U.S. patent application number 10/725163 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for shoe insert and method for fitting a shoe.
Invention is credited to Schumacher, James Henry.
Application Number | 20050115106 10/725163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34620240 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schumacher, James Henry |
June 2, 2005 |
Shoe insert and method for fitting a shoe
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for determining whether a
foot has outgrown a shoe. In one embodiment, a shoe comprises an
insert that has one or more visible symbols thereon and is capable
of absorbing perspiration from a foot. In one embodiment, the shoe
may be, for example, a child's shoe. In this embodiment, the shoe
is placed on a child's foot, and is worn by the child, during which
time perspiration is produced by the child's foot and absorbed by
the insert. The insert is then removed from the shoe and examined.
One or more markings associated with the perspiration are detected,
indicating the placement of the foot in the shoe. The position of
the markings in relation to the symbols on the insert is examined.
If the markings extend beyond a selected symbol, the child has
outgrown the shoe.
Inventors: |
Schumacher, James Henry;
(Springfield, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jonathan Tyler, Esq.
425 Park Avenue
New York
NY
10022-3598
US
|
Family ID: |
34620240 |
Appl. No.: |
10/725163 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/8.4 ;
36/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/30 20130101; A43B
3/0078 20130101; A43B 23/24 20130101; A43D 1/027 20130101; A43B
17/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/008.4 ;
036/043 |
International
Class: |
A43B 013/38 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An insert for use in a wearer's shoe, comprising: a surface upon
which a wearer's foot is placed; at least one visible symbol
situated on the surface representing a desired placement of the
wearer's foot; and a material that forms at least a portion of the
surface, wherein the material is capable of producing a visible
record of an actual placement of the wearer's foot.
2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the visible record includes one
or more markings associated with perspiration absorbed by the
material.
3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the material is unfinished
leather.
4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the material is a synthetic,
poromeric material.
5. The insert of claim 1, wherein the visible record includes a
change of a portion of the surface from a first color to a second
color.
6. The insert of claim 1, wherein the visible record includes an
appearance on the surface of an image.
7. The insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one visible symbol
includes a form representing a desired placement of a toe.
8. An insert for use in a wearer's shoe, comprising: a layer having
a surface upon which a wearer's foot is placed, the layer being
composed at least substantially of a material capable of absorbing
perspiration and producing, in response to the perspiration, a
visible record of an actual placement of the wearer's foot; and at
least one visible symbol situated on the surface representing a
desired placement of the wearer's foot.
9. The insert of claim 8, wherein the visible record includes one
or more markings associated with perspiration absorbed by the
material.
10. The insert of claim 8, wherein the material is unfinished
leather.
11. The insert of claim 8, wherein the material is a synthetic,
poromeric material.
12. The insert of claim 8, wherein the visible record includes a
change of a portion of the surface from a first color to a second
color.
13. The insert of claim 8, wherein the visible record includes an
appearance on the surface of an image.
14. The insert of claim 8, wherein the at least one visible symbol
includes a form representing a desired placement of a toe.
15. The insert of claim 8, further comprising: a second layer
composed at least substantially of a second material for providing
stiffness to the insert; and a third layer composed at least
substantially of a third material for providing air circulation to
the foot.
16. An insert for use in a wearer's shoe, comprising: a surface
upon which a wearer's foot is placed; and a material that forms at
least a portion of the surface, wherein the material is capable of
producing a visible record of an actual placement of the wearer's
foot.
17. The insert of claim 16, wherein the visible record includes one
or more markings associated with perspiration absorbed by the
material.
18. The insert of claim 16, wherein the visible record includes a
change of a portion of the surface from a first color to a second
color.
19. The insert of claim 16, wherein the visible record includes an
appearance on the surface of an image.
20. A shoe comprising: an upper; and an insert, comprising: a
surface upon which a wearer's foot is placed; at least one visible
symbol situated on the surface representing a desired placement of
the wearer's foot; and a material that forms at least a portion of
the surface, wherein the material is capable of producing a visible
record of an actual placement of the wearer's foot.
21. The shoe of claim 20, wherein the visible record includes one
or more markings associated with perspiration absorbed by the
material.
22. The shoe of claim 20, wherein the material is unfinished
leather.
23. The shoe of claim 20, wherein the material is a synthetic,
poromeric material.
24. The shoe of claim 20, wherein the visible record includes a
change of a portion of the surface from a first color to a second
color.
25. The shoe of claim 20, wherein the visible record includes an
appearance on the surface of an image.
26. The shoe of claim 20, wherein the at least one visible symbol
includes a form representing a desired placement of a toe.
27. The shoe of claim 20, wherein the shoe is a child's shoe.
28. A method for determining a fit of a shoe on a wearer's foot,
the shoe comprising an insert having on a surface thereof one or
more visible symbols representing a desired placement of the
wearer's foot, the insert being composed at least in part of a
material capable of producing a visible record of an actual
placement of the wearer's foot, the method comprising: detecting on
the insert the visible record; determining a relationship between
the visible record and at least one of the one or more symbols; and
determining, based on the relationship, the fit of the shoe.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the visible record includes one
or more markings associated with perspiration absorbed by the
material.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the material is unfinished
leather.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein the material is a synthetic,
poromeric material.
32. The method of claim 28, wherein the visible record includes a
change of a portion of the surface from a first color to a second
color.
33. The method of claim 28, wherein the visible record includes an
appearance on the surface of an image.
34. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one visible symbol
includes a form representing a desired placement of a toe.
35. The method of claim 28, wherein the shoe is a child's shoe.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to footwear generally, and more
specifically, to methods and apparatus used for determining the
placement of an individual's foot within a shoe, and whether the
respective shoe fits properly on the foot.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] A well-designed child's shoe should facilitate a healthy
pattern of growth and development of the child's foot. It is
generally considered desirable for the proper development of a
child's foot to allow the foot as much freedom of movement as
possible. Providing unrestricted freedom of movement to the foot
enables the child to walk with a natural barefoot motion, which in
turn facilitates proper growth and development. To enable the child
to move with a natural barefoot motion, or a close approximation
thereof, a shoe must allow the foot and toes to bend in a natural
manner while walking. If a child wears a shoe that is too tight or
otherwise restricts his or her foot's movement, the child's foot,
toes or ankle may sustain injury and/or may fail to grow and
develop in a healthy manner. In some cases, growth and
developmental problems may be caused by even a mildly constricting
shoe, well before the child begins to express discomfort. In
addition, very young children typically begin to walk before they
can talk; consequently, even after a shoe begins to constrict and
cause pain to a child's foot, he or she may not have the ability to
communicate the nature of the problem. Accordingly, it is
imperative for a parent to have the ability to determine if a
particular shoe fits a child's foot, and equally importantly, to
determine easily and in a timely manner when the child has outgrown
the shoe.
[0005] Unfortunately, it is very common today for children to
continue to wear shoes which they have outgrown. One source of this
problem is the rapid rate at which children's feet grow. In some
cases, a child's foot may outgrow a new, properly fitting shoe in
less than two months.
[0006] A related problem is the lack of opportunity parents have
today to measure their children's feet and determine whether or not
a given child has outgrown his or her shoes. For example, many
households currently have no apparatus designed specifically to
measure the size of a child's foot. Similarly, most households have
no apparatus for determining whether or not a child's foot has
outgrown a particular shoe. As a result, many children receive new
shoes in a haphazard manner. For example, in many families a child
may have his or her feet measured during occasional visits to a
shoe store, where new shoes are fitted and purchased; however, in
between these visits, little or no attention may be given to the
growth of the feet within the shoes, unless and until the child
expresses severe discomfort. This lack of regular monitoring
increases the risk that the child may suffer injury or
growth-related problems in the feet, toes and/or ankles.
[0007] There is, therefore, a need for a device and/or a method for
easily and accurately measuring the placement of a child's foot
within a shoe, and for determining whether a child has outgrown the
shoe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To overcome the problems described above, an apparatus and
method are provided for determining the placement of an
individual's foot within a shoe, and for determining whether the
individual's foot has outgrown the shoe. Accordingly, in one
embodiment, a shoe insert is provided that has one or more visible
symbols printed on the top surface thereof. The symbols may
include, for example, lines showing the desired placement of a foot
and toes on the insert. In one embodiment, the area on the insert
situated between the line representing the ends of the toes and the
front edge of the insert is referred to as the "ouch zone."
[0009] In one embodiment, the insert includes a top layer composed
substantially of a material capable of absorbing perspiration
produced by a foot. For example, the top layer may be composed of
unfinished leather.
[0010] In one embodiment, the shoe may be a child's shoe. In this
embodiment, the shoe is placed on a child's foot, and is worn by
the child, during which time perspiration is produced by the
child's foot and is absorbed by the insert. The perspiration causes
one or more markings to appear on the top surface of the insert.
The insert is then removed from the shoe and examined. In
particular, the one or more markings caused by the perspiration are
examined to determine the placement of the child's foot within the
shoe. The position of the markings in relation to the one or more
symbols on the insert is also examined. For example, in one
embodiment, markings made by the child's toes may be examined to
determine whether or not the toes extend into the ouch zone. In
this embodiment, if the markings made by the child's toes extend
into the ouch zone, the child has outgrown the shoe and the shoe
should no longer be worn by the child.
[0011] In another embodiment, an insert is provided having disposed
on a selected portion of the surface thereof a substance capable of
absorbing, and reacting with, perspiration, to produce a visible
record of the actual placement of a wearer's foot. The substance
may be disposed, for example, in a region along the front edge of
the insert. In this embodiment, the wearer, e.g., a child, wears a
shoe containing the insert, and perspiration produced by the
child's foot is deposited on the surface of the insert. When the
substance disposed on the surface absorbs and reacts with the
perspiration, a visible indication is produced that the child has
outgrown the shoe. The visible indication may be, e.g., a word, or
an image such as a circle.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, a shoe is provided, comprising an
upper and an insert having attributes described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] These and other features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of selected embodiments, taken together with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe insert, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a shoe containing the insert of FIG. 1,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the insert of FIG. 1, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method for utilizing the
insert of FIG. 1 to determine whether or not a child has outgrown a
shoe, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a shoe insert, in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In a first aspect of the invention, a shoe insert is
provided for use in a child's shoe. In one embodiment, the insert
has arranged on its upper surface one or more symbols representing
a desired placement of the wearer's (e.g., the child's) foot in a
particular shoe. For example, FIG. 1 shows a shoe insert 100,
according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the insert 100
has, printed on one side, lines 65 representing an outline of a
child's foot on the insert 100. Lines 65 represent selected parts
of a child's foot and indicate the desired placement of the foot
within the shoe. In this embodiment, the lines 65 may include, for
example, line 71 approximating the placement of the heel, arch and
ball of a child's foot, ovals 73 approximating the placement of a
child's toes, and line 79 representing the ends of the toes. The
region 84 on the insert that lies between the line 79 and the front
edge 86 of the insert 100 is referred to as the "ouch zone."
[0020] It should be noted that the insert 100 does not necessarily
correspond to a standard shoe size; instead, in a second aspect of
the invention, the insert 100 is manufactured for a particular
shoe, is shaped uniquely to fit into the shoe, and functions as an
integral part of the shoe. Referring to FIG. 2, shoe 350 comprises
an upper 310, the insert 100, and an outsole 340. In this
embodiment, the insert 100 serves as the insole for the shoe 350.
Accordingly, the insert 100 is die-cut to fit the shoe 350.
