Adjustable Flip Flop

Abstract

An adjustable flip flop with a unique strap system is described. The sole assembly includes an outsole, a midsole, and a footbed, with an inner strap affixed to the sole assembly at the first end of the inner strap and to a strap interconnect at the second end. An outer ladder loop strap may be connected to the sole assembly at its first end and to the strap interconnect on its second end, where the outer ladder loop strap includes a G-hook that hooks into one of a plurality of hook pockets on the outer ladder loop strap. A toe strap may be connected to the sole assembly at one end and to the strap interconnect at the other end, where the toe strap includes webbing and a pair of paracords.

Claims

1. A flip flop comprising: a sole assembly includes an outsole, a midsole mechanically connected to the outsole, and a footbed mechanically connected to the midsole; an inner strap affixed to the sole assembly on a first end of the inner strap and to a strap interconnect on a second end of the inner strap; an outer ladder loop strap connected to the sole assembly at a first end of the outer ladder loop strap and to the strap interconnect on a second end of the outer ladder loop strap, wherein the outer ladder loop strap includes a G-hook that hooks into one of a plurality of hook pockets on the outer ladder loop strap; and a toe strap connected through a mechanical connection to the sole assembly at a first end of the toe strap and to the strap interconnect on a second end of the toe strap, where the toe strap includes webbing and a pair of paracords.

2. The flip flop of claim 1 where the outsole includes a channel between the inner strap and the outer ladder loop strap.

3. The flip flop of claim 1 where the midsole includes a channel between the inner strap and the outer ladder loop strap.

4. The flip flop of claim 3 where the channel is on a bottom side of the midsole, above the outsole.

5. The flip flop of claim 3 where the inner strap is mechanically connected to the outer ladder loop strap.

6. The flip flop of claim 5 where the inner strap and outer ladder loop strap pass through the channel.

7. The flip flop of claim 6 where the inner strap and the outer ladder loop strap are adhered to the midsole.

8. The flip flop of claim 1 where the mechanical connection of the toe strap to the sole assembly is with toe plug adhered to the midsole.

9. The flip flop of claim 1 where the mechanical connection of the toe strap to the sole assembly includes the webbing adhered to a channel in the midsole.

10. The flip flop of claim 1 where the mechanical connection of the toe strap to the sole assembly includes the pair of paracords adhered to a channel in the midsole.

11. The flip flop of claim 1 where the plurality of hook pockets are formed with stitches adhering a narrow webbing to a wide webbing at regular intervals.

12. A flip flop apparatus comprising: a sole assembly; an inner strap affixed to the sole assembly on a first end of the inner strap and to a strap interconnect on a second end of the inner strap; an outer ladder loop strap connected to the sole assembly at a first end of the outer ladder loop strap and to the strap interconnect on a second end of the outer ladder loop strap, wherein the outer ladder loop strap includes a G-hook that hooks into one of a plurality of hook pockets; and a toe strap connected through a mechanical connection to the sole assembly at a first end of the toe strap and to the strap interconnect on a second end of the toe strap, where the toe strap includes webbing and a pair of paracords.

13. The flip flop apparatus of claim 12 where the sole assembly includes a channel between the inner strap and the outer ladder loop strap.

14. The flip flop apparatus of claim 13 where the inner strap is mechanically connected to the outer ladder loop strap.

15. The flip flop apparatus of claim 14 where the inner strap and outer ladder loop strap pass through the channel.

16. The flip flop apparatus of claim 15 where the inner strap and outer ladder loop strap are adhered to the sole assembly.

17. The flip flop apparatus of claim 12 where the mechanical connection of the toe strap to the sole assembly is with strapping passing into the sole assembly.

18. The flip flop apparatus of claim 12 where the plurality of hook pockets are formed with stitches adhering a narrow webbing to a wide webbing at regular intervals.

19. The flip flop apparatus of claim 12 where the mechanical connection of the toe strap to the sole assembly includes the pair of paracords adhered to a channel in the sole assembly.

20. The flip flop apparatus of claim 12 where the toe strap folds over the inner strap and an upper ladder strap and is sewn to itself.

21. A flip flop comprising: a sole with a toe sole hole near a toe position on the sole, an interior wing sole hole near a heel of the sole, and an exterior wing sole hole on an opposite side of the sole from the interior wing sole hole, near the heel of the sole, a toe strap affixed to the sole at the toe sole hole at a first end of the toe strap and to a strap interconnection at a second end of the toe strap, the toe strap including two strands of paracord and webbing extending from the toe sole hole at the first end of the toe strap and to the strap interconnection at the second end; an inner strap affixed to sole at the interior wing sole hole on end one of the inner strap and to the strap interconnection on end two of the inner strap; an outer ladder loop strap having: a first portion connected to the exterior wing sole hole on a first end of the first portion and to a mechanical connection device on a second end of the first portion; and a second portion connected through the mechanical connection device on a first end of the second portion and to the strap interconnection on a second end of the second portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable flip flop.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the adjustable flip flop.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the adjustable flip flop.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an inner side view of the adjustable flip flop.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an outer side view of the adjustable flip flop.

