Patent Application
20140352174
The present invention relates to the field of footwear construction in general and more particularly to footwear constructed without a last.
There are many situations at the beach, at poolside or simply at casual affairs among friends, where comfort is more precious than formality. Some, particularly the young, or young-in-heart amongst us, particularly in the South, prefer to go barefoot wherever they can, and “can” is not always defined in social terms. Certainly, there are practical limitations like walking on gravel driveways, or on hot sand or crossing hot asphalt streets. These “ouches” have given “flip-flops” a place under the Sun, but have you ever watched someone hop or run with flip-flops on? Good for laughs but not great fun, and don't even think about swimming. While you're at it, flip-flops are basically ugly, so don't think about stylish either.
Ladies, be they adults, teens or children engage in a variety of activities each day. Sometimes they choose footwear for a social occasion, another time for utility, or perhaps just for fun and relaxation. Nothing however, is more likely than change, so the social occasion might take a a left turn into the Wal-Mart store, where those 4″ heels are a definite liability; the luncheon with friends may morph into a walk on the beach or, that R&R at home may be interrupted by visitors, and you'll wish you weren't looking quite so frumpy. (say what you will, barefoot is not chic)
Now, aside from flip-flops, there are things generically referred to “Swim Socks”, with conventional looking soles and mesh uppers. The usefulness of swim socks is limited because the mesh uppers let them fill with sand if you walk on the beach. In any event, either flip-flops or swim socks would win an ugly footwear contest. What women would love is a convenient, attractive alternative.
A first object of the present invention is therefore, to provide versatile footwear for casual and social use. A second object is that such footwear be capable of protecting the user's feet against abusive surface conditions, and a third object is that this footwear be inherently attractive. Yet another object of the present invention is that such footwear be readily carried in a glove compartment or purse, so as to be available for use as changing circumstances may demand. A further, yet obvious requirement of the present invention is that such footwear be inexpensive to produce, so as to be popularly available.
The present invention addresses the aforesaid objectives by providing un-lasted footwear construction somewhat resembling conventional sandals, except that a pair can be rolled up in a small pouch. The invention is cut from a flat piece of flexible material, in a shape designed to provide attractively styled casual footwear. Preferred materials might be leather, a decoratively backed neoprene ply, or something similar. Tabs extending from one side of the sole portion connect with their opposites to form the upper. These connections may be sewn, or be hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, or other means, but no other parts are needed. However, self-adhesive heel and ball wear pads could be marketed as a companion item or an aftermarket sale.
The accompanying drawings of the present inventions illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how they can be made and used, and are not to be construed as limiting the inventions to only those examples illustrated and described. The various advantages and features of the present inventions will be apparent from a consideration of these drawings in which:
The present inventions will be described in the following by referring to the drawings of examples of how the inventions can be made and used. In these drawings, reference characters are used throughout the views to indicate like or corresponding parts. The embodiments shown and described herein are exemplary. Details well known in the arts, may be neither shown nor described.
Extended tabs 110 and 110A; 112 and 112A; 114 and 114A 116 and 116A and 118 and 118A are provided. When these extended tabs are paired and joined together over sole 102, at junctures 150, lateral portions 120 and 120A are also drawn up as an upper to complete un-lasted embodiment 100. The connections at junctures 150 may be made by sewing, by hook and loop type devices, hook and eye devices, by buttons, by snaps or adhesives. As a designer's option, paired tabs 114 and 114A may be extended to wrap around the wearer's ankle before being joined. The wearer's toes may be fully exposed, while the sole is protected as shown in
Notably different from embodiment 100, here, in embodiment 200 of
Making embodiment 300, with its fully covered toe portion. unlike embodiments 100 and 200, requires some sewing. The top cover 330 is folded back, under sole 302, to match its edge 331 with edge 331A of under toe portion 330A. Edge 331/331A can then be sewn from the inside, and after making seam 32, the unfinished embodiment is turned right side out. Extended tabs 310 and 310A; 312 and 312A; 314 and 314A 316 and 316A and 318 and 318A are provided. When these extended tabs are paired and joined together above sole 302, at junctures 350, lateral (upper) portions 320 and 320A are also drawn up, so as to complete un-lasted embodiment 300. The connections at junctures 350 may be made by sewing, by hook and loop type devices, hook and eye devices, by buttons, by snaps or adhesives. As a designer's option, paired tabs 314 and 314A may be extended to wrap around the wearer's ankle before being joined.
The embodiments shown and described above are exemplary. Even though many characteristics and advantages of the present inventions have been described in the drawings and accompanying text, the description is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement, within the scope and principles of the inventions. The restrictive description and drawings of the specific examples above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are to provide at least one explanation of how to use and make the inventions. The limits of the inventions and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and will be defined in the following claims.
This non-provisional application claims priority of the Jun. 4, 2013 filing date of Provisional Application 61/956,236.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61956236 | Jun 2013 | US |
