Patent Publication Number: US-11026471-B2

Title: Footwear attachment assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/926,266 filed on Oct. 29, 2015, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present application relates generally to footwear, and more particularly to an attachment assembly for connecting footwear components. 
     Different types of footwear are made by connecting several footwear components together such as footwear uppers, midsoles and outsoles. Some articles of footwear, such as sandals, include uppers and outsoles and other types include uppers, midsoles, outsoles and other components. Typically, these footwear components are connected by gluing, stitching or molding the components together or by a combination of these methods. Due to the complexity of manufacturing process, footwear components are usually made and connected together at one facility. 
     Also, footwear component connection methods are meant to be permanent to enhance the quality and durability of the articles of footwear. Therefore, if a consumer wants different footwear colors or designs of a particular shoe style, they must purchase several pairs of that shoe style. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide footwear components that can be manufactured and assembled at different locations, that are easily connected together and that are also removable and replaceable to form different shoe styles without the added cost of purchasing multiple pairs of a particular shoe style. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present article of footwear includes an attachment assembly that secures an upper to a sole by inserting ends of the upper through the sole and securing the ends of the upper to the sole using a securing member. The securing member is easily attached to the ends of the upper and attached to and removable from the sole to enable quick assembly of the article of footwear at any location and to enable the upper to be removed and replaced with another upper that may be the same as or different from the removed upper. 
     An embodiment of the present article of footwear is provided and includes an upper and a sole. The upper includes at least two supports where each of the supports includes an end and the sole includes a top surface, a bottom surface and at least two slots extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, where the bottom surface includes a channel. A securing member is attached to each of the ends of the supports and inserted in the channel for securing the upper to the sole. 
     In another embodiment, an article of footwear is provided and includes an upper and a sole. The upper includes a plurality of supports, where each of the supports includes tabs, and the sole includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of slots positioned along a periphery of the sole and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, where the bottom surface includes a channel extending along the periphery of the sole. A securing member is attached to each of the tabs and inserted in the channel for securing the upper to the sole. 
     In a further embodiment, an article of footwear is provided and includes an upper having a strap assembly with a plurality of straps, where a plurality of the straps have outsole connectors, and at least one removable connecting member is configured to interconnect a plurality of the straps. The article of footwear also includes a sole including a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of through-holes positioned on the sole, where the plurality of the straps including the outsole connector are inserted through a corresponding one of the through-holes until a bottom surface of each outsole connector is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the sole to secure the strap assembly to the sole, and at least two of the straps are interconnected by the at least one removable connecting member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the present article of footwear; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 1  with the upper removed from the outsole; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the article of footwear of  FIG. 3  taken along the line  4 - 4  and in the direction generally indicated; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of an end of the upper of  FIG. 1  where the end is attached to the securing member; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the article footwear of  FIG. 1  with the securing member attached to the outsole; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of another embodiment of the present article of footwear; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 7  with the upper removed from the outsole; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section of the article of footwear of  FIG. 9  taken along the line  10 - 10  and in the direction generally indicated; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the article footwear of  FIG. 7  with the securing member attached to the outsole; 
         FIG. 12A  is a top view of a further embodiment of the present article of footwear; 
         FIG. 12B  is a side view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13A  is a top view of another embodiment of the present article of footwear; 
         FIG. 13B  is an exploded side view of the article of footwear shown in FIG. 
