US20130318826A1

US20130318826A1 - Foot sliding prevention product

Info

Publication number: US20130318826A1
Application number: US13/488,603
Authority: US
Inventors: Michele E. Nathaniel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-05
Filing date: 2012-06-05
Publication date: 2013-12-05

Abstract

A foot sliding prevention product utilizes a unitary pad shaped to conform with the tapered toe section of a shoe, particularly a women's high heel shoe. The pad is sized to extend from the toe section of the shoe to an area short of the shoe's arch section. An arcuate shaped ridge member extends from one side of the pad to the other side. The ridge member is configured to be positioned within the toe joints of the wearer to prevent the foot from sliding down and forward in the shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A situation which is routinely experienced by individuals who wear heeled footwear, especially women wearing high-heel shoes, is that the wearer's foot has a tendency to slide down and forward, toward the toe section of the shoe. Prolonged walking in these shoes causes various foot problems ranging from discomfort resulting from the toes being squeezed in the front of the shoe, to more serious injuries including painful calluses and even permanent foot disfigurement and disabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a product which addresses and prevents the problems and injuries associated with the sliding movement of a wearer's foot in a shoe.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a foot sliding prevention product which can simply and easily be placed into and utilized in virtually any shoe, especially in high-heel shoes.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a foot sliding prevention product which is lightweight, economical to manufacture, and is disposable and replaceable if necessary.
These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a foot sliding prevention product comprising a unitary pad shaped to conform with the tapered toe section of a shoe, particularly a women's high heel shoe. The pad is sized to extend from the toe section of the shoe to an area short of the shoe's arch section. An arcuate shaped ridge member extends from one side of the pad to the other side. The ridge member is configured to be positioned within the toe joints of the wearer to prevent the foot from sliding down and forward in the shoe.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the foot sliding prevention product of the present invention prior to placement in a shoe.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe with the product of the present invention in place and with a wearer's foot in the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foot slippage prevention product of the present invention comprises unitary pad 2 having front section 4 which tapers rearward towards wider back section 6. Thus, pad 2 is shaped to conform with the tapered toe section 32 of a shoe 30, especially a woman's high heel shoe, and it is sized to extend from the toe section to an area just short of arch section 34 of the shoe.
Ridge member 8 is arcuate or curved shaped and extends from one side of pad 2 to the other side of the pad. The surface of ridge member 8 is rounded, as best seen in FIG. 2. The ridge member itself can be located directly on the top surface of pad 2 or formed as part of the pad, as shown in the FIGS.
Pad 2 is fabricated of a cushiony material, similar to that which is commonly utilized in insertable shoe insoles. Ridge member 8 can be constructed of the same material or a more rigid material like plastic or equivalent hard material.
The bottom surface of pad 2 is coated with a layer of adhesive 10 which is protected by removeable covering 12. Covering 12 can be coated paper or equivalent material.
In use, covering 12 is removed from adhesive layer 10. Pad 2 is then inserted into toe section 32 of shoe 30 and attached to the interior bottom of the shoe. Foot 40 of the wearer is inserted into shoe 30 and is positioned such that ridge member 8 is positioned within toe joints 42 of the foot. Consequently, as the wearer walks, her foot 40 will be prevented from sliding down and/or forward towards toe section 32 by ridge member 8. The toes will thereby be protected from irritation, calluses, or other foot injury caused by their being squeezed against the front of the shoe 30.
Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A foot slippage prevention product to be placed on the interior bottom and within the toe section of a shoe, said product comprising:

a unitary pad shaped to conform with the tapered toe section of a shoe and sized to extend from the toe section to an area short of the arch section of the shoe, said pad comprising a curved ridge extending from one side of the pad to the other side of the pad, whereby placement of the pad into the tapered section of the shoe and onto the sole of the shoe results in the ridge entering the toe joints of a wearer's foot, thus preventing the foot from slipping in the shoe.

2. The product as in claim 1 wherein the pad has a top surface and a bottom surface, the ridge being located on the top surface.

3. The product as in claim 2 wherein the bottom surface of the pad comprises adhesive means for attaching the pad to the interior bottom of the shoe.

4. The product as in claim 3 further comprising a removable covering to protect the adhesive means until the pad is placed into the shoe.

5. The product as in claim 1 wherein the ridge has a rounded outer surface,

6. A foot slippage preventive product to be placed on the interior bottom of and within the toe section of a shoe, said product comprising:

a unitary pad having a front section tapering rearward towards a back section which is wider than the front section, said pad being shaped to conform with the tapered toe section of a shoe and sized to extend from the toe section to an area short of the arch section of the shoe, said pad further comprising ridge means for preventing the foot of a wearer of the shoe from slipping within the shoe, said curved ridge extending from one side of the pad to the other side of the pad.

7. The product as in claim 6 wherein the ridge means comprises a ridge element having a rounded outer surface.

8. The product as in claim 6 wherein the pad has a top surface and a bottom surface, the ridge means being located on the top surface.

9. The product as in claim 8 wherein the bottom surface of the pad comprises adhesive means for attaching the pad to the interior bottom of the shoe.

10. The product as in claim 9 comprising removeable covering means for pro the adhesive means until the pad is placed into the shoe.