Abstract:
A wearable cleaning apparatus includes a sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces; and an upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus.

Description:
PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/099,774, entitled “WEARABLE CLEANING APPARATUS” filed on Sep. 24, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains to footwear incorporating wearable cleaning apparatus, and, more particularly, into a sandal-based cleaning apparatus with exchangeable cleaning bottoms. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wearable footwear that function as cleaning apparatus are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,775 to Muecke is directed to a “Tootsie Mop” that is a shoe-like member with a bristles integral to the shoe-like member. Similarly, wearable attachments to footwear, such as a shoe attachment have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,014 to Edwards. Edwards describes a mop attachable to a shoe via straps and the like. The prior art cleaning related footwear lacks efficiency required for modern households and businesses needing effective cleaning for the many surfaces now present. Moreover, prior art cleaning related footwear require cumbersome attachments or dedicated footwear only appropriate for cleaning one surface type. A need exists for footwear that is both efficient and appropriate for cleaning many types of surfaces. 
         [0004]    The disclosure herein provides such an apparatus by disclosing footwear capable of cleaning a variety of surfaces efficiently. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention provides a wearable cleaning apparatus that includes a sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces; and an upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus. 
         [0006]    In alternate embodiments, the fastening system further includes a hook and loop configuration wherein the sole and/or one of the one or more alternate bottom portions are securely attached via hooks integrated into the bottom of the sole and loops protruding upwardly from the one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. In one embodiment, the fastening system as a partially disposable fastening system wherein at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions is a disposable cleaning surface configured to fasten to the bottom surface of the wearable cleaning apparatus. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect, the fastening system is formed from a same pliable material to enable secure attachment via a plurality of interspersed female to male components for connection of the sole to at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. Further, the one or more alternate bottom portions can include an absorbent fiber bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a scouring bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. In another embodiment, the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a polish-receiving material on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. And in another embodiment, the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a mop bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect, the sole incorporating a fastening system includes a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces further can include at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions configured as a footwear bottom with a gripping surface. Further the one or more alternate bottom portions can include at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces disposed as one of a right and/or left sole. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect, the wearable cleaning apparatus includes a sandal configured as a mate to the wearable cleaning apparatus, the sandal being one of a right and/or left sandal. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus is configured from a synthetic rubber to enable water-resistance of the wearable cleaning apparatus. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus is configured as a top portion of a sandal and/or a flip flop. 
         [0013]    Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bottom of a wearable cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are side perspective views of the wearable cleaning apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present application. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of the wearable cleaning apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present application. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is perspective opened view of the wearable cleaning apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present application. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a detachable portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present application. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the wearable cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross section portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus as indicated in  FIG. 6  in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. 
         [0022]    The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a wearable cleaning apparatus  100  discloses a sandal incorporating a fastening system. As shown by plane  110 , a portion of the sandal is dedicated to a fastening system for attaching alternate bottom portions incorporating cleaning material or other alternate soles.  FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of the fastening system that is a sole with a hook portion  120  of a hook and loop attachment for alternate bottom portions. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C, the wearable cleaning apparatus is illustrated with three alternate bottom portions. More specifically,  FIG. 2A  illustrates the sandal with a hook portion  120  and a bottom portion with a loop portion  220 . Loop portion  220  is illustrated in each of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C to enable replaceable connection to hook portion  120 . Illustrated below hook portion  220  in  FIG. 2A  is a cleaning material  230 , which could be a scrubbing material, sponge material or the like. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an alternate bottom portion. As shown, each alternate bottom portion can include a release loop  240  for assisting a wearer of the wearable cleaning apparatus to quickly remove the alternate bottom portion. Also illustrated in  FIG. 2B  is hook portion  220  of the alternate bottom portion that includes a polishing material  250 , which could be a cloth material, a paper material or the like. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2C  illustrates hook portion  220  incorporated into another alternate bottom portion that includes a mop material  270 . Mop material  270  could include a cloth mop, string mop, or the like. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment is illustrated showing an alternate fastening system. More specifically,  FIG. 3  shows sandal  100  with an alternate removable bottom portion  320  incorporating an alternate fastening system.  FIG. 3  further illustrates a removable cleaning mop attachment  310  that can be removed from removable bottom portion  320 . 
         [0028]    The alternate fastening system  320  is further illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a disassembled version of the wearable cleaning apparatus showing a fastening system  410 ,  420  and removable cleaning mop  310 . More specifically, fastening system  410 ,  420  includes portions of a sandal bottom sole configured from a same pliable material to enable secure attachment via a plurality of interspersed female to male components for connection of the sole to at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions  320 . In one embodiment, the fastening system is formed via injection molding of the interspersed female to male components. Further, the female components, or holes, can be in either the sandal sole or the removable bottom portion, as will be appreciated of one of skill in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure. Also, the material can be of the same material that as the sandal, such as rubber, plastic, or the like. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a removable bottom portion of wearable cleaning apparatus is shown illustrating male and/or female components interspersed on the bottom sole. In one embodiment, the male/female components are pegs of sufficient diameter (e.g., greater than 2 cm.) to enable easy connection and disconnection while maintaining secure adhesion. Also shown in  FIG. 5  is cleaning attachment  310  illustrated as a slip cover configured to slip over a first end and a second end of alternate bottom portion  510  and attached via fastening system  410 ,  420 . As will be appreciated, cleaning attachment  310  can further be slips cover for providing mop, polishing, scrubbing, or the like type cleaning surface. In one embodiment, the sandal  100  without a slip cover attachment functions as a normal sandal to enable the wearable cleaning apparatus to function as a shoe and quickly turn into a cleaning apparatus as needed. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a top view of the wearable cleaning apparatus  100  is illustrated showing cleaning attachment  310  coupled via the fastening system and indicating cross-section line  7 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-section view from the perspective of cross-section line  7  as shown in  FIG. 6 . More specifically,  FIG. 7  illustrates how fastening system  410 ,  420  are coupled in an embodiment to provide secure attachment of alternate bottom portions. As illustrated, 
         [0032]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0033]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0034]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.