Abstract:
A golf sandal for providing comfort, stability, and superior traction. More specifically, a golf sandal having an outsole and midsole made of polyurethane, a gap between the outsole and the midsole, a strap having a central portion located in the gap between the outsole and midsole and ends that secure to each other, and a plurality of soft spikes on the bottom of the outsole, wherein each soft spike is the shape of a webbed foot. The soft spikes enable a wearer to have better traction compared to existing golf sandals.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/287,639, filed on Jan. 27, 2016, titled GOLF SANDAL and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/183,698, filed on Jun. 23, 2015, titled GOLF SANDAL. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The disclosed invention relates to a sandal. More specifically, the disclosed invention relates to a golf sandal that has soft spikes on the bottom to increase traction with the ground. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Golf shoes typically take the form of a closed-toed shoe. Overall, golfers desire the ability to play in comfortable, casual, and high-performance footwear. However, many golfers want a light, functional, breathable golf shoe, which leads to a desire for some golfers to wear sandals. Currently, there are very limited options for golf sandals in the market today. Existing golf sandals have limited traction and use, are outdated, uncomfortable, and not aesthetically pleasing. Further, they use old spike designs, wherein the spikes are hard spikes and limit the functionality of the sandal to the golf course. 
         [0004]    The game of golf is becoming a more casual environment with a more social atmosphere, and new golfers desire sandals that look less outdated. They also want footwear that can be worn on and off the course. Because of the lack of options, new golfers are wearing traditional sandals that are not designed for golf, which reduce their traction and stability and can cause inadvertent health problems. Therefore, a golf sandal is needed that is versatile, comfortable, and functional. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Disclosed is a golf sandal with an innovative soft spike pattern, wherein the soft spike pattern offers comfort, stability, and superior traction and further enables the golf sandal to be worn both on and off the course. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, each spike on the bottom of the sandal is designed in the shape of a webbed foot, such as a swan&#39;s foot, to increase traction with the ground. The sandal is designed to be stylish and casual for use by the social golfer for wear on and off the golf course. 
         [0007]    In addition to the soft spike pattern, the golf sandal has an increased concavity in the footbed to provide significant stability and arch support. The footbed also has moisture wicking capabilities that increase a wearer&#39;s grip and reduces the wearer&#39;s slip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a back perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the sole of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the sole of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the disclosed golf sandal taken from the line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the sole of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a back view of the sole of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a left side view of the sole of one embodiment of the disclosed golf sandal. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the sole of the disclosed golf sandal taken from the line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the sole of the disclosed golf sandal taken from the line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims attached hereto. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the disclosed golf sandal includes an outsole  902 , a midsole  904 , a strap  102 , and traction points such as, but not limited to, soft spikes  202  attached to and/or protruding from the base of the outsole  902 .  FIGS. 1-2  show an illustrative example of this embodiment, wherein  FIG. 1  shows the midsole  904  and the strap  102  and  FIG. 2  shows the outsole  902  and the soft spikes  202  on the base of the outsole  902 . In some embodiments, the golf sandal weighs approximately  12  ounces. 
         [0024]    The outsole  902 , in some embodiments, can be made of a polyurethane material. In other embodiments, the outsole  902  can be made of a lightweight natural rubber. One method of creating the outsole  902  is by injecting a natural rubber into a mold of the outsole  902 . In some embodiments, the height of the outsole  902  from base to top can range from approximately 18 mm to 20 mm. In other embodiments, the height can range from approximately 4.5 mm to 7 mm. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-14 , the outsole  902  is approximately uniform in thickness. In some embodiments, the outsole  902  has a thicker portion along its outer circumference that acts as a wall by surrounding the midsole  904  and protecting the outer edge or circumference of the midsole  904 . However, in some embodiments, the thicker portion along the outer circumference of the outsole  902  is less prominent, and instead of a wall, may be a small lip on the edge of the sandal, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-14 . Therefore, the outsole  902  can be a flat piece with a small lip, and the small lip can be limited in its location to a portion of the sandal, such as the heel. In some embodiments, the thicker portion of the outsole  902  is absent and there is no wall or lip portion that protects the outer edge or circumference of the midsole  904 . 
         [0025]    The midsole  904 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3-7, 9 and 13-14 , is located on top of the outside  902  and can be made of memory foam. For example, in some embodiments, the midsole  904  is manufactured by injecting polyurethane memory foam into a mold. The midsole  904  can be covered with an additional material such as, but not limited to, synthetic leather or another polyurethane material, wherein the additional material can be moisture wicking and can add grip. The synthetic leather, which lines the midsole  904 , can be made from lightweight and soft polyurethane material. Further, the surface of the midsole  904  can contain a diamond texture, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3-5, and 7 , that adds grip, and that is approximately 0.14 mm high, but can be taller or shorter. However, some embodiments of the midsole  904  can have a smooth surface, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, heel cupping exists on the back of the midsole  904 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3-5, and 11-13 , and an outer portion of the midsole can be approximately three to six mm taller than the remainder of the midsole  904 . Therefore, to accommodate the shape of a user&#39;s foot and to hold the user&#39;s foot in the sandal, the height of the midsole  904  can vary. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-12 and 14 , a gap  906  exists between the midsole  904  and the outsole  902  to allow the strap to slide through the sandal and between the two soles. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the golf sandal has an increased concavity in the footbed of the midsole  904 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 , to provide significant stability and arch support. For example, the ball and heel portions of the footbed can be depressed more than the remainder of the footbed. This depression ensures that during a golf swing, when a large amount of torque is created, the wearer&#39;s foot remains in the sandal. The footbed can also have moisture wicking capabilities that can increase a wearer&#39;s grip and reduce the wearer&#39;s slip. 
         [0027]    The strap  102  of the golf sandal can be made out of a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, natural leather, synthetic leather, and vinyl. For example, the strap  102  may be kidskin leather on top with a pig lining liner on the strap&#39;s underside. In some embodiments, the strap  102  can be manufactured using a metal dye to cut out the shape. The strap  102  is generally wider than typical sandals in order to aid a user in remaining in the sandal while playing golf. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the strap  102  is a one-piece strap. The ends of the strap, if the strap  102  is a linear piece of material, can be secured in the gap  906  between the outsole  902  and the midsole  904 . If the strap  102  is one one continuous piece of material, it can loop through the gap  906 . 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the strap  102  is an adjustable, one-piece strap, wherein the strap  102  is a linear piece of material, the central portion of the strap runs through the gap  906  between the outsole  902  and the midsole  904 , and the ends of the strap are comprised of a top and bottom strap that connect to each other near the top of the user&#39;s foot, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . This configuration enables the user to adjust the strap&#39;s size. For example, a user may desire the fit of the sandal to be loose, and may therefore adjust the ends of the top and bottom straps so that there is less overlap between them. 
         [0030]    To secure the top and bottom strap ends to each other, a hook and loop feature may be installed. For example, the hook feature of the hook and loop may be installed on the top (or bottom) of one of the strap ends and the loop feature of the hook and loop may be installed on the bottom (or top) of the other strap end. More specifically, the hook feature can be installed on the top surface of the bottom strap and the loop feature can be installed on the bottom surface of the top strap. Alternatively, the hook feature can be installed on the bottom surface of the top strap and the loop feature can be installed on the top surface of the bottom strap. Therefore, when the hook and loop features overlap, they will attach to each other, effectively permitting the strap  102  to secure itself at various sizes. The installation of the hook and loop features on the strap  102  may take place using a heating agent. In some embodiments, instead of a hook and loop securing mechanism, the top and bottom strap ends may secure to each other using snap buttons, button fasteners, buckles, zippers, etc. 
         [0031]    In a further embodiment, the strap is an adjustable, two-piece strap  102  similar to the one-piece strap with ends, but where each of the two pieces has an end between the outsole  902  and midsole  904  and an end that overlaps with the other strap piece, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3-5 . More specifically, the first end of each piece of the strap  102  can be secured between the outsole  902  and the midsole  904  and the second end can overlap with the other strap piece near the top or side of the wearer&#39;s foot, enabling the user to adjust the strap&#39;s size. As described above, the two adjustable pieces may secure to each other using a hook and loop feature or any other securing mechanism. 
         [0032]    The outsole  902  and midsole  904  can be glued together to finalize the base of the golf sandal. In some embodiments, the outsole  902  and midsole  904  are glued together with the strap ends wedged in between them so that, when the outsole  902  and midsole  904  are glued together, the strap is also secured. In other embodiments, the strap  102  can be independently attached to the base of the golf sandal by being sewn or glued on. As described above, a gap  906  may exist between the midsole  904  and the outsole  902  to allow the strap to slide between the two soles. The gap  906  can be approximately 2 mm in height, but can be taller or shorter. 
         [0033]    The soft spikes  202  on the bottom of the golf sandal, illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 8-13 , can range from approximately one to four mm tall, but can be taller or shorter. In some embodiments, the soft spikes  202  can take various shapes such as, but not limited to, webbed feet, such as swan feet. The shape of the soft spikes  202 , namely the shape of a webbed foot, is important because the narrow extensions off of the main body of each soft spike  202  (for example, the three “toes” of each webbed foot) enables the golf sandal to better grip the ground and, therefore, offers the wearer better traction on the ground. 
         [0034]    The soft spikes  202  can be small enough in size to fit up to eight spikes across the widest portion of the golf sandal and up to twenty spikes along the longest portion of the golf sandal. Therefore, several small soft spikes  202  can be included on the base of the golf sandal instead of a few large soft spikes  202 . However, the soft spikes  202  can be of various sizes and are not required to be small. In a preferred embodiment, the sandal can fit six soft spikes  202  in line across the widest portion of the golf sandal and sixteen soft spikes  202  in linear rows along the longest portion of the golf sandal. For example, the sandal may have sixteen rows of soft spikes  202 , wherein the first row can fit two soft spikes  202 , the second row can fit three soft spikes  202 , the third row can fit four soft spikes  202 , the fourth row can fit four soft spikes  202 , the fifth row can fit four soft spikes  202 , the sixth row can fit four or five soft spikes  202 , the seventh row can fit four or five soft spikes  202 , the eighth row can fit four or five soft spikes  202 , the ninth row can fit five soft spikes  202 , the tenth row can fit five soft spikes  202 , the eleventh row can fit six soft spikes  202 , the twelfth row can fit six soft spikes  202 , the thirteenth row can fit six soft spikes  202 , the fourteenth row can fit five soft spikes  202 , the fifteenth row can fit four potentially offset soft spikes  202 , and the sixteenth row can fit two soft spikes  202 .