# US 7,464,488 B2 · Reversible footwear strap

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- Number: US 7,464,488 B2
- Document ID: US7464488B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/942,371
- Filed: 2004-09-16
- Published: 2005-02-24
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2001-04-24
- Assignees: U Turn Sports Co. LLC
- Inventors: Lindell B. Jones; Raymond F. Tonkel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7464488B2

## CPC

- A43B 3/10: Low shoes {, e.g. comprising only a front strap}; Slippers
- A43B 1/0027: {made at least partially from a material having special colours}
- A43B 1/0072: {made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials}
- A43B 3/0031: {provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card}
- A43B 3/0078: {provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration (A43B23/24 takes precedence)}
- A43B 3/24: Collapsible or convertible
- A43B 3/242: {characterised by the upper}
- A43B 5/16: Skating boots
- A43B 7/12: Special watertight footwear (overshoes A43B3/16)
- A43B 23/24: Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
- A43B 23/26: Tongues for shoes
- A43C 3/00: Hooks for laces (making from sheet metal B21D53/46); Guards for hooks
- A43C 7/02: Flaps; Pockets
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

The present invention pertains to footwear where the tongue, or strap, may be reversed, in order to change the aesthetics, coloration, indicia, or other appearance of the footwear. A sandal has an outer strap that reverses upon manipulation by the wearer, where the outer strap turns to expose one surface, which may have a stylized and attractive finish provided thereon, or it may be reversed, so as to change the coloration, indicia, design, or other appearance aspects of the sandal. Alternatively, the outer strap joins to a strap designed to contact the instep of a foot. Rotation of the outer strap occurs without removal of a foot from the strap or the sandal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An item of footwear comprising:
a planar sole, having a general shape to fit a foot;
a means to connect the footwear to a foot, having an outer strap wherein said outer strap attaches to said connecting means by a linking means that allows rotation of said outer strap about the longitudinal axis of said outer strap thereby displaying alternate surfaces to change the appearance of the footwear;
a means to secure said outer strap to said connecting means;
said connecting means having a first shoulder upon the inside of said sole proximate to the ball of the foot, and a second shoulder upon the outside of said sole opposite to said first shoulder;
said linking means joining said first shoulder and said outer strap being generally centered both;
said linking means including a tapered swivel;
said securing means having a first part upon said second shoulder and a second part upon said outer strap opposite said linking mean; and
said security means including hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, or bayonet locks, and wherein said first part has a male securing means and said second part has a female securing means to receive said first part.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The footwear of claim 1 wherein said securing means is one of hook and loop fasteners and bayonet locks, and said second part upon said outer strap is a hole of complementary shape to receive said first part.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The footwear of claim 2 further comprising:
a strap, of similar shape to said outer strap, having a span between said first shoulder and said second shoulder and a location beneath said outer strap;
whereby, a foot remains beneath said strap while said outer strap rotates and the foot remains connected to the footwear when worn.