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  Sandal, thong or the like with reversible tongue, vamp, or strapUSPTO Application #: 20070261266Title: Sandal, thong or the like with reversible tongue, vamp, or strap Abstract: Footwear, in the category of a sandal, and which may include a thong, slide-on, clog, or related structured sandal, wherein one side or the other of a tongue, upper vamp, or sandal strap may be adhered to an upper part of the sandal sole, or its vamp or cross strap, so that one side of the sandal strap structure may be displayed during its wearing, and can be turned to expose its opposite surface for varying the styling of the worn sandal. The tongue, upper vamp, or strap may be secured by a fastening device, such as a swivel, that allows for turning of these components to expose a selected surface in order to vary the aesthetics and appearance of the worn sandal. (end of abstract) Agent: Paul M. Denk - St. Louis, MO, US Inventors: Lindell B. Jones, Raymond F. Tonkel USPTO Applicaton #: 20070261266 - Class: 036011500 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, Sandals The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070261266. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This continuation patent application claims priority to the continuation application having Ser. No. 11/142,610, which was filed on Jun. 1, 2005, which claims priority to the continuation-in-part application having Ser. No. 10/771,196, which was filed on Feb. 3, 2004, which claims priority as a continuation-in-part of the divisional patent application having Ser. No. 10/437,140, which was filed on May 13, 2003; and is a continuation-in-part of application having Ser. No. 222,313, filed on Aug. 15, 2002 and also is a continuation-in-part of the regular letters patent application having Ser. No. 10/122,995 filed on Apr. 11, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,887, which application is derived from a provisional application having Ser. No. 60/285,693, filed Apr. 24, 2001; all owned by a common Assignee. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically pertains to footwear in the category of a sandal, thong, slip-on, clog, or the like, or even a beach shoe, wherein the tongue, gusset, upper part of the vamp, or strap, may be reversed, in order to change the aesthetics, coloration, indicia, or other appearance of the overall footwear, when worn. [0003] Obviously, numerous styles of footwear, constructed of various components, for achieving a multitude of purposes, have long been considered in the prior art. Most of these types of innovations have been in the area of running or athletic shoes, which have been substantially in vogue for the past three decades, and wherein various styles or modifications to the shoes, as in their sole configuration, to make them more resilient, or add efficiency to the runner, have been considered in the prior art. In addition, various accessories have been added to footwear, such as adding pockets to the side or quarter portions of the shoe, putting a pocket within the tongue or gusset for the shoe, and these have all been considered in the prior art. For example, see the patent to Adamik, U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,060, relating to this type of technology, and their modifications. [0004] This has even considered reversing various components to footwear, in order to add to their aesthetics, and change their style and appearance, as when worn. For example, the Benjamin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,049,347, shows a shoe wherein a strap, held by one or more of D-Rings, can be turned to reverse the positioning of the strap within the shoe structure, as can be noted therein. In addition, the Tonkel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,321, shows the use of a separable tongue held by Velcro to its vamp, but which must be removed to provide for its turning and vary the appearance of the shown shoe. [0005] The current invention seeks further modifications to the structure of the identified type of footwear, in order to add further variations in the usage of the shoe, enhance its styling, and further enhance the attractiveness of the sandal, by providing alternative uses and applications to various of its components, when structured into the footwear itself. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] This invention relates to the formation of footwear in general, but more specifically, pertains to the fabrication of what will be generically described as a sandal type of shoe, which may include a sandal, a thong, a slip-on, a clog, and related types of footwear, but having the concept of this invention embodied within its structure, as will be readily determined upon reviewing this invention. In this particular development, a select segment of these types of sandals will be reversible, in its structure, as embodied within the manufactured sandal, so as to provide for a change in the coloration, indicia, design, or to vary other appearance aspects of the sandal, when the structure of this invention is assembled. In the preferred embodiment, there will be a sandal strap, an upper part of a vamp for a sandal, or the upper strap portion of a thong, that will be reversible, in its manipulation, where these types of components can be turned to expose one surface, which may have a stylized and attractive surface provided thereon, or it may be reversed, to furnish an entirely different appearance to the sandal, when worn. This can be done without removal of the reversible structure of the shoe. [0007] This invention primarily relates to the modification to structure in a sandal type of footwear, in general, as fabricated and worn. [0008] Means are provided for accommodating the reversing of these types of components in a sandal, and to hold it to the sole of the shoe, or