ANTI-SLIP PATCH FOR SHOE HEEL

Abstract

An anti-slip patch can fit into a shoe heel to prevent socks from slipping into the shoe. The anti-slip patch can cover an area of the vertical inner heel cap of the shoe with a hook surface or similar material that can prevent slippage of a sock. The hook exposed surface of the anti-slip patch can become an integral part of the vertical inner heel cap lining of the shoe and can securely fasten on to the vertical heel part of any type of sock when worn in the shoe. The snug fit of the foot inside the shoe ensures continuous pressure being applied to the sock for it to remain adhered to the exposed hook material of the anti-slip patch, keeping the sock securely locked in its desired comfortable position on the foot while being worn in the shoe in both dry and wet conditions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/686,860, filed Apr. 14, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoe accessories and, more particularly, to a lined vertical shoe heel cap that clings to socks to prevent them from slipping into the shoe.

Socks can often slip down into shoes, boots, sneakers, and the like, and end up in an uncomfortable position under the wearer's foot. This problem is even more pronounced today, as there are so many different types and brands of socks being worn in all kinds of different types of hi-tech innovative designed shoes used for today's active recreational lifestyles. These socks undergo a lot of movement and stress in the shoe and they also absorb moisture, causing them to have a tendency to move down into the shoe, beginning at the heel.

Currently, all one can do to alleviate the discomfort of socks slipping into their footwear is to repeatedly keep pulling the socks back up to their original comfort zone position on the foot.

There are temporary fixes available, however these take time to prepare, such as using sticky tapes and expandable band wraps. These self-help options can be scuffed loose or simply peeled away. They may also feel irritable in addition to looking makeshift.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device and method for preventing a sock from slipping into a wearer's footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a anti-slip patch for a shoe comprises a first surface operable to attach to a heel upper of the shoe; and a second surface having an exposed hook surface disposed to retain a sock when a sock is worn on a user's foot in the shoe.

In another aspect of the present invention, a shoe comprises an anti-slip patch disposed on a heel upper of the shoe, the anti-slip patch comprising a first surface operable to attach to a heel upper of the shoe and a second surface having an exposed hook surface disposed to retain a sock when a sock is worn on a user's foot in the shoe.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having an anti-slip patch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1, showing the anti-slip patch and sock fitting into the shoe;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a shoe having an anti-slip patch according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a shoe having an anti-slip patch according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the anti-slip patch of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a shoe having an anti-slip patch according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the anti-slip patch of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an anti-slip patch that can fit into a shoe heel to prevent socks from slipping into the shoe. The anti-slip patch can cover an area of the vertical inner heel cap of the shoe with a hook surface or similar material that can prevent slippage of a sock. The hook exposed surface of the anti-slip patch can become an integral part of the vertical inner heel cap lining of the shoe. This hook exposed surface can securely fasten on to the vertical heel part of any type of sock when worn in the shoe. The snug fit of the foot inside the shoe ensures continuous pressure being applied to the sock for it to remain adhered to the exposed hook material of the anti-slip patch in the heel cap lining, keeping the sock securely locked in its desired comfortable position on the foot while being worn in the shoe in both dry and wet conditions.

A shoe can be configured or adapted to include the anti-slip patch of the present invention. The exposed hook surface of the anti-slip patch can be conformed into the vertical heel cap lined area. Because many shoe styles often have cushioned inner heel cap linings, the location of the exposed hook surface area can comfortably conform to the overall shoe inner surface lining and also to the heel inward curvature shape area of the foot just below the ankle. The soft, puffy thickness of the knitted sock fabric helps to cushion and dissipate any feeling of the exposed hook surface of the anti-slip patch on the foot, eliminating any discomfort when the shoe is worn with a sock.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an anti-slip patch 10 can be disposed in a shoe 12. The anti-slip patch 10 can include an exposed hook surface 15 having exposed hooks 16 that can catch a sock 20 worn by a wearer. The anti-slip patch 10 can include a smooth surface 18 that can attach to a heel upper 14 of the shoe 12. The smooth surface 18 can be attached by various methods, such as with an adhesive, by stitching, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in another embodiment of the present invention, an anti-slip patch 22 can include tabs 25 that fit into slots 26 formed between the lining 34 of the shoe upper 24 and the outer component 32 of the shoe upper 24. The tabs 25 may be void of hook 28 on a hook surface 27 of the anti-slip patch 22. The slot 26 may be void of lining 34 of the shoe upper 24. This design helps permit the tab 25 to be disposed into the slot 26. The design of FIGS. 4 and 5 can allow the user to insert and remove the anti-slip patch 22 from the shoe 32.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a cover 35 can be made from a soft, fuzzy, loop-like material 36. The cover 35 can be sized to fit over the exposed hook surface 16 of the anti-slip patch 10 (or the hook surface 27 of the anti-slip patch 22, for example). The cover 36 will allow the patch 10, 22 to stay in place, even if the user is not wearing socks, allowing the user to cover the patch and prevent irritation to their bare skin from the hook surface 16, 27.

Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, some shoes 37 can include a soft, fuzzy, loop-like lining 44 along an upper 42 of the shoe 37. An anti-slip patch 38 can be designed with in inner hook surface 39 and an outer hook surface 40 disposed on a substrate material 41. The inner hook surface 39 can be disposed to engage the sock 20 while the outer hook surface 40 can be disposed to engage the lining 44 of the upper 42 of the shoe 37, as shown in FIG. 10, for example. In this embodiment, a user can adapt their shoes with the anti-slip patch 38 of the present invention by simply attaching the patch 38 to the lining 44 of the shoe 37. The user can remove the anti-slip patch 38, as desired, by simply peeling away the anti-slip patch 38 to release the bond between the outer hook surface 40 and the lining 44.

While the above description and drawings show various embodiments of a single patch design, two or more patches can be individually disposed along the heel upper portion of the shoe. For example, two patches can be disposed on opposing sides of the heel upper portion of the shoe.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An anti-slip patch for a shoe comprising:

a first surface operable to attach to a heel upper of the shoe; and

a second surface having an exposed hook surface disposed to retain a sock when a sock is worn on a user's foot in the shoe.

2. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a smooth surface permanently affixed to the heel upper.

3. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, wherein the first surface is an outer hook surface operable to attach to a hook-like material disposed along the heel upper of the shoe.

4. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, further comprising tabs disposed on ends of the anti-slip patch, wherein the tabs are operable to fit into slots formed in the heel upper of the shoe.

5. The anti-slip patch of claim 4, wherein the tabs are void of hooks.

6. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, further comprising a soft cover operable to fit over and cover the exposed hook surface.

7. A shoe comprising an anti-slip patch disposed on a heel upper of the shoe, the anti-slip patch comprising a first surface operable to attach to a heel upper of the shoe and a second surface having an exposed hook surface disposed to retain a sock when a sock is worn on a user's foot in the shoe.

8. The anti-slip patch of claim 7, wherein the first surface is a smooth surface permanently affixed to the heel upper.

9. The anti-slip patch of claim 7, wherein the first surface is an outer hook surface operable to attach to a hook-like material disposed along the heel upper of the shoe.

10. The anti-slip patch of claim 7, further comprising:

tabs disposed on ends of the anti-slip patch; and

slots formed in the heel upper of the shoe for inserting the tabs to position the anti-slip patch on the heel upper of the shoe.