Convertible Sandal

Abstract

An article of footwear to be used as a convertible sandal comprising a sole for supporting a foot, a forefoot cover, and a rear heel support. The sole has a top surface, a toe side, a heel portion, and a sidewall. The sidewall of the sole has an interlocking section along the heel portion of the sole. The convertible sandal further includes a forefoot cover, which is securely attached to the sole and extends over the toe side of the top surface of the sole. The forefoot cover is preferably in the form of a thong, but alternatively may be in the form of a slide, a vamp, a foot strap, a sock, or a clog. The convertible sandal also includes a rear heel support member securely attached to the sole. The rear heel support is capable of being set within the interlocking section of the sidewall of the sole to thereby hold the rear heel support to the sidewall of the sole. The user thus has the option of using the rear heel support to secure his heel to the heel portion of the sandal, or alternatively setting the rear heel support within the interlocking section of the sidewall and thereafter using the sandal in a “flip-flop” style.

1 . A convertible sandal, comprising:
 a sole having a top surface, a toe section, a heel section, and a side wall, the side wall having an interlocking section along the heel section of the sole; and   a support member having a first portion extending from a lateral side of the sole to a medial side of the sole, wherein the first portion of said support member is adapted to be movable between a first position in which the first portion is set within the interlocking section from the lateral side of the sole to the medial side of the sole and a second position in which the first portion extends over a portion of the top surface of the sole.   
     
     
         2 . A convertible sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sole is comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         3 . A convertible sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sole includes an opening which transects through the sole from the lateral side to the medial side, and wherein a second portion of the support member is disposed within the opening to thereby link the support member with the sole. 
     
     
         4 . A convertible sandal as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the support member is comprised of rubber. 
     
     
         5 . A sandal, comprising:
 a sole having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall having a channel extending around the heel portion of the sole, wherein said sole has an opening which transects through the sole from a lateral side to a medial side thereof; and   a strap adapted to be movable between a first position in which the strap is set within said channel from the lateral side of the sole to the medial side of the sole and a second position in which said strap extends over a portion of top surface of the sole, wherein at least a portion of the strap is disposed within the opening to thereby connect the strap with the sole.   
     
     
         6 . A sandal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the sole includes a midsole and an outsole, and the channel on the heel portion of the sole is embedded into the midsole. 
     
     
         7 . A sandal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the sole is comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         8 . A sandal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the strap is comprised of rubber. 
     
     
         9 . A sandal, comprising:
 a sole having a sidewall, said sidewall having an interlocking section; and   a strap linked to the sole for retaining a user's foot, wherein said strap is adapted to be set within the interlocking section from a lateral side of the sole to a medial side of the sole to thereby interlock with the sidewall.   
     
     
         10 . A sandal as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the sole is comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         11 . A sandal as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the sole includes an opening which transects through the sole from the lateral side to the medial side, and wherein the strap is partially disposed within the opening to thereby link the strap with the sole. 
     
     
         12 . A sandal as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the strap is comprised of rubber.