[001] Sandal or slip-on footwear with improved optional-use heel strap and related methods. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[002] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 16/815,311 (filed March 11 ^th , 2020) and entitled,“Sandal or slip-on footwear with improved optional-use heel strap and related methods,” which is a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No 10,617,170 (patented April 14 ^th , 2020) also entitled,“Sandal or slip-on footwear with improved optional- use heel strap and related methods.” U.S. Pat. No 10,617,170 claims the priority and benefit of Provisional Pat. No. 29/695,000 (filed June 14 ^th , 2019). All cross-referenced documents are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR

DEVELOPMENT

[003] Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[004] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

[005] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

[006] Reserved for a later date, if necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[007] Field of Invention

[008] The disclosed subject matter is in the field of sandal or slip-on footwear.

[009] Background of the Invention [010] Slip-on sandals, like flip-flops (e.g., FIG. 1, U.S. Des. Pat. D793,041 (issued Aug. 1, 2017)) or Crocs® (e.g., FIG. 1, U.S. Des. Pat. D535,088 (issued Jan. 16, 2007)), are a stylish and cozy style of footwear. However, slip-on sandals are typically not secured to a user’s heel and, as a result, this style of footwear can either make it difficult for a user to make abrupt and complicated footsteps or else easily slip-off during undesirable circumstances. So, some slip-on sandals are provided with an optional-use heel-strap.

[Oil] One type of optional use heel-strap for slip-on sandals is shown in FIG. 8 of U.S Des. Pat. D838,467 (issued Jan. 22, 2019). The optional -use heel strap shown in that document is simply stuck to the midsole of a slip-on sandal and provided over a user’s heel whenever its utility is desirable. A similar optional-use heel strap that is stuck through a slip-on sandal’s upper is shown in FIG. 1 of U.S. D694,994 (issued Dec. 10, 2013). Unfortunately, this type of optional-use heel strap can damage the slip-on sandal and is, therefore, not entirely satisfactory in all situations. This type of strap has other drawbacks too, like, the inability of a user to hide the strap once the strap is placed on the slip-on and the potential for injury if the strap is placed on the slip on in an incorrect manner.

[012] Another type of optional-use heel strap for slip-on sandals (like Crocs®) is shown in FIG. 3 of U.S. D732,808 (issued Jun. 30, 2015). The optional-use heel strap shown in that document is coupled to the upper and placed in a heel position when its utility is desired or else simply rotated out of the way over the sandal’s upper when not needed. This type of optional-use heel strap can change the aesthetic appearance of the sandal and is, therefore, not entirely satisfactory in situations where a heel strap is wanted without a corresponding change in the sandal’s appearance. Also, this type of heel strap is attached with a metal grommet which can be uncomfortable or rust.

[013] Yet another type of optional-use heel strap for slip-on sandals (like flip flops or Crocs®) is shown in the figures of U.S. Published Pat. App. US2008/0189984 (published Aug. 14, 2008). This type of optional use heel strap is concealed in the sole of a sandal whenever the heel strap is not needed and otherwise exposed when its utility is desirable. A more elaborate version of this type of optional use heel strap is shown in the figures of U.S. 7,823,299 (issued Nov. 2, 2010). This type of optional-use heel strap can be uncomfortable and therefore unsatisfactory in some situations since it is not always possible to conceal a sufficiently padded heel strap in the sole of a slip-on sandal. Also, these types of heel -straps are difficult to reveal once put in a concealed configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[014] In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to disclose slip-on footwear with an improved optional -use heel strap. It is a further objective of this disclosure to provide an optional use heel strap to slip-on footwear without damaging the footwear. It is another objective of this specification to describe footwear with a heel strap that can be used or not used without substantially altering the aesthetic appearance of the footwear. Finally, it is an objective of this disclosure to highlight slip-on footwear with a concealable heel strap that is heavily padded.

[015] In one embodiment, slip-on footwear includes a sole, an upper, and a padded optional- use heel strap concealed within a strap channel disposed around the heel portion of the sole; wherein, the padded portion of the heel strap is folded in half to define a pull-tab that extends from the strap channel of sole for a user to grip the pull-tab to release the strap from the strap channel.

