Left-Right Marking Footwear

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pair of footwear having “Left” and “Right” markings or indicia on individual footwear, respectively, enabling a child or an impaired adult to assist with placing footwear on appropriate feet. The footwear can be in any conventional form and features the words “Left” or “L” on one shoe/footwear, and “Right” or “R” on another shoe/footwear for making children (or impaired adults) aware which shoe belongs on which foot easily and without issue. In some embodiments, the markings or indicia are on an upper portion and in some embodiments on or adjacent the insole. The indicia can be audio as well in some embodiments which can be played out upon pushing a push button positioned on the shoes. The footwear offers a way for parents to teach their children which feet respective shoes go on with bright, colorful, and fun visual and/or audible aids.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/406,812, which was filed on Sep. 15, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of footwears. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel pair of footwear featuring easily identifiable markers and engravings showing ‘left’ and ‘right’ enabling children and other users to easily wear shoes on appropriate foot. The markings ensure that children are aware which shoe belongs to which foot without issue. The markings can be visual or audio in different embodiments of the present invention. The footwear comes in different sizes, shapes, designs, and colors. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, young children like to dress themselves and put on their clothes, shoes, and more on their own. However, the young ones do not master the concept of left and right and may find it challenging to put shoes on the correct feet. Children may put their shoes on the wrong feet and leave the house with their parent unaware. Wearing wrong shoes may cause discomfort and can affect the gait of children. Parents also find it challenging to teach toddlers and young children how to discern the left foot from the right foot. Many times, parents get mad at children upon the inability of wearing correct shoes. Individuals desire improved toddler shoes that are easily identifiable ensuring toddlers put correct shoes on their feet.

Individuals with limited mental abilities, learning disorders, and more may find it challenging to wear shoes on their correct feet. These individuals may need help of someone else to distinguish and wear shoes correctly. Therefore, improved shoes that can provide an identification means to them for distinguishing between shoes for left and right feet are required to eliminate putting shoes on the wrong feet.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes for children that have markings for indicating which shoe goes on which foot. There is also a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes that prohibit toddlers and young children from wearing shoes on the wrong feet. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pair of shoes that offers a way for parents to teach their children of wearing shoes on correct feet. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes that can be used by individuals with limited mental abilities for wearing same on the correct feet without confusion or guessing of left and right footwear. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pair of shoes that make children aware of which shoe belongs to which foot just by looking at the shoes. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes that provide a way for both parents and children to easily wear shoes on the correct feet in order to prevent strain and discomfort.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pair of left/right marking shoes. The pair of shoes includes a first shoe and a second shoe, each shoe including an upper portion and an outsole, the upper portion configured to cover a portion of the foot of a user wearing the shoe, the first shoe has a first reference marking near a toe box thereof, wherein the reference marking includes the text of “Left”, the second shoe has a second reference marking near the toe box thereof, wherein the second reference marking includes the text of “Right”, the first reference marking and the second reference marking indicate the foot into which the respective shoe is to be worn by a child. In some embodiments, “L” and “R” markings may be used in addition to “Left” and “Right” markings.

In this manner, the left/right marking shoes of the present invention accomplish all of the forgoing objectives and provide children with shoes featuring easily identifiable markers and engravings showing “left”, “right”, “L”, “R” markings that clearly show which foot the shoe goes on. The shoes can be used by children of all ages, individuals with limited mental acuity and dexterity, and parents to enable teaching of their children as to which foot is associated with which shoe. The aforementioned identified shoes eliminate discomfort and pain due to wearing shoes on the wrong feet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pair of shoes. The pair of shoes including a first shoe and a second shoe, each shoe including an upper portion and an outsole, the upper portion configured to cover a portion of the foot of a user wearing the shoe, the first shoe has a first reference marking near a toe box thereof, wherein the reference marking includes text of “Left” ironed-on, adhered, or sewn therein, the second shoe has a second reference marking near the toe box thereof, wherein the second reference marking includes text of “Right” ironed-on, adhered, or sewn therein, the first reference marking and the second reference marking indicate the foot in which the respective shoe is to be worn.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a pair of shoes for children including left foot and right foot engravings is disclosed. The pair of shoes include a first shoe and a right shoe, the first shoe and the second shoe are congruent, the first shoe has a “Left” marking on a toe end thereof and a “L” marking on the insole thereof, wherein both the “Left” marking and “L” marking indicate the first shoe being designed to wear on the left foot, the second shoe has a “Right” marking on the toe end thereof and an “R” marking on the insole thereof, wherein both the “Right” marking and the “R” marking indicate the second shoe being designed to wear on the right foot, thereby making children aware of which shoe belongs to which respective foot.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a pair of shoes that offer a way to clearly indicate to blind individuals which foot the shoe goes on is disclosed. The pair includes a first shoe and a second shoe, each shoe including a push button thereon, a first push button on the first shoe when pushed plays out “Left” audio indicating to a blind person that the first shoe is designed to be worn on the left foot and a second push button positioned on the second shoe when pushed, plays out “Right” audio indicating to the blind person that the second shoe is designed to be worn on the right foot of the blind person.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, each shoe of the left/right marking shoes pair can include “Left” and “Right” indications in Braille language.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the reference markings can be in any language including, but not limited to, English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Mexican and more.

In yet another embodiment, the reference markings are made of photoluminescent material.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a left/right marking shoes pair of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the left/right marking shoes pair of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the improved shoes of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using the left/right marking shoes of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes for children that has markings for indicating which shoe goes on which foot. There is also a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes that prohibit toddlers and young children from wearing shoes on the wrong feet. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pair of shoes that offers a way for parents to teach their children of wearing shoes on correct feet, and simultaneously teach children to distinguish ‘left’ and ‘right’. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes that can be used by individuals with limited mental abilities for wearing same on the correct feet without confusion of guessing left and right. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pair of shoes that make children aware which shoe belongs to which foot just by looking at the shoes. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for improved shoes that provide a way for both parents and children to easily wear shoes on the correct feet, and prevent strain and discomfort resulting from wearing the wrong shoe on the wrong foot.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a pair of shoes for children including left foot and right foot engravings. The pair of shoes include a first shoe and a second shoe; the first shoe and the second shoe are congruent; the first shoe has a “Left” marking and a “L” marking, wherein both the “Left” marking and “L” marking indicate the first shoe being designed to wear on the left foot; the second shoe has a “Right” marking and “R” marking, wherein both the “Right” marking and the “R” marking indicate the second shoe being designed to wear on the right foot; thereby, making children aware about which shoe belongs to which foot.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a left/right marking shoes pair of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The left/right marking footwear 100 of the present invention is designed to assist children and impaired adults with putting shoes on appropriate feet and help in discerning right foot shoe and left foot shoe, and associating/distinguishing left from right. More specifically, the pair 100 includes a first shoe 102 and a second shoe 104, the shoes being congruent and designed to be worn on an individual foot. The first shoe 102 has an upper portion 106 and an outsole 108, the outsole 108 supports a portion of the foot and rests on a floor when worn and used by a user, and the upper portion 106 covers another portion of the foot of the user. The upper portion 106 has a toe box or toe end 110 and a collar portion 112, a foot indicating reference marking 114 is integrated (i.e., ironed-on, adhered, or sewn) or peelably attached to the toe end 110. The reference marking 114 on the first shoe 102 includes a textual “Left” marking indicating that the shoe 102 is designed to be worn on the left foot of a user. The reference marking 114 can be in any vibrant color and may be photoluminescent in some exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

The second shoe 104 has an upper portion 116 and an outsole 118 with a “Right” reference marking 120 positioned on the toe end 122 of the upper portion 116. The “Right” reference marking 120 indicates that the second shoe 104 is designed for the right foot of a user and therefore, the markings 114, 120 together allows children to correctly distinguish and wear the pair 100 on their own without need of parents or caretaker. Further, the reference markings 114, 120 may orient towards the collar portion or the toe end of the respective shoes 102, 104 enabling a user to easily read the markings for identification of the shoes.

The shoes 102, 104 can be in various sizes, shapes, designs, and colors to meet preferences of different users. Further, the pair 100 is washable and provides visual (and audible) aids for children and impaired individuals with limited mental abilities to correctly wear shoes.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the left/right marking shoes pair of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the left/right marking footwear 200 includes a first shoe 202 and a second shoe 204. The first shoe 202 has a “L” marking 206, and a pair of horizontally oriented opposing “Left” markings 208, 210, indicated on a pair of securement straps 209, 211. It is to be appreciated that marking 208 is oriented in a direction ‘away’ from a wearer of shoe 202 and marking 210 is oriented in a direction ‘towards’ a wearer of shoe 202. The markings 206, 208, 210 visually indicate the first shoe 202 configured to be worn on the left foot of a user. The second shoe 204 has a “R” marking 212, and a pair of horizontally oriented opposing “Right” markings 214, 216, indicated on a pair of securement straps 215, 217. It is to be appreciated that marking 214 is oriented in a direction ‘away’ from a wearer of shoe 204 and marking 216 is oriented in a direction ‘towards’ a wearer of shoe 204. The markings 212, 214, 216 visually indicate the second shoe 204 is configured to be worn on the right foot of the user.

In the present embodiment, optionally, the insole 218 of the first shoe 202 has a “L” marking 220 and the insole 222 of the second shoe 204 has a “R” marking 224 for indicating the respective foot for wearing each of the shoes 202, 204.

