Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
218~140
~o
The present invention relates to a non-slip, self-draining
sandal for use in the shower, spa, swimming pool, lake, or ocean.
The construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention
facilitate the massaging of the underside of the foot and traction
between the foot and the sandal.
Numerous type footwear are known having various configurations
that are in contact with the sole of the foot, see for example, the
following:
U.S. Patent Des. 2S1,216 to Rri~elz shows a slipper having on
the insole thereof a uniform pattern of identical flat projections
protruding upwardly to touch a wearer~5 foot.
2i8~140
U.S. Patent Des. 281,735 to Seltzer shows a foot massaging
sandal having on the insole thereof a uniform pattern of identical
spherical projections protruding upwardly to touch a wearer~s foot.
5U.S. Patent Des. 298,583 to Y~n~-M~o shows a midsole for a
shoe having a pattern of substantially cylindrical projections
protruding downwardly to support a contoured planar midsole that is
in contact with a wearer's foot.
U.S. Patent Des. 305,954 to ~ia shows an insole foot having
10thereon a uniform pattern of spaced apart identical projections
protruding upwardly to touch a wearer~s foot that includes a raised
arch section.
U.S. Patent No. 2,185,762 to ~.M. Cox describes a shower
sandal having a plurality, i.e., six, sponge rubber conoidal knobs
15protruding upward, wherein after soaping the bottom of the foot,
the foot can be stamped up and down to cause a ~squishing effect~
to rinse the soap from the foot.
U.S. Patent No. 3,676,940 to Shively describes a web of rubber
formed with patterns of small closely spaced vacuum cups on each of
20the faces of the web. When compressed between two smooth surfaces,
the cups grip them together. The film can be used as bathing sandal
soles.
U.S. Patent No. 4,215,491 to Giannetti describes a shower boot
having a lining that has a plurality of small projecting knobs,
25prongs or nipples which engage the exterior skin surface of the
foot, ankle and lower leg regions. The movement of the foot in the
2 ~ 4 0
boot while taking a shower provides a scrubbing effect on the foot
to cleanse it.
U.S. Patent No. 4,345,387 to Daswick describes an inner sole
for a shoe that has plurality of openings which are upwardly
enlarged to form air pockets. Each air pocket is closed by a
protrusion having a smoothly rounded upper surface. The protrusions
are of three different heights and diameters, with the smaller
diameter protrusions of greater height. When an impact is received
on the upper surface of the inner sole, the protrusions compress to
support and cushion the under surface of the wearers foot and air
flows out of and is compressed in the openings.
U.S. Patent No. 4,598,484 to Ma describes an insole that
includes a plurality of non-slip projections that can be adjusted
to conform to the curvature of the bottom of the foot.
U.S. Patent No. 4,674,203 to Goller describes an inner sole
having a plurality of cylindrical lugs having rounded heads molded
thereon in uniform rows. A smooth leather covering is glued
thereon. The lugs are arranged to cross at an angle to each other
to provide air channels under the leather covering.
U.S. Patent No. 4,694,831 to Seltzer describes an inner sole
of a sandal that has upwardly projecting flat foot support
platforms with foot stimulating, dome-shaped, spaced massage bumps
and non-specific rounded projections on the areas of the inner sole
not occupied by the platforms. The platforms having a lightly
stippled surface on the areas on the platforms not occupied by the
~821~
massage bumps for preventing slippage of the foot when the sandal
is worn.
U.S. Patent 4,831,749 to ~i describes an insole having a
plurality of uniformly sized and spaced beads protruding upwardly
5 and downwardly. The upper beads are interlacedly adjacent to the
lower beads and separated from each other by a plurality of through
holes therebetween. When the upper beads are depressed by the foot,
air is pumped upwardly through the holes to ventilate the foot
while the beads massage the foot.
U.S. Patent No. 4,893,418 to Ogden describes an insole wherein
the bottom layer is formed of a cushioning material and the top
layer is formed of apertures embedded in the bottom layer so that
the cushioning material extends at least par~ially into the
apertures in the top layer.
