U.S. patent application number 11/107711 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for footgear.
Invention is credited to Takaba, Akira.
Application Number | 20050229430 11/107711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35094753 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050229430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takaba, Akira |
October 20, 2005 |
Footgear
Abstract
The object of the present invention is to provide footwear that
exactly matches the feet of many people, the movement of a big toe
inward and away from a second toe is not restricted, movement of
the five toes is not limited, the base sections of the toes are
stimulated, putting on the footwear is easy, the toes are made
uncomfortable, and the footwear will not slip off even during fast
walking. The footwear comprises a sole and instep covers formed of
a soft material, wherein five openings and holes are provided on
toe tip parts of the instep covers, the instep covers serve as
guides, the five toes are led to the corresponding openings and
holes, the five toes can easily protrude from the openings and
holes, and broad sections between the openings and holes serve as
straps.
Inventors: |
Takaba, Akira; (Aichi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JORDAN AND HAMBURG LLP
122 EAST 42ND STREET
SUITE 4000
NEW YORK
NY
10168
US
|
Family ID: |
35094753 |
Appl. No.: |
11/107711 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/11.5 ; 36/7.5;
36/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/26 20130101; A43B
3/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/011.5 ;
036/007.5; 036/094 |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/10; A43B
003/12; A43B 007/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 2004 |
JP |
2004-119918 |
Claims
1. Footwear comprising: a sole; and an instep cover formed of a
soft material, wherein five openings are provided on the instep
cover.
2. Footwear according to claim 1, further comprising four
rectangular sections, wherein said five openings are notches, said
four rectangular sections are alternated with the five notches,
said four rectangular sections are each twisted, and tips of the
four rectangular sections are attached to the sole at positions
corresponding to four respective spaces between toes.
3. Footwear according to claim 1, further comprising four
rectangular sections, wherein said five openings are notches, said
four rectangular sections are alternated with the five notches,
said four rectangular sections are each folded in a V-shape to
serve as respective straps, and tips of the four rectangular
sections are folded in two and attached to the sole at positions
corresponding to four respective spaces between toes.
4. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein said five openings are
teardrop-shaped holes, and sections alternated with the five
teardrop-shaped holes serve as straps.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to footwear, such as shoes,
zori (Japanese sandals), geta (clogs), and slippers, that enables
walking in a manner close to walking barefoot by using a
constitution such that movement of toes is not restricted, that
facilitates the slipping in of toes into the corresponding space
between straps (hereinafter called "putting on of footwear" or a
variant thereof), that facilitates the heel-to-toe rolling motion,
and that naturally works with the foot as a single unit.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] More than 4 million years are said to have passed since an
ancestor of humankind began to walk upright, and 150-180,000 years
have passed since the birth of Mitochondrial Eve, considered to be
an ancestor of modern humans. For most of this time, man lived
barefoot. The sandals of the ancient Egypt, said to be the oldest
footwear, first appeared merely four thousand years ago.
[0005] The Japanese, after their barefoot period, wore straw
sandals, which is footwear comprising a sole made of soft straw
that comes in contact with the sole of a foot and is tied thereto
with a string called "o" in the Japanese. Because it is made of a
soft material and because the sole part adapts to the form of the
foot sole, and the toes protrude beyond the sole part, these
sandals can be characterized as footwear that is not too distant
from barefoot.
[0006] In this way, until recent history, we have gone barefoot or
almost barefoot, and it can be said that our feet are designed for
walking barefoot. Today, most Japanese wear shoes, but it was only
several decades ago that the average Japanese began wearing
shoes.
[0007] Shoes cover the five toes, instep and the foot above the
heel almost to the ankle, confining the toes and securing a shoe on
the foot so that it does not fall off during walking. Thus there is
the problem that people cannot walk normally unless they select the
proper shoe size for their feet.
[0008] People usually choose shoes that fit the length of their
foot. However, even among feet with the same length, there will be
differences in foot width and thickness. This leads to the problem
that, unless a special order is placed for each foot, with foot
length, foot perimeter, foot height, arch height, heel width and
other measurements taken, people will not find shoes that fit their
feet exactly.
[0009] The heel-to-toe rolling motion in human walking is the
motion of landing on the heel, gradually shifting body weight
forward, and pushing off with the big toe at the end. During
push-off with the big toe, the big toe splits off from the second
toe, moving inward.
