Abstract:
A convertible slide and method for slide-type sandals typically used in the out-of-doors includes rubber and synthetic materials and exhibits a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction including a midsole for supporting a foot. A vamp is securely attached to the midsole for covering the foot and includes a pair of outwardly extending studs for providing a pair of pivot points. A rear heel strap is provided for securing the convertible slide to the foot. The heel strap is rotatively connected to the pair of outwardly extending studs for rotating between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot and a second raised position above the vamp. Finally, an outsole is bonded to the midsole for contacting the ground surface. In a first alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs is replaced by a pair of rivets while in a second alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs is replaced by a pair of threaded screws.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for a slide-type sandal having a rear heel strap that is rotatable about pivot points to facilitate use of the sandal with or without the rear heel strap and without disassembling the sandal.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The prior art is directed to methods and apparatus for the construction of sandal type footwear. Sandals are one of the first types of footwear known to mankind and are mentioned in early recorded history. Early sandals included a flat component formed of a suitable material such as leather that served as a sole. The flat sole was placed under the foot to provide protection against the ground surface.  
           [0005]    Various methods to attach the sandal to the foot are also known. An example includes the use of a suitable material such as leather to attach the sole of the sandal to the toes or ankle of the foot. In more recent times, a component of the sandal identified as a vamp and which covers the instep of the foot has been employed. The vamp is connected to the sole so that the sandal can be attached to the foot. The vamp may only partially cover the top of the foot so that the toes extend outward into the open air. In the alternative, the vamp may cover most of the top of the foot or even enclose the entire forward portion of the foot.  
           [0006]    In the type of sandal that includes a vamp, the foot is positioned between the sole and the vamp. The sandal may be utilized in this manner without employing any additional means of attaching the sandal to the foot. This type of footwear is sometimes referred to as a “slide” because the foot enters the sandal by sliding since there is no structure to grab onto while donning the sandal. Further, this type of footwear has also been referred to as “flip-flops” because of the noise created by the tail end of the sole striking the heel of the user when walking. Under these conditions, the sandal is only loosely attached to the foot and is useful for more leisurely types of activities. More active types of activities requiring quicker movements could result in the sandal becoming inadvertently disconnected from the foot which might be undesirable.  
           [0007]    Sandals that include a vamp can also employ additional means for attaching the sandal to the foot. For example, a suitable material such as leather can be used in strips to tie the sole and/or the vamp of the sandal to the foot. However, it has been known to employ a rear heel strap that is connected to the sandal. The rear heel strap can be connected to the vamp or other structural component of the sandal. The rear heel strap is used to wrap around the heel of the foot to ensure that the sandal remains attached to the foot.  
           [0008]    Some sandals known in the prior art employ a rear heel strap that can be disconnected from the sandal. To achieve this disconnect feature, the sandal can incorporate buckles, hook and eye fasteners and other types of mechanical fasteners to connect and disconnect at least one end of the rear heel strap to and from the sandal. Typically, this type of sandal would only be used with the rear heel strap since only one end of the rear heel strap could be disconnected. If both ends of the rear heel strap could be disconnected, the sandal could be used as a “slide” or “flip-flop”. However, this would require the time and energy to physically remove the rear heel strap. Once removed, it would be necessary to store or carry the rear heel strap to prevent loss thereof. Since sandals are often used at the beach and at swimming pools, storage of the rear heel strap in order to avoid loss could be inconvenient. This is the case since beachwear normally worn at the seashore and around swimming pools often does not include pockets.  
           [0009]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a sandal that includes a vamp attached to the sole and having an elastic rear heel strap that is rotatable about a pair of pivot points so that the rear heel strap can be pivoted between a lowered position about the heel of the foot and a rotated raised position over the arch of the foot and vice versa by employing simple foot manipulation to rotate the strap so that the sandal can be utilized with or without the elastic rear heel strap without disassembling the sandal.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved convertible slide type sandal typically worn as footwear in the out-of-doors during the warm months of the year. However, the convertible slide can be used indoors as well as at the beach or the swimming pool. The novel and non-obvious convertible slide exhibits a cushioned midsole upon which a human foot rests. The midsole is attached to a durable outsole which contacts the ground surface. Bonded to the midsole and arching over the top of the foot is a vamp. The vamp covers only a portion of the human forefoot resulting in an open-toed footwear. Pivotably attached to the vamp is a rear heel strap used to assist in securing the convertible slide to the human foot. The components of the convertible slide are comprised of rubber and manmade synthetic cushioning materials. Further, the convertible slide exhibits a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction and is economical to manufacture.  
