Device for muting sound associated with wearing sandals

Abstract

A simple, comfortable device that can reduce, mute or eliminate the noise associated with walking in sandals while retaining the comfort and stylish appearance of the sandal is disclosed. The device cushions the slap of the seat of the insole of a sandal against the heel of the wearer and can also decrease the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the wearer of the sandal, reducing the “slapping” noise. The device can further increase the comfort of walking in sandals. The device comprises an insert affixed to the seat of the insole of a sandal or disposed between the sole and the insole of a sandal in the seat portion that reduces the distance between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer, and also or alternatively dampens the “slapping” sound heard when wearing sandals. The device may be made of different materials and may be affixed permanently or removably. The strap of the sandal may be removably attached to the sandal and interchanged. The device can provide varying aesthetic appearances to a pair of sandals either alone or when used in conjunction with different straps.

1 . A sandal comprising:
 a sole, the sole configured to accommodate substantially the entire foot of a wearer of the sandal;   an insole, the insole comprising a layer of material overlaying the sole;   at least one strap, where at least one strap extends the width of the sandal, wherein at least one strap is configured to accommodate the forefoot of a wearer of the sandal;   a seat located at the portion of the sandal configured to accommodate the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal; and   an insert removably disposed on the seat,   wherein the insert is configured to reduce the range of movement between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal that is experienced when the wearer of the sandal walks and the seat extends from being positioned on the ground to meeting the heel of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is disposed on the insole through the use of glue, tape, adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, hooks, buttons, magnets or any combination thereof 
     
     
         4 . The sandal of  claim 3 , wherein the seat is disposed on the insole by use of a strip of double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on the seat of the insole and on the bottom surface of the insert. 
     
     
         5 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
         6 . The sandal of  claim 5 , wherein the compressible material comprises foam, synthetic neoprene rubber, cloth wedges, felt, leather, synthetic leather, bladders filled with air or other substances or gel. 
     
     
         7 . The sandal of  claim 6 , wherein the foam comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         8 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a wedge-shape, a semi-cylindrical shape, a hemispherical shape, a rectangle, or a star shape. 
     
     
         9 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein insert is covered with moleskin, cotton, felt, nylon, or silk. 
     
     
         10 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the insert is covered with moleskin, cotton, felt, nylon, or silk. 
     
     
         11 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal in the seat portion. 
     
     
         12 . The sandal of  claim 11 , wherein the insert is permanently inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal. 
     
     
         13 . The sandal of  claim 11 , wherein the insert is removably inserted between the sole and the insole of the sandal. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is removably attached to the sandal. 
     
     
         16 . A method of changing the aesthetics of a sandal, comprising:
 selecting an insert; and   disposing the insert on a sandal;   wherein the sandal comprises:   a sole, the sole configured to accommodate substantially the entire foot of a wearer of the sandal;   an insole, the insole comprising a layer of material overlaying the sole;   at least one strap, wherein at least one strap extends the width of the sandal, wherein at least one strap is configured to accommodate the forefoot of a wearer of the sandal; and   a seat removably disposed on the portion of the sandal configured to accommodate the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal;   wherein the insert is disposed on the insole of the sandal at the seat, wherein further the insert is configured to reduce the range of movement between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal that is experienced when the wearer of the sandal walks and the seat extends from being positioned on the ground to meeting the heel of the wearer.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the seat is disposed on the insole at the seat by use of a strip of double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on the seat of the insole and on the bottom surface of the insert. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the insert comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         19 . A method of changing the aesthetics of a sandal, comprising:
 selecting an insert;   disposing the insert on a sandal;   selecting a strap; and   disposing the strap on the sandal,   wherein the sandal comprises:   a sole, the sole configured to accommodate substantially the entire foot of a wearer of the sandal;   an insole, the insole comprising a layer of material overlaying the sole;   at least one strap, wherein at least one strap extends the width of the sandal, wherein at least one strap is configured to accommodate the forefoot of a wearer of the sandal; and   a seat removably disposed on the portion of the sandal configured to accommodate the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal;   wherein the insert is disposed on the insole of the sandal at the seat, wherein further the insert is configured to reduce the range of movement between the seat of the sandal and the heel of the foot of the wearer of the sandal that is experienced when the wearer of the sandal walks and the seat extends from being positioned on the ground to meeting the heel of the wearer,   wherein the strap is removably disposed across the width of the sandal.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the seat is disposed on the insole at the seat by use of a strip of double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on the insole and on the bottom surface of the insert. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the insert comprises polyurethane.