Non-constrictive footwear

Abstract

The non-constrictive footwear has interchangeable foot dressings. The footwear includes sandals having soles fabricated from a soft, flexible material. The foot dressings include wraps or straps that are fabricated from materials that are stretchable, soft and breathable such as fabric used in swimsuits, bras and/or sportswear and the like. The foot dressings can be easily detached from the sole and replaced with a dressing of another color or pattern if desired. The dressings also may be accessorized with jewelry so as to stylize the dressing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to wearing apparel. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to non-constrictive footwear.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The sandal has become the "chic" footwear apparel for activities such as picnics, beach outings and the like, or for just everyday leisure wear. Heretofore, the sandal wearer has required many different conventional sandal styles to appease the desire to remain "foot-fashionable". Furthermore, the usual rigidity of conventional sandals functions to restrict blood flow in the feet and are uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. The art would certainly welcome sandals that can be easily modified to give a different look to fit the occasion, which sandals are also non-restrictive and comfortable. Thus, non-constrictive footwear solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is drawn to non-constrictive footwear having interchangeable foot dressings. The footwear comprises sandals having soles fabricated from any conventional sole material but preferably a soft flexible material. The foot dressings include wraps or straps that are fabricated from materials that are stretchable, soft and breathable such as fabrics used in swimsuits, lingerie and/or sportswear and the like as opposed to the relatively rigid leather and/or plastic straps currently employed in the sandal industry. The foot dressings can be easily detached from the sole and replaced with a dressing of another color or pattern. Alternatively, the dressings may be permanently attached to the sole in some instances. The dressings also may be accessorized with jewelry so as to stylize the dressing.

[0006] Accordingly, the invention presents footwear that is comfortable and fashionable. The invention permits a wearer to modify the footwear to attain a desired "look". The footwear is especially beneficial to wearers having medical problems such as Hallux Valgus (deformed big toe) or diabetes, in that the footwear is non-constrictive and permits better blood circulation in the feet. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0007] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a first embodiment of non-constrictive footwear according to the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of non-constrictive footwear according to the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment of non-constrictive footwear according to the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of non-constrictive footwear according to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an environmental, perspective view of a third embodiment of non-constrictive footwear according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of non-constrictive footwear according to the present invention.

[0014] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein a first embodiment of a sandal to be dubbed "The Sandal Flip" is illustrated. The instant sandal comprises a sole 10 preferably fabricated from a flexible, soft material. A cloth foot wrap 12 is detachably secured to sole 10. Cloth wrap 12 components include toe wrap 14, mid-foot wrap 16 and ankle wrap 18. All components may be permanently attached or alternatively, detachably secured to the sole in any suitable and convenient manner (hook and loop, buttons, snaps, threaded, etc.). The components of wrap 12 are all fabricated from a soft, stretchable, breathable fabric.

[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 are illustrative of a second embodiment called "The Naked". This embodiment also includes a sole 10 preferably fabricated from a soft, flexible material. A between-toe strap formed as a loop 20 and a mid-foot strap 22 are detachably or permanently secured to sole 10 in a convenient manner as suggested above. Loop 20 and strap 22 are preferably fabricated from clear stretchable material. The sandal may be accessorized with an ornamental wrap 23 if desired.

[0017] A third embodiment of the invention, named "The Chameleon" is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. As in the above-described embodiments, sole 10 is fabricated from a soft, flexible material. Sole 10 of the instant embodiment includes a forward component having a front-foot strap portion 30 and a between-toe portion 32. A mid-foot support strap component 34 is positioned between portion 30 and ankle strap component 36. As noted above, all components are fabricated from soft, stretchable, breathable material and can be easily detached or permanently attached from the sole.

[0018] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An article of non-constrictive footwear, comprising: a sole member having an upper surface for supporting a wearer's foot thereon; and a foot-engaging dressing mounted to the sole, the foot-engaging dressing securing the wearer's foot on the sole, the foot-engaging dressing being fabricated from a soft, stretchable, breathable material.

2. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 1, wherein said sole member is fabricated from a soft, flexible material.

3. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 1, wherein said foot engaging dressing is easily detachable from said sole member.

4. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 1, wherein said foot dressing is a cloth wrap fabricated from a soft, stretchable, breathable material.

5. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 1, wherein said foot dressing is an array of straps, the straps being fabricated from a soft, stretchable, breathable material.

6. An article of non-constrictive footwear, comprising: a sole member having an upper surface for supporting a wearer's foot thereon; and a cloth foot-engaging wrap dressing detachably mounted to the sole, the cloth foot-engaging wrap dressing securing the wearer's foot on the sole, the cloth foot-engaging, wrap dressing being fabricated from a soft, stretchable, breathable material.

7. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 6, wherein said cloth, foot-engaging wrap includes a toe wrap portion, a mid-foot wrap portion and an ankle wrap portion.

8. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 7, wherein said sole member is fabricated from a soft, flexible material.

9. An article of non-constrictive footwear, comprising: a sole member having an upper surface for supporting a wearer's foot thereon; and an array of foot-engaging straps detachably mounted to the sole, the array of foot-engaging straps securing the wearer's foot on the sole, the array of foot-engaging straps being fabricated from a soft, stretchable, breathable material.

10. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 9, wherein said array of foot-engaging straps includes a between-toe loop portion and a mid-foot strap portion.

11. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 9, wherein said array of foot-engaging straps includes a front-foot strap portion, a mid-foot strap portion and an ankle strap portion.

12. The article of non-restrictive footwear according to claim 11, wherein said front foot strap portion includes a between-toe strap portion.