surface to the bottom surface, the second end routed from the bottom surface, over the edge surface, around the running portion of the second support strap and extended toward the heel cup, and, the second end of the first support strap adjustably connected to the second end of the second support strap posterior to the medial side strap attachment tab.

2. The sandal of claim 1 wherein the first end of the second support strap is connected to the first support strap in an adjustable manner.

3. The sandal of claim 2 wherein the adjustable manner include one of, a knot, a loop and hardware.

4. The sandal of claim 1 wherein the first end of the second support strap is connected to the first support strap in a fixed position.

5. The sandal of claim 4 wherein the connection is one of sewn, fused, and hardware.

6. The sandal of claim 1 wherein the adjustable connection between the second end of the first support strap and the second of the second support strap is an overlap connection wherein the second end of the first support strap is connected to the second support strap and the second of the second support strap is connected to the first support strap.

7. The sandal of claim 6 wherein the second end of the first support strap is connected to the second support strap and the second end of the second support strap is connected to the first support strap using a knot.

8. The sandal of claim 6 wherein the second end of the first support strap is connected to the second support strap and the second end of the second support strap is connected to the first support strap using a ladder lock hardware.

9. The sandal of claim 8 including an elastomeric tubular heel cushion installed over the overlapping portions of second end of the first support strap and the second end of the second support strap.

10. The sandal of claim 1 wherein the adjustable connection between the second end of the first support strap and the second of the second support strap includes a heel strap having connection hardware attached at a first end and a second end, the second end of the first support strap attached to the connection hardware of the first end, and, the second end of the second support strap attached to the connection hardware of the second end.

11. The sandal of claim 1 wherein the adjustable connection between the second end of the first support strap and the second of the second support strap is one of a barrel-lock and a ladder-lock.

12. The sandal of claim 1 including a pre-formed toe-post inserted in the toe-post attachment hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention,

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention having an independent heel strap,

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention having an independent heel strap,

(5) FIGS. 4 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention having a tubular heel pad,

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention having a single rear tensioning point,

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention having a single barrel lock for rear tensioning,

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention having a hardware attachment and formed using webbing,

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a sandal of the present invention formed using webbing and having a sewn strap attachment point, and,

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates the sandal fit on the user's foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

(12) As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with definitions set out below. The term sole refers to the base portion of the sandal. The term strap refers to cord, cordage or webbing used for fastening the sandal to the user's foot. The cordage may be, but not limited to, a natural material such as cotton, hemp, jute or leather or a synthetic material such as nylon or polypropylene.

(13) As used herein, the terms comprising, including, containing, characterized by, and the grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method processes.

(14) Illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 are first embodiment of the present invention or sandal strap arrangement and tensioning system. The sandal platform including a sole portion 100 having a toe strap hole 101, lateral side lace attachment tab 102, medial side lace attachment tab 103 and integrated heel cup 104. The first embodiment of the strap arrangement 200 of the present invention includes a first strap portion 201 inserted through the toe strap hole 101 and secured on the bottom surface of the sandal sole 100. The free end of first strap 201 extends from the toe strap hole 101 to the lateral side lace attachment tab 102 and is inserted into hole 1021, the free end is immediately reversed around the edge of sole 100 and wrapped behind the running potion just prior to the entry point of hole 1021 and extended toward the heel cup 104 at the rear of sole 100. The second strap 202 is attached to first strap 201 above toe hole 101 and proximate the metatarsal region of the user's foot forming attachment point 203. In one embodiment attachment point 203 is movable or sliding, in another embodiment attachment point 203 is fixed using knots, sewing or hardware. The free end of the second strap portion 202 is extended toward the medial side attachment tab 103 and inserted through hole 1031. The free end is reversed around the edge of sole 100 and around the running portion of the second strap 202 and extended to the rear of sole 100 proximate the heel cup 104. The free ends of the first strap 201 and the second strap 202 are secured together in an adjustable attachment 204 configuration proximate the Achilles region of the user's foot. As shown in FIG. 1 the adjustable attachment configuration 204 is formed using an overlapping fisherman's knot formed using the free ends of the first strap 201 and the second strap 202.

(15) Shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes an independent toe post 110 attached through a recess formed proximate the toe strap attachment hole 101. A lacing aperture is formed in the end of toe post 110 wherein providing an attachment point for the first strap portion 201. An independent heel strap portion 220 is shown detached in FIG. 1 and attached in FIG. 2. Heel strap portion includes tensioning hardware 221 and 222 where the free ends of the first strap 201 and second straps 202 are laced. In this embodiment the user can adjust the position of the adjustable attachment 204 by tensioning or loosening the straps 201 and 200 extended through hardware 221 and 222. This allows the user's having different bone structure or size to move hardware 221 and 222 or adjustable attachment 204 into a more comfortable location on the heel or away from any boney protuberances. FIG. 3 including a pull tab 224 attached to the free ends of the first strap 201 and the second strap 202.

(16) In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4 the overlap formed between the first strap 201 and the second strap 202 in covered using a silicon tube or pad 230 to protect the user's Achilles area. Ladder lock hardware 240 may be used for strap tension adjustment.

(17) FIGS. 5 and 6 show embodiments including a single point adjustable attachment 204 including a ladder lock hardware 240 and barrel lock assembly 250 as shown in FIG. 6.

(18) FIGS. 7 and 8 show an embodiment using substantially flat webbing to form straps 201 and 202. FIG. 7 includes hardware 2031 to form sliding attachment point 203 and FIG. 8 shows the attachment point 203 formed by sewing second strap 202 to the first strap portion 201. Tension may be adjusted using hook and loop fastener 260.

(19) FIG. 9 is one embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 2 and 3) demonstrating fit on a user's foot 500. Sole 100 including a toe strap attachment hole 101, a medial side attachment tab 102 and a heel cup 104. The first strap 201 is attached to sole 100 at point 101 and extends between the first toe 507 and the second toe (not shown) toward metatarsal portion 506 of the user's foot 500. The first strap 201 is attached to the sole at the lateral side attachment tab 103 and extended toward the heel cup 104. The second strap 202 is attached to the first strap 201 at attachment point 203 and then extended to, and laced through, medial side attachment tab 102. The free end of the second strap 202 is attached to independent heel strap piece 220 using hardware 221. The free end of the first strap is attached to independent heel strap 220 using hardware 222. Once in place the fit and location of heel strap 220, and hardware 221 and 222, can be adjusted in relationship to the user's Achilles 504 and ankle bone 503 for improved comfort.

(20) It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.