Patent Application
20120311886
This invention relates pads and cushions that fit under straps of flip-flops, sandals, and other open type footwear to provide a snug fit for the wearer.
Flip-flops, shower shoes, sandals, and other open type footwear typically incorporate a strap that holds the foot to the sole of the footwear but otherwise leave much of the foot exposed to air. Flip-flops are usually made of a rubber sole with a Y-shaped strap that is fixed to the rear sides and the front of the sole. The front of the strap generally goes between the toes of the wearer. Shower shoes are more of a slipper in which the strap holding the sole to the foot is a thick piece of rubber or cloth that crosses the top of the foot perpendicular to the sole.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for modifying an open type shoe having a sole and a strap that holds a foot to the sole. The method includes attaching a “strap pad” to an underside of the strap so the foot fits snuggly between the strap pad and the sole. The method may be performed by a consumer after the purchase of the open type shoe when the strap becomes stretched and/or the sole becomes compressed from use.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a footwear package includes an open type shoe having a sole and a strap that holds a foot to the sole, and a number of strap pads attachable to an underside of the strap so the foot fits snuggly between a strap pad and the sole. Each strap pad has a shape that matches the strap so the strap pad fits completely under the strap.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a package of strap pads is provided for an open type shoe comprising a sole and a strap that hold a foot to the sole. The package includes a number of strap pads attachable to an underside of the strap so the foot fits snuggly between a strap pad and the sole. At least two strap pads are of the same shape but different thicknesses.
In the drawings:
Use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical elements.
When new, shoes 100 fit to the feet snugly and are comfortable to the wearer. After a short time, sometimes within hours, shoes 100 break in to the wearer's feet and become loose.
Some more expensive open type shoes have arch supports or other foot molded sole shapes that may help to address the problem. However these features stop working once the strap has stretched and/or the soles has compressed to the wearer's foot shape. Many flip-flops cost upwards of $50 to $75 per pair and sandals can cost hundreds of dollars. Thus, what are needed are methods and apparatus that allow open type shoes to fit better, last longer, and be more comfortable.
A strap pad, also referred to as a “strap cushion” or a “flip strip,” is a piece of comfortable and durable material that is fixed to the underside of a strap on an open type shoe. The strap pad compensates for the space left when the shoe has been broken-in and no longer fits as snugly as it did when it was new. The strap pad may also compensate for a shoe that is too large when purchased new. Attaching a strap pad is an inexpensive and indiscernible way to make a shoe fit better. The strap pad not only extends the life of the shoe but may also keep wearers from curling their toes and injuring themselves or from losing their shoes as they walk and injuring themselves.
In one or more embodiment, strap pads 302 are specifically made for a particular pair of shoes 100. Each strap pad 302 has a shape that matches the shape of strap 104 at the strap pad's attachment location so the strap pad fits substantially or completely fit under the strap. Alternatively, strap pad 302 has a generic shape that is trimmed by the wearer using scissors or a knife to match strap 104. Strap pad 302 may have a variety of thicknesses (e.g., thin, medium, thick) to accommodate a variety of foot sizes.
After a wearer purchases and breaks in shoes 100, the wearer may attach strap pad 302 to the underside of strap 104. The wearer first removes backing 506 from adhesive layer 504 and then applies the adhesive layer to the underside of strap 104 at a proper attachment location where the strap substantially or completely covers strap pad 302. The wearer may also trim strap pad 302 to match the shape of strap 104.
Flip flops, sandals, and other open type shoes are preferred when visiting beaches, rivers, lakes, pools, and other recreational areas involving water activities. Thus, these open type shoes often get wet and they are generally worn without socks. Flip flops and sandals are also mostly made of rubber and/or leather, and both of these materials generate a substantial amount of perspiration in the foot area as the foot is directly adjacent to the rubber or leather. Considering the above, strap pad 302 is made with materials that are durable, comfortable, breathable, and/or waterproof. These qualities allow strap pad 302 to stand up to a wet environment while delivering comfort to the user. In one or more embodiments, cushion body 502 may be foam, sponge, rubber, neoprene, or cloth (e.g., felt). In one or more embodiments, strap pads 302 of a variety of different materials can be provided to a wearer and the wear selects a strap pad based on the intended use for shoes 100.
Package 600 may be manufactured in a batch process where a large sheet of cushion body material (e.g., foam, rubber, or neoprene) is coated with adhesive, a large sheet of backing material is applied to the adhesive to form a sandwich board of cushion body, adhesive, and backing materials, and the shapes of the strap pads are stamped out in the sandwich board. The large sheet of cushion body material may have sections of different thicknesses to form strap pads of different thicknesses.
Package 700 may be manufactured in a batch process where the material for soles 102 and cushion body 502 are the same. A large sheet of the sole and cushion body material is provided. An area of the body material is coated with adhesive, a sheet of backing material is applied to the area with the adhesive, and the shapes of the strap pads 302 are stamped out in the area with the adhesive and backing materials while the shapes of soles 102 are stamped out in another area without the adhesive and backing materials. The large sheet of sole and cushion body material may have sections of different thicknesses to form strap pads of different thicknesses. Straps 104 are then attached to soles 102.
Although self-adhesive cushion straps are described above, other mechanisms for attaching a cushion strap to the underside of a strap may be used.
Halves 808 may be sold as part of a package including strap pad 804 with halves 810 preinstalled on the strap pad. Halves 808 may be self-adhesive so the wearer would remove a backing from an adhesive topside and then adhere the topside of halves 808 to the underside of strap 802. Alternatively an open type shoe may be preinstalled with halves 808.
Strip 908 may be sold as part of a package including strap pad 904 with strip 910 preinstalled on the strap pad. Strip 908 may be self-adhesive so the wearer would remove a backing from an adhesive topside and then adhere the topside of strip 908 to the underside of strap 902. Alternatively an open type shoe may be preinstalled with strip 908.
Various other adaptations and combinations of features of the embodiments disclosed are within the scope of the invention. Numerous embodiments are encompassed by the following claims.
