Dubui shoe

Abstract

The present Invention Comprises a ‘Shoe’, ‘Boot’, ‘Sandal’, type Footwear consisting of an Actuated ‘Heel’ Portion that may also contain a portion of Said Footwear's ‘Sole’ structure. Heel Portion is affixed into place during use by way of: magnets, Velcro, hook and loop, Ball and socket or desired elements or mechanics so when manipulated in a downward—back-Motion against the Floor or Ground, will Unsecure ‘Heel’ Portion to Remove Said ‘Footwear’. Electronics, Mechanics, Mechanical, Pneumatic, or Hydraulic Elements may also assist or Actuate ‘Heel’ Portion to Open, Close or Intermediate Position upon Desire of Wearer. Another way to achieve Same Benefit of Said Footwear is by way of Elements affixing on both Sides of Wearer's Ankle or the Area there of and extending under Heel Area and attached or Fashioned to or as part of Said Footwear in an ‘Actuating’ Fashion allowing insertion and Securement upon desire. Other ways of achieving same Said benefit of Actuated Heel Portion of Shoe, Sandal, or Footwear is by way of ‘Spring’ Tensioning or assisting ‘Hinge’ or ‘Actuating’ point of Movement or about there of or by way of Assisting Said ‘Actuating’ Point of Movement with Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Pneumatic, Hydraulic, Magnet, or desired Elements to Achieve desired results.

Description

The present invention relates to any and all footwear (shoes,sandles,boots), in that they Require assistance from a hand, hands, or fingers to ‘PUT ON’, and assistance from a hand, Hands, fingers or opposing foot to remove. This task can be difficult or impossible for Persons with a Disability or Limitations of movement, such as Back Pain or Problems.

Many people have Disabilities that limit their range of motion, Making ‘Putting ON’ their Shoes Or Footwear difficult or impossible. This Invention improves upon Said Disabilities by allowing Shoes, Boots, Sandles, and Footwear to be ‘PUT ON’ and ‘REMOVED’ without assistance from Either Hand, Fingers, or Opposing Foot.

In recent times, Shoes have been developed that Electrically, Pneumatically, or Hydraulically Enclose over the top of the foot. This does alleviate the effort of: Tying, Strapping, or Buckling But still require the wearer to bend over to actuate the Button or Switch.

This does make life easier, but it is Difficult or Impossible for some people to reach Said Button.

Another major drawback of existing ‘Automatic Shoes’ of Footwear is the Cost. The Electronics, Mechanics, and Battery often cost as much as or more than the Footwear that it is affixed to.

BACKGROUND ART

The following Patents were obtained from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Each example includes: Patent Number, Inventor's Name, Date of Patent, and a Brief Description of the Invention to which it relates.

These are provided so that an Individual experienced in this or a similar Field of Devices or Mechanical Reasoning, will understand the explanations of the Device in which this Patent Application relates too with Little or No Difficulty.

Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 8,769,844B2/Inventor: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton/Date: 2008 May 2/This Shoe comprises of Mechanical Parts to automatically Articulate The Tension of the Shoe to the Wearer's Foot.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,844/Inventor: Otis Jon/Date: Jul. 20, 2000/This Invention comprises Of a Shoe or Footwear of Slip Resistant, Shape Retaining Fabric.

Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,314/Inventor: Dubner Benjamin B./Date: 2003 Aug. 26/This Invention comprises of a Rigid Material placed in Heel area and attached to a Screw Mechanism to Raise or Lower the Height of the Wearer

U.S. patent Ser. No. 13/745,199/Inventors: Heinrich Bolimann, Andre Kamm, G. Huprikar, Ulrich, Holwitt/Date: Jan. 18, 2013/This Invention is of High Rebound Resilience, and Low And Low Compression Set Materials Comprised into Shoes or ‘Footwear’

