Shin Guard Compression Sleeve

Abstract

Tools and techniques for providing protection to a foot and leg with a shin guard compression sleeve underlying a shin guard are presented. A shin guard compression sleeve may comprise a toe shoe having individual toe apertures and pockets intended to contain the toes of a foot received therein, and, an elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe. The elastic tubular liner may compressively receive a portion of a leg and have a length sufficient to extend beyond the top of a shin guard receiving the sleeve, such that the tubular liner defines a first layer under the shin guard, and a second layer overlapping the first layer when folded over. The second layer may hook over an end portion of the shin guard, thereby sandwiching the shin guard between the first and second layers of the elastic tubular liner.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/594,056, filed Feb. 2, 2012, entitled “Shin Guard Compression Sleeve,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a shin guard compression sleeve for underlying a shin guard, and more particularly to a toe shoe and compression sleeve configured to protect and support the anatomical features of a foot and lower leg during martial arts recreation.

BACKGROUND

A variety of athletic socks for holding shin guards in place are known in the art. Typically, the socks are worn in conjunction with shin guards to protect the lower extremities of the leg and foot region during recreational play, in which strikes and impacts, especially in martial arts-related sports, may cause bruising, fractures, or even broken bones. Shin guards are useful in preventing such injuries by covering the lower extremities with a hard, protective barrier and supporting the anatomy of the lower leg and foot region.

Commonly, the shin guard is worn over the sock to prevent abrasions from occurring as a result of direct skin contact with the shin guard, which may have rough surfaces such as Velcro™, or thick edges that may inadvertently chafe the skin during use. In some prior art, the athletic sock may have built-in shin protectors in which an additional shin guard worn over the sock is not necessary. More commonly, athletic socks are configured to hold the shin guard in place by applying additional securing forces to the shin guard onto the leg when worn. A representative embodiment of the latter general configuration may be found in Hicks, U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,817, which discusses an elongated foldable sock to contain a shin guard.

While current methods may provide some barrier for shin guard wearers to minimize chafing and abrasions from shin guards themselves, there is a need for a shin guard underlayer with improved features particular to martial arts sports. Often times, although the athletic sock, such as in Hicks, may fold over and contain a shin guard, simple strikes or general movements during practice may cause the shin guard to slide sideways, thereby exposing the shin. This places the user at risk for injury, and requires the user to stop practice in order to reposition the shin guard. Often times, practices and tournaments are timed such that any stoppages or quick fixes become burdensome to the sport. Such unnecessary interruptions may also pose detrimental effects on the user's mindset and performance during competitions.

Traditionally, athletic socks used to underlie shin guards have a long tubular body for receiving the leg and entire foot. Typically, the lining underneath the foot comprises the same soft materials as the remainder of the sock body. However, this lining provides modest grip and foot support. It may become slippery under sweaty conditions and thus lose proper grip. Its soft body provides limited anatomical support for the user's foot.

The shin guard compression sleeve disclosed herein is intended to overcome one or more of the problems discussed above, and to provide related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Certain embodiments provide improvements in shin wrap underlayers for underlying a shin guard during sports and recreation. Merely by way of example, one set of embodiments provides a shin wrap having a toe shoe and elastic tubular liner. An exemplary shin wrap might comprise a toe shoe configured to contain the toes of a foot received within, whereby in some further aspects, the toe shoe may comprise a plurality of toe apertures and pockets for receiving each toe individually. In an aspect of some embodiments, the toe shoe may have an elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe. The elastic tubular liner may have a length sufficient to extend beyond the top of a shin guard placed over the liner, such that the elastic tubular liner may define a first layer underneath the shin guard and fold over as a second layer covering the shin guard. In some embodiments, the second layer may overlap a dorsal foot portion of the shin guard and hook over a dorsal edge of the foot pad, thereby sandwiching the entire shin guard between the first and second layers of the elastic tubular liner and preventing lateral or longitudinal displacement of the shin guard in use.

In a particular embodiment, the toe shoe may comprise at least one layer of rubber or other flexible resilient materials capable of providing substantial foot support throughout the dorsal and plantar regions of a foot. Merely by way of example, the undersole may, in some cases, be treaded or textured to provide better traction. The toe shoe might further comprise an orifice configured to provide an exposed heel.

In another embodiment, the elastic tubular liner may comprise a sheet attached to an overlying shin region of the first layer and define a sleeve for receiving additional shin protective gear. In other embodiments, the sheet may be attached to the second layer and define a sleeve for receiving additional shin gear in the shin area when folded over. In some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner has sleeves on both the first and the second layers. In another aspect, the elastic tubular liner and toe shoe may be operatively associated with an arch wrap configured to wrap and secure an arch area of the toe shoe, thereby securing the elastic tubular liner in place and providing arch support. In some embodiments, the arch wrap is defined by the cuff of the elastic tubular liner surrounding the arch area. The elastic tubular liner, in some aspects, may comprise moisture-wicking material along an inner surface having skin contact, and extend further throughout a portion of the toe shoe. The moisture-wicking material may, merely by way of example, comprise an integrated cotton skin or waterproof polyester. Further, in some embodiments, the shin wrap may comprise antimicrobial material along an inner surface of the toe shoe and elastic tubular liner.

Another set of embodiments provides methods for protecting a foot and lower leg received within a shin wrap for underlying a shin guard. An exemplary method might comprise providing a toe shoe and elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe. The toe shoe may receive a foot and contain the toes of a foot, in some instances through individual toe apertures and pockets. In an aspect, the elastic tubular liner may compressively receive a portion of the leg as a first layer, fold over as a second layer overlapping the first layer, and compressively receive and overlap an end portion the shin guard with the second layer. In an aspect of some embodiments, the first and second layers may sandwich shin guard, and the end of the second layer may hook over a dorsal edge of the shin guard which may have a dorsal foot pad, thereby clasping and securing the entire shin guard in place.

In another particular embodiment, a method may provide plantar support along the undersole of the toe shoe. Another method may provide an exposed heel of the toe shoe, such as an orifice in the heel region. In another embodiment, a method may provide a means to hold additional shin protective gear within the elastic tubular liner itself, such that the additional gear underlies the shin guard sandwiched between the first and second layers. Additional methods may provide moisture-wicking properties along an inner surface of the elastic tubular liner and toe shoe. In some aspects, antimicrobial properties are provided within the elastic tubular liner and toe shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particular embodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label is associated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similar components. When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a dorsal perspective view of the shin guard compression sleeve of the present disclosure in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the shin guard compression sleeve of the present disclosure in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a dorsal perspective view of the shin guard compression sleeve underlying a shin guard, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a frontal perspective view of the shin guard compression sleeve underlying a shin guard and demonstrating a fold-over portion of the compression sleeve over the shin guard, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the shin guard compression sleeve underlying a shin guard and demonstrating a fold-over portion of the compression sleeve over the shin guard, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the toe shoe, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the toe shoe, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a front view of the elastic tubular liner with a sleeve on the first layer defining a pocket for securing additional shin-protective gear, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is a front view of the elastic tubular liner with sleeve on the second layer defining a pocket on the fold-over portion for securing additional shin-protective gear, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the shin guard compression sleeve with an ankle support, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, dimensions reaction conditions and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”.

In this application and the claims, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Moreover, the use of the term “including”, as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included”, is not limiting. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one unit unless specifically stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a dorsal perspective view of the shin guard compression sleeve 100 of the present disclosure. The shin guard compression sleeve 100 comprises a toe shoe 105 operatively associated with an elastic tubular liner 110. The elastic tubular liner 110 comprises an opening 115 at an upper end of the liner 110, and moisture-wicking material 130 throughout the liner 110. In one embodiment the toe shoe 105 may have a plurality of toe pockets 120 for individually receiving each toe. In other embodiments the toe shoe 105 may have a single compartment receiving all toes. In some embodiments, the shin guard compression sleeve 100 may further comprise an arch wrap 125.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the toe shoe 105 is worn over an athlete's foot. The toe shoe 105 may be anatomically shaped and may comprise a plurality of toe apertures and toe pockets 120 such that the toes are individually received and contained within each toe pocket 120. In other embodiments, the toe shoe 105 comprises a single compartment for receiving all toes. The anatomical shape retained by the toe shoe 105 allows the toe shoe 105 to be conveniently slipped on. The body of the toe shoe 105 may comprise flexible materials of variable thicknesses that are oriented to provide protection and support to the anatomy of a foot. For instance, the toe shoe 105 may comprise at least one layer of rubber along an undersole providing plantar support to the toes and arch area. Furthermore, the undersole of the toe shoe 105 may comprise materials and textures for maximizing grip, such that slippages are minimized. Detailed embodiments relating to the structure of the toe shoe 105 are described further in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

