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  Convertible sandalRelated Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, SandalsConvertible sandal description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060288610, Convertible sandal. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/846,404, filed May 14, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This application relates to footwear and, in particular, to sandals that are convertible between a slide configuration and a heel-strap configuration. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,683 of Schellkopf, U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,102 of DeVincentis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,782 of Thatcher, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,058 of Jneid disclose various shoes having uppers that are convertible between a heel-strap configuration, in which a heel strap wraps around the wearer's heel to secure the shoe in place, and a slide configuration, in which the heel strap is moved clear of the heel for easier donning and removal of the shoe. In some of these shoes, the heel straps are disconnected from the shoes when converting to the slide configuration and must thereafter be stored separately or carried by the wearer (e.g., in the wearer's pocket), subjecting the heel straps to being misplaced or lost. In others, the heel straps are folded forwardly for converting the shoes to the slide configuration, but remain attached to the shoes so that a portion of the straps may awkwardly dangle or press against the user's leg or forefoot. Whether a forwardly-folded heel strap dangles or presses against the foot may depend on the length of the heel strap, the point at which it connects to the shoe, and the shape of the wearer's foot. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,249 of Aguerre discloses a sandal having a vamp and an elastic heel strap rotatably connected to the vamp via a pair of pivot mechanisms so that the heel strap can be pivoted between a lowered position about the heel of the wearer's foot and a raised position over the arch of the foot and the vamp. The pivot mechanisms increase the complexity of the sandal construction and are subject to mechanical failure. [0005] The present inventor has recognized a need for an improved sandal that is convertible between a heel-strap configuration and a slide configuration and for methods of converting a sandal between such configurations. SUMMARY [0006] A convertible sandal according to one embodiment comprises a sole for supporting a wearer's foot and a vamp attached to the sole for extending over a forefoot portion of the wearer's foot. First and second connectors are preferably located along respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp adjacent a rear margin of the vamp. In some embodiments, first and second holders are located along the respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp. A strap may be selectively moved between a first position, in which the strap extends around a heel of the wearer's foot, and a second position, in which the strap extends over the wearer's forefoot. The connectors may include elongated eyelets through which the end sections of the strap are threaded and then folded back against the strap for securing the strap to the connectors. [0007] Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a lateral side perspective view of a sandal in accordance with a first embodiment, shown in a heel-strap configuration; and [0009] FIG. 2 is a lateral side perspective view of the sandal of FIG. 1, shown in a slide configuration. In FIG. 2, the phantom lines extending away from the lateral side of the sandal represent an alternative configuration of the strap in which the strap may be used to secure the sandal to another object. All other broken lines in FIGS. 1-2 represent stitching. [0010] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a sandal according to a second embodiment, including a swivel connector for the heel strap; [0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevation view of the swivel connector of FIG. 3; [0012] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the swivel connector of FIGS. 3 and 4, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4; and [0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of the swivel connector of FIGS. 3-5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0014] FIG. 1 is a lateral side perspective view of a sandal 10 in accordance with a first embodiment, including a strap 14 shown configured in a first position, in which strap 14 is positioned to fit around a heel of a wearer's foot (foot not illustrated). With reference to FIG. 1, sandal 10 includes a sole 20 for supporting the foot and a vamp 30 for extending over a forefoot portion of the wearer's foot. Vamp 30 extends between a medial margin 34 of sole 20 and a lateral margin 36 of sole 20 to fit over the forefoot and keep sandal 10 on the wearer's foot. [0015] Sole 20 may be made by any of a variety of known methods and materials, such as injection molded resins, sewn leather or synthetic materials, and thermoforming, for example. Vamp 30 is preferably split longitudinally so that it comprises medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 attached to sole 20 along the respective medial and lateral margins 34 and 36. Medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 are separated by a split 48 along the top of the wearer's foot where the medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 are joined together by one or more cinch straps 50. Split 48 may comprise an abutting or overlapping region of or a gap between medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46. In some embodiments laces may be used in place of or in addition to cinch straps 50. In still other embodiments, other devices of joining medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 may be employed. For example, a section of elastic material may be permanently or removably attached to medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 to span a gap therebetween. In yet other embodiments, vamp 30 is not split longitudinally. [0016] Vamp 30 is preferably split along its entire length, as shown in FIG. 1. However, in alternative embodiments, vamp 30 is split along only a portion of the length of vamp 30. The resulting split 48 (or partial split) between the medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 of vamp 30 allow vamp 30 to be adjusted to fit the wearer's foot via adjustment of cinch straps 50 or laces. Split 48 preferably includes a longitudinal component, but may run at a significant angle to the longitudinal axis of the sandal 10. Thus, the phrase "split longitudinally," as used herein, is meant to encompass both a "full" split 48 running the entire length of vamp 30 and a partial split (not shown) extending longitudinally along only a portion of vamp 30, and is also meant to encompass splits running at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of sandal 10. [0017] Vamp 30 includes a foot opening 52 sized so that when strap 14 is removed from the heel region, as shown in FIG. 2, sandal 10 functions as a slide, which may allow the wearer to don and remove sandal 10 without using his or her hands. Vamp 30 need not cover the entire forefoot, and may include one or more windows 56 or other openings or holes, to promote breathability and reduce the overall weight of sandal 10, among other possible benefits. In some embodiments (not shown), vamp 30 may extend to the rear end of sole 20 to cup the wearer's heel along the edge of the heel pad. In one embodiment, vamp 30 extends forwardly to the toe end of the sole 20. Thus, the term "vamp," as used herein, is intended to be construed broadly, to include a wide range of devices of various shapes, sizes, and compositions, which generally extend between the medial and lateral margins 34 and 36 of sole 20 and over the wearer's forefoot for keeping sandal 10 on the wearer's foot. Vamp 30 and sole 20 may be constructed and attached together using any of a variety of conventional methods well known to persons skilled in the art. [0018] Vamp 30 includes first and second connectors 62 and 64 located along respective medial and lateral sides of vamp 30 and generally adjacent a rear margin 68 of vamp 30. Connectors 62 and 64 preferably comprise elongated eyelets formed in respective medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 of vamp 30 and sized to fit first and second end sections 72 and 74 of strap 30 therethrough, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Complementary sections of hook-and-loop fastener material 80 (FIG. 2) of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO.RTM., for example, are arranged on strap 14 so that one or both of end sections 72 and 74 are held in place when folded back upon strap 14 to thereby detachably connect strap 14 to connectors 62 and 64. The eyelets of connectors 62 and 64 may be lined with grommets or plastic inserts sewn to vamp 30 to reinforce the slots and reduce friction and wear of strap 14. In other embodiments (not shown), connectors 62 and 64 may comprise any of a variety of other devices formed or attached in, on, or to vamp 30, and which cooperate with strap 14 for holding strap 14 in place. Such connection devices may tend to align strap 14 in the heel-strap configuration as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, to prevent strap from flapping along or sliding down the wearer's heel when strap 14 is in the first position. Exemplary connecting devices include plastic or metal buckles, snaps, hooks, and/or small eyelets for receiving laces or hooks attached to strap 14, for example. Thus, connectors 62 and 64 preferably facilitate a simple, strong, durable, and convenient detachable connection between strap 14 and vamp 30. Continue reading about Convertible sandal... Full patent description for Convertible sandal Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Convertible sandal patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Convertible sandal or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Dance footwear Next Patent Application: Suspended orthotic shoe and methods of making same Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Convertible sandal patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.22983 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error |
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