US20200015541A1

US20200015541A1 - Customizable sandal system and method of use

Info

Publication number: US20200015541A1
Application number: US16/392,083
Authority: US
Inventors: Lamar Higginbotham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-13
Filing date: 2019-04-23
Publication date: 2020-01-16

Abstract

A customizable sandal system having a sandal base, a retaining strap removably attached to the sandal base via at least one fastener. The retaining strap has two distal ends and each distal end is individually, removably attached to the sandal base.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a customizable sandal system and methods of use.

2. Description of Related Art

Systems and methods for sandals are well known in the art. Sandals are a popular shoe type, often characterized by their ease of wearing and comfort especially in hotter temperatures.
One of the problems commonly associated with the above process is the limited use. Most sandals or even most shoes come pre-made without the ability to make changes or adaptations after commercial manufacturing. Some sandals offer the ability to add embellishments and some users even take to decorating their shoes or sandals. However, this is an often irreversible process which can damage the material of the footwear.
Although great strides have been made in the area of sandal systems and methods of use, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1-10 depict various views and embodiments of a customizable sandal system and method of the present invention.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional systems and methods for customizable sandal systems. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a sandal system wherein a user may interchange and customize an outer support strap. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-5 depict various views of a sandal system 101 and method of use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 101 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with the conventional systems and methods for curtain mounting systems.
In the contemplated embodiment, the customizable sandal system includes a sandal having a strap configured to engage with the user's foot and retain the sandal in place. The system allows for the user to switch and swap out different designs, colors, fabrics, and the like associated with the strap, thereby providing a means for the user to customize their sandals.
As shown, it is contemplated that the strap can be removably secured via a fastener or set of fasteners such as screws, nuts, bolts, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, magnets straps, buttons, a rail track system or any means of removably attaching the strap to a sandal.
In another contemplated embodiment is shown wherein the strap may include laces configured to allow for the user to loosen or tighten the strap for a better fit. It is contemplated that this further allows for the user to switch different options of strap configurations.
It should be appreciated that in the preferred embodiment, the strap is a single flap or strap that extends across the top of a user's foot. However, it is contemplated that the strap may be configured as any suitable shape or size to act as a supporting or retaining strap.
It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the removability and ability of the strap to be easily removed and replaced for the user to customize their look.
It is contemplated that alternative embodiments could include merely removing a portion of the strap or a thin adhesive layer from the top surface of the strap and then replacing the portion or adhesive layer with a different color or design, thereby making the system customizable. In a further embodiment, the customizable sandal system may comprise a plurality of straps removably attached to the sandal, wherein a user may choose to customize a portion or the entirety of one or more of the plurality of sandal straps.
Referring now to FIG. 1, system 101 is shown as a customizable sandal system having a sandal base 103 and strap 105. In the preferred embodiment, the strap 105 is removably secured to the base 103 via one or more fasteners.
Referring now to FIG. 2, system 201 is shown as an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the strap is configured as two pieces 203 and 205. Each strap piece 203, 205 is individually and removably secured to either sides of the base 103. The strap pieces 203, 205 are shown having a lacing system 207 wherein a user may tighten or loosen the lacing system such that the strap pieces are comfortable when the sandal is being worn on the user's foot.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of system 101 is shown having a base 103, a strap 105, with a plurality of fasteners 301 used to removably secure the strap to the base 103.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of an exploded view of system 101 is shown wherein the strap 105 is depicted detached from the base 103. On a side of the base 103, a fastener base 401 is shown having the receiving mechanisms for the fasteners 301 of the strap 105.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the strap as depicted in FIG. 2 is shown in more detail. System 501 is shown having two strap pieces 203, 205. Each strap piece 203, 205 is shown having a plurality of fasteners 301 configured to removably secure the strap piece to a side of the base 103 and a plurality of fastener receivers 503 configured so that a user may tighten or loosen the two strap pieces 203, 205. In one contemplated embodiment, the fastener receivers 503 are configured to facilitate a lacing system.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a side view of an alternate embodiment of the customizable sandal system is shown having a base 103, a strap 603, a fastener base 605 and a rail track fastener 607. The rail track fastener is configured such that the strap 603 has corresponding rail track fasteners 703 so that the strap may be slid onto and on off the base for removable attachment.
Referring now to FIG. 7, the strap 603 of FIG. 6 is shown having rail track fasteners 703. Referring now to FIG. 8, a side view of the rail track fasteners is shown wherein the rail track fastener portion 607 secured to the fastener base 605 of the base 103 is shown configured to receive in sliding fashion the rail track fastener portion 703 secured to the strap 603.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown having a base 103, a strap 105 wherein the strap 105 is removably attached to the base via a zipper mechanism 903.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a top view of an alternate embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, wherein the strap 105 is shown having two separate strap pieces 203, 205 wherein the strap pieces 203, 205 are connected via a zipper mechanism 1003.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A customizable sandal system comprising:

a sandal base;

a retaining strap removably attached to the sandal base via at least one fastener;

wherein the retaining strap has two distal ends and wherein each distal end is individually, removably attached to the sandal base.

2. The customizable sandal system of claim 1, wherein the fastener is configured as a plurality of screws and receiving screw holes.

3. The customizable sandal system of claim 1, wherein the fastener is configured as a zipper mechanism.

4. The customizable sandal system of claim 1, wherein the retaining strap is configured as two separate portions.

5. The customizable sandal system of claim 4, further comprising at least one fastener configured to connect the two separate portions of the retaining strap to allow for adjustability of the retaining strap tightness on a user's foot.