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the adjustable flip flop.

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the adjustable flip flop.

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the ladder hook strap.

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed view of the front of the toe strap.

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the adjustable flip flop in another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present inventions and are not intended to limit the scope of the present inventions. The drawings and description herein reflect a right adjustable flip flop. An adjustable flip flop for the left foot would be a mirror image of the adjustable flip flop for the right foot.

Strap System Overview

[0021] See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/503,400, Y-strap Sport Sandal, filed Jul. 3, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,129,434, issued on Sep. 28, 2021; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/587,499, Y-strap Sport Sandal, filed by the inventors on May 5, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,793,263, issued on Oct. 24, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent application 62/334,973, Huarache Sport Sandal, filed by the inventors on May 5, 2016; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/696,972, Huarache Sport Sandal, filed by the inventors on Jul. 12, 2018. All of these five patents and/or patent applications are included herein by reference in their entirety. See also the design patent application of the inventors filed on the same day as the present filing, entitled Sandal; said patent application is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0022] In the following description, the strapping described could be made of nylon, polyester, leather, rubber, plastic, cotton, elastic, or other materials. The paracord loop, while made of paracord in one embodiment, could be made of steel, aluminum, brass, other metals, plastic, polyester, nylon, leather, cotton, or other materials.

[0023] As seen in FIG. 1, the strapping on the adjustable flip flop 102 meets at the strap interconnect 108. In one embodiment, the strap interconnect 108 may be a piece of webbing folded over a portion of the upper ladder strap 122, a portion of the inner strap 110, and a portion of the toe strap 106, and may be sewn together, possibly with an X in a rectangle stitching pattern. In another embodiment, the strap interconnect 108 could be a circular loop of paracord, nylon, plastic, steel, aluminum, or similar material. The strap interconnect 108 could be glued together, woven together in a single piece of cloth, held with rivets, staples, or clips, tied together, or held with similar means.

[0024] In one embodiment, the toe strap 106 includes a toe strap webbing 206 with an outer paracord strand 202 and an inner paracord strand 204 on the front of the toe strap webbing 206. The outer paracord strand 202 may loop through the strap interconnect 108 and return to the toe plug 118 as the inner paracord strand 204. In other embodiments, the toe strap 106 may be connected to the strap interconnect 108 by looping one end of the toe strap 106 through the strap interconnect 108 and then sewing the toe strap 106 back onto itself with stitching.

[0025] In still another embodiment, the toe strap 106 may loop over the inner strap 110 and the upper ladder strap 122 (which could be the same continuous piece of webbing), and both sides of the toe strap 106 could then be sewn together with the inner strap 110 and upper ladder strap 122.

[0026] The other end of the toe strap 106 may couple to the sole 104 with a toe plug 118 near a big toe location 604 and a second (index) toe location 608 on the sole 104.

[0027] The inner strap 110 may be adhered to the inner side of the sole 104 near the heel location 602 and connect to the strap interconnect 108 by stitching. In another embodiment, the upper ladder strap 122 is the same webbing as the inner strap 110 and extends through the strap interconnect 108. In another embodiment, the inner strap 110 may be adhered to the inner side of the sole 104 near the heel location 602 and connect to the strap interconnect 108 by looping one end of the inner strap 110 through the strap interconnect 108 and looping back to a G-hook that is inserted into a ladder strap.

[0028] Similarly, the lower ladder strap 112 may be adhered to the outer side of the sole 104 near the heel location 602. The lower ladder strap 112 may have a ladder strap 114 sewn to it, from just above the sole 104 to the connector ring 120. At the connector ring 120, the lower ladder strap 112 loops through the connector ring 120 to a G-hook 116. The G-hook 116 may then be inserted into one of loops in the ladder strap 114. The upper ladder strap 122 may also loop through the connector ring 120 and be held in place with stitching. The other end of the upper ladder strap 122 is connected to the strap interconnect 108. In another embodiment, the upper ladder strap 122 may connect to the strap interconnect 108 by looping an end of the lower ladder straps 112 through the strap interconnect 108 and looping back to the connector ring 120.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the adjustable flip flop 102. The inside of the inner strap 110 and upper ladder strap 122 are visible in this view, with the lower ladder strap 112 meeting and terminating at the sole 104 in this embodiment. The inner strap 110 may be sewn to the inner wing 408, and may also be sewn to the midsole 404 and/or the footbed 406. Similarly, the lower ladder strap 112 may be sewn to the outer wing 502, and may also be sewn to the midsole 404 and/or the footbed 406. In some embodiments, other forms of adhesion may also be used in place of or in conjunction with the sewn stitches, such as glues, adhesives, staples, rivets, clips, etc.