Referring to a well-known manufacturing process, the insert 100
conforms to the inside of the shoe 350 and the last bottom papers
specifically designed for this purpose. Thus, the shoe 350 and the
insert 100 are worn at all times together, and the insert 100
functions properly only with the shoe 350, for which it is designed
and manufactured. It should be noted that the one-to-one
relationship between the shoe 350 and the associated insert 100 has
distinct benefits. For example, because the insert 100 is an
integral part of the shoe 350 and remains in the shoe 100 on a
regular basis, the possibility that the insert 100 may be lost,
misplaced or damaged is minimized.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the insert 100, in
accordance with one embodiment. The insert 100 comprises three
layers 220, 230 and 240. In this embodiment, the bottom layer 220
is porous, having holes that serve to force air upwards to cool the
foot. In one embodiment, the bottom layer 220 may be composed of,
for example, polyurethane. In this embodiment, the middle layer 230
may be composed of, for example, an antibacterial material, or
polyurethane. Alternatively, the middle layer may be composed of
latex. The top layer 240 is composed of a material that is capable
of absorbing perspiration from the child's foot and, in response,
producing a visible record of the actual placement of the child's
foot and toes within the shoe. In one embodiment, the top layer 240
may be composed of, for example, unfinished leather. In an
alternative embodiment, the top layer 240 may be composed of a
synthetic, poromeric material.
[0022] For much of a child's early years, the child's foot is in a
nearly continuous state of growth and development. This growth is
associated with a high level of muscular and other activity by and
within the child's foot. As a result of this activity, a typical
child's foot produces a substantial amount of perspiration. In many
cases, a child's foot will produce a significant amount of
perspiration within a few hours.
[0023] The inventor realized that the tendency for a child's foot
to produce substantial quantities of perspiration may be used
beneficially to determine whether or not the child has outgrown a
particular shoe. Accordingly, in a third aspect of the invention,
the top surface of the insert 100 absorbs perspiration from a
child's foot and, in response, produces a visible record, or
marking, of the actual placement of the child's foot in the shoe.
In one embodiment, a child may wear a shoe, e.g., shoe 350,
containing the insert 100, for a period of time, and during this
time his or her foot produces a quantity of perspiration which is
absorbed by the top layer 240 of the insert 100. In this
embodiment, the perspiration absorbed by the insert 100 causes one
or more markings to appear on the top layer 240 of the insert 100.
For example, in an embodiment in which the top layer 240 is
composed of unfinished leather, certain regions of the unfinished
leather may absorb a substantial amount of perspiration and, in
response, appear visibly darker than other areas that absorb little
or no perspiration. In this embodiment, the darkened areas tend to
appear more prominently in regions where the child's toes or the
bottom of the child's foot are in frequent contact with the surface
of the insert 100. In this embodiment, the insert 100 may be
removed from the shoe 350, and the darkened areas may be examined
to determine the actual placement of the child's foot within the
shoe 350.
[0024] In another embodiment, the markings on the insert 100 that
are caused by the perspiration from the child's foot are further
examined to determine whether or not the child has outgrown the
shoe. FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method for utilizing the
insert 100 to determine whether or not a child has outgrown a
particular shoe, in accordance with one embodiment. At step 420, a
shoe, e.g., the shoe 350, containing the insert 100, is placed on
the child's foot. At step 430, the child is allowed to wear the
shoe 350 for a sufficient period of time to allow a quantity of
perspiration to be generated by the child's foot and absorbed by
the top layer 240 of the insert 100. Accordingly, the top layer 240
absorbs the perspiration from the child's foot and, in response,
markings appear on the top layer 240 of the insert 100. This
process may occur relatively quickly. For example, in an embodiment
in which the top layer 240 is composed substantially of unfinished
leather, after the child begins to wear the shoe 350 containing the
insert 100, markings may begin to appear on the surface of the
insert 100 after approximately two hours.
[0025] At step 440, the shoe 350 is removed from the child's foot,
and at step 450, the insert 100 is removed from the shoe 350. At
step 460, the markings produced by the perspiration are examined to
determine whether or not the shoe 350 fits the child's foot. In
particular, referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the markings
produced in the region of the child's toes may be examined to
determine whether or not the child's toes have grown into the ouch
zone 84. If the child's toes extend into this region, the child's
toes (and possibly other parts of the child's foot) are most likely
constricted by the shoe 350. Accordingly, referring to block 470,
if the markings produced in the toe region of the insert 100 extend
beyond the line 79 into the ouch zone 84, the child has outgrown
the shoe 350, and thus the shoe 350 is too small for the child's
foot and should not be worn (step 474). If the markings produced in
the toe region do not extend beyond the line 79 into the ouch zone
84, the child has not yet outgrown the shoe 350 (step 476). In this
case, the insert may be reinserted into the shoe.
[0026] It should be noted that the markings caused by perspiration
remain on the insert 100 and expand on the surface of the insert
100 as the child's foot grows. The next time a measurement of the
foot is desired, the insert 100 may be removed from the shoe and
examined immediately. Thus, the insert 100 constitutes a readily
available measure of whether or not the child has outgrown the shoe
350.
[0027] In yet another embodiment, an insert is provided having
disposed on its upper surface a chemical or other substance capable
of absorbing, and reacting with, the perspiration produced by a
child's foot. In one embodiment, the substance reacts with the
perspiration to produce on the surface of the insert a record of
the placement of the child's foot in the shoe, e.g., an indication
when the child has outgrown the shoe. For example, in one
embodiment, a region may be defined at the front edge of the insert
which is deemed unsafe for the child's toes (i.e., it is likely
that any toes extending into this region will be constricted by the
shoe). This region may be referred to as the "danger zone." A
substance that is transparent initially, but produces a visible
indication upon absorbing the person's perspiration, is disposed on
the portion of the insert that lies within the danger zone. In this
embodiment, the insert may have an upper surface which initially
has a generally uniform appearance (i.e., with no visible
indications, lines, etc.). As long as the child's toes do not
extend into the danger zone, little or no perspiration is absorbed
by the substance and the surface of the insert retains its uniform
appearance. When the child's toes grow into the danger zone, the
toes deposit perspiration onto the substance. The substance reacts
with the perspiration and produces a visible indicator that the
child has outgrown the shoe.
[0028] In one embodiment, a substance that changes color in
response to perspiration is utilized. For example, a substance that
is initially transparent, but changes color in response to
perspiration, may be disposed across all or substantially all of
the danger zone. Accordingly, when the child's toes begin to grow
into the danger zone, the portion of the insert that lies in the
danger zone begins to change color. In an alternative embodiment,
the substance may be disposed on the surface in the form of an
image, e.g., a word, a circle, a series of dots, etc.
[0029] By way of example, the insert 115 shown in FIG. 5 has
disposed on its surface a substance that forms the word "ouch." In
this embodiment, the substance initially is transparent or has the
same color and appearance as the remainder of the upper surface of
the insert 115. The insert is placed into a child's shoe and worn
by the child. The child's foot produces perspiration as discussed
above during the time he or she wears the shoe; however, as long as
the child's foot fits as intended in the shoe, the child's toes do
not extend into the danger zone and little or no perspiration is
deposited on the substance. As a result, as long as the child's
foot fits as intended in the shoe, the substance remains unseen and
the word "ouch" is not visible. As the child's foot grows, his or
her toes gradually extend into the danger zone and begin to deposit
perspiration on the substance. The substance absorbs the
perspiration and changes color in response. As a result, the word
"ouch" becomes visible on the surface of the insert. In one
embodiment, the word "ouch" may appear little by little, as the
child's toes gradually extend farther and farther into the danger
zone.
[0030] The inserts and methods described herein allows a parent,
e.g., a mother, to ensure that her child at all times wears
properly fitting shoes. For example, she may utilize one or more of
these inserts and/or methods to readily detect if her child has
outgrown a shoe, and if so, replace the shoe with a larger,
properly fitting shoe. The inserts and methods described herein
have an additional benefit in that the mother may perform such
measurements regularly, easily, and at her own convenience. In
particular, she may do so at home, without the need to visit a shoe
store. In this way, the mother may facilitate the proper growth and
development of the child's foot.
[0031] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the
invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the
art will be able to devise numerous other arrangements which embody
the principles of the invention and are thus within its spirit and
scope. For example, the inserts and methods described herein may
also have advantages and uses for teenagers and adults.
* * * * *