           [0011]    The rear heel strap of the inventive convertible slide is elastic or other flexible material to facilitate attaching the sandal to the foot. The elastic rear heel strap can be connected to the vamp by one of several different methods. In a preferred embodiment, the vamp includes a pair of outwardly extending studs comprised of, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and molded directly to the side of the vamp. The pair of outwardly extending studs serve as pivot points for a pair of terminal ends of the rear heel strap. The terminal ends of the rear heel strap each include a penetration for passing over a corresponding one of the pair of outwardly extending studs. Each of the outwardly extending studs includes a mechanical stop for retaining the rear heel strap on each of the outwardly extending studs. The construction of the present invention enables the rear heel strap to be rotated between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot to a second raised position above the vamp without disassembling the sandal. The top rear surface of the vamp includes a contoured lip that retains the rear heel strap in the second raised position.  
           [0012]    The present invention is generally directed to a convertible slide type sandal typically used in the out-of-doors and comprised of rubber and synthetic materials for exhibiting a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction. In its most fundamental embodiment, the convertible slide comprises a construction having a midsole for supporting a foot. A vamp is securely attached to the midsole for covering the foot and includes a pair of outwardly extending studs for providing a pair of pivot points. A rear heel strap is provided for securing the convertible slide to the foot. The heel strap is rotatively connected to the pair of outwardly extending studs for rotating between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot and a second raised position above the vamp. Finally, an outsole is bonded to the midsole for contacting the ground surface. Also, the midsole can be comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate, the outsole can be comprised of rubber and both the vamp and the rear heel strap can be comprised of polyvinylchloride.  
           [0013]    In a first alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs are replaced by a pair of rivets that are used to attach the rear heel strap to the midsole and vamp. The pair of rivets are installed through appropriately placed penetrations formed in the midsole and vamp. A pair of nylon washers are utilized to separate the elastic rear heel strap from other components and to facilitate the rotation thereof. In a second alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs and the pair of rivets are replaced by a pair of threaded screws. The pair of threaded screws are also installed through appropriately placed penetrations formed in the midsole and vamp. Each of the threaded screws cooperate with a correspondingly threaded T-nut that is installed in a recess on the inside surface of the midsole. In this second embodiment, the threaded screw and thus the rear heel strap is removable.  
           [0014]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, by way of example.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a convertible slide of the present invention showing a rear heel strap in a lowered position so as to be fitted about the back of the heel of a human foot.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 showing the rear heel strap in a rotated raised position and resting forward of a contoured lip on the rear side of a vamp.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 showing the rear heel strap in the rotated raised position and resting forward of the contoured lip on the rear side of the vamp.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 showing the rear heel strap in the rotated raised position and resting forward of the contoured lip on the rear side of the vamp.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a top planar view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 with the vamp removed and showing a foot bed including a toe bar and an instep arch support upon which the human foot rests.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a bottom planar view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 showing the outsole secured to the bottom of the midsole.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 taken along line  7 - 7  of FIG. 6 and showing the outsole secured to the bottom of the midsole.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a first transverse cross-sectional view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 taken along line  8 - 8  of FIG. 6 and showing the outsole secured to the bottom of the midsole.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a second transverse cross-sectional view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 taken along line  9 - 9  of FIG. 6 and showing the instep arch support and the outsole secured to the bottom of the midsole.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a third transverse cross-sectional view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 taken along line  10 - 10  of FIG. 6 and showing the outsole secured to the bottom of the midsole.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 taken along line  11 - 11  of FIG. 2 showing the preferred embodiment of attaching the terminal ends of the rear heel strap to the vamp via an integral stud.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of the convertible slide of the present invention showing a second method of attaching the terminal ends of the rear heel strap to the vamp via a rivet.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the convertible slide of the present invention showing a third method of attaching the terminal ends of the rear heel strap to the vamp via a screw.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the convertible slide of FIG. 1 showing the front of the stud, rivet or screw of FIGS. 11, 12 or  13 , respectively, utilized to retain the terminal ends of the rear heel strap to the vamp.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15 is the longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 showing a cushioned mesh fabric layer or other synthetic or leather layer mounted to the top of the midsole.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    The present invention is a convertible slide  100 , i.e., a slide-type sandal, having an elastic and flexible rear heel strap  102  which is pivotably attached to a vamp  104  and where, in a preferred embodiment, the rear heel strap  102  is rotatable about a pair of outwardly extending studs  106  which serve as pivot points to facilitate use of the convertible slide  100  with or without the rear heel strap  102 , all without disassembling the sandal. In the lowered position, the rear heel strap  102  fits snugly behind the heel to secure the convertible slide  100  to the human foot. However, in the rotated raised position, the rear heel strap  102  is securely retained in the raised position by a contoured lip  108  molded to the top rear side of the vamp  104 . The bottom of the foot is supported by a cushioned midsole  110  positioned above and sealed to a rugged outsole  112  to provide a lightweight robust construction.  
         [0031]    The preferred embodiment of the convertible slide  100  is best shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 . The cushioned midsole  110  of the convertible slide  100  is a main component of the present invention since each of the other components are attached thereto. The midsole  110  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a molded component and can be comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate known in the art as “EVA”. Portions on the bottom of the midsole  110  contact the floor or ground surface while the top of the midsole  110  supports a human foot. The midsole  110  includes a forward section that curls upward in the forefoot area and is known as a toe bumper  114  as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2 but also in FIGS.  3 - 4 ,  7  and  15 . Likewise, the midsole  110  includes a rearward section that curls upward in the heel area and is known as a heel bumper  116  also shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 ,  7  and  15 . Both the toe bumper  114  and the heel bumper  116  are an integral molded part of the midsole  110 . The full length of the midsole  110  is clearly shown in FIGS. 7 and 15.  
         [0032]    The midsole  110  not only includes the forefoot toe bumper  114  and the rearward heel bumper  116  that wrap about the foot, it also includes a continuous side portion  118  about the convertible slide  100  as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 . The side portion  118  rises up along the side of the foot as part of the midsole  110  as is also clearly shown in FIGS.  8 - 11 . FIGS.  8 - 10  each illustrate cross-sectional views taken at different locations along the long dimension of the convertible slide  100 , i.e., across the forefoot, arch and heel sections of the sandal, respectively. As can be seen from FIGS.  8 - 10 , the height and width of the side portion  118  varies along the length dimension of the convertible slide  100 . Thus, the dimension of the side portion  118  as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4  can be seen to vary at different locations around the circumference of the sandal by referring to FIGS.  8 - 10 .  
         [0033]    In addition to the toe bumper  114 , the heel bumper  116  and the side portion  118 , the mold of the midsole  110  wraps underneath to form the bottom of the convertible slide  100  to support the bottom of the foot. Reference should be made to FIGS.  6 - 10  which show the bottom portion of the molded midsole  110  that interfaces with the rugged outsole  112  of the convertible slide  100 . In particular, FIGS.  7 - 10  clearly show the molded midsole  110  extending from the side portion  118  downward on both sides and integral with that portion of the midsole  110  that forms the bottom of the sandal. As is clearly shown, a plurality of recesses  120  are formed in the bottom of the midsole  110  for receiving pieces or sections of rubber or synthetic material which form the rugged outsole  112 . The rubber pieces that form the outsole  112  are shown located within the recesses  120 . Further, the sections of rubber that form the outsole  112  are positioned at the same level as the immediately adjacent portions of the midsole  110  as shown in FIGS.  7 - 10 . Thus, the surface of the outsole  112  and consequently the bottom surface of the convertible slide  100  remains flat which is necessary in order to avoid unbalancing the sandal and interfering with the walking pattern of the person wearing the sandal.  
         [0034]    The interface between the bottom portion of the midsole  110  and the outsole  112  is clearly shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen, a pattern of oval shaped pieces or sections of rubber or other rugged synthetic material are affixed within the recesses  120  formed in the bottom of the outsole  110 . By forming the outsole  112  in separated discrete pieces as shown in FIG. 6, the overall weight of the convertible slide  100  is reduced resulting in a lighter weight sandal. Lightweight sandals are typically more desirable since they represent a reduced load that must be carried by the foot. Notwithstanding the reduced weight load, the construction of the convertible slide  100  of the present invention is rugged and robust.  
