Patent Publication Number: US-7584553-B1

Title: Flip flop golf sandal

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to footwear. More specifically, the invention relates to a flip flop golf sandal specifically adapted for playing golf. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Golfers typically wear shoes on the golf course that resemble a common shoe and incorporate spikes for greater traction when swinging a golf club. While golf is also played for competition, the majority of golfers play for exercise, relaxation and socialization. Therefore, many golfers are interested in looking stylish and wearing clothing and shoes that provide maximum comfort. 
     Additionally, many people prefer to wear sandals or are just looking for something different to wear while golfing. As a result, there is a need in the art for a flip flop sandal specifically adapted for the game of golf. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a flip flop sandal comprising a sole portion made from a flexible, resilient and moldable material. The sole has an upper surface and a lower surface. Molded within the upper surface is a foot attachment strap having an enlarged end captured within the sole portion. The largest dimension of the enlarged end portion is about 8 to 16 times larger at its largest dimension than the thickness of the foot strap where it meets the upper surface of the sole portion. Also molded within the sole portion are a plurality of spikes. The spikes comprise a lower exposed portion for gripping the surface upon which the wearer walks and a upper bud portion that extends away from the lower portion at a first diameter and expands to a larger diameter farther from the lower portion. The larger diameter is molded within the sole portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a flip flop golf sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a flip flop golf sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a top of a flip flop golf sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a flip flop sandal specifically adapted for playing golf. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a flip flop sandal  10  comprises a molded sole portion  12  and a foot strap  20 . 
     The sole portion  12  is preferably molded from a resilient and flexible thermoset polymer. Molded within the polymer and on the bottom surface  14  of the sole portion  12  are a plurality of spikes  16 . The spikes  16  are placed about the bottom surface  14  of the sole portion  12  as shown in  FIG. 1  and provide additional traction for the flip flop sandal wearer, particularly when swinging a golf club. 
     The spikes  16  comprise a bud  18  which extends upwardly form the top of the spike  16  and is molded within the sole portion  12 . In this manner, the spikes  16  are securely and removably affixed to the sole portion  12 . The bottom portion  19  of the spike  16  is in the form of a conventional “soft spike” which is commonly used on golf courses today to preserve the golf course playing surface. However, it would be within the scope of the present invention to provide “hard” or metal spikes in conjunction with the sole portion  12  in the same manner as the soft spikes shown. The bottom portion  19  of the spike  16  is preferably removable from the bud  18 , such that the bottom portion  19  may be replaced when worn or that the wearer can even wear the flip flop sandal without spikes no longer playing golf. The bottom portion  19  may be threaded into the bud  18  or may be inserted within the bud  18  with an interference fit. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to have a non-removable spike as well. 
     Also molded within the sole portion  12  is a foot strap  20  for holding the flip flop sandal  10  to the wearer&#39;s foot. The exposed portion of the foot strap  20  is preferably in the form of common foot straps, such as foot straps that incorporate hook and loop material (sold under the trademark VELCRO) for adjustability or foot straps that go between wearer&#39;s toes, as shown, or foot straps that do not go between a wearer&#39;s toes but rather loop over the wearer&#39;s entire foot, as are all commonly known. However, the foot strap  20  differs from the prior art in that the portion  22  that is molded into the sole portion  12  is enlarged and embedded within the sole portion  12 . The enlarged end portion  22  is preferably a flangelike enlargement molded integrally with the foot strap  20  for strength and of a diameter, most preferably, of about 2 inches at the toe end  24  of the foot strap  20 , with the foot strap  20  itself being in the range of about ⅛ of an inch to ¼ of an inch in diameter where it meets the top portion  32  of the sole portion  12 . Therefore, the enlarged end portion  22  is preferably about eight to sixteen times larger at its largest dimension than the thickness of the foot strap  20  where it meets the top portion  32  of the sole portion  12 . The rear ends  26  of the foot strap  20  also comprise a flangelike enlarged end portion  28  that is molded within the sidewall of the flip flop sandal  10 , as described below. The rear end portions  28  are appropriately sized and may be offset with respect to the center of the enlarged end portions  28  to accommodate their placement near the edge of the flip flop sandal  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Furthermore, the bottom of the flip flop sandal  10  may include a pattern  30  for additional traction. 
     The top portion  32  of the flip flop sandal  10  is also formed to provide additional footing for the flip flop sandal wearer to prevent the wearer&#39;s foot from sliding off of the flip flop sandal when swinging a golf club. Preferably, the top portion  32  is formed with two raised sides  34 , a raised front  36  and raised rear  38 . The raised portions  34 - 38  form a floor  40  on which the wearer&#39;s foot rests and is captured. It is important to note that the floor  40 , which is depressed from the raised portions  34 - 38 , follows the outline of the wearer&#39;s foot to maintain the foot within the flip flop sandal  10 , particularly when the wearer is swinging a golf club. 
     The present improved flip flop sandal lends itself perfectly for golf in that the enlarged end portions are more rigidly attached to the flip flop sandal sole portion for strength and will not pull loose from the sole when even when the user is applying a large pulling force, such as when swinging a golf club. Moreover the spikes are similarly maintained within the sole portion by the upwardly extending buds. Finally, the depressed floor of the flip flop sandal and raised sidewalls prevent slippage of the wearer&#39;s foot within the flip flop sandal. 
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.