Convertible sandal

Abstract

A convertible sandal comprises first and second connectors provided in or on a vamp of the sandal along respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp adjacent a rear margin of the vamp. The sandal may further include first and second holders located along the respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp. A removable strap may be selectively connected in a first position, in which end sections thereof are detachably connected to the connectors and the strap extends around a heel of the wearer's foot, or in a second position, in which the end sections are detached from the connectors and connected to the holders so that the strap extends over the wearer's forefoot.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This application relates to footwear and, in particular, to sandals that are convertible between a slide configuration and a heel-strap configuration. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,336,683 of Schellkopf, 4,461,102 of DeVincentis, 4,584,782 of Thatcher, and 5,992,058 of Jneid disclose various shoes having uppers that are convertible between a heel-strap configuration, in which a heel strap wraps around the wearer's heel to secure the shoe in place, and a slide configuration, in which the heel strap is moved clear of the heel for easier donning and removal of the shoe. In some of these shoes, the heel straps are disconnected from the shoes when converting to the slide configuration and must thereafter be stored separately or carried by the wearer (e.g., in the wearer's pocket), subjecting the heel straps to being misplaced or lost. In others, the heel straps are folded forwardly for converting the shoes to the slide configuration, but remai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The connectors may comprise elongated eyelets formed in the sides of the vamp and through which the end sections of the strap are threaded when the strap is in the first position. The strap preferably includes complementary sections of hook-and-loop fastener material arranged for engagement when the end sections are folded back upon the strap after threading through the eyelets, to thereby detachably secure the strap to the vamp. The holders preferably comprise loops or segments of fabric sewn to the vamp to form keeper loops along the sides of the vamp that are sized to receive the end sections of the strap therethrough. The vamp may be split longitudinally to facilitate adjustment of the vamp to fit the wearer's foot. When in the second position, the strap may be tightened over an opening in the vamp to help secure the convertible sandal to the wearer's foot.

Problems solved by technology

In some of these shoes, the heel straps are disconnected from the shoes when converting to the slide configuration and must thereafter be stored separately or carried by the wearer (e.g., in the wearer's pocket), subjecting the heel straps to being misplaced or lost.

The pivot mechanisms increase the complexity of the sandal construction and are subject to mechanical failure.

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