the front vamp portion, but which components, such as part of a tongue, strap, upper vamp, or the like, can be readily turned, simply upon opening of its fastening feature, which normally holds the components in position, and which incorporate a swivel, that allows for the component to be turned, to achieve these results, as previously reviewed. [0009] The concept of this invention is to provide a link between the shoe component, of that type as previously explained, as being reversible in this concept, such as the upper vamp, strap, tongue, or the like, that lets the wearer reverse these components, as desired, for revealing other coloration, indicia, or design as sought by the wearer. It provides versatility to the usage of the sandal. Such a linkage could be or comprise a short length of cord, it may be an elastic or twistable cord, a resilient cord, or perhaps could comprise a swivel clasp, or any other type or form of clasp, having some degree of flexibility, and which may be twisted or turned, as required. In addition, it may include a clasp, formed of a two-part swivel, that may be interconnected between the lower vamp, and the upper vamp, or it may connect between the sandal strap, and any upper covering portion, such as the upper vamp, or it may comprise a swivel mechanism that connects with the thong stem, the component that normally fits between at least a pair of toes of the wearer, so as to allow for reversing or swiveling of the upper vamp or strap, as may be desired. Furthermore, the swivel may be separable, through the exertion of some amount of force, so that the upper vamp or strap may be removed, and another one relocated, to add further dexterity and versatility to the usage of this invention. In order to prevent the unauthorized removal, or the displacement of the turnable components, for such sandals, as for example, when displayed for sale, the pulling force required to separate the clasp, that forms the swivel, may be excessive, up to seventy to eighty pounds (70 to 80 lbs.) or more of force, or it may only require a slight amount of force, to separate the clasp, at the desire of the manufacturer, the retailer, or even the user, once the shoes are placed in usage. It is also likely that the strap or vamp may be of a compound structure, and have swivel means between each of their sections, which will allow for turning, of just segments, of the gusset or vamp, along its length or height. [0010] It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide a reversible upper vamp, strap, or the like, for sandals, thongs, clogs, beach shoes, and slip-ons. [0011] Another object of this invention is to provide a reversible component for a sandal, that may have difference styles of appearance upon either of its surfaces, so that the upper vamp, strap, or the like, can be reversed, and completely change in appearance and attractiveness for the sandal, at the interest of the footwear user. For example, the consumer can coordinate with team colors, fashion trends, and the like. [0012] Still another object of this invention is to provide footwear, in the category of sandals that incorporates reversible components, of this invention, which adds to the versatility of the appearance and usage of the subject footwear. [0013] Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel swivel that can be used for applying the reversible tongue, gusset, upper vamp, or strap, at the upper central portion of the sandal, to stably hold these components in position and in place, while the shoe is worn, but when opened, can be turned, so as to display different aesthetics. [0014] Still another object of this invention is to provide a usage of a swivel means, in conjunction with the stem of a thong, or with the bottom cap that holds the thong stem in permanent position, so as to allow the turning and reversing of components that secure with the swivel, as integrated into the structure of such a style of footwear. [0015] These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of this invention, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] In referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a side view of an open-toed sandal implementing a reversible tongue or upper vamp portion according to the present invention; [0017] FIG.2 is a side view of a closed-toed sandal implementing a reversible tongue or upper vamp in accordance with the present invention; [0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of an open-toed sandal implementing a reversible tongue or upper vamp according to the present invention, wherein the vamp portion basically only surrounds the toes of the wearer; [0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of a sandal implementing a reversible tongue or upper vamp according to the present invention wherein the tongue is made from a stretchable material to eliminate the need for lacings; [0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of a slip-on implementing a reversible tongue or upper vamp according to the present invention wherein the tongue is made from a stretchable material to eliminate the need for shoe strings or lacings, and having a lower cut clog-type back portion; Continue reading... Full patent description for Sandal, thong or the like with reversible tongue, vamp, or strap Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sandal, thong or the like with reversible tongue, vamp, or strap 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 Sandal, thong or the like with reversible tongue, vamp, or strap or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Moisturizing slipper with removable insole Next Patent Application: Insole to reduce plantar pressure Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sandal, thong or the like with reversible tongue, vamp, or strap patent info. 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