SHOE HAVING A PLURALITY OF TOE COMPARTMENTS

Abstract

The invention provides a shoe, comprising: a sole portion, and an upper portion, wherein the sole portion and upper portion together form a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user, and wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation of U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/392,337, filed May 19, 2011, and U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/392,345, filed May 19, 2011, which are both continuations of U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/380,701, filed on Dec. 9, 2010, issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D639,535 on Jun. 14, 2011. The related applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a shoe having a plurality of compartments configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Conventional shoes generally comprise an upper portion and a sole portion, wherein the shoe serves as one large compartment for the foot. However, some users find conventional shoes to be uncomfortable or less than ideal for walking, running, jogging, or other activities, as the user's foot may move around within the shoe during these activities. Some users prefer a shoe with a better “fit,” wherein one or more of their toes are each secured in their own small compartment within a shoe. The closer fit of such shoes can provide some advantages over conventional shoes, especially in users who prefer an increased tactile sensation to the ground. Some users also believe that the closer fit may encourage the user to adopt a gait that is healthier for the foot. In addition, some users feel enhanced comfort when their individual toes are separated and not cramped into one single compartment.

Shoes have been described in the art, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,898 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,860, which are directed to shoes with individual toe portions. Each of the individual toe portions is configured to receive one toe.

However, users of such shoes often complain about shoes having five individual toe portions, as it can be time consuming and difficult to put the shoe on and/or take it off. This difficulty can occur because the user must place each of the user's five toes in an individual slot. In addition, some users complain that the separation of the fourth and fifth toes creates discomfort.

There is a need in the art for a shoe that provides users with a close and comfortable fit with increased ease in placement of the foot into and out of the shoe.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention meet the above needs, as well as others, by providing a shoe having a plurality of toe compartments.

In one variation, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, a shoe comprises: a sole portion and an upper portion, wherein the sole portion and upper portion together form a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user, and wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.

In one variation of the invention, the shoe may comprise up to four compartments, wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes of the user's foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one variation of a shoe according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an opposite side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another variation of a shoe according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 12 is an opposite side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view thereof; and

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example variations of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the following figures.

FIGS. 1 through 7 show one example variation of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shoe 1. The shoe 1 is generally composed of an upper portion 2 and a sole portion 3. In some variations, the shoe 1 covers most of the foot and extends up to about the ankle area of the foot of the user. The shoe comprises a heel area 9 which is configured to receive the heel of the foot of a user. The upper portion 2 of the shoe 1 may be attached to the sole portion 3 of the shoe 1. The shoe comprises an opening 8 where a user may insert a foot into the shoe. The shoe in accordance with aspects of the present invention comprises a plurality of compartments which are configured to receive one or more toes of the foot of a user. In some variations, each of the compartments covers most, if not all, of the entire length toe or toes. The shoe comprises at least two compartments and up to four compartments. In some example variations, the shoe comprises four compartments 4, 5, 6, and 7, wherein a first compartment 4 is configured to receive the first toe, a second compartment 5 is configured to receive the second toe, a third compartment 6, is configured to receive the third toe, and a fourth compartment 7 is configured to receive both the fourth and fifth toes. The first toe refers to the “big” toe of a user, which is the toe that is medialmost on the medial side of the foot. The second toe is directly adjacent to the first toe, and the third toe is directly adjacent to the second toe. The fifth toe refers to the “pinky” toe, or the toe that lateralmost on the lateral side of the foot. The fourth to refers to the toe that is directly adjacent to the fifth toe. The medial side 14 of the shoe and the lateral side 15 of the shoe are depicted in FIG. 2. The compartments 4, 5, 6, and 7 are composed of the upper portion 1 and the sole portion 2. The upper portion 1 and the sole portion 2 may be composed of the same material or different material. In some example variations of aspects of the invention, the sole portion 2 of one or more of the compartments 4, 5, 6, and 7 may extend upward up to, but not over, the toe nail area of the foot of the user. The toe nail area of the foot refers to the portion of the toe of a user wherein a toe nail typically exists. Viewing a toe from a front elevation view, such as in FIG. 6, the toe nail area refers to the top portion of the toe. The shoe comprises one compartment 7 which is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes. In some example variations, the compartment 7 is configured to receive only the fourth and fifth toes, and not any additional toes. The shoe may also optionally comprise one or more straps 10, 11 which may be used by the user to secure or tighten the shoe on the user's foot. The straps 10 may extend fully or partially across the top of the show from the medial side to the lateral side. The shoe may also optionally comprise one or more rings 12, 13 or other pulling mechanisms that may assist the user in inserting the foot into the shoe 1.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a shoe 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Shoe 1 comprises a medial side 14 and a lateral side 15. The shoe comprises a compartment 7, located on the lateral side 15 side of shoe, configured to receive at least the fourth and fifth toes.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of a shoe 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and in particular, the bottom of the sole portion 3 of the shoe 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of a shoe 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and in particular, the lateral side 15 of the shoe. As seen in this figure, the shoe comprises a compartment 7 that is configured to receive at least the fourth and fifth toes and is located on the lateral side of the shoe 1.

FIG. 5 shows an opposite side elevation view of a shoe 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and in particular, the medial side 14 of the shoe.

FIG. 6 shows a front elevation view of a shoe 1 of the invention. As seen in FIG. 6, in accordance with some aspects of the invention, the sole portion 3 of one or more of the compartments 4, 5, 6, and 7 may extend upward up to, but not over, the toe nail area of the foot of the user. The toe nail area of the foot of the user may be covered by the upper portion 2 of the shoe 1.

FIG. 7 shows a rear elevation view of a shoe 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the shoe 1 comprises a heel area 9 configured to receive the heel of the foot of a user. The heel area 9 may optionally extend upward around the rear 16 of the shoe to provide the user with a more comfortable fit. The shoe 1 may also optionally comprise straps 10, 11 to enhance a close fit of the foot of a user to the shoe. Rings or other pulling mechanisms 12, 13 may also be present to assist the user in inserting the foot into the shoe 1.

FIGS. 8 through 14 show another example variation of aspects of the present invention. As seen in FIGS. 8-14, the shoe 1a comprises an upper portion 2a, a sole portion 3a, and an opening 8a where the foot of a user can be inserted. The shoe 1a comprises a plurality of compartments 4a, 5a, 6a, and 7a. In preferred aspects, the shoe 1a comprises a compartment 7a located in the lateral side 15a of the foot that is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes and preferably only the fourth and fifth toes. The shoe also comprises a medial side 14a. The shoe may also comprise straps 10a, 11a which can be used to enhance the fit of the shoe 1a, and rings or other pulling mechanisms, such as hooks, 12a, 13a, which may be used to assist the user in inserting the foot into the shoe 1a. The shoe 1a comprises a heel area 9a configured to receive the heel of the foot of a user. The heel area 9a may optionally extend upward around the rear 16a of the shoe to provide the user with a more comfortable fit

Example aspects of the present invention have now been described in accordance with the above advantages. It will be appreciated that these examples are merely illustrative of various aspects thereof. Many variations and modification will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A shoe, comprising: wherein the sole portion and upper portion together form a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user, and wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.

a sole portion, and

an upper portion,

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe comprises four compartments.

3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe comprises a compartment that is configured to receive only the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.

4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the sole portion of one or more compartments extends upward up to the toe nail area of the one or more compartments.

5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the sole portion of the shoe comprises an extended portion which extends upwardly around a rear of a heel area of the shoe.