US20130047468A1

US20130047468A1 - Footwear with arch support and cushioning

Info

Publication number: US20130047468A1
Application number: US13/592,988
Authority: US
Inventors: Marcella Gay Everett-Weber; Martin Weber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-24
Filing date: 2012-08-23
Publication date: 2013-02-28

Abstract

The present invention provides a footwear article with arch support and cushioning. The footwear article maybe in the form of a sandal including but not limited to a thong sandal, such as a flip flop.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of footwear and in particular to flip flop or sandal type footwear with comfort components.

BACKGROUND

Flip flops or thongs are a type of footwear consisting of a flat sole, which is secured to the foot by an engagement means. The engagement means may be in the form of a strap across the front of the foot or in the case of thong type flip flops, the engagement means may be in the form of a Y-shaped strap, which passes from either side of the foot from closer to the heel to between the big toe and second toe.
This form of footwear while popular as summer wear provide little to nothing in terms of cushioning and arch support. Accordingly, extended wear of traditional flip-flops can result in foot discomfort and pain. Further, such footwear with no cushioning and arch support cause not just foot discomfort and foot pain, but also knee pain, anterior hip pain, ankle pain, leg pain and lower back pain.
Accordingly, there is a need for a footwear article that maintains the aesthetic appeal of the traditional flip flop, but has increased cushioning and arch support.
This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a footwear with arch support and cushioning. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a footwear article comprising: an elongate sole comprising a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal center, and a latitudinal center; said elongate sole comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, a sandwich portion, a toe section, a heel section and a mid foot section, wherein said top portion and said bottom portion are affixed together in the toe section and said top portion, said bottom portion and said sandwich portion are affixed together in the heel section and in the mid foot section, wherein said sandwich portion is present between said top portion and said bottom portion and has a width that gradually decreases from said heel section to said mid foot section; a foot engagement means that is securely connected to said elongate sole; and said top portion of said heel section comprises a spatial provision to accommodate a cushioning material, wherein said cushioning material is present in said spatial provision of the top portion of said heel section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a lateral, bottom, top and medial view of one embodiment of the flip flop.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top and bottom view of an embodiment of the cushion gel.

FIG. 3 illustrates the dimensions of the various parts of one embodiment of the flip flop via the outside, bottom, inside, sectional and top views.

FIG. 4 illustrates the dimensions of an embodiment of the cushion gel via the bottom, sectional and top views.

FIG. 5 illustrates the top view of an embodiment of the foot engagement means.

FIG. 6 illustrates the side view of an embodiment of the foot engagement means.

FIG. 7 illustrates a picture of an embodiment of the flip flop shot from the top.

FIG. 8 illustrates the bottom view of an embodiment of the flip flop.

FIG. 9 illustrates the bottom view of an embodiment of the flip flop along with the mould used to form the bottom portion of the flip flop.

FIG. 10 illustrates the mould used to form the bottom portion of an embodiment of the flip flop.

FIG. 11 illustrates a Vernier Caliper measuring the thickness of an embodiment of the cushion gel.

FIG. 12 illustrates various embodiments of flip flop designs.

FIG. 13 illustrates the specifications of the flip flop in an embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates various embodiments of the flip flop.

FIG. 15 illustrates various embodiments of the flip flop.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiments of the decorative ornament.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an open footwear article with arch support and cushioning. The footwear article maybe in the form of a sandal including but not limited to flip flop or a thong sandal.
As used herein, the term “about” refers to a +/−10% variation from the nominal value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in a given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
Referring to FIG. 1, the open footwear article comprises a sole and a foot engagement means. The open footwear article may be a “thong-type” flip flop or may be a slip-on type flip flop with at least one strap across the front of the foot.

Sole:

