Flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandal

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandal, which includes a footbed and a strap affixed to the footbed on two sides. The strap comprises an underlay that spans the width of the footbed, as well as lateral and medial overlays with an expansion joint therebetween. The expansion joint between the lateral and medial overlays allows the underlay to flex and provide a better fit for the wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sandal comprising:
 a footbed; and   a strap affixed to the sandal's medial and lateral sides, the strap comprising;
 an extensible material underlay spanning the sandal's width; and 
 a material overlay affixed to the extensible material underlay's top surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the material overlay comprising:
 a first portion spanning from the footbed's lateral side to a first location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side;   a second portion spanning from the footbed's medial side to a second location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side, the second location nearer the medial side than the first location,   wherein a gap disposed between the first location and the second location is an expansion joint.   
     
     
         3 . The sandal of  claim 2 , wherein the expansion joint allows the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         4 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the material overlay comprising at least three portions affixed to the extensible material underlay's top surface, the at least three portions collectively spanning the sandal's width, each portion of the at least three portions spaced apart from any adjacent portion of the at least three portions, wherein a gap disposed between any two portions of the at least three portions is an expansion joint. 
     
     
         5 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the material overlay being a single continuous portion spanning the sandal's width and having a plurality of pre-cut holes, the plurality of pre-cut holes allowing the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         6 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the extensible material underlay being composed of neoprene. 
     
     
         7 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the material overlay being composed of a material selected from a group consisting of: leather, polyurethane, synthetic nubuck, denim, and canvas. 
     
     
         8 . The sandal of  claim 1 , the footbed being composed of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: rubber, cork, foam, latex, polyurethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         9 . A sandal comprising:
 a footbed; and   a strap affixed to the sandal's medial and lateral sides, the strap comprising:
 an extensible material underlay spanning the sandal's width; and 
 a material overlay affixed to the extensible material underlay's top surface, the material overlay comprising:
 a first portion spanning from the footbed's lateral side to a first location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side; and 
 a second portion spanning from the footbed's medial side to a second location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side, the second location nearer the medial side than the first location, wherein a gap disposed between the first location and the second location is an expansion joint that allows the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The sandal of  claim 9 , the extensible material underlay being composed of neoprene. 
     
     
         11 . The sandal of  claim 9 , the material overlay being composed of a material selected from a group consisting of: leather, polyurethane, synthetic nubuck, denim, and canvas. 
     
     
         12 . The sandal of  claim 9 , the footbed being composed of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: rubber, cork, foam, latex, polyurethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         13 . The sandal of  claim 9 , the strap comprising a second material overlay affixed to the extensible material underlay's bottom surface, the second material overlay comprising:
 a first portion spanning from the footbed's lateral side to a first location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side;   a second portion spanning from the footbed's medial side to a second location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side, the second location nearer the medial side than the first location, wherein a gap disposed between the first location and the second location is an expansion joint that allows the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot.   
     
     
         14 . The sandal of  claim 10 , the second material overlay being composed of a material selected from a group consisting of: leather, polyurethane, synthetic nubuck, denim, and canvas.