[0010] Even if a person wears shoes of a size that fit his feet
exactly, these shoes will restrict the big toe from moving inward,
preventing a person from pushing off with his big toe. As a result
the person is forced to use the middle toe, which does not have
sufficient strength for the task, or else walks in an unnatural
manner, without pushing off, causing injury to knees and back. In
particular, the longer the distance from tip of big toe to shoe
tip, the more the push-off function is inhibited.
[0011] Further, the foot has, functioning as cushions, the
longitudinal arch extending from heel to big toe and the transverse
arch extending from big toe to the fifth toe. When movement of the
big toe is restricted, the longitudinal arch and the transverse
arch are unable to function as cushions, and this brings injury to
the knees and back. In particular, shoes that are pointed in the
tip center, which are common among women's shoes, often cause such
painful conditions as hallux valgus, bring discomfort to women.
[0012] During the action of walking, the movement of feet and toes
causes muscles to squeeze blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, thus
functioning to help circulate blood and lymph throughout the body
(hereinbelow called "milking action"). Because walking with shoes
on restrains movement of the toes, where capillaries are
concentrated and blood can easily accumulate, there is the further
problem that the milking action that walking should provide is
inhibited.
[0013] On the other hand, zori (Japanese sandals), geta (clogs),
sandals, slippers and other footwear have the problem of not
functioning as a unit with a foot. Zori and geta are better in this
regard than sandals and slippers because they have a strap that is
sandwiched by the big toe and second toe. Even so, the foot and
bottom portion of the footwear separate from each other, causing
the problem that when a person walks fast, a zori or geta can
easily slip off. Sandals, slippers and other slip-on footwear are
worse than zori or geta in terms of becoming one with a foot and
thus are not suitable for extended walking.
[0014] Conventionally, there have been designs and inventions
wherein an instep cover and sole are linked with a strap (for
example, see patent documents 1-3). However, in the configuration
of these designs and inventions the instep cover and straps are
separate parts, and there is no toe tip guiding function when such
footwear is put on the foot; there is also a lack of flexibility
due to shortness of the strap itself.
[0015] Thus there is the problem that straps will get in the way of
the toes' tips when the footwear is put on, and a person must use
his hands to guide each toe one by one through the gaps between
straps, making the putting on of such footwear a complicated
process.
[0016] There have also been health-footwear-related inventions and
designs comprising two (i.e., right and left) instep straps or
belts and four toe straps (for example, see patent documents 4 and
5). However, such inventions do not provide health footwear with
the function of holding a foot in a flexible manner or of guiding
the tips of toes when the footwear is put on, giving rise to the
problem discussed above.
[0017] There have also been designs and inventions comprising
tubular parts into which the five toes are individually inserted
and a separate instep belt (see patent documents 6 and 7). However,
these designs and inventions do not provide sandals with the
function of holding a foot in a flexible manner or of guiding the
tips of toes when the footwear is put on, giving rise to the
problem discussed above.
[0018] Further, the straps of the inventions or designs of patent
documents 1-5 do not grip the toes, allowing footwear to slip off
during walking, interfering with normal walking.
[0019] Further, in the inventions or designs of patent documents
1-7, straps are separate parts, causing an increase in the number
of parts and leading to more manufacturing steps and increased
manufacturing costs.
[0020] Patent document 1: Laid-open Utility Model Application No.
H6-48403
[0021] Patent document 2: Utility Model Registration No.
3033390
[0022] Patent document 3: Laid-open Patent Application No.
2000-50901
[0023] Patent document 4: Laid-open Patent Application No.
H9-37803
[0024] Patent document 5: Utility Model Registration No.
3073758
[0025] Patent document 6: Utility Model Registration No.
3082006
[0026] Patent document 7: Laid-open Patent Application No.
2002-345501
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The present invention was conceived with a view toward
eliminating the above drawbacks of the prior art, and its object is
to provide footwear that exactly fits the feet of many people by
eliminating the problem, inherent to conventional shoes, that a
person is unable to walk normally unless he chooses a shoe size
that matches his feet.
[0028] Another object is to eliminate such problems of conventional
shoes as injuring the knees and back, by providing footwear that
does not restrict the movement of the big toe as it splits from the
second toe, moving inward, when it pushes off in the final stage of
the heel-to-toe rolling motion, and that allows the longitudinal
arch and transverse arch to function as cushions, thus in
particular freeing women from the pain caused by hallux valgus.
[0029] Still another object is to provide footwear that does not
limit the movement of toes, where capillaries are concentrated and
blood can easily accumulate, thus attaining the milking action
effect from walking and the effect of improved blood circulation by
stimulating the base section of the toes.
[0030] Another object is to provide footwear that will not slip off
even during fast walking and is suitable for extended walking,
through the elimination of the problems of zori (Japanese sandals),
geta (clogs), sandals, slippers and other footwear.
[0031] Still another object is to provide footwear that does not
have problems such as not having the function of holding the foot
in a flexible manner or not having the function of guiding toe tips
when putting footwear on, such problems being evident in designs in
which instep cover and sole are joined with a strap, in inventions
of health footwear comprising two (i.e., right and left) instep
straps or belts and four toe straps, and in designs of sandals
comprising tubular parts in which the five toes are individually
inserted and a separate instep belt.
[0032] Still another object is to provide footwear having a strap
that is unitarily formed with an instep cover and functions to grip
toes, allowing a person to walk normally without the problem of the
footwear slipping during walking; and, further, to simplify the
manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs.
[0033] The present invention is footwear comprising a sole and an
instep cover that is formed of a soft material. Five openings are
provided on a toe tip part of the instep cover, and when the front
part of a foot is inserted into the instep cover, the instep cover
serves as a guide, leading the five toe tips to their respective
openings, so that the five toes are easily positioned so as to
protrude from their respective openings.
[0034] The present invention employs a configuration such that a
section of material having a broad width serves as a strap, and the
broad strap part is folded and sandwiched between toes, so that the
strap parts grip the toes.
[0035] Because the area around the toes is left completely open and
the instep cover is formed of a soft material, the present
invention provides footwear that functions as a unit with the foot,
allowing for easy walking, even if the instep cover is larger than
the foot, and thus exactly fitting the feet of many people.
[0036] Further, the present invention eliminates the problem of
causing injury to knees and back, by not restricting the movement
of the big toe at the end of the heel-to-toe rolling motion when
the big toe pushes off so as to split off from a second toe to move
inward, and by allowing the longitudinal arch and transverse arch
to function as cushions.
[0037] More specifically, the present invention is footwear wherein
the area around the toes is left open, so as not to cause
conditions such as hallux valgus, freeing women from the pain
caused by such conditions.
[0038] The present invention also provides footwear that does not
restrict the movement of toes, where capillaries are concentrated
and blood easily accumulates, allowing walking to produce a milking
action effect and further improving the blood circulation by
stimulating the base section of the toes.
[0039] The present invention also provides footwear that does not
have the problem of not having the function of guiding toe tips
when putting footwear on, such problem being evident in designs in
which instep cover and sole are joined with a strap, in inventions
of health footwear comprising two (i.e., right and left) instep
straps or belts and four toe straps, and in designs of sandals
comprising tubular parts in which five toes are individually
inserted and a separate instep belt.
[0040] Further, the present invention provides footwear suitable
for extended walking, configured such that broad strap parts are
folded and sandwiched between toes, thus gripping the toes. Because
the footwear acts with the foot in a unitary manner, it will not
slip off even during fast walking.
[0041] Further, there is no need for a strap that is a separate
part, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing
manufacturing costs, as there are fewer parts. In addition, the
present invention provides durable footwear not subject to strap
slackening, slippage or breakage.
[0042] A first aspect of the invention is footwear comprising a
sole and an instep cover formed of a soft material, wherein five
openings are provided on a toe tip part of the instep cover,
allowing the five toes to protrude individually from the
openings.
[0043] This footwear comprises four broad sections of material
between pairs of openings, such sections serving as straps. The
straps, which become folded with the sandwiching by the toes, grip
the toes in turn, and thus the footwear functions in a unitary
manner with the foot.
[0044] The sole may be a single layer of wood, leather, rubber,
cloth, synthetic resin or braided plant material, or it may have a
multilayer construction comprising any of the foregoing. In a
multilayer case, it is preferable that the section to come contact
with the ground be made of a material with high wear resistance and
rigidity, and the section to come in contact with the sole of the
foot be made of a soft and comfortable material.
[0045] For an instep cover, a soft material may be used such as
tanned leather, soft rubber, soft cloth, or soft synthetic resin. A
soft material is used to prevent injury to the skin. Further, a
material that will not break easily when used as an instep cover
should be used, as a material that breaks easily is not
sufficiently durable for footwear.
[0046] Five openings are provided at positions corresponding to the
five toes. Thus putting on the footwear is easy, as when the foot
is inserted into an instep cover, each toe automatically proceeds
to its respective opening. Further, the toes are not confined.
[0047] A second aspect of the invention is footwear in connection
with the first aspect of the invention, wherein five notches are
provided at the toe tip part of an instep cover, the four broad
rectangular sections alternated with the notches are each twisted
to serve as a strap with twisting shape, and at positions
corresponding to the respective four spaces between toes, a tip of
the strap is attached to the sole.
[0048] By providing rectangular broad sections in a twisting shape,
and having notches as openings and the twisting shape surface as
guide, toe tips are guided to the openings. Further, making the
straps long facilitates the putting on of the footwear.
[0049] A third aspect of the invention is footwear in connection
with the first aspect of the invention, wherein five notches are
provided on the toe tip part of an instep cover, four broad
rectangular sections alternated with the five notches are each
folded in a V-shape to serve as straps, and at positions
corresponding to the four respective spaces between toes, a tip of
the strap part is folded in two and attached to a sole.
[0050] It is preferable to configure a V-shaped strap so that the
fold is to the outside and the angle of the V points inwardly.
[0051] Between adjacent strap parts folded in a V-shape is an
opening that gradually widens in the toe tip direction, and in a
state where an instep cover fixes the position of foot and footwear
relative to each other in a flexible manner, the strap surface
serves as a guide, leading toe tips to the openings. Further, by
making the straps long, the putting on of the footwear is
facilitated.
[0052] A fourth aspect of the invention is footwear in connection
with the first aspect of the invention, wherein five teardrop-shape
holes are provided on the toe tip part of an instep cover, allowing
the five toes to protrude individually from the holes.
[0053] Holes that gradually widen in the toe tip direction serve as
openings, and the broad sections other than the openings serve as
straps. In a state where the position of foot and footwear to each
other is flexibly maintained by an instep cover, toe tips are
guided to the openings. Further, straps are made long, thereby
facilitating the putting on of the footwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of footwear of the first
embodiment;
[0055] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of footwear of the first
embodiment in a state of use;
[0056] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of footwear of the second
embodiment;
[0057] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of footwear of the third
embodiment; and
[0058] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of types of
footwear of the fourth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] The first embodiment of the present invention will be
explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A footwear 1 of the
first embodiment comprises a sole 5 and an instep cover 6. The
instep cover 6 may be larger than the size of a foot that will wear
the footwear.
[0060] Five notches are provided in a toe tip part 6a of the instep
cover 6, four rectangular broad sections alternated with the five
notches are each twisted to serve as a twisting-shape strap 6c, and
at positions corresponding to the four respective spaces between
toes, tips of the straps 6c are attached to the sole 5.
[0061] The straps 6c are attached to the sole 5 with the following
method. Four hollows 5b are provided on an upper surface 5a of the
sole in advance, and tips of the straps 6c are inserted into and
attached to the hollows 5b using an adhesive.
[0062] With the invention of the first embodiment, the straps 6c
are formed in a twisting shape. Thus the notches serve as openings
6b and in a state where the position of foot and footwear 1
relative to each other is flexibly maintained by the instep cover
6, the twisting shape surface serves as guide, leading toe tips to
the openings 6b. Further, the straps 6c are made long, facilitating
the putting on of footwear.
[0063] When the footwear 1 of the first embodiment is to be put on,
it is put on so that five toes 9 (namely, big first toe 9a, second
toe 9b, third toe 9c, fourth toe 9d, and fifth toe 9e) individually
protrude from the respective openings 6b of the instep cover 6. In
this way, a foot is flexibly held by the instep cover 6, and the
four straps 6c are respectively sandwiched by adjacent pairs of the
five toes 9. Because the top part of the straps 6c can be folded
into a V-shape and the top parts of the straps 6c folded into
V-shapes grip the toes 9, the foot and footwear 1 operate as a
unit, making walking easy, ensuring that the footwear does not slip
off during fast walking, and providing footwear that is suitable
for extended walking.
