Patent Publication Number: US-2010122474-A1

Title: Sandal with an interchangeable decorative strap

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to footwear, and more particularly, to a sandal having an interchangeable decorative strap and various fastening means for releasably attaching same to a foot retaining strap. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Footwear with style designs is very popular, particularly, among young people and sport fans. Usually, if an individual desires to have different style designs of footwear, the individual must purchase a variety of footwear with his/her favorite style designs such as different logos and decals. However, the accumulation of footwear with favorite logos and decals attached thereto becomes prohibitively expensive and space-consuming, thereby limiting the amount of footwear that may be purchased. Thus, it would gain a great deal of interest if footwear with a number of interchangeable style designs or decorative patches that are inexpensive, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing is available. 
     Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need still exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention relates to a sandal. In one embodiment, the sandal includes a sole, a first strap having a first end, a second end and at least one first magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends, each of the first and second ends mounted to the sole at a predetermined position such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, and a second strap having a first end, a second end and at least second magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends corresponding to the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strip by a magnetic attraction force generated between the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the corresponding at least one second magnetic member of the second strap. 
     In one embodiment, the first strap further includes a first layer and a second layer, and the at least one first magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers. The second strap further includes a first layer and a second layer, and the at least one second magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers. The second layer may have a decorative pattern. When attached, the first layer of the second strip is substantially in contact with the second layer of the first strap. 
     One of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material, while the other of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetically attractable metal. 
     Additionally, the sandal may also have a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole at a predetermined position and an opposite, second end secured to a central portion of the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a sandal. In one embodiment, the sandal has a sole, a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface, and a snap fastener having a plurality of sockets and a plurality of studs corresponding to the plurality of sockets, wherein the plurality of sockets is mounted to one of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap, while the plurality of studs is mounted to the other of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by snapping the plurality of studs into the corresponding sockets. 
     The sandal further has a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. 
     In one embodiment, the first strap has a size, and the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap. Each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. Each of the plurality of sockets and the plurality of studs is made of metal or plastic. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a sandal. In one embodiment, the sandal has a sole, a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface, and a zip fastener having at least one protrusion and at least one groove adapted for receiving the at least one protrusion, wherein one of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the second surface of the first strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the first strap, while the other of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the first surface of the second strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by zipping the at least one protrusion into the at least one groove. 
     Furthermore, the sandal has a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. 
     In one embodiment, the first strap has a size, and the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap. Each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. In one embodiment, the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove are formed of plastic. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows schematically a sandal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows schematically an exploded view of the sandal shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows schematically a partially exploded view of a foot retaining strap and a decorative strap of the sandal shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows schematically a sandal according to another embodiment of the present invention, (a) an exploded view, (b) a cross-sectional view along A-A′ and (b) a cross-sectional view along B-B′; 
         FIG. 5  shows schematically a sandal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, (a) an exploded view, (b) a cross-sectional view along A-A′ and (b) a cross-sectional view along B-B′; 
         FIG. 6  shows schematically a zip fastener using a sandal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows schematically a sandal according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  shows schematically a sandal according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. 
     As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated. 
     The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in  FIGS. 1-8 . In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to a sandal. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the sandal  100  is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sandal  100  includes a sole  110  having a first surface  111  and an opposite, second surface  112  defining a sole body  113  therebetween. The sole  110  also has a pair of apertures  114  and a third aperture  115  formed in the sole body  113 . The first surface  111  of the sole  110  is generally formed with rough profile for traction. The second surface  112  of the sole  110  can be a planer or a curved surface complementary to a bottom profile of a foot of a user for support of the foot. In this exemplary embodiment, the sole  110  is formed in a single layer. The sole  110  can also be formed in multiple layers. 
