Flip flop golf sandal

A flip flop sandal comprising a sole portion made from a flexible, resilient and moldable material. The sole has an upper surface and a lower surface. Molded within the upper surface is a foot attachment strap having an enlarged end captured within the sole portion. The largest dimension of the enlarged end portion is about 8 to 16 times larger at its largest dimension than the thickness of the foot strap where it meets the upper surface of the sole portion. Also molded within the sole portion are a plurality of spikes. The spikes comprise a lower exposed portion for gripping the surface upon which the wearer walks and a upper bud portion that extends away from the lower portion at a first diameter and expands to a larger diameter farther from the lower portion. The larger diameter is molded within the sole portion. It is important to note that the floor, which is depressed from the raised portions, follows the outline of the wearer's foot to maintain the foot within the flip flop sandal, particularly when the wearer is swinging a golf club.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to footwear. More specifically, the invention relates to a flip flop golf sandal specifically adapted for playing golf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golfers typically wear shoes on the golf course that resemble a common shoe and incorporate spikes for greater traction when swinging a golf club. While golf is also played for competition, the majority of golfers play for exercise, relaxation and socialization. Therefore, many golfers are interested in looking stylish and wearing clothing and shoes that provide maximum comfort.

Additionally, many people prefer to wear sandals or are just looking for something different to wear while golfing. As a result, there is a need in the art for a flip flop sandal specifically adapted for the game of golf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a flip flop sandal comprising a sole portion made from a flexible, resilient and moldable material. The sole has an upper surface and a lower surface. Molded within the upper surface is a foot attachment strap having an enlarged end captured within the sole portion. The largest dimension of the enlarged end portion is about 8 to 16 times larger at its largest dimension than the thickness of the foot strap where it meets the upper surface of the sole portion. Also molded within the sole portion are a plurality of spikes. The spikes comprise a lower exposed portion for gripping the surface upon which the wearer walks and a upper bud portion that extends away from the lower portion at a first diameter and expands to a larger diameter farther from the lower portion. The larger diameter is molded within the sole portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a flip flop sandal specifically adapted for playing golf. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a flip flop sandal10comprises a molded sole portion12and a foot strap20.

The sole portion12is preferably molded from a resilient and flexible thermoset polymer. Molded within the polymer and on the bottom surface14of the sole portion12are a plurality of spikes16. The spikes16are placed about the bottom surface14of the sole portion12as shown inFIG. 1and provide additional traction for the flip flop sandal wearer, particularly when swinging a golf club.

The spikes16comprise a bud18which extends upwardly form the top of the spike16and is molded within the sole portion12. In this manner, the spikes16are securely and removably affixed to the sole portion12. The bottom portion19of the spike16is in the form of a conventional “soft spike” which is commonly used on golf courses today to preserve the golf course playing surface. However, it would be within the scope of the present invention to provide “hard” or metal spikes in conjunction with the sole portion12in the same manner as the soft spikes shown. The bottom portion19of the spike16is preferably removable from the bud18, such that the bottom portion19may be replaced when worn or that the wearer can even wear the flip flop sandal without spikes no longer playing golf. The bottom portion19may be threaded into the bud18or may be inserted within the bud18with an interference fit. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to have a non-removable spike as well.

Also molded within the sole portion12is a foot strap20for holding the flip flop sandal10to the wearer's foot. The exposed portion of the foot strap20is preferably in the form of common foot straps, such as foot straps that incorporate hook and loop material (sold under the trademark VELCRO) for adjustability or foot straps that go between wearer's toes, as shown, or foot straps that do not go between a wearer's toes but rather loop over the wearer's entire foot, as are all commonly known. However, the foot strap20differs from the prior art in that the portion22that is molded into the sole portion12is enlarged and embedded within the sole portion12. The enlarged end portion22is preferably a flangelike enlargement molded integrally with the foot strap20for strength and of a diameter, most preferably, of about 2 inches at the toe end24of the foot strap20, with the foot strap20itself being in the range of about ⅛ of an inch to ¼ of an inch in diameter where it meets the top portion32of the sole portion12. Therefore, the enlarged end portion22is preferably about eight to sixteen times larger at its largest dimension than the thickness of the foot strap20where it meets the top portion32of the sole portion12. The rear ends26of the foot strap20also comprise a flangelike enlarged end portion28that is molded within the sidewall of the flip flop sandal10, as described below. The rear end portions28are appropriately sized and may be offset with respect to the center of the enlarged end portions28to accommodate their placement near the edge of the flip flop sandal10, as shown inFIG. 3.

Furthermore, the bottom of the flip flop sandal10may include a pattern30for additional traction.

The top portion32of the flip flop sandal10is also formed to provide additional footing for the flip flop sandal wearer to prevent the wearer's foot from sliding off of the flip flop sandal when swinging a golf club. Preferably, the top portion32is formed with two raised sides34, a raised front36and raised rear38. The raised portions34-38form a floor40on which the wearer's foot rests and is captured. It is important to note that the floor40, which is depressed from the raised portions34-38, follows the outline of the wearer's foot to maintain the foot within the flip flop sandal10, particularly when the wearer is swinging a golf club.

The present improved flip flop sandal lends itself perfectly for golf in that the enlarged end portions are more rigidly attached to the flip flop sandal sole portion for strength and will not pull loose from the sole when even when the user is applying a large pulling force, such as when swinging a golf club. Moreover the spikes are similarly maintained within the sole portion by the upwardly extending buds. Finally, the depressed floor of the flip flop sandal and raised sidewalls prevent slippage of the wearer's foot within the flip flop sandal.