Sand walking sandal

Abstract

The sand walking sandal is a hinged sandal for walking on sand having a forward sole section with a foot receiving portion located thereon and an extended forward sole width portion extending outward and laterally from the foot receiving portion. A rearward sole section has a foot receiving portion located thereon, an extended rearward sole width portion extending outward and laterally from the foot receiving portion, and a rearward sole section length extension projecting rearward from the foot receiving portion. A flexible hinge joins the forward and rearward sole sections together, allowing each of the sole sections to angularly rotate about the flexible hinge independent of each other. A foot retaining thong or footwear retaining straps are mounted on the foot receiving portion for securing a user's foot to the hinged sandal.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A sandal sole system for walking on sand, said system comprising: 
 a rigid forward sole section having a footwear receiving portion disposed thereon;    a forward footwear retaining strap assembly disposed on said forward sole section;    a rigid rearward sole section having a footwear receiving portion disposed thereon, a rearward sole section length extension projecting rearward from the footwear receiving portion, the rearward sole section length extension being integral with the rearward sole section;    a rearward footwear retaining strap assembly disposed on the rearward sole section;    a middle sole section joining said forward sole section and said rearward sole section; and    a flexible hinge joining the forward and middle sole sections, and said middle and rearward sole sections together, the hinge allowing each of the sole sections to angularly rotate about the flexible hinge independent of each other.    
   
   
       12 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , further comprising a forward stationary foot-strap anchor and a forward adjustable foot-strap anchor disposed in said forward sole section, the anchors securing said forward footwear retaining strap assembly to said forward sole section.  
   
   
       13 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , further comprising a rearward stationary foot-strap anchor and a rearward adjustable foot-strap anchor disposed in said rearward sole section, the anchors securing said rearward footwear retaining strap assembly to said rearward sole section.  
   
   
       14 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said forward sole section further comprises an extended forward sole width portion extending outward and laterally from the foot receiving portion, the extended forward sole width portion being integral with the forward sole section; and    said rearward sole section further comprises an extended rearward sole width portion extending outward and laterally from said foot receiving portion, the extended rearward sole width portion being integral with the rearward sole section;    said extended forward and rearward sole width portions are about 0.75 to 1.5 inches in extended width.    
   
   
       15 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , wherein said forward, middle and, rearward sole sections each have internal cavities formed therein for reducing the weight of said forward and rearward sole sections.  
   
   
       16 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , wherein said rearward sole length extension is about 1.125 to 1.5 inches in length, said extension extending behind the footwear receiving portion of said rearward sole section.  
   
   
       17 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , wherein an inverted, downwardly opening, transversely extending V-shaped notch is defined between said forward and middle soles sections, and said middle and rearward sole sections.  
   
   
       18 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , wherein said forward and rearward footwear retaining strap assemblies each further comprise: 
 adjustable foot-strap anchors mounted on said forward and rearward sole sections;    retaining straps secured to said forward and rearward sole sections; and    corresponding stud-mate attachments attached to the retaining straps for releaseable attachment to said adjustable foot-strap anchors to allow a user to easily attach and detach footwear from said sandal sole system.    
   
   
       19 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , further including a footwear heel backstop disposed on the rearward sole section.  
   
   
       20 . The sandal sole system of  claim 11 , wherein said middle sole section includes a plurality of sole sections joining said forward and rearward sole sections.