sandal

Abstract

A sandal includes a sole, a midsole, and a saddle. The sole includes a front sole portion, a central sole portion, and a rear sole portion. The midsole is stacked on the sole. The midsole includes a front midsole portion, a central midsole portion, and a rear midsole portion. The front midsole portion is coupled to the front sole portion. The rear midsole portion is coupled to the rear sole portion. The central midsole portion is spaced from the central sole portion to form a central passage therebetween. The saddle includes a base saddle portion positioned in and extending through the central passage. The saddle includes a strap portion extending from opposing sides of the base saddle portion and over the midsole such that the saddle encircles the midsole with space in between the strap portion and the midsole for insertion of a foot of a wearer.

Description

(B) CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable(C) STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable(D) THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not Applicable(E) INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

[0004] Not Applicable(F) STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not Applicable(G) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) Field of the Invention

[0006] The disclosure relates to sandals and shoes and more particularly pertains to a new sandal for customized manufacture. In contemporary fashion, multi-colored sandals are popular but can be difficult to mass produce. In addition, sandals can be made of lightweight foam, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate foam (EVA) foam, as EVA is lightweight and durable with a good cushioning effect. However, three-part sandals having a sole, a midsole, and a strap are made of different materials that have to be connected by adhesives or stitching to achieve a three-color design. The new sandal has a three-part construction where each part can be made of the same material, such as EVA, and each part can be a different color.(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

[0007] The prior art relates to shoes and sandals. The prior art, as best understood, does not disclose a sandal that includes a sole, a midsole, and a saddle, wherein a central passage is formed between the sole and the midsole. The saddle includes a base saddle portion positioned in and extending through the central passage. The saddle further includes a strap portion extending from opposing sides of the base saddle portion and over the midsole such that the saddle encircles the midsole with space in between the strap portion and the midsole for insertion of a foot of a wearer.(H) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above in a sandal generally comprising a sole, a midsole, and a saddle. The sole includes a front sole portion, a central sole portion, and a rear sole portion. The midsole is stacked on top of the sole. The midsole includes a front midsole portion, a central midsole portion, and a rear midsole portion. The front midsole portion is coupled to the front sole portion. The rear midsole portion is coupled to the rear sole portion. The central midsole portion is spaced apart from the central sole portion to form a central passage between the sole and the midsole. The saddle includes a base saddle portion positioned in and extending through the central passage. The saddle includes a strap portion extending from opposing sides of the base saddle portion and over the midsole such that the saddle encircles the midsole with space in between the strap portion and the midsole for insertion of a foot of a wearer.

[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0010] The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.(I) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded top perspective view of a sandal according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a sole of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a midsole of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a portion of the embodiment of the disclosure in FIG. 5.

[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the disclosure in FIG. 8.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.(J) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new sandal embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. It should be understood that the term “sandal” also refers to shoes, slide shoes, slide sandals, and flip flops.

[0023] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the sandal 10 generally comprises a sole 12, a midsole 14, and a saddle 16. The sole 12 includes a front sole portion 18, a central sole portion 19, and a rear sole portion 20. The midsole 14 is stacked on top of the sole 12. The midsole 14 includes a front midsole portion 22, a central midsole portion 23, and a rear midsole portion 24. The front midsole portion 22 is coupled to the front sole portion 18. The rear midsole portion 24 is coupled to the rear sole portion 20. The central midsole portion 23 is spaced apart from the central sole portion 19 to form a central passage 26 between the sole 12 and the midsole 14. The saddle 16 includes a base saddle portion 28 positioned in and extending through the central passage 26. The saddle 16 includes a strap portion 29 extending from opposing sides of the base saddle portion 28 and over the midsole 14 such that the saddle 16 encircles the midsole 14 with space in between the strap portion 29 and the midsole 14 for insertion of a foot of a wearer.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4, the midsole 14 includes an enhanced cushioning 32 positioned to extend completely through the sole via a cushion orifice 34 in the sole 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the enhanced cushioning 32 is in the shape of a convex projection, such as a spherical dome, projecting from the rear midsole portion 24. The cushion orifice 34 is positioned in the rear sole portion 20. The enhanced cushioning 32 is designed to additionally cushion the heel of the foot of the wearer since impact forces from walking or running are more concentrated at the heel. However, this is only one exemplary embodiment. In another possible embodiment, the enhanced cushioning 32 could have a different shape, such as square or rectangular, and could have a flat outer surface rather than a convex or curved outer surface. The cushion orifice 34 could be shaped in a respective manner to conform to the enhanced cushioning 32. In another possible embodiment, the enhanced cushioning 32 could be positioned to project from the front midsole portion 22, either alternatively or in addition to the enhanced cushioning 32 at the rear midsole portion 24. In yet another possible embodiment, the enhanced cushioning 32 and the cushion orifice 34 could be omitted. In another possible embodiment, the enhanced cushioning 32 and the cushion orifice 34 could be used in a sandal or shoe that has traditional straps stitched or joined to the sole 12 or midsole 14, as opposed to the saddle 16.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment, each of the sole 12, the midsole 14, and the saddle 16 includes or is made of the same material. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, each of the sole 12, the midsole 14, and the saddle 16 consists of ethylene-vinyl acetate foam (EVA). In another possible embodiment, a different foam or plastic material could be used that is durable and provides a cushioning effect.

