Strap Pads for Flip-Flops

Abstract

A strap pad provides a modification to open type shoes known as flip-flops, sandals, or any footwear that incorporate a strap to hold a foot to the sole of a shoe. As the strap stretches and/or the sole compresses from use, the foot fits loosely between the strap and the sole of the shoe. The strap pad is fixed to the underside of the strap so the foot fits snuggly between the strap pad and the sole. The strap pad may fit completely under the strap so it is hidden from view. The strap pad may be fixed to the strap using adhesive, a snap fastener, or a hook-and-loop fastener.

1 : A method for modifying an open type shoe comprising a sole and a strap that holds a foot to the sole, the method comprising:
 attaching a strap pad to an underside of the strap so the foot fits snuggly between the strap pad and the sole.   
     
     
         2 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the open type shoe comprises a flip-flop or a sandal and said attaching occurs after a purchase of the open type shoe. 
     
     
         3 : The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the strap pad from a plurality of strap pads of different thicknesses. 
     
     
         4 : The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the strap pad from a plurality of strap pads of different shapes, the strap pad fitting completely under the strap. 
     
     
         5 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein said attaching comprises:
 adhering an adhesive topside of the strap pad to the underside of the strap.   
     
     
         6 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein said attaching comprises:
 interlocking a first half of a snap fastener on the underside of the strap and a second half of the snap fastener on a topside of the strap pad.   
     
     
         7 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein a topside of the strap pad comprises a first component of the hook-and-loop fastener, and said attaching comprises:
 adhering an adhesive underside of a second component of a hook-and-loop fastener to the underside of the strap; and   interlocking the second component of the hook-and-loop fastener to the first component of the hook-and-loop fastener.   
     
     
         8 : The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said attaching, trimming the strip cushion so the strap pad fits completely under the strap. 
     
     
         9 : A footwear package, comprising:
 an open type shoe comprising a sole and a strap that holds a foot to the sole; and   a plurality of strap pads attachable to an underside of the strap so the foot fits snuggly between a strap pad and the sole, each strap pad comprising a shape that matches the strap so the strap pad fits completely under the strap.   
     
     
         10 : The package of  claim 9 , wherein the strap pads have different thicknesses. 
     
     
         11 : The package of  claim 9 , wherein each strap pad comprises a shape of a quadrilateral. 
     
     
         12 : The package of  claim 9 , wherein each cushion body comprises a waterproof material. 
     
     
         13 : The package of  claim 9 , wherein each strap pad comprises a cushion body, a layer of adhesive on a topside of the cushion body, and a backing over the adhesive. 
     
     
         14 : The package of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the shoe further comprises a first half of a snap fastener fixed to the underside of the strap; and   each strap pad comprises a cushion body and a second half of the snap fastener fixed to a topside of the cushion body.   
     
     
         15 : The package of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a topside of the strap pad comprises a first component of a hook-and-loop fastener; and   the underside of the strap comprises a second component of the hook-and-loop fastener.   
     
     
         16 : A package of strap pads for an open type shoe comprising a sole and a strap that holds a foot to the sole, the package comprising:
 a plurality of strap pads attachable to an underside of the strap so the foot fits snuggly between a strap pad and the sole, at least two strap pads being of a same shape but different thicknesses.   
     
     
         17 : The package of  claim 16 , wherein at least two strap pads are of different shapes of a same thickness. 
     
     
         18 : The package of  claim 16 , wherein each strap pad comprises a cushion body, a layer of adhesive on a topside of the cushion body, and a backing over the adhesive. 
     
     
         19 : The package of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the shoe further comprises a first half of a snap fastener fixed to the underside of the strap; and   each strap pad comprises a cushion body and a second half of the snap fastener fixed to a topside of the cushion body.   
     
     
         20 : The package of  claim 16 , wherein:
 a topside of the strap pad comprises a first component of a hook-and-loop fastener; and   the underside of the strap comprises a second component of the hook-and-loop fastener.