[016] In one mode of use, the slip-on footwear is provided to a foot of a wearer, the pull-tab is pulled to expose the heel-strap, the pull-tab is unfolded to define padding for the strap, and strap is placed over the heel of a wearer with the padding provided to the wearer’s heel.

[017] In another mode of use, a wearer of the slip-on footwear pulls the padding of the strap off of the user’s heel, folds the padding to define the pull tab, and deposits the heel strap in the strap channel of the sole of the slip-on footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[018] Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sandal;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sandal;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sandal;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a sandal;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a sandal;

FIG. 6 is an environmental side view of the sandal in an alternate configuration;

FIG. 7 is an environmental front view of the sandal in the alternate configuration;

FIG. 8 is an environmental rear view of the sandal in the alternate configuration;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a sandal with the optional use heel strap removed;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the optional use heel strap;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the sandal;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the sandal;

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the alternative embodiment of the sandal; and,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an outsole of the alternative embodiment of the sandal.

In the figures, the following components are associated with the adjacent reference numerals: 1000 slip-on sandal;

1100 sole;

1100 A insole;

1100B outsole; 1100C groove;

1110 optional use strap;

1111 pull -tab;

1112 heel padding;

1120 strap channel;

1121 hole; and,

1200 upper.

[019] It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

[020] Disclosed is slip-on footwear with a concealable heel strap that is padded. Suitably, the padding of the padded heel strap is convertible into a pull-tab whenever the heel strap is concealed. The other specifics of the disclosed slip-on footwear with a concealable heel strap are described with reference to the drawings.

[021] FIG. 1 is a side view of a sandal 1000. FIG. 2 is a front view of the sandal 1000. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sandal 1000. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a sandal. FIG. 5 is a top view of a sandal. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the sandal 1000 is comprises a sole 1100, an upper 1200, and a concealed strap 1110 with two pull-tabs 1111.

[022] Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the sole 1100 is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the upper is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, and the heel strap 1110 is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown, the sole 1110 is typically shaped like a human foot and defined by foam, rubber, or some combination thereof. As best seen in FIG. 4, the upper 1200 is provided to a top surface of the sole 1100. In the preferred embodiment, the upper is defined by a toe hole and a foot strap, the upper can be any type of slip-on known to those of skill in the art. As discussed below in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3, a heel strap 1110 is concealed in the sole 1100

[023] FIG. 6 is an environmental side view of the sandal in an alternate configuration where the heel strap 1110 is revealed. FIG. 7 is an environmental front view of the sandal in the alternate configuration. FIG. 8 is an environmental rear view of the sandal in the alternate configuration. As shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, the sandal 1000 in the alternate configuration comprises the sole 1100 with a strap channel, an upper 1200, and a revealed strap 1110 that has padding 1112.

[024] Still referring to FIGS. 9 through 8, the sole 1100 is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the upper is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, and the heel strap 1110 is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown, the sole 1110 is still typically shaped like a human foot and features a strap channel 1120 disposed around the periphery of the heel portion of the sole 1100. As shown, a heel strap 1110 is revealed with padding 1112 positioned over a heel of a wearer.

[025] Comparing FIGS. 1 through 5 through FIGS. 6 through 8, the strap 1110 can be concealed in the strap channel 1120 during periods of non-use or else be provided over the heel of a wearer during periods of use. Suitably, pull tab 1111 is accessible at the heel of the sole 1100 so that the strap may be removed from the strap channel 1120. Suitably, the padding 1112 is unfurled from the pull tabs 1111 after the strap 1110 is pulled out of the strap channel 1120. Once unfurled, the padding 1112 may be provided over the heel of a wearer.