U.S. Patent No. 4,896,441 to Galasso describes a removable
innersole that has on the underside (the side not in contact with
the foot) a plurality of protruding cylindrical elements which have
differing transversal ~1~ensions, heights and hardness in different
parts of the innersole to achieve a better distribution in the
20 weight of the user along the entire surface of the inner sole.
U.S. Patent No. 4,897,937 to Misevich describes a base for an
insole of a shoe that provides a non-slip surface and a mechanical
interlock for holding the shoe insole in place.
U.S. Patent No. 4,910,882 to Goller describes an insole for a
25 shoe having a plurality of transverse ribs. The side facing the
foot is covered with a perforated base layer. The shape of the ribs
2 1 82 1 40
.
results in a reinforced reciprocal rolling effect resulting in
foot massaging and aeration.
U.S. Patent No. 4,910,887 to Turner et al describes a boating
shoe having a midsole that includes a drainage system that causes
water seeping into the shoe to be drained therefrom.
U.S. Patent No. 5,035,068 to Biasi describes a removable
insole for a shoe comprising a base having a plurality of upwardly
e,ctending compressible support columns and a pad on top of the
columns to thereby form a chamber therebetween that can be aerated.
None of these known type footwear provides the unique
combination of benefits exhibited by the sandal of this invention.
In particular, none of the prior art provides the cushioning,
massaging and gripping effect on the foot that the sandal of this
invention exhibits, while still providing water drainage capacity
when used, for example, in a shower.
It is an object of this invention to provide a novel sandal
that provides a massaging effect to the foot.
It is another object of this invention to provide a sandal
that anatomically conforms to the bottom of the foot.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a sandal
that can be used in the shower, pool, etc., that adequately drains
water from between the bottom of the foot and the insole of the
sandal.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a spa or
21~140
shower sandal that grips the bottom of the foot to enhance
stability and traction for the user and provides cushioning for the
f~ot.
The shower or spa sandal of this invention co~ lises an
upper and a sole attached thereto. The sole is a one piece molded
polymeric sole shaped structure having an upwardly facing structure
and an opposed downwardly facing surface. The upwardly facing
s~ructure includes a plurality of rounded projections for
contacting and massaging the sole of a foot. Each of the
projections has an approximately circular base extending upwardly
from the structure and a closed head on the upper end that is in
contact with the sole of the foot. The plurality of projections
include (I) a plurality of cylindrical projections, each of which
has a hollow center and a rounded head, the hollow center passing
through the structure and opening to the downwardly facing surface,
(ii) a plurality of tapered finger-like bristles, (iii) an arcuate
member having a hollow center, the hollow center passing through
the structure and opening to the downwardly facing surface, and
(iv) a solid cylindrical shaped disc. The projections on the
u~wardly facing structure are shaped to accommodate the contour of
the foot sole so that substantially all of the surface of the
footsole is in contact with substantially all of the heads of the
projections. Further, the projections are of a height and width
and sufficiently spaced from each other to allow water to drain
away from the foot and off the upwardly facing structure.
~ 1 82 1 ~
By one variant thereof, the upwardly facing
structure includes a heel portion, a metatarsal portion an anterior
metatarsal portion and a toe portion
the heel portion includes the cylindrical shaped disc;
the metatarsal portion includes the plurality of hollow
cylindrical projections;
the anterior metatarsal portion includes the plurality of
hollow cylindrical projections, and
the toe portion includes the arcuate hollow member.
By another variant thereof, the upwardly facing
structure includes a heel portion, a metatarsal portion an anterior
metatarsal portion and a toe portion
the heel portion includes the cylindrical shaped disc
encircled by at least one row of bristles;
the metatarsal portion includes the plurality of hollow
cylindrical projections and a plurality of bristles;
the anterior metatarsal portion includes the plurality of
hollow cylindrical projections, and
the toe portion includes a plurality of bristles and the
arcuate hollow men~er.