The sole is a generally elongate member, which may be generally rectangular shaped or contoured to follow the shape of the foot. The sole come in various dimensions to accommodate different foot sizes (women's, children's and men's sizes) and foot widths. As shown in FIG. 1, the sole comprises a toe section 106, a heel section 107, a mid foot section 108, a medial side 110, a lateral side 111, a longitudinal center and a latitudinal center. The sole is constructed from at least one portion. In embodiments, the sole is constructed from at least two portions. In further embodiments, the sole is constructed from at least three portions. In embodiments comprising at least three portions, as shown in FIG. 1, these portions include a top portion 103 which contacts the underside of the foot, a bottom portion 104 which is in direct contact with the ground and a sandwich portion 105 positioned in between the top and bottom portions.
In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the top and bottom portions are affixed together in the toe section. The heel section and the mid foot section comprise the top, the sandwich and the bottom portions affixed together. The sandwich portion has a thickness that gradually decreases from the heel section towards the mid foot section of the sole (for example, is wedge shaped). The sandwich portion may extend from the heel section half way towards the toe section, two-third's towards the toe section, or three-fourth's towards the toe section of the sole.
In other embodiments, the sandwich portion stretches throughout the entire length of the sole. In such embodiments, the sandwich portion may have a thickness that is uniform throughout its length or may have a thickness that gradually decreases along its entire length from the heel section to the toe section of the sole.
Affixing of the portions may be carried out via the use of some adhesive means. The adhesive means may be glue, epoxy resin, gum, paste, or bonding agent or other adhesive means known to a worker skilled in the art. Affixing of the portions may also be carried out via stitching/sewing the various portions together. A worker skilled in the art will readily understand various other ways of affixing the portions together.
The top portion of the sole may be shaped to follow the contours of the underside of the foot. For example, the top portion may be contoured to provide arch support. The top portion of the sole may also have provisions for accommodating comfort components. For example, the top portion may include a cut out for insertion of comfort components or the top portion may be a moulded component that has indentations for insertion of comfort components. The comfort components may include but are not limited to cushioning or shock absorbing materials, soft sponge like materials or other components known to a worker skilled in the art. Optionally, the top portion of the sole comprises some form of suction mechanism that helps the sole adhere to the underside of a user's foot. For example, the suction mechanism may be suction cups. Optionally, the top portion of the sole may also include massage elements such as spaced bumps, ridges or spikes that help massage the bottom of the user's foot and/or a covering material may be adhered to the top portion of the sole. This covering material may be constructed of material that would increase comfort. For example, it may be constructed of a material that absorbs moisture.
A worker skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the portions of the sole may be constructed out of various materials. For example, the top and sandwich portions may be made out of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), rubber, plastic, leather, or water resistant materials or other materials that would be known to a worker skilled in the art. The bottom portion may be made out of Vulcanized Rubber, leather, or water resistant materials or other materials that would be known to a worker skilled in the art. In embodiments where the sole is a single portion, the sole may be made up of rubber, leather, or water resistant materials or other materials known to a worker skilled in the art. In embodiments, the various portions of the sole may be made out of one or more materials that are moisture resistant and hypoallergenic.
The sole may be curved such that when it is placed on a flat surface, as shown in FIG. 4, the toe section and the heel section of the sole are raised from the flat surface. The amount of elevation at the toe section may be significantly more than that at the heel section.
The top portion of the sole may include design elements. These design elements may be printed, embossed, engraved or sewn, etc.
The surface area of the bottom portion that is in direct contact with the ground may be treaded for traction. The surface area of the bottom portion that is in direct contact with the ground may include additional designs (for example, designs to promote marketing such as trademarks or logos), as shown in FIG. 9, embedded such that it imprints it on printable or mouldable surfaces that come in contact with the sole.

Cushioning:

The sole may comprise cushioning material inserted into the sole. For example, the top portion of the sole may comprise cushioning material in certain strategic areas to provide comfort to the parts of the underside of the foot that come in contact with those areas. The cushioning material may be a cushion gel, air pockets, any shock absorbing material, or other materials that would be known to a worker skilled in the art.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the heel section of the sole comprises cushioning materials such as cushion gel 109. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the footwear may comprise a single cushion gel per piece. Alternatively, the footwear may comprise multiple cushion gels. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the cushion gel may be centered at the heel section of the sole to provide increased comfort to the user of the footwear. Optionally, the sole section which is in contact with the ball of the foot may include cushioning materials such as cushion gel which may be a single cushion gel or multiple cushion gels that are strategically located.
A worker skilled in the art would readily appreciate that cushion gel may be in various shapes, sizes and thicknesses of the cushion gel. For example, the shape of the cushion gel may be elliptical, circular, square, rectangular, orthogonal, rhombic, pentagonal, octagonal, or hexagonal or any other shape that would be known to a worker skilled in the art.
The cushion gel may be made out of Thermoelastic Elastomer (TPE), which is sometimes referred to as Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), silicone or other materials that would be known to a worker skilled in the art.
The surface area of the top part 202 of the cushion gel and the surface area of the top portion of the sole may be inline with each other. Alternatively, the surface area of the top part of the cushion gel is bulged relative to the surface area of the top portion of the sole (i.e., the surface area of the top part of the cushion gel may not be inline with the surface area of the top portion of the sole). In such embodiments, the bulged surface area of the top part 202 of the cushion gel may have a concaved curvature to it. In embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom part 203 of the cushion gel is flat. Optionally, the top part of the cushion gel may have alternating upper 401 and lower 402 grooves as shown in FIG. 4.
The cushion gel may have an uniform or non-uniform thickness. For example, the cushion gel may be thicker in the center compared to the periphery. In such embodiments, the thickness of the cushion gel gradually decreases radially outward from the center. A worker skilled in the art would readily understand that the above mentioned cushion gel can be readily replaced by other cushioning or shock absorbing materials known in the art.
The cushioning or shock absorbing material may be made out of one or more materials that are moisture resistant and hypoallergenic. Optionally, the top surface of the cushioning or shock absorbing material may have massage elements such as bumps, ridges or spikes that help massage the portion of the sole of the foot that comes in contact with the cushioning material. The cushioning material may be secured to the top portion of the sole via some adhesive means or sewing or other apparent techniques known to a worker skilled in the art.

