FOOTWEAR INSERT

Abstract

The present invention relates footwear inserts for protection of interior portions from wear. In one aspect, the present invention provides an insert for footwear. The insert includes a resilient member formed of woven synthetic fibers, the resilient member including a first portion and a second portion. The resilient member defines one or more notches between the first portion and the second portion. The insert further includes an adhesive disposed over a surface of the resilient member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates footwear inserts for protection of interior portions of the footwear from wear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Footwear is vulnerable to both exterior and interior wear during the life thereof. This includes shoes, boots, sandals, slippers, etc. Often, once the footwear is externally or internally worn, the footwear is disposed of and replaced. While certain styles of footwear wears evenly, certain types of footwear wears excessively, either internally, externally, or both. Further, as a result of stylish usage of footwear, it is possible that uneven wear is even more exaggerated. For example, basketball and other high-top type shoes are often worn with laces removed, loosened or otherwise configured so that a loose fit is formed. This can be done for comfort, style or both. However, as a result of loose fitting footwear, the heel portion of an individual slides against a back interior portion of the footwear resulting in substantial wear over a short period of time. Further, the repeated slamming of the heel against the bottom interior portion can also form substantial wear.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for prolonging the life of footwear. More particularly, there is a need of minimizing wear for loose fitting footwear, particularly footwear that is worn loosely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides improved footwear and inserts for the same for protecting interior portions of the footwear from excessive wear, particularly when footwear is worn loosely. The features of the present invention provide a flexible and resilient insert that includes a durable smooth exterior surface that is resistant to frictional wear. The present invention further provides an insert that is conformable to form fit to an interior portion of footwear and includes and attachment for limiting movement of the insert with respect to the footwear.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an insert for footwear. The insert includes a resilient member formed of woven synthetic fibers, the resilient member including a first portion and a second portion. The resilient member defines one or more notches between the first portion and the second portion. The insert further includes an adhesive disposed over a surface of the resilient member.

In another aspect, the present invention provides footwear assembly. The footwear assembly includes footwear having an exterior portion and an interior portion. The interior portion includes a back heel portion and a bottom heel portion. The back heel portion and bottom heel portion are approximately perpendicular with respect to one another. The footwear assembly further includes an insert disposed in the interior portion of the footwear. The insert includes a first portion disposed adjacent the back heel portion and a second portion disposed adjacent a bottom heel portion. The footwear assembly further includes an adhesive disposed between the first portion and back heel portion and between the second portion and bottom heel portion, wherein the adhesive bonds the insert to the interior portion of the footwear.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of protecting an interior portion of footwear. The method includes providing a resilient flexible member formed of woven synthetic fibers. The method further includes conforming the resilient flexible member to the contours of an interior portion of footwear. The method further includes adhesively bonding the resilient flexible member to an interior portion of footwear.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial sectional perspective view of footwear including an exemplary footwear insert according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of an exemplary footwear insert according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the exemplary footwear insert shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective of an exemplary footwear insert and adhesive according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrate a perspective view of the exemplary footwear insert and adhesive shown in FIG. 4 being manipulated to form to the contours of footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary footwear assembly 10 of the present invention is shown. The assembly 10 includes footwear 12 having an interior portion 14 and an exterior portion 16. The interior portion 14 is defined by a heel region 18 including a back heel portion 20 and bottom heel portion 22. The assembly further includes an insert 24 disposed in a heel region 18 of the footwear 12. The insert 24 includes a first portion 26 disposed proximate the back heel portion 20 and a second portion 28 disposed proximate the bottom heel portion 22. The insert 24 is attached to the interior portion 14 of the footwear 12 through suitable attachment 30.

In one mode of use, referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, an insert 24 is provided that is moldable to conform to a heel region 18 of footwear 12. In one particular mode, the first portion 26 and the second portion 28 are moved with respect to one another to be generally perpendicular to one another. The shape of the first portion 28 is modified to conform to the contours of a back heel portion 20 of the interior region 14 of the footwear 12. The insert 24 is attached to the footwear 12 utilizing attachment 30. In one configuration, the attachment comprises an adhesive.

