Patent Application
20130185958
None.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
A. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates generally to flip-flop shoes, sandals and similarly configured footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to such footwear that can be easily and quickly modified from one configuration to another depending on the desires of the wearer of the footwear. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such footwear in which the wearer can convert the footwear between configurations having an open toe area and configurations having the toe area covered.
B. Background
Many different types and styles of footwear are commonly known in the prior art. One common feature of all footwear is that they are configured with a bottom portion or sole assembly that provides a layer between the wearer's foot and the surface on which he or she traverses. In addition to keeping the bottom of the wearer's foot or socks clean, the sole assembly protects the bottom of the wearer's foot from injuries that could result from direct contact with the surface or items, such as rocks, stickers, glass and the like, that are on the surface. To a certain extent, the sole assembly also protects the surface from footprints and the like from the wearer. Attached to the sole assembly are one or more components which, to one degree or another, extend over the top of the wearer's foot to hold the footwear on the foot as the user walks or runs in the footwear. As generally well known, different types and styles of footwear may fully or only partially cover the top of the wearer's foot and utilize different mechanisms for securing the footwear to the wearer's foot. For instance, most dress shoes, athletic shoes, boots and the like substantially or even fully cover the top of the wearer's foot and are secured to the foot by use of either a shoe securing mechanism, such as ties, buckles, velcro, snaps and the like, or by snugly fitting around the wearer's foot.
Two common types of footwear are flip-flops and sandals. Common to flip-flops and sandals is that they are both generally considered casual, due in part to having a generally open upper portion (e.g., that portion of the footwear above the sole), which exposes substantially all or at least most of the upper area of the wearer's foot. Both types of footwear typically comprise a strap assembly having two or more strap members, which may be integrally formed or joined to form a unified strap, that attach to the sole and extend around a portion of the upper area of the wearer's foot to secure the flip-flop or sandal to the foot. In one common configuration for these types of footwear, the assembly that secures the footwear to the foot also include a toe post which extends upwardly from the sole to be received between adjacent toes, usually the big toe and the toe next to the big toe, from which the strap members extend to the sole. When the flip-flops or sandals are placed on a foot, the wearer's toes extend toward the forward end of the footwear into a toe area thereof that is located generally forward of the strap assembly and, as applicable, the toe post and the wearer's heel is positioned toward the rearward end of the footwear in a heel area thereof. The primary difference between the flip-flop and sandal footwear is that sandals typically have one or more back straps or other heel engaging mechanism that extend generally around the back of the wearer's foot and/or around the ankle. Commonly, the back straps comprise an adjusting mechanism that allows the wearer to tighten or loosen the back strap around his or her foot or ankle. As an alternative to back straps, some sandals utilize heel-shaped backs that abut the wearer's heel. Because flip-flops do not have back straps, heel-shaped backs or other heel engaging mechanisms, the heel area and rearward end of the flip-flop are free to move separate from the wearer's heel, particularly as the wearer walks (hence the flip-flop name). Although the lack of a heel engaging mechanism such as back straps result in a looser fitting footwear, this configuration has the benefit of providing increased convenience with regard to the wearer placing his or her foot into the flip-flop and removing the foot from the flip-flop. In fact, the loose fitting and convenience resulting from the lack of back straps, backs or other heel engaging mechanisms are the primary appeal of flip-flops.
As stated above, flip-flops and sandals are generally considered to be casual wear or, depending on the materials utilized for the footwear, even very casual wear. Although these types of footwear are comfortable to wear and provide certain “breathing” benefits for the wearer's feet, they are considered by many people to be too casual for certain formal or even semi-formal activities. Such limitations are particularly true with regard to flip-flops. In addition, some schools, restaurants, offices and other establishments or organizations do not allow a person to wear footwear that expose the toes of the foot. For people who find footwear such as flip-flops and sandals comfortable to wear, in fact perhaps considering these as their default footwear, the requirement to wear more formal footwear that encloses or covers the toes is seen as undesirable. What would be desirable for such persons is to be able to wear their comfortable fitting flip-flops or sandals at times when it is required or desired to have their toes covered, such as at activities and events where more formal footwear is required.
