CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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This application is a continuation-in-part application claiming the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/558,356 entitled “FOOTWEAR HAVING REMOVABLE STRAPS”, filed on Nov. 9, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention generally relates to footwear having removable straps.
BACKGROUND
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Footwear having removable straps can be advantageous as they allow the wearer to have more fashion options when dressing. For example, a wearer can select different colors or styles of straps to match different outfits they are wearing, without having to buy entirely new footwear.
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Prior attempts to design reversible footwear have disadvantages. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,684 to Lin discloses a detachable strap on footwear, but the means for connecting the strap to the footwear is readily visible to the user and others. This configuration is highly undesirable to fashion conscious consumers.
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U.S. Pat. No. 3,154,866 to Laufbahn, discloses footwear having detachable components, where the fastener means are hidden from the user. According to this patent, the fastener means can include a flange located at the end of a thong strap that is received into the wide portion of a key-hole shaped aperture in the sole of the thong and then moved forward to the narrow end of the keyhole, thus preventing detachment by direct upward movement. See FIG. 6, and col. 4 lines 6-19. However, the straps described in this patent are not entirely secure. For example, if the strap is inadvertently moved in a backwards direction, the strap could easily become disengaged from the sole of the footwear.
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U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,330 to Kao also discloses footwear having a removable strap where the means for connecting the strap to the sole are hidden. However, the attachment means for this design are complicated such that they would require a significant amount of time to change straps. Furthermore, the attachment means have detachable parts (e.g., loose pins and button members) that could easily be lost.
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U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,199 to Giannelli describes footwear having removable straps that attach by quick-release connection means. While mentioning a female connecting member, configured to receive a male connecting member, recessed in the sole of the footwear such that only a slot is visible, this patent does not suggest or teach a way to detach the secured male and female connecting members that are recessed within the outsole, other than rotating the strap. More specifically, this patent fails to recognize the difficulties associated with releasing a completely recessed quick-release connection means, such as buckles and snap fasteners that cannot be detached by simple rotation.
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There is a need in the art to provide footwear having removable straps wherein the straps can be securely attached and the means for attachment are hidden from view. Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide new and improved footwear having removable straps with connection means that are hidden from the user. Another more specific object of the invention is to provide new and improved footwear having secure, quick-release connection means that are concealed but can be easily released by the user. Another object of the invention is to include footwear having removable straps where the means for attaching the straps to the sole are non-releasably coupled to either the strap assembly or the sole (as opposed to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,330). A further object of the teachings herein is to provide footwear having a strap assembly that can be attached to the sole and released, either partly or entirely, by pressing in on 1 or more sides of the sole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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According to preferred embodiments, the teachings herein disclose footwear including a sole and a strap assembly, the sole having one or more embedded, open-ended channels individually housing a first connection member; wherein the strap assembly is coupled to one or more second connection members having means for releasably engaging with the one ore more first connection members. According to more specific embodiments, it is preferred to configure one or more first and second connection members such that after they are engaged with one another within the open-ended channel, such that said connection members can be disengaged by a user pressing in on one or more sides of the sole.
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According to certain embodiments, the teachings herein disclose footwear including a sole and a strap assembly, the sole having one or more embedded, open-ended channels individually housing a first connection member having a base anchored by an elastic cord; wherein the strap assembly is coupled to one or more second connection members having means for releasably engaging with the one ore more first connection members.
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In certain embodiments the strap assemblies provided herein include a single strap having a pair of second connection members. In further aspects, the strap assemblies can include a front strap connected to two back straps, wherein each strap is individually coupled to a second connection member. In more specific embodiments, the plurality of first connection members individually comprise a male component of a quick release buckle and the plurality of second connection members individually comprise a female component of the quick release buckle.
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In other aspects, the channels of the footwear described herein can more specifically include inner grooves conforming to the sides of the male and female components of the quick release buckle.
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In still further embodiments, the base of the channels can individually include a small hole wherein the elastic cord is configured into a knot outside the channel such that the knot cannot pass through the small hole.
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Additional aspects of the teachings herein include footwear including a sole having a plurality of embedded, open-ended channels individually housing a first connection member anchored by an elastic cord and having means for releasably engaging with a second connection member. In advantageous embodiments, the footwear described herein can include 2, 3, 4, 5 or more channels, and connection members.