[0030] In other embodiments, the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112 are a single strap that may extend through a channel in the midsole 404. The channel could be below the midsole 404 (or in the top of the outsole 402), between the outsole 402 and the midsole 404. Alternatively, the channel could be above the midsole 404, between the footbed 406 and the midsole 404. The inner strap 110 could be adhered to the inner wing 408 with stitches, glues, adhesives, staples, rivets, clips, etc., then travel through the channel in the midsole 404 to the outer wing 502 (where it may be adhered to the 502 with stitches, glues, adhesives, staples, rivets, clips, etc.), and then continue as the lower ladder strap 112.

[0031] In some embodiments, a single piece of webbing is used for the lower ladder strap 112, the inner strap 110 and the upper ladder strap 122, with this single piece of webbing running through the sole 104 and the strap interconnect 108, with the ends connecting at the connector ring 120.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows the back of the adjustable flip flop 102. The inner strap 110 may extend from the inner side of the footbed 406 portion of the sole 104 (near the heel location 602) and may continue to the strap interconnect 108. The strap interconnect 108 may connect the inner strap 110, the toe strap 106, and the upper ladder strap 122. The toe strap 106 extends from the toe plug 118 to the strap interconnect 108. The upper ladder strap 122 extends from the strap interconnect 108 to the connector ring 120. The lower ladder strap 112 may extend from outer side of the footbed 406 portion of the sole 104 (near the heel location 602) to the connector ring 120, where the lower ladder strap 112 may double back to the G-hook 116. The lower ladder strap 112 may have a ladder strap 114 sewn to it. The G-hook 116 may be inserted into a pocket in the ladder strap 114.

Sole Assembly

[0033] FIG. 4 shows the strap system, which has two points anchored into the outsole 402 near the inner wing 408 and the outer wing 502. A third point may be anchored at the toe plug 118. In one embodiment, the outsole 402 is made of hard rubber material, such as Regolith Vibram soles. The outsole 402, the midsole 404, the footbed 406, and the wings wing 408, 502 could be made of hard rubber, leather, plastic, wood, polyurethane (PU), TPR (thermoplastic rubber, combination of polyurethane and rubber), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TR/TPR, EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate), EVA/RUBBER, nitro polyvinyl chloride, Pebax, or other materials.

[0034] The bottom of the sole 104 could have a pattern for providing traction when walking or running. See FIG. 7. There may be two anchor points, near the inner wing 408 and outer wing 502, located on the interior and exterior sides of the sole 104 by the wearer's ankle. The interior and exterior sides of the sole 104 are referred to as wings herein. The outsole 402 could be molded to include the wings 408, 502. In some embodiments, the sole 104 could include toe guards, a curved up section of material to protect the toes. The toe guards may be molded into the outsole 402 and or the midsole 404. The shape of the sole 104, including the footbed 406, the outsole 402 and midsole 404, may be roughly in the size and shape of a human foot.

[0035] The hard rubber of the outsole 402 may extend upwards beside the rest of the sole 104 on either side of the ankle to form an inner wing 408 and an outer wing 502. In some embodiments, the inner strap 110 and lower ladder strap 112 connect to the sole 104 independent of the inner wing 408 and outer wing 502. In other embodiments, these wings 408, 502 may connect to the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112. The inner strap 110 and lower ladder strap 112 could be the same strap, running between the footbed 406 and the midsole 404. In another embodiment, the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112 are connected within the sole assembly.

[0036] In one embodiment, the outsole 402 is glued to a midsole 404, and a footbed 406 (collectively referred to as the sole 104). The inner wing 408 and outer wing 502 may be part of the mold for the outsole 402. The midsole 404 may have a molded pattern and may be glued in between the wings 408, 502.

[0037] The webbing 110, 112 could be a single piece of webbing that runs through a cutout channel in the midsole 404, providing a connection for the webbing 110, 112 on the inner wing 408 and the outer wing 502. The midsole channel prevents an uneven surface on the foot side of the midsole 404

[0038] The sole 104 could have a toe guard extending upwards on the front of the adjustable flip flop 102, protecting the midsole 404 and the footbed 406. The midsole 404 could have an additional toe guard protecting the front of the footbed 406.