218~
By yet another variant thereof, the upwardly facing
structure includes a heel portion, a metatarsal portion an anterior
metatarsal portion and a toe portion
the heel portion includes the cylindrical shaped disc
encircled by at least one row of bristles and one row of hollow
cylindrical projections;
the metatarsal portion includes the plurality of hollow
cylindrical projections and a plurality of tapered bristles;
the anterior metatarsal portion includes the plurality of
hollow cylindrical projections; and
the toe portion includes the plurality of hollow cylindrical
projections, a plurality of tapered bristles and the arcuate hollow
member.
7A
218~140
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the sandal of this invention;
Fig. 2 is cut-away top view of the sandal of this invention;
Fig. 3 iS top view of the sole of the sandal of this invention
without the upper;
Fig. 4 is cross-sectional view of the sandal of this invention
taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;
Fig. S iS a front view of the sandal of this invention;
Fig. 6 iS rear view of the sandal of this invention;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the medial edge of the sandal of this
invention;
Fig. 8 iS a side view of the lateral edge of the sandal of
this invention;
Fig. 9 is bottom view of the sandal of this invention, without
the bottom of the sole;
Fig. 10 iS cross-sectional view of the sandal of this
invention taken along lin 10-10 of Fig. l; and
Fig. 11 iS a cut-away bottom view of the sandal of this
nvent lon .
~,0
Referring to Figs. 1-11, sandal 10 of this invention has an
upper or vamp 12 and a sole 14 attached thereto. Referring to Fig.
3, for example, as used herein, the "lateral edge" refers to the
outside peripheral edge A of the sandal 10 and the "medial edge"
refers to the inside edge B of the sandal 10. Further, as used
2182~40
herein, reference to the "distal end" refers to that end of the
sandal near the toes C, and reference to the ~proximal end~ refers
to that end near the heel of the sandal D. All components shown in
the drawings are for a left sandal 10, the components for a right
sandal being mirror images thereof.
Still referring to Fig. 3, for the purpose of understanding
the invention herein, there are several portions of the sole 14
that correspond to specific regions of the foot and are designed to
fit those regions. One portion of the sole 14 is the heel portion
where the heel region of the foot rests. Another portion of the
sole 14 is the metatarsal portion which corresponds to the arch
region of the foot. Yet another portion of the sole 14 is the
anterior metatarsal portion which extends from the outer
longitudinal arch to the inner longitudinal arch and includes the
portion of the inner sole where the ball of the foot would rest.
Still another portion of the sole 14 corresponds to the area of the
sole where the toes of the foot are positioned.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the upper or vamp 12 is
attached to a peripheral edge 15 of the sole 14. The vamp 12 is
constructed and arranged to keep the sandal secured to the foot.
The vamp 12 covers the forepart of the foot and a portion of the
ankle. Typically the vamp 12 is made from a soft, flexible
material e.g. a cloth or fabric which will not be damaged by
wet environments and dries easily to a soft, flexible consistency.
The vamp 12 may be connected to the peripheral edge of the sole 15
by stitching, gluing or a combination thereof.
2 1 82 1 4~
The sole 14 is a one piece molded polymeric sole shaped
structure having an upwardly facing structure 16 and an opposed
downwardly facing surface 18. The downwardly facing surface 18 can
include treads or ridges thereon to provide a non-slip surface.
The sole 14 is also of a sufficient thickness so as to provide the
wearer with a degree of protection from hazardous objects on which
the wearer might step.
The upwardly facing structure 16 includes a plurality of
several type of rounded projections 20, 22, 24, and 26 extending
upwardly from the molded sole 14 to form the upwardly facing
structure that contacts the wearer~s foot. The projections 20, 22,
24, and 26 are formed from a flexible polymeric or plastic material
compatible with human skin.
Referring to the Figures, with Fig. 10 being helpful,
generally, each of the projections 20, 22, 24, and 26 has an
approximately circular base 20a, 22a, 24a, and 26a extending
upwardly from the structure 16 and a closed head 20b, 22b, 24b and
26b on the upper end of the projection 20, 22, 24, and 26 that is
in contact with the sole of the foot. Generally, the heads 20b,
22b, 24b and 26b of the projections 20, 22, 24, and 26 are rounded
off, convex or smooth to comfortably contact a corresponding region
of the sole of the foot.