Further illustrated in FIG. 1, the elastic tubular liner 110 receives the athlete's leg in a compressive, tight fit as shown. The length of the elastic tubular liner 110 may, in some embodiments, be sufficient to extend beyond the top of a shin guard (See 300, FIG. 3) and toward the upper leg region, as shown in the present illustration. The elastic tubular liner 110 receives the leg through the opening 115, whereupon the leg is slipped into the elastic tubular liner 110 for a compressive fit. The elastic tubular liner 110 as shown compresses the entire region of the leg received therein from the opening 115 to a portion of the ankle and foot area received within the toe shoe 105. A second opening of the elastic tubular liner 110 near the toe shoe 105 allows a portion of the foot to emerge from the compressive fit and continue to be inserted into the toe shoe 105, substantially as described above. In some embodiments, the second opening of the elastic tubular liner 110 is defined by the arch wrap 125. In other embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 continues to form the vamp (See 515, FIG. 5) or medial portion of the toe shoe 105, such that the elastic tubular liner 110 extends as the soft body of the toe shoe 105, wherein the toe shoe 105 and elastic tubular liner 110 are one continuous body. In other embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 extends as a liner inside the toe shoe 105, serving as a sock liner against the medial portion of the toe shoe 105.

The elastic tubular liner 110 may comprise a variety of features. In an aspect, the elastic tubular liner 110 compressively receives a portion of a leg as a compression garment. The compression fitting may contribute to enhanced muscle support and increased circulation of the lower extremities. Additionally, compression may provide injury protection, style and a good fit which may enhance athletic performance.

In some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 comprises moisture-wicking material 130, which may aid in a body's thermoregulatory system by absorbing, transporting and dispersing sweat through the fabric over a larger area to enhance evaporation. The athlete would benefit from staying cooler, potentially allowing her to intensify the workout. The moisture-wicking material 130 may extend throughout the entire length of the elastic tubular liner 110, along the inside and outside of the elastic tubular liner 110, or only along a single surface of the elastic tubular liner 110. In some embodiments, the moisture-wicking material 130 may extend further into the toe shoe 105 defining the medial liner, vamp or other portion of the toe shoe 105. In other embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 may comprise antimicrobial material (See 205, FIG. 2) extending throughout the entire length, or a partial length, of the elastic tubular liner 110. The elastic tubular liner 110 may, in some embodiments, comprise a combination of both the moisture-wicking material 130 and the antimicrobial material 205. Detailed embodiments relating to the antimicrobial material 205 are described further in FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110, moisture-wicking material 130, and antimicrobial material 205 may be assembled such that the elastic tubular liner 110 comprises a durable exterior and integrated moisture-wicking material 130, such as, and merely by way of example, an interwoven moisture-wicking layer 130. Further, in some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 may comprise, wholly or partially, an antimicrobial material 205 or liner, interwoven or lining a portion of the elastic tubular liner 110. In other aspects, the elastic tubular liner 110 may comprise any combination of materials, such as, and merely by way of example, polyester, elastane, nylon, spandex, doralstan, lycra, thin stretch polyamide, microfiber, cotton, stretch construction, or any combination of these materials or other materials or knits having lightweight and resilient properties that may be designed for long-term wear in sports and training. The elastic tubular liner 110 may comprise a variety of different fabrics and knits, lending to different levels of compression throughout the liner 110. Furthermore, the elastic tubular liner 110 may have breathable mesh panels, slits, or other apertures and designs contributing to a breathable and lightweight surface.