Footwear which converts from one form to another is generally well known in the prior art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,340,852 to Tai describes a shoe having a toe cover which is fabricated from a plurality of ribs that form a flexible panel which allows the toe cover to be moved from an open position that exposes the toes to a closed position that covers the toes. The flexible panel pivots about a pin to extend or retract relative to the forward end of the shoe or the strap assembly when moving between the open and closed positions. At all times the flexible panel remains attached to the sole of the shoe, whether it is in the open or closed position, to either form a lip at the forward end of the shoe or widen the strap assembly. Although such a configuration is beneficial for covering the toes when such a covering is required, the full-time existence of the cover on the shoe is likely to be seen as undesirable by many people who wear flip-flops and sandals for comfort. Another convertible footwear is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,299 to Brigham, which discloses an interchangeable flip-flop/sandal. The footwear described in this patent changes between a flip-flop configuration and a sandal configuration by appropriate movement of heel and/or forefoot bands. U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,251 to Rolle discloses a shoe with upper portions that removably attach to the sole of the shoe by utilizing a pair of straps joining under the sole and fastening together with hook and loop type fasteners. A base with low rising vertical sides supports the upper portion to allow different variations with regard to the type and configuration of the shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,294 to Riecken discloses an article of footwear generally configured as a sandal that comprises a variety of adjustably positioned straps which are variably placed and positioned to accommodate different sizes and shapes of feet. U.S. Pat. No. 2,507,120 to Shapiro discloses a shoe with a moveable thonged upper that can vary its position along the sides of the shoe to convert the shoe between a house shoe and a sandal and to allow for and comfortably fit different sizes and shapes of feet. U.S. Pat. No. 2,200,080 to Fein disclose a shoe that can convert from a normal enclosed shoe to a dress or high heel shoe by removing and replacing one or more upper shoe portions with alternatively configured upper shoe portions. While the above-described shoes, as well as other similarly configured footwear may generally fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not describe or disclose footwear that converts between flip-flops or sandals having exposed toes and an article of footwear that has closed toes in a manner that does not change the essential character of the flip-flops or sandals.
What is needed, therefore, is footwear that is configured as flip-flops or sandals with an open toe area that can be easily and quickly converted into footwear with a closed or covered toe area that does not change the normal or typical shape and configuration of such footwear. The improved footwear should appear as and be suitable for being worn as standard flip-flops and sandals when desired by the wearer thereof and be adaptable to being quickly converted to an article of footwear that has the toe area thereof enclosed so as to cover the toes of the wearer when he or she wears the footwear. Preferably, such improved footwear should be configured so as to have no visible alteration with regard to standard flip-flops or sandals, as the case may be, when worn as such, yet be able to allow the wearer thereof to quickly and easily enclose the toe area of the footwear when he or she desires or needs to have the toes of their foot covered. The improved footwear should be adaptable to a wide variety of different styles of flip-flops and sandals, able to be utilized with most materials typically used for such footwear and suitable for a variety of different mechanism to removably attach the toe area cover to the footwear.
The improved footwear of the present invention solves the problems and provides the benefits identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses a new and improved footwear that is configured as standard or typical flip-flops or sandals, when worn as such with open toe areas, that allows the wearer thereof to easily and quickly enclose the toe area of the footwear so as to cover his or her toes. As such, the footwear of the present invention allows the wearer to have the comfort and feel of flip-flops or sandals yet be able to enclose the toe area when desired or necessary to cover the toes. As such, the wearer of the footwear of the present invention can wear his or her flip-flops or sandals to activities and occasions when such footwear may otherwise be inappropriate as too casual or into locations where exposed toes are not allowed. In a preferred configuration of the footwear of the present invention, the footwear and the cover for the toe area thereof are configured so the cover is completely removable. As such, the footwear will appear as normal or typical flip-flops or sandals when the cover is not being utilized and will appear as footwear having an enclosed toe area when the cover is utilized. The removable cover for the toe area of the footwear can be made out of a wide variety of different types of materials and in a wide variety of different configurations. A variety of different types of attaching mechanisms can be utilized to removably attach the toe area cover to the sole of the footwear. The footwear of the present invention is adaptable to a wide variety of different styles of flip-flops and sandals and can be utilized with most materials typically used for such footwear.