In the sandal 10 of this invention, their are four different
type projections 20, 22, 24, and 26. Referring, for example to
Figs. 3 and 10, the ~mln~nt number of projections are cylindrical
projections 20. Each one of these projections 20 has a cylindrical
2182140
base 20a that has a hollow center 20c and a rounded head 20b. The
hollow center 20c passes through the structure 16 to the downwardly
facing surface 18 to provide an opening 21 in the surface 18. Thus,
depending on the diameter and height of projection 20 and the wall
thickness, this type projection not only provides support but also
provides a cushioning effect created by the air that is trapped in
and escapes from the hollow center 20c. For general guidance, the
height of each projection 20 is 3-9 millimeters (mm) and the
diameter 8 millimeters.
Referring, for example, to Figs. 1 and 10, other type
projections in the upwardly facing structure 16 are solid, tapered
finger-like bristles 22. Each bristle comprises a tapered circular
base 22a ending in a spherical or rounded head 22b. These bristles
2,' provide support and a massaging effect to the sole. Further, due
to the bristles 22 relatively small diameter they can be used to
.~fill-i~ between the other larger sized projections, i.e., 20, 24
and 26. For general guidance, the height of each bristle 22 is
4-12 millimeters with a diameter of 3-6 millimeters at
the base and narrowing to 2-4 millimeters at the top.
Referring, for example, to Figs. 1-3 and 9, another type
projection in the upwardly facing structure 16 is an arcuate member
24. This member 24 has an arcuate base 24a that has a substantially
hollow center 24c and a relatively flat and smooth head 24b. At the
joinder of the head 24b and the base 24a, are rounded edges 24d.
The hollow center 24c passes through the structure 16 to the
downwardly facing surface 18 to provide an opening 25 in the
2 ~ ~ 1 40
surface 18. Thus, this type projection 24 not only provides support
but also provides a cushioning effect created by the air that is
trapped in and escapes from the hollow center 24c. For general
guidance, the height of the arcuate member 24 is 6
millimeters, the length 24 millimeters and the width 8
m-,llimeters.
Referring, for example, to Figs. 3 and 10, the final type
projection in the upwardly facing structure 16 is a solid
cylindrical shaped disc 26. This projection 26 has a substantially
0 solid cylindrical base 26a and a relatively flat, smooth circular
head 26b. At the joinder of the head 26b and the base 26a, are
rounded edges 26c. For general guidance, the height is 4
m-llimeters and the diameter 17 millimeters. The head 26b may
have a label adhesively applied thereto having, for example the
size of the sandal or other product information printed thereon
Such information may also be molded or printed thereon.
It is understood that the foregoing dimensions are by way o~
example only. Other ~en~ions for the height, width and diameter
of the projections can be employed.
2G As indicated previously, the sole 14 includes the heel portion
where the heel region of the foot rests, the metatarsal portion
which corresponds to the arch region of the foot, the anterior
metatarsal portion which extends from the outer longitudinal arch
to the inner longitudinal arch and includes the portion of the
~5 inner sole where the ball of the foot rests and the area of the
sole where the toes of the foot are positioned.
2~82~40
Referring to Fig. 3, preferably, the heel portion includes the
cylindrical shaped disc 26 encircled by at least one row of
bristles 22 and one row of hollow cylindrical projections 20; the
metatarsal portion includes the plurality of hollow cylindrical
projections 20 and a plurality of brlstles 22; the anterior
metatarsal portion includes the plurality of hollow cylindrical
projections 20, and the toe portion includes the arcuate hollow
member 24, a plurality of bristles 22 and hollow cylindrical
projections 20.
More specifically still referring to FIG. 3 and 10, the
bristles 22 encircling the disc 26 in the heel portion are
approximately the same height as the disc 26. The plurality of
cylindrical projections 20 encircling the disc 26 are all of the
same diameter, but of varying heights. The taller projections 20
are slightly higher than the disc 26 and the bristles 22 encircling
the disc 26 and are on the outer edge of the sole 14. The
cylindrical projections 20 in the middle of the sole 14 are about
the same height as the disc 26 and bristles 22.