In greater detail, referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, an insert 24 is provided for insertion and placement in an interior region 14 of a footwear. Non-limiting examples of suitable footwear includes shoes such as sneakers, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes and high-top shoe. Other examples of suitable footwear includes boots, sandals, water shoes and slippers. However, it should be appreciated that other suitable footwear are possible.

In one exemplary embodiment, the insert 24 includes a first portion 26 and a second portion 28. The first portion 26 is suitable in size and shape for placement in a back heel portion 20 of the footwear 12 and the second portion 28 is suitable in size and shape for placement on a bottom heel portion 22 of the footwear 12. The first portion and second portion 26, 28 are interposed by one or more notches 32 extending inwardly from a periphery 34 of the insert 24. In one configuration, the notches 32 are particularly shaped to allow movement of the first portion 26 with respect to the second portion 28, along a middle portion 36, without or with limited binding of the first portion with respect to the second portion. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 1, the notches allow the first and second portions 26, 28 to follow the contours of an interior region 14, without binding.

The insert 24 is shaped and size for placement in a heel region 18 of footwear 12. In one configuration, the insert 24, and/or first portion 26 and second portion 28, includes a width that generally corresponds to a width of footwear 12 in which it is placed into. In one configuration, the insert 24 includes a length configured to cover a back heel portion 20 and a bottom heel portion 22 of footwear 12 in which it is place into. In one particular configuration, the first portion 26 is configured to cover at least about ¼ the height of a back heel portion, at least about ½ the height of a back heel portion, a least about ¾ the height of a back heel portion, or more. In one particular configuration, the second portion 28 is configured to cover at least about 1/10 the length of a bottom portion 38 of the footwear 12, at least about ¼ the length of a bottom portion of the footwear 12, or more. In one particular configuration, the insert is relatively thin and includes a thickness of less than about 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.3 mm or less.

The insert 24 is formed of a flexible material that is configured for following the contours of interior portions of various styles and types of footwear 12. In one exemplary embodiment, the insert 24 includes fabric-like and flexible physical characteristics. In one exemplary embodiment, the insert is formed of resilient material. In one exemplary embodiment, the insert 24 includes smooth surfaces having low friction coefficient. In one exemplary embodiment, the insert 24, as described herein, is relatively thin. Advantageously, the flexibility, resiliency, thin configuration and smooth surface of the insert 24 allows the insert to be applied discretely over interior heel portions of footwear 12 to provide protection thereto without effecting the natural feel and function of the footwear. This feature is particularly advantageous in applications where heel portions of an individual commonly rubs against the interior heel portions of the footwear.

In view of the foregoing, suitable materials for the insert of the present invention includes one or more of the following characteristics, flexible, resilient and/or thin, smooth surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the material forming the insert 24 comprises a woven material formed of individual, braided or otherwise grouped fibers. In one exemplary embodiment, the fibers used to form a woven insert comprise synthetic fibers. Examples of suitable fibers include aramid fiber, para-aramid fiber or otherwise. Advantageously, the types of fibers and woven configuration of the insert provide a resilient, strong, flexible and smooth insert 24. Non-limiting examples of woven materials suitable as use to form the insert 24 includes Kevlar®, Twaron®, Technora® and Heracron®. However, others are possible.

In one exemplary embodiment, the insert 24 further includes a binder 40 disposed about a periphery 34 of the insert. In one configuration, the binder 40 is configured for maintaining the position of the fibers of the woven material used to form the insert 24. In one particular configuration, the binder 40 is configured for preventing or substantially limiting the fibers of the woven material of the insert 42 from unraveling. Non-limiting examples of binders 38 useable with the present invention include stitching and adhesive, though others are possible.

The footwear assembly 10 or insert 24 further includes an attachment 30 for attachment of the insert to an interior region 14 of the footwear 12. In one configuration, the attachment 30 is configured for preventing or substantially limiting movement of the insert 24 with respect to a heel portion or interior region 14 of the footwear. In one particular configuration, the attachment 30 is configured for preventing or substantially limiting movement of the first portion with respect to the back heel portion 20 of the footwear 12, the second portion 28 with respect to the bottom heel portion 22 of the footwear 12, or both.