     The sandal  100  also includes a first strap  120  having a first end  128 , a second end  129 . The first end  128  and the second end  129  are mounted to the sole  110  through the pair of apertures  114  such that the first strap  120  and the sole  110  define an opening  180  for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein. As shown in  FIG. 3(   a ), the first strap  120  includes a first layer  121  having a first surface  122  and an opposite, second surface  132 , a second layer  125  having a first surface  126  and an opposite, second surface  127 , and four pieces of a first magnetic member  161  deposed between the second surface  123  of the first layer  121  and the first surface  126  of the second surface  125  and positioned between the first end  128  and the second end  189 . Other numbers of the first magnetic member  161  can also be utilized to practice the present invention. 
     The first layer  121  and the second layer  125  of the first strap  120  are formed of materials such that the first strap  120  is flexible. Preferably, the first layer  121  of the first strap  120  is formed of fabric, leather or plastic, while the second layer  125  is formed of fabric. 
     Furthermore, the sandal  100  includes a second strap  130  having a first end  138 , a second end  139  and four pieces of a second magnetic member  162  positioned between the first end  138  and the second end  139 .  FIG. 3(   b ), the second strap  130  includes a first layer  131  having a first surface  132  and an opposite, second surface  132 , a second layer  135  having a first surface  136  and an opposite, second surface  137 , and the four pieces of the second magnetic member  161  deposed between the second surface  133  of the first layer  131  and the first surface  136  of the second surface  135 . The four pieces of the second magnetic member  162  are corresponding to the four pieces of the first magnetic member  161  of the first strap  120 . It is obvious to people skilled in the art that other numbers of the second magnetic member  162  can also be utilized to practice the present invention. 
     The first layer  131  and the second layer  135  of the first strap  130  are formed of materials such that the second strap  130  is flexible. Preferably, the first layer  131  of the first strap  130  is formed of fabric, while the second layer  135  is formed of fabric, leather or plastic. Additionally, a decorative pattern  140 , ornament  142 , logo and/or the like is formed on the second surface  137  of the second strap  130 . 
     According to the present invention, the first magnetic member  161  of the first strap  120  is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material and the second magnetic member  162  of the second strap  130  is made of a magnetically attractable metal, or the second magnetic member  162  of the second strap  130  is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material and the first magnetic member  161  of the first strap  120  is made of a magnetically attractable metal. 
     For such a configuration, the second strap  130  is releasably attachable to the first strip  120  by a magnetic attraction force generated between the first magnetic member  161  of the first strap  120  and the corresponding second magnetic member  162  of the second strap  130 . In practice, when the second strap  130  is brought to close enough to the first strap  120 , the magnetic attraction force will cause the second strap  130  to be attached to the first strap  120 . When attached, the first layer  131  of the second strip  130  is substantially in contact with the second layer  125  of the first strap  120 . The attached second strap  130  is releasable by simply pulling up the second strap from the first strap  120 . 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sandal  100  also has a toe end member  150  having a first end mounted to the third aperture  115  of the sole  110  and an opposite, second end secured to a central portion  124  of the first strap  120  such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening  180 , the toe end member  150  is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. The toe end member  150  is formed with fabric ribbons or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a sandal  200  is shown according to another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the sandal  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , the sandal  200  has a sole  210 , a first strip  220  and a second strap  230 . However, the second strap  230  of the sandal  200  is releasably attached to the first strap  220  by a snap fastener. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first strap  220  has a first surface  221  and an opposite, second surface  222  defining a first strap body  223  therebetween. The first strap  220  is mounted to the sole such that the first strap  220  and the sole  230  define an opening  280  for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein. The second strap  230  has a first surface  231  and an opposite, second surface  232  defining a second strap body  233  therebetween, and a decorative pattern  240  formed on the second surface  232 . The first strap  220  has a size, and the second strap  230  has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap  220 . Each of the first strap  220  and the second strap  230  is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. 
     The snap fastener has a plurality of sockets  261  and a plurality of studs  262  corresponding to the plurality of sockets  261 . In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the plurality of sockets  261  is mounted to the second surface  222  of the first strap  220 , while the plurality of studs  262  is mounted to the first surface  231  of the second strap  230 . In another embodiment, the plurality of sockets  261  is mounted to the first surface  231  of the second strap  230  and the plurality of studs  262  is mounted to the second surface  222  of the first strap  220 . Each of the plurality of sockets  261  and the plurality of studs  262  is made of metal or plastic. 
