Abstract:
A sandal including a sole having a front region and a back region and an interior side and an exterior side, that includes a first opening located in said front region, a second opening in or near said back region at said interior side and a third opening in or near said back region at said exterior side, and a strap, which includes a plurality of sections, having a first end and a second end and wherein said first end is threaded upwardly through said front opening, through said second opening and looped around said back region, and through said third opening, thereby defining a heel region between said second opening and said third opening.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/328,339, entitled Naturally Adjusting Sandal, filed on Nov. 28, 2012 by inventors Ted McDonald et al. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a securement strap for a sandal worn on the foot. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Typically, sandals, while protecting the foot from injuries that may be inflicted by sharp objects lying on the ground, do not provide a wearer with a sense of close contact between foot and earth. As a result, it is difficult for a runner wearing sandals to have a natural-feeling walking or running experience, i.e. an experience comparable to what a walker or runner might experience when running with bare feet. 
         [0004]    To better approach a natural-feeling running experience, sandals have been used that employ a single strap that is threaded through holes in the sole to provide a complete encircling of the foot. However, the strap of such sandals is undifferentiated over its length, thereby ill-serving portions of the foot for which the dimensions of the strap are not well matched. In addition, many types of sandals use different straps for different parts of the foot, with buckles that are separately adjustable. This approach makes tightening up the sandal a complicated maneuver. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it would be desirable to have a sandal adapted for running, walking or other purposes that uses a single strap with sections that are adapted to the requirements of the wearer&#39;s foot that are easily adjusted using a single buckle. 
         [0006]    In practical use, it has been observed that the foot and ankle of a person using such a sandal can separate from the sole of the sandal in a way that some users find undesirable. For example, the sandal may flop against the heel of the foot. To secure the sandal to the foot and ankle a secondary strap, referred to herein as a securement strap, which fits across the ankle may be used. Adding the securement strap obviates some complaints made by wearers of a sandal that employs only a single strap. 
         [0007]    There is thus a need for a securement strap that enables a user to secure a sandal more completely to the foot. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the present invention may take the form of a sandal that includes a sole having a front region, a back region, an interior side and an exterior side, including a first opening located in the front region, a second opening in or near the back region at the interior side and a third opening in or near the back region at the exterior side, and a strap, including of a plurality of sections, having a first end and a second end and wherein the first end is threaded upwardly through the front opening, through said second opening and looped around said back region, and through said third opening, thereby defining a heel region between the second opening and the third opening. 
         [0010]    In a second embodiment, the present invention may take the form of a strap for a sandal including a front section at a first end of the strap that terminates in a stop-plug, the stop plug serving to retain the first end of the strap when it is inserted through an opening in the sandal, a heel section adjacent to the front section, a final instep section adjacent to the heel section, and a buckle assembly coupled to the final instep section that retains a second end of the strap, wherein the plurality of sections include at least two sections that are made of different materials. 
         [0011]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of a sandal, according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of the sandal of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the strap of the sandal of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top isometric view of the sandal of  FIG. 1 , in an initial stage of being laced. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top isometric view of the sandal of  FIG. 1  in a first intermediate stage of being laced. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top isometric view of the sandal of  FIG. 1  in a second intermediate stage of being laced. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top isometric view of the sandal of  FIG. 1  in a final stage of being laced. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an outside top isometric view of a sandal that includes a securement strap that crosses over the top of the foot. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an inside top isometric view of the sandal of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of an embodiment of a securement strap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The invention will be more completely understood through the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings. Detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention in virtually any appropriately detailed embodiment. 
         [0024]    It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that while a principal object of the subject invention is a sandal that is suited for running, the approach described herein is also suited for walking and other uses. Nothing disclosed herein is intended to limit the use of the sandal to running or any other particular use. 
         [0025]    As used herein the following terms have the meanings given below: 
         [0026]    The term user refers to a human that is wearing a sandal of the present invention. As used herein the term user is synonymous with the terms wearer and runner. In some cases the term user refers to a person that is putting on or adjusting a sandal; in this case the user does not necessarily have to be the same person that is wearing the sandal. For example, a parent may adjust a child&#39;s sandal. A user may wear a sandal of the present invention for a variety of purposes including running, walking and standing or working; while many of the examples pertain to the use of a sandal of the present invention for the purpose of running the subject invention is not so limited. 
         [0027]    The “interior” side of a foot, a shoe, a sandal, or a sole of a shoe or sandal, is the side that is closer to the other foot when a wearer is standing with both feet on the ground and with legs uncrossed. The exterior side is the side further from the other foot for a wearer in the same stance. 
         [0028]    The sole of a shoe or sandal has an underside or bottom that makes contact with the ground and a topside or top that is in contact with a user&#39;s foot. 
