RIGHT AND LEFT SHOE ALIGNMENT INDICIA

Abstract

Alignment shoes which each include complementary distinguishing markings to allowing a user to quickly distinguish left shoe from right shoe. Applicant's alignment shoes include a left alignment shoe defining a base shoe with an insole that includes a left image indicia on the right, inner side thereof and a right alignment shoe defining a base shoe with an insole that includes a right image indicia on the left, inner side thereof. Accordingly, when the left alignment shoe is placed adjacent to and on the left side of the right alignment shoe, the left image indicia and right image indicia are position close to one another such that the two half images appear as a single integrated image.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a shoe alignment system and, more particularly, to shoes having alignment indicia to assist a user in distinguishing between left and right.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventional shoes are well known to come in pairs, with one shoe shaped to fit a wearer's right foot and the other shoe shaped to fit the wearer's left foot. A common struggle for many children and some adults, however, is distinguishing between the left shoe and right shoe so as to determine which shoe goes on the left foot and on the right foot. Thus, there remains a need for shoes having alignment indicia which enable a user to quickly distinguish between a left shoe and a right shoe and align the shoes properly together. It would be helpful if such alignment shoes included indicia on their insoles so as to enable them to be distinguished by a user standing or sitting above them. It would be additionally desirable for such alignment shoes to include a half image on each shoe that forms a complete, single image when the shoes are placed together in the proper alignment.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for shoes having alignment indicia adapted to allow a user to quickly distinguish between left and right shoes. The primary components in Applicant's alignment shoes are a left shoe having a half image and a right shoe having a half image. When in operation, the shoes having alignment indicia enable a left shoe to properly be aligned next to a right shoe by simply matching the half images to form a single image. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Alignment shoes which each include complementary distinguishing markings to allowing a user to quickly distinguish left shoe from right shoe. Applicant's alignment shoes include a left alignment shoe defining a base shoe with an insole that includes a left image indicia on the right, inner side thereof and a right alignment shoe defining a base shoe with an insole that includes a right image indicia on the left, inner side thereof Accordingly, when the left alignment shoe is placed adjacent to and on the left side of the right alignment shoe, the left image indicia and right image indicia are position close to one another such that the two half images appear as a single integrated image.

It is an object of this invention to provide shoes having alignment indicia which enable a user to quickly distinguish between a left shoe and a right shoe and align the shoes properly together.

It is another object of this invention to provide alignment shoes which include indicia on their insoles so as to enable them to be distinguished by a user standing or sitting above them.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide alignment shoes to include a half image on each shoe that forms a complete, single image when the shoes are placed together in the proper alignment.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of alignment shoes built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows alternate images which can be employed in alignment shoes built in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, a left alignment shoe 10 and a right alignment shoe 10′ are shown, each having a base shoe 11, 11′ with an insole 12, 12′. The insole 12 of the left alignment shoe 10 includes a left image indicia 13 disposed thereon. The left image indicia 13 is written indicia defined by a half unitary image positioned on the right, inner side of the insole 12. The left image indicia 13 is oriented such that its split side, as defined below, is against the inner side of the insole.

The insole 12′ of the right alignment shoe 10′ includes a right image indicia 13′ disposed thereon. The right image indicia 13′ is written indicia defined by a half unitary image positioned on the left, inner side of the insole 12′. As with the left image indicia 13, the right image indicia 13′ is oriented such that its split side, as defined below, is against the inner side of the insole. In this regard, when the left alignment shoe 10 and right alignment shoe 10′ are aligned properly, defined by being positioned next to each other with the left alignment shoe 10 on the left and the right alignment shoe 10′ on the right, the left image indicia 13 and the right image indicia 13′ are positioned together (or close to together, depending on the design of the shoe), combining from the two half images into a single whole image. On the contrary, if the left alignment shoe 10 and right alignment shoe 10′ are not aligned properly, the left image indicia 13 and the right image indicia 13′ will not combine to form a single whole image.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it is understood that any image or picture can be employed as a unitary image (to be divided in two) in accordance with the present invention. A first image 20 and a second image 20′ is shown, with each having a left side 21, 21′, a split 22, 22′, and a right side 23, 23′. In this regard, when separated, the left side 21, 21′ will form a half image with a split 22, 22′ side on the right, while the right side 23, 23′ will form a half image with a split 22, 22′ side on the left.

In an alternate embodiment, the image or picture in accordance with the present invention includes glow in the dark material, such as phosphorescent material.

In one embodiment, the left image indicia and the right image indicia are positioned in the center of the insole of the left alignment shoe and right alignment shoe, respectively.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A pair of alignment shoes, comprising:

a first alignment member adapted to be worn on a left limb of a user, wherein said first alignment member includes an integral first printed indicia;

a second alignment foot covering adapted to be worn on a right limb of a user, wherein said second alignment member includes an integral second printed indicia; and

said first printed indicia and said second printed indicia defining two discrete sections of a unitary printed indicia formed by placing the first alignment member adjacent to and to the left of the second alignment member.

2. The pair of alignment shoes of claim 1, wherein said first alignment member is adapted to be worn on a left foot and the second alignment member is adapted to be worn on a right foot.

3. The pair of alignment shoes of claim 1, wherein said first alignment member defines a left alignment shoe having a left insole and the second alignment member defines a right alignment shoe having a right insole.

4. The pair of alignment shoes of claim 3, wherein said first printed indicia is disposed on said left insole and said second printed indicia is disposed on said right insole.

5. The pair of alignment shoes of claim 3, wherein said first printed indicia is disposed on a right, inner side of said left insole and said second printed indicia is disposed on a left, inner side of said right insole.