The metatarsal portion of the sole 14 is comprised of an arc-
shaped row of upwardly projecting finger-like bristles 22 of
uniform height, width and shape, having a height and width slightly
greater than that of the bristles 22 on the heel portion of the
sole 14. This arc-shaped row of bristles 22 extends from a point on
the medial edge of the sole, passes through the middle o~ the
metatarsal portion to another point on the medial edge distal from
the first point and encloses a portion of the sole over which the
~ 1 82 1 40
arch will lie. Inside the arc-shaped row of bristles 22 is an arc-
shaped row of cylindrical projections 20 of a uniform diameter and
height. The height of these projections 20 are slightly greater
than that of the arc-shaped row of bristles 22. This arc-shaped
row of projections 20 is inside of and parallel to the arc-shaped
row of bristles 22, i.e., extending from a point on the medial edge
to another point on the medial edge distal from the first point and
encloses a portion of the sole over which a portion of the arch
will lie. Inside the arc-shaped row of projections 20 are three
rows of bristles 22 with the outer row running longit~ n~l ly along
the medial edge of the sole 14 and each of the two inner rows
running parallel to the outer row. The inner row of bristles 22
are of a height slightly greater than that of the arc-shaped row of
projections 20. The middle row of bristles 22 are greater in number
and of a height slightly greater than that of the inner row of
bristles 22. The outer row of bristles 22 are greater in number
and of a height slightly greater than that of the middle row of
bristles 22.
Additionally, several rows of projections 20 run
^G longitudinally along the outer lateral edge of the metatarsal
portion of sole 14 from the front of the heel to the anterior
metatarsal portion of the sole. These projections 20 are of
uniform diameter with the height varying slightly, with the row of
projections 20 closest to the lateral edge being of a greater
height than the adjacent rows of projections.
2182~40
On the anterior metatarsal portion of the sole 14 where the
ball of the foot rests, just behind the anterior metatarsal arch,
are a plurality of cylindrical projections 20 of uniform diameter.
The height of these projections 20 varies according to their
position on the sole 14. The projections 20 are shortest where the
ball of the foot rests directly on the sole 14 and taller the
further away from the center of the ball of the foot.
The toe portion of the sole 14, in front of the anterior
metatarsal arch, is comprised of an arc-shaped rows of cylindrical
projections 20 of uniform height and diameter running along the
lateral edge of the toe portion of the sole 14. Inside these arc-
shaped rows, distal from the anterior metatarsal arch, where the
toes of the foot attach to the base of the foot, there are three
arc-shaped uniform rows of bristles 22 of a height equal to that of
the surrounding upward projections 20. These rows of bristles 22
run from just inside the projections 20 along the lateral edge of
the sole 14 to a point just inside projections 20 on the medial
edge of the sole 14, extending to a point more rearward or proximal
on the lateral edge of the sole 14 than the point on the medial
edge. Between the arc-shaped row of projections 20 on the edge of
the front or distal end of the sole 14 and the three arc-shaped
rows of finger-like bristles 22, are a plurality of cylindrical
projections 20 of uniform diameter interspersed with a plurality of
bristles 22 of uniform diameter, all being of uniform height equal
to the height of the projections 20 in the surrounding arc-shaped
row of projections 20 along the front or distal end of the sole 14.
2 1 8~ 1 40
At the portion of the sole 14 where the big toe would rest,
immediately distal from the three arc-shaped rows of bristles 22,
is the arcuate member 24. Distal from the arcuate member 24
extending to the arc-shaped row of projections 20 along the distal
edge of the inner sole 14 are a plurality of bristles 22 of uniform
diameter and height of a height equal to that of the arcuate 24
member.
Referring to Figs. 1-8, generally, the projections 20, 22, 24
and 26 on the upwardly facing structure 16 are shaped to
accommodate the contour of the foot sole so that substantially all
of the surface of the foot-sole is in contact with substantially all
of the heads 20b, 22b, 24b and 26b of the projections 20, 22, 24
and 26. Further, the projections 20, 22, 24 and 26 are of a height
and width and sufficiently spaced from each other to allow water
to drain away from the foot and off the upwardly facing structure
1~ .
^5
