US008959795B2 (12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,959,795 B2 Cristea (45) Date of Patent: Feb. 24, 2015 (54) FLIP FLOP AND SLIPPER IN USPC ................................... 36/100, 101, 103, 11.5 ONEACONVERTIBLE SANDAL SLIPPER See application file for complete search history. (76) Inventor: Robert Oscar Cristea, Andover, NJ (56) References Cited US (US) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 1,090.731. A * 3, 1914 Lindber 36,115 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 5.737.85s A 4, 1998 SE . U.S.C. 154(b) by 458 days. 6,594.918 B2 7/2003 Hatfield et al. 7,010,872 B2 * 3/2006 Pawlus et al. ................... 36/100 (21) Appl. No.: 13/323,044 7,134,225 B2 * 1 1/2006 7,222.442 B2 * 5/2007 Hillyer et al. .................. 36,115 1-1. 7,331,122 B2 2/2008 Januszewski et al. (22) Filed: Dec. 12, 2011 7,347,012 B2 * 3/2008 Clarket al. .................... 36,501 O O 7,631,440 B2 * 12/2009 Keen et al. 36,501 (65) Prior Publication Data 8,677,653 B2 * 3/2014 Avar et al. .. 36,501 2004/0255486 A1* 12/2004 Pawlus et al. ..................... 36/10 US 2012/0079739 A1 Apr. 5, 2012 2006/0064902 A1 3/2006 Ashton ......................... 36.72 R. Related U.S. Application Data * cited by examiner (63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 13/219,828, Primary Examiner — Jila M Mohandesi filed on Aug. 29, 2011, now abandoned. (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Baker Botts, L.L.P. (60) typal application No. 61/385,055, filed on Sep. (57) ABSTRACT s A combination apparatus for footwear including a first appa (51) Int. Cl. ratus into which an individuals foot can be inserted, and a A43B3/2 (2006.01) second apparatus into which the individual’s foot can be A43B3/24 (2006.01) inserted. The second apparatus is adapted to be inserted into A43B3/10 (2006.01) the first apparatus. The first apparatus includes a first attach (52) U.S. Cl ment device, and the second apparatus includes a second AV e. we ttachment device. In at least one embodiment the second CPC A43BA43B3/242 3/122 (2013.01); (2013.01); A43B A43B3/24 3/102 (2013.01); aFE tusOpport. and the firstE.E. tu be spiritattached, whiley E. th A43B 3/103 (2013.01); A43B3/105 (2013.01)36/100 1nging theune. firstIrst attachmentallacnment device to ththe secondd attachmentallacnmen USPC - - - - - - - - - - - grgrrr. 36/11.5:36 device. The first apparatus may be a flip-flop or a sandal and (58) Field of class to seat, 3/242: A43B 23/24 the second apparatus may be a slipper and may be made of - - - - - - - - - - water proof material. A43B 3/0078: A43B3/246; A43B 3/122; A43B 13/36 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets 10 U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2015 Sheet 1 of 7 US 8,959,795 B2 Fig. 1A Fig. 1B 14 14 12 22 U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2015 Sheet 2 of 7 US 8,959,795 B2 Fig. 2A 116 100 1 -" 114 Fig. 2B 132 130 134 134a U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2015 Sheet 3 of 7 US 8,959,795 B2 Fig. 3A U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2015 Sheet 4 of 7 US 8,959,795 B2 Fig. 4A 35 300 316 U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2015 Sheet 5 Of 7 US 8,959,795 B2 U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2015 Sheet 6 of 7 US 8,959,795 B2 U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2015 Sheet 7 Of 7 US 8,959,795 B2 US 8,959,795 B2 1. 2 FLIP FLOP AND SLIPPER IN In at least one embodiment a method is provided which ONEACONVERTIBLE SANDAL SLIPPER includes inserting an individuals foot into a first apparatus; inserting the first apparatus, while the individuals foot is CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED inserted in the first apparatus, into a second apparatus; attach APPLICATION(S) ing the first apparatus to the second apparatus by attaching a first attachment device of the first apparatus to a second This application is a continuation in part of and claims the attachment device of the second apparatus; and walking with priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/219,828, filed the first apparatus attached to the second apparatus and with on Aug. 29, 2011, titled "Flip Flop and Slipper in One/Con the individual’s foot inserted into the first apparatus, so that vertible Sandal Slipper, now abandoned, which claims the 10 the individuals foot moves the first apparatus and the second priority of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. apparatus while walking. 61/385,055, filed on Sep. 21, 2010; and this application claims the priority of both Ser. Nos. 13/219,828 and 61/385, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS O55. 15 FIG. 1A shows a top view of an apparatus in accordance FIELD OF THE INVENTION with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B shows a top view of a covering of the apparatus of The present invention relates to footwear. FIG. 1A: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1C shows a top view of a foot of an individual placed on top of the apparatus of FIG. 1A so that the foot rests on top There are various devices known in the prior art for foot of the covering of FIG. 1B: Wea. FIG. 1D shows a top view of the foot of the individual at least partially inserted underneath the covering of FIG. 1B: SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 FIG. 2A shows a side view of an apparatus or flip-flop in accordance with another embodiment of the present inven Flip-flops are one of the most popular shoes, they are easy tion; to put on, light, covering only a tiny part of feet. Many women FIG. 2B shows a side view of an apparatus or slipper that wear flip-flops, often choosing comfort over fashion and oth can be inserted into the apparatus of FIG. 2A; ers prefer to suffer and be in style. Even young women wear 30 FIG. 3A shows a side view of a combination apparatus of flip-flops during the winter for casual or clubbing events flip-flop and slipper in accordance with another embodiment instead of wearing high-heeled shoes. People may still be of the present invention with a foot inserted into the slipper wearing flip-flops even after the temperatures have dropped. and the slipper fully inserted into the flip-flop; How do they keep comfortable and keep their feet warm while FIG.3B shows a side view of the combination apparatus of wearing them? 35 One or more embodiments of the present invention provide FIG. 3A with the slipper only inserted partially into the flip an answer to this problem by creating flip-flops and slippers flop; as one (a convertible Sandal slipper). In at least one embodi FIG. 3C shows a bottom view of the slipper apparatus of ment, stretchy fabric is attached to the flip-flops foot bed. An FIGS. 3A-3B; individual can use them as flip-flops by placing the feet on top 40 FIG. 3D shows a top view of the flip-flop apparatus of of the foot bed lining. When the individual’s feet become FIGS. 3A-3B; cold, he or she can place his or her feet under the fabric and FIG. 4A shows a top view of another combination appara use the combination flip-flops/slippers as slippers. The fabric tus in accordance with the present invention, which may be a will keep the individuals feet warm. These, "Slip-Flops’ can combination of flip-flop or sandal and slipper; be used from early spring to summer to late fall. Individuals 45 FIG. 4B shows a side view of the flip-flop or sandal appa can use them as flip-flops as they go out and use them as ratus or portion of the combination of FIG. 4A; slippers as the evening gets cold. "Slip-Flops' are a perfect FIG. 4C shows a side view of the slipper apparatus or solution where an individual can place feet under the fabric portion of the combination of FIG. 4A; and use them as slippers. The fabric will keep the individuals FIG. 5 shows a side view of a sandal and slipper combina feet warm. 50 tion apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the In at least one embodiment of the present invention an present invention; apparatus or combination apparatus is provided comprising a FIG. 6A shows a side view of a flip-flop or sandal apparatus first apparatus into which an individuals foot can be inserted, in accordance with another embodiment of the present inven and a second apparatus into which the individuals foot can be tion; inserted. The second apparatus is adapted to be inserted into 55 FIG. 6B shows a side view of a combination of flip-flop or the first apparatus. The first apparatus includes a first attach sandal of FIG. 6A and a slipper; ment device, and the second apparatus includes a second FIG. 6C shows a top view of the flip-flop or sandal appa attachment device. In at least one embodiment the second ratus of FIG. 6A: apparatus and the first apparatus can be attached, while the FIG. 6D shows a top view of the combination apparatus of second apparatus is inserted into the first apparatus by attach 60 FIG. 6B; ing the first attachment device to the second attachment FIG. 7A shows a side view of a combination of flip-flop or device.