US20090038181A1

US20090038181A1 - Footwear with detachable straps

Info

Publication number: US20090038181A1
Application number: US12/188,081
Authority: US
Inventors: Deirdre Loughnane
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-09
Filing date: 2008-08-07
Publication date: 2009-02-12

Abstract

A footwear with detachable straps having a sole member shaped like a foot with a toe portion and a heel portion, at least one strap member with at least two end portions, a toe separation member, and at least one attachment device which allows wearers to easily detach the strap member and ether reverse and reattach the same strap member or attach an entirely different strap member to the sole member to provide a myriad of different footwear. A pedicure footwear with detachable straps includes a sole member shaped like a foot with a toe portion and a heel portion, at least one strap member with at least two end portions, a toe separation member, and at least one attachment device which allows wearers to slip their toes through the straps without risk of ruining freshly polished toenails and to walk immediately after a pedicure. In addition, the pedicure footwear looks and functions like ordinary outdoor footwear

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/954,899 filed Aug. 9, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/969,281 filed Aug. 31, 2007, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELDS OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in embodiments of footwear having detachable straps which allow wearers to quickly change the appearance of their footwear so that a single sole member can serve as a platform for a plurality of different straps to provide the wearer with the same satisfaction and utility as owning a plurality of different footwear.
In addition, this invention relates in certain embodiments of pedicure footwear with detachable straps which allows wearers to slip wet toes through the straps without risk of ruining freshly polished toenails and to walk immediately after a pedicure. In addition, the pedicure footwear looks and functions like ordinary outdoor footwear.

SUMMARY

Footwear is provided comprising a sole member shaped like a foot with a toe portion and a heel portion, a strap member having at least two end portions, a toe separation member, and an attachment device between each end portion of the strap member and the sole member intermediate the toe portion and the heel portion. A plurality of different detachable straps are interchangeable to provide a myriad of different footwear offering versatility in style, and replacement of worn parts. Additionally, a variety of soles can be used including flat, platform style, wedges and orthotics. Soles can, for example, be made from rubber, plastic, leather or suede.
Pedicures often include the polishing of the toenails which require time to dry. While slipping wet toes into standard pedicure slippers, one runs the risk of ruining the freshly polished nails. Standard disposable pedicure slippers are also unsuitable for walking outdoors after a pedicure. Current developments have been made to create reusable pedicure slippers. However, they do not allow the wearer the ability to insert the toes into the slippers without risk of ruining freshly polished toenails; and neither do they look or function like ordinary outdoor footwear. Embodiments of footwear are designed specifically for use right after a pedicure, which allows wearers virtually little or no risk of ruining freshly polished toenails when put on and to look and function like ordinary outdoor footwear.
One embodiment of pedicure footwear comprise a sole member shaped like a foot with a toe portion and a heel portion, a strap member having at least two end portions, a toe separation member, and an attachment device between each end portion of the strap member and the sole member intermediate the toe portion and the heel portion. Another embodiment comprises a sole member shaped like a foot with a toe portion, a heel portion, an interior side, and an exterior side; a strap member having a fixed end portion on the interior side and an unfixed end portion, a toe separation member in the shape of a loop, and an attachment device between the unfixed end portion of the strap member and the sole member on the exterior side intermediate the toe portion and the heel portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a close up view of an attachment device used in one embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 2C is a close-up view of an attachment device used in another embodiment.

