Abstract:
An article of footwear for use before and after a pedicure including a toe separator, strap securing mechanisms and an offset toe stem adapter end for connecting straps of footwear to the foot without compromising or damaging pedicured toenails.

Description:
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     The present application relates generally to a footwear apparatus suitable for pre- and post-pedicure use, and specifically to a footwear apparatus suitable for normal wear before receiving a pedicure that also prevents contact or damage to wet nail polish or varnish applied to toenails during a pedicure that occurs during insertion of the foot into a sandal after completion of the pedicure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Today, consumers constantly search for ways to improve their appearance. One such activity that will further the goal of enhanced appearance is a pedicure. Whether performed by oneself or through a service provider, a pedicure can be a time-consuming task, but one considered worth it by the recipient in exchange for a clean, sophisticated appearance of one&#39;s toes. A frustrating by-product, however, for the recipient of the pedicure is that after painstaking effort to carefully complete the task that typically includes removing old polish, trimming, filing, buffing, and applying several layers of new polish one wrong move can ruin the pedicure and cause either the recipient or the service provider to start the pedicure process again on the affected toes. One such act that may ruin the experience is the act of re-inserting the foot into a shoe or sandal after the pedicure is complete but the polish or varnish applied to the nails is not completely dry. Those having a pedicure often wear inexpensive sandals, such as a flip-flop, to a spa where the pedicure will be received. The thought is that the flip-flop has an open toe arrangement that appears to provide an easy avenue for inserting treated yet wet nails back into the sandal. In this manner, the user may leave the spa or salon without going barefoot. A problem with the flip-flop or similar inexpensive sandals for this purpose is its design. The typical flip-flop has an inverted y-shaped strap configuration. While on the surface this configuration appears conducive to inserting the foot into the sandal without damaging treated toenails, an opposite result often occurs. Because the space between the flip-flop&#39;s straps and the platform of the sandal is small, much care is required to insert the foot completely into the flip-flop without scraping the toenails on the strap. When one receives a pedicure at a spa or salon, it is typically by appointment and the salon has many appointments scheduled throughout the day. As a result, once the customer receives the pedicure, she generally does not wait for her nails to completely dry. Instead, the customer must leave the pedicure station as the next customer is typically waiting. Even those performing their own pedicure often don&#39;t have time to wait for the toenails to dry. It is at this point, the recipient of the pedicure must place her foot back into the flip-flop or sandal, often with difficulty. This is when the nails are most susceptible to coming into contact with the sandal straps, thus damaging or removing the applied polish and creating the need to, in whole or in part, again perform the polish application on the affected toes. 
     Consequently, there is a need for footwear, such as a fully functional sandal, that the recipient of a pedicure may wear in the ordinary course before and after the pedicure is applied. A single sandal that is acceptable visually and functionally to wear as one travels to the pedicure salon or in the ordinary course of the day and that is easily donned and worn after the pedicure process while alleviating the chance of damaging pedicured nails is presented. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present embodiments and their advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
         FIGS. 1 and 1A  provide perspective views of an embodiment of the present pre- and post-pedicure footwear apparatus. 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views of various embodiments of a toe-stem apparatus of the pre- and post-pedicure footwear apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present pre- and post-pedicure footwear apparatus. 
         FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8  are perspective views of various embodiments of a fastener apparatus of the pre- and post-pedicure footwear apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-8 , discussed below, and the various descriptions of the embodiments disclosed herein are by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in a suitable pedicure footwear apparatus. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of the present pre- and post-pedicure footwear apparatus. In  FIG. 1 , sandal  100  is shown that includes a sole  101  having an upper section  103  and a side wall section  105 . Affixed to sole  101  are straps  102  and  104 . Each strap  102  and  104  has a lower end  107  that is affixed to sole  101  at the juncture of sole upper section  103  and side wall section  105 . The lower end  107  of each strap  102  and  104  may be affixed to the sole  101  at the juncture with glue or any suitable fastening device known in the art. 