[0039] The midsole 404 could be molded to have an ergonomic shape on the footbed 406 to provide comfort to the user. The mold of the midsole 404 could incorporate the toe guard in some embodiments.

Sole Wings

[0040] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the inner and outer side views of the adjustable flip flop 102. Each of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 shows the inner wing 408 and the outer wing 502. The sole wings 408, 502 provide wearers with more lateral stability and comfort compared to a traditional flip flop design. There are two sole wings, an inner wing 408 on the inside of the adjustable flip flop 102, and an outer wing 502 on the outside of the adjustable flip flop 102.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the adjustable flip flop 102. The toe plug 118 is seen on the sole 104 in between the big toe location 604 and the second (index) toe location 608. The other toes location 606 is then towards the outer side of the adjustable flip flop 102. The heel location 602 is seen at the back end of the adjustable flip flop 102. The toe plug 118 holds the toe strap 106 to the sole 104 and extends up between the big toe location 604 and the second (index) toe location 608 to the strap interconnect 108.

[0042] In some embodiments, the three components of the toe strap 106 may split at or below the midsole 404, with the toe strap webbing 206 extending forward towards the front of the adjustable flip flop 102, and the outer paracord strand 202 extending towards the outer side of the adjustable flip flop 102 and the inner paracord strand 204 extending inside. Each component of the toe strap 106 may be adhered within a channel in the midsole 404.

[0043] In other embodiments, the toe plug 118 is a T-shaped cylinder with a large thin cylinder on the bottom and a narrower cylinder on the top. The narrower cylinder is mechanically connected to the toe strap 106. The midsole may have a two-level hole configured to receive the toe plug 118. The footbed 406 may also have a hole for the toe plug 118 and or toe strap 106 to pass through. In another embodiment, the toe plug 118 may have other shapes such as square or triangle. In some embodiments, the toe plug 118 is adhered between the midsole 404 and the footbed 406. In still other embodiments, the toe strap 106 webbing passes through the footbed 406 and is adhered between the midsole 404 and the footbed 406 with stitches, glues, adhesives, staples, rivets, clips, etc. In still another embodiment, the toe strap 106 webbing passes through the footbed 406 and the midsole 404, and is adhered between the midsole 404 and the outsole 402 with stitches, glues, adhesives, staples, rivets, clips, etc.

[0044] The footbed 406 is visible with a pattern. Different patterns could be used on the footbed 406 without deviating from this discussion.

[0045] In FIG. 6, the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112 can be seen connected to the sole 104 and to the strap interconnect 108. The connection to the strap interconnect 108 is through the ladder strap 114 assembly, adjustable with the G-hooks 116.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows the bottom of the sole 104 has a pattern for providing traction when walking or running. While one particular pattern is shown here, a pattern configured for rugged environments, other patterns could be used without deviating from this document.

Ladder Lock Buckle Strap Adjustment

[0047] FIG. 8 shows the ladder strap 114. The ladder strap 114 adjustment may be located on the outside of the foot, as seen in FIG. 1. The ladder strap 114 could be sewn to the lower ladder strap 112. In some embodiments, the ladder strap 114 is glued to the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112. Other forms of adhesion, such as staples, rivets, clips, etc. could also be used to adhere the ladder strap 114.

[0048] The lower ladder strap 112 may be anchored to both the connector ring 120 at one end and the sole 104 at the other end.

[0049] The ladder strap 114 piece, or more specifically, the wide webbing 824 is sewn to the lower ladder strap 112 at one end and loops through the G-hook 116 at the other end, allowing the user to pull the G-hook 116 to shorten the length, thereby tightening the adjustable flip flop 102. The ladder strap 114 adjusts tightness through the G-hook 116. The G-hook 116 could be made of acetal plastic in one embodiment, but could also be made of could also be made of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, zinc alloys, brass, bronze, titanium, other metals, carbon fiber, polypropylene, nylon, plastics, or similar materials.

[0050] As seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the ladder strap 114 serves as an extremely useful mechanism for customizing the fit of the adjustable flip flop 102 for each wearer's preferences during both casual and intense activities. The ladder strap 114 tightens or expands the overall volume of the strap system and controls the angle at which the lower ladder strap 112 strikes the top of the wearer's foot. It is helpful to be able to adjust the angle of the inner strap 110 and lower ladder strap 112 on the adjustable flip flop 102 for ideal comfort through various activities and for various foot sizes. The ladder strap 114 creates an ideal mechanism for this adjustment process as it is very flexible, comfortable, durable, and strong. Unlike a hook and loop fabric (Velcro) adjuster in this area, the ladder strap 114 will not come undone during water activities like swimming, and cliff jumping.

