Training sandal and method of use

Abstract

A training sandal for barefoot running conditioning is provided. According to the method of the present invention two sandals are provided, each sandal having an elastic sole that decreases in elasticity with use in running and walking. A wearer then runs with the sandals to cause the elastic sole to decrease in elasticity, whereby the feet of the wearer are gradually strengthened to accommodate bare foot running.

1 . A sandal comprising:
 a sole, the sole made of an elastic material that decreases in elasticity with wear; and   a foot attachment means, the foot attachment means securing the sandal to a wearer's foot while permitting full mobility of each toe of the wearer relative to the foot attachment means.   
     
     
         2 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a mid-sole and an outer sole, the mid-sole disposed between the outer sole and the foot attachment means, and the mid-sole comprising material that decreases in elasticity and resilience over time. 
     
     
         3 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a mid-sole and a top sole, the top sole disposed between the mid-sole and the foot attachment means, and the mid-sole comprising material that decreases in elasticity and resilience over time. 
     
     
         4 . The sandal of  claim 3 , wherein the sole further comprises an outer sole, the mid-sole disposed between the outer sole and the top sole. 
     
     
         5 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole presents a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 5 degrees of co-planarity. 
     
     
         6 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole presents a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 20 degrees of co-planarity. 
     
     
         7 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a mid-sole presenting a top surface and an outer sole presenting a bottom surface distal from the mid-sole, the mid-sole disposed between the outer sole and the foot attachment means and the top surface distal from the outer sole, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 5 degrees of co-planarity, and the mid-sole comprising material that decreases in elasticity over time. 
     
     
         8 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a mid-sole presenting a top surface and an outer sole presenting a bottom surface distal from the mid-sole, the mid-sole disposed between the outer sole and the foot attachment means and the top surface distal from the outer sole, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 20 degrees of co-planarity, and the mid-sole comprising material that decreases in elasticity over time. 
     
     
         9 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a mid-sole presenting a bottom surface and a top sole presenting a top surface distal from the mid-sole, the top sole disposed between the mid-sole and the foot attachment means and the bottom surface of the mid-sole distal from the top sole, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 5 degrees of co-planarity 
     
     
         10 . The sandal of  claim 9 , wherein the mid-sole comprises material that decreases in elasticity over time. 
     
     
         11 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a mid-sole presenting a bottom surface and a top sole presenting a top surface distal from the mid-sole, the top sole disposed between the mid-sole and the foot attachment means and the bottom surface of the mid-sole distal from the top sole, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 20 degrees of co-planarity. 
     
     
         12 . The sandal of  claim 11 , wherein the mid-sole comprises material that decreases in elasticity over time. 
     
     
         13 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the foot attachment means comprising a forefoot strap, the forefoot strap coupled with the sole and adapted to couple the sole to a human foot without constraining any toes of the human foot. 
     
     
         14 . The sandal of  claim 13 , wherein the sole presents a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 20 degrees of co-planarity. 
     
     
         15 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the foot attachment means comprising an ankle strap assembly, the ankle strap assembly adapted to detachably couple a human foot to the sole. 
     
     
         16 . The sandal of  claim 15 , wherein the sole presents a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 20 degrees of co-planarity. 
     
     
         17 . The sandal of  claim 15 , the foot attachment means further comprising a forefoot strap, the forefoot strap coupled with the sole and adapted to couple the sole to a human foot without constraining any toes of the human foot. 
     
     
         18 . The sandal of  claim 17 , wherein the sole presents a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 5 degrees of co-planarity. 
     
     
         19 . The sandal of  claim 17 , wherein the sole presents a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are co-planar within the range of from zero degrees to 20 degrees of co-planarity. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 a. providing two sandals, each sandal having an elastic sole that decreases in elasticity and in resilience with wear; and   b. running with the sandals to cause the elastic sole to decrease in elasticity, whereby the feet of the wearer are gradually strengthened to accommodate bare foot running.