Arch Support:

The medial side of the mid foot section of the sole optionally has an arch support, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, to provide support and comfort to the arch portion of the foot. The arch support may have a curvature that conforms to the arch of the user's foot, thereby providing the necessary support. For example, the curvature of the arch support is concave. The arch support may be of varying heights to accommodate arch curvatures of different magnitudes from completely flat feet to high arched feet.
The arch support may be bulged on the medial side of the mid foot section of the sole and the thickness gradually decreases radially outward.
The arch support and the top portion of the sole may be of unitary construction. For example, the arch support's contour may be moulded into the top portion. Alternatively, the arch support may be a separate construction than the top portion of the sole which is affixed to the top portion. The arch support may be constructed out of material that is the same as the top portion or different from that of the top portion. The arch support may be made out of one or more materials that are moisture resistant and hypoallergenic.
In alternative embodiments, the medial side of the mid foot section of the top portion of the sole has a pocket of material that can be inflated or deflated with air or any appropriate gas. The pocket of material may be the same material as the top portion or a different material. Upon inflation of the pocket of material, it has a curvature that is bulged on the medial side of the mid foot section of the sole and the thickness gradually decreases radially outward. The pocket of material may be inflated or deflated to appropriately to accommodate arch curvatures of varying magnitudes. When the pocket of material is fully deflated, the medial side of the mid foot section of the sole is flat and inline with the rest of the surface of the top portion; thus, conforming to users that are flat footed. The pocket of material has some form of a locking mechanism, as would be apparent to a worker skilled in the art, to lock-in the air/gas in the pocket. The pocket of material may be inflated using a hand held air pump.
Optionally, the arch support comprises a cushioning material on top to provide added comfort. The cushioning material may be a single entity that covers the entire surface area of the arch support or part of the surface area of the arch support. Alternatively, multiple entities of the cushioning material are strategically located along the entire surface area or part of the surface area of the arch support.

Foot Engagement Means:

A foot engagement means is provided to secure the sole of the footwear to the foot of a user. The foot engagement means may be a Y-shaped strap, a buckled strap, a Velcro™ strap, lace, or other foot engagement means that would be readily known to a worker skilled in the art. The foot engagement means may be detachable for easy replacement with other similar foot engagement means with different designs. The underside of the foot engagement means optionally has a comfort component in place therein to provide comfort to the top part of the foot. The top of the foot engagement means may have one or more openings to accormmodate attachment of a decorative ornament. The one or more openings may be anywhere on the foot engagement means including in the centre portion of the Y shaped strap at the top of the protrusion that passes between the toes and/or on one or both of the straps that pass on either side of the foot. The foot engagement means may be made out of one or more materials that are moisture resistant and hypoallergenic.
In embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the foot engagement means 102 is a Y-shaped strap. The Y-shaped strap may be in continuous connection with three protrusions 302 that act as locks to secure the Y-shaped strap to the sole through apertures in the sole. The Y-shaped strap may be made out of a variety of materials including but not limited to Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), plastic, rubber, or leather or other materials that would be known to a worker skilled in the art. The Y-shaped strap may have decorative elements attached, printed, or embossed on it. The decorative elements may be removable.
One of the three protrusions may be used to secure the Y-shaped strap to the toe section of the sole such that the thong would pass between the big toe and second toe and the other two protrusions may be used to secure the Y-shaped strap such that the Y-shaped strap would pass from either side of the foot. The top part of the Y-shaped strap that is in continuous connection with the protrusion that secures the Y-shaped strap to the sole at the toe section may have a decorative ornament affixed to it. It would be apparent to a worker skilled in the art that the above mentioned Y-shaped strap can be readily replaced by other foot engagement means known in the art.

