The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principle of the invention.
a is an elevation view of the individual parts shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
b is an elevation view of the assembled parts shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
a is a side view of the individual parts shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
b is a side view of the assembled parts shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
a is an elevation view of the individual rear parts shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
b is an elevation view of the assembled rear parts shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
a are side and top views of a rear Achilles pad shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
b is an elevation view of an assembled rear Achilles unit shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, reference will be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As will be described, in one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable fastening system to secure the foot in both sandals and other types of footwear. The fastening system comprises a non-stretch band, which may be a seat belt material, secured to a molded rigid unit using a grooved post extending upwardly. Placed over the grooved post is a molded flexible “bungee cord” having an O-ring shape on one end to surround the grooved post. Extending from the O-ring shape are bars on both sides which form a U shape at the opposite ends of the O-ring. Attached to the side of a shoe or sandal are molded rigid units with a similar grooved post extending outwardly. The “bungee cord” is pulled over the foot, placing the U-shaped end over the grooved post to secure the foot in place.
a is a top view of the individual parts that comprise an assembled strap unit 11 as shown in
b is a top view of an assembled strap unit 11 consisting of seat belt strap 17, molded rigid O-ring holder 19, “bungee cord” 18, and rigid molded securing unit 20. When the entire unit 11 is connected by the user, there is a slight amount of tension, so that the entire unit 11 will stay secure on the foot.
a is a side cross section view of “bungee cord” 18, molded rigid O-ring holder 19, and molded rigid securing unit 20. “Bungee cord” 18 shows one side having an O-ring shape in dotted lines, and the opposite side is a similar round shape. The U-shaped end has an extension 23 which has multiple slots to act as teeth to allow a good grip when pulling the unit over the foot and attaching it to molded rigid securing unit 20.
b is a side cross section view of an assembled strap unit according to the present invention. The assembled strap unit consists of a non-stretch seat belt strap 17 which is attached to a molded rigid O-ring holder 19 by placing strap 17 through slot 27, which is then folded back and stitched to secure the molded rigid O-ring holder to strap 17. Rigid molded O-ring holder 19 has a grooved post 25 extending upwardly to allow the flexible molded O-ring to surround post 25 and secure “bungee cord” 18 onto the rigid molded O-ring holder 19. “Bungee cord” 18 can be easily peeled from the rigid molded O-ring holder 19, so as to allow the user to change the length of “bungee cord” 18 to accommodate feet of different shapes and sizes. Preferably, the “bungee cords” are packaged in sets, so that the wearer can select the best fits. Once the O-ring side of the “bungee cord” 18 is secured over post 25 of rigid molded O-ring holder 19, the opposite U-shaped side 26 is pulled using tab 23 to secure “bungee cord” 18 over the grooved post 25 on the rigid molded securing unit 20.
a is a top view of the rear flexible molded “bungee cord” 35 that attaches at the Achilles area of a user's foot. The rear flexible molded “bungee cord” 35 has O-rings 24 on both ends. Extending from O-rings 24 are bars 28 on each side of “O” ring 24 which connect the O-rings to inner area 21. Inner area 21 of “bungee cord” 35 is an oval with U-shaped ends. Both O-rings 24 on the ends of “bungee cord” 35 can be press-fit onto rigid molded O-ring holders 19 to secure “bungee cord” 35 onto the rear section of sandal 8, as shown in
b is a top view of an assembled rear flexible molded “bungee cord” 35 of
a are top and side views of the rear Achilles pad 22 that is shown in
b is a top elevation view of the assembled rear unit 13 as shown in
This application claims priority from co-pending provisional application No. 60/812,319, filed Jun. 9, 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60812319 | Jun 2006 | US |