         13 A; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 13A  with the upper removed from the outsole; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-section of the article of footwear of  FIG. 15  taken along the line  15 - 15  and in the direction generally indicated; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-section of a sole of another embodiment of the present article of footwear where the sole includes a body and an insert attached to a bottom, central portion of the body; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-section of a sole of a further embodiment of the present article of footwear where the sole includes a body and an insert attached to a bottom periphery of the body; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a connector attached to an end of the upper where the securing member extends through the connector; 
         FIG. 20  is a partial exploded perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 19  and an end of the upper; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-section view of the connector of  FIG. 21  taken substantially along the line  22 - 22  and in the direction generally indicated; and 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-section view of another embodiment of the connector of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom view of a sole of another embodiment of the present article of footwear where the sole includes a body and an outsole that is at least partially movable away from the body for attaching the securing member to the body; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-section view of the sole of  FIG. 24  taken substantially along the line  25 - 25  and in the direction generally indicated; 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-section view of the sole of  FIG. 24  taken substantially along the line  26 - 26  and in the direction generally indicated; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present article of footwear; 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a top view of an outsole of the article of footwear of  FIG. 27  where the straps are removed from the outsole; 
         FIG. 30  is a bottom view of the outsole of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the strap assembly for the article of footwear of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a front view of an embodiment of a connecting member used to connect the straps of the strap assembly of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is an end view of the connecting member of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a front view of another embodiment of a connecting member used to connect the straps of the strap assembly of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 35  is an end view of the connecting member of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present article of footwear; 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the outsole of the article of footwear of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is a top view of the outsole of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a bottom view of the outsole of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-section view of the outsole of  FIG. 39  taken substantially along line  40 - 40  in the direction generally indicated with a securing strap and outsole connector attached to the outsole; 
         FIG. 41  is a fragmentary perspective view of a securing strap of the article of footwear of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an outsole connector; 
         FIG. 43  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an outsole connector; 
         FIG. 44  is a top view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a bottom view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a front view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 47  is a rear view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 48  is a side view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 49  is an opposing side view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 50  is a top view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 51  is a bottom view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a front view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 53  is a rear view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 54  is a side view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 43 ; and 
         FIG. 55  is an opposing side view of the outsole connector of  FIG. 43 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present article of footwear includes an attachment assembly that enables an upper to be quickly and easily attached to a sole so that the different components of the article of footwear can be manufactured and assembled at different locations. Furthermore, the attachment assembly enables the upper to be removed and replaced with one or more additional uppers thereby enabling a wearer to be able to replace a worn or damaged upper or change the style and look of the article of footwear. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , an embodiment of the present article of footwear generally indicated as  50 , is a flip flop shoe or flip flop having an upper  52  and a sole such as outsole  54 . It should be appreciated that the sole may include an outsole, a midsole or any combination of footwear components. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper  52  includes a toe post  56  attached generally to a forefoot portion  58  of the outsole  54  and two lateral supports  60  extending from the toe post  56  to a lateral side  62  and a medial side  64  of the outsole. As further described below, the upper  52  may have one or a plurality of the lateral supports  60  extending from the toe post  56  and/or extending between the lateral and medial sides  62 ,  64  of the outsole  54 . A securing member  66  is removably attached to the outsole  54  and secures the upper  52  to the outsole  54 . 
     To attach the securing member  66  to the outsole  54 , a bottom surface  68  of the outsole  54  includes a first groove or first channel  70  that extends around the periphery of the outsole ( FIG. 3 ). A second channel  72  extends across the forefoot portion  58  of the outsole  54  between opposing sides  74 ,  76  of the first channel  70 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first and second channels  70 ,  72  each have a cross-sectional shape with a top portion  76  and a bottom portion  78 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  76  has a generally round shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the securing member  66 . It is also contemplated that the securing member  66  and the top portion  76  may have a square shape, rectangular shape or any suitable shape or combination of shapes. Furthermore, the securing member  66  and the top portion  76  may have the same general cross-sectional shape or different cross-sectional shapes. The bottom portion  78  has a narrow shape, such as a slot that extends from the top portion  76  to the bottom surface  68  of the outsole  54 . Preferably, the opposing portions  80  and  82  of the outsole  54  that form the bottom portion or slot  78  of the channels  70  and  72  generally contact each other so that the first and second channels are not readily visible on the bottom surface  68  of the outsole  54 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the outsole  54  includes openings or slots  84  at designated points on a top surface  86  of the outsole  54  that are each configured to receive one of the ends  88  of the upper  52 . Each slot  84  extends from the top surface  86  of the outsole  54  to the first channel  70  or the second channel  72 . To connect the ends  88  of the upper  52  to the outsole  54 , the ends  88  are first inserted in and moved through a respective one of the slots  84  in the outsole  54  until at least a portion of each of the ends  88  extends below the bottom surface  68  of the outsole  54 . 