FIG. 2D is a front perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective of another embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the strap disconnected from the attachment device in another embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a front perspective illustrating the interchangeable strap features.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a top view of another embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 5C is a front perspective view of the strap disconnected from the attachment device in another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1A, one embodiment of the present invention is a pedicure footwear 10 including a sole member 20 shaped like a foot with a toe portion 21 and a heel portion 22, a strap member 30 having a first end portion 31 and a second end portion 32 and a toe separation portion 40. Attachment devices 43, 44 are located intermediate the toe portion 21 and the heel portion 22 on opposite sides of the sole member 20. The toe separation portion 40 of the strap member 30 is advantageously fixed near where the wearer's big and second toes would meet. This allows the wearer to lift up the strap member 30 and the toe separation portion 40 at the same time while placing the foot on the sole member 30 in such a way as to insert the toe separation portion 40 securely in between the big and second toe without contacting the toe nail. After the wearer's foot is in place, the strap member 30 can be pulled back away from the toes and the respective end portions 31, 32 can be attached to the sole member 20 intermediate the toe portion 21 and heel portion 22 via respective attachment devices 43, 44. Thus, the shoe wearers freshly polished “wet” toes never come in contact with the strap 30.
As shown in FIG. 1B, each strap end portion 31, 32 of strap member 30 includes a grommet 100.
Each attachment device 43, 44 includes a grommet 110 on a short strap-like member 120. Member 120 is attached to the sole member 20 intermediate the toe portion 21 and heel portion 22. To secure the strap member 30 to the sole member 20, loops 130 formed by flexible cords or strings can be threaded through both of the grommets 100, 110 and the loops 130 then secured around a toggle 140.
In one embodiment, the loops 130 are formed from an elastic material thereby enabling the footwear to offer some “give” when the loops are secured. In another embodiment, the loops 130 are formed from a non-elastic material. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, once both ends 31, 32 of the strap member 30 are fully secured using the attachment devices 43, 44 the footwear looks and functions like ordinary outdoor footwear.
In FIG. 2A, another embodiment of the present invention is a pedicure footwear 210 having a sole member 220 shaped like a foot with a toe portion 221, a heel portion 222, an interior side 223, and an exterior side 224. A strap member 230 has one end 233 fixed to sole member 220 and an unfixed end portion 234. A toe separation member 240 is fixed to the toe portion 221. The upper portion of member 240 is in the shape of a loop. An attachment device 245 is fixed to the sole member 220 on the exterior side 224 intermediate the toe portion 221 and heel portion 222. The fixed end portion 233 of strap 230 is fixed on the interior side 223 of the sole member 220 intermediate the toe portion 221 and heel portion 222. The toe separation member 240 is advantageously fixed to the sole member 220 near where the wearer's big and second toes would meet. This allows the wearer to lift up the toe separation member 240 while placing the foot on the sole member 230 in such a way as to insert the toe separation member 240 securely in between the big and second toe without contacting the wet nail polish.
After the wearer's foot is in place, the wearer can pull the toe separation member 240 away from the wet toenails and insert the unfixed end 234 of strap member 230 into the loop of the toe separation member 240. See FIG. 2B which illustrates of how the strap member 230 can be inserted into the loop of the toe separation member 240.
Once looped with the foot in place, the wearer can secure the unfixed end portion 234 to the sole member 220 on the exterior side 224 intermediate the toe portion 221 and heel portion 222 via the attachment device 245. As best shown in FIG. 2C, the attachment device 245 includes a buckle 255 at the end of a short elastic strap member 260 attached to the sole member 220 intermediate the toe portion 221 and heel portion 222. The unfixed portion 234 of strap member 230 includes a holed elastic strap 250 on the unfixed end portion 234 of the strap member 230. The strap member 230 is attached to the sole member 220 by engaging the holed elastic strap 250 to the buckle 255. Using elastic material for the holed strap 250 and the short strap member 260 for the buckle allows the footwear to offer some “give.” As illustrated in FIG. 2D, once the strap member 230 is looped through toe separation member 240 and fully secured using the attachment device 245, the footwear looks and functions like ordinary outdoor footwear.
In another embodiment, either or both of the strap members 250 and 260 can be formed from a non-elastic material.
In all of the aforementioned embodiments, wearers can insert their feet into the described footwear with little risk of damaging freshly painted toenails. In addition, after all strap members are properly attached, the footwear looks and functions like ordinary outdoor footwear.
It is appreciated that the shape of the strap member, the number of end portions, and the number of strap members can vary without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is also appreciated that the type of attachment device may vary as long as the toe separation portion can be pulled away from the wet toes and the strap is secured to the footwear. By way of example, the attachment device may be any device with a method of attachment known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, including buttons, hooks, buckles, ties, Velcro, and frog closures. It may include an underlying strap-like member to hold the method of attachment as illustrated in FIG. 1B 120 and FIG. 2C 220, but is not necessary.
In FIG. 3A, another embodiment of the present invention is a thong-sandal commonly known as flip-flop footwear 310 which allows wearers to quickly change the appearance of their footwear. A sole member 320 is shaped like a foot with a toe portion 321 and a heel portion 322. Side attachment members 340, 341 are located intermediate the toe portion 321 and the heel portion 322 on opposite sides of the sole member 320. A front attachment member 342 is advantageously fixed at or near where the wearer's big and second toes would meet. A generally “V” shaped strap member 350 includes a first end portion 351, a second end portion 352 and a toe separation portion 355.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each attachment member 340, 341 and 342 includes a button 400.
Each strap end portion 351, 352 and toe separation portion 355 includes a button hole 410. Strap 350 is attached to the sole member 320 by inserting the respective buttons 400 into the button holes 410 and buttoning the strap ends 351, 352 to the respective side attachment members 340, 341 and buttoning the toe separation portion 355 to the front attachment member 342.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, a single strap 350 can have different designs on opposite sides of the strap. Thus, by way of example, as shown in FIG. 3A, one side 450 of strap 350 can have a decorative design shown in FIG. 3A as a series of decorative spots 455, whereas the opposite side 455, shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, can be entirely of a single color fabric. Thus, the same flip-flop can have two entirely different appearances by simply unbuttoning the strap 350, turning the strap 350 over, and rebuttoning the strap 350 back on to the attachment buttons 400.
In this and other embodiments described below, the straps can have patterns, stripes, school names, team logos and can be made from a variety of materials i.e. suede, fabric, leather, beaded silk, and metal. Several interchangeable straps 350 can typically accompany a common sole, so that the user can use a single sole to create a plurality of different designs.
In another embodiment, the strap member 650 includes one or more buttons 400 for engaging button holes 510 on the attachment member. As shown in FIG. 4A, this flip flop includes a sole member 600 shaped like a foot with a toe portion 621 and a heel portion 622. Side attachment members 640, 641 are located intermediate the toe portion and the heel portion on opposite sides of the sole member. A front attachment member 642 is advantageously fixed at or near where its wearer's big and second toes will meet.
Attachment member 640, 641 include buttons which attach to button holes 410 on the ends of strap 650 and the button 400 at the center of strap 650 attaches to the button hole 510 in the attached member 642.
In FIG. 4B, another embodiment is shown wherein all of the buttons 400 are on the strap and engage corresponding button holes 410 attached to the sole.
Other embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. A sole member 700 having a toe portion 701 and a heel portion 702. A pair of loops 705 is attached on one side of the sole 700 intermediate the toe portion 701 and the heel portion 702. Another pair of loops 710 are attached to the opposite side of the sole intermediate the toe portion 701 and the heel portion 702. A third pair of loops 715 are attached at or near where the wearer's big and second toes will meet.
A strap 720 has a generally “V” shaped configuration and may have, as shown, a substantially uniform width. Grommets 730, 731 are located at the respective ends of strap 720 and grommet 735 is located at generally the center of the strap.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the strap 720 is attached to the sole 700 by simply tying each of the loops 705, 710 and 715 to the respective grommets 730, 731 and 735. The appearance of the embodiment of the flip-flop footwear of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C is as varied as the color of strap 720 or the nature of a design displayed on the surface of the strap. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the front loop 715 can be a different shape or size than the rear loop 705 and 715.
In the flip-flop of FIG. 5A, a design is illustrated on one side of the strap 720 whereas, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the strap 720 presents quite a different appearance when the strap is turned over to display a solid color 721.
In other embodiments, a plurality of different straps 720 can have myriad colors and designs to provide the owner of a single sole 700 with myriad possibilities of footwear of different designs using a single sole 700 as the base of this footwear, and mix and match within the pair, i.e. red strap on left foot and white strap on right foot over a patterned sole.
Sole bases can also be of different design, color, pattern, height, elevation and various grades of quality, e.g. from beach/shower shoes to orthodic shoes.
The strap 720 or the loops 705, 710 and 715 or both the strap and loops can be formed of an elastic material. Using elastic material for the holed strap 720 or loop allows the footwear to offer some “give.” As illustrated in FIG. 5B, once the strap member loops 705, 710 and 715 are tied to the sole member 720, the footwear looks and functions like ordinary footwear.
The loops, 705, 710 and 715 can be tied in a variety of ways to create easily different looking foot wear for ease.
In another embodiment, either or both the strap 720 and loops 705, 710 and 715 can be formed from a non-elastic material.
Thus, the different embodiments where the strap is fully detachable include the following combinations:

- 1. Three buttons on the bases and button holes on the straps (reversible and interchangeable);
- 2. Buttons at the side, with button holes on the strap end pieces—while the toe separator has a button hole and the top portion of the strap has a button (the button on the top portion could push through to the other side to make them reversible, typically, thus would embodiment be used with only be interchangeable straps);
- 3. Three buttons on the straps (typically non-reversible, only interchangeable), with button holes on the straps;
- 4. Button holes at the sides, with buttons on the end part of each strap-with a button hole at the top portion and a button at the toe separator.

It is appreciated that the shape of the sole and strap member can vary without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is also appreciated that the type of device used to attach the strap to the sole may vary as long as the strap can be removed from the so and easily re-secured to the sole. By way of example, the attachment device may be any device with a method of attachment known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, including buttons, hooks, buckles, ties, Velcro, and frog closures.
Therefore, it will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A thong-sandal footwear providing the ability to remove at least a portion of the strap from the sole comprising:

a sole member shaped like a foot with a toe portion and a heel portion for supporting the foot,

a detachable strap member having at least a first end portion and a second end portion,

a toe separation member attachable to said sole member and easily attachable and detachable from said strap member, and

an attachment device between at least one end portion of the strap member and the sole member intermediate the toe portion and the heel portion to easily attach and detach the strap member to the sole member.

2. The footwear of claim 1 wherein said toe separation member can be pulled away from wet toes following a pedicure without contacting the wet toes.

3. The footwear of claim 1 wherein said strap member can have different designs on opposite sides of the strap so that the wearer can quickly change the appearance of their footwear.

4. The footwear of claim 1 wherein said detachable strap has a generally “V” shape.

5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said toe separation member is in the shape of a pair of loops.

6. The footwear of claim 5, wherein said loops can be detachably inserted into a grommet of said strap member.

7. The footwear of claim 5 wherein additional pairs of loops are located intermediate each side of said sole member for attaching and detaching the ends of said strap member to said sole member.

8. A pedicure footwear for:

minimizing the risk of ruining freshly polished toenails,

providing the ability to insert wet toes right after a pedicure without the wet toes contacting the footwear so the wearer does not have to wait until toes are dry, and functioning and appearing like ordinary outdoor footwear so the wearer can walk immediately after a pedicure comprising

a toe separation member which can be pulled away from the wet toes for anchoring the foot to the toe portion of the sole member in between the wearer's big and second toes without contacting the wet toes, and

an attachment device between each end portion of the strap member and the sole member intermediate the toe portion and the heel portion to attach the detachable strap member to the sole member in order to hold the foot in place.

9. A pedicure footwear, comprising:

a sole member shaped like a foot with a toe portion, a heel portion, an interior side, and an exterior side,

a strap member having a fixed end portion on the interior side and an unfixed end portion,

a toe separation member in the shape of a loop, and

an attachment device between the unfixed end portions of the strap member and the sole member on the exterior side intermediate the toe portion and the heel portion.

10. The pedicure footwear of claim 9, wherein the strap member can be inserted into the toe separation member