U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,287/Inventor: Bove/Date: 2011 Jun. 20/This Invention Comprises of Shoe Soles that Contain Magnets and Tourmaline, to be Used as a Therapeutic Device.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,663,580/Inventor: Kaneko Yasunori (Osaka Japan)/Date: May 16, 2000/This Device is a Shoe Sole with Spikes to be Used for a Better Grip during Sports.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,479/Inventors: Michael J. Jackson, Michael L. Bush, Dennis Tompkins/Date: 1992 Jun. 29/This Device Comprises of Footwear Wherein the Heel is Manipulated to Give the Illusion that the Wearer is Levitating.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present Invention comprises a novel: Shoe, Boot, Sandal, or Foot-Attire. That is split straight down in or about the Ankle area, and Lined with Attracting Magnets or Magnetic Substance on each Side of Said Split or Tubing, Housing, Materials, Webbing, Or Textiles containing Magnetics or Magnetic Substances or Substances that attract Magnetically to Reveal an Opening at the Rear of the Shoe when separated. The Wearer Can then insert Foot Into Shoe and Toe-End of Shoe UP. This will cause the Magnetic Components to Occur close enough for Magnetic Attraction to Occur, Causing Said Shoe, Sandal or Footwear to ‘Attach’ Securely and Remain in position upon the Wearers Foot. To Remove, the Wearer Lifts Toe End of Shoe and Rests Heel on Floor, then Pulls Foot In a Motion Directed at Said Wearer, which Causes the Magnetic Seam to Fail, Allowing the The Wearer to Exit Said Shoe Footwear or Sandel. This same Said Benefit can be Obtained by Way of Manipulating Heel Area in a Hinge Motion with magnets at bottom to Retain Hinged Heel Portion in Place. Magnets can also be Obstructed in Heel Area in such a way to Impair Any Magnetic Fields from Reaching Said Wearer, AS NOT to Infringe Upon Patents Claiming Medical Benefits due to Magnetic Field Exposure. The Expressed Benefit of Said INVENTION Is a: Shoe, Sandel, or Footwear that can be affixed or ‘Put On’, and ‘Removed’, Without Assistance from: Hands, Fingers, or Opposing Foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Schematically Illustrates a side view of a Shoe that is Sectioned and fitted with Magnets In Ankle area, whereas ‘Back’ or ‘Heel’ section also comprises a ‘Hinged Point’ at far Rear Bottom for ‘Heel Portion’ to actuate away from remainder of shoe. Described Illustration is depicted in the ‘Closed’ position as if affixed to Wearers Foot.

FIG. 2 Schematically Illustrates same said shoe as in FIG. 1 with the Exception being that the ‘Rear’ or ‘Heel’ area is in the Open position, awaiting a wearers Foot to be Inserted.

FIG. 3 Schematically Illustrates a ‘Sandel’ type Footwear, whereas the ‘Heel Area’ is a Tooled Portion that partially surrounds Back of Heel Area and protrudes around each side of ‘Ankle’ Area. Said Tooled Portion also extends to a ‘Hinged Point’ at lowest Rear point, Then extends Forward into a position resulting in a ‘Pad’ for Said Heel of Wearers Foot To ‘Rest Upon’. Said ‘Pad’ portion of Device can also comprise of a Magnet on underside And a Magnet in lower Portion in an Attracting Manner, to cause Said ‘Tooled-Hinged Padded Portion’ to Secure into place after Articulated into place by Wearers Foot, to Retain Sandel or Footwear onto Wearer. This Same Said Benefit can be Obtained by Using Velcro or a Tacky substance instead of Magnets under Heel Portion Said Benefit Can also be Attained ‘Without’: Magnets, Velcro, or Tacky Substance, But by way of Utilizing ‘A Spring’, ‘Springs’ or ‘Pre Determined Tension or Tensioning Device’ in Hinge Or ‘Hinge Area’.

FIG. 4 Schematically Illustrates Same Said Sandel depicted in FIG. 3, With the Exception Being, ‘Rear’ portion is actuated to the ‘Open’ position, with Said: Hinged, Heel and Pad Portion, Rotated ‘Rearward’ To Receive Wearers Foot.

