Shoe accessory for friction reduction on carpet

Abstract

A new shoe sole cover accessory for providing a way to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness. The inventive device includes a piece of smooth fabric material such as 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric and two fastening bands such as elastic, affixed parallel to one another. One fastening band attaches to two corners of the fabric while the other fastening band attaches to the other two corners of the fabric, thus creating an attachable shoe sole cover accessory for friction reduction on carpet for dance fitness. The shoe sole cover accessory is then attached to the shoes by sliding the fastening bands over the top surface of the shoe, with the fabric sliding over the bottom surface of the shoe. When attached securely in this manner, the shoe sole cover accessory reduces friction between carpet or rubber type surface and feet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to Application Ser. No. 61/632,729 filed Jan. 30, 2012 Titled ‘Shoe Sole Cover Accessory’

FIELD OF CLASSIFICATION SEARCH

36/114, 36/136

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, there are various recreational devices available commercially to enable sliding on certain type surfaces for recreational purposes. Additionally, prior to the present invention, there were no devices known to applicant which are designed specifically for use indoors on carpeted surfaces for dance fitness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness, which has many advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new shoe sole cover accessory which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any related prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a smooth, slippery fabric material such as 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric, but not to exclude materials such as leather, plastic, satin, taffeta, etc., that may reduce friction on carpet or rubber surfaces, which in turn is attached to two fastening bands such as 1″ width non-roll elastice. Said fastening bands may be attached parallel to one another, in a criss-cross fashion, or some other fashion to the fabric material, creating an attachable shoe sole cover accessory. The shoe sole cover accessory is then attached to the shoes by sliding the fastening bands over the top/dorsal surface of the shoe, with the fabric sliding over and onto the bottom/plantar surface of the shoe. When attached securely in this manner, the shoe sole cover accessory reduces friction between carpet or rubber type surfaces, and the feet, allowing the foot to freely pivot and slide during dance fitness. For the purposes of this design, it is assumed that the fastening bands will be attached either parallel to one another across the top of the foot, or in a criss-cross fashion across the top of the foot. If attached parallel to one another, the fastening bands will be different sizes. The anterior, or front, band will be shorter, allowing for a more secure fit around the phalangeal/toe area of the foot. The posterior, or rear, band will be longer, to allow a more secure fit around the middle/metatarsal area of the foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, its operation advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the current invention.

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. For the purposes of the following descriptions, features and components are described from an anatomical perspective. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components that make up the present invention; 1 is the 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric, which is a 5.5″×5.5″ square finished double seamed, but may vary in sizes. 2 is the posterior fastening band such as 1″ width non-roll elastic, 5″ in length. 3 is the anterior fastening band such as 1″ width non-roll elastic, 3″ in length.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled components of FIG. 1, whereas 1 is the 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric, which is a 5.5″×5.5″ square finished double seamed, but may vary in sizes. 2 is the posterior fastening band 5″ in length. 3 is the anterior fastening band 3″ in length. 4 is the stitching that affixes the fastening bands on each end of the fastening bands to the fabric 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, showing the fastening bands on the top surface of the shoe, parallel to one another, and the fabric extending over the bottom surface of the shoe, whereas 1 is the 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric, which is a 5.5″×5.5″ square finished double seamed, but may vary in sizes. 2 is the posterior fastening band 5″ in length. 3 is the anterior fastening band 3″ in length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that this contribution to this art may be better appreciated. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the following descriptions be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing details and descriptions is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the general public, and especially the engineers, designers, seamstresses, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a shoe sole cover accessory for reducing friction between feet and carpet or rubber surfaces for dance fitness. In the present preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoe sole cover accessory is comprised of a durable, double seamed 5.5″×5.5″ finished square of fabric material 1 such as 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric on bottom (inferior), affixed to a 5″ length posterior elastic fastening band 2 such as 1″ width non-roll elastic, and a 3″ length anterior elastic fastening band 3 such as 1″ width non-roll elastic. The fastening bands are positioned on top (superior), and affixed to the durable fabric material by thread stitching 4.

Objects of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new shoe sole cover accessory to reduce friction between a shoe and a carpeted area or rubber surface and method to create it, which has many advantages of a shoe sole cover accessory to reduce friction on carpeted areas and rubber type surfaces, and many novel features that result in a new shoe sole cover accessory which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any prior art shoe sole cover accessories, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new shoe sole cover accessory that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new shoe sole cover accessory that is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new shoe sole cover accessory which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such shoe sole cover accessory economically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new shoe sole cover accessory that provides in the apparatuses and methods of related prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new shoe sole cover accessory that includes a smooth fabric material such as 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric, which is attached to two fastening bands such as 1″ width non-roll elastic. Said fastening bands are positioned across the dorsal surface of the foot, parallel to one another, or in a criss-cross fashion, or in some other workable fashion, and stitched at each end to the fabric material which is positioned on the plantar surface of the foot, creating an attachable shoe sole cover accessory. The shoe sole cover accessory is then attached to the shoes by sliding the fastening band over the top/dorsal surface of the foot or shoe, with the fabric sliding over the bottom/plantar surface of the shoe. When attached securely in this manner, the shoe sole cover accessory reduces friction between carpet or rubber type surfaces and feet. For the purposes of this design, it is assumed that the fastening bands will be attached either parallel to one another, or in a criss-cross fashion, sagitally (across the foot from left to right, or right to left). If attached parallel to one another, the fastening bands will be different sizes. The anterior or front band will be 3″ in length, allowing for a more secure fit around the phalangeal/toe area of the foot/shoe. The posterior or rear band will be 5″ in length, to allow a more secure fit around the middle/metatarsal area of the foot/shoe.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new shoe sole cover accessory that allows a user to more easily pivot, slide, glide, spin, twist or move in any other way a user chooses to move one's feet on carpeting, rubber type surfaces, or carpeted areas.

Various modifications of the above described and illustrated arrangement are possible within the scope of the invention, especially in respect to, and of, the size, shape, structure, and material of the fabric and fastening bands of the shoe sole cover accessory.

Further, in one embodiment of the invention, the position of the fastening bands may criss-cross.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Whereas this invention has been described in detail with respect primarily to one embodiment thereof, it should be realized that various changes may be made without departing from the essential contributions to the art made by the teachings hereof.

Claims

1. A shoe sole cover accessory for providing a way to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness comprising: (a) a 5.5″×5.5″ finished square of fabric material such as 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric, and (b) two fastening bands such as 1″ width non-roll elastic which secure the fabric to the foot/shoe.

2. A shoe sole cover accessory for providing a way to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness, according to claim 1, wherein said fastening bands are positioned across the dorsal surface of the foot, parallel to one another, or in a criss-cross fashion, or in some other workable fashion, and affixed at each end to the fabric material which is positioned on the plantar surface of the foot, creating an attachable shoe sole cover accessory.

3. A shoe sole cover accessory for providing a way to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness, according to claim 1, wherein the shoe sole cover accessory attaches to the foot by sliding the fastening bands over the top/dorsal surface of the foot or shoe, with the fabric sliding over the bottom/plantar surface of the foot/shoe.

4. A new shoe sole cover accessory for providing a way to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness, according to claim 2, wherein the fastening bands will be different sizes if attached parallel to one another. The anterior band will be 3″ in length, allowing for a more secure fit around the phalangeal/toe area of the foot. The posterior band will be 5″ in length, to allow a more secure fit around the middle/metatarsal area of the foot.

5. A shoe sole cover accessory for providing a way to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness comprising: (a) a fabric material such as 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric, and (b) two fastening bands such as 1″ width non-roll elastic of varying lengths which secure the fabric to the foot/shoe.