     Straps  102  and  104  each have an upper or distal end  108  that includes a substantially circular loop. As will be discussed, loops  108  facilitate inserting and removing the foot from sandal  100  after a pedicure in a manner that prevents damage to the freshly painted and treated toenails. At the front end of sandal  100  on the upper section  103  of sole  101  is inserted toe stem  120 . Toe stem  120  extends upwardly from sole upper section  103  and is inserted through a receiving hole (not shown) within sole  101 . The diameter of the shaft of toe stem  120  is approximately equal to the diameter of the receiving hole, causing toe stem  120  to remain secure. At the lower end of toe stem  120  is toe separator  180 .  FIG. 1A  provides an enlarged view of toe stem  120  and toe separator  180 . As seen in  FIG. 1A , toe separator  180  includes a base area  182 . Base area  182  includes a rearward facing portion  184  that is wider than a forward facing portion  186 . Lateral sides  188  of toe separator  180  are contoured for user comfort. Toe separator  180  serves to keep the large toe separated from the second toe to prevent the toenails of those toes from coming into contact with one another and damaging the recently polished nails. Toe separator  180  (depicted in more detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) may be integrally formed as part of toe stem  120  or may be a separate unit that is attached to the shaft of toe stem  120 . In one embodiment, toe separator  180  is fabricated from a foam material and may be contoured according to the spacing between the large and second toes to promote comfort. 
     In an outward direction on sole  101 , upper section  103  from toe stem  120  is toe spacer slot  160 . Toe spacer slot  160  is a recessed slot within sole upper section  103  of sole  101  for receiving a multiple toe spacer  190 . The multiple toe spacer  190  consists of a single unit flexible foam construction or other suitable construction. Individual tines  192 ,  194  and  196  of toe spacer  190  are inserted between the second and third, third and fourth, and fourth and fifth toes to maintain separation between the toes and further prevent damage to the polished toe nails. Recessed slot  160  has a width and length substantially similar to the width and length of the base of the multiple toe spacer  190 . Recessed slot  160  has a depth that enables insertion of a multiple toe spacer  190  which in turn allows the user to comfortably walk in sandal  100  while the multiple toe spacer  190  is in place. The combination of toe separator  180  and the multiple toe spacer  190  inserted in slot  160  provides the wearer with the ability to comfortably walk in the sandal  100  post-pedicure while providing necessary toe separation to avoid damaging the polished toes. 
     As discussed above, straps  102  and  104  each include a loop  108 . Loop  108  serves to removably secure straps  102  and  104  to toe stem  120 . In use, to secure the straps  102  and  104  of sandal  100  on the foot, loop  108  of strap  102  is aligned with the upper end of toe stem  120  so as to allow the upper end of toe stem  120  to be inserted through said loop  108 . Once the upper end of the toe stem  120  is received by said loop  108  the straps  102  and  104  are ready to be secured. 
     The securing apparatus for each loop  108  of straps  102  and  104  may be understood through reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  is one embodiment of the securing cap  122  of toe stem  120 . In  FIG. 2 , toe stem  120  includes toe separator  180  integrally formed with the lower section of the shaft of toe stem  120 . A toe stem cap  122  is provided to maintain the position of the upper end of toe stem  120  within loops  108 . The upper end of toe stem  120  is a threaded end  130 . Shown in  FIG. 2  is a gap  126  formed between stopper  128  and recessed threaded aperture  124 . Each loop  108  has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft of threaded end  130  but less than the diameter of stopper  128 . Loop  108  of strap  104  is positioned in gap  126  to secure the cap  122  to the sandal and, therefore, prevent loss of the cap  122 . Within toe stem cap  122  is a recessed threaded aperture  124  for receiving threaded end  130 . In order to secure toe stem cap  122  onto threaded end  130 , toe stem cap is placed atop of threaded end  130  and rotated clockwise to engage the threads of threaded end  130  and the threads of recessed threaded aperture  124 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , threaded end  130  may be formed of a single body construction of the same material as the body of toe stem  120 . Alternatively, threaded end  130  may be manufactured separately from toe stem  120  and secured to the upper end of toe stem  120  through use of a fastener, such as a rivet, or by use of adhesive. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an alternative embodiment of toe stem  120 . In  FIG. 3 , toe stem cap  132  includes a threaded end  138  and a stopper  136 . Loop  108  of strap  104  is positioned in gap  134  to secure the cap  132  to the sandal and, therefore, prevent loss of the cap  132 . Threaded end  138  is received by an interior threaded nut section  140 . Nut section  140  is affixed to the upper end of the shaft of toe stem  120  with a fastener, such as a rivet, or by use of adhesive. 
