Patent ID: 12256809

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The drawings and description herein reflect a right clog.

Strap System Overview

See also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/503,400, “Y-strap Sport Sandal”, filed Jul. 3, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,129,434, issued on Sep. 28, 2021; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/587,499, “Y-strap Sport Sandal”, filed by the inventors on May 5, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,793,263, issued on Oct. 24, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent application 62/334,973, “Huarache Sport Sandal”, filed by the inventors on May 5, 2016; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/696,972, “Huarache Sport Sandal”, filed by the inventors on Jul. 12, 2018. Each of these five patents and/or patent applications are included herein by reference in their entirety.

In the following description, the strapping described could be made of nylon, polyester, leather, rubber, plastic, cotton, elastic, or other materials. Similarly, the lacing could be made of paracord, nylon, polyester, leather, rubber, plastic, cotton, elastic, or other materials. The paracord loop, while made of paracord in the one embodiment, could be made of steel, aluminum, brass, other metals, plastic, polyester, nylon, leather, cotton, or other materials.

The present clog design contains three main webbing strap segments. The front two straps (hook strap105, and ladder lock buckle strap106) and the upper111a, as can be seen inFIGS.1-4and6, are all connected at the top of the foot by a soft and strong nylon paracord loop104. The soft nylon loop104makes for a comfortable strap connection point that does not hurt the wearer's feet. The ladder lock buckle strap106is located on the outside of the wearer's feet for ease of use and comfort. The hook strap105is located on the inside of the wearer's foot. The third strap is the heel strap109and adjusts with a hook and loop fabric (such as Velcro®) through a metal loop hardware121in one embodiment. The loop hardware121could also be made of plastic, paracord, or other materials. In another embodiment, a G-hook heel strap109is used. The G-hook heel strap109also loops through the loop hardware121and the G-hook115hooks into one of the pockets803a-d, allowing for adjustment.

Sole Assembly

The sandal strap system has 2 points anchored into the outsole101, and the upper111aconnects to the sole around most of the clog. In the one embodiment, the outsole101is made of hard rubber material, such as Regolith™ Vibram® soles. The outsole101, the midsole102, the footbed103, the toe guards119,120, and the wings107,108could be made of hard rubber, leather, plastic, wood, polyurethane (PU), TPR (thermoplastic rubber, combination of polyurethane and rubber), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TR/TPR, EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate), EVA/RUBBER, nitro polyvinyl chloride, Pebax, or other materials.

The bottom of the sole101has a pattern for providing traction when walking or running. SeeFIG.5. There are two anchor points located on the interior107and exterior108sides of the sole101by the wearer's ankle. The interior107and exterior108sides of the sole101are referred to as wings herein. The sole101could be molded to include the wings107,108as well as the toe guard120(and perhaps toe guard119).

The hard rubber of the sole101extends upwards above the rest of the sole101on either side of the ankle to form an interior wing107and an exterior wing108. These wings107,108connect to wing straps117,118. The wing straps117and118could be the same strap, running between the footbed103and the midsole102. The wing straps117and118are connected to the heel strap109, the hook strap105, and the buckle strap106.

In one embodiment, the sole101is glued to a midsole102, and a footbed103. The wings107,108are part of the mold for the sole101. The midsole has a molded pattern and is glued in between the wings107,108. On the inside of the wings107,108, webbing117,118is sewn to the hard rubber wings107,108. The webbing runs from the interior wing107between the midsole102and the footbed103in a channel to the exterior wing108, where it is again sewn. The webbing117,118extends above the wings107,108on both sides, and connects to the heel strap109, the hook strap105, and the buckle strap106. This webbing117,118could be a single piece of webbing that runs through a cutout channel in the midsole102, providing a connection for the webbing117,118on the interior wing107and the exterior wing108. The midsole channel prevents an uneven surface on the foot side of the midsole102.

The upper111a,b,cis glued between the midsole102and the footbed103from the back to the front of the clog.

The sole101could have a toe guard120extending upwards on the front of the clog, protecting the midsole102and the footbed103. The midsole102could have an additional toe guard119protecting the front of the footbed103and the upper111a.

The midsole102could be molded to have an ergonomic shape on the footbed103to provide comfort to the user. The mold of the midsole102could incorporate the toe guard119in some embodiments.

Upper

A shaped piece of material called the upper111a,b,cencompasses the front and top of the user's foot. The upper is glued to the midsole102and the footbed103around the circumference of the footbed103. The upper111a,b,cmay be glued to the inside of the toe guards119,120. At the top, the upper111acould connect to the paracord loop104through tab110. The tab110could extend over the top of the upper111aas a tongue loop116. In other embodiments, the tongue loop116is a separate piece of material.

The upper111a,b,ccould be made of leather (cowhide, pigskin, deerskin, ostrich skin, crocodile skin, snakeskin, etc.), canvas, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, nubuck leather, microfiber, mesh, nylon, metal net, cloth, suede, and similar materials.

In some embodiments, the upper111a,b,chave vents112a,b,c,dcut into the material. The vents112a,b,c,dcould vary in shape, size, number, and location.

In some embodiments, the upper111aextends beyond the wings107,108to a back upper area111b,111c.

In some embodiments, the upper111a,b,cis sewn to the midsole102. In some embodiments, the upper111a,b,cis sewn to the sole101. In other embodiments, the upper111a,b,cis glued to the sole101.

Adjustment Mechanisms and Features

Heel Strap

As seen inFIGS.2and7, the heel strap109begins at the interior wing strap117. The heel strap109is sewn together with polyester webbing on the outside and a loop and hook fabric (such as Velcro®) on the inside, in some embodiments. The heel strap is sewn to the interior wing strap117and wraps behind the heel, then through a metal loop121connected to the exterior wing strap118. The heel strap109loop portion of the hook and loop fabric is facing away from the heel as the heel strap109threads through the mechanical ring121, and the end of the heel strap109beyond the ring has the hook portion of the hook and loop fabric. The heel strap109folds through the mechanical ring121back on itself, adhering using the hook and loop fabric (Velcro®). The heel strap109gives quick and intuitive adjustment to tighten or loosen the sandal tightness at the hindfoot (the back of the foot above the heel). Note that Velcro® is a mechanical fabric hook and loop fastening system.

G-Hook Heel Strap

In the alternative embodiment seen inFIG.1,2,7, the heel strap109is replaced with a G-hook system as seen inFIG.8. For wearers engaged in water activity as well as anything highly active in the outdoors, they may prefer a heel strap109that is more durable and less prone to fail than hook+loop Velcro. A heel strap109with one continuous piece of webbing will completely eliminate any chance of hook+loop heel strap delamination (failure) in wet and muddy conditions as well as found with long-term Velcro wear+tear from years of use. Although the single continuous webbing heel strap solves this durability issue, it offers no adjustment whatsoever, leaving wearers with a less than ideal fit. Typically, this creates a heel strap that is not secure and snug up against the heel.

We have used our G-hook technology to design a failure-proof heel strap that is completely adjustable to fit each unique wearer perfectly. The new G-hook heel strap109provides a customized fit that wearers seek, yet, will provide sturdy and failure-proof support while swimming, submerged in water, traversing muddy terrain, and in any environment whatsoever that would traditionally pose problematic for a hook+loop closure system. The G-hook heel strap109also provides far more long-term durability than a hook+loop alternative as there is no wear with continual adjustment use.

The G-hook heel strap109consists of at least two layers of webbing (webbing pile). A wider webbing (20 mm)109touches the wearer's heel, and a narrower webbing801matches the width of the G-hook115and is sewn into the wider webbing with Hook Pocket bartack stitches803a-c. The webbing pile begins at the inside sole hugger wing strap118, wraps around the foot and through an aluminum loop121(attached to the outside sole hugger wing strap117), then wraps back around the foot, ending with the G-hook115which can hook into any variety of Hook Pockets803a-d. The further the G-hook115wraps back towards the inside of the foot, hooking into an available Hook Pocket, the tighter the heel strap will fit the wearer. Depending on size there may be up to 10 hook positions803a-davailable for the G-hook adjuster. Once the G-hook115is hooked into the hook pockets803a-c, the G-hook heel strap109will be fully secure for all outdoor activities.

A third layer of webbing may be sewn into the webbing pile of the G-hook heel strap109to provide the wearer with a cushion between the G-hook hardware115and the heel of their foot. The multiple layers of webbing help create a sturdy, yet comfortable heel strap. Alternatively, a thicker, more plush wide webbing can be used to create this layer of comfort.

Ladder Lock Buckle Strap Adjustment

The ladder lock buckle strap adjustment113is located on the outside of the foot. The buckle strap106is anchored to both the paracord loop104at one end and the exterior wing strap118at the other end. The buckle strap106is actually two pieces of webbing, a first buckle strap piece sewn in a loop around the paracord loop104at one end and the second buckle strap piece sewn in a loop around the ladder lock buckle113(or similar mechanical connection device113). The second buckle strap piece of webbing is sewn to the exterior wing strap118at one end and loops through the ladder lock buckle113at the other end, allowing the user to pull the buckle strap106to shorten the length, thereby tightening the clog. The buckle strap106adjusts tightness through a ladder lock buckle113. The ladder lock buckle113could be made of acetal plastic in one embodiment, but could also be made of could also be made of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, zinc alloys, brass, bronze, titanium, other metals, carbon fiber, polypropylene, nylon, plastics, or similar materials. Tugging the tag end of webbing106through the buckle113tightens the system. This adjusting mechanism is simple to use and is used as an everyday adjuster for tightening, loosening, putting the clogs on, and taking them off.

Hook Strap

As seen inFIG.3andFIG.4, the hook strap105serves as an extremely useful mechanism for customizing the fit of the sandal for each wearer's preferences during both casual and intense activities. The hook strap105tightens or expands the overall volume of the strap system and controls the angle at which the upper111astrikes the top of the wearer's foot. It is critical to be able to adjust the angle of the upper111aon the clog for ideal comfort through various activities and for various foot sizes. The hook strap105creates an ideal mechanism for this adjustment process as it is very flexible, comfortable, durable, and strong. Unlike a hook and loop fabric (Velcro®) adjuster in this area, the hook strap105will not come undone during water activities like swimming, and cliff jumping.

The hook strap105could be composed of a custom-molded plastic ½″ G-hook114, two different widths of webbing105,801, and a series of bartack stitches802a-e. The narrower ½″ webbing801is sewn into the wider ¾″ polyester tubular webbing105at consistent intervals. In between each of these bartacks802a-eleaves a ½″ long gap (hook pocket)803a-dbetween the ½″ and ¾″ straps for the G-hook114to fit in. The G-hook114is sewn to the end of flat ½″ webbing801and is the terminating point of the hook strap105. The G-hook114,115could also be made of different sizes and materials such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, zinc alloys, brass, bronze, titanium, other metals, carbon fiber, acetal, polypropylene, nylon, plastics, or similar materials.

The non-hook end of the Bedrock Hook strap105is sewn into the front end of the interior wing strap117. The hook strap105is then looped through the paracord loop104back on itself. The G-hook114then has 3-5 different ½″ long hook pockets803a-dbetween the ½″ webbing801and ¾″ webbing105to hook into. This range gives the wearer the ability to tighten or loosen the hook strap105and thus change the orientation of the upper111a. Of course, the size of the strapping here and throughout this document could be varied without deviating from the design.

Sole Wings

The sole wings107,108provide wearers with more lateral stability and comfort compared to a traditional clog design. The sole wings107,108and their straps117,118provide two strong and durable anchor points for the strap system to connect to on either side of the wearer's ankle. There are two sole wings, an interior sole wing117on the inside of the clog, and an exterior sole wing118on the outside of the clog.

The wing consists of both a 1.5-inch-wide webbing straps117,118and rubber wings107,108from the sole101that wrap up and above the midsole102and the footbed103. The 1.5-inch-wide webbing runs as a continuous piece above the midsole102in a channel between the midsole102and the footbed103. The webbing117,118is then folded over and sewn into the rubber wing107,108. This fold creates two gaps (front and back) for the Bedrock Cairn Strap System105,106,109to connect to.

FIG.6shows the front view of the clog. The sole101with its toe guard119is at the bottom of the figure. The toe guard119could be molded into the sole101or glued to the sole101. The second toe guard119could be molded into the midsole102or glued to the midsole102. Alternatively, the second toe guard119could be molded into the first toe guard120or glued to the first toe guard120. Upper111ais glued to the midsole102and the footbed103, and may be glued to the toe guards119,120. The tab110is sewn into the upper111aand attaches to the paracord loop104. The buckle strap106loops through the paracord loop104and back to the buckle113. The G-hook strap105loops through the paracord loop104and back to the G-hook114. The G-hook is inserted into the pockets803a,b,c,d. InFIG.6, the G-hook115is in pocket803b, and pockets803c,dare not visible behind the G-hook114.

FIG.7shows a rear view of the clog, with a view of the inside of the clog. The sole101forms the base, with the midsole102glued to the sole101, and the footbed103glued to the midsole102. The upper111a,b,ccan be seen on the sides and the top. The upper111a,b,cis glued between the midsole102and the footbed103. The heel strap109loops through the loop121and back on itself where the G-hook115hooks into the pockets803a,b,c,d. InFIG.7, the G-hook115is in pocket803c, and pocket803dis not visible behind the G-hook115.

The foregoing devices and operations, including their implementation, will be familiar to, and understood by, those having ordinary skill in the art.

The above description of the embodiments, alternative embodiments, and specific examples, are given by way of illustration and should not be viewed as limiting. Further, many changes and modifications within the scope of the present embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes such changes and modifications.