Abstract:
A slipper is disclosed which is symmetrically configured so as to be able to be worn on a person&#39;s foot with either end accented to the front or rear.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/323,075 filed on Apr. 12, 2010. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to footwear. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There is an enormous variety of footwear available, much of it designed for specific uses. Most footwear is designed to be used in a specific orientation. That is, each piece of footwear is designed to be worn with one end adjacent the toes of one foot and the opposite end adjacent the heel of the same foot. While some footwear, such as simple slippers, may be designed such that one piece may be worn on the left foot or the right foot, such a piece of footwear is still designed to be worn only in a single orientation with respect to the heel and toes of the foot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a slipper in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the slipper of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the slipper of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating that the slipper may be worn with the heel of a foot adjacent either end of the slipper; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a slipper in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a slipper that is bidirectional. By bidirectional, it is meant that a slipper may be worn with one end of the slipper adjacent either the heel or the toes of a foot. While the term “slipper” is sometimes used to define informal footwear designed for indoor use only, the term “slipper” as used herein is defined in the broader sense to mean footwear with a relatively simple construction and that is open above the toes and/or around the heel. This may include slippers for indoor use as well as sandals for outdoor and/or shower use, as well as other uses. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a slipper  10  with a base  12  and a band  14 . The base  12  has a bottom surface  16  for contacting a floor or the ground and an upper surface  18  for receiving a foot. The base may be said to have a first end  20  and an opposed second end  22  with a midsection  24  defined therebetween. The base  12  may also be said to have a pair of opposed sides  26  and  28 . 
         [0010]    The band  14  has a first end  30  and a second end  32  that are both interconnected with the base  12 . The band further has a mid portion  34  that extends upwardly between the ends  30  and  32 . This mid portion  34  is spaced above the midsection  24  of the base so as to define an opening to receive a foot. Unlike typical footwear, the band  14  is disposed midway between the first and second ends  20  and  22  of the base such that the slipper may be worn in either direction. 
         [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a foot  40  is shown in two opposite positions, either of which is possible with the bidirectional slipper  10 . In other words, the foot  40  may be positioned such that the heel of the foot is adjacent the end  20  or the end  22  of the base, with the toes at the opposite end. In either position, the band  14  passes over the upper side of the foot so as to retain the slipper on the foot. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the band  14  may have an elastic gusset or elastic portion adjacent one or both ends to allow the band to flex and match the angle of the upper surface of the foot. That is, if the foot is inserted from one end, the band may flex so as to bend towards the opposite end and if the slipper is worn from the other direction, the band may flex in the opposite direction. Alternatively, the band may be made out of material that is sufficiently flexible that a specific elastic portion is not necessary. As a further alternative, the elastic may be at other locations, such as at or near a midpoint of the band. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the band has a first width at the ends where the band is interconnected with the base and a second width at a center of the mid portion. The second width may be less than 50% of the first width. For example, in  FIGS. 1-3 , it can be seen that the band is substantially narrower at the center of the mid portion than it is where it joins the base. This tapered shape, present in some embodiments, may provide additional stability of the slipper on the foot. 
         [0014]    In further embodiments, the base may be said to have a perimeter and to have a rim portion  42  extending upwardly from this perimeter. Preferably, this rim portion  42  extends upwardly from the entire perimeter so as to provide a generally concave receiving area for the foot. The band  14  may be integral with the rim portion  42 , such as is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The rim may be considered to form a wall around the heel and/or toes to help retain the slipper on a foot. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the slipper is substantially symmetrical end to end and/or side to side. The illustrated embodiments are all symmetrical both end to end and side to side, though other embodiments may not be as symmetrical as illustrated. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments of the slipper, the band  14  has a front to back width at its center point of less than 2 inches. 
         [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a slipper in accordance with the present invention. As will be clear to those of skill in the art, a slipper in accordance with the teaching of the present invention may be constructed in ways other than as illustrated and discussed, without departing from the scope or teaching of the present invention. As such, the specification should be interpreted broadly.