     In operation, a user may wear sandal  100  to a salon to receive a pedicure. Before the pedicure is performed, the user may simply slip off the sandal in the customary way as there is no concern of damaged toe nails before the pedicure. Once the pedicure is complete and there is a concern of damaging the newly polished nails, the user may disengage straps  102  and  104  from toe stem  120 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , this is achieved by twisting toe stem cap  122  in a counter-clockwise direction causing the threads of threaded end  130  of toe stem  120  and the internal threads of recessed threaded aperture  124  to disengage. Straps  102  and  104  may be removed away from toe stem  120  by removing loops  108  from the upper end of toe stem  120  and moved away from the area of sandal  100  that will be occupied by the user&#39;s foot. At this point, the user may have placed, prior to the polish application, the multiple toe spacer  190  situated appropriately between the second and fifth toes of each foot. The user may then insert the bottom portion of the multiple toe spacer  190  that extends laterally across the foot beneath the toes into slot  160 . In conjunction with this, the user may carefully extend the large toe and second toe on each side of toe separator  180  at the lower portion of toe stem  120 . At this juncture, all of the user&#39;s toes maintain separation. 
     The user now secures straps  102  and  104  in order to comfortably and effectively wear sandal  100  to enable walking. Toe stem  120  extends in a direction from the toe area of sandal  100  to the heel area of sandal  100 . As such, the upper end of toe stem  120  over which loops  108  of straps  102  and  104  are placed are located away from the freshly pedicured toes of the user, further preventing the chance of damage to the nails. Loops  108  are passed over the upper end of toe stem  120 , thus causing straps  102  and  104  to secure sandal  100  to the foot. Loops  108  are secured in place by inserting the threaded end  130  of toe stem  120  into the recessed threaded aperture of toe stem cap  122  and twisting toe stem cap  122  in a clockwise direction to engage the threads of the two bodies and secure toe stem cap  122  onto the upper end of toe stem  120 . In this manner, the sandal  100  is secured to the foot but at no time were the freshly manicured toes of the user susceptible to damage caused by the toenails coming in contact with the straps  102  and  104  or other parts of the sandal  100 . 
     With reference to the toe stem embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the process of situating the straps  102  and  104  to secure the foot within the sandal is largely the same. With respect to the toe stem in  FIG. 3 , however, the toe stem cap  132  includes a threaded end  138  that is inserted into the nut section  140  that is located at the upper end of the shaft of toe stem  120 . Similar to the embodiment of the toe stem assembly of  FIG. 2 , the toe stem cap  132  of  FIG. 3  is secured within nut section  140  by twisting cap  132  in a clockwise direction. As a result, the upper shaft of toe stem  120  is secured within loops  108  of straps  102  and  104 . Loop  108  of strap  104  is positioned in gap  134  to secure the cap  132  to the sandal and, therefore, prevent loss of the cap  132 . Strap  104  is thus fixed to the sandal  100  at gap  134 . Stopper  136  limits penetration of threaded end  138  into nut section  140 , thus preventing over-tightening of cap  132  in a manner that may cause cap  132  to crack. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present footwear apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 4-8 . In  FIG. 4 , sandal  200  includes a sole  203  and straps  202  and  204 . Sandal  200  also includes a sidewall section  205  that spans the perimeter of sole  203 . Straps  202  and  204  are affixed to sandal  200  at the juncture of sole  203  and sidewall section  205 . Straps  202  and  204  may be affixed by sewing, adhesive or any other suitable technique known in the art. 
     Sandal  200  includes a toe stem  210  having a buckle  220  affixed to an upper end. An expanded view of toe stem  210  with buckle  220  is provided as  FIG. 5 . Toe stem  210  includes an integrated toe separator  280  formed within the lower portion of toe stem  210 . The toe separator  280  may be integrally formed as part of toe stem  210  or may be a separate unit that is attached to the shaft of toe stem  210 . In one embodiment, toe separator  280  is fabricated from a foam material to promote comfort. Toe separator  280  is located on a point on sole  203  where it may occupy the space between the large and second toes of the foot of one wearing sandal  200 . 
     In an outward direction on sole  203  from toe stem  210  is toe spacer slot  260 . Toe spacer slot  260  is a recessed slot  260  within sole  203  for receiving a multiple toe spacer. The multiple toe spacer  190  (see  FIG. 1 ) of a single unit flexible foam construction or may be constructed from other suitable material. Individual tines  192 ,  194  and  196  of toe spacer  190  are inserted between the second and third, third and fourth, and fourth and fifth toes to maintain separation between the toes and further prevent damage to the polished toe nails. Recessed slot  260  has a width and length substantially similar to the width and length of multiple toe spacer  190 . Recessed slot  260  has a depth that enables insertion of the base of the multiple toe spacer  190 , which in turn allows the user to comfortably walk in sandal  200  while the multiple toe spacer  190  is in place. The combination of toe separator  280  and the multiple toe spacer  190  inserted in slot  260  provides the wearer with the ability to comfortably walk in the sandal  200  post-pedicure while providing necessary toe separation to avoid damaging the polished toes. 
     In one embodiment of the present pre- and post-pedicure footwear apparatus, a butterfly buckle  220  is affixed to the upper end of toe stem  210 . A detailed depiction of butterfly buckle  220  is provided in  FIG. 6 . Butterfly buckle  220  includes a left wing  222 , a right wing  224 , and a center mount section  226 . Center mount section  226  includes a recessed area  228 . The butterfly buckle may be manufactured of molded plastic, metal or other suitable material. Butterfly buckle  220  is affixed to the upper end of toe stem  210  through use of a rivet, adhesive or other suitable fastening device. 
     Further in  FIG. 6 , an ornament platform  250  is shown. Ornament platform  250  is constructed having a substantially similar profile as butterfly buckle  220 , yet is of smaller surface area. Ornament platform  250  includes a left wing  252  and a right wing  254  and a center post section  256 . Center post section  256  includes a post  258  extending from underneath the ornament platform  250  that is of similar profile and dimension as recessed area  228  of center mount section  226 . Recessed area  228  is sized to receive post  258 , permitting ornament platform  250  to attach into place on top of and within butterfly buckle  220 . 
     Ornament platform  250  may be manufactured of molded plastic, metal or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the post  258  within center post section  256  that extends from underneath the ornamental platform  250  at the same time forms its own corresponding recessed area on the upper side of center post section  256 . This permits an ornamental feature, such as a fabricated gemstone  260  or a butterfly  262  to be snapped or attached onto ornament platform  250 . On the lower side or underneath gemstone  260  or butterfly  262  is a post (not shown) that is received by the recessed area formed on the upper side of center post section  256  as a result of fabrication of post  258 . This serial connection of gemstone  260  to ornamental platform  250 , which in turn is connected to butterfly buckle  220  is shown in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, decorative items such as gemstone  260  or butterfly  262  may be affixed to ornamental platform  250  by an adhesive or other suitable fastening device. 