FIG. 5 Schematically Illustrates a side view of a sandal with a similar ‘Hinged Heel’ Element as depicted in FIG. 3, with exception being, in this Illustration, the ‘Toe’ area Of Foot is utilized to adhere Said ‘Footwear’ to wearer instead of the strap across top of Foot as depicted in FIG. 3. Described illustration comprises use of Magnets but is not Limited too. Securing position of Said Hinged Heel may occur due to use of: Velcro, ball And socket, spring tension or assistance in or about actuating position, or desired Elements to achieve same Said process.

FIG. 6 Schematically Illustrates same Said Sandal depicted in FIG. 5 with the Exception being, in This depiction, Said Sandal is in the ‘Open’ Position, awaiting wearers foot.

FIG. 7 Schematically Illustrates a side view of a Sandal comprised of Said ‘Hinged Heel’. In this Depiction, a ‘Ball’ Or ‘Sphere’ shaped element is tooled at time of or aditioned to Bottom or under-side of Said ‘Hinged Heel’ adjacent to a ‘Socket’ or ‘Cavity tooled’ or Affixed within ‘Sole’ of Said Sandal and tooled in such a way that ‘Ball’ fits securely into ‘Socket’ rendering Said ‘Hinged Heel’ Secure, Resulting in Sandal secure to Wearer.

FIG. 8 Schematically Illustrates a side view of same Said Sandal depicted in FIG. 7 with the Exception being that in this Illustration, the ‘Hinged Heel’ is in the ‘Open’ Position, Awaiting a wearer to insert foot.

FIG. 9 Schematically Illustrates a side view of a ‘Shoe’ whereas ‘Heel’ is sectioned further to Back section of Shoe. The exact position where Shoe is sectioned may vary in ‘Ankle’ Area. Also ‘Inner’ Heel portion of Sole of Said Footwear may or may not be fashioned Along with or as part of Said ‘Hinged Heel’ portion.

FIG. 10 Schematically Illustrates a side view of an enclosed type of ‘Shoe’ or ‘Footwear’ Produced or a fitted with ‘Actuating’ or ‘Hinged Heel’. Said depiction Illustrated is Comprised of: fabric, textile materials, rubber, plastic, foam, epoxie, or similary Flexible element to allow actuation of ‘Heel’ portion yet remain securely attached to Said ‘Shoe’. Elements for described may actuate in a Mechanical fashion, of mechanical Elements or through flexibility of described elements.

FIG. 11 Schematically Illustrates same Said Shoe device depicted in FIG. 10, with the exception Being that in this Illustration, Said ‘Shoe’ is depicted in the ‘Open’ position, awaiting ‘Wearer’ to Insert Foot.

FIG. 12 Schematically Illustrates a side view of an enclosed type of Footwear, Whereas a Mechanism is actuated by way of tugging an appendage located behind Heel area of Said Shoe. Pulling, Tugging Said appendage causes elements to disengage, allowing Heel portion to actuate Open. Elements may also be tooled in such fashion to engage Or ‘Lock’ when Foot is inserted into Shoe and depresses upon sectioned sole portion In Heel area.

FIG. 13 Schematically Illustrates same Said Shoe device as depicted in FIG. 12, with the Exception being that in this illustration, ‘Shoe’ is in the Open position awaiting a Wearer to insert foot.

FIG. 14 Schematically Illustrates an enclosed type Shoe or Footwear with ‘Actuating Heel’ Device as For described, Whereas in this depiction, the ‘Ball and Socket’ type Elements are utilized in the ‘Sole Area’ of the Actuating Heel to secure Said Shoe to Intended wearer. Though ‘Ball and Socket’ are depicted it should be understood that Elements described are not limited to spherical shape to attain desired function.

FIG. 15 Schematically Illustrates same Said ‘Shoe’ depicted in FIG. 14 with the exception in this Illustration being that the ‘Shoe’ is in the ‘Open’ position, awaiting a wearer to insert Foot.

FIG. 16 Schematically Illustrates an ‘Enclosed’ or ‘Low Top Tennis Shoe’ style of Footwear Whereas ‘Heel’ Portion is Actuated by way of ‘Sliding’ or Moving back—away from Said ‘Shoe’ to receive Foot, Instead of ‘Pivoting’ in a ‘Hinge’ fashion as described in Prior Illustrations.

Majorly this Device is represented as a: hands, fingers, and opposing foot ‘Free’ Invention for Disabled Persons. Though this Invention or Device is Not limited to such Descriptive Terms and may also contain: mechanics, mechanisms, actuated elements, buttons, levers, rods, or tooled elements actuate and sustain ‘Heel’ portion of Footwear to desired placement and may also utilize: hands, fingers, or opposing foot to actuate or operate a button, lever, switch, latch, buckle, Velcro, strap, snap, wireless activation or de-activation, or actuating elements to ‘Secure’ or ‘Unsecure’ Footwear by way of manipulating ‘Heel’ area away from rest of Footwear Embodiment for attachment, detachment but Not limited too.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

SPEFICATION EXAMPLE

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only And is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term: ‘and’/‘or’ Includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items as used herein The singular forms: ‘a’/‘an’, and ‘the’, are intended to include the plural forms as well as The singular forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood That the terms: ‘comprise’ and or ‘comprising’ when used in this specification, specify the Presence of stated: features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not Preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps operations, elements, Components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein, Having the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to Which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as these defined In commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent With their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not Be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are Disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with One or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the Sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the Individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the ‘Specification’ and ‘Claims’ Should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the Scope Of the ‘Invention’ and ‘Claims’.

New ‘Footwear’ including: shoes, sandals, boots, high top, and low top tennis shoes with a ‘Hinged Heel’ portion for ease of use are discussed herein. In the following description, for Purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are not set forth in order to provide a Thorough understanding of the ‘Invention’. It will be evident however, to one skilled in the art Of the present ‘Invention’, may be practiced without these specific details.

The present ‘Disclosure’ is to be considered as an exemplification of the ‘Invention’, and is Not Intended to limit the ‘Invention’ to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or Description below.

The present Invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing Preferred Embodiments. FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of elements that may comprise an ‘Enclosed Shoe’ or ‘Low Top Tennis Shoe’ type of ‘Footwear’ with ‘Hinged Heel’ Device. Device According to various embodiments, the Elements are configured to allow the ‘Heel’ section of Shoe to be manipulated to ‘Open’ or ‘Actuate’ away from Said ‘Shoe’. Said ‘Hinged Heel Element’ may or may not contain a portion or section of the Shoe's ‘Sole’ affixed to actuating Heel portion.

Magnet, Magnets, or Magnetic substance is described as being an element that contains a ‘Magnetic Field’ or that contain any and/or all ‘Rare Earth’ or ‘Neodymium’ Magnets or any Element containing or manipulated to contain a ‘Magnetic Field’ that may be used to fasten or Secure ‘Heel’ portion of Said ‘Shoe’, ‘Sandal’, or footwear affiliated with this Invention.

Magnets are used Only to Secure ‘Heel’ portion into desired location during use. ‘NO MEDICAL BENNEFIT IS CLAIMED DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OR USE OF MAGNETS’

Any and all Parts or Portions altered on about or within: shoes, sandals, boots, high top, Or low top tennis style ‘Shoes’ or ‘Footwear’ to be mated or made with ‘Hinged Heel Device’ May be comprised, machined, molded, poured, cast, injected of, or into, melted, smelted, Drilled, tooled, fitted or adapted too, but not limited too, and may also contain: metallic Substance including: metal, aluminum, steel, titanium, copper, stainless steel, nickel, Petroleum based substances such as: foam, epoxy, polymers, plastics, and non petroleum Based substances such as: acrylic, acrylic based, carbon fiber, rubber, wood, leather, and Textile materials such as: cotton, denim, fiberglass, wool, Kevlar or any such similar element Or substance to achieve desired results, but Not limited too.

In preferred Embodiments (FIG. 2) the ‘Shoe’ is Illustrated with the ‘Hinged Heel’ portion in the Open position awaiting a wearer to insert Foot. When ‘Shoe’ is upon wearers Foot, this position Is achieved by striking back—bottom of ‘Shoe’ on floor or ground. This process releases the Magnetic attraction that secures it closed.

as perhaps best shown in (FIG. 1), the Elements of the device are configured in such a way as if Were upon a wearers Foot, whereas Magnets or Velcro is attracted or attached to its Counterpart to appear as a seam.