In one general aspect of the present invention, the improved footwear comprises a sole, a foot securing assembly, a cover configured to cover a portion of the sole and the wearer's toes and an attaching mechanism configured to removably attach the cover to the sole. The soles has an upwardly disposed top surface, a downwardly disposed bottom surface, a forward end and a rearward end. The top surface is configured to receive the wearer's foot with a toe section of the foot being disposed toward the forward end of the sole and a heel section of the foot disposed toward the rearward end of the sole. The foot securing assembly is configured to at least generally secure the footwear to the wearer's foot. In one embodiment, the foot securing assembly comprising a toe post and a strap assembly connected to or integral with the toe post. The toe post extends upward from the top surface of the sole to be received between adjacent toes of the wearer's foot. The strap assembly has one or more strap members interconnecting the toe post and the sole so as to define a toe area of the footwear generally forward of the toe post and a foot receiving area of the footwear generally rearward of the toe post. The cover is generally shaped and configured to at least substantially be disposed over the toe area of the footwear and the toes of the foot when placed on the sole. In one embodiment, the cover has a bottom wall that is configured to be placed in abutting relation with the top surface of the sole. The attaching mechanism interconnects the cover and the sole in a manner that allows the cover to be removably attached to the sole. In a preferred embodiment, the attaching mechanism comprises magnets and one or more ferromagnetic members, with the magnets and the ferromagnetic members being cooperatively positioned on or in the footwear to allow the magnets to be magnetically attracted to the ferromagnetic members when the cover is placed on the sole and, thereby, secure the cover to the sole. The attaching mechanism is configured to allow the cover to be completely removed from the footwear when the cover is not needed or desired. Once removed, the toe area and the toes of the wearer are fully exposed and the cover does not contact and is not otherwise associated with the sole or the strap assembly of footwear. In one embodiment, the magnets are associated with the cover and the ferromagnetic members are associated with at least one of the sole and the foot securing assembly. In another embodiment, the ferromagnetic members are associated with the cover and the magnets are associated with at least one of the sole and the foot securing assembly. In a preferred configuration, the cover extends sufficiently rearward when placed on the sole to cover or at least to substantially cover the straps of the footwear.
Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved article of footwear that provides the advantages discussed above and which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations associated with presently available footwear.
More specifically, it is an important aspect of the present invention to provide improved footwear that is configured as standard flip-flops or sandals, and which are worn as such, but which can be easily and quickly converted to footwear having the toe area thereof enclosed when the wearer thereof desires or needs to have his or her toes covered.
It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an improved article of footwear that allows the wearer thereof to easily and quickly cover the toe area of the footwear by utilizing a removable cover which is shaped and configured to be at least substantially disposed over the entire toe area so as to cover the wearer's toes.
It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an improved article of footwear that allows the wearer thereof to quickly and easily cover or uncover the toe area of the footwear which can be made out of wide variety of different materials and in a wide variety of different configurations.
It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an improved article of footwear that is adaptable to utilizing a variety of different types of attaching mechanisms to removably attach a cover that is shaped and configured to enclose the toe area of the footwear so as to cover or uncover the wearer's toes when deemed desirable or necessary.
The above and other objectives and aspects of the present invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims.
In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed text and drawings are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments and only represent several possible ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the figures and description provided herein are primarily directed to one configuration of a flip-flop and/or sandal and show only a few exemplary covers, persons skilled in the art will readily understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying the present disclosure and that the present invention is not so limited. Such persons will readily appreciate that the article of footwear of the present invention can be made in a variety of different configurations and out of a variety of different materials.
An article of footwear that is configured pursuant to one of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally as 10 in
As stated above, footwear 12 is secured, albeit loosely depending on the configuration of the footwear 12, to the foot 18 of the wearer by foot securing assembly 16. In the embodiment of the prior art footwear 12 shown in
Although not required for footwear 12, many styles of flip-flops and sandals have a securing assembly 16 that comprises a toe post 42 extending generally upwardly from the top surface 20 of the sole 14 of the footwear, as shown with regard to the embodiment of the footwear 12 in
The footwear 12 shown in
One embodiment of footwear 10 of the present invention is shown in
The article of footwear 10 of the present invention further comprises a cover 50 and an attaching mechanism 52 for removably attaching the cover 50 to the sole 14 of footwear 10. As set forth in more detail below and shown in
The cover 50 of footwear 10 can be manufactured out of a wide variety of different materials and in a wide variety of different configurations to appeal to persons with different styles and/or for use at different occasions. For instance, the cover 50 can be made out of a relatively stiff material, such as leather, plastic, foam and the like (as shown in
As stated above, the footwear 10 of the present invention also has an attaching mechanism 52 that is configured to allow the wearer of footwear 10 to easily and quickly, but securely, attach the cover 50 to the sole 14 of the footwear 10. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, a wide variety of different attaching mechanisms 52 can be utilized to removably secure the cover 50 to sole 14. In a preferred embodiment, attaching mechanism 52 comprises one or more magnets 72 and one or more ferromagnetic members 74. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the magnets 72 and ferromagnetic members 74 are placed in cooperative but opposing relation so that the magnetic force of the magnets 72 will be attracted to the ferromagnetic members 74. In one embodiment, one or more magnets 72 are positioned in the cover 50, preferably along the bottom wall 62 thereof, and an equal number of ferromagnetic members 74 are cooperatively positioned in the sole 14 such that the cover 50 will magnetically attach to the sole 14 to enclose the toe area 38 and cover the toe section 28 of the foot 18. In this embodiment, the magnets 72 can be placed on the lower surface of the bottom wall 62 and the ferromagnetic members 74 can be placed in or on the sole 14 toward the forward end 24 thereof. In a preferred configuration, the magnets 72 are placed in the sole 14 below the top surface 20 thereof so the wearer will not feel the ferromagnetic members 74 when he or she is wearing the footwear 10 without the cover 50. If desired, the upper surface of the bottom wall 62 of the cover 50 can be covered with cushioning material so the foot 18 of the wearer of footwear 10 will not feel either the magnets 72 or the ferromagnetic members 74.
