Increased pull-strength strap

Abstract

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A strap plug for footwear, comprising:
 a pull operable linked to a plug, wherein said plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of texture features.   
     
     
         2 . The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein said pull is operably linked to a footwear strap. 
     
     
         3 . The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein said texture features are selected from the group consisting of points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsole. 
     
     
         5 . The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 20 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsole. 
     
     
         6 . The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein said strap plug is able to resist a force of at least 30 pounds in the horizontal direction for 10 seconds and 35 pounds in the vertical direction for 10 seconds.  7  The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein said plug is disk shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein strap plug and said texture features are molded. 
     
     
         9 . The strap plug of  claim 1 , wherein said strap plug and said texture features comprise polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         10 . Footwear, comprising: an outsole comprising a hole therethrough, a strap operably linked to a strap plug, wherein said strap plug comprises a pull operable linked to a plug, wherein said plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of texture features, and wherein said strap plug is held against the bottom surface of said outsole by said plug. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said texture features are selected from the group consisting of points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of a sandal. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 20 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of a sandal. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said plug is disk shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein strap plug and said texture features are molded. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said strap plug and said texture features comprise polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said footwear comprises three strap plugs. 
     
     
         18 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said hole comprises a grommet adjacent said outsole. 
     
     
         19 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein said footwear comprises ridges on the bottom surface of said outsole.