[026] FIG. 9 is a side view of a sandal with the optional use heel strap removed. As shown, the sole 1100 may be provided with a hole 1121 so that the strap may be fastened to the slip- on sandal 1000. Suitably, the hole may be provided through the sole 1100 or the sole may be split 1122 and the strap 1110 (not shown in FIG. 10) sandwiched into the strap channel 1120. [027] FIG. 10 is a schematic of the optional use heel strap 1110. As shown the padding 1112 may be unfurled in an upright position to define a cup-like heel pad. The padding 1112 may be reverse folded (e.g., by somewhat turning the cup-like heel pad inside out) to create at least one pull tab 1111. Suitably, the padding 1112 may feature a bias to a configuration of a heel pad wherein the strap channel defeats the bias to hold the padding in a folded state to expose the pull tabs. See , e.g., FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the strap is made of rubber or other elastomeric materials.

[028] FIGS. 11 through 14 show an alternative embodiment of the sandal 1000. This type of sandal 1000 is known as a slider by those skilled in the art.

[029] FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the sandal 1000. Note worthy features are a sole 1100 that is comprised of, and bifurcated into, an insole 1100A and an outsole 1100B. Also shown is a groove 1 lOOC which may be comprised of material removed from both the insole 1100A and the outsole 1100B. The strap (not shown) may be configured to lie inside the groove 1100C. The sole 1100, comprised of the insole 1100A, and the outsole 1100B may share the shape of the human foot.

[030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the sandal 1000 where the heel strap 1110 is revealed. As shown in FIG. 12, the sandal 1000 is comprised of a sole 1100, an upper 1200, and a concealed strap 1110 which may or may not feature two pull-tabs (not pictured). As seen in FIG. 12, the upper 1200 is provided to a top surface of the sole 1100. In the alternative embodiment, known by those skilled in the art as the slider, the upper 1200 is defined by a upper 1200 alone, unlike a flip flop type sandal 1000 of FIGS. 1 through 10. However, the upper 1200 can be any type of slip-on known to those of skill in the art.

[031] FIG. 12 also shows the optional use heel strap 1110. The sandal 1000 in the alternate configuration comprises the sole 1100 with a strap channel, an upper 1200, and a revealed strap 1110 that has padding 1112. Relevant to FIG. 12 and shown in greater detail in FIG. 10, the padding 1112 may be unfurled in an upright position to define a cup-like heel pad. The padding 1112 may be reverse folded (e.g., by somewhat turning the cup-like heel pad inside out) to create at least one pull tab 1111. Suitably, the padding 1112 may feature a bias to a configuration of a heel pad wherein the strap channel defeats the bias to hold the padding in a folded state to expose the pull tabs. The strap 11 10 may be concealed during periods of non use or else be provided over the heel of a wearer during periods of use. Suitably, pull tab 1111 is accessible at the heel of the sole 1100 so that the strap may be removed. In one embodiment, the strap may be made of rubber or other elastomeric materials. Once unfurled, the padding 1112 may be provided over the heel of a wearer.

[032] FIG. 13 shows a detail view of the alternative embodiment of the sandal 1000. FIG. 13 shows the sole 1100 which is bifurcated and comprised of the insole 1100A and the outsole 1100B. Also shown is the groove 1100C which may be formed by material removed from both the insole 1100A and the outsole 1100B. Generally, the sole may be split and the strap 1110 sandwiched into the groove 1 lOOC.

[033] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the outsole 1100B. Also shown is the strap 1110 and how the strap 1110 sits in the groove 1 lOOC. As shown, the sole 1110 is typically shaped like a human foot and defined by foam, rubber, or some combination thereof. As shown, a heel strap 1110 is revealed. In use the strap 1110 would be wrapped around the heel of the user. The strap 1110 may be grounded in the groove 1100C which provides support for the strap 1110 and may help the heel portion of the sandal 1000 remain near the bottom of the wearer’s foot while he or she walks.

[034] Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above- described embodiments.

[035] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term“including” should be read as meaning“including, without limitation” or the like, the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms“a” or“an” should be read as meaning“at least one,”“one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as“conventional,” “traditional,”“normal,”“standard,”“known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

[036] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as“one or more,”“at least,”“but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term“assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

[037] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

[038] All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.