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Other embodiments relate to footwear having a sole and a strap assembly, wherein the sole is coupled to a plurality of first connection members; and the strap assembly includes a plurality of pockets individually housing a second connection member configured to releasably engage with the plurality of first connection members, such that when said first and second connection members are engaged, they are concealed within the pockets. In advantageous embodiments, the footwear described herein can include 2, 3, 4, 5, or more pockets and connection members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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It will be appreciated that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed on illustrating the various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a partly exploded view of one embodiment of footwear according to the teachings provided herein.
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FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of attached and recessed releasable connection means.
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FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of attached and exposed releasable connection means.
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FIG. 4 is a close-up view of one embodiment of a detached and recessed female connecting member.
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FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of footwear according to the teachings provided herein.
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FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of attached and recessed releasable connection means.
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FIG. 7 is a partly exploded view of one embodiment of footwear.
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FIG. 8 is a close-up view of one embodiment of attached and recessed connection means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
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Embodiments of the present invention are described below. It is, however, expressly noted that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the intention is that modifications that are apparent to the person skilled in the art and equivalents thereof are also included.
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In preferred embodiments, the teachings herein are directed to footwear having removable straps, wherein the means for releasably connecting the straps to the footwear are concealed from view. In more specific embodiments, the footwear herein includes secure, quick-release connection means that are concealed but can be easily released by the user.
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Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention.
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FIGS. 1-4 demonstrate a particular advantageous embodiment. According to this embodiment, the footwear 2 includes a sole 6 comprising an upper sole 6 a and a lower sole 6 b and a removable upper strap assembly 4 that includes two back straps 18 and a front strap 14.
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Referring to FIG. 1, the front strap 14 and back straps 18 are each attached to a female member 8 of a releasable buckle 29 having release buttons 12 located on the sides. The straps can be attached to the female member 8 by any suitable means, including being secured around a small ring 22 located on the top of the female member 8.
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With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, the sole 6 includes three channels 10 that individually house a male member 24 of a releasable buckle 29. The channels 10, can be embedded into the sole 6 of the footwear, according to methods known to those with skill in the art, including but not limited to molding techniques. FIG. 1. depicts one embodiment for making the footwear. According to this embodiment, the channels are embedded in between an upper sole 6 a and a lower sole 6 b.
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In advantageous embodiments, the male member 24 includes a base attached to an elastic cord 28 that is anchored within, outside, or to the channel 10 (See FIG. 2). According to preferred embodiments, the elastic cord 28 is tied, such as in a knot 30, outside of the channel to anchor the cord 28. In more specific embodiments, the bottom end 26 of the channel 10 can include a small hole configured to allow the elastic cord 28 through, but not the knot 30, thereby anchoring the elastic cord 28. Any suitable means for anchoring the elastic cord 28 can be used with the teachings herein including, but not limited to, securing the cord 28 within, outside or to the channel by attaching the cord 28 to a small pin or ring, for example. The term “elastic cord” as used herein is to be construed broadly and specifically includes 1 or more elastic straps within the channel. In preferred embodiments, 1 or more elastic cords can anchor the male member within the channel. For example, two elastic cords can be secured within the sole and connect the base of the male member. See FIGS. 6-8, for example.
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The non-anchored end of the cord 28 can be coupled to the base of the male member 24 through a second knot 32, or any other suitable means for connection.
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With respect to FIG. 2, the female member 8 of the buckle 29 can be pushed into the channel 10 to connect with the recessed male member 24 of the buckle 29. In advantageous embodiments, the channel 10 contains inner grooves 16 on its sides that act as a sliding track for the sides of the female member 8 and the male member 24. According to these preferred embodiments, when the female member 8 is moved into the channel, its' sides slide along the inner grooves 16 of the channel 10 guiding the female member 8 to connect with the male member 24, thus securely fastening the buckle 29. According, to preferred embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 2, after connecting the female member 8 to the male member 24, the buckle 29 is secured and concealed within the channel 10.
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Attaching and anchoring the elastic cord 28 to the base of the male member 24 is advantageous within certain embodiments as it allows a user to easily detach the female member 8 from the male member 24. FIG. 3. shows an advantageous embodiment of how to disengage the buckle 29 that is recessed within the channel 10. According to this embodiment, a user simply pulls the front strap 14 or the back straps 18 away from the channel 10. The pull on the front strap 14 or back straps 18 pulls the attached buckle 29 out of the channel 10 and expands the elastic cord 28 attached to the base of the male member 24. Once the buckle 29 is exposed outside of the channel 10, a user can press the side release buttons 12 to disengage the female member 8 from the male member 24. After the female member 8 is released from the male member 24, the elastic cord 28 contracts and retracts the male member 24 back into the channel 10 as shown in FIG. 4.