     The securing member  66  is made of a durable, semi-rigid material such plastic, metal, nylon or other suitable material or combination of materials, and has a shape that generally corresponds to the combined shape of the first and second channels  70 ,  72  shown in  FIG. 3 . It should be appreciated that the securing member  66  may be formed with the shape of the first channel  70 , the second channel  72  or any combination of the first and second channels. Also, one or a plurality of securing members  66  may be secured to the upper  52  and inserted in the first and/or second channels  70 ,  72  in the outsole  54 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the securing member  66  has connection ends  90  that are spaced apart from each other to enable the securing member  66  to be inserted or threaded through the ends  88  of the upper  52  extending through and below the bottom surface  68  of the outsole  54  as described above and shown in  FIG. 5 . Specifically, each of the ends  88  of the lateral supports  60  include loops  92  formed by a piece of material that is the same as or different from the material forming the upper  52 . Each of the loops  92  have opposing loop ends  94  that are connected to opposing sides  96 ,  98  of the upper ends  88  by stitching, gluing or any other suitable connection method. The loops  92  each define a through-hole having a size that is greater than the cross-sectional size of the securing member  66  so that the securing member is easily inserted through the loops  92  attached to the upper ends  88 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the toe post  56  extending through the outsole  54  does not have a loop. Instead, a bottom end  102  of the toe post  56  is inserted through the toe post slot  104  and through a through-hole that is cut or formed in the toe post material at the bottom end. The securing member  66  is thereby inserted through the toe post through-hole and the loops  92  on the ends  88  of the lateral supports  60 . 
     After the loops  92  and toe post  56  are connected to the securing member  66 , the securing member  66  is aligned generally with the slots  78  of the first and second channels  70 ,  72  and pushed upwardly through the slots  78  until the securing member  66  is within the top portion  76  of the first and second channels as shown in  FIG. 6 . Since the cross-sectional size of the securing member  66  is greater than the size of the bottom portion or slot  78  in each of the first and second channels  70 ,  72 , the securing member  66  does not slip or fall out of the first and second channels. It should be appreciated that the top portion  76  of the first and second channels  70 ,  72  may be generally the same size as the cross-sectional shape and size of the securing member  66  or greater than the size of the securing member  66 . It should also be appreciated that the material forming the securing member  66  is generally firm or rigid so that the securing member can be easily pushed into the first and second channels  70 ,  72  and also flexible to allow the securing member  66  to a least partially bend with the outsole  54  during use of the flip flop shoes. 
     The upper  52  can be removed and replaced with another upper that is the same as or different from the removed upper. For example, the upper  52  may be replaced by another upper selected from a plurality of uppers where each of the uppers in the plurality of uppers have different designs. To remove the upper  52  from the outsole  54 , the outsole  54  is gradually bent while pushing on the top of the outsole against the securing member  66  to push the securing member downwardly through the slots  78  in the first and second channels  70 ,  72 . When the entire securing member  66  is removed from the first and second channels  70 ,  72  and positioned below the bottom surface  68  of the outsole  54 , the securing member  66  is pulled out of the loops  92  on the ends  88  of the upper  52  and the bottom end  102  of the toe post  56 . Another upper can then be attached to the outsole  54  by repeating the attachment steps described above. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 7-11 , another embodiment of the present article of footwear is illustrated and generally indicated as  108 . The article of footwear  108  includes an upper  109  having a toe post  110  and two lateral supports  112  attached to opposing sides of the outsole  114 . Two additional crossing lateral supports  116  are attached to the outsole  114 . Each of the ends  118  of the lateral supports  116  include loops  120  that are similar to the loops  92  shown in  FIG. 5  and described above. The upper  109  is attached to the outsole  114  by inserting an end  122  ( FIG. 11 ) of the toe post  110  and the ends  118  of the lateral supports  112  respectively through opening  113  and openings  115  in the outsole  114  to a point below the bottom surface  124  of the outsole  114 . The securing member  126  is threaded through the bottom end  122  of the toe post  110  and each of the loops  120  on the ends  118  of the lateral supports  116  and then pushed upwardly into the first and second channels  128 ,  130  as described above and shown in  FIG. 11 . It should be appreciated that the article of footwear  108  can be assembled to have any number and combination of the lateral supports  112  and  116 . For example, the article of footwear could be assembled with only the toe post  110  and the lateral supports  112  with the additional lateral supports  116  removed to form a flip flop sandal or shoe. Alternatively, the article of footwear could be assembled with only the lateral supports  116  with the toe post  110  and associated lateral supports  112  removed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , another embodiment of the present article of footwear  117  is shown and includes an upper  119  attached to an outsole  121  using the attachment assembly described above. In this embodiment, the upper  119  includes opposing heel posts  123  and a forefoot support strap  125  each having ends  127  extending through the outsole  121  and connected to the outsole using a securing member. A rear strap or heel strap  129  and a front strap  131  are attached to the opposing heel posts  123  and a lateral strap  133  extends between and is respectively connected to the forefoot support strap  125  and the front strap  131 . It should be appreciated that any suitable combination of supports or straps may be connected to the outsole using the attachment assembly described above. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 13A-16 , a further embodiment of the present article of footwear is illustrated and generally indicated as  132 , where the article of footwear includes a closed toe upper  134  having a heel portion  136  and a foot entry opening  138 . The bottom peripheral edge  140  of the upper  134  includes a plurality of supports formed as tabs  142  that each have a loop  144  similar to the loop  92  shown in  FIG. 5 . The tabs  140  are inserted through openings  139  in a sole  141 , which includes a midsole  145  and an outsole  146 , so that the securing member  148  is threaded through each of the loops  144  at the ends of the tabs  142  and pushed into the first channel or channel  150  as shown in  FIG. 14  to secure the upper  134  to the outsole  146 . It should be appreciated that the upper  134  may have any suitable number of tabs  142  to secure the upper  134  to the outsole  146 . Also, the upper  134  may include tabs  142  that have the same width and length or different widths and/or lengths. It is also contemplated that the article of footwear  132  may be constructed with only the outsole  146 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , a cross-section of another embodiment of a sole of the present article of footwear is shown where the sole includes an outsole  152  having a body portion  154  including at least one groove or channel  156  and a central recessed area  158 . An insert  160  is configured to fit into the recessed area  158  in the body portion  154 . Specifically, a top surface  162  of the insert  160  is cemented or glued to a bottom surface  164  of the body portion  154  of the outsole  152  to attach the insert  160  to the body portion  154 . The opposing sides  166  of the insert  160  do not include glue or adhesive to enable a slot  168  to be formed between the body portion  154  and the insert  160  on each side of the insert. In this way, the ends of an upper can be inserted through the outsole  152  between the body portion  154  and the insert  160  and attached to a securing member  170 . The securing member  170  is then pushed upwardly through the slots  168  and into the channel  156  formed in the body portion  154  to secure an upper to the outsole  152 . The upper can be removed from the outsole  152  by pushing the securing member  170  out through the slots  168  between the body portion  154  and the insert  160  as described above. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , a cross-section of a further embodiment of a sole of the present article of footwear is shown where the sole includes an outsole  172  having a body portion  174  with a peripheral recessed area  176  and one or more inserts  178  configured to fit into and be attached to the recessed area  176 . In this embodiment, inner surfaces  180  of the insert  178  are cemented or glued to the body portion  174  to attach the insert  178  to the body portion  174 . The body portion  174  includes at least one channel  182 . A slot  184  is formed between the body portion  174  and the insert  178  where the slot extends from an outer surface  186  of the outsole  172  to the channel  182 . The securing member  188  is configured to be aligned with and moved through the slots  184  to be seated in the at least one channel  182  to secure the securing member  188  and thereby an upper to the outsole  172 . The upper is removed from the outsole  172  by pushing the securing member  188  out through the slots  184 . It should be appreciated that the body portion  174  and the insert  178  may be any suitable size and shape. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 19-23 , at least one and preferably each end  190  of the supports or straps  192  of an upper are attached to the outsole  194  where each end  190  is made with one or more pieces of material  196  to form a tube configured to receive a connector  198  inserted into the tube and secured to the end  190  of the support or strap  192  by glue, stitching or other suitable connection method. The connector  198  includes an integrally formed body  200  having a first part  202  that is generally planar and a second part  204  centrally positioned and connected to an end  206  of the first part  202  where the second part  204  forms a circular tube or cylinder  208  with inwardly beveled ends  210 . As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the tube  208  defines a through-hole  212  configured to receive a securing member  214  as described above.  FIG. 19  shows that the securing member  214  is inserted through the through-hole  212  of the tube  208  of the connector  198  to secure the ends  190  of the supports or straps to the outsole  194 . In another embodiment, a connector  216 , shown in  FIG. 23 , has a first planar part  218  and a second part  220  that is circular or round and attached to the first part on one side or one surface  222  of the first part. It should be appreciated that the connector may be any suitable size and have any suitable shape. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 24-26 , another embodiment of a sole of the present article footwear is shown and generally indicated as  300 , where the sole  300  includes a body  302  and a bottom member  304  attached to the body where at least a portion of the bottom member  304  is movable away from the body for attaching a securing member. As shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 24 , the body  302  includes grooves or channels  70 ,  72  configured to receive a securing member, such as securing member  66  shown in  FIG. 1 . The securing member has a similar size and shape to the channels  70 ,  72  such that the securing member is aligned with and inserted into the channels and is thereby attached to or secured to the body  302 . In this embodiment, the bottom member  304  is configured to have generally the same size and shape as the bottom surface  305  of the body  302  such that it covers the bottom surface. The bottom member  304  is attached to the bottom surface  305  of the body  302  by attaching the central or middle part of the bottom member to the bottom surface  305  using an adhesive, stitching or other suitable connection method. As shown in  FIG. 25 , the outer ends or outer edges  306  of the bottom member  304  are not secured to the body  302  so that the outer edges may be flexed or moved towards and away from the body as indicated by the arrows. 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , the bottom member  304 , and more specifically, the outer edges  306 , cover the channels  70 ,  72  in the body  302  such that the channels are not visible when the outer edges are in contact with the bottom surface  305  of the body. As such, the bottom member  304  helps to further secure the securing member in the channels  70 ,  72 , and also covers and conceals the channels to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the bottom of the sole  300  as well as inhibit dirt and other debris from entering the channels  70 ,  72 . It should be appreciated that the bottom member  304  and the body  302  may be made of the same material or different materials. Furthermore, the bottom member  304  is preferably made of a resilient, flexible material so that the outer edges  306  of the bottom member  304  can be easily moved away from the body  302 , and then spring back or move back in contact with the body, while being durable enough to withstand repeated contact and friction with the ground. 
     In use, the securing member is inserted in or removed from the channels  70 ,  72  by folding back or moving the outer edges  306  of the bottom member away from the body  302  and thereby expose the channels  70 ,  72  so that a user can insert the securing member in the channels or grab and pull out the securing member from the channels. It should be appreciated that the securing member may be made of any suitable material that is flexible and rigid enough to be easily inserted in and removed from the channels as described above. Similar to the above embodiments, the straps or upper of the shoe are inserted through openings in the body  302  and attached to the securing member. The securing member is then inserted in the channels  70 ,  72  to secure the straps or upper to the sole. Once the securing member is inserted and secured in the channels  70 ,  72 , the outer edges  306  of the bottom member  304  will move back to its initial position against the bottom surface  305  of the body  302  due to flexibility and resiliency of the material forming the bottom member. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 27-35 , a further embodiment of an article of footwear is shown and generally designated by reference number  400 , where the article of footwear  400  includes an outsole  402  and a strap assembly  404  having straps that are interconnected to each other by connecting members  406  and to the outsole by outsole connectors  408 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the outsole  402  is molded using ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber or any suitable material and includes four through-holes  410 . The through-holes  410  are positioned on the outsole  402  so that two of the through-holes are located near the heel portion  412  of the outsole and two of the through-holes are located near the forefoot  414  of the outsole. As will be explained in more detail below, each of the through-holes  410  is an attachment location for a strap and is formed as an elongated slot that extends from the top surface  416  to the bottom surface  418  of the outsole  402 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the strap assembly  404  ( FIG. 31 ) includes a plurality of securing straps  420  that are attached to the outsole  402 , and connecting straps  422  that are connected between two or more of the securing straps  420 . All of the straps  420 , 422  are configured to be removable from the outsole  402  and replaceable or interchangeable with the same straps or different straps. For example, the securing straps  420  and the connecting straps  422  may all have the same design, same pattern and same color representing a designated footwear style. Alternatively, one or more of the securing straps  420  and the connecting straps  422  may be removed and replaced with a different connecting strap or a different securing strap which may have the same design, same pattern and/or same color or a different design, a different pattern and/or a different color to form the same footwear style or a different footwear style. The replaceability and interchangeability of the securing straps and the connecting straps enables a user to customize the present article of footwear according to their preferences. It also enables the user to be able to replace worn or damaged straps, i.e., the securing straps and the connecting straps, as needed to prolong the useful life of the article of footwear. 
