INCREASED PULL-STRENGTH STRAP

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

BACKGROUND

Currently in the footwear market the basic or fashion flip flop sold at USA retailers, such as WM, Target, Old Navy, etc. has an upper strap attached via three plugs into the outsole. The upper strap and the three plugs are typically a PVC material.

The durability of such products is dependent in part, on the ability of the straps to withstand upward pull forces without becoming detached from the outsole.

Current designs too frequently lack sufficient durability. Improved designs are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

For example, in some embodiments, provided herein is a strap plug, comprising: a pull operably linked to a plug, wherein the plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of texture features. In some embodiments, the pull is operably linked to a footwear strap. In some embodiments, the plug is disk shaped. In some embodiments, the strap plug and said texture features are molded (e.g., from PVC).

The present disclosure is not limited to particular texture features. For example, in some embodiments, the texture features are selected from the group consisting of points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds (e.g., at least 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 pounds) of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of footwear without becoming disengaged from the outsole. In some embodiments, pull strength is measured in the horizontal and vertical direction. In some embodiments, the strap plug is able to resist a force of at least 30 pounds in the horizontal direction for 10 seconds and 35 pounds in the vertical direction for 10 seconds.

Further embodiments provide footwear (e.g., sandal), comprising: an outsole comprising a hole therethrough, a strap operably linked to a strap plug, wherein the strap plug comprises a pull operable linked to a plug, wherein the plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of texture features, and wherein the strap plug is held against the bottom surface of the outsole by the plug. In some embodiments, the footwear comprises three strap plugs. In some embodiments, the hole comprises a grommet adjacent the outsole. In some embodiments, the footwear comprises ridges or other features on the bottom surface of the outsole.

Additional embodiments are described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

The straps described herein feature a strap plug that exceed a 15 lb pull strength by providing texture features on the upper surface of the plug. Experiments demonstrated that the designs described herein achieved, for example, a 20 lb of force pull test result. Further experiments demonstrated that the strap was able to withstand a vertical directional pull of 35 lbs. at 10 seconds of testing of a toe strap, an inner side strap, and an outer side strap. In addition, the strap was able to withstand a horizontal directional pull in 4 directions, at 10 seconds per each pull of 30 lbs. on the toe strap, inner strap, outer side strap. In some embodiments, the straps described herein withstand pull force in various directions as specified.

The designs provide a higher safety rating and decreased risk of the strap inadvertently being pulled from the footwear during use.

FIGS. 1-3describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 1. Shows a bottom surface2of a sandal comprising three strap plugs1in the insole. Still referring toFIG. 1, all of the plugs are pulled into the outsole to secure an upper strap. Still referring toFIG. 1, the bottom surface2of the outsole is shown with horizonal ridges. However, the present disclosure is not limited to sandals with such horizontal ridges on the bottom surface. Other designs are specifically contemplated (e.g., including but not limited to, vertical or diagonal ridges, flat, bumps, or combinations thereof).

Still referring toFIG. 1, the present disclosure is illustrated with a three plug “flip-flop” type sandal. However, the present disclosure is not limited to sandals or other footwear with such a configuration. The plug design described herein finds use in any sandal that utilizes a plug design (e.g., including but not limited to, cross-strap slide sandals, flip-flops, and sandals with multiple crossing straps).

Now referring toFIG. 2, a bottom surface2with strap plugs1pushed through the outsole of the sandal is shown. Still referring toFIG. 2, as shown the strap plug1comprising pull5and plug7. Plug7comprises bottom surface4and top surface3. Still referring toFIG. 2, plug7is shown with texture features6on the top surface3.

Now referring toFIG. 3, shown is a close up of plug7comprising texture features6on top surface3. Still referring toFIG. 3, texture features6are shown as raised points. However, the present disclosure is not limited to raised points. Any suitable texture feature may be utilized. Texture feature may be raised as shown inFIG. 3or recessed (not shown). Examples include, but are not limited to, points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, and combinations thereof.

Still referring toFIG. 3, the plug7is wider than the opening8of the outsole of the sandal, thus preventing the plug (and attached strap) from being pulled through opening8. Still referring toFIG. 3, a disk-shaped plug7is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a column shape plug7. Any suitable shape that secures the strap to the outsole of the sandal may be utilized. Still referring toFIG. 3, optional grommet9is shown to further secure the strap (not shown) to the bottom of the sandal.

Without being limited to a mechanism, it is contemplated that texture features on the top surface of plug allow the plug to grip more tightly onto the bottom surface of the outsole of the sandal, thus increasing the pull strength relative to existing plugs with smooth top surfaces.

In some embodiments, the strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds (e.g., at least 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or 25 pounds) of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of a sandal.

In some embodiments, outsole and strap plugs of footwear such as those described herein are a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, although other suitable material (e.g., polymers) may be used. In some embodiments, the plug (and sandal) are manufactured using a mold. In some embodiments, texture features and plug are formed in the same manufacturing mold.

Although the present disclosure is illustrated with a sandal, the strap plugs described herein find use with a variety of additional footwear styles. For example, in some embodiments, the strap plugs find use with any footwear with one or more straps (e.g., including but not limited to, sandals, slippers, thongs, flip-flops, water shoes, etc.).

One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the foregoing represents merely a detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications and alterations of the compositions and methods described above can readily be achieved using expertise available in the art and are within the scope of the invention.