U.S. patent application number 09/903913 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-16 for footwear having a window for visual sizing.
Invention is credited to Schuver, David D., Schuver, Steven S..
Application Number | 20030009907 09/903913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25418241 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030009907 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schuver, Steven S. ; et
al. |
January 16, 2003 |
Footwear having a window for visual sizing
Abstract
Footwear having a window for visual sizing comprises a shoe
having an upper portion, a sole portion, and an insole liner, a
window portion associated with the upper portion, the window
portion for allowing viewing of a foot inserted into the shoe, and
a reference mark associated with the insole liner, the reference
mark for indicating proper fit of the shoe when a foot is inserted
into the shoe and viewed through the window portion.
Inventors: |
Schuver, Steven S.; (St.
Louis, MO) ; Schuver, David D.; (St. Louis,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSTER, LIEDER, WOODRUFF & LUCCHESI
763 SOUTH NEW BALLAS ROAD
ST. LOUIS
MO
63141-8750
US
|
Family ID: |
25418241 |
Appl. No.: |
09/903913 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/8.4 ;
36/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 1/0072 20130101;
A43B 3/30 20130101; A43D 1/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/8.4 ;
36/112 |
International
Class: |
A43D 001/00; A43B
003/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Footwear having a window for visual sizing comprising: a shoe
having an upper portion, a sole portion, and an insole liner; a
window portion associated with the upper portion, the window
portion for allowing viewing of a foot inserted into the shoe; and
a reference mark associated with the insole liner, the reference
mark for indicating proper fit of the shoe when a foot is inserted
into the shoe and viewed through the window portion.
2. The footwear of claim 1 further comprising a second window
portion associated with the upper portion, the second window
portion for allowing viewing of a foot inserted into the shoe.
3. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the window portion is
transparent.
4. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the window portion is
translucent.
5. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the reference mark comprises a
first region and a second region.
6. The footwear of claim 5 wherein the first region is a first
color and the second region is a second color.
7. Footwear having a window for visual sizing comprising: a shoe
having an upper portion having a side, a sole portion, and an
insole liner; a transparent portion associated with the side of the
upper portion, the transparent portion for allowing viewing of a
foot inserted into the shoe; and a reference mark associated with
the insole liner, the reference mark for indicating proper fit of
the shoe when a foot is inserted into the shoe and viewed through
the transparent portion.
8. The footwear of claim 7 wherein the window portion is
transparent.
9. The footwear of claim 7 wherein the window portion is
translucent.
10. The footwear of claim 7 wherein the reference mark comprises an
outline of a foot.
11. The footwear of claim 7 wherein the reference mark comprises a
first region and a second region.
12. The footwear of claim 11 wherein the first region is a first
color and the second region is a second color.
13. The footwear of claim 7 wherein the reference mark comprises a
first region, a second region, and a third region.
14. Footwear having a window for visual sizing comprising: a shoe
having an upper portion having a side and a rear, a sole portion,
and an insole liner; a window portion associated with the rear of
the upper portion, the window portion for allowing viewing of a
foot inserted into the shoe; and a reference mark associated with
the insole liner, the reference mark for indicating proper fit of
the shoe when a foot is inserted into the shoe and viewed through
the window portion.
15. The footwear of claim 14 further comprising a second window
portion associated with the side of the upper portion, the second
window portion for allowing viewing of a foot inserted into the
shoe.
16. The footwear of claim 15 further comprising a second reference
mark associated with the insole liner, the second reference mark
for indicating proper fit of the shoe when a foot is inserted into
the shoe and viewed through the second window portion.
17. The footwear of claim 14 further comprising a second window
portion associated with the upper portion, the second window
portion for allowing viewing of a foot inserted into the shoe.
18. The footwear of claim 17 further comprising a second reference
mark associated with the insole liner, the second reference mark
for indicating proper fit of the shoe when a foot is inserted into
the shoe and viewed through the second window portion.
19. The footwear of claim 18 wherein the second reference mark
comprises a line.
20. The footwear of claim 14 wherein the reference mark comprises a
first region and a second region.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to footwear having visual sizing and
more particularly to footwear having a window for visual sizing
which is used to determine the proper fit of a foot within the
footwear.
[0002] In order to determine the proper fit of a shoe, most notably
a children's shoe, a parent or salesperson initially employs a
device to size the child's foot. Once the size is determined, one
or more pairs of shoes of that particular size are tried on by the
child. The child is allowed to walk around with the shoes on to see
if the fit is proper or if there are any other obvious sizing
problems. Additionally, a finger or thumb is pressed against the
top of the shoe to verify that there is room between the toes of
the child and the tip of the shoe. Assuming a proper fitting pair
of shoes is found and purchased, the child is allowed to wear the
shoes. However, over time the child's feet grow and the parent is
left with the task of determining when the shoes do not fit
properly. One method for determining whether the shoe has been
outgrown is to again use the finger pressure method and press
against the shoe to feel if there is still room within the shoe. As
can be appreciated, such finger method is disadvantageous for
various reasons. One reason is that the method is not accurate and
the shoes may be worn for a longer period of time than desired.
Another reason that this method is not acceptable is due to the
constant testing and retesting required.
[0003] There are other known devices which use a transparent sole
portion in order to view a foot inside a shoe from bottom of the
sole of the shoe. However, such devices have not been particularly
successful or acceptable probably due to the inability to properly
determine the fit of a shoe when a person is in a weight bearing
position. Further, such shoes may be expensive and complicated to
produce. Another problem associated with such known devices is that
the reference markings, which are used to determine proper fit, are
not associated with a foot. In other words, due to the wearing of
the shoe, the reference markings may not be properly aligned due to
the placement or positioning of such markings.
[0004] The present invention is designed to obviate and overcome
many of the disadvantages and shortcomings associated with properly
fitting shoes and maintaining a proper fit during use of the shoes.
In particular, the present invention is footwear having a window
for visual sizing that may be easily constructed and installed in
shoes. Moreover, the present invention provides a visual indication
as to whether the shoe is initially the proper size and fit and
then whether the shoe is too small to be worn. Once the shoe has
become overgrown by the foot of the wearer, the footwear having a
window for visual sizing will easily indicate that the shoe needs
to be replaced with a larger size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one form of the present invention, footwear having a
window for visual sizing comprises a shoe having an upper portion,
a sole portion, and an insole liner, a window portion associated
with the upper portion, the window portion for allowing viewing of
a foot inserted into the shoe, and a reference mark associated with
the insole liner, the reference mark for indicating proper fit of
the shoe when a foot is inserted into the shoe and viewed through
the window portion.
[0006] In another form of the present invention, footwear having a
window for visual sizing comprises a shoe having an upper portion
having a side, a sole portion, and an insole liner, a window
portion associated with the side of the upper portion, the window
portion for allowing viewing of a foot inserted into the shoe, and
a reference mark associated with the insole liner, the reference
mark for indicating proper fit of the shoe when a foot is inserted
into the shoe and viewed through the window portion.
[0007] In yet another form of the present invention, footwear
having a window for visual sizing comprises a shoe having an upper
portion having a side and a rear, a sole portion, and an insole
liner, a window portion associated with the rear of the upper
portion, the window portion for allowing viewing of a foot inserted
into the shoe, and a reference mark associated with the insole
liner, the reference mark for indicating proper fit of the shoe
when a foot is inserted into the shoe and viewed through the window
portion.
[0008] In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized
that a principal object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a window for visual sizing device which is of
simple construction and design and which can be easily employed
with highly reliable results.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a window for visual sizing which allows for
monitoring of the growth of a foot within the footwear.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a window for visual sizing which is capable of
being manufactured using commonly available components that are
relatively inexpensive.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a window for visual sizing that requires little or
no maintenance and is constructed using durable parts or
components.
[0012] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide footwear having a window for visual sizing which indicates
when footwear has become too small and a proper fit is no longer
available.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent after considering the following
detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
footwear having a window for visual sizing constructed according to
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the footwear having a window
for visual sizing shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial top view of another preferred embodiment
of footwear having a window for visual sizing constructed according
to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of footwear having a window for visual sizing
constructed according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of footwear having a window for visual sizing constructed according
to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the footwear having a window
for visual sizing shown in FIG. 5;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the footwear having a window for
visual sizing shown in FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a top view of an insole liner used in footwear
having a window for visual sizing;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of an insole liner used in footwear
having a window for visual sizing;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top view of an insole liner used in footwear
having a window for visual sizing; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a top view of an insole liner used in footwear
having a window for visual sizing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to
like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of footwear
having a window for visual sizing constructed according to the
present invention. With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
footwear having a window for visual sizing 10 is shown incorporated
within a shoe 12. The shoe 12 is illustrated as an athletic shoe,
however, as can be appreciated, any other footwear may be used and
of any size including children's, teens, and adults. The shoe 12
includes an upper portion 14 and a sole portion 16. The upper
portion 14 may further include other parts such as an outer shell
18, a tip portion 20, a vamp 22, eyelets 24, a tongue 26, and a
collar 28. The sole portion 16 may consist of an outsole 30 with
the outsole 30 having tread 32 on its bottom surface.
[0026] The footwear 10 also comprises a window portion 34
positioned between the tip portion 20 and the vamp 22 of the upper
portion 14. The window portion 34 may be made of a transparent or
translucent material. The material should be durable, resistant to
wear, flexible, and resilient. The window portion 34 provides
viewing into the interior of the shoe 12 from the upper portion 14.
The shoe 12 further comprises an insole liner 36 having printed or
positioned thereon a reference mark or marking 38. The reference
marking 38 may take many forms, as will be discussed further
herein. Another area or portion 40 of the insole liner 36 indicates
the area within which proper fit or sizing of a foot (not shown)
would be. When a foot has grown past the reference marking 38, this
indicates that the shoe 12 does not or will not fit properly. As
can be appreciated, a foot may be viewed through the window portion
34 anytime when the shoe 12 is being worn. The footwear 10 is
capable of being used to determine the correct or proper size at
purchase and subsequently to indicate the time at which a
replacement pair of shoes needs to be purchased. Although one shoe
12 has been shown, it is contemplated that both pairs of shoes will
have incorporated therein the window portion 34 and the reference
marking 38.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a partial top view of another embodiment of
footwear having a window for visual sizing 50 constructed according
to the present invention. The footwear having a window for visual
sizing 50 is incorporated within a shoe 52 with the shoe 52 having
an upper portion 54, a pair of window portions 56 and 58, and an
insole liner 60. The insole liner 60 has printed thereon a
reference marking 62. The reference marking 62 is used to indicate
when a foot (not shown) has outgrown the shoe 52. For example, when
a foot has past over the reference marking 62 it is time to replace
the shoe 52. Further, when initially sizing the shoe 52, if a foot
is not beyond the reference marking 62, this is an indication that
the shoe 52 is properly sized. The window portion 56 allows for
viewing one side or toe of a foot and the other window portion 58
provides for viewing another side or toe of a foot. In this manner,
a better determination as to size and fit may be accomplished. The
window portions 56 and 58 may each be comprised of a transparent or
translucent material. The window portions 56 and 58 provide viewing
into the interior of the shoe 52.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, a side perspective view of another
preferred embodiment of footwear having a window for visual sizing
100 is depicted. The footwear 100 comprises a shoe 102 having an
upper portion 104 and a sole portion 106. The upper portion 104 may
further include various other parts or components such as an outer
shell 108, a tip portion 110, a vamp 112, eyelets 114, a tongue
116, a collar 118, and a counter 120. The sole portion 106 may
consist of an outsole 122, a midsole 124, and tread 126. The
footwear 100 further comprises a window portion 128 which may be
formed in the tip portion 110, the vamp 112, or the side of the
shoe 102. The window portion 128 may be constructed from a
transparent or translucent material. The window portion 128
provides for viewing into the interior of the shoe 102 from the tip
portion 110 or the side of the shoe 102. Although not shown, the
shoe 102 further includes an insole liner which has printed or
associated therewith a reference marking. The window portion 128
allows a side view of a foot inserted into the shoe 102 and when a
foot has grown past the reference marking the shoe 102 needs to be
replaced.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates another preferred embodiment of footwear
having a window for visual sizing 150 which comprises an upper
portion 152 and a sole portion 154. The footwear 150 has a front
156 and a back 158 with the front 156 having a window portion 160
and the back 158 having a window portion 162. The window portions
160 and 162 may be constructed of a transparent or translucent
material. The window portions 160 and 162 allow for viewing into
the interior of the footwear 150. The window portions 160 and 162
also allow for viewing whether the back or heel of a foot is
properly positioned within the footwear 150. Although shown in FIG.
5 as having the window portion 160 on the tope of the upper portion
152, it is also possible and contemplated that the window portion
160 may be positioned on a side of the upper portion 152 of the
footwear 150. Further, it is also possible to only have the window
portion 162 and not the window portion 160. In this construction,
it will be possible to determine whether the heel of the foot is
sized or positioned properly.
[0030] With particular reference now to FIG. 6, the front 156 of
the footwear 150 is shown to comprise the window portion 160 and an
insole liner 164. The insole liner 164 has a reference marking 166
printed thereon with the reference marking 166 being used to
determine the proper fit of a foot within the footwear 150.
Referring now to FIG. 7, the back 158 of the footwear 150 is shown
to have the window portion 162 and the insole liner 164. Although
not visible, the insole liner 164 may include a further reference
marking which serves to insure that the heel of a foot is
positioned correctly.
[0031] FIG. 8 shows an insole liner 200 which may be inserted into
or manufactured as part of footwear having a window for visual
sizing. The insole liner 200 is sized and shaped to fit within
footwear. The liner 200 comprises a reference mark or marking 202
which may take the form of a line or a region 204 may be printed
one color and another region 206 may be printed another color. In
this manner, a foot inserted into footwear, such as footwear 10,
50, 100, or 150, may be viewed through the respective window
portions 34, 56 and 58, 128, or 160, to determine if initially the
fit is proper and subsequently if the fit is improper. For example,
if the region 204 is visible, then this indicates a proper fit. If
it is noticed that toes encroach upon the region 204 then an
improper fit is indicated. The region 206 may be used to confirm
that the initial fit is such that toes are well within the region
206. This would indicate that there is plenty of room for foot
growth. Various different colors may be used for the regions 204
and 206. For example, the color red may be used for the region 204
and the color green may be used for the region 206. Further, the
intersection between the regions 204 and 206 may be curved to
follow the natural outline of a foot.
[0032] The insole liner 200 is constructed of a thick fabric
material and may have an upper surface sock lining 208. The insole
liner 200 may be used to separate a foot from the other components
of the sole portion of the shoe. The sock lining 208 is generally
conventional and includes a fabric cover overlying a cushioning
material (not shown) such as foam. The sock lining 208 may have
printed thereon or incorporated therein the regions 204 and 206.
Additionally, it is also possible that that insole liner 200 be a
one piece structure or construction.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 9, another insole liner 220 is
illustrated. The liner 220 includes reference markings 222, 224,
226, 228, and 230 as part of the liner 220. The reference markings
222-230 take the form of circles which simulate toes of a foot.
Whenever one or more toes covers or begins to cover one of the
reference markings 222-230, this indicates that a proper fit is not
longer available. Additionally, the reference markings 222-230 may
be of one or several different colors or patterns and a region 232
may be of another color.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows another example of an insole liner 240 which
includes reference markings 242, 244, 246, 248, and 250. The
reference markings 242-248 are illustrated as being numerals and
the reference marking 250 is shown as being a letter. Again, the
reference markings allow a visual indication of the proper fit or
size of footwear. The reference markings 242-250 may be of one or
several different colors or patterns and a region 252 may be of
another color which provides for definition between the reference
markings 242-250 and the region 252.
[0035] With reference now to FIG. 11, an insole liner 260 is shown
which may be used in conjunction with the footwear 150. In
particular, the liner 260 has a front portion 262 and a rear
portion 264. The front portion 262 includes reference markings 266
and 268 and the rear portion 264 includes a reference marking 270.
The insole liner 260 further has a region 272. The reference
markings 266 and 268 are visible through the window portion 160 of
the footwear 150 and the reference marking 270 is visible through
the window portion 162. In this manner it can be insured that a
heel of a foot is placed all the way back toward the back 158 of
the footwear 150. The reference markings 266 and 268 may be used to
indicate when a foot has grown from the region 272 into the region
where the reference marking 266 is found. Once a foot reaches into
the region of the reference marking 268, it will be known that new
footwear will be required.
[0036] As indicated previously, the reference markings 266 and 268
may be different colors and are certainly a different color than
that of the region 272. The reference marking 270 may be a
different color than that of the region 272. Further, it is also
possible and contemplated to use the reference markings 202,
222-230, 242-250 in place of the reference markings 266 and 268.
The reference markings may take other forms, such as an outline of
a foot, an outline of the toes, pictures, symbols, or
holograms.
[0037] It should be recognized that footwear having a window for
visual sizing 10, 50, 100, and 150 of the present invention can be
constructed of various materials and can be assembled from
separable components or formed as a unitary construction.
Preferably, the footwear 10, 50, 100, and 150 will be constructed
of relatively lightweight materials. The window portions may be
constructed of various materials such as leather, rubber, plastic,
vinyl, polymethacrylate, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or polyvinyl
chloride. Although the window portions have been depicted using
various geometric forms, it should be recognized that the window
portions of the present invention may take many different forms and
shapes.
[0038] Further, the window portions 34, 56, 58, 128,160, and 162
were described as being transparent or translucent, it is also
possible and contemplated that the window portions be formed or
constructed from materials which are unidirectional which allow
viewing into the shoe at one or various angles. Additionally, the
window portions may include one or more prisms to enhance the
aesthetics of the shoe.
[0039] From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has
thus been shown and described herein footwear having a window for
visual sizing which fulfills the various objects and advantages
sought therefor. It will become apparent to those skilled in the
art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and
other uses and applications of the subject footwear having a window
for visual sizing are possible and contemplated. All changes,
modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to
be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims
which follow.
* * * * *