         [0035]    The discrete pieces of rubber that form the outsole  112  are bonded to the underlying midsole  110  within the recesses  120  with a suitable adhesive known in the footwear manufacturing art. The individual pieces of rubber that form the outsole  112  include a plurality of suitable treads as shown in FIG. 6. The treads of the individual pieces of rubber that form the outsole  112  are oriented so as to generate traction on the floor or ground surface when walking. It is clear from FIGS.  7 - 10  that the outsole  112  makes contact with the floor of ground surface. However, it is equally clear that the midsole  110  which is positioned at the same level as the outsole  112  also makes contact with the floor or ground surface at selected points on the bottom of the convertible slide  100 .  
         [0036]    The surface upon which the human foot rests within the convertible slide  100  is referred to as the “foot bed”. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the “foot bed” is the top surface  122  of the midsole  110  as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and  7 - 10  but is best shown in FIG. 5. The midsole  110  is cushioned and typically is comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate (i.e., “EVA”). The top surface  122  of the midsole  110  can be contoured to fit the shape of the human foot to improve comfort as is shown in the planar view of FIG. 5. The circumference of the midsole  110  shown in FIG. 5 is intended to indicate the side portion  118 . Positioned in a transverse manner in the forefoot portion of the convertible slide  100  is a toe bar  124 . The toe bar  124  is molded to the top surface  122  of the midsole  110  and is utilized by the toes of the foot to grip the top surface  122  for stabilizing the convertible slide  100 , i.e., to improve the grip of the toes on the sandal. Also molded to the top surface  122  of the midsole  110  is an instep arch support  125  as is clearly shown in FIG. 5. The instep arch support  125  is a subtle rise molded into the top surface  122  that supports the arch portion of the foot. In addition to the toe bar  124  and the instep arch support  125 , the foot is bounded by the toe bumper  114  and the heel bumper  116  when the foot rests on the top surface  122  of the midsole  110 .  
         [0037]    If additional cushioning and air circulation is desired when wearing the convertible slide  100 , a fabric can be attached to the top surface  122  of the midsole  110  by a suitable adhesive well known in the art. The fabric can include a combination of materials ranging from synthetic-to-leather materials. In the preferred embodiment, a suitable fabric could include a foam material  126  adhered to a fabric backing incorporated within a mesh material  128 . This combination of materials employed to form the fabric is shown mounted upon the top surface  122  of the midsole  110  in FIG. 15. The addition of the foam material  126  and the mesh material  128  is the only feature that distinguishes FIG. 15 from FIG. 7. The surface upon which the human foot rests in FIG. 15, i.e., the “foot bed”, is now the fabric comprised of the foam material  126  and the mesh material  128 . The foam material  126  improves the cushioning previously provided by the midsole  110 . Additionally, the mesh material  128  functions to improve the circulation of air underneath the foot to reduce perspiration and related problems. It is noted that these fabric materials are only exemplary and alternative materials suitable for use in improving cushioning and ventilation can also be utilized.  
         [0038]    The vamp  104  is clearly shown arching over and attached to the midsole  110  in FIGS.  1 - 4 . The vamp  104  is defined as that part of the convertible slide  100  that covers the instep of the foot where the instep is the arched portion of the foot that rests upon the instep arch support  125  shown in FIG. 5. The vamp  104  is preferably comprised of polyvinylchloride (PVC) but can also be formed from rubber, silicon or a PVC-rubber combination. The vamp  104  is clearly shown in FIG. 1 and is bonded to the midsole  110 . Reference to FIGS.  8 - 10  clearly show the side portions  118  of the midsole  110 . The side portions  118  extend upward around the forefoot, the arch and the heel portion of the midsole  110  as shown consecutively in FIGS. 8, 9 and  10 , respectively. It is noted that the side portions  118  are diminished in size along the long dimension of the convertible slide  100  from front to rear in FIGS. 8, 9 and  10 , respectively. Further, FIGS. 7 and 15 show the long dimension of the upward extending side portions  118 .  
         [0039]    It is the side portions  118  extending upward from the midsole  110  that are employed to bond the vamp  104  to the midsole  110  as can be seen in FIGS.  1 - 4 . Reference to FIG. 11 shows the upward extending side portion  118  interfacing with the vamp  104  in the preferred embodiment of the convertible slide  100 . The bonding of the side portions  118  to the vamp  104  is accomplished by the use of a suitable adhesive well known in the footwear manufacturing arts. The vamp  104  extends from the forefoot area back to just behind the arch area as can be seen in FIGS.  1 - 4 . Because the vamp  104  terminates in the forefoot area, the forward portion of the convertible slide  100  is open-air. Notwithstanding the open-air design, the top of the vamp  104  can include a plurality of openings  130  which increase the ventilation flow. Further, the plurality of openings  130  can be shaped to enhance the ornamental and cosmetic features of the sandal. The top rear portion of the vamp  104  also includes a smooth contoured surface  132  which is somewhat concave and extends the entire width of the vamp  104  as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the contoured lip  108  is molded onto the rear boundary of the contoured surface  132 . The contoured surface  132  and the contoured lip  108  will be discussed in more detail in conjunction with the elastic rear heel strap  102  hereinbelow.  
         [0040]    Extending outward from and molded to the vamp  104  on each side of the convertible slide  100  is the pair of peg-like studs  106 . Each of the studs  106  is preferably comprised of polyvinylchloride (PVC) since they are molded to the vamp  104  and must be compatible therewith. However, the studs  106  can also be fabricated from other materials consistent with the material of the vamp  104  such as rubber, silicon or a PVC-rubber combination. One of the pair of studs  106  is clearly illustrated in FIG. 11 and is shown extending outward in an orthogonal manner from the vamp  104 . The length of each of the studs  106  is slightly longer than the width of the elastic rear heel strap  102 . Additionally, the circumference of each of the outwardly extending studs  106  is slightly smaller than the diameter of a penetration  134  formed in each of a pair of terminal ends  136  associated with the rear heel strap  102 . In the preferred embodiment, each of the studs  106  is passed through the corresponding penetration  134  of one of the terminal ends  136  for rotatively attaching the rear heel strap  102  to the vamp  104 .  
         [0041]    Each of the peg-like studs  106  that extend outward from the side of the vamp  104  also includes a stop  138  as is clearly shown in FIG. 11. The stop  138  can assume the shape of a button or a mushroom as is clearly shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 . The exterior face of the stop  138  is shaped to resemble the head of a screw having a pair of cross-grooves for accommodating a screwdriver. However, it should be understood that the vamp  104 , the pair of studs  106  and the stop  138  are integrally formed of PVC and do not rotate. Thus, the screw head shape of the exterior face of the stop  138  is only cosmetic in nature.  
         [0042]    The function of each of the stops  138  is to prevent the terminal ends  136  of the elastic rear heel strap  102  from sliding off of the corresponding outwardly extending stud  106 . Thus, each of the stops  138  prevents the rear heel strap  102  from escaping the confines of the corresponding outwardly extending stud  106  whether the heel strap  102  is wrapped about the heel of the foot or is being rotated about the stud  106 . Thus, the penetration  134  in the terminal ends  136  of the rear heel strap  102  must be large enough and the length of the outwardly extending studs  106  must be long enough so that the rear heel strap  102  can be freely rotated about the studs  106 . The rear heel strap  102  is typically comprised of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and exhibits an elastic characteristic. In the alternative, the rear heel strap  102  can also be comprised of a flexible or stretchable material such as, for example, silicon.  
         [0043]    When it is desired to wear the convertible slide  100  on the foot, it is first necessary to decide if the footwear is to be employed as a conventional sandal or as a slide (i.e., as a strapless loose fitting sandal). If the convertible slide  100  is to be used as a slide-type sandal (such as when walking on the beach), then the rear heel strap  102  is rotated about the outwardly extending studs  106  until the heel strap  102  is positioned over the smooth contoured surface  132 . This position is referred to as the raised position above the vamp  104 . The smooth contoured surface  132  shown in FIG. 1 is shaped to receive the rear heel strap  102  as shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 . It is the contoured lip  108  molded on the top rear side of the vamp  104  that serves to hold the rear heel strap  102  on the smooth contoured surface  132  (i.e., in the raised position). Once the rear heel strap  102  is positioned on the smooth contoured surface  132 , the foot can slide in between the top surface  122  of the midsole  110  and the vamp  104 . The forefoot is then positioned so that the toes of the foot can grasp the toe bar  124  and the arch of the foot is placed over the instep arch support  125 . The convertible slide  100  can then be worn as a strapless loose fitting slide-type sandal.  
         [0044]    If the convertible slide  100  is to be employed as a conventional sandal then the rear heel strap  102  is moved off of the smooth contoured surface  132  and past the contoured lip  108 . The rear heel strap  102  is then rotated from the raised position above the vamp  104  shown in FIG. 2 to a lowered position about the heel of the foot shown in FIG. 1. The foot can then slide in between the top surface  122  of the midsole  110  and the vamp  104 . The forefoot is then positioned so that the toes of the foot can grasp the toe bar  124  and the arch of the foot can be placed over the instep arch support  125  as before. Finally, the rear heel strap  102  is securely positioned behind the heel of the foot. The convertible slide  100  can then be worn as a conventional sandal with the rear heel strap  102  positioned about the heel of the foot to provide additional stability as when walking on hard surfaces.  
         [0045]    Thus, the elastic rear heel strap  102 , which is rotatively connected to the pair of outwardly extending studs  106  as shown in FIG. 11, is rotatable between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot and a second raised position above the vamp  104  which enables the sandal to be used with or without the elastic heel strap  102 , respectively. This feature provides the convertible character of the slide-type sandal of the present invention.  
         [0046]    A first alternative embodiment of the convertible slide of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12 and is referred to by the identification number  200 . Each of the components appearing in the alternative embodiment  200  that correspond in structure and function to those components appearing in the preferred embodiment  100  is identified by the corresponding number of the 200 series.  
         [0047]    The structural modifications appearing in the first alternative embodiment  200  of the present invention are directed to the method of attaching an elastic rear heel strap  202  to a vamp  204  and a cushioned midsole  210  of the convertible slide  200  as shown in FIG. 12. Each slide-type sandal of the convertible slide  200  includes two attachment points between the vamp  204  and the elastic rear heel strap  202 . Thus, the two attachment points require that each side of the slide-type sandal includes the structure shown in FIG. 12. Thus, FIG. 12 shows the structure of only one of the two sides of the sandal. One of a pair of side portions  218  which extends upward from a top surface  222  of the midsole  210  is shown attached to the vamp  204 . The attachment between the vamp  204  and the side portion  218  of the midsole  210  is achieved in exactly the same manner as previously described with reference to the convertible slide  100  of the preferred embodiment. The attachment is achieved through bonding by the use of a suitable adhesive well known in the art of footwear manufacturing.  
         [0048]    The following description is directed to the method of rotatively connecting each of a pair of terminal ends  236  of the rear heel strap  202  to the vamp  204  and the midsole  210 . One of a pair of penetrations  242  is shown formed through the bonded combination of the vamp  204  and side portion  218  of the midsole  210  in FIG. 12. Also, one of a pair of penetrations  234  is shown formed through one of the pair of terminal ends  236  in FIG. 12. It is noted that the penetration  234  formed in the terminal end  236  shown in FIG. 12 is horizontally aligned with the penetration  242  formed through the vamp  204  and the upward extending side portion  218  of the midsole  210 . A rivet  244  is inserted through the penetration  234  formed in the terminal end  236  of the rear heel strap  202  and the penetration  242  formed through the vamp  204  and the side portion  218  of the midsole  210 . The rivet  244  thus functions to bind the rear heel strap  202 , the vamp  204  and the side portion  218  of the midsole  210  together. Additionally, the rivet  244  serves as a pivot point for the rear heel strap  202  to rotate between a first lowered position and a second raised position.  
         [0049]    The rivet  244  can be comprised of, for example, plastic, metal, nylon or other suitable material while the elastic rear heel strap  202  and the vamp  204  are each comprised of polyvinylchloride. As with the preferred embodiment  100 , the rear heel strap  202  can be comprised of another suitable flexible material such as, for example, silicon. Thus, during rotation of the rear heel strap  202  about the rivet  244 , it is common for the friction between the heel strap  202 , the vamp  204  and the rivet  244  to interfere with smooth rotation. In order to facilitate smoother rotation of the rear heel strap  202  about the rivet  244 , one of a first pair of nylon washer separators  246  is placed on the inside of the rear heel strap  202  and one of a second pair of nylon washer separators  248  is placed on the outside of the rear heel strap  202  as shown in FIG. 12. Thus, the rear heel strap  202  can more freely rotate about the rivet  244  between the first lowered position and the second raised position. The remainder of the operation of the convertible slide  200  is duplicate to that as described for the convertible slide  100  of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0050]    A second alternative embodiment of the convertible slide of the present invention is shown in FIG. 13 and is referred to by the identification number  300 . Each of the components appearing in the alternative embodiment  300  that correspond in structure and function to those components appearing in the preferred embodiment  100  is identified by the corresponding number of the 300 series.  