[0064] The footwear 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that
the area around the toes 9 is completely open and the instep cover
6 is formed of a soft material, so that even if the instep cover 6
is larger than a foot, the footwear 1 works as a unit with the
foot, making walking easy, and can exactly match the feet of most
people.
[0065] Further, by not restricting the movement when a big toe
pushes off at the end of the heel-to-toe rolling motion as it
attempts to move inward, away from the second toe 9b, the footwear
of the first embodiment allows the longitudinal arch and transverse
arch to perform their cushioning function.
[0066] Further, the area around the toes 9 is completely open, the
movement of toes, where capillaries are concentrated and blood
easily accumulates, is not restricted, and the base sections of the
toes are stimulated by the straps 6c.
[0067] The second embodiment of the present invention will be
explained with reference to FIG. 3. A footwear 2 of the second
embodiment comprises a sole 5 and an instep cover 7.
[0068] Five notches are provided in a toe tip part 7a of the instep
cover 7, four rectangular broad sections alternated with the five
notches are each twisted in a V-shape to serve as straps 7c, and at
positions corresponding to the four respective spaces between toes,
tips of the straps 7c are folded in two and attached to the sole
5.
[0069] The V-shaped straps 7c are configured so that the fold faces
outward and the angle of the V-shape faces inward. Four hollows 5b
are provided in advance on an upper sole surface 5a, and the
respective tips of the straps 7c are inserted into and attached to
the corresponding hollow 5b using an adhesive.
[0070] The invention of the second embodiment is configured such
that the straps 7c are formed folded in a V-shape, thereby
providing openings 7b that gradually widen in the toe tip direction
between the straps 7c. In a state where the position of foot and
footwear 2 relative to each other is flexibly maintained by the
instep cover 7, the surfaces of the straps 7c serve as a guide,
leading the tips of the toes 9 to the openings 7b. Further, the
straps 7c are made long, facilitating the putting on of the
footwear.
[0071] The method of putting on the footwear 2 and the effects of
the second embodiment are as set forth in the description of the
first embodiment.
[0072] The third embodiment of the present invention will be
explained with reference to FIG. 4. A footwear 3 of the third
embodiment comprises a sole 5 and an instep cover 8.
[0073] On a toe tip part 8a of an instep cover 8, at positions
corresponding to the respective five toes, five teardrop-shaped
holes 8b are provided. The holes 8b serve as openings and broad
sections alternated with the holes 8b serve as straps 8c.
[0074] The invention of the third embodiment is configured such
that holes 8b that gradually widen in the tip toe direction are
provided, and in a state where the position of foot and footwear 3
relative to each other is flexibly maintained by the instep cover
8, the tips of toes 9 are guided to the holes 8b. Further, straps
8c are made long, facilitating the putting on of the footwear.
[0075] The method of putting on the footwear 3 and the effects of
the second embodiment are as set forth in the description of the
first embodiment.
[0076] As the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a
plurality of types of footwear will be explained with reference to
FIG. 5. Included are: infants/children's shoes 4a with a zipper
attached to an instep cover, sandal-like shoes 4b with low heels,
sandals 4c with a strap, shoes for seniors 4d with a belt on an
instep cover for easy putting on, walking shoes 4e suitable for
extended and fast walks, and boots 4f covering the calves.
[0077] The present invention can be used in industries
manufacturing shoes, zori (Japanese sandals), geta (clogs),
sandals, slippers and other footwear and in industries distributing
and selling footwear, as well as in service industries such as
government or sports instructors providing instructions for walking
for the purpose of maintaining health and improving physical
strength.
LEGEND
[0078] 1: Footwear
[0079] 2: Footwear
[0080] 3: Footwear
[0081] 4a: Children's shoes
[0082] 4b: Sandal-like shoes
[0083] 4c: Sandals
[0084] 4d: Shoes for seniors
[0085] 4e: Walking shoes
[0086] 4f: Boots
[0087] 5: Sole
[0088] 6: Instep cover
[0089] 6a: Toe tip part
[0090] 6b: Openings
[0091] 6c: Straps
[0092] 7: Instep cover
[0093] 7a: Toe tip part
[0094] 7b: Openings
[0095] 7c: Straps
[0096] 8: Instep Cover
[0097] 8a: Toe tip part
[0098] 8b: Holes
[0099] 8c: Straps
[0100] 9: Toes
* * * * *