Decorative Ornament and Fastening Mechanism:

In some embodiments one or more decorative ornaments may be attached to the foot engagement means. The decorative ornament may constructed out of various materials including plastics, metals or alloys. In one embodiment the decorative ornament is made out of a zinc based alloy. The decorative ornament may be permanently affixed to the top of the engagement means. The decorative ornament may be glued or stitched to the top of the engagement means. In one embodiment, the decorative ornament may be affixed to the top of the engagement means in a removable manner for easy replacement with other similar decorative ornaments. In embodiments where the decorative ornament is affixed to the top of the engagement means in a removable manner, the decorative ornament may be affixed via a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may be a screw mechanism, snap button mechanism, clipping mechanism, clamping mechanism, hooking mechanism or other viable mechanisms that would be readily known to a worker skilled in the art.
In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 16, the decorative ornament may be regarded to comprise a two piece screw mechanism; a top piece 501 and a bottom piece. The top piece may have a top surface 502 that has a design component. The top surface may be in continuous connection with a frame 503 and the bottom piece may be a screw that may be rotated into the frame; thus, affixing the decorative ornament to the engagement means. The decorative ornament may be removed by simply unscrewing the bottom piece from the frame of the top piece. A worker skilled in the art would readily understand the workings of a screw mechanism. The frame, which is in continuous connection with the top surface, may be a cylindrical structure with a threaded central opening that accommodates the bottom piece, which may be a screw. A worker skilled in the art would readily understand the dimensional requirements of the top and bottom pieces in order to have the decorative ornament affixed to the engagement means.
In one embodiment, the decorative ornament may be regarded to comprise a two piece snap button mechanism; a top piece and a bottom piece. The top piece may have a top surface that has a design component. The top surface may be in continuous connection with a frame, which may have a central opening. The bottom piece may be a stud that locks into the central opening of the frame. A worker skilled in the art would readily understand a snap button mechanism.
The invention will now be described with reference to specific examples. It will be understood that the following examples are intended to describe embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a flip flop 100. The sole 101 of the flip flop is an elongated member that has a top portion 103, a bottom portion 104, a sandwich portion 105, a toe section 106, a heel section 107 and a mid foot section 108. The sole has a medial side 110, a lateral side 111, a longitudinal center and a latitudinal center. The top and bottom portions are affixed together in the toe section. The top, the bottom and the sandwich portions are affixed together in the heel section and the mid foot section of the sole. The sandwich portion has a thickness that gradually decreases from the heel section to the mid foot section of the sole. The entire length of the flip flop is about 248 mm for a standard women's size 7 flip flop.
The heel section of the sole comprises a cushion gel that is centered. The cushion gel is a single entity that is elliptical in shape. The length of the elliptically shaped cushion gel at its longitudinal center is about 55.1 or 44 mm. The width of the elliptically shaped cushion gel at its latitudinal center is about 34 mm. The thickness of the elliptically shaped cushion gel gradually decreases radially outward. The thickness at its center is about 4.5 mm and at its periphery is about 2.5 mm. The top part of the cushion gel is concave in shape and the bottom part is flat. The top part of the cushion gel has alternating upper 401 and lower 402 grooves as shown in FIG. 4, wherein the height difference between them is about 1 mm. The medial side of the mid foot section of the top portion of the sole, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, has an arch support that has a bulged portion on the medial side, which gradually decreases in thickness radially outward.
The top portion and sandwich portion of the sole are made out of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate and the cushion gel is made out of Thermoplastic Elastomer. The cushion gel is made out of Thermoelastic Elastomer (TPE), which is sometimes referred to as Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR). The bottom portion of the sole is made out of Vulcanized Rubber. The flip flop comprises a Y-shaped strap as a foot engagement means to secure the foot of the user to the sole of the flip flop. The Y-shaped strap, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, has three protrusions that act as locking means securing or affixing the Y-shaped strap to the sole through apertures in the sole. The Y-shaped strap is made out of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). One of the three protrusions secures the Y-shaped strap to the toe section of the sole and the other two secure the Y-shaped strap to the heel section of the sole. The Y-shaped strap protrusion at the toe section has a pendant affixed to its top part in a removable manner. The pendant has a screwing mechanism for it to be affixed to the Y-shaped strap.
For example, referring again to FIG. 16, the decorative ornament is affixed by means of a screw. The decorative ornament has a top surface 502 and a frame 503. A screw that may be rotated into the frame; thus, affixing the decorative ornament to the engagement means. The frame is a cylindrical structure with a threaded central opening that accommodates a screw. The frame has a length of 5 mm from the top surface, a total diameter of 7 mm and a central threaded opening that has a diameter of 4 mm.
The ornament is made out of Zinc based alloy.
The design on the decorative ornament may be any design including but not limited to a peacock design, a sunflower design, a five petal design, or other designs that may constitute as viable options to a worker skilled in the art. In decorative ornament may be any size which does not impact the ability to wear the flip flops. Referring to FIG. 16, the peacock design may have a length of 20.5 mm and width of 41 mm; the petal design may have a diameter of 33.5 mm; and the sunflower design may have a diameter of 31.0 mm.
It is obvious that the foregoing embodiments of the invention are examples and can be varied in many ways. Such present or future variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A footwear article comprising:

an elongate sole comprising a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal center, and a latitudinal center;

said elongate sole comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, a sandwich portion, a toe section, a heel section and a mid foot section, wherein said top portion and said bottom portion are affixed together in the toe section and said top portion, said bottom portion and said sandwich portion are affixed together in the heel section and in the mid foot section, wherein said sandwich portion is present between said top portion and said bottom portion and has a width that gradually decreases from said heel section to said mid foot section;

a foot engagement means that is securely connected to said elongate sole; and said top portion of said heel section comprises a spatial provision to accommodate a cushioning material, wherein said cushioning material is present in said spatial provision of the top portion of said heel section.

2. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said mid foot section has an arch support.

3. The footwear article of claim 2, wherein said arch support has a bulged curvature that decreases gradually radially outward from said medial side of said mid foot section.

4. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said cushioning material is a cushion gel.

5. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said cushioning material is a single entity.

6. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said cushioning material is made of thermoplastic elastomer.

7. The footwear article of claim 5, wherein said cushioning material being a single entity is centered at said heel section.

8. The footwear article of claim 5, wherein said cushioning material being a single entity has a shape that is elliptical, circular, square, rectangular, orthogonal, rhombic, pentagonal, octagonal, or hexagonal.

9. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said top portion and said sandwich portion are made of ethyl vinyl acetate.

10. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said bottom portion is made of vulcanized rubber.

11. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said foot engagement means has a decorative ornament affixed to it.

12. The footwear article of claim 11, wherein said foot engagement means has an opening to accommodate said decorative ornament.

13. The footwear article of claim 11, wherein said decorative ornament is permanently affixed or removably affixed to the engagement means.

14. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said foot engagement means is a Y-shaped strap, a buckled strap, a Velcro™ strap, or lace.

15. The footwear article of claim 14, wherein said Y-shaped strap is a single piece with protrusions that serve as locks to secure the Y-shaped strap to the elongate sole via one or more apertures in the elongate sole.

16. The footwear article of claim 15, wherein said protrusions are three in number and a first protrusion securing the Y-shaped strap to said elongate sole at the toe section and a second protrusion and a third protrusion securing the Y-shaped strap to said elongate sole at the heel position.

17. The footwear article of claim 14, wherein said Y-shaped strap is made of thermoplastic polyurethane.

18. The footwear article of claim 16, wherein said first protrusion's top has an opening to accommodate said decorative ornament.

19. The footwear article of claim 18, wherein said decorative ornament is permanently affixed or removably affixed to said first protrusion's top.

20. The footwear article of claim 11, wherein said decorative ornament is a pendant.

21. The footwear article of claim 20, wherein said pendant is made of zinc based alloy.

22. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said footwear is a sandal, flip flop, Y-shaped flip flop, thong sandal, or jandal.

23. The footwear article of claim 13, wherein said decorative ornament is affixed using a screw mechanism.

24. The footwear article of claim 18, wherein said decorative ornament is affixed using a screw mechanism.