The shin guard compression sleeve 100 of FIG. 1 may further comprise, in some embodiments, an arch wrap 125 operatively associated with the elastic tubular liner 110. The arch wrap 125 may be configured to wrap and secure an arch area of the toe shoe 105, as shown in FIG. 1. With the arch wrap 125 secured around the arch, and in some embodiments overlapping a portion of the toe shoe 105, the elastic tubular liner 110 is forcibly attached to the foot received therein. The arch wrap 125 may also provide additional arch support to the arch area. In some embodiments, the arch wrap 125 may be a continuation of the elastic tubular liner 110, such that the second opening of elastic tubular liner 110 is defined by the arch wrap 125, which may be a cuff that receives and supports the arch area of the foot. In other embodiments, the arch wrap 125 is a long narrow strap configured to wrap around the arch area with securing means such as, and merely by way of example, a hook and loop material (e.g.Velcro™), snaps, hook and eye, ties, and other means for securing cloth-like materials. In some embodiments, the arch wrap 125 may be configured to secure to a surface of the toe shoe 105, or in other embodiments, the arch wrap 125 secures to itself. Furthermore, the arch wrap 125 might wrap over the toe shoe 105, be received within the toe shoe 105 abutting a medial surface of the toe shoe 105, or the arch wrap 125 may comprise a portion of the body of the toe shoe 105, such as a vamp or medial section.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the shin guard compression sleeve 100. The side view illustrates the shin guard compression sleeve 100 having the toe shoe 105 operatively associated with the elastic tubular liner 110. The toe shoe 105 may comprise a plurality of toe apertures and pockets 120 and an orifice 200 exposing the heel. The elastic tubular liner 110 comprises an opening 115 at one end and an arch wrap 125 at the remaining end near the toe shoe 105. In some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 extends along a dorsum of the toe shoe 105 as the upper body of the toe shoe 105. In another aspect, the elastic tubular liner 110 comprises antimicrobial material 205.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the toe shoe 105 comprises an orifice 200 at the heel for exposing the heel of a foot received therein. The orifice 200 allows for direct contact between the heel and a surface, contributing to a natural feel for the athlete. In other embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 receives the arch area without providing an exposed heel, and further, in some embodiments, the second opening of the liner 110 defining an end of the liner 110 may receive only a portion of the ankle area. Additionally, as described above in FIG. 1, the elastic tubular liner 110 may extend throughout the interior of the toe shoe 105, thereby containing the toes inside the liner 110, as an underlying liner 110 within the toe shoe 105.

The embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 1, where the toes are contained by the individual toe pockets 120, also provide greater traction and maneuverability during practice. Furthermore, as described above in FIG. 1, the arch wrap 125 may surround and support the arch as an underlying layer within the toe shoe 105, or, in some instances, as an outer layer around the toe shoe 105 as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, wherein the elastic tubular liner 110 and toe shoe 105 are removably attached, the arch wrap 125 may secure the elastic tubular liner 110 to the toe shoe 105.

In other aspects, as shown in FIG. 2, the elastic tubular liner 110 might comprise antimicrobial material 205. The antimicrobial material 205 may be integrated with the elastic tubular liner 110 or be a separate liner associated with the elastic tubular liner 110, and it may extend further into the toe shoe 105, through the vamp, medial, and other portions of the toe shoe 105. In some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110, or the toe shoe 105, or both, may comprise a combination of both the moisture-wicking material 130 of FIG. 1 and the antimicrobial material 205.

FIG. 3 is a dorsal front perspective of the shin guard compression sleeve 100 underlying a shin guard 300. The shin guard compression sleeve 100 comprises a toe shoe 105 and elastic tubular liner 110 underlying the shin guard 300, which comprises a dorsal foot pad 305 with a dorsal edge 310. The toe shoe 105 comprises toe apertures and pockets 120 underneath and protruding beyond the dorsal edge 310 of the shin guard 300. The opening 115 of the elastic tubular liner 110 remains near an upper region of the leg.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the shin guard 300 is placed over the shin area and lower portion of the elastic tubular liner 110. The shin guard 300 may be secured around the calf by straps, or other means common to the design of shin guards. The shin guard 300, particularly in martial arts sports, may have a dorsal foot pad 305 resting on a dorsal portion of the toe shoe 105. The dorsal foot pad 305 comprises a dorsal edge 310 defining the end of the shin guard 300. In some cases, the toe pockets 120 may be substantially exposed, protruding beyond the dorsal edge 310 of the shin guard 300, as shown.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front and side perspective views of the shin guard compression sleeve 100 fully dressed around a shin guard 300. FIG. 4A depicts a front view of the elastic tubular liner 110 fully covering the shin guard 300, dorsal foot pad 305, and dorsal edge 310, with elastic tubular liner opening 115 hooked around the dorsal edge 310, between the dorsal edge 310 and the toe shoe 105 underneath the dorsal foot pad 305. In some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner opening 115 might hook around both the dorsal edge 310 and at least part of the toe shoe 105 underneath the dorsal foot pad 305. FIG. 4B depicts a side view of the same components as FIG. 4A, and additionally, the heel orifice 200 and the arch wrap 125.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, the shin wrap 100 receives the shin guard 300 over the elastic tubular liner 110. The dorsal foot pad 305 is received over a dorsal portion of the toe shoe 105, such that the foot pad 305 rests on top of the toe shoe 105. FIG. 4A depicts the shin wrap 100 fully secured around the shin guard 300 and ready for use. The elastic tubular liner 110, having a length sufficient to extend beyond the top of the shin guard 300, receives a portion of the lower leg as a first layer underlying the shin guard 300, and folds over as a second layer overlapping the shin guard 300. The second layer of the elastic tubular liner 110 has an end defined by the elastic tubular liner opening 115, which is hooked over a dorsal edge 310 of the shin guard 300 and around the back of the leg, as shown in FIG. 4B. The dorsal edge 310 defines an end of the shin guard 300 where the dorsal foot pad 305 ends. With the opening 115 of the elastic tubular liner 110 hooked over the edge 310 of the dorsal foot pad 305, the shin guard 300 is sandwiched completely between the first and second layers of the elastic tubular liner 110. The sandwiching, in some aspects, clasps the shin guard 300 into place such that unwanted lateral and longitudinal movements of the shin guard 300 are minimized, or altogether prevented.

In the embodiment shown in the side view of FIG. 4B, the opening 115 of the elastic tubular liner 110 stretches and hooks over the dorsal edge 310 of the dorsal foot pad 305, and continues to wrap around the back of the leg received therein. The toe shoe 105 comprises a plurality of toe apertures and pockets 120 that protrude from underneath the dorsal foot pad 305, and provides an orifice 200 exposing the heel. As shown in FIG. 4B, the first layer of the elastic tubular liner 110 is operatively associated with an arch wrap 125, which resides beneath the dorsal foot pad 305 and shin guard 300. The folding line of the elastic tubular liner 110 defining the top of the shin guard 300 conforms to the shape of the top edge of the shin guard 300 as it is stretched overtop, and then folded down, the shin guard 300. As shown, the elastic tubular liner 110 provides a smooth surface over the shin guard 300, covering the ridges, Velcro™, and other rough surfaces characteristic to the shin guard 300 being used. The smooth surface minimizes a risk of the shin guard 300 being caught or grabbed while in use, in addition to preventing unwanted shin guard abrasions and prolonging the life of the shin guard itself.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the toe shoe 105, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The toe shoe 105 comprises toe pockets 120 and a soft vamp 515 with a breathable material 520. The toe shoe 105 may be secured to a foot by a backstrap 500. The toe shoe 105 further comprises an exposed heel or orifice 200 and a durable outsole 510 extending to the arch contour 505 and toe support 525.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the toe shoe 105 receives each toe individually at toe pockets 120 and secures onto a foot by a backstrap 500. The backstrap 500 may comprise, merely by way of example, elastic material, synthetics, Velcro™ straps, canvas, nylon, or other resilient materials to securably attach the toe shoe 105 to a foot. The vamp 515 of the toe shoe 105 covering the dorsum of a foot may comprise a lightweight, breathable material 520, including, in some embodiments, moisture-wicking material, antimicrobial material, or a combination of both. In some embodiments, the soft vamp 515 is an extension of the elastic tubular liner 110, such that the toe shoe 105 and elastic tubular liner 110 are one single piece. In other embodiments, the soft vamp 515 and breathable material 520 are separable from the elastic tubular liner 110. The soft vamp 515 and breathable material 520 may comprise a variety of different materials and knits, such as, merely by way of example, nylons, elastane, spandex, doralstan, mesh, lycra, a thin stretch polyamide, synthetic blends, cotton, microfibers or any other lightweight, breathable and resilient materials. The vamp 515 and/or breathable material 520 might further comprise, merely by way of example, ventilation apertures, mesh panels, or any other designs and knits providing a breathable and cooling surface. In another aspect, the vamp 515 of the toe shoe 105 comprises compressive, elastic material, such as the material of the elastic tubular liner 110. With compression properties, the vamp 515 and toe shoe 105 may mold to the contours of a foot, thereby providing optimal fit and arch support. In some embodiments, the insole of the toe shoe 105 may comprise antimicrobial lining, moisture-wicking lining, or a combination of the linings.

Further depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 5, a lateral portion of the toe shoe 105 supporting the plantar of a foot may comprise a durable outsole 510 having an arch contour 505, with the durable outsole 510 extending and wrapping around each of the front of the toe pockets 120 to provide toe support 525. The durable outsole 510 may comprise a single material in a single layer, or have multiple layers and materials combined. In one exemplary embodiment, the durable outsole 510 comprises at least one layer of rubber having variable flexibility and thicknesses. Other possible materials for the durable outsole 510 may comprise, merely by way of example, rubber, plastics, canvas, synthetics, foam, gel, or various combinations of these materials and other durable, grippy materials.

The durable outsole 510 may be anatomically shaped to include a curvature supporting the arch area as an arch contour 505. The durable outsole 510 may further be configured to provide toe support 525, whereby the outsole 510 underlies each toe and in some cases, wraps over the toe to a dorsal side of the toe as shown in FIG. 5, thereby providing a thick rubber layer for toe support 525. In some embodiments, all of the toe pockets 120, or some of the toe pockets 120, may comprise an elastic toe connector between the toe pockets 120, thereby providing a toe splint to prevent breakages. An edge of the durable outsole 510 may define the orifice 200, where the toe shoe 105 ends and exposes the heel for a natural feel, minimalist design, and universal sizing.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the toe shoe 105, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The toe shoe 105 comprises a durable outsole 510 extending throughout the edges of the arch contour 505 and toe support 525. A backless heel or orifice 200 exposes the heel and is defined by an edge of the durable undersole 510. The durable undersole 510 further comprises cushioning 600 and treading 605.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the durable outsole 510 comprises a layer of raised material forming cushioning 600 supporting the ball of the foot. The cushioning 600 absorbs shocks and impacts, while providing comfort and support for the anatomical features of the foot. The cushioning 600 may comprise rubber, gel, or any other flexible and tough materials, such as, in some embodiments, a thicker layer of the durable outsole 510 itself. In other embodiments, the durable outsole 510 provides treading 605 throughout the cushioning 600 and toe support 525 of the durable outsole 510. The treading 605 enhances grip, and may comprise a variety of tread designs including, merely by way of example, ridges, bumps, waves, or a combination of various tread marks.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are front views of the elastic tubular liner 110, depicting embodiments for compartments to secure additional shin-protective gear. Particularly, FIG. 7A illustrates the elastic tubular liner 110 comprising a pocket 700 along the shin area of the first layer for receiving additional shin-protective gear. FIG. 7B illustrates the elastic tubular liner 110 comprising a pocket 705 along the shin area of the fold-over portion, or second layer, for receiving additional shin protective gear. In some embodiments, the elastic tubular liner 110 may comprise both a first layer pocket 700 and a second layer pocket 705. The pockets 700, 705 may each be defined by a sheet of material operatively attached to the elastic tubular liner 110 in an orientation that allows additional shin gear to be conveniently slipped into and clasped securely by the pockets 700, 705. The sheet of material may be any of the materials used for manufacturing the elastic tubular liner 110. Merely by way of example, the pockets 700, 705 for additional shin protective material may enclose the entire additional shin gear, which may be slipped into the pocket 700, 705, or, in some embodiments the pocket 700, 705 may comprise a sleeve or collection of sleeves along the shin area, forcibly engaging the additional shin guard through the sleeve against the shin of a leg received therein. In other embodiments, the pockets 700, 705 may comprise padding, such as foam, gel, fabrics, etc, such that additional shin protective gear may be supplemented with shin cushioning.