Referring now to all configurations herein described to Said ‘Hinged Heel’: Shoe, Sandal, Boot, High Top, or Low Top Tennis Shoe, Enclosed, or Open Toe Footwear with benefit of Actuating Or Hinged ‘Heel’ or ‘Heel Portion’. No ‘Medical’ or ‘Health’ Benefits are Suggested or Claimed Due to or from Use of or Placement of ‘Magnets’ within or about Said Footwear Device or Invention depicted herewith.

Claims Beneficial to Disabled Persons herein are strictly due to utilizing ‘Magnetic Attraction’ of Magnets or Magnetic Substance to attain, retain, or secure ‘Hinged Heel’ into desired position, And be able to be manipulated to ‘Unsecure’.

While preferred materials for Elements have been described, the Device described Of, in itself Or the inner workings of, are not limited too but may include: metal, steel, aluminum, copper Nickel, stainless steel, alloy, wood, carbon fiber, composites, fiber glass, polymers, epoxies, Rubber, foam, magnets, Velcro, leather, vinyl, cotton, denim, Kevlar, acrylic, plastic, nylon, Graphite, electric wires, electric components, electronics, electronic components, batteries, Capacitors, electro magnets, electric motors, electronic sensors, electric actuators, or similar. Elements are not limited to being arranged individually, or being rearranged in part or whole.

Although the present Invention has been illustrated and described herein with references to Preferred material, Embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to those Of ordinary skill in the art that other Embodiments and examples may perform similar functions And/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the Spirit and Scope of the present Invention, and are contemplated thereby and are intended to Be covered by the following Claim:

INDUSTRIAL APLICABILITY

This Device when properly fashioned and used, may assist many medically Disabled Persons In way of affixing and removal of Footwear.

This Device may also make ‘Ease of Use’ of Footwear for Persons of all walks of life, ages, And medical health and create a new ‘Fashion’ of style of Footwear. Due to the attributes and Claims associated with this Invention, Said Device could greatly Improve use of Footwear, and be a Marketable, Beneficial Product for Society.

Claims

1. A manipulation to rear ‘Heel’ Portion of a: shoe, sandal, boot, high top, or, low top tennis Shoe or ‘Footwear’ that allows Wearer to adhere or remove Said Footwear without assistance. Either by way of Sectioning enclosed: shoe, boot, high top, or low top tennis shoe, or Footwear in or about the ‘Ankle’ area on each side. Sectioning may be aligned with Magnets on Each side and arranged in an attracting manner. Sectioning may utilize ‘Velcro’ or ‘Hook and Loop’, Instead of ‘Magnets’, also arranged along sectioning edge fashioned in such a way to Affix when aligned properly.

Actuation of Heel portion is not limited to ‘Type’ of Actuation or ‘Range of Motion’ or Elements Comprising or desired to retain, affix, and release ‘Heel’ portion into desired placement or Location. But Not Limited too.

As Illustrated in (FIG. 3) and (FIG. 4) The actuating Heel portion is a ‘Fork’ shaped element Tooled or Fashioned to fit upon each side of ‘Ankle’ area of one Foot. Element then extends Forward under Heel of Said Wearers Foot into ‘Sole’ of Depicted Sandal footwear. Heel element Is Not limited to Design of Illustration and may be comprised to include more than one Pivoting, Hinging, or Actuating Point of which Heel Portion operates to achieve desired results.

Though every possible depiction of this Invention is Not possible, it should be understand that This ‘Hinged Heel Device Footwear’ may also Comprise of: electrical, electronic and/or Mechanical elements including but Not limited too: batteries, electric motors, electro-magnets Wireless transmitters or receivers, buttons, switches, and multiple actuated points.

‘Hinged Heel Device’ may also be manipulated electrically, magnetically, or mechanically at Time of Placement of Wearers Foot in a Specific Manor.