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In advantageous embodiments, the grooves 16 within the channel 10 act as tracks that guide the male member 24 back into the channel 10 into the desired alignment, so that it is positioned to engage with a female member 8 again. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, the elastic cord 28 has sufficient elasticity to allow the buckle 29 to be exposed from the channel 10 when the front strap 14 is pulled (as shown in FIG. 3), and to recess the male member 24 after disengagement of the buckle 29 (as shown in FIG. 4).
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With respect to different embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 6-8, sandals 150 can include an upper sole 100 and a lower sole 200 and can have buckle(s) 110 configured to be attached and released within their respective channel(s) 210 and 220 or sleeve(s) 77 without being exposed outside of them. According to these embodiments, the female member 44 can be attached to an elastic member 63 (e.g., elastic cord(s)) but does not need to be and can instead be coupled to any suitable connective member such as non-elastic means including a non-elastic cord or strap, for example. According, to more specific embodiments, the female member(s) 44 can be located and attached within the channel(s) 210 and 220, and configured to not be exposed outside of the channel when fastening and/or releasing the buckle 110. Advantageously, the back channels 220 can be positioned perpendicularly with respect to the front channel 210, as shown in FIG. 7.
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According to further preferred embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 6-8, the male member 66 can be inserted into its respective channel 210 or 220 and releasably connect with the recessed female member 44 within that channel. When the wearer wants to release the two back buckles 110, they can press inward on one or more sides of the sole 60 a and 60 b. More specifically, when one or more of the upper sole's 100 sides 60 a and 60 b are pressed inward, sufficient pressure is applied on the back buckle's 110 release button 55 to release the connecting members 44 and 66 from each other. According to advantageous embodiments, the release buttons 55 on the two back buckles 110 are facing outward within the channel 220, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. According to further advantageous embodiments, it is preferred that the channels 220 are located sufficiently close to the sides 60 a and 60 b of the upper sole 100 such that the user is not straining when pressing one or more of the sides 60 a and 60 b of the upper sole 100 inward to release the buckles 110. Preferred channels are located within 0.5 inches or less of the periphery of the upper sole 100. According to these embodiments, it is preferred that the material used to construct the upper sole 100 has sufficient flexibility to move inward and apply enough pressure on the one or more release buttons 55 on the buckle 110 to disengage the connecting members 44 and 66. Accordingly, preferred materials for the sole will include these properties and non-exclusively include foam Likewise, it is further preferred that the cavity, housing the buckle within the sole, also maintains sufficient flexibility to allow the pressure from the user pressing into 1 or more of the sides of the sole 60 a and 60 b to release the buckle 110. Accordingly, the cavity can simply be a channel 210 or 220 within the upper sole 100 and can optionally include a thin, flexible sleeve 77 that when pressed by the side of the upper sole 100 will allow the release button 55 to release the buckle. Preferred channels 210 and 220 and sleeves 77 can non-exclusively be constructed with foam or thin plastic, for example.
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According to certain embodiments, the sandals described herein can have 1, 2, 3, a plurality, all, or none of the female members 44 attached to an elastic cord, within the channel(s) 210 and 220. In embodiments where the upper strap assembly 160 includes a front strap 140 and two back straps 50, it is preferred that the front strap 140 is coupled to a male member 66 configured to connect with a female member 44 that is attached within the front channel 210 to an elastic cord 63, while the back straps 50 are coupled to male members 66 configured to connect with female members 44 that remain recessed within the back channels 220. According to this preferred embodiment, a user can press in on 1 or more sides 60 a and 60 b of the upper sole 100 and pull on 1 or more back straps 50 to release the 1 or more buckles 110 corresponding to the 1 or more sides that are pressed in. In even further advantageous embodiments, a user can press both the back left and right side 60 a and 60 b of the sole 100 at the same time, and pull on the back straps 50 to release both back buckles 110 simultaneously. Alternatively, a user can press into 1 side of the sandal (60 a or 60 b) at a time and release the buckle 110 positioned closest to the pressed in side. It is preferred that the user presses the side of the upper sole 100 corresponding to a location near the channel 220, to put the most pressure on the release button 55 of the buckle 110. The back recessed members 44 can be elastically attached in their channels 220 such as to allow them to be pulled upward such that the buckle 110 is slightly exposed, but not the release button 55. Pressing into the sides of the upper sole against the recessed release button 55 will release the connecting members.
