DE20303162U1 - Mule, cut of single piece of material and bent into shape, comprising integrated toe post - Google Patents

Abstract

The outer contour of the toe area (2, 3) and an enlarged heel area (1, 5) is cut from a sheet of a suitable material. A slot (6) in the shape of a horseshoe with an extension pointing to the rear is cut out of the heel area (1) and two straight short slots are cut into the front (2, 3) of the sole, leaving a thin strip (7) in the center with a rounded shape (8) at the outer end. When the separated area (5) of the heel part (1) is bent over towards the front (2, 3) it can be joined with the short strip (7, 8) forming a toe post.

Description

MINOR

PATENT ATTORNEYS MOLL + BITTERICH · Westring 17 ■ 76829 Landau · GERMANY

BITTERICH

Dipl.-Ing. F.W. MOLL

Patent Attorney

European Patent Attorney

European Trademark Attorney

Dipl.-Ing. H. CH. BinERICH

Patent Attorney

European Patent Attorney

European Trademark Attorney

Dipl.-Ing. A. KURZ

Patent Attorney

European Trademark Attorney

in cooperation with lawyer M. ZILIOX

26.02.2003 B/Co.

REGRA Kunststofftechnik GmbH, 66954 Pirmasens

Bathing sandals

NHENZ.gijsifach 20, 80 -.26810 Landau ■ GERMANY tArGLEI.Westrifi01£;f6829LjndaufGE$MAfiY .*T«|ef<ih -Ä9 _# (t))£34J-870rD-ielefex «&Lgr;9(0)&phgr; 41*20356

info*@p*ate'ritanwalf-landal5.tle Tax number 24 221 01066 ■ VAT ID DE 148 899 146

BANK DETAILS

Deutsche Bank Frankfurt

0 215 400 (bank code 546 700 95)

Postbank Ludwigshafen

275 62-676 (bank code 545 100 67)

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Description:

The invention relates to bathing sandals according to the preamble of claim 1.

Sandals, especially bathing sandals, which are held on the foot with the help of an inter-toe holder, were already known in ancient Rome. They are available in a wide variety of materials and material combinations. They essentially consist of a sole and an inter-toe holder, which extends vertically upwards from the sole in the gap between the big toe and the adjacent toe and ends at the top in a holding surface. These sandals also have a foot bar, which extends from one side of the sole over the instep of the foot to the other side of the sole and is connected to the inter-toe holder.

Since this type of sandals consists of several individual parts, assembly work is required, the cost of which is not negligible compared to the price of the materials.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a bathing sandal of the type mentioned above which does not require any assembly work.

This object is achieved by a bathing sandal having the features of claim 1.

A significant advantage of the present invention is that the sole, inter-toe holder and arch support are made in one piece. This reduces production costs. Another advantage is that all individual parts lie flat in the initial state. This reduces the space required in the warehouse and during shipping. The shape design is very variable and can quickly follow changing fashions.

The user can prepare the sandal for use with a simple, quick movement of the hand. When not in use, the sandal can be returned to its original flat state just as quickly.

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According to a further development of the invention, the sole is supported by crossbars in the joint area. This increases comfort for the user.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a slot between the big toe area and the little toe area, in which the inter-toe holder runs. This achieves the minimum sole height for storage and transport.

Preferably, all parts are made of a flexible plastic; this means that the sandal can be washed with commercially available cleaning agents. Two- and multi-coloured optics are also possible through suitable design of the injection moulding tool.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

The invention will be explained in more detail in the form of an embodiment with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1 a top view of a bathing sandal in the initial state and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bathing sandal in use.

Fig. 1 shows a top view of a bathing sandal. You can see a heel area 1, a big toe area 2 and a little toe area 3. A toe gripper 4 is incorporated into the top of the sole. In the joint area, the sole is supported at the bottom by crossbars 9. This creates an inner joint support.

Between the big toe surface 2 and the little toe surface 3 there is a slot in which an intertoe holder 7, 8 runs.

The heel area 1 is surrounded by a foot arch 5. This is in one piece with the sole and has a slot 6 that is matched to the intertoe holder 7, 8. Details will be explained with reference to Fig. 2.

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In the initial state shown, all essential parts lie flat so that the sole has a minimal height and is therefore optimally adapted to storage and transport.

If the owner of the sandal wants to put it on, he bends the arch support 5 forwards and connects it to the inter-toe holder 7, 8, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position of use, the sandal sits sufficiently firmly on the foot. After use, it can be converted back to its original state as shown in Fig. 1 just as easily and quickly.

The sandal is advantageously made of a flexible plastic material. It can therefore be produced in a single operation. With appropriate adjustment of the injection molding tools, single, two or multi-color optics in any combination are possible. The shape is also extremely variable.

Claims (8)

1. Bathing sandals with - a sole comprising - a heel area ( 1 ), - a big toe area ( 2 ), - a small toe area ( 3 ), - a foot brace ( 5 ) - and an inter-toe holder ( 7 , 8 ) characterized by the features: - Instep support ( 5 ) and intertoe support ( 7 , 8 ) are integral with the sole ( 1 , 2 , 3 ), - the instep bar ( 5 ) - in the initial state, it circles flat around the heel area ( 1 ) - and has a slot ( 6 ) for inserting the intertoe holder ( 7 , 8 ). 2. Bathing sandal according to claim 1, characterized by the feature: - in the joint area the sole is supported by cross bars ( 9 ). 3. Bathing sandal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features: - there is a slot between the big toe surface ( 2 ) and the little toe surface ( 3 ), - the intertoe holder ( 7 , 8 ) runs through the slot. 4. Bathing sandal according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the feature: - the sole includes a toe gripper ( 4 ). 5. Bathing sandal according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the feature: - the sole includes an inner joint support. 6. Bathing sandal according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the feature: - the surface of the sole is punched to prevent slipping. 7. Bathing sandal according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the feature: - the sole is equipped with acupressure studs. 8. Bathing sandal according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the feature: - all parts ( 1 . . . 9 ) are made of a flexible plastic.