Footwear including an adjustable strap assembly

Abstract

An article of footwear is provided and includes a sole having two opposing openings, and a strap having a first end and a second end, where the first end is inserted at least partially through one of the openings and the second end is inserted at least partially through the other of the openings, and where the first and second ends of the strap are movably attached to the sole. A strap adjuster is attached to the first end and the second end of the strap, where the strap adjuster enables a user to adjust a position of the strap relative to the sole to adjust the comfort and fit of the strap on a wearer's foot.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole having two opposing openings and a channel extending across a width of said sole;   a strap positioned in said channel and having a first end and a second end, the first end being inserted at least partially through one of said openings and the second end being inserted at least partially through the other of said openings, the first and second ends of the strap being movable within said channel of said sole; and   a strap adjuster attached to the first end and the second end of said strap, wherein said strap adjuster enables a user to adjust a position of said strap relative to said sole.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said sole includes a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal channel extending along said longitudinal axis and said strap adjuster is positioned in said channel. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein said sole includes a peripheral wall defining a recessed area, and wherein said longitudinal channel is in said recessed area. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , further comprising a footbed that is removably seated in said recessed area and configured to cover said longitudinal channel. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said strap adjuster includes a first connecting member attached to the first end of said strap and a second connecting member attached to the second end of said strap, and an adjustment member. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said strap adjuster includes a first end attached to said first end and said second end of said strap, and a second end that includes a tab, said tab being removably secured to an attachment area on said sole. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the strap adjuster includes a line attached to said first end and said second end of said strap and a rotating member attached to an end of said line, said rotating member being rotatable in a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction, wherein rotating said rotating member in a clockwise direction causes said end of said line to coil on said rotating member and causes said at least one end of said strap to move into said opening of said sole, and wherein rotating said rotating member in a counter-clockwise direction causes the line to uncoil from said rotating member and causes said at least one end of said strap to move out of said opening in said sole. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said first opening is on a medial side of said sole and said second opening is on a lateral side of said sole. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said sole includes a T-shaped tube, and said strap adjuster is movable within said tube and attached to said first end and said second end of said strap, wherein an end of said strap adjuster extends from an opening in a heel portion of said sole. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein said end of said strap adjuster has a tab that is removable attached to a securing area on said heel. 
     
     
         13 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole having an upper surface and an opening in said upper surface;   a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being non-removably fixed to said upper surface of said sole and said second end being inserted at least partially through said opening and being movably attached to said sole; and   a strap adjuster attached to said second end of said strap and positioned within said sole, wherein said strap adjuster is movable within said sole to enable a user to move said strap adjuster and adjust a position of said strap relative to said sole.   
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein said sole includes an enclosed channel extending from said opening to a heel opening in a heel portion of said sole. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein said strap adjuster includes a line in said enclosed channel, said line being attached to said second end of said strap and extending through said heel opening. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein an end of said line extends from said heel opening and includes a tab, said tab being removably attached to a securing portion on said heel portion. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein said line is made of a high strength, synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein said strap adjuster includes a line and a rotating member attached to said line, wherein rotation of said rotating member in a clockwise direction causes said line to coil about said rotating member and pull said second end of said strap through said opening and into said sole, and wherein rotation of said rotating member in a counter-clockwise direction causes said line to uncoil from said rotating member and enable said second end of said strap to move outwardly from said opening in said sole.