Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Sandals
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-05-29
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Sandals
C036S03000A, C036S050100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237249
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for a slide-type sandal having a rear heel strap that is rotatable about pivot points to facilitate use of the sandal with or without the rear heel strap and without disassembling the sandal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is directed to methods and apparatus for the construction of sandal type footwear. Sandals are one of the first types of footwear known to mankind and are mentioned in early recorded history. Early sandals included a flat component formed of a suitable material such as leather that served as a sole. The flat sole was placed under the foot to provide protection against the ground surface.
Various methods to attach the sandal to the foot are also known. An example includes the use of a suitable material such as leather to attach the sole of the sandal to the toes or ankle of the foot. In more recent times, a component of the sandal identified as a vamp and which covers the instep of the foot has been employed. The vamp is connected to the sole so that the sandal can be attached to the foot. The vamp may only partially cover the top of the foot so that the toes extend outward into the open air. In the alternative, the vamp may cover most of the top of the foot or even enclose the entire forward portion of the foot.
In the type of sandal that includes a vamp, the foot is positioned between the sole and the vamp. The sandal may be utilized in this manner without employing any additional means of attaching the sandal to the foot. This type of footwear is sometimes referred to as a “slide” because the foot enters the sandal by sliding since there is no structure to grab onto while donning the sandal. Further, this type of footwear has also been referred to as “flip-flops” because of the noise created by the tail end of the sole striking the heel of the user when walking. Under these conditions, the sandal is only loosely attached to the foot and is useful for more leisurely types of activities. More active types of activities requiring quicker movements could result in the sandal becoming inadvertently disconnected from the foot which might be undesirable.
Sandals that include a vamp can also employ additional means for attaching the sandal to the foot. For example, a suitable material such as leather can be used in strips to tie the sole and/or the vamp of the sandal to the foot. However, it has been known to employ a rear heel strap that is connected to the sandal. The rear heel strap can be connected to the vamp or other structural component of the sandal. The rear heel strap is used to wrap around the heel of the foot to ensure that the sandal remains attached to the foot.
Some sandals known in the prior art employ a rear heel strap that can be disconnected from the sandal. To achieve this disconnect feature, the sandal can incorporate buckles, hook and eye fasteners and other types of mechanical fasteners to connect and disconnect at least one end of the rear heel strap to and from the sandal. Typically, this type of sandal would only be used with the rear heel strap since only one end of the rear heel strap could be disconnected. If both ends of the rear heel strap could be disconnected, the sandal could be used as a “slide” or “flip-flop”. However, this would require the time and energy to physically remove the rear heel strap. Once removed, it would be necessary to store or carry the rear heel strap to prevent loss thereof. Since sandals are often used at the beach and at swimming pools, storage of the rear heel strap in order to avoid loss could be inconvenient. This is the case since beachwear normally worn at the seashore and around swimming pools often does not include pockets.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a sandal that includes a vamp attached to the sole and having an elastic rear heel strap that is rotatable about a pair of pivot points so that the rear heel strap can be pivoted between a lowered position about the heel of the foot and a rotated raised position over the arch of the foot and vice versa by employing simple foot manipulation to rotate the strap so that the sandal can be utilized with or without the elastic rear heel strap without disassembling the sandal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved convertible slide type sandal typically worn as footwear in the out-of-doors during the warm months of the year. However, the convertible slide can be used indoors as well as at the beach or the swimming pool. The novel and non-obvious convertible slide exhibits a cushioned midsole upon which a human foot rests. The midsole is attached to a durable outsole which contacts the ground surface. Bonded to the midsole and arching over the top of the foot is a vamp. The vamp covers only a portion of the human forefoot resulting in an open-toed footwear. Pivotably attached to the vamp is a rear heel strap used to assist in securing the convertible slide to the human foot. The components of the convertible slide are comprised of rubber and manmade synthetic cushioning materials. Further, the convertible slide exhibits a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction and is economical to manufacture.
The rear heel strap of the inventive convertible slide is elastic or other flexible material to facilitate attaching the sandal to the foot. The elastic rear heel strap can be connected to the vamp by one of several different methods. In a preferred embodiment, the vamp includes a pair of outwardly extending studs comprised of, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and molded directly to the side of the vamp. The pair of outwardly extending studs serve as pivot points for a pair of terminal ends of the rear heel strap. The terminal ends of the rear heel strap each include a penetration for passing over a corresponding one of the pair of outwardly extending studs. Each of the outwardly extending studs includes a mechanical stop for retaining the rear heel strap on each of the outwardly extending studs. The construction of the present invention enables the rear heel strap to be rotated between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot to a second raised position above the vamp without disassembling the sandal. The top rear surface of the vamp includes a contoured lip that retains the rear heel strap in the second raised position.
The present invention is generally directed to a convertible slide type sandal typically used in the out-of-doors and comprised of rubber and synthetic materials for exhibiting a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction. In its most fundamental embodiment, the convertible slide comprises a construction having a midsole for supporting a foot. A vamp is securely attached to the midsole for covering the foot and includes a pair of outwardly extending studs for providing a pair of pivot points. A rear heel strap is provided for securing the convertible slide to the foot. The heel strap is rotatively connected to the pair of outwardly extending studs for rotating between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot and a second raised position above the vamp. Finally, an outsole is bonded to the midsole for contacting the ground surface. Also, the midsole can be comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate, the outsole can be comprised of rubber and both the vamp and the rear heel strap can be comprised of polyvinylchloride.
In a first alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs are replaced by a pair of rivets that are used to attach the rear heel strap to the midsole and vamp. The pair of rivets are installed through appropriately placed penetrations formed in the midsole and vamp. A pair of nylon washers are utilized to separate the elastic rear heel strap from other components and to facilitate the rotation thereof. In a second alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs and the pair of rivets are replaced by a pa
Lewis, D'Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard LLP
Moh'andesi Jila M.
Sewell Paul T.
South Cone, Inc.
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