Resilient sandal wedge and sandal formed therewith

• US 5,896,678 A
• Filed: 03/20/1998
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Totes Isotoner Corporation (Totes Isotoner Holdings Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Totes Isotoner Corporation (Totes Isotoner Holdings Group LLC)
• Inventors: Ganon, Michael H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kavanaugh, Ted
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hart, Simon S.
• Application Number:
  US09/045,430
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 36/11.5, 36/37, 36/35 R, 36/35 B, 36/28, 36/29, 36/3 B
• US Class Current: 36/11.5
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/26 Resilient heels
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/32 Resilient supports for the heel of the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/108 characterised by the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/128 characterised by the sole

Abstract

A resilient sandal wedge usable with a sandal formed from a sole and a vamp such as retaining straps and the like and the sandal formed therewith, the wedge having a wedge-shaped body portion, a substantially flat bottom portion, a recess defining the junction of the body and bottom portions, and a plurality of recesses extending from the bottom portion lower surface through the bottom portion and partially through the body portion to provide a cushioning resiliency to the wedge when the sandal user applies pressure on the wedge while walking or running.

Claims

1. A resilient wedge for use with a sole and vamp comprising:

a wedge-shaped body portion;

a substantially flat bottom portion associated with the body portion, the bottom portion having a lower surface and a perimeter;

wherein the body portion and bottom portion define a junction between the body portion and the bottom portion and wherein said body portion extends beyond the perimeter of the bottom portion to form an extending body portion;

a recess defining the junction of the body portion with the bottom portion below the extending body portion and along the perimeter of the bottom portion; and

a plurality of axially elongated recesses, each having a different axis, extending from the bottom portion lower surface through the bottom portion and partially through the body portion, the recesses providing a cushioning resiliency to the wedge when a user applies pressure on the wedge during use.

2. The wedge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wedge has an elevated rear portion and a front lower portion, said elevated rear portion tapering downwardly to said front lower portion.

3. The wedge as claimed in claim 2 wherein the wedge is formed of a polymeric material.

4. The wedge as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of axially elongated recesses are positioned across the bottom portion lower surface of the rear elevated portion and the front lower portion of the wedge.

5. The wedge as claimed in claim 4 wherein each axially elongated recess extends upwardly from the bottom portion lower surface and partially through the body portion to a pre-determined recess depth, said recess depth varying to extend partially through the body portion of the front lower portion and the rear elevated portion.

6. The wedge as claimed in claim 5 wherein said recess depth is largest at the rear elevated portion and is smallest at the front lower portion, said recess depth gradually decreasing as the rear elevated portion tapers downwardly toward the front lower portion.

7. The wedge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wedge is formed of a polymeric material.

8. The wedge as claimed in claim 1 wherein each axially elongated recess defines an empty opening extending from the bottom portion lower surface through the bottom portion and partially through the body portion for providing a cushioning resiliency to the wedge when a user applies pressure on the wedge during use.

9. The wedge as claimed in claim 8 wherein each axially elongated recess has a circular cross-sectional shape.

10. The wedge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wedge-shaped body portion has a foot-bearing surface, each of said axially elongated recesses having a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle relative to said foot-bearing surface.

11. The wedge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said axially elongated recesses are arranged in a matrix.

12. The wedge as claimed in claim 11 wherein said axially elongated recesses are arranged in a plurality of adjacent parallel lines.

13. The wedge as claimed in claim 12 wherein said adjacent parallel lines extend generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of said wedge.

14. The wedge as claimed in claim 13 wherein said axially elongated recesses of one line are offset relative to axially elongated recesses of a parallel adjacent line.

15. The wedge as claimed in claim 12 wherein said adjacent parallel lines extend generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said wedge.

16. The wedge as claimed in claim 15 wherein said axially elongated recesses of one line are offset relative to axially elongated recesses of a parallel adjacent line.

17. A sandal comprising:

a sole;

a vamp; and

a wedge positioned between the sole and the vamp, the wedge including a wedge-shaped body portion, a substantially flat bottom portion associated with the body portion, the body portion having a lower surface and a perimeter, wherein the body portion and the bottom portion define a junction between the body portion and the bottom portion and wherein said body portion extends beyond the perimeter of the bottom portion to form an extending body portion;

a recess defining the junction of the body portion with the bottom portion below the extending body portion and along the perimeter of the bottom portion, and a plurality of axially elongated recesses, each having a different axis, extending from the bottom portion lower surface through the bottom portion and partially through the body portion, the recesses providing a cushioning resiliency to the wedge when the sandal a user applies pressure on the wedge during use.

18. The sandal as claimed in claim 17 wherein the wedge has an elevated rear portion and a front lower portion, said elevated rear portion tapering downwardly to said front lower portion.

19. The sandal as claimed in claim 18 wherein the wedge is formed of a polymeric material.

20. The sandal as claimed in claim 17 wherein the wedge is formed of a polymeric material.