     An assembled gemstone  260 , ornamental platform  250  and butterfly buckle  220  is depicted in  FIG. 8 . Shown in  FIG. 8  is a gap  270  formed between left and right wings  252  and  254  of ornamental platform  250  and the left and right wings  222  and  224  of butterfly buckle  220 . Sandal  220  is worn prior to the receipt of a pedicure as any sandal would be worn in the ordinary course. Notably, prior to receiving a pedicure, the foot is removed from sandal  200  without regard for removal of the straps in any fashion because there is no concern of damage to the toenails. Following the user&#39;s receipt of a pedicure, however, the straps  202  and  204  of sandal  200  are disengaged in order to permit insertion of the foot without causing damage to the freshly completed pedicure. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the sandal of  FIG. 4 , on distal ends of straps  202  and  204  may be applied sections  206  of commercially available hook and loop material, such as “Velco”, allowing straps to be self-securing about the wings  222  and  224  of butterfly buckle  220  by folding each of strap  202  and  204  to the corresponding wings  222  and  224 . In use, the user disengages the straps  202  and  204  of sandal  200  as follows. First, the user separates the hook and loop material of sections  206  of straps  202  and  204  from itself and unfolds straps  202  and  204  that were previously folded about wings  222  and  224 . Next, the user removes straps  202  and  204  from butterfly buckle  220  by pulling straps  202  and  204  away from butterfly buckle  220  in a manner that causes the detached ends of straps  202  and  204  to exit the associated gap  270  formed between butterfly buckle  220  and ornament platform  250 . Once the straps fully exit the wings  222  and  224  of butterfly buckle  220 , the straps are removed away from sole  203 . At this juncture, the user may have placed prior to the polish application a multiple toe separator  190  inserted between the second and fifth toes, beneath the toes and laterally positioned across the toes. In order to comfortably and effectively walk in the sandal, the lower end of the multiple toe separator  190  is inserted in slot  260 . Contemporaneously with this insertion, toe separator  280  at the lower end of toe stem  210  is situated between the large and second toes. In this manner, freshly polished toenails are isolated from one another to prevent one toe from smearing or damaging polish on another. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the toe stem  210  is constructed in a curved manner. Accordingly, the lower end of toe stem  210  is affixed to sole  203  at one point near where the toes will occupy sandal  200 , and the upper end of toe stem  210  is offset towards the heel end of sandal  200 . This configuration maintains the buckle area and the activity associated with strapping the sandal to the foot away from the freshly pedicured toenails, further reducing the likelihood of scraping or damaging the polish. 
     Once the straps  202  and  204  are removed from butterfly buckle  220  and away from sandal  200 , the user&#39;s foot is inserted into sandal  200 , and all toe separators are in place, the user may then secure straps  202  and  204  about the foot. At this juncture, the detached ends of straps  202  and  204  are reinserted through the bottom or sole-facing side of wings  222  and  224  of butterfly buckle  220  and pulled up through the wings  222  and  224  via gaps  270 . As the gaps  270  have a width substantially similar to the thickness of straps  202  and  204 , straps  202  and  204  will not easily exit butterfly buckle  220  and will remain secured. If the straps  202  and  204  include the aforementioned hook and loop sections  206 , the detached ends of straps  202  and  204  are effectively self-securing when the ends of straps  202  and  204  are folded over the butterfly buckle wings and onto themselves. 
     ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE 
     The following clauses are offered as further description of the disclosed invention. 
     1. A footwear apparatus, comprising: 
     a platform having a top section, a bottom section, and a side wall; 
     a first strap associated with the platform, said first strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a second strap associated with the platform, said second strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a first aperture associated with the distal end of the first strap; 
     a second aperture associated with the distal end of the second strap; 
     a stem associated with the top section of the platform, said stem having a threaded upper end; 
     a stem cap having a threaded section; and 
     a recessed slot formed in the top section sized for receipt of a multiple toe separator. 
     2. The footwear apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the threaded upper end of the stem is receivable by an interior threaded section of the stem cap. 
     3. The footwear apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the threaded section of the stem cap is receivable by an interior threaded upper end of the stem. 
     4. The footwear apparatus according to any preceding clause, further comprising a stopper associated with the stem cap, wherein the stopper provides a lower boundary of a gap. 
     5. The footwear apparatus according to clause 4, wherein at least one of the distal end of the first strap and the second strap occupies the gap when the stem cap is engaged with the threaded upper end of the stem. 
     6. The footwear apparatus according to clause 4, wherein the at least one of the distal end of the first strap and the second strap occupies the gap when the stem cap is disengaged from the threaded upper end of the stem. 
     7. The footwear apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the stem includes a tapered base section having a rear facing width greater than a forward facing width. 
     8. The footwear apparatus according to clause 7, wherein the tapered base section is offset from the threaded upper end of the stem along a longitudinal axis of the platform. 
     9. A footwear apparatus, comprising: 
     a platform having a top section, a bottom section, and a side wall; 
     a first strap associated with the platform, said first strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a second strap associated with the platform, said second strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a stem associated with the top section of the platform; and 
     a strap fastener, said strap fastener having a first wing and a second wing, 
     wherein the strap fastener is attached to an upper end of the stem. 
     10. The footwear apparatus according to clause 9, further comprising an ornamental base associated with the strap fastener. 
     11. The footwear apparatus of according to clause 10, wherein said ornamental base is shaped according to a profile of the strap fastener. 
     12. The footwear apparatus according to clause 10, wherein a decorative item is affixed to ornamental base. 
     13. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 9-12, further comprising a gap formed between the ornamental base and the strap fastener. 
     14. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 9-13, further comprising a self-adhesive material applied to the distal end of the first strap and to the distal end of the second strap. 
     15. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 9-14, wherein the first wing and the second wing each include an opening sized to receive one of the distal end of the first strap and the distal end of the second strap. 
     16. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 9-15, further comprising a recessed slot formed in the top section of the platform for receipt of a multiple toe separator. 
     17. The footwear apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the multiple toe separator includes a plurality of toe separators having a base area and a plurality of vertical members detachably inserted in the recessed slot. 
     18. The footwear apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the recessed slot is of a depth substantially equal to the height of the toe separator base area. 
     19. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 9-18, wherein the stem includes a tapered base section having a rear facing width greater than a forward facing width. 
     20. The footwear apparatus according to clause 19, wherein the tapered base section is offset from an upper end of the stem along a longitudinal axis of the platform. 
     21. A footwear apparatus, comprising: 
     a sole having an upper portion and a side portion; 
     a strap affixed to the platform; 
     a strap fastener having at least one opening for receipt of the strap; 
     a recessed slot formed in the upper portion of the sole; and 
     a plurality of toe separators having a base area and a plurality of vertical members detachably inserted in the recessed slot. 
     22. The footwear apparatus according to clause 21, wherein the recessed slot is of a depth substantially equal to the height of the toe separator base area. 
     23. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 21-22, further comprising a stem having a tapered base section having a rear facing width greater than a forward facing width. 
     24. The footwear apparatus according to clause 23, wherein the tapered base section is offset from an upper end of the stem along a longitudinal axis of the platform. 
     25. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 21-24, further comprising a self-adhesive material applied to the distal end of the first strap and to the distal end of the second strap. 
     26. A footwear apparatus, comprising: 
     a platform having a top section, a bottom section, and a side wall; 
     a first strap associated with the platform, said first strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a second strap associated with the platform, said second strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a first aperture associated with the distal end of the first strap; 
     a second aperture associated with the distal end of the second strap; 
     a stem associated with the top section of the platform, said stem having an interior threaded nut section on the stem&#39;s upper end; 
     a stem cap having a threaded end and a stopper; and 
     a recessed slot formed in the top section sized for receipt of a multiple toe separator. 
     27. The footwear apparatus according to clause 26, wherein the threaded end of the stem cap is receivable by the interior threaded nut section attached to the stem&#39;s upper end. 
     28. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 26-27, further comprising a stopper associated with the stem cap, wherein the stopper provides a lower boundary of a gap. 
     29. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 26-28, further comprising a gap associated with the stem cap, wherein the distal end of the first strap is positioned thereon to secure the stem cap to the sandal. 
     30. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 26-29, wherein the stem includes a tapered base section having a rear facing width greater than a forward facing width. 
     31. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 26-30, wherein the tapered base section is offset from the threaded upper end of the stem along a longitudinal axis of the platform. 
     32. A footwear apparatus, comprising: 
     a platform having a top section, a bottom section, and a side wall; 
     a first strap associated with the platform, said first strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a second strap associated with the platform, said second strap having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a first aperture associated with the distal end of the first strap; 
     a second aperture associated with the distal end of the second strap; 
     a stem associated with the top section of the platform, said stem having a threaded section on the stem&#39;s upper end; 
     a stem cap having an interior threaded nut section and a stopper; and 
     a recessed slot formed in the top section sized for receipt of a multiple toe separator. 
     33. The footwear apparatus according to clause 32, wherein the threaded section of the stem is receivable by the interior threaded nut section of the stem cap. 
     34. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 32-33, further comprising a stopper associated with the stem cap, wherein the stopper provides a lower boundary of a gap. 
     35. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 32-34, further comprising a gap associated with the stem cap, wherein the distal end of the first strap is positioned thereon to secure the stem cap to the sandal. 
     36. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 32-35, wherein the stem includes a tapered base section having a rear facing width greater than a forward facing width. 
     37. The footwear apparatus according to clauses 32-36, wherein the tapered base section is offset from the threaded upper end of the stem along a longitudinal axis of the platform.