     Accordingly, for such a sandal  200 , the second strap  230  is releasably attachable to the first strap  220  by snapping the plurality of studs  262  into the corresponding sockets  261 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of a sandal  300 . Similar to the sandal  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , the sandal  300  has a sole  310 , a first strip  320  and a second strap  230 . However, the second strap  330  of the sandal  300  is releasably attached to the first strap  220  by a zip-type fastener  360 . 
     The first strap  320  has a first surface  321  and an opposite, second surface  322  defining a first strap body  323  therebetween. The first strap  320  is mounted to the sole  310  such that the first strap  320  and the sole  310  define an opening  380  for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein. The second strap  330  has a first surface  331  and an opposite, second surface  332  defining a second strap body  333  therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface  332 . The first strap  320  is adapted for retaining the foot, and the second strap  330  is corresponding to a decorative strap. In one embodiment, the first strap  320  has a size, and the second strap  330  has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap  320 . Each of the first strap  320  and the second strap  330  is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. 
     The zip-type fastener  360  has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of grooves adapted for receiving the plurality of protrusions. In this exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the zip-type fastener  360  has a first panel  361  and a second panel  365 . Each panel  363 / 365  has a plurality of protrusions  362 / 366  spatially formed on the panel  363 / 365  and extends from a first end to a second end of the panel  363 / 365 . Each panel  363 / 365  also has a plurality of grooves  363 / 367 . Each grooves  363 / 367  is defined by a pair of two neighboring protrusions  362 / 366 . Each of the plurality of protrusions  362 / 366  has a cross-sectional profile such that the groove  363 / 367  defined by such two protrusions  362 / 366  has a complementary profile to the profile of the protrusion  362 / 366 . As shown in  FIGS. 5(   b ) and  5 ( c ), the size of the distal end portion of the protrusion  362 / 366  is larger than the size of the bottom portion of the protrusion  362 / 366 . Accordingly, when a protrusion  362 / 366  is received in a groove  363 / 367 , the groove  363 / 367  accommodates the protrusion  362 / 366  tightly and securely. In other words, when received, the protrusion  362 / 366  is locked in the groove  363 / 367 . The zip-type fastener  360  is formed of plastic. 
     In assembly, the first panel  361  is attached to the second surface  321  of the first strap  320  and the second panel  365  is attached to the first surface  331  of the second strap  330 , respectively, such that the plurality of protrusions  362 / 366  and the a plurality of grooves  363 / 367  extend from the first end portions to the second end portions of the first strap  320  and the second strap  330 . 
     Accordingly, the second strap  330  is releasably attachable to the first strap  320  by zipping the protrusions  362 / 366  into the corresponding grooves  363 / 367 . 
     Additionally, the zip-type fastener can also be formed in other form. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the zip-type fastener  460  has a first panel  461  and a second panel  465  attached to a first strap  420  and a second strap  430  of a sandal, respectively. The first panel  361  has a protrusion  462  with a cross-sectional profile of a mushroom and a lock member  463  having a groove  464  for receiving a protrusion  466  of the second panel  465  and locking it therein. The second panel  465  has the protrusion  466  with a cross-sectional profile of a mushroom and a lock member  467  having a groove  468  for receiving the protrusion  462  of the first panel  461  and locking it therein. Similarly, the second strap  430  is releasably attachable to the first strap  420  by the zip fastener  460 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show another two embodiments of a sandal according to the present invention. In each embodiment, the second (decorative) strap  530 / 630  is detachably attachable to the first (foot retaining) strap  520 / 620  by the magnet means, the snap fastener or the zip fastener as disclosed above. 
     In sum, the present invention, among other things, discloses a sandal having a first strap mounted to a sole for retaining a foot of a user, and a second (decorative) strap that is releasably attachable to the first strap by different fastening means such as the magnet means, the snap fastener and the zip fastener. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.