FOOTWEAR DEVICE

Abstract

A shoe device comprises a padded portion, an adhesive applied to one side of the padded portion and a covering for the adhesive. The device can be adhered to an inner surface of a shoe or to an external surface, such as the sole of the shoe as a friction or non-slip device. The shoe device can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can be adhered and removed.

Description

This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/155,827 filed May 1, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear (or, alternatively, shoes) and to accessories used with footwear. More specifically, the invention relates to a device that can be used inside of footwear as well as outside of footwear. More specifically, the invention relates to a footwear device which is an improvement in the application of shoe insole and insert accessories which can also be used with adhesive on shoe soles.

The present invention also relates to footwear that is designed with a toe portion that extends beyond the wearer's toes and to any footwear that is made for uniform fit for wearers or for specially designed footwear. For all of these types of footwear, it is important that the footwear maintains its shape throughout its useful life and also be protected against wear. Further, such footwear should remain comfortable for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe of the type that is well known in the art.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the footwear device in several different representative shapes.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view showing the device of the present invention as it would be used within the shoe as a “back of heel” cushion.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section view showing the device of the present invention as it would be used within the shoe as a “ball of foot” cushion.

FIG. 7 illustrates another cross section view of the same device as it would be used outside of the shoe as a “non-skid outer sole” protection piece.

FIG. 8 illustrates another cross section view of the same type of device as it would be used as a stiffener for the toe box of the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The improved device of the present invention comprises multi-purpose shoe pad products that are in the field of footwear insoles and insert accessories. Each shape is created to fit the ball of the inside of each shoe style. This is a unisex shoe pad product fitted for all footwear and shoe wear. The inventor claims a multi-purpose shoe shape fashion shoe and footwear pad. This can be used for the ball of the foot, the back of the heel, the bottom of the sole tread, inside the back of the heel, used as a ball of foot protector for the pointed and elongated-style shoes. The products are created with an adhesive which allows the product to be placed anywhere on the wearer's shoe wear. Without the adhesive, the device can be used as a shoe pad which is transferrable into any shoe. Each shoe shape pad has its own function. The product can also be placed in the top tongue of the upper sole of the shoe style, or within the toe box, to prevent dents and creases in the upper portion of the shoe. The pads can be created in different fashion patterns and material to add to the appearance of the outside of the shoe sole. The inventor contemplates six (6) different shapes as novel over the prior art in that the prior art shoe and footwear insoles and inserts are created for one design and for one place and one function at a time for each product. The device of the present invention is not so limited.

As a preliminary matter, a shoe, generally identified 10, of the type that is known in the art is illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, the shoe 10 is a woman's-style shoe comprising an “upper” portion 11 (or simply “upper”) and a “bottom” or sole 16 portion (or simply “sole”). The sole 16 comprises an outsole 12, a heel 13, a heel seat 14 and a heel top piece 15. Disposed between the upper 11 and the sole 16 is an insole 17, a toe box 18 and a counter 19, the toe box 18 being the front portion of the shoe 10 within which the user's toes and sole rest and the counter being the back portion of the shoe 10 within which the user's heel rests.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show several device shapes, the device being generally identified 20, 22 and 24. The third shaped device 24 is a square comprising the padded portion 24, an adhesive surface 26 to one side of the padded portion 24 and a removable covering 28, such as a plasticized paper covering. It is to be understood that the devices 20, 22, 24 can come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and thicknesses, depending on the application, although a key feature here is that the same device can be used in a multitude of ways.

By way of a first specific example, the present device can be used as a “Back of Heel” cushion 30 used within the shoe 10. See FIG. 5. As shown, the cushion 30 is greatly exaggerated in its thickness and such thickness is shown for purposes of understanding the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this use, the device is used as follows:

• • cushion the back of heel or any uncomfortable area in shoes;
  • virtually invisible design for long-lasting comfort and fit;
  • help prevent heels from slipping in and out of shoes; and
  • help prevent blisters from forming, among other things.

By way of a second specific example, the present device can be used as a “Ball of Foot” cushion 40 used within a shoe 10, the shoe 10 comprising a woman's-style shoe as shown in FIG. 1. See FIG. 6. In this use, the device is used as follows:

• • cushion the ball of foot area and relieve stressed out feet;
  • virtually invisible design for long-lasting comfort and fit;
  • help prevent foot from slipping and sliding in the shoe 10; and
  • help prevent calluses from forming, among other things.

For use, the adhesive backing 28 would first be removed, the device 30, 40 would be positioned in a clean and dry area of the shoe 10 and would be pressed firmly in place.

By way of a third specific example, the present device 50 can be used as a “Non-Skid” device used on the outer sole, or outsole 12, of the shoe 10. In this use, the device is used as follows:

• • virtually invisible, long-lasting designer tread;
  • protect outer soles from wear and tear; and
  • prevent new shoe slip-ups on all surfaces, among other things.

For use, an adhesive backing 28 would first be removed, the device 50 would be positioned in a clean and dry outer sole, or outsole 12, of the shoe 10 and would be pressed firmly in place. See FIG. 7.

In a last representative embodiment, the device 60 can be used as a stiffener for the toe box 18, as shown in FIG. 8, with the same type of adhesion being used.

Claims

1. A device for placement within a shoe comprising:

a padded portion having opposing faces;

an adhesive applied to one face of the padded portion; and

a removable covering for the adhesive.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the shoe comprises an insole and wherein the device is placed adjacent the shoe insole.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the shoe comprises an insole and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the shoe insole via the adhesive.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the shoe comprises a counter and wherein the device is placed adjacent the shoe counter.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the shoe comprises a counter and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the shoe counter via the adhesive.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the shoe comprises a toe box and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the top of the toe box of the shoe via the adhesive.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the shoe comprises an outsole and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the outsole via the adhesive.

8. A device for placement within a shoe comprising:

a flexible padded portion having opposing faces;

an adhesive applied to one face of the padded portion; and

a removable covering for the adhesive.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the shoe comprises an insole and wherein the device is placed adjacent the shoe insole.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the shoe comprises an insole and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the shoe insole via the adhesive.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the shoe comprises a counter and wherein the device is placed adjacent the shoe counter.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein the shoe comprises a counter and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the shoe counter via the adhesive.

13. The device of claim 8 wherein the shoe comprises a toe box and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the top of the toe box of the shoe via the adhesive.

14. The device of claim 8 wherein the shoe comprises an outsole and wherein the removable covering for the adhesive is removed and the device is adhered to the outsole via the adhesive.