Sandal with an interchangeable decorative strap

Abstract

A sandal comprises a sole, a first strap having a first end, a second end and at least one first magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends, each of the first and second ends mounted to the sole at a predetermined position such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, and a second strap having a first end, a second end and at least second magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends corresponding to the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strip by a magnetic attraction force generated between the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the corresponding at least one second magnetic member of the second strap.

1 . A sandal, comprising:
 (a) a sole;   (b) a first strap having a first end, a second end and at least one first magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends, each of the first and second ends mounted to the sole at a predetermined position such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein; and   (c) a second strap having a first end, a second end and at least second magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends corresponding to the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strip by a magnetic attraction force generated between the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the corresponding at least one second magnetic member of the second strap.   
     
     
         2 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap further has a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the at least one first magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers. 
     
     
         3 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the second strap further has a first layer and a second layer, wherein the at least one second magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers, wherein the second layer comprises a decorative pattern, and wherein when attached, the first layer of the second strip is substantially in contact with the second layer of the first strap. 
     
     
         4 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein one of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material, and wherein the other of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetically attractable metal. 
     
     
         5 . The sandal of  claim 1 , further comprising a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole at a predetermined position and an opposite, second end secured to a central portion of the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. 
     
     
         6 . A sandal, comprising:
 (a) a sole;   (b) a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein;   (c) a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface; and   (d) a snap fastener having a plurality of sockets and a plurality of studs corresponding to the plurality of sockets, wherein the plurality of sockets is mounted to one of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap, while the plurality of studs is mounted to the other of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by snapping the plurality of studs into the corresponding sockets.   
     
     
         7 . The sandal of  claim 6 , wherein the first strap has a size, and wherein the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap. 
     
     
         8 . The sandal of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. 
     
     
         9 . The sandal of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of sockets and the plurality of studs is made of metal or plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The sandal of  claim 6 , further comprising a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. 
     
     
         11 . A sandal, comprising:
 (a) a sole;   (b) a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein;   (c) a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface; and   (d) a zip fastener having at least one protrusion and at least one groove adapted for receiving the at least one protrusion, wherein one of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the second surface of the first strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the first strap, while the other of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the first surface of the second strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by zipping the at least one protrusion into the at least one groove.   
     
     
         12 . The sandal of  claim 11 , wherein the first strap has a size, and wherein the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap. 
     
     
         13 . The sandal of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. 
     
     
         14 . The sandal of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove are formed of plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The sandal of  claim 11 , further comprising a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot.