Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A sandal comprising: a one-piece molded bottom including a footbed portion which faces and comes into contact with the foot, a front footbed portion at the front of said molded bottom located under the ball of the foot and the toes, and an elevated heel portion at the back of said molded bottom; a substantially vertical, rigid side wall which extends up from and forms an integral part of said molded bottom, a top edge of said vertical side wall being smoothly curved and extending upward along the arch side of said molded bottom for a longitudinal length extending from a point adjacent said heel portion to said front footbed portion, said vertical side wall being of sufficient height above the foot bottom surface to provide stability for the ankle joint by preventing it from rolling inward toward the walking surface; and support strap means positioned to extend from the top of said vertical side wall to the opposite side of said molded bottom at an outside foot portion thereof to properly position and maintain the foot in contact with both said vertical side wall and the footbed portion of said molded bottom during walking and assure a stabilizing fit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A sandal comprising: a one-piece molded bottom including a footbed portion which faces and comes into contact with the foot, a front footbed portion at the front of said molded bottom located under the ball of the foot and the toes, and an elevated heel portion at the back of said molded bottom; a substantially vertical, rigid side wall which extends up from and forms an integral part of said molded bottom, a top edge of said vertical side wall being smoothly curved and extending upward along the arch side of said molded bottom for a longitudinal length extending from a point adjacent said heel portion to said front footbed portion, said vertical side wall being of sufficient height above the foot bottom surface to provide stability for the ankle joint by preventing it from rolling inward toward the walking surface; and support strap means positioned to extend from the top of said vertical side wall to the opposite side of said molded bottom at an outside foot portion thereof to properly position and maintain the foot in contact with both said vertical side wall and the footbed portion of said molded bottom during walking and assure a stabilizing fit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A sandal as recited in claim 1, wherein said vertical side wall extends upward along the arch side in a concave shape to a top portion which is at a substantial height h above said footbed portion for stabilizing the ankle joint and preventing it from rolling inward toward the walking surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sandal as recited in claim 2, wherein said support strap means includes a strap attached from said top portion of said vertical side wall to the opposite side of said molded bottom at an outside foot portion thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A sandal as recited in claim 1, further comprising an outside flange extending from the outside portion of said molded bottom near the outside of a vamp area diagonally opposite to the location of said vertical side wall, said outside flange being small and low in height relative to said vertical side wall to avoid causing pressure on the fifth metatarsal bone of the sandal wearer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sandal as recited in claim 4, wherein said support strap means are attached between said vertical side wall and said outside flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sandal as recited in claim 5, wherein said support strap means includes a pair of straps connected from said outside flange to said vertical side wall in a V-pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A sandal as recited in claim 1, wherein said heel portion includes a heel seat in said footbed, and said front footbed portion includes an elevated portion which conforms with the plantar surface of the foot at the toe bones, and a depressed portion under the area where the big toe is seated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sandal as recited in claim 1, wherein said elevated heel portion is at least one and one half inches high.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sandal as recited in claim 1, wherein said vertical side wall is made of polyurethane in substantially rigid form for retaining and supporting the ankle joint and thereby preventing said ankle joint from rolling inward.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sandal as recited in claim 1, wherein said one-piece molded bottom and said vertical side wall, forming an integral part of said one-piece molded bottom, are both made of polyurethane in substantially rigid form.