Zori style shoes with bird in flight inserts

Abstract

Zori style fashion shoes which hold a decorative insert. The zori straps are tubular in nature, with a transparent upper surface. An opening between the right and left straps enables the insertion of a decorative insert. A one piece decorative insert extends into the right strap and the left strap. The wearer of the shoe can remove and replace an insert with another of a different design. A transparent hook like tongue may extend from one strap to another, to protect the insert from soiling. Optionally, the straps may have a springy section of material applied at the end near the arch section of the shoe.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A shoe comprising at least one pair of straps which cross the forefoot area of said shoe, wherein each strap is in connection with an extension which is secured at a sole of said shoe at a position between which a big toe and another digit of a foot would be placed within said shoe, wherein each strap is secured at an exterior edge of said shoe in an area adjacent to a position at which an arch of a foot would be placed within said shoe, wherein each strap is in the form of a sleeve with a transparent upper surface, and wherein a decorative insert may be inserted at a central opening between said pair of straps, so that said decorative insert extends into each strap of said pair of straps. 
     
     
         2 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an elastic, springy section is present between an exterior edge of at least one of said straps and a point at which said at least one strap is secured to said shoe, on each shoe of a pair of shoes, to permit a stretching, spring-like action between said exterior edge of said strap and said location at which said strap is secured. 
     
     
         3 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said central area between said pair of straps is formed from a material which is connected to said lower surface of each strap, or said central area is formed by joining together a lower surface of each strap and said upper surface of each strap has been adjusted in a manner to provide an opening where said straps meet, so that a space is present between said transparent upper surface of each strap, enabling the insertion of said decorative insert. 
     
     
         4 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said central area between said pair of straps is formed from a material which is connected to said lower surface of each strap, or said central area is formed by joining together a lower surface of each strap and said upper surface of each strap has been adjusted in a manner to provide an opening where said straps meet, so that a space is present between said transparent upper surface of each strap, enabling the insertion of said decorative insert. 
     
     
         5 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 3 , where said material attached to form said central area between said pair of straps is attached to an extension which travels from said central area to said sole of said shoe where it is attached, so that said extension passes between said big toe and said another digit of a wearer of said shoe. 
     
     
         6 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 4 , where said material attached to form said central area between said pair of straps is attached to an extension which travels from said central area to said sole of said shoe where it is attached, so that said extension passes between said big toe and said another digit of a wearer of said shoe. 
     
     
         7 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said material which forms said central area continues beneath said central area to form a folded or rolled extension which travels between said big toe and another digit on the foot of a wearer of said shoe, and is attached to said sole of said shoe. 
     
     
         8 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said material which forms said central area continues beneath said central area to form a folded or rolled extension which travels between said big toe and another digit on the foot of a wearer of said shoe, and is attached to said sole of said shoe. 
     
     
         9 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 2 , where said extension includes an elastic, spring-like section which makes walking in said shoe more comfortable. 
     
     
         10 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a transparent hook-like latch tongue extends from said transparent upper surface of one of said pair of straps, and wherein said hook-like latch tongue may be inserted through into said central opening between said pair of straps toward the other strap of said pair of straps, in a manner such that said hook-like latch tongue protects said decorative insert present at said central area between said pair of straps from becoming soiled, while simultaneously reducing gapping between said transparent upper surfaces of said pair of straps. 
     
     
         11 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein a transparent hook-like latch tongue extends from said transparent upper surface of one of said pair of straps, and wherein said hook-like latch tongue may be inserted through into said central opening between said pair of straps toward the other strap of said pair of straps, in a manner such that said hook-like latch tongue protects said decorative insert present at said central area between said pair of straps from becoming soiled, while simultaneously reducing gapping between said transparent upper surfaces of said pair of straps. 
     
     
         12 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a shape of said central opening between said transparent upper surface of each strap has a decorative shape. 
     
     
         13 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein a shape of said central opening between said transparent upper surface of each strap has a decorative shape. 
     
     
         14 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said extension is held within said shoe sole by a securing device present within said shoe sole. 
     
     
         15 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said extension is held within said shoe sole by a securing device present within said shoe sole. 
     
     
         16 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said sole of said shoe comprises an insole, and wherein said extension is secured between said insole and an outer sole of said sole. 
     
     
         17 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said shoe sole of said shoe comprises an insole, and wherein said extension is secured between said insole and an outer sole of said shoe. 
     
     
         18 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve which forms each strap has a lower surface which is colored. 
     
     
         19 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said sleeve which forms each strap has a lower surface which is colored. 
     
     
         20 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said lower surface of said strap has a width across said strap which is larger than a width of said transparent upper surface of said strap, so that said upper surface of said strap is framed by said color of said lower surface of said strap. 
     
     
         21 . A shoe in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein said lower surface of said strap has a width across said strap which is larger than a width of said transparent upper surface of said strap, so that said upper surface of said strap is framed by said color of said lower surface of said strap. 
     
     
         22 . A decorative insert for use in combination with a shoe in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said insert is of sufficient length to cover a portion of said lower surface area of said straps ranging from about 50% up to the very side edges of said lower surface of said strap, and comprises a structural material which has memory, so that when force is applied to bend said insert at a center of said insert in either a forward or backward direction, said insert tends to return to its original position when said force is removed. 
     
     
         23 . A decorative insert for use in combination with a shoe in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said insert is of sufficient length to cover a portion of said lower surface area of said straps ranging from about 50% up to the very side edges of said lower surface of said strap, and comprises a structural material which has memory, so that when force is applied to bend said insert at a center of said insert in either a forward or backward direction, said insert tends to return to its original position when said force is removed. 
     
     
         24 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein a central section of said insert may be creased by the application of a sufficient amount of force, and to remain in a creased position when said sufficient amount of force is removed. 
     
     
         25 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein a central section of said insert may be creased by the application of a sufficient amount of force, and to remain in a creased position when said sufficient amount of force is removed. 
     
     
         26 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the direction of said creased portion may be reversed by application of a sufficient amount of force. 
     
     
         27 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the direction of said creased portion may be reversed by application of a sufficient amount of force. 
     
     
         28 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein a different decorative design or color is present on opposite surfaces of said decorative insert, so that said insert is reversible. 
     
     
         29 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 23 , herein a different decorative design or color is present on opposite surfaces of said decorative insert, so that said insert is reversible. 
     
     
         30 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein said central section of said insert is designed to be grasped or pinched by fingers or a tweezer so that said decorative insert may be removed and replaced with a different decorative insert. 
     
     
         31 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein said central section of said insert is designed to be grasped or pinched by fingers or a tweezer so that said decorative insert may be removed and replaced with a different decorative insert. 32   
     
     
         32 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein said insert is of sufficient length to cover a portion of said lower surface area of said straps ranging from about 50% up to the very side edges of said surface, and comprises a structural material which has memory, so that when force is applied to bend said insert at a center of said insert in either a forward or backward direction, said insert tends to return to its original position when said force is removed. 
     
     
         33 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein said insert is of sufficient length to cover a portion of said lower surface area of said straps ranging from about 50% up to the very side edges of said surface, and comprises a structural material which has memory, so that when force is applied to bend said insert at a center of said insert in either a forward or backward direction, said insert tends to return to its original position when said force is removed. 
     
     
         34 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein said insert is of sufficient length to cover a portion of said lower surface area of said straps ranging from about 50% up to the very side edges of said surface, and wherein said insert comprises a structural material at the outer portions of said insert, which structural maintains an original shape, while a central portion of said insert comprises a flexible material which may bend inward or outward relative to said central area between said pair of straps of said shoe. 
     
     
         35 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein said insert comprises a structural material at the outer portions of said insert, which structural maintains an original shape, while a central portion of said insert comprises a flexible material which may bend inward or outward relative to said central area between said pair of straps of said shoe. 
     
     
         36 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein said insert comprises a liner material which is present between patterned area of said insert or a reinforcement between layers of patterned material which make up said insert. 
     
     
         37 . A decorative insert in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein said insert comprises a liner material which is present between patterned area of said insert or a reinforcement between layers of patterned material which make up said insert.