Abstract:
A device that engages a stem of a sandal and, in turn, allows the position of toes and web space of a user around the device. The device is constructed to ease the frictional and compression forces on the user by the stem.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of ergonomics in footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of devices for engaging a stem of a thong-type sandal and accommodating the webbed region between toes. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Sandals have existed for numerous years and were one of the earliest forms of footwear. What is simple in its design, i.e. a stem or thong that is engaged between the big and adjacent toe, causes irritation and pain as a result of frictional and compression forces imparted against the toe web-space during a normal gate. 
     Previous attempts have been made to address the forces imparted by the stem against the web space. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,178 discloses a protective device for use around the stem. However, the device provides a plantar region that accommodates the bottom of the foot of the user and may cause instability around the point of engagement. Further, the bottom of the foot may become irritated as a result of the variation in height between the region of the device and the platform of the sandal itself. 
     Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current stem engaging devices mentioned above, a need exists for stem engaging device that would not have a plantar region, would not be subject to twisting around the stem, and would be easy to manufacture and use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general aspect of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the existing devices. 
     It is another aspect of the invention to provide a cost-efficient stem engaging device. 
     It is aspect of the invention to provide a stem engaging device that is durable. 
     It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a stem engaging device that provides for aeration of the toes. 
     It is still a further aspect of the invention to provide a stem engaging device that can be quickly and easily secured to a stem of a sandal. 
     In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique stem engaging device is disclosed wherein it securely engages the stem of a sandal without requiring a plantar region. The stem engaging device is also shaped to comfortably accommodate the web space between the toes of a wearer. 
     Such stated aspects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other aspect, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used exclusively to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
       Referring to the drawings in which like reference character(s) present corresponding part(s) throughout: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary perspective illustration an engaging device as applied to a stem of a sandal; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary perspective illustration of the engaging device accommodating a web space between a user&#39;s toes; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary side elevational view of the device; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary top perspective view of the device; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary front side elevational view of the device; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary front side perspective view of the device; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary side elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 8  is a front side elevational view of the alternate preferred embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 9  is a front side perspective view of another alternate preferred embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the alternate preferred embodiment illustrating the separation of a closable opening; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the other preferred embodiment of the device taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a top plant view of the other preferred embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 13  is a front side elevational view of the other preferred embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the other preferred embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 15  is a frontal elevational view of yet another preferred embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the device; and 
         FIG. 17  is a top side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are an exemplary perspective illustration of a preferred embodiment of an engaging device  100  attached to a stem  102  of a sandal  104 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , engaging device  100  is maintained between adjacent toes  106  and web space  108  of a user  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , exemplary perspective illustrations of engaging device  100  are provided. Device  100  has a top end  112  and a bottom end  114 . A first side  116  and second side  118 —being disposed on substantially opposing sides in comparison to one another—are positioned between top  112  and bottom  114  ends. A forward region  120  and a rearward region  122  extend from opposing regions of top  112  and bottom end  114 , and said forward  120  and rearward regions  122  also extend between top  112  and bottom  114  ends. 
     An aperture  124  extends from top end  112  and through bottom end  114  and is defined by an interior wall  126  formed from engaging device  100 . Aperture  124  is adapted to accommodate stem  102  therein in a substantially secure manner. A slit  128  is also defined in forward region of device  100  and extends through to and communicates with aperture  124 . In order to install device  100  onto stem  102 , user  110  pulls first  116  and second  118  sides in opposing directions at slit  128  and stem  102  is passed there-between until it is received by interior wall  126  defining aperture  124 . Device  100  is constructed of memory material such that first and second sides  116  and  118  return to their proximally located position and stem  102  is securely maintained within aperture  124 . 
     When user  110  wears sandal  104 , adjacent toes  106  and web space  108  are placed around device  100  and it is securely engaged therein. Thus, the enclosure of device  100  between toes  106  and space  108  prevents creeping of the device  100  and eliminates the need for any plantar regions to be engaged by the sole of the foot. To provide for more comfort, in one preferred embodiment of the invention, first and second sides  116  and  118  have a substantially concave outer surface to accommodate adjacent toes  106 . Also, in another preferred embodiment, rearward region  122  has a substantially concave outer surface. 
     Now specifically referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an alternate preferred embodiment of device  100  is presented. At least a groove  130  extends from first side  116  and travels through rearward region  122  and ends at second side  118 . Groove  130  is designed to supply oxygen and remove moisture from between toes  106  and web space  108 . In order to provide greater aeration and moisture removal, a plurality of grooves  130  to  130   c  may be provided. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 9 through 14 , another alternate preferred embodiment of device  100  is disclosed wherein opening  132  is located along the length of rearward region  122  and allows access to aperture  124  by insertion of stem  102  there through. Opening  132  has a lip  134  that extends and removably attaches to a corresponding mating region  136 ; wherein, during engagement of device  100  to stem  102 , lip  132  spans opening  132  and prevents removal of device  100  while sandal  104  is worn. Lip  134  can be pulled away to allow access to opening  132  and removal of device  100  from stem  102 . It is to be understood that although opening  132  is shown to run along the rearward region  122  of the illustrated preferred embodiment, opening  132  may be located anywhere along the wall  126  defining aperture  124  without departing from the essence of the invention. Further, the device  100  may also take a substantially uniform hour glass shape when viewed from the side. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 15 to 17 , yet another alternate preferred embodiment of device  100  is disclosed. At least a protrusion  138  extends from first side  116  and travels through rearward region  122  and ends at second side  118 . However, protrusion  138  does not necessarily have to extend from first side  116  to second side  118  and each side can have respective protrusions  138  of a shorter length. Protrusion  138  is designed to supply oxygen and remove moisture from between toes  106  and web space  108 . In order to provide greater aeration and moisture removal, a plurality of grooves  138  to  138   d  may be provided. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the device  100  of this invention can be manufactured from inert and hypoallergenic materials. The device  100  can be constructed from materials that include, but are not limited to, rubber, thermal plastic rubber (“TPR”), silicone, thermal plastic urethane (“TPU”), polyurethane, and ethyl vinyl acetate. In addition, the material used to manufacture device  100  may have differing durometer readings. Referring specifically to  FIG. 12 , an inner portion  140  and outer portion  142  run the length of device  100  and are manufactured of silicone. The silicone, however, is of different hardness wherein the outer portion  142  is softer silicone (e.g. hardness 10 silicone) and the inner portion  140  is harder silicone (e.g. hardness 35-40 skeletal silicone). The dual durometer silicone parts allows a more sturdy inner portion  140  to engage the tougher stem  102 , yet provides a softer outer portion  142  to comfortable engage the web space  108  of a user. 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. 
     It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object. 
     In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group. 
     In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.