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According to preferred embodiments, the front member and corresponding channel 210 is not located near the periphery of the sole 100 as this configuration allows space on the upper sole 100 for the user's toes. This preferred configuration makes it difficult to configure a front buckle 110 that can be released within its channel 210 by pressing inward on the side of the sole 100 near said front channel 210. Although difficult and not a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that the front member, channel and the sole can be configured in certain embodiments such that the front buckle can be released by pressing inward on the front side of the sole near the front channel. This can be done many ways, non-exclusively including the following: extending the release button for the buckle towards the front of the sole, positioning the front member and channel near the side of the sole and modifying the strap assembly to accommodate the user's foot, or allowing access to the release buckle through an aperture on the side of the sole, for example. These alternative embodiments can also be applied to the back buckles, if desired.
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Female and male connective members can readily be interchanged in the above embodiments. The use of a single sole instead of an upper and lower sole is also readily contemplated herein.
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It is contemplated that the male members and female members of the buckles described herein can readily be interchanged, such that the male member is attached to a strap and the female member is housed within a channel. It is further disclosed that any suitable buckle other than those pictured in FIGS. 1-8, including releasable connection means (e.g., snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like) can be used with the teachings herein.
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The number of channels located in the sole 6 can vary depending on the number of straps used. While shown in FIGS. 1-4 as angled (approximately 120, 140, 150, or 160 degrees), the channels can be readily adapted to other configurations. For example, depending on the thickness of the sole of the footwear, an angled configuration may not be advantageous. According to certain embodiments, especially where the footwear has a thicker sole, the channel can be configured to be straight up and down, or substantially so, such that the male member is housed more vertically within the channel as opposed to the positions shown in FIGS. 1-4. In embodiments where the sole is thin, the channels can be horizontal, or near horizontal, having an upward opening, within the sole, for example. Various shapes and configurations of the channels are contemplated herein, including L-shaped, curved, straight, cylindrical, and rectangular, and the like, for example. For channels that are not vertical or substantially so, such as the horizontal and angled channels, it is preferred to configure the channels to be made of a rigid material, such that the weight of the user foot does not inadvertently disengage the buckle within the channel.
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FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of footwear 40 having concealed releasable connection means. According to FIG. 5, footwear is depicted having a detachable strap assembly 36 comprising a front pocket 42 and two back straps 38 each having individual pockets 41 at their ends. The front pocket 42 and the back pockets 41 individually house recessed female members 33 of means for releasable connection with corresponding male members 34 that are coupled to the sole 37 of the footwear 40. The female members 33 can be held in position within the front pocket 42 or back pocket 41 by any suitable attachment means. In preferred embodiments, the female members 33 and male members 34 connect within their respective pockets, such that the releasable connection means are concealed. The front male member is preferably attached by a front strap 39 that can separate the user's toes. After engagement, a user can detach the means for releasable connection, by pressing the release buttons 35 on sides of the female members 33 through the outside of the back pocket 41 or front pocket 42. Male and female members can readily be interchanged according to these embodiments. The number of pockets, male and female members, and their positioning can be varied.
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According to this embodiment, any suitable releasable connection means can be housed within the pockets including, but not limited to quick-release buckles, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like, such as those described in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-4 above, for example. In preferred embodiments the means for releasable connection have a release mechanism that can be activated by a user outside of the pocket (e.g., pressing 1 or more release buttons through the outside of the pocket). In still other embodiments, the female members can be anchored within the pockets by an elastic cord, and be attached and released to a corresponding male member through the mechanisms similar to those described in FIGS. 1-4.
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The soles of the all the embodiments encompassed herein can be made of any suitable material including but not limited to leather, synthetic leather, rubber, foam, and the like, including combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the sole can include a single layer or multiple layers of material. The strap assembly can be made of any suitable material including but not limited to nylon, leather, synthetic letter, woven fabric, cotton, textiles, and the like, including combinations thereof. Variations on the specific number, thickness, and types of straps of the strap assembly are included in the teachings herein. For example, the strap assembly may contain just 1 strap, or 2, 3 4, 5, 6, or more straps, including, but not limited to 1 or more side to side straps, 1 or more front straps, 1 or more back straps and/or 1 or more heel straps.
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The invention may be embodied in other specific forms besides and beyond those described herein. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description.
