Molded shoe with unitary strap attachment connector
First Claim
1. A footwear piece comprising:
- a sole;
an upper portion extending from the sole and having a rear opening operative to receive a foot of a user and a footwear aperture defined in a back part of the upper portion, wherein a first material defining the footwear aperture has a first thickness and is elastic such that a diameter of the footwear aperture can be increased by stretching;
a strap having a first end, a second end and a strap aperture defined in the first end of the strap, wherein a second material defining the strap aperture has a second thickness and is elastic such that a diameter of the strap aperture can be increased by stretching; and
a connector having a shaft with a length substantially equal to a total of the first thickness plus the second thickness, an inner head fixedly connected to a first end of the shaft and an outer head fixedly connected to a second end of the shaft, wherein the connector secures the first end of the strap to the upper portion by the shaft extending through the footwear aperture and the strap aperture.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shoe having a one-piece connector attaching a strap to the shoe and method of construction the same is provided. The shoe has: a sole; an upper portion extending from the sole with an aperture defined in the upper portion; a strap with a strap aperture defined in an end of the strap; and a one-piece connector having a shaft, an inner head fixed to a first end of the shaft and an outer head fixed to a second end of the shaft. The connector secures the strap to the upper portion of the shoe by the shaft extending through the aperture and the strap aperture. Material surrounding the apertures is elastic to allow diameters of the apertures to be temporarily stretched allowing the inner head of the connector to pass through the apertures before the diameters of the apertures contract, holding the connector in place.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A footwear piece comprising:
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a sole;
an upper portion extending from the sole and having a rear opening operative to receive a foot of a user and a footwear aperture defined in a back part of the upper portion, wherein a first material defining the footwear aperture has a first thickness and is elastic such that a diameter of the footwear aperture can be increased by stretching;
a strap having a first end, a second end and a strap aperture defined in the first end of the strap, wherein a second material defining the strap aperture has a second thickness and is elastic such that a diameter of the strap aperture can be increased by stretching; and
a connector having a shaft with a length substantially equal to a total of the first thickness plus the second thickness, an inner head fixedly connected to a first end of the shaft and an outer head fixedly connected to a second end of the shaft, wherein the connector secures the first end of the strap to the upper portion by the shaft extending through the footwear aperture and the strap aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of attaching a strap to a footwear piece using a connector, the method comprising:
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providing a connector having a shaft, an inner head fixedly connected to a first end of the shaft and an outer head fixedly connected to a second end of the shaft;
aligning a footwear aperture defined in a back part of an upper portion of the footwear piece with a strap aperture defined at an end of the strap;
stretching the strap aperture and the footwear aperture to allow the inner head of the connector to pass through the footwear aperture and strap aperture;
passing the inner head of the connector through the footwear aperture and strap aperture; and
once the inner head of the connector has passed through the footwear aperture and the strap aperture, allowing a diameter of the footwear aperture and a diameter of the strap aperture to contract to a size less than a diameter of the inner head of the connector. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification