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  Sandal with replaceable upper and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070245597Title: Sandal with replaceable upper and method Abstract: A sandal 10 comprises a sandal upper 12 having one or more straps 14 for positioning over a user's foot, and a sandal sole 20 having a sandal ground engaging surface 22 and an opposing upper surface 24. A plurality of releasable connectors 30 are each secured to an end of the one of the straps. Each connector is positionable within a cavity 24 within the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector to the sandal sole. In one embodiment, the sandal sole houses a connector base 40, and the connector base includes a cavity 47 for receiving a portion of the connector therein. (end of abstract) Agent: Loren G. Helmreich Browning Bushman P.C. - Houston, TX, US Inventors: Pamela Kay Krutilek, Margaret Scheib USPTO Applicaton #: 20070245597 - Class: 036101000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, Convertible From One Style Or Color To Another, By Detachable Uppers The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070245597. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from and incorporates herein U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/680,051 filed May 12, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the construction of sandals and, more particularly, to a sandal wherein a sandal upper having straps is removable from a sandal base or sole. Sandal uppers and sandal soles may be easily replaced by the user with other uppers and soles, thereby enhancing versatility. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Sandals have been a growing area of footwear for centuries. During the past decades, sandals have been increasingly considered a popular design accessory, so that a pair of sandals is selected by the user as a function of other clothing to be worn by the user, and the coordinated "look" of the sandals with those clothes. Sandals may, however, be expensive, with a medium priced pair of sandals selling from $10 to $30 USD. When styles change, previously purchased sandals become obsolete, and a new pair is conventionally purchased. [0004] There are various problems associated with making sandals more versatile. Sandal uppers preferably should be attached to the sandal sole in a manner such that when the sandal is worn, the sandal upper straps do not readily appear to be removable. Also, the desired versatility of the sandal is of little value if the user experiences discomfort when wearing the sandals. [0005] The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, and an improved sandal and method of constructing a sandal and replacing the sandal upper from the sandal sole is hereinafter disclosed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In one embodiment, a sandal includes the sandal upper having one or more straps for positioning over a user=3 s foot, and a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface and an opposing foot sole engaging surface. A plurality of releasable connectors are each secured to an end of the one or more straps, and each is positionable within a cavity in the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector and the sandal sole, such that the plurality of releasable connectors and the sandal upper may subsequently be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors. A cavity within a sandal sole may house a connector base, with the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position. [0007] According to one embodiment of the method of the invention, sandal uppers are releasably connected with a sandal sole by securing a plurality of releasable connectors to an end of one or more straps of the sandal upper, and positioning each releasable connector within a cavity within a sandal sole for interconnecting a connector within the sandal sole. The sandal upper and the connectors may thereafter be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors. [0008] These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a sandal according to the present invention. [0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the sandal sole shown in FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 3 depicts a releasable connector and a portion of a strap. [0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sandal sole and a connector base positioned within a cavity in the sandal sole prior to receiving a releasable connector. [0013] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a portion of the upper surface of the sandal sole with a slot for receiving a releasable connector. [0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the connector base. [0015] FIG. 7 illustrates in cross-section connector and connector base with the connector base rotated to the interconnected position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a left-foot sandal according to the present invention, including a sandal upper with one or more straps 14 for positioning over a user's foot. FIG. 1 also depicts a sandal sole 20 with a ground engaging surface 22 as shown in FIG. 2, and an opposing foot sole engaging surface or upper surface 24 as shown in FIG. 1. The sandal sole may have a substantially uniform thickness between the ground engaging surface and the upper surface, and that thickness preferably is in a range from about 2/3'' to 1 1/2''. [0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a suitable connector 30 and a portion of a strap 14 threaded through a slot 32 in the upper portion of the connector 30, with the end of the strap 14 stitched or sewn back on the strap to secure the connector to the end of the strap. The upper body 34 of the connector may have a substantially rectilinear configuration with rounded edges. A spacer post 36 extends downward from the body 34, and a pair of catch members 38 extend outward from the post for interconnecting the connector to the connector base 40, as shown in FIG. 4. Each of the plurality of connectors 30 preferably has a central axis 37, and the catch members 38 extend laterally in opposing directions outward of a lower portion or post 36 of the connector. The connector 30 may be a monolithic molded plastic piece, with a relatively narrow width of less than about 1/4'', a height of from 3/8 to 3/4'', and a length less than about 1''. [0018] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a generally cylindrical cavity 28 within the sandal sole 20 for receiving the connector base 40 therein. Cylindrical cavity 26 is provided in the lower portion of the sandal sole, and is in communication with the substantially elongate slot 28 which extends through the upper surface 24 of the sandal sole, as shown in FIG. 5. The connector base 40 is a generally bowl-shaped member having a sleeve shaped side 45 and a closed bottom 42. Closed bottom 44 preferably includes an elongate slot 42 for receiving a screw driver, coin, or other device to facilitate rotation of the connector base with respect to the sandal sole, as explained subsequently. A top plate 46 is positioned adjacent the upper end of the connector base, and also has a slot 48 therein for receiving the catch members 38. Cavity 47 within the connector base thus receives a portion of the connector therein when the connector 30 is in an interconnected position. Continue reading... Full patent description for Sandal with replaceable upper and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sandal with replaceable upper and method 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 with replaceable upper and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vamp Next Patent Application: Shoe tags Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sandal with replaceable upper and method patent info. 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