Surfing sandal
OwnerDavid J. Hergenroederinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sandal particularly well suited for surfing has an instep pad adapted to extend across the instep at the top of the foot and a traction surface adapted to extend across the bottom of the foot between the heel and the ball of the foot. An ankle strap holds the pad and sole rearward while a toe strap holds the pad and sole forward. A cross strap over the foot near the leg prevents the ankle strap from falling down around the heel. A traction surface is applied to the sole and a second traction surface is applied to the toe strap below the base of the toe. The sandal is constructed of neoprene for warmth and flexibility and the traction pads are preferably formed from a rubber. Loop and pile fasteners allow the straps to be adjusted.
Claims7
A surfing sandal to be worn on a wearer's foot having an instep, a big toe, a heel, and an arch, the sandal comprising:
- an instep pad extending across the instep of the foot and covering that portion of the foot over the metatarsals whereby forces on the covered portion of the foot are mitigated by the pad when the wearer is kneeling on a surf board;
- a flexible sole portion extending under the arch of the foot and integrally connected over an inner portion of the foot to a first end of the instep pad and over an outer portion of the foot to a second end of the instep pad, the sole portion further terminating at a posterior end of the arch of the foot to expose the heel and terminating at an anterior end of the arch to expose that portion of the foot under the head of the second through fifth metatarsals and extending to the anterior end of the arch, thereby allowing said exposed portion to directly contact a surf board, said sole portion further being highly pliable to snugly fit the contour of the arch of the foot gripping the foot in combination with the instep pad;
- an ankle strap extending from the first end of the instep pad around the back of the foot above the heel to the second end of the instep pad, the attachment of the ankle strap substantially perpendicular to the attachment of the sole portion thereby urging the instep and sole portion firmly against the instep and arch of the foot respectively;
- and
- a forward strap encircling the big toe and attached to the sole portion under that portion of the foot under the head of the first metatarsal thereby constraining the sole portion from rearward movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.