U.S. patent application number 09/851911 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-14 for footwear for making personalized footprints.
Invention is credited to Posa, John G..
Application Number | 20020166258 09/851911 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25312031 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020166258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Posa, John G. |
November 14, 2002 |
Footwear for making personalized footprints
Abstract
Footwear for leaving a personalized imprint on wet sand and
other surfaces is accomplished through the removal of material as
opposed to previous additive processes. Footwear according to the
invention includes a sole portion having a bottom surface with a
matrix of projections extending therefrom. Each projection is
selectively removable, thereby enabling a user to remove a subset
of the projections corresponding to the personalized imprint. The
sole portion may form any type of shoe, including sandals, thongs,
`flip-flops,` and so forth. Each projection preferably has a
nominal length in the range of {fraction (3/16)} to 3/8 inch and a
nominal width in the range of 1/8 to {fraction (3/16)} inch, and
may be circular, triangular, rectangular, square, or hexagonal in
cross-section. The matrix of projections may cover the entire
bottom surface of the shoe, or a non-partitioned border may be
provided which surrounds the matrix of projections. The sole
portion may further be at least partially transparent, enabling the
user to view the projections therethrough as they are being
removed. In use, a plurality of the projections are selectively
removed to produce a mirror image corresponding to the personalized
footprint. The sole portion is preferably such that it may be
flexed to better expose projections to be removed. In the preferred
embodiment, the composition of the projections is such that they
may be removed by hand as through `plucking` without tools, though
a pocket knife, nail clippers, spoon or other common implement may
be used.
Inventors: |
Posa, John G.; (Ann Arbor,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John G. Posa
Gifford, Krass, Groh et al
Suite 400
280 N. Old Woodward Ave.
Birmingham
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
25312031 |
Appl. No.: |
09/851911 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/11.5 ; 36/100;
36/112; 36/136; 36/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B
3/0078 20130101; A43B 3/246 20130101; A43B 1/0072 20130101; A43B
23/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/11.5 ; 36/112;
36/15; 36/136; 36/100 |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/12; A43B
003/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. Footwear for leaving a personalized imprint on wet sand and
other surfaces, comprising: a sole portion having a bottom surface
with a tight matrix of projections extending therefrom, each
projection being selectively removable, enabling a user to remove a
subset of the projections corresponding to the personalized
imprint.
2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein each projection has a nominal
length in the range of {fraction (3/16)} to 3/8 inch, and a nominal
width in the range of 1/8 to {fraction (3/16)} inch.
3. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the projections are circular,
triangular, rectangular, square, or hexagonal in cross-section.
4. The footwear of claim 1, further including a non-partitioned
border surrounding the matrix of projections.
5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole portion is at least
partially transparent, enabling the user to view the projections
therethrough as they are being removed.
6. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole portion forms part of
a sandal or thong.
7. A method of modifying footwear to produce a personalized
footprint on wet sand and other surfaces, comprising: providing
footwear having a sole portion with a bottom surface including a
matrix of projections extending therefrom; and selectively removing
a plurality of the projections to produce a mirror image
corresponding to the personalized footprint.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least the sole portion of the
footwear is transparent or semi-transparent, enabling a user to
view the projections therethrough as they are being selectively
removed.
9. The method of claim 7, further including the step of flexing the
sole portion to better expose projections to be removed.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the projections are such that
they may be removed by hand without tools.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to footwear and, in
particular, to footwear having a sole portion from which material
may be selectively removed to create personalized images or
messages while walking.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The idea of shoes that leave a customized or personalized
imprint while walking is not new. U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,167 describes
an article of footwear having at least one recessed area in the
sole, with a three-dimensional inset figure placed in the recessed
area. The inset figure may be comprised of graphical and/or textual
materials, and may be at least partially embossed. Although such a
configuration would leave a corresponding impression while walking,
it is doubtful that this was the primary intended objective of the
inventor, since the textual material shown in the illustrations is
right-reading, as opposed to reverse-reading, as would be required
upon consideration that a footprint leaves a mirror image. The
process making the article of footwear includes the steps of
cutting thin rubber sheets, and forming them into a pressing
mold.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,168, which coincidentally issued on the
same day as the '167 patent just described, discloses footwear with
detachable symbols. Such symbols are arranged as desired on the
sole, and adhesively applied thereto, such that the outline of the
symbol is imprinted on a soft ground supporting surface as the sole
engages the ground by walking, or the like. The adhesive is
preferably provided on the symbols or letters to be attached,
following the removal of a release layer.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,446 is directed to footwear for the
production of an advertising message. A disposable sandal is formed
of sheet material, including a lower exposed surface with
projections to finding a mirror image of the advertising message.
The projections are sufficiently large that the advertising message
is stamped repeatedly into the soil, in a form intelligible to the
unassisted eye as the wearer walks.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,753, entitled "Personalized Signature
Shoes," resides in an article of footwear for imprinting
personalized messages on a ground surface, including a flexible
lower sole having an elongated longitudinally oriented recess
track. A plurality of adjoining separate, generally rectangular
inserts, each having a surface with a symbol, and a pair of
generally parallel side portions with respective, opposed outer
surfaces cooperate with the track, and are retained thereby to form
a more complete message which leaves an impression in a soft
surface, while walking, running, and so forth.
[0006] While it would be interesting and enjoyable to leave the
messages made possible by the prior-art footwear just described,
each of the approaches are deficient, in that the messages are
either integrally formed with the footwear, or the messages are
applied additively. Although a shoe with an integrally formed
message may be advantageous for advertisers, consumers would
probably be unwilling to pay very much, if any, for such footwear,
and they might need to be given away. As to the footwear which rely
on additive techniques, the amount of available graphical and/or
textual materials would be severely limited, and a store would
require a large inventory to please a wide range of potential
consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention improves upon the prior art by providing
footwear for leaving a personalized imprint on wet sand and other
surfaces through the removal of material as opposed to previous
additive processes. The preferred embodiment comprises footwear
with a sole portion having a bottom surface including a matrix of
projections extending therefrom. Each projection is selectively
removable, thereby enabling a user to remove a subset of the
projections corresponding to the personalized imprint. The sole
portion may form any type of shoe, including sandals, thongs,
`flip-flops,` and so forth.
[0008] Each projection preferably has a nominal length in the range
of {fraction (3/16)} to 3/8 inch and a nominal width in the range
of 1/8 to {fraction (3/16)} inch, and may be circular, triangular,
rectangular, square, or hexagonal in cross-section. The matrix of
projections may cover the entire bottom surface of the shoe, or a
non-partitioned border may be provided which surrounds the matrix
of projections. The sole portion may further be at least partially
transparent, enabling the user to view the projections therethrough
as they are being removed.
[0009] In use, a plurality of the projections are selectively
removed to produce a mirror image corresponding to the personalized
footprint. The sole portion is preferably such that it may be
flexed to better expose projections to be removed. In the preferred
embodiment, the composition of the projections is such that they
may be removed by hand as through `plucking` without tools, though
a pocket knife, nail clippers, spoon or other common implement may
come in handy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2A illustrates the alternative use of triangular
projections;
[0012] FIG. 2B illustrates the alternative use of square
projections;
[0013] FIG. 2C illustrates the alternative use of hexagonal
projections;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a drawing that shows the way in which the sole may
be flexed to better expose projections for removal;
[0015] FIG. 4A shows the bottom surface of footwear according to
the invention having been modified to produce a personalized
message;
[0016] FIG. 4B shows the other half of the footwear of FIG. 4A,
thereby completing the message;
[0017] FIG. 5 shows the way in which the footwear having been
modified in accordance with FIGS. 4A and 4B produces a personalized
message on sand and other surfaces;
[0018] FIG. 6A is a drawing which illustrates one way in which the
sole of footwear according to the invention may be slit using a
plurality of blades; and
[0019] FIG. 6B illustrates the slitting of the sole of FIG. 6A in a
different direction, thereby creating a matrix of projections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing from an oblique perspective which shows
a preferred embodiment of the invention generally at 100. Footwear
according to the invention preferably includes some form of upper
102, having a toe-receiving portion 104 and a heel-receiving
portion 106. Straps 108 are also preferably provided, and include
some form of fastener such as 110 facilitating adjustment for
different sized feet. Although a knob-and-hole type of fastener is
preferred because it may be integrally molded, other fasteners such
as laces, Velcro.RTM. and stretchable members without fasteners per
se may alternatively be used.
[0021] Although footwear for the left foot of a wearer is depicted
in FIG. 1, it would be appreciated that, to save on cost, footwear
may be provided that fits either foot, thereby enabling a single
mold to be used for both feet in the event of an injection-molded
product. In addition, footwear according to the invention is also
preferably made in a one-size-fits-all or -many, again, to save on
cost and packaging. For example, the footwear may be made to fit a
young adult wearing no shoes or stockings, but also enabling the
same size to fit over the foot of a child with shoes on. By sizing
the toe-receiving and heel-receiving portions and straps or
fasteners accordingly, one size may then fit a range of individuals
from child to adult.
[0022] In all embodiments, on the bottom or sole surface of the
footwear according to the invention, there is provided a plurality
of selectively removable projections or nubs 120. Although a border
122 is shown surrounding the modifiable portion, it will be
appreciated that the nubs or projections may extend to the edges of
the bottom surface of the footwear, which may be advantageous
according to certain manufacturing processes.
[0023] The projections 120 have dimensions, and are composed of a
material which, in combination, allows them to be selectively
removed, preferably without significant effort or specialized
tools. In the preferred embodiment, these projections may be
selectively removed by hand, or with a blunt instrument such as a
small spoon, common pliers, nail clippers, and so forth. Of course,
sharper objects such as pocket knives, and so forth, may
alternatively be used under adult supervision. The flexing of this
sole to permit easier access to the projections for the removal is
depicted in FIG. 3.
[0024] Depending upon the type of material used to produce the
projections, the dimensions would preferably be on the order of 1/8
to 1/4 inch in diameter, and having a length of 1/4 inch to 1/2
inch. Using a material such as urethane or dense foam, projections
having a nominal diameter of {fraction (3/16)} inch and a length on
the order of 3/8 inch might be ideal. It may also be advantageous
to fashion at least the projections out of biodegradable material
in the event that they are inadvertently left in beach areas or
other public places.
[0025] Although projections having a circular cross-section are
depicted in FIG. 1, other cross-sectional geometries may be used,
including triangular, square and hexagonal, as shown in FIGS.
2A-2C, respectively. Of course, different sizes and projection
geometries may also be intermingled on the same shoe. It is
preferable, however, that the matrix of projections is closely
packed, with the sides of the projections ideally touching one
another, to achieve the cleanest, most intelligible imprints.
[0026] In terms of manufacture, footwear according to the invention
may be integrally molded in a plastic injection mold. However,
since it is desirable to have a matrix of projections be as tightly
packed as possible, footwear according to the invention may be
molded without the matrix of projections, with the projections
being added through a subsequent process such as a heated die,
crisscrossed slicing, laser cutting, or other process.
[0027] As a further alternative, the projections may be separately
provided in a tight mat, then glued on to the bottom surface.
Indeed, such a might allow the nubs to be manufactured through an
extrusion die, then slicing and glued onto the bottom surface of
the foot, with the adhesive being used to adjust for removability
in addition to other factors.
[0028] Advantageously, footwear according to the invention may be
transparent or semi-transparent, allowing one to draw an image on
the inside bottom of the shoe with a marker, for example, then hold
the shoe up to the light and remove the projections while looking
though the sole at the drawn image. This might assist younger
people, for example, since textual messages would have to be made
in a reversed process in order to be right reading while walking.
One example is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, which show the right and
left foot having been modified in reverse fashion, to create the
effect shown in FIG. 5. In addition, particularly when using a
process whereby a mat of nubs are added to the bottom surface, the
upper alone may be made transparent with the nubs themselves of a
different or opaque color, further simplifying nub removal.
[0029] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate one which in which the bottom
surface of footwear according to the invention may be partitioned
to produce a tightly packed matrix of projections. In FIG. 6A, a
roller 602 having a plurality of thin, sharp and/or serrated blades
604, is rotated while the sole 606 has moved relative thereto,
creating a set of parallel slits 608. FIG. 6B, the process the
repeated in one or more different directions, using a roller 610
with blades 612 moving and rotating relative to the sole 606,
thereby completing the creation of a densely-packed array of
projections 620. With the directions of FIGS. 6A and 6B orthogonal
to one another, the projections are square in cross-section, though
additional passes may be used to create projections having
triangular or other cross-sectional geometries.
* * * * *