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the improved shoes of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. At young ages, toddlers can understand audio commands but may not be able to read the words. For covering such scenarios, the pair 300 of the present embodiment provides a push button on each shoe wherein the push button when pressed provides either “Right” command or “Left” command. As illustrated, the left shoe 302 is designed to be worn on the left foot and includes a push button 304, adjacent an insole 305, which can be pushed by a finger or by placing the foot thereon. The push button 304 when activated plays out “Left” audio indicating to a user that the shoe 302 can be worn on the left foot. Similarly, a push button 306, adjacent to an insole 307, positioned on the right shoe 308 when pushed, plays out “Right” audio indicating that the right shoe 308 is configured to be worn on the right foot. Additionally, for visual indicating, the shoes 302, 308 can also include visual “Left” marking 310 and visual “Right” marking 312 on the respective shoes. It is to be appreciated that the audio indicating 304, 306 of each shoe is similarly functional to blind individuals and other physically or mentally impaired people.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the pair of shoes may have Left and right indications or references in Braille language (i.e., translation) enabling blind individuals to easily identify which footwear to wear on which foot.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using the left/right marking shoes of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Initially, a desired left/right marking shoes pair is selected as per size and preferences of a user (Step 402). The pair can be commercially available from footwear manufacturers or the “Left” and “Right” markings can be available as aftermarket products in some of the embodiments. Then, the left shoe with “Left” marking is worn on the left foot (Step 404). Thereafter, the right shoe with “Right” marking is worn on the right foot (Step 406). The shoes can be used by both young children and impaired adults as per their requirements. The sequence of steps can be interchanged as per preferences of a user.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name, but not structure or function. As used herein “left/right marking shoes pair”, “improved shoes pair”, “shoes pair”, “left/right marking footwear”, and “shoes pair for children” are interchangeable and refer to the left/right marking shoes pair 100, 200, 300 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the left/right marking shoes pair 100, 200, 300 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the left/right marking shoes pair 100, 200, 300 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the left/right marking shoes pair 100, 200, 300 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the left/right marking shoes pair 100, 200, 300 are important design parameters for user convenience, the left/right marking shoes pair 100, 200, 300 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A left/right marking footwear system for visually distinguishing footwear, the left/right marking footwear system comprising:

a pair of shoes having a right shoe and a left shoe;

wherein said left shoe having a first left indicia for identifying said left shoe;

wherein said right shoe having a first right indicia for identifying said right shoe;

wherein said first left indicia having a text of Left integrated to said left shoe; and

further wherein said first right indicia having a text of Right integrated to said right shoe.

2. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 1, wherein said left shoe having a left toe box with said first left indicia adhered to said left toe box.

3. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 2, wherein said right shoe having a right toe box with said first right indicia adhered to said right toe box.

4. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 1, wherein said left shoe having a left toe box with said first left indicia sewn on said left toe box.

5. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 4, wherein said right shoe having a right toe box with said first right indicia sewn on said right toe box.

6. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 1, wherein said left shoe having a first securement strap with a second left indicia thereon and a second securement strap with a third left indicia thereon.

7. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 6, wherein said second left indicia opposingly oriented to said third left indicia.

8. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 7, wherein said right shoe having a first securement strap with a second right indicia thereon and a second securement strap with a third right indicia thereon.

9. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 8, wherein said second right indicia opposingly oriented to said third right indicia.

10. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 3, wherein said left shoe having a first securement strap with a second left indicia thereon and a second securement strap with a third left indicia thereon.

11. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 10, wherein said second left indicia opposingly oriented to said third left indicia.

12. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 11, wherein said right shoe having a first securement strap with a second right indicia thereon and a second securement strap with a third right indicia thereon.

13. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 12, wherein said second right indicia opposingly oriented to said third right indicia.

14. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 9, wherein second left indicia oriented away from the wearer of said left shoe and said third left indicia oriented towards the wearer of said left shoe.

15. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 14, wherein second right indicia oriented away from the wearer of said right shoe and said third right indicia oriented towards the wearer of said right shoe.

16. The left/right marking footwear system of claim 9, wherein at least one of said first left indicia, said second left indicia, and said third left indicia is Braille, and further wherein at least one of said first right indicia, said second right indicia, and said third right indicia is Braille.

17. A left/right indicating footwear system for audibly distinguishing footwear, the left/right marking footwear system comprising:

a pair of shoes having a right shoe and a left shoe;

wherein said left shoe having a left audio indicia for identifying said left shoe;

wherein said right shoe having a right audio indicia for identifying said right shoe;

wherein said left audio indicia having a left actuation button for audibly playing Left upon actuation of said left audio indicia of said left shoe; and

further wherein said right indicia having a right actuation button for audibly playing Right upon actuation of said right audio indicia of said right shoe.

18. The left/right indicating footwear system of claim 17, wherein said left audio indicia adjacent a left insole of said left shoe.

19. The left/right indicating footwear system of claim 18, wherein said right audio indicia adjacent a right insole of said right shoe.

20. A left/right indicating footwear system for distinguishing footwear, the left/right marking footwear system comprising:

a pair of shoes having a right shoe and a left shoe;

wherein said left shoe having at least two left indicia for identifying said left shoe;

wherein said right shoe having at least two right indicia for identifying said right shoe;

wherein one of said at least two left indicia having a left audio indicia including a left actuation button for audibly playing Left upon actuation of said left audio indicia of said left shoe;

wherein one of said at least two right indicia having a right audio indicia including a right actuation button for audibly playing Right upon actuation of said right audio indicia of said right shoe;

wherein another of said at least two left indicia having a text of Left integrated to said left shoe;

wherein another of said at least two right indicia having a text of Right integrated to said right shoe; and

further wherein said text of Left integrated to said left shoe and said text of Right integrated to said right shoe further including respective Braille language translation.