[0051] The ladder strap 114 assembly could be composed of a custom-molded plastic G-hook 116, two different widths of narrow webbing 802 and wide webbing 824, and a series of bartack stitches 804, 806, 808, 810, 812. The narrow webbing 802, perhaps 1-1.5 cm wide, could be sewn (or adhered with glues, adhesives, staples, rivets, clips, etc.) into the wide webbing 824 (perhaps 2 cm wide polyester tubular webbing) at consistent intervals. In between each of these bartack stitches 804, 806, 808, 810, 812 may be at regular intervals and may leave a 1.5 cm long gap or hook pocket 814, 816, 818, 820 between the narrow webbing 802 and the wide webbing 824 for the G-hook 116 to fit in. The G-hook 116 may be sewn to the end of flat narrow webbing 802 with stitching 822 and is the terminating point of the ladder strap 114. The G-hook 116 could also be made of different sizes and materials such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, zinc alloys, brass, bronze, titanium, other metals, carbon fiber, acetal, polypropylene, nylon, plastics, or similar materials.

[0052] The non-hook end of the ladder strap 114 could be sewn into the front end of the lower ladder strap 112. The ladder strap 114 is then looped through the strap interconnect 108 back on itself. The G-hook 116 then may have 3-5 different 1.4 mm long hook pockets 814, 816, 818, 820 between the narrow webbing 802 and wide webbing 824 to hook into. This range gives the wearer the ability to tighten or loosen the ladder strap 114 and thus change the orientation of the lower ladder strap 112. Of course, the size of the strapping here and throughout this document could be varied without deviating from the design.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows the details of the toe strap 106. The toe strap 106 includes a toe strap webbing 206 against the user's big toe and second toe. The other side of the toe strap webbing 206 may have two sections of paracord, an outer paracord strand 202 and an inner paracord strand 204. In some embodiments, the outer paracord strand 202 loops through the strap interconnect 108 and returns as the inner paracord strand 204, as a single section of paracord. In other embodiments, two sections of paracord are used, one for the outer paracord strand 202 and the other for the inner paracord strand 204. The toe strap 106 goes through the sole 104. The toe strap 106 may be adhered to the toe plug 118 with glues, adhesives, or mechanical connections. In other embodiments, the outer paracord strand 202, the inner paracord strand 204, and the toe strap webbing 206 extend into the sole 104, and are connected to the outsole 402 or the midsole 404 with glues, adhesives, or a mechanical connection such as rivets, staples, or clips. A channel may be molded into the outsole 402 or the midsole 404 to hold the components of the toe strap 106.

[0054] The other end of the toe strap 106 may connect to the strap interconnect 108. The components of the toe strap 106 may continue up through the strap interconnect 108 and be sewn in place. In other embodiments, the toe strap webbing 206, the outer paracord strand 202, and the inner paracord strand 204 may fold over the top of the inner strap 110 and the upper ladder strap 122 and be sewn back to itself with the inner strap 110 and the upper ladder strap 122 inside the fold.

[0055] FIG. 10 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the adjustable flip flop 102. The toe plug 118 is seen on the sole 104 in between the big toe location 604 and the second (index) toe location 608. The other toes location 606 is then towards the outer side of the adjustable flip flop 102. The heel location 602 is seen at the back end of the adjustable flip flop 102. The toe plug 118 holds the toe strap 106 to the sole 104 and extends up between the big toe location 604 and the second (index) toe location 608 to the strap interconnect 108. In this embodiment, the strap interconnect 108 may be a paracord loop. The toe strap 106 could be webbing or webbing with paracord.

[0056] In FIG. 10, the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112 can be seen connected to the sole 104 and to the strap interconnect 108. Both the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112 may include a ladder strap 114 and a G-hook 116, with the inner strap 110 and/or the lower ladder strap 112 looping through the strap interconnect 108. The connection to the strap interconnect 108 may be through the ladder strap 114 assembly, adjustable with the G-hooks 116. In another embodiment, a connector ring 120 could be used for each of the inner strap 110 and the lower ladder strap 112, with the strap interconnect 108 connected directly or indirectly to the connector rings 120.

[0057] The foregoing devices and operations, including their implementation, will be familiar to, and understood by, those having ordinary skill in the art.

[0058] The above description of the embodiments, alternative embodiments, and specific examples, are given by way of illustration and should not be viewed as limiting. Further, many changes and modifications within the scope of the present embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present inventions include such changes and modifications.