In an alternative configuration, shown in
As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of different types of magnets 72, including rare earth magnets or the like, and ferromagnetic members 74 can be utilized with footwear 10 to accomplish the objectives of the present invention. Although the magnets 72 can be selected with sufficient magnetic strength such that they tightly attach the cover 50 to the top surface 20 of the sole section 14, this is likely to not be necessary. With the cover 50 placed on the top surface 20 of the sole section 14 and the toe section 28 of the wearer's foot 18 received in the toe receiving cavity 64, the positioning of the bottom wall 62 is preferably selected such that the wearer's toe section 28 will, by virtue of being positioned on the bottom wall 62, assist the magnets 72 (or other attaching mechanism 52) with holding the cover 50 on the sole section 14. In certain configurations, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 72 and ferromagnetic members 74 may only need to be sufficient to generally hold the cover 50 on the sole 14 of footwear 10. Ferromagnetic members 74 can be made out of a variety of materials and in a variety of different shapes which are selected so as to be sufficiently magnetically engaged by the magnets 72 to attach the cover 50 to the sole 14. The magnets 72 and ferromagnetic members 74 can both be shaped the same, such as rectangular, or be shaped differently, such as magnets 72 being circular and the ferromagnetic members 74 being rectangular or square.
Although the use of magnets 72 and ferromagnetic members 74 as described above are believed to provide a convenient and secure attaching mechanism 52 for use with footwear 10, the invention is not so limited. If desired, the attaching mechanism 52 can comprise strips of hook and loop material (such as Velcro® or the like), snaps, latch-type members or the like, with one-half of the attaching mechanisms 52 being associated with the cover 50 and the other half being associated with the sole 14, as described above with regard to the magnets 72 and ferromagnetic members 74. The component of the attaching mechanism 52 that is associate with the sole 14 of footwear 10, whether the magnets 72, ferromagnetic members 74 or other devices, should be either embedded in the sole 14 below the top surface 20 thereof or configured to be smoothly positioned on the top surface 20 thereof so as to not be uncomfortable to the bottom of the wearer's foot 18. In fact, one of the primary benefits of utilizing the magnetic attaching mechanism 52 described above, in addition to its ease of use, is that the component thereof associated with the sole 14 (which is the ferromagnetic members 74 in a preferred configuration) can be placed either below the top surface 20 or smoothly along top surface 20 of the sole 14 of footwear 10.
A embodiment of the footwear 10 of the present invention where the footwear 10 is configured as a sandal is shown in
Another embodiment of the footwear 10 of the present invention is shown in
The embodiment of the footwear 10 of the present invention shown in
In use, a person will wear the footwear 10 without the cover 50 when he or she desires to use the footwear 10 as a flip-flop or sandal, thereby exposing his or her toe section 28 of their foot 18. However, when desired or necessary to cover the toe section 28, the wearer of footwear 10 merely has to place the cover 50 onto the sole 14 of the footwear 10. Placement of the cover 50 on the sole 14 encloses the toe area 38 thereof and covers toe section 28 of the wearer's foot 19. Depending on the configuration of cover 50, the toe area 38 of the footwear 10 and the toe section 28 of the wearer's foot 18 will be completely or at least substantially covered by the cover 50. In the embodiment where the attaching mechanism 52 utilized to attach the cover 50 to the sole 14 comprises one or more magnets 72 and one or more cooperatively positioned ferromagnetic members 74, the wearer only has to place the cover 50 in position on the sole 14 so the magnetic force of the magnets 72 will engage the ferromagnetic members 74. When the cover 50 is no longer needed or desired to cover the toe section 28, the wearer of footwear 10 disengages the attaching mechanism 52 to remove cover 50 from sole 14 to return footwear 10 to its flip-flop or sandal configuration. With regard to the use of magnets 72 and ferromagnetic members 74, the wearer merely has to pull the cover 50 away from the sole 14. The sole 14 and securing assembly 16 of footwear 10 can be made out of the materials which are currently utilized for flip-flops and/or sandals. Cover 50 can be made out of these same materials or, if desired, different materials.
While there are shown and described herein one or more specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.