[0026] Each of the sole 12, the midsole 14, and the saddle 16 is interchangeable with another respective one of the sole 12, the midsole 14, and the saddle 16 for selective customization during manufacture of the sandal 10 such that each of the sole 12, the midsole 14, and the saddle 16 have different colors. To further explain, each of the sole 12, the midsole 14, and the saddle 16 can be mass produced in batches of different colors. Since each of the components is structurally identical, the desired colors can be selected and easily assembled to create different custom color schemes for the sandal 10, such as, for example, a red sole 12, white midsole 14, and blue saddle 16, or, for example, an orange sole 12, yellow midsole 14, and black saddle 16. So, for example, if a run of the sandal 10 has a color scheme of red sole 12, white midsole 14, and blue saddle 16, and then the manufacturer wishes to switch to a different run, such as red sole 12, white midsole 14, and green saddle 16, the manufacturer merely swaps out the supply of blue saddles 16 for a supply of green saddles 16 and continues the manufacturing essentially without interruption.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 through 3, the sole 12 includes a top sole surface 36 and a bottom sole surface 37. The front sole portion 18 includes a front rim 40 extending around a perimeter of the front sole portion 18 and projecting out from the top sole surface 36. The rear sole portion 20 includes a rear rim 41 extending around a perimeter of the rear sole portion 20 and projecting out from the top sole surface 36. As seen in the side views in FIGS. 5 through 7, there is no rim-like projection on the central sole portion 19, such that there is a gap 42 between the front rim 40 and the rear rim 41 as viewed from the side. This gap 42 forms or defines part of the central passage 26. The saddle 16 is omitted in FIGS. 5 and 6 to show the central passage 26 clearly. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the midsole 14 includes a top midsole surface 44 and a bottom midsole surface 45. The front midsole portion 22 includes a front projection 48 projecting out from the bottom midsole surface 45, which front projection 48 nests in the front rim 40 of the front sole portion 18. The rear midsole portion 24 includes a rear projection 49 projecting out from the bottom midsole surface 45, which rear projection 49 nests in the rear rim 41 of the front sole portion 18. The front projection 48 and the rear projection 49 provide additional cushioning at the toe and heel regions of the foot of the wearer. Also as seen in the side views in FIGS. 5 through 7, the central midsole portion 23 essentially forms a recess 50 between the front projection 48 and the rear projection 49. The recess 50 in the midsole 14 and the gap 42 between the front rim 40 and the rear rim 41 of the sole 12 together form the central passage 26, as shown in FIG. 5. This relationship can be seen more clearly in FIG. 6, where the front projection 48 is nested in the front rim 40, such that the front rim 40 overlaps the front projection 48. Because of the gap 42 between the front rim 40 and the rear rim 41 of the sole 12, and because of the recess 50 between the front projection 48 and the rear projection 49 of the midsole 14, the central passage 26 is thereby formed between the central midsole portion 23 and the central sole portion 19.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base saddle portion 28 extends from the front projection 48 to the rear projection 49 and from the front rim 40 to the rear rim 41 to fill the central passage 26, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 9. FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the edges of the base saddle portion 28 are contoured to match the contours of the front projection 48 and the rear projection 49, though in another possible embodiment the base saddle portion 28 could have edges that are shaped differently than the front projection 48 and the rear projection 49.

[0029] The sole 12, the midsole 14, and the saddle 16 are joined together by adhesive or bonding, such as cold bonding, as is well known in the shoe arts, especially for joining layers of EVA.

[0030] The strap portion 29 includes a pair of straps 52. Each of the straps 52 is divided into strap sections designed to be releasably coupled together, such as by a buckle 54 as shown in FIG. 10, or other suitable connection well known in the footwear arts, such as apertures and projecting tabs. In another possible embodiment, the strap or straps 52 could be a one-piece structure without any type of buckle 54 or other connecter. In another possible embodiment, the strap portion 29 could include only one strap 52, or possibly more than two straps 52.

[0031] The sole 12 can include a tread 56 on the bottom sole surface 37, as shown in FIG. 2. The tread 56 in FIG. 2 is only one exemplary embodiment, and virtually any tread 56 design could be used, as is well known in the footwear arts.

[0032] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A sandal comprising:a sole, the sole including a front sole portion, a central sole portion, and a rear sole portion;a midsole, the midsole being stacked on top of the sole, the midsole including a front midsole portion, a central midsole portion, and a rear midsole portion, the front midsole portion being coupled to the front sole portion, the rear midsole portion being coupled to the rear sole portion, the central midsole portion being spaced apart from the central sole portion to form a central passage between the sole and the midsole; anda saddle, the saddle including a base saddle portion positioned in and extending through the central passage, the saddle including a strap portion extending from opposing sides of the base saddle portion and over the midsole such that the saddle encircles the midsole with space in between the strap portion and the midsole for insertion of a foot of a wearer.

2. The sandal of claim 1, wherein:the midsole includes an enhanced cushioning;the sole includes a top sole surface and a bottom sole surface;the sole includes a cushion orifice extending through the sole and opening in the top sole surface and the bottom sole surface; andthe enhanced cushioning is positioned to extend completely through the sole via the cushion orifice.

3. The sandal of claim 2, wherein:the enhanced cushioning is in the shape of a convex projection projecting from the rear midsole portion; andthe cushion orifice is positioned in the rear sole portion.

4. The sandal of claim 1, wherein each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle comprises the same material.

5. The sandal of claim 4, wherein each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle consists of ethylene-vinyl acetate foam.

6. The sandal of claim 1, wherein each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle is interchangeable with another respective one of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle for selective customization during manufacture such that each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle have different colors.

7. The sandal of claim 1, wherein:the sole includes a top sole surface and a bottom sole surface;the front sole portion includes a front rim extending around a perimeter of the front sole portion and projecting out from the top sole surface;the rear sole portion includes a rear rim extending around a perimeter of the rear sole portion and projecting out from the top sole surface;the midsole includes a top midsole surface and a bottom midsole surface;the front midsole portion includes a front projection projecting out from the bottom midsole surface, which front projection nests in the front rim of the front sole portion; andthe rear midsole portion includes a rear projection projecting out from the bottom midsole surface, which rear projection nests in the rear rim of the front sole portion.

8. The sandal of claim 7, wherein the base saddle portion extends from the front projection to the rear projection and from the front rim to the rear rim to fill the central passage.

9. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the sole, the midsole, and the saddle are joined together by adhesive or bonding.

10. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the strap portion includes a pair of straps.

11. The sandal of claim 10, wherein each of the straps is divided into strap sections configured to be releasably coupled together.

12. The sandal of claim 3, wherein each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle comprises the same material.

13. The sandal of claim 12, wherein each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle consists of ethylene-vinyl acetate foam.

14. The sandal of claim 13, wherein each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle is interchangeable with another respective one of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle for selective customization during manufacture such that each of the sole, the midsole, and the saddle have different colors.

15. The sandal of claim 14, wherein:the front sole portion includes a front rim extending around a perimeter of the front sole portion and projecting out from the top sole surface;the rear sole portion includes a rear rim extending around a perimeter of the rear sole portion and projecting out from the top sole surface;the midsole includes a top midsole surface and a bottom midsole surface;the front midsole portion includes a front projection projecting out from the bottom midsole surface, which front projection nests in the front rim of the front sole portion; andthe rear midsole portion includes a rear projection projecting out from the bottom midsole surface, which rear projection nests in the rear rim of the front sole portion.

16. The sandal of claim 15, wherein the base saddle portion extends from the front projection to the rear projection and from the front rim to the rear rim to fill the central passage.

17. The sandal of claim 16, wherein the sole, the midsole, and the saddle are joined together by adhesive or bonding.

18. The sandal of claim 17, wherein the strap portion includes a pair of straps, and each of the straps is divided into strap sections configured to be releasably coupled together.

19. A sandal comprising:a sole, the sole includes a top sole surface and a bottom sole surface, the sole includes a cushion orifice extending through the sole and opening in the top sole surface and the bottom sole surface;a midsole, the midsole being stacked on top of the sole, the midsole includes an enhanced cushioning, the enhanced cushioning is positioned to extend completely through the sole via the cushion orifice; anda saddle, the saddle encircling the midsole with space in between the saddle and the midsole for insertion of a foot of a wearer.

20. The sandal of claim 19, wherein:the enhanced cushioning is in the shape of a convex projection projecting from a rear midsole portion of the midsole to provide additional cushioning for a heel of a wearer; andthe cushion orifice is positioned in a rear sole portion of the sole.

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