Footwear combination
A footwear combination includes a releasably attached sock and shoe. The sock is adapted for covering a foot of a wearer, and has integrally-formed toe, top foot, heel, and sole portions. The shoe covers at least a portion of the sock, and has a shoe upper and attached sole. Hook and loop fasteners cooperate to releasably attach the shoe and sock together. The shoe and sock cooperate to form a stable, unitary outer covering for the foot.
The present invention relates to a footwear combination incorporating a releasably attached sock and shoe. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes a lightweight shoe resembling a conventional slipper commonly used indoors, in the bedroom, hotels, and spas, and for light outdoor and recreational activity, such as walking. The slipper has either an open or closed toe, and may be constructed of any suitable material including terry fabric and leather.
Footwear intended for indoor and outdoor usage exists in many forms. As a more casual alternative to dress shoes and sneakers, the slipper has re-emerged as a popular and convenient foot covering among users of all ages. Many individuals choose to wear their slippers together with socks, especially for outdoor usage and particularly in cool weather. When worn with socks, the sock-covered foot has a tendency to slip relative to the sole of the slipper. This lateral shifting of the sock with respect to the slipper sole creates a general discomfort and temporary imbalance, especially when walking, and will often cause the sock to bunch or form wrinkles beneath the wearer's foot. This leads to further discomfort and even the formation of blisters on the foot.
In view of the above, the present invention is designed to provide a stable and secure footbed in a sock/shoe combination which during normal wear resists shifting of the sock relative to the shoe. The resulting footwear combination offers a safer and more comfortable foot covering which can be applied to and removed from the foot as an attached unit.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTherefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a footwear combination which incorporates a lightweight, open or closed-toe slipper.
It is another object of the invention to provide a footwear combination which has a stable and secure footbed.
It is another object of the invention to provide a footwear combination which is comfortable and convenient.
It is another object of the invention to provide a footwear combination which is applicable for both indoor and outdoor usage.
It is another object of the invention to provide a footwear combination which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
It is another object of the invention to provide a footwear combination which can be applied to and removed from the foot of the wearer as a single attached unit.
It is another object of the invention to provide a footwear combination which resists bunching and wrinkling of the sock beneath the foot of the wearer.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a footwear combination comprising a releasably attached sock and shoe. The sock is adapted for covering a foot of a wearer, and has integrally-formed toe, top foot, heel, and sole portions. The shoe covers at least a portion of the sock, and has a shoe upper and attached sole. Means are provided for releasably attaching the shoe and sock together, whereby the shoe and sock cooperate to form a stable, unitary outer covering designed for being applied to and removed from the foot in combination.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for attaching comprises mating hook and loop fasteners.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hook and loop fasteners are located in the top foot portion of the sock and an inside of the shoe upper, respectively.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hook and loop fasteners are located in the sole portion of the sock and the shoe sole, respectively.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hoop and loop fasteners are arranged in respective spaced-apart patches extending from respective toe ends of the sock and shoe to respective heel ends of the sock and shoe.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoe is a low-cut slipper.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoe further includes a raised heel.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for attaching includes hook and loop fasteners located in the heel portion of the sock and the raised heel of the shoe, respectively.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sock is designed for extending above an ankle of the wearer.
In another embodiment, the invention is a sock adapted for covering a foot of the wearer in a footwear combination. The sock has integrally-formed toe, top foot, heel, and sole portions. The sock comprises means for releasably attaching to a shoe. The shoe and sock cooperate to form a stable, unitary outer covering designed for being applied to and removed from the foot in combination.
In yet another embodiment, the invention is a shoe for use in a footwear combination. The shoe has a shoe upper and attached sole. The shoe comprises means for releasably attaching to a sock adapted for covering a foot of a wearer. The shoe and sock cooperate to form a stable, unitary outer covering designed for being applied to and removed from the foot in combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSSome of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a footwear combination according to the present invention is illustrated in
Yet another embodiment of a footwear combination according to the invention is shown in
A footwear combination is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A footwear combination, comprising:
- a sock adapted for covering a foot of a wearer, and comprising integrally-formed toe, top foot, heel, and sole portions;
- a shoe covering at least a portion of said sock, and comprising a shoe upper and attached sole;
- means for releasably attaching said shoe and sock together, whereby said shoe and sock cooperate to form a stable, unitary outer covering for the foot.
2. A footwear combination according to claim 1, wherein said means for attaching comprises mating hook and loop fasteners.
3. A footwear combination according to claim 2, wherein said hook and loop fasteners are located in the top foot portion of said sock and an inside of the shoe upper, respectively.
4. A footwear combination according to claim 2, wherein said hook and loop fasteners are located in the sole portion of said sock and the shoe sole, respectively.
5. A footwear combination according to claim 4, wherein said hoop and loop fasteners are arranged in respective spaced-apart patches extending from respective toe ends of said sock and shoe to respective heel ends of said sock and shoe.
6. A footwear combination according to claim 1, wherein said shoe comprises a low-cut slipper.
7. A footwear combination according to claim 1, wherein said shoe further comprises a raised heel.
8. A footwear combination according to claim 7, wherein said means for attaching comprises hook and loop fasteners located in the heel portion of said sock and the raised heel of said shoe, respectively.
9. A footwear combination according to claim 1, wherein said sock is designed for extending above an ankle of the wearer.
10. A sock adapted for covering a foot of a wearer in a footwear combination, said sock having integrally-formed toe, top foot, heel, and sole portions, and comprising means for releasably attaching said sock to a shoe, whereby the shoe and sock cooperate to form a stable, unitary outer covering for the foot.
11. A sock according to claim 10, wherein said means for attaching comprises hook or loop fasteners adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located inside the shoe.
12. A sock according to claim 11, wherein said hook or loop fasteners are located in the top foot portion of said sock, and are adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located inside the shoe.
13. A sock according to claim 11, wherein said hook or loop fasteners are located in the sole portion of said sock, and are adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located inside the shoe.
14. A sock according to claim 13, wherein said hoop or loop fasteners are arranged in respective spaced-apart patches extending from a toe end of said sock to a heel end of said sock.
15. A sock according to claim 11, wherein said hook or loop fasteners are located in the heel portion of said sock, and are adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located inside the shoe.
16. A shoe for use in a footwear combination, said shoe having a shoe upper and attached sole, and comprising means for releasably attaching to a sock adapted for covering a foot of a wearer, whereby said shoe and sock cooperate to form a stable, unitary outer covering for the foot.
17. A shoe according to claim 16, wherein said means for attaching comprises hook or loop fasteners adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located on an outside of the sock.
18. A shoe according to claim 17, wherein said hook or loop fasteners are located on an inside of the shoe upper, and are adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located on the outside of the shoe.
19. A shoe according to claim 17, wherein said hook or loop fasteners are located on the shoe sole, and are adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located on the outside of the sock.
20. A shoe according to claim 17, and comprising a raised heel, and wherein said hook or loop fasteners are located on the raised heel, and are adapted for mating with complementary fasteners located on the outside of the sock.
Type: Application
Filed: May 4, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 9, 2006
Inventor: Frederick Warren (Charlotte, NC)
Application Number: 11/121,911
International Classification: A43B 3/10 (20060101); A43B 1/02 (20060101);