WO2016040840A1

WO2016040840A1 - Shoe wrap

Info

Publication number: WO2016040840A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/049747
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geraldine Anne NEWMAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-11
Filing date: 2015-09-11
Publication date: 2016-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-11
Also published as: US20170238646A1

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of a shoe wrap and a shoe are provided. A shoe wrap can be provided having a strap configured for placement around a user's foot, and a bottom portion comprising a non-slip material adjoined to the strap and configured to be positioned in an instep area of a user's shoe. A shoe can be provided having a bottom portion configured for placement of a user's foot having a front portion and a rear portion, an instep area between the front portion and the rear portion, and a strap having a first portion configured for placement around a user's foot and a second portion comprising a non-slip material configured to be positioned at the instep area.

Description

SHOE WRAP

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application relates to and claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/049,305 filed September 11, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of a shoe wrap, and more particularly, to exemplary embodiments of a shoe wrap for securing a user's foot to a shoe.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0003] It can be difficult for adults and children to find shoes that fit, and particularly for women. Specifically, high heels, and other shoes that have a higher heel portion and a lower toe portion, can cause a foot to slip forward while wearing the shoe and walking. Typically, because the foot is sliding forward, this results in a gap in the back of the shoe, and damage to the toes of a wearer. This gap and looseness of the shoe can also cause missteps and injuries.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] At least some of the above described problems can be addressed by the exemplary embodiments of a shoe wrap of the present disclosure.

[0005] In some exemplary embodiments, a shoe wrap can be provided, comprising a strap configured for placement around a user's foot, and a bottom portion comprising a non-slip material adjoined to the strap and configured to be positioned in an instep area of a user's shoe. The strap and bottom portion can be a single unitary piece. The strap and bottom portion can be separate pieces and can be sewn together. The strap can comprise one or more of an elastomeric, cotton, plastic, nylon, polyester, leather, elastic and spandex material. The strap can further comprise an inner strap and an outer strap. The inner strap can comprise a smooth material that is placed against a user's skin.

[0006] The shoe wrap can further comprise a sealing mechanism to seal the strap around a user's foot. The sealing mechanism can comprise one of a tie, buckle or Velcro to seal the strap around a user's foot. The strap can be configured to be placed underneath the instep area of a user's shoe. The strap can be configured to be placed inside a through-hole in an instep area of a user's shoe.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, a shoe can be provided, comprising a bottom portion configured for placement of a user's foot having a front portion and a rear portion, an instep area between the front portion and the rear portion, and a strap having a first portion configured for placement around a user's foot and a second portion comprising a non-slip material configured to be positioned at the instep area.

[0008] The first portion and second portion of the strap can be a single unitary piece. The first portion and second portion of the strap can be separate pieces and can be sewn together. The first portion of the strap can comprise one or more of an elastomeric, cotton, plastic, nylon, polyester, leather, elastic and spandex material.

[0009] The shoe can further comprise a sealing mechanism to seal the strap around a user's foot. The sealing mechanism can comprise one of a tie, buckle or Velcro to seal the strap around a user's foot. The second portion of the strap can be configured to be placed underneath the instep area. The second portion of the strap can be configured to be placed inside a through-hole in the instep area. The rear portion of the bottom portion of the shoe can be raised with respect to the front portion of the bottom portion, The instep area can be raised with respect to the front portion of the bottom portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other objects of the present disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings and claims, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe wrap according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of a shoe that can be used with a shoe wrap according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of a shoe wrap used with the shoe of Figure 2(a) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of a shoe that can be used with a shoe wrap according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figures 3(b) - 3(d) show various embodiments of shoe wraps that can be used with the shoe of Figure 3(a) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0016] Figures 4(a) - 4(i) show various embodiments of shoe wraps used with shoes according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF DISCLOSURE

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the shoe wrap of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the figures. The following description of the various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe wrap 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, a shoe wrap 100 can have an outer strap 110 and an inner strap 120. The outer strap 110 and inner strap 120 can be one unitary piece or two individual pieces that are sewn or stuck together. The outer strap 110 and inner strap 120 can be made of any material, such as but not limited to an elastomeric material, cotton, plastic, nylon, polyester, leather, elastic, spandex or a composite comprising one or more of these materials. The inner strap 120 can be smooth so that it is soft on a user's skin. The shoe wrap 100 can be flexible (e.g., elastic) to accommodate various sizes of feet. The shoe wrap 100 can be one integrated piece or can have a tie, buckle, Velcro ® or other mechanism to seal the shoe wrap around a user's foot. The shoe wrap 100 can have a bottom portion 130 comprising a non-slip material, such as but not limited to rubber, that is pressed against a shoe and won't degrade as a result of striking the pavement, as will be described below.

[0020] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of a shoe 140 that can be used with a shoe wrap according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The shoe 140 can be but is not limited to a high heel or other type of shoe, such as a fiat shoe or other open top shoe, and can have a rear portion 146 configured to hold a user's foot (e.g., heel area) higher than at a front portion 147 of the shoe (e.g., toe area). The shoe 140 can have an instep area 145 where a user's instep is usually placed. The bottom portion of the instep area 145 can be placed higher than the front portion 147 of the shoe so it does not engage with the floor.

[0021] Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of a shoe wrap 100 used with a shoe 140 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, the bottom portion 130 of the shoe wrap 100 can be placed underneath the instep area 145 of the shoe 140. Other positions of the shoe wrap 100 on the shoe are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, an "x" pattern is shown in Figure 2(b) but the shoe wrap 100 can also wrap around the foot and the instep area 145 in a circle pattern. Because the bottom portion 130 in this embodiment is made of a non-slip material (e.g., rubber or other non-slip material), it is strong and does not slip along the bottom area of the shoe 140 or degrade when striking the pavement surface. The outer strap 110 and inner strap 120 can be wrapped around a user's ankle, and if not formed as one integrated piece, can be secured using a locking mechanism, such as a tie, buckle or strap.

[0022] Various advantages are provided by the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, because the shoe wrap can hug the shoe to the foot at the arch/instep, the foot does not slide forward, preventing any damage to the toes and any gap in the shoe that can cause misstep or an injury. The shoe wrap can be made of an elastomeric material that can hug the foot, and can stretch to be put on and taken off, and hug the foot when in place. It can be designed to be worn at the instep/arch of a shoe. It can encircle the instep and the foot such that it holds the shoe firmly on the foot, so no matter how high the heel portion is, the foot will not slide forward. There would not be a need to carry a separate bag for fashionable shoes while walking in comfortable shoes, such as sneakers, and then changing into the fashionable shoes after the walk is completed, as many people do now. Any shoes, even old shoes, can now be used as walking shoes with the inventive shoe wrap. [0023] Various other configurations and designs of the shoe wrap 100 are contemplated by the present disclosure which can be used with various types of shoes. For example, Figures 3(b) - 3(d) show various embodiments of shoe wraps that can be used with the shoe of Figure 3(a) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a shoe 140, such as a high heel, can have a shoe wrap 100 of various designs, shapes and styles as those shown. This can allow a user to use one shoe 140 as shown in Figure 3(a), and the various designs of the three shoe wraps 100 in Figures 3(b) - 3(d) can make it appear to be three different shoes.

[0024] In some exemplary embodiments, a through-hole 150 can be provided along the instep area 145 of the shoe 140 so that the shoe wrap 100 can be inserted through the through-hole 150 of the shoe 140 and the bottom portion 130 of the shoe wrap 100 will sit within the through-hole 150, as shown in Figure 3(d). The through-hole 150 can have any length or width, and can have a shorter or longer length to accommodate shoe wraps of varying length. The through-hole 150 can also have any width to accommodate thicker or thinner shoe wraps 100.

[0025] Figures 4(a) - 4(i) show various exemplary embodiments of shoe wraps 100 that can be provided on various shoes 140 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in Figure 4(a) the shoe wrap 100 can have more than one strap 155 to engage the instep area of the shoe 100. Each strap 155 can have a bottom portion as described above having a non-slip material in the area that engages with the instep area. As shown in Figure 4(b), the shoe wrap 100 can have laces 160 to secure the shoe wrap 100 to the user's foot. As shown in Figure 4(c), the shoe wrap 100 can have a back support 170 to secure the shoe wrap 100 to the user's foot or ankle. As shown in Figure 4(d), the shoe wrap 00 can have a design 165 such as beads along the straps of the shoe wrap 100. As shown in Figure 4(e), the shoe wrap 100 can have a full support for a user's ankle. As shown in Figure 4(f), the shoe wrap 100 can have a strap 175 that can be attached to the shoe wrap 100 to tie it to a user's ankle. The strap 175 can be sewn or attached to the shoe wrap 100, and can be a single unitary piece, or can have a hole 171 that can allow for various straps to be attached to the shoe wrap 100. The strap 175 can have a buckle as shown or can be tied or secured to the user's ankle through other mechanisms. As shown in Figure 4(g), the shoe wrap 100 can have a strap 180 that can secure the shoe wrap 100 to the user's ankle and can be a single unitary piece or material. As shown in Figure 4(h), the shoe 140 can be a flat shoe and the shoe wrap 100 can have a strap 190 to secure the shoe wrap 100 to the user's ankle.

[0026] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figure 4(i), the shoe wrap 100 can have a "sock" design with a pattern 195 and can slip over the shoe 140 like a sock. The shoe wrap 100 can expose the toe portion 197. In some exemplary embodiments, the shoe wrap can also cover the heel portion 196 of the shoe 140. The pattern 195 can have one design or can have multiple designs/patterns, and can have the appearance or look of a sock.

[0027] Various other considerations can also be addressed in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the shoe wrap 100 can have various shapes, sizes, colors, styles, configurations, and can be made of various materials. The shoe wrap 100 can be made to accommodate various types of shoes, such as high heels, flats, and other types of shoes. The shoe wrap 100 can be flexible and can stretch to accommodate various sizes of feet. Different materials can be provided for the inner strap 120 (soft comfortable material), and different materials can be provided for the outer strap 110, where a design or other materials (e.g., beads, studs, jewelry) can be provided for different styles.

[0028] In some exemplary embodiments, the inner and outer strap can be made of the same material. The portion that wraps around the foot (e.g., the inner strap 120 and outer strap 110) can be a stretchy material (e.g., elastomeric material) and the portion that encircles an instep area (e.g., bottom portion 130) can be made of a non-slip material (e.g., rubber) that wraps around the shoe. For shoes that have a flat sole, the portion that encircles the bottom of the instep area can be made of a material that is strong so that it can withstand contact from the floor or pavement (e.g., sidewalks or a street) while walking. A shoe such as a high heel may not require bottom portion 130 to be of a different sturdier material than the rest of the shoe wrap 100 since the bottom portion 130 is not touching the ground. The shoe wrap 100 can hold the foot securely and snugly to the sole of the shoe so that a user's foot does not slip or slide forward.

[0029] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, manufacture and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The disclosures of all systems, documents and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shoe wrap, comprising:

a strap configured for placement around a user's foot; and

a bottom portion comprising a non-slip material adjoined to the strap and configured to be positioned in an instep area of a user's shoe.

2. The shoe wrap of claim 1, wherein the strap and bottom portion are a single unitary piece.

3. The shoe wrap of claim 1, wherein the strap and bottom portion are separate pieces and are sewn together.

4. The shoe wrap of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises one or more of an elastomeric, cotton, plastic, nylon, polyester, leather, elastic and spandex material.

5. The shoe wrap of claim 1, wherein the strap further comprises:

an inner strap and an outer strap.

6. The shoe wrap of claim 5, wherein the inner strap comprises a smooth material that is placed against a user's skin.

7. The shoe wrap of claim 1, further comprising:

a sealing mechanism to seal the strap around a user's foot.

8. The shoe wrap of claim 7, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises one of a tie, buckle or Velcro to seal the strap around a user's foot.

9. The shoe wrap of claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to be placed underneath the instep area of a user's shoe.

10. The shoe wrap of claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to be placed inside a through- hole in an instep area of a user's shoe.

11. A shoe comprising:

a bottom portion configured for placement of a user's foot having a front portion and a rear portion;

an instep area between the front portion and the rear portion; and

a strap having a first portion configured for placement around a user's foot and a second portion comprising a non-slip material configured to be positioned at the instep area.

12. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the first portion and second portion of the strap are a single unitary piece.

13. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the first portion and second portion of the strap are separate pieces and are sewn together.

14. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the first portion of the strap comprises one or more of an elastomeric, cotton, plastic, nylon, polyester, leather, elastic and spandex material.

15. The shoe of claim 11, further comprising:

a sealing mechanism to seal the strap around a user's foot.

16. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises one of a tie, buckle or Velcro to seal the strap around a user's foot.

17. The shoe of claim 1 1, wherein the second portion of the strap is configured to be placed underneath the instep area.

18. The shoe of claim 1 1, wherein the second portion of the strap is configured to be placed inside a through-hole in the instep area.

19. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the rear portion of the bottom portion of the shoe is raised with respect to the front portion of the bottom portion.

20. The shoe of claim 19, wherein the instep area is raised with respect to the front portion of the bottom portion.