     Each of the securing straps  420  is made of a first material such as a fabric material, a synthetic material or other suitable material. A first end  424  of each securing strap  420  is a free end that has a width and thickness that corresponds to the width and thickness of the through-holes  410  in the outsole  402 , and a second, opposing end  426  of the securing strap is attached to one of the outsole connectors  408  by co-molding the securing strap with the outsole connector. Preferably, each outsole connector  408  is made of plastic or other durable material. Co-molding the outsole connector  408  to the end  426  of each securing strap  420  causes the material of the outsole connector  408  to engage and at least partially seep into the strap material to fixedly secure the outsole connector  408  to the securing strap  420  such that the outsole connector is not readily removable from the strap without damaging the outsole connector. This enhances the strength and durability of each securing strap  420  to help withstand the repeated use of the article of footwear  400 . It should be appreciated that the article of footwear  400  may include one or a plurality of the through-holes  410  where the through-holes may be located at any suitable attachment location on the outsole  402  based on the strap assembly of the article of footwear. Similarly, the article of footwear  400  may include one or more of the securing straps  420  corresponding to the through-holes  410  in the outsole  402 . Further, in an embodiment, at least a portion of one or more of the through-holes  410  has a cross-sectional length and/or width that is greater than a cross-sectional length and/or width of the securing strap so that a position of one or more of the securing straps relative to the outsole is adjustable to enable the straps to be adjusted to a wearer&#39;s foot for comfort and fit purposes. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 27 and 31 , the first end  424  of each of the securing straps  420  includes a loop  428  forming a channel  430  extending from one edge  432  to an opposing edge  434  of the strap. The loop  428  may be formed by folding the material of the securing strap  420  onto itself and stitching the ends of the material together or using a separate piece of the material and attaching it to the first end  424  of the securing strap by stitching, adhesive or other suitable attachment method. 
     The foot opening or portion of the article of footwear that is secured to a wearer&#39;s foot is formed by the connecting straps  422 , which connect to each other and/or to the securing straps, and are made of the same or similar material as the securing straps  420 . Alternatively, the connecting straps  422  may be made of a different material than the securing straps  420 . In the illustrated embodiment, one of the connecting straps  422   a  includes opposing ends  436 , 438  each having a loop  440  formed by folding the material onto itself and stitching parts of the overlapping material pieces together. Another connecting strap  422   b  has an end  440  with a loop  442  and an opposing end  444  that is attached to an outsole connector  408  as described above. The connecting strap  422   b  also includes opposing surfaces  446   a , 446   b  where surface  446   a  includes a connecting material such as hook and loop members, i.e., Velcro®, having connecting loops at one end and the other surface  446   b  has hooks that engage and lock to the connecting loops when the connecting loops are secured to the hooks, or vice versa. 
