Device for assisting child shoe application

Abstract

The present invention is a training shoe that teaches children how to distinguish their right foot from their wrong foot and also how to tie their shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND

One of the main problems with young children learning to put on their shoes without adult supervision, typically at the age of 2-4 years old, is getting the correct shoe on the correct foot. Sometimes the right shoe is put on the left foot and sometimes the left shoe is put on the right foot. A number of systems have been suggested and some even patented. Usually the systems are devices for placing markers on or within the shoe to distinguishing the right shoe from the left. None of these devices have gained any popularity. The present invention is specifically directed toward a novel approach to distinguishing the proper shoe for a young child to place on the proper foot.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is comprised of a generally flat device with a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side that may be attached on top of a removable insert or electrically wired within the removable insert of each shoe or wired within the actual shoe, preferably in the area of a particular toe when the shoe is applied. These devices are pressure sensitive so that when a child's foot is placed in the correct or incorrect shoe, the toe area will overlay the top side of the device and a sensory signal will be generated by speaker to indicate to the child that the placement is correct or incorrect. The sensory signal may be a vibration, noise produced through a speaker, or light produced by a pad. Alternatively, the signs can be generated through the sound speaker when the child's foot placement is correct or incorrect.

The sensory sign may be through speaker either electronically by switch within the pad closed by the correct or incorrect toe placement or connected to a circuit, preferably a solid state which generates a vibration, an audible sound produced by speaker, or light. The device may be battery powered, employing a very small, long lasting battery similar to the ones used in watches. It may also be mechanical, employing a device that produces a sound through a speaker or vibration when sensing the pressure of the child's correct or incorrect toe, preferably the larger big toe and the smaller pinky toe. When a child's foot is in the correct shoe a green LED lite trips around the outer sole, or outer rim, of the actual shoe indicating to the child that the placement is correct. However, when the child's foot is in the incorrect shoe red Led lite trips around the outer sole, or outer rim, of the actual shoe indicating to the child that the placement is incorrect. There are 4 flat magnets with pressure sensitive adhesives on one side, that is attached to the inner wall of the shoe or can either be attached to the outer rim or sole of each pair of shoes on the side that face the opposite shoe, so that the magnets attract one another when the shoes are properly aligned for waring.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a side sectional view of the shoe

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a top view of the shoe indicating the placement of the sensor's device invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a side view of the sensor device.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a top view of the shoe where flat magnets are attached to the outer sole of each shoe so that the magnets attract one another.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a shoelace surrounding a series of LED lights that includes four magnets and an audio source with a speaker powered by a battery unit.

FIG. 6 is an illustration that shows the first step that brings two adjacent magnets on each side of the shoelace together to form two loops.

FIG. 7 is an illustration that shows the second step of two adjacent magnets on each side of the shoelace that holds the two loops in position.

FIG. 8 is an illustration that shows the third and final step in one loop drawn under the eye of the shoelace and pulled together to fasten.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a top view of the shoe insert and the placement of the sensor's device invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a side of the view of the shoe and the speakers placement.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the LED lights placement around the rim of the outer sole of the shoe.

Claims

1. A pair of shoes for indicating to a child that correct shoe of the pair of shoes has been placed on a correct foot of the child, each shoe comprising:

a planar device having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side, wherein the planar device is adapted to be inserted into the shoe in an area where a big toe of the child will be disposed when the shoe is worn on the correct foot, wherein the planar device includes a sensor configured to sense a pressure exerted by the big toe and a generator configured to responsively produce one of a vibration, a noise, and/or a light in response to a pressure exerted on the sensor of the big toe;

a flexible shoelace in each shoe of the pair of shoes; and

four magnets disposed within each flexible shoelace at equally spaced points aligned to attract one another to form two hoops.

2. A pair of shoes for indicating to a child that correct shoe of the pair of shoes has been placed on a correct foot of the child, each shoe comprising:

a planar device having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side, wherein the planar device is adapted to be inserted into the shoe in an area where a big toe of the child will be disposed when the shoe is worn on the correct foot, wherein the planar device includes a sensor configured to sense a pressure exerted by the big toe and a generator configured to responsively produce one of a vibration, a noise, and/or a light in response to a pressure exerted on the sensor of the big toe;

a shoelace; and

a battery powered unit in the shoelace at a center point of the shoelace, wherein each shoelace further comprises an audio source with speakers configured to produce a confirmation sound when the child places either one of the pair of shoes on a correct foot.