Footwear having removable straps

Abstract

Footwear having removable straps is disclosed herein. More specifically, the footwear disclosed herein includes a removable strap assembly having concealed releasable connection means for attaching to the sole of the footwear.

1 . Footwear comprising:
 a sole having an upper and lower surface, a front, a back, and an outer periphery, wherein the upper surface comprises a plurality of embedded, open-ended channels that individually house an attached, recessed first connection member; and   a strap assembly coupled to a plurality of second connection members having means for releasably engaging with the plurality of first connection members while said plurality of first connection members remain recessed within the open-ended channels and the means for releasably engaging are configured such that they can be released after engagement by applying inward pressure on the periphery of the sole.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the open-ended channels are positioned near the periphery of the sole. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said second connection members can be released simultaneously when engaged with their respective first connection members. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap assembly comprises two back straps and a front strap and said plurality of second connection members are coupled to the back straps. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the front strap is coupled to a front connection member configured to releasably engage with a complementary connection member anchored to an elastic cord within an open-ended channel positioned near the front of the sole. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connection members are complementary components of a quick release buckle having a release button. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the release buttons face towards the periphery of the sole when said complementary components are engaged.