Footwear retention system

Abstract

A device is provided for preventing the loss of footwear. The device includes a strap having a first end and an opposite second end. The second end is permanently connected with the first end to define a loop. A tether includes a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end. A fastener is coupled to the second end of the tether. The fastener is configured to connect the second end of the tether to an article of footwear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for preventing loss of footwear, the device comprising:
 a strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the second end being permanently connected with the first end to define a loop;   a tether comprising a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end; and   a fastener coupled to the second end of the tether, the fastener being configured to connect the second end of the tether to an article of footwear.   
     
     
         2 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the tether is coupled to the second end of the tether by a connector. 
     
     
         3 . The device recited in  claim 2 , wherein the connector is movable between a first orientation in which the first end of the tether is connected to the second end of the tether by the connector and a second orientation in which the first end of the tether is not connected to the second end of the tether by the connector. 
     
     
         4 . The device recited in  claim 2 , wherein the connector is a side release buckle fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the tether comprises a band coupled to the strap, the band being coupled to a first end of a connector, the second end of the tether being coupled to a second end of the connector, the second end of the connector being configured to releasably engage the first end of the connector. 
     
     
         6 . The device recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the connector is a male component of the connector and the second end of the connector is a female component of the connector, the female component being configured to receive the male component. 
     
     
         7 . The device recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the connector is a female component of the connector and the second end of the connector is a male component of the connector, the female component being configured to receive the male component. 
     
     
         8 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the tether comprises a hoop, a first portion of the fastener being positioned within the hoop, a second portion of the fastener comprising a snap hook, the second portion being rotatable relative to the first portion. 
     
     
         9 . The device recited in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the second portion comprises a body, a hook extending from the body, and a gate; and   the gate is movable between a first orientation in which the gate engages a tip of the hook and a second orientation in which the gate is spaced apart from the tip of the hook.   
     
     
         10 . The device recited in  claim 9 , wherein the gate is biased to the first orientation by a spring. 
     
     
         11 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a trigger snap swivel hook. 
     
     
         12 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a body and a clamp that is rotatable relative to the body, the clamp comprising a plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         13 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the clamp is movable between a first orientation in which the teeth are spaced a first distance apart from the body and a second orientation in which the teeth are spaced an increased second distance apart from the body. 
     
     
         14 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the clamp is maintained in the first orientation by a lever. 
     
     
         15 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a suspender clip. 
     
     
         16 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tether has a fixed length defined by the distance from the strap to the fastener. 
     
     
         17 . A retention system comprising:
 a strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the second end being permanently connected with the first end to define a loop;   a tether comprising a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end;   a fastener coupled to the second end of the tether; and   an article of footwear releasably coupled to the fastener.   
     
     
         18 . The retention system recited in  claim 17 , wherein the article of footwear is configured to be worn by a person and the loop is configured to encircle a limb of the person while the person is wearing the article of footwear. 
     
     
         19 . The retention system recited in  claim 17 , wherein the article of footwear comprises a hoop, the fastener extending through the hoop to releasably couple the article of footwear to the fastener. 
     
     
         20 . A retention system comprising:
 an elastic strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the second end being permanently connected with the first end to define a loop;   a tether comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the first end of the tether comprising a band, the band being coupled to the strap, the second end of the tether comprising a hoop;   a connector coupling the first end of the tether to the second end of the tether, the band being coupled to a first end of the connector, the second end of the tether being coupled to a second end of the connector, the second end of the connector being configured to releasably engage the first end of the connector;   a fastener coupled to the second end of the tether, a first portion of the fastener being positioned within the hoop, a second portion of the fastener comprising a snap hook, the second portion being rotatable relative to the first portion; and   an article of footwear releasably coupled to the snap hook,   wherein the article of footwear is configured to be worn by a person and the loop is configured to encircle a limb of the person while the person is wearing the article of footwear,   wherein the second portion comprises a body, a hook extending from the body, and a gate,   wherein the gate is movable between a first orientation in which the gate engages a tip of the hook and a second orientation in which the gate is spaced apart from the tip of the hook, and   wherein the gate is biased to the first orientation by a spring.