Patent Abstract:
A scarf of specialized dimension is helically wrapped about a Y-shaped structural portion of a sandal, and then tied around the ankle or calf of a wearer and knotted. The scarf is provided as part of at least one scarf pair for accessorizing a pair of sandals.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method, product and kit for accessorizing open sandals, and more particularly, to method of tying a scarf to a sandal, for example, a flip-flop, and a specialized scarf kit having directions for accessorizing the flip-flop or other suitably configured sandal. 
         [0002]    Flip-flops are a well known and popular type of casual open-toed sandal comprising a generally flat sole and a generally Y-shaped strap, the base of which is fastened to the sole and passes between the first and second toes, and the upper part of the Y is positioned around either side of the foot and is attached to a rearward part of the sole. Use of flip-flops of this type dates back literally centuries. 
         [0003]    Modern day flip-flops of conventional design are often relegated to casual settings and for use as beach wear. Worn alone they can be rather plain looking, and not make much of a fashion statement. 
         [0004]    It would therefore be desirable to provide a method of accessorizing flip-flops or other open-toe sandals of similar structure, so as to improve and enhance an appearance of the sandal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the invention to provide a method, product and kit which allows a user to easily and attractively accessorize a sandal, particularly, a flip-flop, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. 
         [0006]    Broadly stated, the invention utilizes a scarf of specialized dimension which is wrapped about the Y-shaped structural portion in a manner according to the invention, and then tied around the ankle or calf of a wearer and knotted, for example, in a tied bow. The invention is particularly well suited for use when traveling to warm climate vacation destinations, since luggage space is at a premium, and practice of the various embodiments of the invention permits a limited number of sandals, even only a single packed sandal or one acquired at the destination, to be accessorized with one or more scarf pairs to achieve a variety of different fashion looks and color coordination, while concomitantly conserving space in packed travel cases. 
         [0007]    The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is schematic diagram illustrating a starting point in a method according to the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a subsequent progression in the method according to the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a completion of the method according to the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a scarf having a shape of a parallelogram; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a scarf having a shape of a trapazoid; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  is a scarf having a shape tapering from lateral sides to respective ends; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4D  is a scarf having a shape of a diamond; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4E  is a scarf having a shape of a bow-tie; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4F  is a scarf having a shape of a parallelogram with rounded sides; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Referring now to the figures, and in particular  FIG. 1 , a flip-flop of conventional design is depicted, identified generally at numeral  10 . Flip-flop  10  includes a sole  1  and a generally Y-shaped strap, the base of which defines a toe separating portion  2  which is fastened to the sole at a forward position of the sole  1  and which passes between the first (big toe) and second toes, and an upper part of the Y-shaped strap which diverges from toe separating portion  2  which defines a right instep support  3   a  and a left instep support  3   b  is positioned around either side of the foot when worn and is attached to a rearward part of the sole  1 . 
         [0018]    A scarf  4 , as exemplified in  FIG. 1  as being of preferred dimension, as discussed more fully below, is used in the accessorizing process according to the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , to begin an accessorizing process in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, scarf  4  is pulled through a space behind a rearward facing side of toe separating portion  2 , as shown, and then advantageously cris-crossed in front of the toe separating portion  2 , or otherwise looped or wound one or more times around separating portion, or anchored or demarcated by other suitable method or means, to thereby create a right scarf segment  4   a  and a left scarf segment  4   b  on either side thereof. Right scarf segment  4   a  and left scarf segment  4   b  are advantageously adjusted to be of approximately even lengths. 
         [0019]    Right and left scarf segments  4   a,    4   b  are then helically wound respectively around right instep support  1   a  and a left instep support  1   b.  It is deemed advantageous to practice of the invention, to wind the right scarf segment  4   a  with a winding opposite to that of the left scarf segment  4   b,  for example for purposes of achieving more esthetic symmetry and structural balance, and allow facilitated tying around the leg of a user, as explained below. In accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment, the winding of the right instep support  3   a  is carried out with a clockwise spiraling, while the winding of the left instep support  3   b  is carried out with a counter-clockwise spiraling of the respective scarf segments  4   a,    4   b.    
         [0020]    The accessorized flip-flop  10  is worn by a user by wrapping the ends of the end portions of the scarf segments  4   a,    4   b  extending from the wrapped instep supports  3   a,    3   b  around the ankle or calf of the wearer, and tying a suitable bow or knot  5 , or fastening together in any other desired manner, for example, with a clasp, engagement member or other attachment mechanism, etc. 
         [0021]    Different style choices are achieved by the selected manner of wrapping of the ends of the end portions prior to fastening of the ends. For example, a “traditional” style is achieved by wrapping the ends around the back of the leg, crossing the ends in front of the leg and then bringing the ends again to the back and tying a knot or bow. For a “gladiator” style, the ends, for example, are initially crossed in front of the lower leg of the user, brought to the back, crossed again, brought to the front, again crossed, and tied in the back. 
         [0022]    The scarfs used in carrying out embodiments of the method according to the invention are advantageously in an optional range of about 6″ wide to about 8″ wide and in another optional range of about 54″ long to about 60″ long. For example, for adult use, a suitable size scarf could measure about 8″×54″. Smaller sizes can be used for children or the same size scarf used for adults can simply be wrapped an extra time around the lower leg when used for children. 
         [0023]    The scarf  4  is advantageously finished on all sides (for example by stitching) to prevent fraying. The fabric advantageously used to produce the scarf pairs for carrying out the method according to the invention is 30 D (denier) 100% velvet polyester chiffon. 
         [0024]    While a shape of scarf  4  can simply be rectangular, the shape of the scarf according to the invention advantageously includes ends thereof which taper to a pointed angle. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a scarf  4 ′ is provided in a shape of a parallelogram. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4B , a scarf  4 ″ takes a trapezoidal shape. Also, a scarf  4 ′| can taper from both lateral sides as shown in  FIG. 4C . Scarf  4 ′″″ includes diamond shaped configuration . 
         [0025]    A bow-tie shaped scarf  4 ′″ is also contemplated, as depicted in  FIG. 4E  (i.e., tapering to a central region in addition to, or instead of, tapering to the ends). Curved, rather than angular tapering to the respective ends is also contemplated, as shown employed in scarf  4 ′″″ of  FIG. 4F . 
         [0026]    Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0