In one exemplary embodiment, the attachment 30 comprises an adhesive applied to a surface of the insert 24, such as a surface area of the first portion 26, second portion 28 or both. It is contemplated that the adhesive is covered or applied over a majority of a surface area of the insert 24, over a substantial portion of a surface area of the insert 24, or substantially over an entire portion of a surface area of the insert 24. In one particular configuration, the adhesive attachment 30 comprises a two-sided adhesive component, such as two-sided adhesive tape, two-sided adhesive duct tape, two-sided military grade tape, two-sided adhesive foam tape, or otherwise, being shaped to generally correspond to the shape, e.g. periphery, of the insert 24. In another exemplary embodiment, the attachment 30 comprises hook and latch components, such as Velcro®. Other attachment 30 configurations are possible.

The present invention further includes methods of providing protection to footwear 12. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes providing or forming an insert 24 for placement within an interior region 14. In one configuration, the insert 24 comprises a resilient flexible member formed of woven synthetic fibers. The method further includes forming notches in a periphery 34 of the insert 24, which defines a first portion 26 and a second portion 28. The method further includes disposing, integrating or applying a binder to a periphery of the insert. The method further includes applying an attachment, e.g. adhesive or otherwise, to a surface area of the insert or disposing an attachment 30 between the insert and heel portions of a footwear 12. The method further includes confirming the insert to the contours of an interior portion of footwear 12, wherein upon placement against the heel portions, e.g. back heel portion 20 and bottom heel portion 22, the insert is attached to the interior portion of the footwear through the attachment 30. Advantageously, the application of the insert against the interior portion of the footwear provides a smooth resilient contact surface for preventing or substantially limiting wear to the same.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An insert for footwear, comprising:

a resilient member formed of woven synthetic fibers, the resilient member including a first portion and a second portion, the resilient member defining one or more notches between the first portion and the second portion; and

an adhesive disposed over a surface of the resilient member.

2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is flexible.

3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibers comprise aramid fibers.

4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the resilient member defines two notches formed between the first portion and the second portion, the two notches being disposed on a periphery of the resilient member.

5. The insert of claim 1, further comprising a binder disposed on an outer periphery of the resilient member.

6. The insert of claim 5, wherein the binder comprises stitching sewn into the resilient member.

7. The insert of claim 5, wherein the binder comprises adhesive disposed on an outer edge of the periphery of the resilient member.

8. The insert of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises two-sided adhesive tape.

9. The insert of claim 8, wherein the adhesive extends over a majority surface area of one side of the first portion and second portion of the resilient member.

10. Footwear assembly, comprising:

footwear including an exterior portion and an interior portion, the interior portion including a back heel portion and a bottom heel portion, the back heel portion and bottom heel portion being approximately perpendicular with respect to one another;

an insert disposed in the interior portion of the footwear, the insert including a first portion disposed adjacent the back heel portion and a second portion disposed adjacent a bottom heel portion; and

adhesive disposed between the first portion and back heel portion and between the second portion and bottom heel portion, wherein the adhesive bonds the insert to the interior portion of the footwear.

11. The footwear assembly of claim 10, wherein the insert is formed of a resilient flexible member.

12. The footwear assembly of claim 11, wherein the resilient flexible member is formed of woven synthetic fibers.

13. The footwear assembly of claim 12, wherein the synthetic fibers comprise aramid fibers.

14. The footwear assembly of claim 10, wherein a notch is formed between the first portion and second portion to facilitate movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

15. The footwear assembly of claim 10, wherein the adhesive comprises two-sided adhesive tape.

16. The footwear assembly of claim 15, wherein the adhesive extends over a majority surface area of one side of the first portion and second portion of the insert.

17. A method of protecting an interior portion of footwear, comprising the steps of:

providing a resilient flexible member formed of woven synthetic fibers;

conforming the resilient flexible member to the contours of an interior portion of footwear; and

adhesively bonding the resilient flexible member to an interior portion of footwear.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the resilient flexible member includes a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portion being interposed by one or more notches.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising applying two sided adhesive tape to a surface area of the first portion and second portion of the resilient flexible member.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the resilient flexible member is shaped to conform to a back heel portion and bottom heel portion of the interior portion of the footwear.