         [0029]    The terms strap, lace, or cord refer to a length of material that secures a foot in position on top of the sole of a sandal. As used herein, the term strap covers all types and shapes of material used for this purpose including flat straps, as well as materials with a circular, elliptical, or other regular or irregular cross section. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a sandal  10 . Sandal  10  includes a sole  12  that has a front where a user&#39;s toes rest and a back where a user&#39;s heel rests, and an interior side and an exterior side. Sandal  10  further includes a strap  14 , a buckle assembly  16  and a strap coupler loop  18 . Strap  14  is formed of a plurality of sections, including a toe section  32  and a heel section  40 . Strap  14  is described in further detail hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 3 . Sole  12  has three openings through which strap  14  passes, a front opening  60  near the front of the sandal, an exterior opening  62  towards the back exterior of the sandal and an interior opening  64  towards the back interior of the sandal. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of sandal  10 . Depicted in  FIG. 2  are portions of strap  14  as they pass through opening  62  and  64 , and a head or termination of strap  14  in the form of a stop-plug  30 , connected to toe section  32 , which secures one end of strap  14  to the underside of sole  12 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , strap  14  includes a head at one end of strap  14  in the form of stop-plug  30 , a toe section  32 , a first joint  34 , a front instep section  36 , heel section  40 , buffered between two joints  38 , a final instep section  42 , and a final tab  44  at the other end of strap  14 . A variable length indicator  48  is shown in both front instep section  36  and final instep section  42  to indicate that these sections are typically longer than depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0033]    A buckle assembly  16  attaches, or couples, to strap  14  via a material loop  50  that encircles strap  14  in front instep section  36 . Buckle assembly  16  further includes a buckle  52 . In a preferred embodiment, final tab  44  and a portion of final instep section  42  are inserted through buckle  52 . Buckle  52  serves to retain one end of strap  14  while the other end is retained by stop-plug  30 . In other embodiments, buckle  52  may be a different type of mechanism that secures one end of strap  14  such as inter alia a clasp or frame-and-prong. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, buckle assembly  16  may slide along final instep section  42  to relieve pressure or tension that results from a foot pressing against final instep section  42 . The ease with which buckle assembly  16  slides can be regulated through the choice of material used for final instep section  42  and the tightness of material loop  50  around final instep section  42 . 
         [0035]    Thus, in a preferred embodiment, strap  14  includes 4 interconnected sections, i.e. (1) toe section  32 , (2) front instep section  36 , (3) heel section  40 , and (4) final instep section  42 . It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that in different embodiments strap  14  may include more or less sections without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In particular, toe section  32  and front instep section  36  may be combined into a single front section. 
         [0036]    It may further be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the length of strap  14  is based on the size of sandal  10 . Further, the lengths of individual sections of strap  14  are selected so as to position them correctly relative to the foot of a user. Further, sandal  10  may be made in various sizes. Table 1, below, indicates a preferred embodiment for the length of front instep section  36 , heel section  40  and final instep section  42  for three sizes of sandals: small, medium, and large. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Section Lengths for Various Sizes of Sandal 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Section Length (in inches) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Sandal 
                 Front Instep 
                 Elastic Heel 
                 Final Instep 
               
               
                   
                 Size 
                 36 
                 40 
                 42 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Small 
                 10 
                 2¾ 
                 13½ 
               
               
                   
                 Medium 
                 10¼ 
                 3 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 Large 
                 10¾ 
                 3¼ 
                 14½ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment, toe section  32 , front instep section  36  and final instep section  42  are made of woven leather, heel section  40  is made of elasticized leather, and stop plug  30  is made of rubber. Sole  14  may be made of rubber, or rubber with a suede or leather insole. The term elasticized leather refers to a material in which leather is wrapped around elastic. It may also be referred to generically as covered elastic. In other embodiments, heel section  40  may be constructed of rubber, or elasticized nylon. In other embodiments, heel section  40  may be constructed of a material such as nylon or another synthetic material that is designed to reduce or minimize stretch under load. In other embodiments, any or all of toe section  32 , front instep section  36 , heel section  40  and final instep section  42  may be made of nylon, another synthetic material, leather or hemp. It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the material from which each section of strap  14  is constructed may be freely and independently chosen based on criteria such as utility, comfort, and aesthetics without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. This multi-segment approach is a unique aspect of the design of strap  14  and solves a variety of problems associated with prior art sandals. Notwithstanding the above, a general object of various embodiments of the subject invention is for heel section  40  to be more flexible than other sections of strap  14  to cope with the more several stress placed on this section during running or walking. 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, consecutive segments are woven together and protected with a joint. In other embodiments, some sections may be attached to a joint or connected in other ways. For example, sections may be sewn, glued or stapled. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , to assemble sandal  10 , strap  14  is threaded through front opening  60  and is thus secured in front by stop-plug  30 . Strap  14  is extended toward the exterior side of sole  12 , and is threaded downward through slot  62 , is brought up over the exterior side of sole  12  and threaded through the opening between strap  14  as it extends from front opening  60  to exterior opening  62 , and sole  12 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , strap  14  is looped elliptically along the contour of the heel of sandal  10 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a similar threading operation is performed with respect to interior opening  64  as was performed with respect to exterior opening  62 . Namely, strap  14  is extended toward the interior side of sole  12 , is threaded downward through slot  64 , is brought up over the exterior side of sole  12  and threaded through the opening between strap  14  as it extends from front opening  60  to interior opening  64 , and sole  12 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , final tab  44  is threaded through buckle  52  and pulled by a user to a desired degree of tightness. At any time, the user can tighten the degree to which strap  14  tightens around his/her foot by pulling final tab  44  or final instep section  42 . The reverse operation serves to loosen strap  14  around the user&#39;s foot and also serves to remove strap  14  entirely from sole  12 . 
         [0043]    Skilled persons will now appreciate many advantages of the preferred embodiment over prior art sandals. First, buckle assembly  16  can slide on strap  14 , so that this junction can find a comfortable and secure place on the user&#39;s instep. The human instep is notoriously varied in shape, making it difficult to fit footwear with precision. The preferred embodiment provides enough variation so that a user can configure a good instep fit. Moreover, the buckle provides a single, easy to use adjustment for an overall strap tightening, thereby facilitating this step. 
         [0044]    Also, heel section  40 , which in one preferred embodiment is made of elasticized leather, is in certain embodiments designed to stretch elastically to accommodate the natural variation in the foot&#39;s size and shape during running. Without this accommodation, the strap  14  may tend to be pulled during the foot&#39;s motion and change shape during running, eventually causing heel section  40  to loosen from the wearer&#39;s heel and potentially slip off. In embodiments where an elastic material is used for heel section  40 , heel section  40  permits the strap to vary in length during running, thereby accommodating the foot&#39;s changing shape, without loosening over time, but consistently contracting back to be held in place on the wearer&#39;s heel, even during running. 
         [0045]    In addition, toe section  32  can bend onto itself transversely, so that it does not cause discomfort between the toes. Instep sections  36  and  42  are made of a strong material, which in a preferred embodiment is stiff in comparison to the toe section material  32 . This avoids any transverse folding, which would be unpleasant and might force a runner to stop, in order to adjust his strap. 
         [0046]    The fact that strap  14  can be withdrawn from the sole  12 , facilitates the replacement of the strap  14 , with alternative strap forms, such as a leather strap, a rope strap, or a strap made of nylon material or other synthetic material, but having different dimensions. Also, in one preferred system of materials, different colored leather and rope laces are provided. Accordingly, with a single sole, a user may change the appearance of the sandal or adjust the function of the sandal for different circumstances by removing the installed straps and installing others, such as rope straps, hemp straps, leather straps, the high tech nylon multi-part strap described above, or other straps by simply removing one pair of laces and installing another. 
         [0047]    While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. 
       Securement Strap Embodiments 
       [0048]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate an embodiment of a sandal  100 , according to the present invention, that includes a secondary strap, referred to herein as a securement strap  110  that crosses over the foot. Sandal  100  differs from sandal  10 , depicted in  FIGS. 1-7  in that securement strap  110  is secured from heel section  40  on the exterior side of the foot to heel section  40  on the interior side of the foot. On the exterior side of the foot securement strap  110  has a first attachment mechanism  120 . On the interior side of the foot securement strap  110  has a second attachment mechanism  130 . In certain embodiments first attachment mechanism  120  and second attachment mechanism  130  are identical or nearly so. In other embodiments first attachment mechanism  120  and second attachment mechanism  130  are substantially different mechanisms. Two attachment mechanisms that use a VELCRO-style hook and loop attachment mechanism are described hereinbelow. 
         [0049]    In relation to strap  14  of sandal  10 , securement strap  110  may be considered as a secondary strap while strap  14  may be considered as a primary strap. 
         [0050]    The primary function of securement strap  110  is to secure the heel of sandal  100  to the user&#39;s foot, thus reducing movement, separation or play of the sandal, and specifically the heel of sandal  100 , relative to the foot. When strap  110  is snugly fitted it prevents heel section  40  from slipping downward on the heel. While  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate securement strap  110  as an accessory to sandal  10 , in fact securement strap  110  is not so limited. Generally, securement strap  110  may attach to a broad range of sandals and other shoes and items of apparel and serve a comparable purpose. Further, while securement strap  110  is illustrated herein as attaching to a single, primary, strap it is not so limited. Thus, in certain embodiments securement strap  110  may attach to a sandal that has several straps, or that has no straps at all. 
         [0051]    The placement and design of strap  110  is such that the foot can typically be slipped in and out of sandal  100  even when strap  110  is attached. 
         [0052]    Securement strap  110  typically has a plurality of sections. These typically include a comfortable over foot section that fits over a user&#39;s foot and an attachment section, or simply attachment, at each end of the strap that enable the strap to be attached on both the exterior side and interior side of heel section  40 . 
         [0053]    Securement strap  110  is typically fabricated from one or more materials that are either inflexible or mildly flexible, such as plastic, leather, nylon, VELCRO, or other synthetic material. VELCRO refers to a patented hook and loop type of fastener that is provided in the VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners provided by Velcro Industries, B.V. The U.S. component of Velcro Industries is Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, N.H. For example, in one embodiment, described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 10 , attachment sections are made of VELCRO or have straps of VELCRO sewn or otherwise affixed to them while the over foot section is made of nylon or another synthetic material, without VELCRO. 
         [0054]    Securement strap  110  may be manufactured in various lengths to accommodate different size feet. In one embodiment, lengths provided include a small length of substantially 12-14″, a medium length of substantially 14-16″, a large length of substantially 16-18″, and an extra large length of substantially 17-20″. Thus, lengths are roughly in the 12″-20″ range with 14″ to 17″ being the preferred size range to accommodate most feet. The over foot section is typically in the range of 4 inches to 8 inches in length. A desirable width of securement strap  110  is ½ inch but generally widths in the range of ¼ inch to 1 inch are acceptable. In embodiments where securement strap  110  is a cord then typical cord diameters are ⅛″ to ⅜″, although any diameter of cord is acceptable provided it is large enough to be comfortable but not so large as to interfere with the motion of the user&#39;s ankle. The length of the attachment sections depend on the type of attachments. 
         [0055]    One embodiment that uses VELCRO to attach each end of securement strap  110  to heel section  40  is described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 10 . Other methods of attachment may also be used including inter alia snaps, buttons, clamps, knots and buckles. 
         [0056]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of an embodiment of securement strap  110 . This exemplary embodiment of securement strap  110  is referred to as securement strap  200  and is made of a VELCRO material that includes a plurality of sections, including a first loop section  202 , a first strap covering section  204 , an over foot section  206 , a second strap covering section  208  and a second loop section  210 . It may be appreciated that one side of over foot section  206  presents VELCRO hooks while the reverse side does not include VELCRO hooks and is smooth and comfortable for the user as it makes direct contact with the foot. 
         [0057]    In one embodiment, first loop section  202  wraps around the exterior side of heel section  40  and couples or adheres to over foot section  206 . First strap covering section  204  wraps over and makes contact with exterior heel section  40 . On one side, over foot section  206  wraps over the user&#39;s foot and makes contact with the foot. On the other side, over foot section  206  presents VELCRO hooks and makes contact with and attaches to first loop section  202  on one side and second loop section  210  on the other side. Second strap covering section  208  wraps over and makes contact with the interior side of heel section  40 . Second loop section  210  loops around the interior side of heel section  40  and couples with the hook side of over foot section  206 . 
         [0058]    Securement strap  200  is a large size that measures 16 inches in length. First loop section  202  measures 1.5 inches in length, first strap covering section  204  measures 1.5 inches in length, over foot section  206  measures 6 inches in length, second strap covering section  208  measures 4 inches, and second loop section  210  measures 3 inches. 
         [0059]    The asymmetry between the left and right sides of securement strap  200  allows securement strap  200  to be fitted snugly onto the exterior side of heel section  40  while leaving much larger sections on the interior side to accommodate a wide range of foot sizes. Also, the asymmetry makes it easy for a user to leave the exterior side of securement strap  200  attached and to readily attach and detach the interior side of securement strap  200  when the user takes on and off the sandal. However, as previously mentioned and as borne out in practice users can easily take the sandal on and off while leaving securement strap  200  attached to heel section  40 . 
         [0060]    While the operational description above indicates that first loop section  202  wraps around the exterior side of heel section  40  and second loop  210  wraps around the interior side of heel section  40 , this can be reversed at the option of the user. In this case, first loop section  202  wraps around the interior side of heel section  40  and second loop  210  wraps around the exterior side of heel section  40 . 
         [0061]    Further, this design allows a tag, such as a tag depicting a logo to be easily incorporated. As illustrated in  FIG. 10  first strap covering section  204  includes a tag on the left side of section  204  that is used for a logo design; but in other embodiments a tag or multiple tags may be included in other locations or areas along securement strap  200 . 
         [0062]    In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will realize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied to the methods and systems described.