Sandal with replaceable upper and method

Abstract

A sandal 10 comprises a sandal upper 12 having one or more straps 14 for positioning over a user's foot, and a sandal sole 20 having a sandal ground engaging surface 22 and an opposing upper surface 24 . A plurality of releasable connectors 30 are each secured to an end of the one of the straps. Each connector is positionable within a cavity 24 within the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector to the sandal sole. In one embodiment, the sandal sole houses a connector base 40 , and the connector base includes a cavity 47 for receiving a portion of the connector therein.

1 . A sandal, comprising: 
 a sandal upper including one or more straps for positioning over a user's foot;    a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface and an opposing foot sole engaging surface;,and    a plurality of releasable connectors each secured to an end of the one or more straps and positionable within a cavity within the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector to the sandal sole, such that the plurality of releasable connectors and the sandal upper may be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors.    
   
   
       2 . A sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cavity within the sandal sole houses a connector base, the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position.  
   
   
       3 . A sandal as defined in  claim 2 , wherein each connector base is rotatable with respect to the sandal sole to connect and disconnect the connector from the sandal sole.  
   
   
       4 . A sandal as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a slot in a lower surface of the connector base for facilitating rotating the connector with respect to a respective connector.    
   
   
       5 . A sandal as defined in  claim 2 , wherein each connector base includes a catch member for engaging a respective connector when the connector base is in the interconnected position, the catch member being rotatable from the interconnected position to a disengaged position.  
   
   
       6 . A sandal as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a lock member for retaining the catch member in the interconnected position.    
   
   
       7 . A sandal as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the lock member is a radially inward protrusion within the cavity in the connector base.  
   
   
       8 . A sandal as defined in  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of connector bases rotates with respect to a respective connector from about 60° to about 90° between the interconnected position and a disengaged position.  
   
   
       9 . A sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of a plurality of connectors has a central axis, and the catch member extends laterally in opposing directions outward of a lower portion of the connector.  
   
   
       10 . A sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more straps are each secured to a respective one of the plurality of releasable connectors by stitching.  
   
   
       11 . A sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cavity in the sandal sole has a lower generally cylindrical portion for receiving the connector base therein, and an upper generally slot-shaped portion in communication with the generally cylindrical portion for receiving the connector therein.  
   
   
       12 . A sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connector has a through port for receiving a respective strap from the sandal upper therein.  
   
   
       13 . A sandal, comprising: 
 a sandal upper including one or more straps for positioning over a user's foot;    a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface and an opposing foot sole engaging surface;    a plurality of releasable connectors each secured to an end of the one or more straps and positionable within a cavity within the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector to the sandal sole, such that the plurality of releasable connectors and the sandal upper may be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors;    the cavity within the sandal sole housing a connector base, the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position; and    each connector base is rotatable with respect to a respective connector to connect and disconnect the connector from the sandal sole.    
   
   
       14 . A sandal as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each connector base includes a catch member for interconnecting a respective connector, the catch member being rotatable from the interconnected position to a disengaged position.  
   
   
       15 . A sandal as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of connector bases rotates with respect to a respective connector from about 60° to about 90° between the interconnected position and a disengaged position.  
   
   
       16 . A sandal as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each of a plurality of connectors has a central axis, and the catch member extends laterally in opposing directions outward of a lower portion of the connector.  
   
   
       17 . A method of releasable connecting a sandal upper including one or more straps for positioning over a user's foot with a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface, the method comprising: 
 securing each of a plurality of releasable connectors to a respective end of the one or more straps;    positioning each releasable connector within a cavity within the sandal sole; and    thereafter disconnecting the releasable connectors and sandal upper from the sandal sole and replacing the sandal upper with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors.    
   
   
       18 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the cavity within the sandal sole houses a connector base, the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position.  
   
   
       19 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 rotating each connector base with respect to a respective connector to connect and disconnect the connector from the connector base.    
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 providing a generally rectilinear through port in each connector for receiving a respective end of a strap of the sandal upper.