     The connecting straps  422  are linked or connected together by one or more of the connecting members or rings  406 . In an embodiment shown in  FIGS. 32-33 , one or more of the connecting members  406   a  has a triangular shape ( FIG. 32 ) with one side having a gap or space  448   a  to enable the connecting straps  422  and/or the securing straps  420  to be moved or slid onto and attached to the connecting members. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting members  406  are preferably made of a durable plastic but may be made with rubber or any suitable material or combination of materials. As shown in  FIGS. 34 and 35 , another embodiment of the connecting member  406   b  is illustrated where the connecting member has a D-shape with one side including the gap or space  448   b . It should be appreciated that the connecting members or rings  406  may be any suitable size and shape and are replaceable if the connecting members become damaged, break or interchanged with a different connecting member. Additionally, the connecting members  406  may be formed with the same color, the same pattern and/or the same design, or a different color, a different pattern and/or a different design. In this way, the connecting members  406  are removable and replaceable to further customize the appearance of the article of footwear. 
     In use, the loop  428  at the end of each securing strap  420  and the end of connecting straps  422   b  are each inserted from the bottom surface  418  of the outsole  402  through the respective through-holes  410  until each strap extends out of the top surface  416  of the outsole. More specifically, on the inner or medial side  450  of the outsole  402 , one of the securing straps  420  is attached near the heel portion  412  and another securing strap  420  is attached near the forefoot  414  of the outsole  402  where the securing strap includes a free end having a connecting material, such as Velcro®, that enables the free end to be inserted through a connecting member  406  and folded back onto itself and secured by the connecting material. As shown in the bottom view of the outsole  402 , the bottom surface  418  of the outsole includes recessed areas  452  that extend to the outer peripheral edge  454  of the outsole  402  and have a size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the outsole connectors  408  such that when the securing straps  420  and the connecting strap  422  are inserted through the through-holes  410 , the outsole connectors  408  are seated in or fit into the corresponding recessed areas  452  on the outsole such that the bottom surfaces  456  of the outsole connectors are substantially flush with the bottom surface  418  of the outsole  402 . 
     As described above, the connecting straps  422  form the foot opening and are interconnected to each other by the connecting members, i.e., rings  406 , as shown in  FIG. 27  and as described above. The connecting straps  422  and the securing straps  420  are removed or disconnected from each other by moving or sliding each of the loops  428  out through the space or gap  448  in the connecting members. After the connecting straps  422  and the securing straps  420  are removed from the connecting members  406 , each of the securing straps and the connecting strap are pulled through the respective through-holes  410  in the outsole  402  by grabbing the outsole connectors  408  at the bottom surface  418  of the outsole and pulling the securing straps  420  and the connecting straps  422  outwardly away from the bottom surface of the outsole until the straps are free or separated from the outsole  402 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 36-52 , another embodiment of the present article of footwear is illustrated and generally designated as  458 , and includes an outsole  460  and a strap assembly  462  where the strap assembly is secured to outsole by a plurality of removable outsole connectors  464 . In this embodiment, the outsole  460  is made of a durable material such as EVA, rubber or other suitable material. A plurality of through-holes  466  are formed in the outsole  460  and extend from a top surface  468  to a bottom surface  470  of the outsole. As shown in  FIGS. 36-38 , each of the through-holes  466  are in locations on the outsole corresponding to desired attachment locations to the outsole for the ends of the straps  472  of the strap assembly  462 . It should be appreciated that different styles of articles of footwear have different strap assemblies and thereby different strap attachment locations on the outsole. As such, the outsole  402  may include one or a plurality of the through-holes  466  located at different strap attachment locations on the outsole  460  corresponding to the strap configuration and strap attachment locations of a particular article of footwear. 
     Each of the through-holes  466  has an elongated slot shape with a cross-sectional length and width that is the same as or slightly greater than a cross-sectional length and width of the straps  472  so that the ends of each of the straps can be inserted into and through a corresponding through-hole from the top surface  468  to the bottom surface  470  of the outsole  460 . Alternatively, the cross-sectional length and/or width of at least a portion of the through-holes  466  are greater than the cross-sectional length and/or width of the strap so that one or more of the positions of the straps may be adjusted relative to the outsole to customize the comfort and fit of the straps to a wearer&#39;s foot. Also, a recessed area or receptacle  474  is located at a bottom end of each of the through-holes  466  and is configured to receive an outsole connector  464  as described below. The recessed areas  474  each have a size and shape that correspond to a size and shape of the outsole connectors  464  which are each removably attached to the ends of the straps  472 . As such, the ends of the straps  472  each include a loop  478  formed by a piece of loop material that is attached to the ends of the straps  472  by stitching. It should be appreciated that the loop material may be attached to the ends of the straps  472  by adhesive or another attachment method. Also, the loop material may be the same material used to form the straps  472  or a different material. It is contemplated that the material used to form the straps is a fabric, a synthetic material or any other suitable material. Similarly, the loop material may also be a fabric, a synthetic material or other suitable material. 
     Each of the ends of the straps  472  including the loops  478  are inserted through a corresponding through-hole  466  in the outsole  460  until the strap ends extend from the bottom surface  470  of the outsole. An outsole connector, such as the outsole connector  464   a  or  464   b  shown in  FIG. 42  or  FIG. 43 , is secured to the loops  478  at the ends of the straps  472 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 42 , the outsole connector  464   a  has a body  480  and a securing arm  482  attached to the body. The body  480  has a trapezoidal shape and is made out of a durable material such as plastic or rubber. It should be appreciated that the body  480  may be any suitable size and shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface  484  of the body  480  includes a groove  486  where an end  488  of the securing arm  482  is attached to the body  480  in the groove during the molding process or using a suitable adhesive or other attachment method. The securing arm  482  has an L-shape such that the securing arm extends along and parallel to the groove  486  to a point that is spaced from the outer peripheral edge  490  of the body. The opposing, free end  492  of the securing arm  482  is not connected to the body and includes a hook  494  which helps to secure the loops  478  at the ends of the straps  472  as further described below. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing arm  482  is made out of a metal such as stainless steel but may be made of other suitable materials. 
     Another embodiment of the outsole connector  464   b  is shown in  FIGS. 50-55  and includes a body  496  having a hexagon shape and a securing arm  498 . The body  496  and the securing arm  498  are made of materials and attached together as described above. In this embodiment, the securing arm  498  is positioned in a groove  500  and attached to the body  496  in a center part of the body. Similar to above, one end  502  of the securing arm  498  is attached to the body  496  and the opposing, free end  504  of the securing arm extends over the body as shown in  FIGS. 50, 54 and 55 . Similar to the above embodiment, the free end  504  of the securing arm  498  has a hook  506  for securing the loops  478  at the ends of the straps  472  to the outsole connectors  464 . 
     To secure the ends of the straps  472  to the outsole  460 , the ends of the straps  472  are inserted through corresponding through-holes  466  from the top surface  468  to the bottom surface  470  of the outsole until the straps extend at least partially outwardly from the bottom surface of the outsole. Next, the free end  492 , 504  of the securing arm  482 ,  498  of one of the outsole connectors  464   a , 464   b  is inserted into and through the loop  478  at the end of the strap  472  until the hook extends from the opposing side of the loop. As stated above, the free end  492 , 504  of each securing arm  464   a , 464   b  is curved or bent downward to form the hook  494 , 506  and inhibit the inadvertent removal or sliding of the loop away from or off of the securing arm. Once the loop  478  is inserted over or onto the securing arm  482 , 498  of the outsole connector  464   a , 464   b , the strap is pulled outwardly from the top surface  468  of the outsole  460  so that the outsole connector moves with the strap upwardly into the corresponding recessed area  474  on the bottom surface of the outsole. After the outsole connector  464   a , 464   b  is fully inserted into the recessed area, the bottom surface  508  of the outsole connector is substantially flush with the bottom surface  470  of the outsole. This process is repeated for each end of the straps  472  until the straps are each secured to the outsole  460  by the outsole connectors  464   a , 464   b . Similar to the above embodiment, the straps  472  may all have the same designs, patterns or colors or different designs, patterns and colors. The outsole connectors  464  ( 464   a , 464   b ) are removable from the ends of the straps by moving the securing arm  482 , 498  outwardly from the loop  478  until the securing arm is disengaged from the loop. This enables a user to remove and replace one or more of the straps  472  to create different styles or to customize the article of footwear to their preferences. 
     While particular embodiments of articles of footwear have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.