         [0051]    The structural modifications appearing in the second alternative embodiment  300  of the present invention are directed to the method of attaching an elastic rear heel strap  302  to a vamp  304  and a cushioned midsole  310  of the convertible slide  300  as shown in FIG. 13. It is noted that the rear heel strap  302  can also be comprised of other suitable flexible materials such as, for example, silicon. Each slide-type sandal of the convertible slide  300  also includes two attachment points between the vamp  304  and the elastic rear heel strap  302 . Thus, the two attachment points require that each side of the slide-type sandal includes the structure shown in FIG. 13. Thus, FIG. 13 shows the structure of only one of the two sides of the sandal. One of a pair of side portions  318  which extends upward from a top surface  322  of the midsole  310  is shown attached to the vamp  304 . The attachment between the vamp  304  and the side portion  318  of the midsole  310  is as achieved in exactly the same manner as previously described with reference to the convertible slide  100  of the preferred embodiment. The attachment is achieved through bonding by the use of a suitable adhesive well known in the art of footwear manufacturing.  
         [0052]    The following description is directed to the method of rotatively connecting each of a pair of terminal ends  336  of the rear heel strap  302  to the vamp  304  and the midsole  310 . One of a pair of penetrations  360  is shown formed through the bonded combination of the vamp  304  and side portion  318  of the midsole  310  in FIG. 13. Also, one of a pair of penetrations  334  is shown formed through one of the pair of terminal ends  336  in FIG. 13. It is noted that the penetration  334  formed in the terminal end  336  shown in FIG. 13 is horizontally aligned with the penetration  360  formed through the vamp  304  and the upward extending side portion  318  of the midsole  310 . It is noted that more than one pair of penetrations  334  can be formed through the pair of terminal ends  336  for the purpose of adjusting the tension in the rear heel strap  302 .  
         [0053]    One of a pair of threaded screws  362  is inserted through the penetration  334  formed in the terminal end  336  of the rear heel strap  302  and through the penetration  360  formed through the vamp  304  and the side portion  318  of the midsole  310 . Aligned with the threaded screw  362  and also passing through the penetration  360  and the penetration  334  is a threaded receiver known as a T-nut  364 . The T-nut  364  includes internal threads that cooperate with the threads of the screw  362  as shown in FIG. 13. The T-nut  364  includes a flat bottom  366  that fits into a recess  368  formed in the interior wall of side portion  318  to avoid rubbing against the foot placed adjacent the side portion  318  of the midsole  310 . The threaded screw  362  thus functions to bind together the rear heel strap  302 , the vamp  304  and the side portion  318  of the midsole  310 . Additionally, the threaded screw  362  serves as a pivot point for the rear heel strap  302  to facilitate rotation between a first lowered position and a second raised position.  
         [0054]    The face of the threaded screw  362  includes a pair of cross-grooves  370  as shown in FIG. 14. The cross-grooves  370  can be manipulated by a screwdriver to remove or insert the threaded screw  362 . The threaded screw  362  is removable so that the elastic rear heel strap  302  can be disassembled and removed from the convertible slide  300 . Removing the rear heel strap  302  enables the amount of tension therein to be adjusted by changing the penetration  334  in the rear heel strap  302  that the threaded screw  362  is reinserted into.  
         [0055]    The threaded screw  362  can be comprised of, for example, plastic, metal, nylon or other suitable material while the elastic rear heel strap  302  and the vamp  304  are each typically comprised of polyvinylchloride. If friction between the heel strap  302 , the vamp  304  and the threaded screw  362  interferes with the smooth rotation of the rear heel strap  302  about the threaded screw  362 , the method illustrated and described in the convertible slide  200  of the first alternative embodiment can also be employed in the convertible slide  300 . Thus, the rear heel strap  302  could more freely rotate about the threaded screw  362  between the first lowered position and the second raised position. The remainder of the operation of the convertible slide  300  is duplicate to that as described for the convertible slide  100  of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0056]    The present invention provides novel advantages over other conventional sandal and slide-type sandal footwear known in the art. A main advantage of the convertible slide  100  of the present invention is that the elastic rear heel strap  102  is rotatable about the pair of studs  106  between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot to a second raised position above the vamp  104 . This feature enables the sandal to be used with or without the elastic rear heel strap  102 , respectively, and thus provides the convertible character of the slide-type sandal. Furthermore, the convertible slide  100  of the present invention is simple to operate since the rear heel strap  102  can be moved between the first lowered position and the second raised position by, for example, simple foot manipulation. Additionally, the convertible slide  100  exhibits a lightweight robust construction that is economical to produce.  
         [0057]    While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.  
         [0058]    It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly,