Attachable non-slip foot sole and methods of manufacturing and using the same

Abstract

An attachable sole for a foot comprises a substantially flat substrate, having an upper surface and a lower surface and an adhesive disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The adhesive is adapted to attach the substrate to the bottom of a foot and to allow easy removal of the substrate from the foot. The lower surface of the substrate is at least somewhat resistant to slipping when in contact with a smooth floor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attachable non-slip sole for a foot which protects the bottom of the foot, sock or stocking against soiling and increases friction so as to inhibit slipping.

Webster's Dictionary defines “sole” as “the under surface of a foot” or “the bottom of a shoe”. In the context of the present invention, a “sole” is defined as any substrate, usually substantially planar, which is attachable to the underside of a foot, be it bare or covered (for example with a sock, stocking, slipper or shoe).

Soles have been designed and used for many purposes. Their chief purpose has been to protect the foot against the pain and possibly injury of contacting sharp objects. A secondary purpose has been to protect the foot, or the sock or stocking covering the foot, against soiling. Still another purpose has been to protect the foot against slipping on the surface beneath it.

Especially when a foot is covered by a sock or stocking, it is liable to slip on smooth surfaces, such as smooth floors of hardwood, linoleum or tile. In such cases also, the sock or stocking collects dirt and grime from the floor and thus becomes quickly soiled, often permanently so. This well-known problem is particularly acute when children run free in stocking feet. As a result they are liable to fall and in some cases become injured.

This problem has engendered quite a number of solutions: means and methods for reducing the danger of slipping and protecting the foot against soiling. The principal mode of protection has been to provide the foot, be it covered or not with a sock or stocking, with a non-slip “sole”; that is, a piece of slip-resistant material beneath the foot. Advantageously, the material also serves to cushion the step and to absorb moisture, as are the materials disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,925,724 and 5,714,229, respectively.

Various means have been used to attach the slip-resistant material to the sock or stocking-covered foot. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,342 discloses various means for releasably attaching non-skip material or “gripper members” to the bottoms of feet by “suitable fasteners such as snaps, zippers, hook and loop [Velcro], etc.” The U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,274 discloses an “anti-slip hosiery article” which retains an “anti-slip lower sole portion” on a foot by incorporating this non-slip material into the hosiery itself. As is well known, slippers with all types of non-slip soles have also been used to cover and protect the feet.

All of these known devices for providing a foot with a non-slip sole have been relatively inconvenient to use and unnecessarily expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a non-slip sole for a foot which is easy and convenient to attach.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an attachable non-slip sole for a foot which is as easy to remove as it is to attach.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an attachable non-slip sole for a foot which is extremely easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

These objects, as well as further objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a sole for a foot which comprises a substantially flat substrate having an upper surface with an adhesive, for releasably attaching the substrate to a foot, and having a lower, non-slip surface.

A sole of this type may be quickly and easily attached to the underside of a foot, be it bare or covered with a sock, stocking or the like, and easily removed when it is no longer needed. When attached, the foot is protected against slipping on smooth floors, such as floors having a hardwood, linoleum or tile surface.

The sole according to the invention also protects the foot or foot cover (for example, the sock or stocking) against contamination by dirt or grime from the floor.

The bottom surface of the sole may be made resistant to slipping by forming the substrate of a non-skid material, such as an elastomeric or rubber-type material. Alternatively or in addition, the bottom surface of the sole may be provided with a non-skid layer, such as a layer which provides an elastomeric surface or a rough surface formed, for example, with a plurality of small pellets that serve to grip an adjacent surface.

The substrate of the sole can be made of virtually any durable flat material such as paper, plastic, woven cloth, non-woven cloth and, as mentioned above, an elastomeric material such as rubber.

The sole can be furnished in any desired shape, such as the shape of a human foot, an animal foot or the like. The sole may also have imprinted thereon one or more graphic images, such as images of animal paw pads or human toes.

As noted above, the sole may be attached directly to the bottom of a foot, or to the bottom of a sock or stockinged foot, by means of a suitable adhesive. Any number of adhesives may be used for this purpose, provided that the sole adheres to the bottom of the foot, or to the bottom of the sock or stockinged foot for the desired length of time and provided that the sole is relatively easily removable.

The adhesive is preferably covered, prior to attachment to a foot, by sandwiching the adhesive between two adjacent soles. Alternatively, a separate, removable layer may be provided to cover and protect the adhesive prior to attaching a sole to a foot.

The preferred use of the sole is with a foot that is covered by a stocking or sock, since when so covered, the foot is prone to slip on a smooth floor. The sole is merely attached to the bottom of the covered foot by means of the adhesive. Thereafter, the person may simply walk on a smooth floor with his/her feet covered by a sock or stocking and with a sole attached to each foot. The sole will inhibit the feet from slipping on the smooth floor.

The sole according to the invention may be made by hand or may be mass produced in a continuous manufacturing process. This process, which will be described below, is also a feature of the present invention.

For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the application of a sole, according to the invention, to the bottom of a stockinged foot.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are bottom views of a sole, according to the invention, on which is imprinted a graphic image of a human foot and an animal paw, respectively.

FIGS. 3A-3D are cross-sectional views showing the composition of the sole according to the present invention, in four different embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a stack of soles with the composition as shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is a representational diagram of a manufacturing process, according to the invention, for producing a sole with the composition shown in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 6 is a representational diagram of a manufacturing process, according to the invention, for producing a sole with the composition shown in FIG. 3A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a non-slip foot sole 10, according to the invention, intended for application to the bottom of a stockinged foot 12. The sole comprises a substantially flat, flexible substrate having an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16. The upper surface of the substrate is coated with an adhesive, so that the sole may be removably attached to the bottom of the stockinged foot 12. The lower surface 16 of the sole is made at least somewhat resistant to slipping when in contact with a smooth floor.

When attached to the bottom of the foot 12, the sole 10 serves to inhibit the foot from slipping and also to prevent dirt and grime from soiling the bottom of the stocking.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate two possible shapes of the sole 10. In FIG. 2A, the sole is cut in the shape of a human foot. In addition, the lower surface 16 of the sole is imprinted with a graphic image, in this case showing the heel and toes of a foot.

FIG. 2B shows an alternative embodiment wherein the sole is cut in the shape of an animal paw. In this embodiment, paw pads are imprinted on the lower surface of the sole.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various compositions of a sole according to the invention. In FIG. 3A, the simpliest embodiment, the substrate 18 is made of an elastomeric material so that the lower surface 16 is naturally resistant to slipping on a smooth floor. The upper surface of the substrate 18 is coated with an adhesive 20 of a type which renders the sole 10 easily attachable to, and also easily removable from, the bottom of a stockinged foot.

FIG. 4 shows how a plurality of soles 10 of the type illustrated in FIG. 3A may be arranged in a stack. Due to the adhesive 20 the soles are retained in the stack, but they may be easily peeled off, one by one, when they are to be used. This stack protects the adhesive layers, prior to use, against contamination. The adhesive surface of the top-most layer may be covered by an additional, protective layer 22, as shown.

FIG. 3B shows an alternative embodiment wherein the adhesive 20 on the substrate 18 is covered by a separate, protective layer 24. As in the case of the embodiment in FIG. 3A, the substrate 18 is made of an elastomeric, non-skid material.

FIG. 3C shows a further embodiment, similar to FIG. 3A, except that the substrate 18 is provided with a non-slip layer 26 on its lower surface. In this case, the substrate 18 may be made of any suitable flexible material, such as a plastic sheet. The non-slip layer 26 may comprise, for example, a plurality of small pellets which are retained by a suitable adhesive to the lower surface of the substrate, to form a sandpaper-like surface.

FIG. 3D shows a fourth embodiment similar to that of FIG. 3B. In this embodiment, the adhesive 20 on the upper surface of the substrate 18 is covered by a protective layer 24. As in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 3C, the lower surface of the substrate 18 is provided with a non-slip layer 26.

The adhesive 20 is selected to provide good adhesion to the bottom of a stockinged foot, while allowing the sole 10 to be easily removed therefrom without tearing or damaging either the sole or the stocking. Many suitable adhesives are well known in the art. For example, the adhesive may be the same or similar to the adhesive used with self-sticking labels and/or self-sticking postage stamps. Other adhesives, such as those used for Post-it-Notes, may also be used.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of manufacturing soles in the embodiment of FIG. 3B. In this case, a web of substrate material is unwound from a roll 30 and moved slowly but continuously in the direction from left to right as shown in the drawing. In a first stage, semi-liquid adhesive is deposited on the web from a nozzle 32. A doctor blade 34 smooths the adhesive across the width of the web leaving an even coating 36. Thereafter, a protective layer is applied from a roll 38 and pressed down against the adhesive with the aid of a roller 40. Thereafter, the combined substrate, adhesive and protective layer are passed across a number of rolls 42, 44, 46 and 48 which cause the web to move intermittently, rather than continuously, forward.

Between intermittent motions, the web is cut into individual sole shapes by means of a vertically moving stamper 50. After cutting, the web is transported to a final stage (not shown) where the soles are separated from each other and packaged for shipping.

FIG. 6 is a diagram, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the manufacture of stacks of soles of the type shown in FIG. 4. In this case, a number of identical units 52 and 54, each similar or identical to the section of FIG. 5 comprising elements 30, 32, 34 and 36, are arranged successively and in tandem. Each unit lays down a single substrate layer with an adhesive on its upper surface, building up multiple layers to form a stack. Elements 38 and 40 lay down the final, protective layer on the multiply layered web. Thereafter, the stack of layers is cut to form stacks of soles by the cutter 50.

There has thus been shown and described a novel attachable non-slip foot sole which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof.

Claims

1. An attachable sole for a foot, comprising:

(a) a substantially flat substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

(b) an adhesive disposed on the upper surface of said substrate, said adhesive being adapted to attach said substrate to the bottom of a foot and to allow easy removal of said substrate from said foot.

2. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, wherein the lower surface of said sole is at least somewhat resistant to slipping when in contact with a smooth floor.

3. The attachable sole defined in claim 2, further comprising a non-skid layer affixed to said lower surface of said substrate.

4. The attachable sole defined in claim 3, wherein said non-skid layer includes a plurality of pellets.

5. The attachable sole defined in claim 2, wherein said substrate is made of non-skid material.

6. The attachable sole defined in claim 5, wherein said non-skid material is elastomeric.

7. The attachable sole defined in claim 6, wherein said non-skid material is rubber.

8. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, wherein said substrate is made from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, plastic, woven cloth, non-woven cloth and an elastomeric material.

9. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, wherein said substrate is in the shape of a human foot.

10. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, wherein said substrate is in the shape of an animal foot.

11. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, further comprising a graphic image of at least some elements of a foot imprinted thereon.

12. The attachable sole defined in claim 11, wherein said elements of a foot are selected from the group consisting of animal paw pads and human toes.

13. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, wherein said adhesive is adapted to removably attach said substrate to one of a sock and stocking on the said foot, at the bottom of said foot.

14. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, wherein said adhesive is selected such that the sole is attachable to, and removable from cloth.

15. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of soles are arranged in a stack, removably attached to each other by means of said adhesive, whereby each sole is adapted to be removed from the stack prior to attachment to the bottom of a foot.

16. The attachable sole defined in claim 1, further comprising a removable protective layer covering said adhesive, said layer being adapted to be removed prior to attachment of the sole to the bottom of a foot.

17. A method of using an attachable sole for a foot, said sole comprising:

(a) a substantially flat substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface being at least somewhat resistant to slipping when in contact with a smooth floor; and

(b) an adhesive disposed on the upper surface of said substrate, said adhesive being adapted to attach said substrate to the bottom of a foot and to allow easy removal of said substrate from said foot;

said method comprising the steps of:

(1) covering a foot with one of a stocking and sock;

(2) attaching said sole on the bottom of said covered foot with the adhesive;

(3) walking on a smooth floor with said covered foot with the sole attached;

thereby to inhibit the foot from slipping on said smooth floor.

18. The method defined in claim 17, wherein a non-skid layer is affixed to said lower surface of said substrate.

19. The method defined in claim 18, wherein said non-skid layer includes a plurality of pellets.

20. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said substrate is made of non-skid material.

21. The method defined in claim 20, wherein said non-skid material is elastomeric.

22. The method defined in claim 21, wherein said non-skid material is rubber.

23. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said adhesive is adapted to removably attach said substrate to said one of a stocking and sock on the said foot, at the bottom of said foot.

24. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said adhesive is selected such that the sole is attachable to, and removable from cloth.

25. The method defined in claim 17, further comprising the step of removing a protective layer covering the adhesive prior to attachment of the sole to the bottom of a foot.

26. A method of manufacturing an attachable sole for a foot, said sole comprising:

(a) a substantially flat substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface being at least somewhat resistant to slipping when in contact with a smooth floor; and

(b) an adhesive disposed on the upper surface of said substrate, said adhesive being adapted to attach said substrate to the bottom of a foot and to allow easy removal of said substrate from said foot;

said method comprising the steps of: (1) continually removing a web of said substrate from a roll thereof; (2) continuously covering said substrate with said adhesive on said upper side thereof after it is removed from said roll; (3) cutting said substrate with said adhesive into foot shapes.

27. The method defined in claim 26, further comprising the step of continuously applying a protective layer over said adhesive prior to said cutting step.

28. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the steps of (1) continuously removing a plurality of webs of said substrate from rolls thereof and (2) continuously covering the substrates with said adhesive on the upper sides thereof after they are removed from said rolls; and continuously placing one substrate on top of the other prior to the cutting step.

29. The method defined in claim 26, wherein the movement of said substrate is interrupted during said cutting step.