FIG. 8 depicts the shin guard compression sleeve 100 comprising the elastic tubular liner 110 and toe shoe 105, and an ankle support 800 operatively associated with the shin guard compression sleeve 100. The ankle support 800 may be removably attached or permanently secured to a portion of the elastic tubular liner 110 and/or toe shoe 105 and may comprise thick, flexible and elastic materials or layers of materials, such as, merely by way of example, rubbers, nylon, polyester, or other synthetic fibers. The ankle support 800 may provide a compressive fit over the ankle region, underlying or overlying the elastic tubular liner 110, or, in some instances, the ankle support 800 may be built into the elastic tubular liner 110. In some embodiments, the ankle support 800 might comprise traditional stirrup straps around the back of the heel and upward from beneath the heel to prevent the ankle from twisting. The stirrup straps could be canvas, elastic, straps of Velcro™, or other tough fibers that allow the ankle to be supported over long periods of time.

Various embodiments of the disclosure could also include permutations of the various elements recited in the claims as if each dependent claim was a multiple dependent claim incorporating the limitations of each of the preceding dependent claims as well as the independent claims. Such permutations are expressly within the scope of this disclosure.

The description of the various embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention or the claims thereto to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment described and shown in the figures was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety by reference.

Claims

1. A shin guard compression sleeve for underlying a shin guard, the sleeve comprising:

a toe shoe configured to contain the toes of a foot received therein; and

an elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe, the elastic tubular liner having a length sufficient to extend beyond the top of the shin guard, the tubular liner defining a first layer underlying the shin guard and folding over as a second layer, wherein the second layer overlaps the shin guard and hooks over a dorsal edge of the shin guard, thereby sandwiching the shin guard between the first and second layers.

2. The shin guard compression sleeve of claim 1, wherein the toe shoe further comprises at least one layer of rubber along an outsole providing anatomical support.

3. The shin guard compression sleeve of claim 1, wherein the toe shoe further comprises an orifice configured to provide an exposed heel.

4. The shin guard compression sleeve of claim 1, wherein the elastic tubular liner further comprises at least one pocket along the shin area for receiving additional shin-protective gear, wherein each pocket is defined by a sheet of material operatively attached to one of the first or second layers of the elastic tubular liner.

5. The shin guard compression sleeve of claim 1, further comprising an arch wrap operatively associated with the sleeve, the arch wrap being configured to wrap an arch area of the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is forcibly secured to the foot received therein.

6. The shin guard compression sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises moisture-wicking material along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin.

7. The shin guard compression sleeve of claim 6, wherein the moisture-wicking material is an integrated cotton skin.

8. The shin guard compression sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises antimicrobial material along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or the elastic tubular liner in contact with a user's skin.

9. A method for protecting a foot and lower leg received within a shin guard compression sleeve for underlying a shin guard, comprising:

providing a toe shoe and elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe;

engaging the toes of a foot received within the toe shoe;

compressively receiving a portion of a leg in the elastic tubular liner as a first layer;

folding over the elastic tubular liner as a second layer overlapping the first layer; and

hooking the elastic tubular liner over a dorsal edge of the shin guard, thereby sandwiching the shin guard between the first and second layers.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the toe shoe further provides anatomical support along an outsole of the toe shoe.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the toe shoe further comprises an orifice configured to provide an exposed heel.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the elastic tubular liner further provides at least one pocket along the shin area for receiving additional shin-protective gear, wherein each pocket is defined by a sheet attached to one of the first or second layers of the elastic tubular liner.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides moisture-wicking properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides antimicrobial properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin.

15. A method for protecting a foot and lower leg, comprising:

providing a toe shoe figured to contain the toes of a foot received therein; and

operatively associating an elastic tubular liner with the toe shoe, wherein the elastic tubular liner comprises dual compression layers having a first layer receiving a portion of a lower leg, and a second layer overlapping a shin guard sandwiched between the first and second layers, the second layer configured to hook over a dorsal edge of the shin guard, and wherein the elastic tubular liner further comprises moisture-wicking properties along an inner surface of the tubular liner.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the toe shoe further provides anatomical support along an outsole of the toe shoe.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the toe shoe further provides an orifice configured to expose a heel of a foot received therein.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the elastic tubular liner further provides at least one pocket along the shin area for receiving additional shin-protective gear, wherein each pocket is defined by a sheet attached to one of the first or second layers of the elastic tubular liner.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides moisture-wicking properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin. 1

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides antimicrobial properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin.