U.S. patent application number 11/838588 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for footwear item.
Invention is credited to Katherine Lee Taylor.
Application Number | 20080052964 11/838588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149569 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080052964 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor; Katherine Lee |
March 6, 2008 |
FOOTWEAR ITEM
Abstract
A footwear item takes the form of a flip-flop or a slipper style
of footwear. It is configured to be rolled or folded into a
packaged configuration and later unrolled or unfolded into a
wearing or unpackaged configuration. In one embodiment, the
footwear item may serve as temporary footwear to obtain relief from
uncomfortable shoes. The footwear item includes a sole member and
an attachment member for coupling or attaching the footwear item to
a person's foot. The attachment member may be mechanically coupled
to, integrally formed with, or otherwise connected to the sole
member. During use, the footwear item helps to keep a bottom of a
person's foot clean and substantially protected from the ground or
other foot contact surface. The small footprint of the footwear
item in the packaged configuration permits it to be easily stored
and readily usable in a variety of environments.
Inventors: |
Taylor; Katherine Lee;
(Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACK LOWE & GRAHAM, PLLC
701 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE 4800
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Family ID: |
39149569 |
Appl. No.: |
11/838588 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60841811 |
Sep 1, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/100 ; 36/11.5;
36/25R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/12 20130101; A43B
3/24 20130101; A43B 3/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/100 ; 36/11.5;
36/25.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20060101
A43B003/24; A43B 13/00 20060101 A43B013/00; A43B 3/12 20060101
A43B003/12 |
Claims
1. A footwear item comprising: a sole having a reduceable footprint
area, the sole having a first footprint area when packaged and a
second footprint area when unpackaged, the second footprint area
configured to conform to a foot when unpackaged, the second
footprint area substantially larger than the first footprint area;
and an attachment member coupled to the sole and arranged to attach
the sole to the foot when unpackaged.
2. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the sole is made from a
sheet of resilient and compressible material.
3. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the sole is made from a
compressible, closed-cell foam material.
4. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the first footprint area
of the sole when packaged includes the footprint area of the sole
when the sole is in a rolled-up configuration.
5. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the first footprint area
of the sole when packaged includes the footprint area of the sole
when the sole is in a folded-up configuration.
6. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the first footprint area
of the sole is sized to permit the footwear item to be placed in a
small compartment and personally transported.
7. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the second footprint area
includes an hourglass shape.
8. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the attachment member
includes a plurality of straps coupled to the sole.
9. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is
integrally formed with the sole.
10. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is
integrally formed with the sole to provide a flip-flop styled
footwear item.
11. The footwear item of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is
fastened to the sole to provide a flip-flop styled footwear
item.
12. A method of wearing a footwear item, the method comprising:
un-packaging the footwear item from a packaged configuration to an
unpackaged configuration, the packaged configuration arranged such
that a sole of the footwear item includes a first footprint area,
the unpackaged configuration arranged such that the sole includes a
second footprint area, the second footprint area configured to
conform to a foot after being unpackaged, the second footprint area
substantially larger than the first footprint area; and attaching
the sole to the foot with an attachment member coupled to at least
a front portion of the sole.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein un-packaging the footwear item
includes unsnapping a snap mechanism coupled to the sole, where the
snap mechanism connects couple a toe portion of the sole to a heel
portion of the sole when the footwear item is in the packaged
configuration.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein un-packaging the footwear item
includes removing a band of material from around the footwear item
in the packaged configuration.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the sole to the foot
with the attachment member includes attaching the sole to the foot
in a flip-flop configuration.
16. A method of making a footwear item, the method comprising:
forming a sole member of the footwear item from a sheet of
resilient material, the sole member having a first shape configured
to substantially conform to a bottom of human foot; and forming an
attachment member for attaching the sole to the desired foot,
wherein forming the attachment member includes cutting the
attachment member from the sheet of resilient material such that
the attachment member and the sole member are integrally
connected.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the sole member of the
footwear item from the sheet of resilient material includes forming
the sole member from a sheet of compressible foam material.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the sole member of the
footwear item includes configuring the sole member to have
approximately an hour glass shape.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the attachment member
includes forming straps extending from a toe portion of the sole
member.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the attachment member
includes forming strips of material that extend from a toe portion
of the sole member and couple to opposite sides of the sole member.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/841,811 filed Sep. 1, 2006, which is
herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally pertains to a footwear item
convertible from a packaged configuration to an unpackaged
configuration, and more specifically to a footwear item that can be
rolled or folded and then placed in a carrier, such as a purse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a footwear item
that takes the form of a flip-flop or a slipper style of footwear.
The footwear item is configured to be rolled or folded into a
packaged configuration and later unrolled or unfolded into a
wearing or unpackaged configuration. The footwear item may have a
variety of purposes, whereas one such purpose is as a temporary
footwear item worn by a woman to obtain relief from uncomfortable
shoes. The footwear item includes a sole member and an attachment
member for coupling or attaching the footwear item to a person's
foot. The attachment member may be mechanically coupled to,
integrally formed with, or otherwise connected to the sole member.
During use, the footwear item helps to keep a bottom of a person's
foot clean and substantially protected from the ground or other
foot contact surface. The small footprint of the footwear item in
the packaged configuration permits it to be easily stored and
readily usable for a variety of purposes and in a variety of
environments.
[0004] According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a
footwear item includes a sole coupled to an attachment member. The
footwear item may be arranged in a packaged configured such that it
is readily transportable in a personal carrying device like a
purse. During use, the footwear item may be converted to an
unpackaged configuration and worn by a user. In the unpackaged
configuration, the footwear item operates as an intermediate
barrier or protection member between the user's foot and a ground
or contact surface.
[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a footwear item includes a
sole having a reduceable footprint area, the sole having a first
footprint area when packaged and a second footprint area when
unpackaged, the second footprint area configured to conform to a
foot when unpackaged, the second footprint area substantially
larger than the first footprint area; and an attachment member
coupled to the sole and arranged to attach the sole to the foot
when unpackaged.
[0006] In another aspect of the invention, a method of wearing a
footwear item includes un-packaging the footwear item from a
packaged configuration to an unpackaged configuration, the packaged
configuration arranged such that a sole of the footwear item
includes a first footprint area, the unpackaged configuration
arranged such that the sole includes a second footprint area, the
second footprint area configured to conform to a foot after being
unpackaged, the second footprint area substantially larger than the
first footprint area; and attaching the sole to the foot with an
attachment member coupled to at least a front portion of the
sole.
[0007] In still yet another aspect of the invention, a method of
making a footwear item includes forming a sole member of the
footwear item from a sheet of resilient material, the sole member
having a first shape configured to substantially conform to a
bottom of human foot; and forming an attachment member for
attaching the sole to the desired foot, wherein forming the
attachment member includes cutting the attachment member from the
sheet of resilient material such that the attachment member and the
sole member are integrally connected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail below with reference to the
following drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a footwear item in an
unpackaged configuration according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the footwear item of FIG. 1
in the unpackaged configuration;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the footwear item of
FIG. 1 in the unpackaged configuration according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the footwear item of
FIG. 1 in a first packaged configuration according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the footwear item of
FIG. 1 in a second packaged configuration according to another
embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a footwear item in an
unpackaged configuration according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the footwear item of FIG. 6
in the unpackaged configuration; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a footwear item before a
forward portion of an attachment member has been coupled to a sole
member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] In the following description, certain specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various
embodiments of the invention. In other instances, well-known
structures and methods associated with footwear items and methods
of using, making and/or assembling the same may not be shown or
described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions
of the embodiments of the invention.
[0018] FIGS. 1-3 show a footwear item 100 according to an
embodiment of the invention. Preferably, the footwear item 100
takes the form of a flip-flop or a slipper style of footwear. The
footwear item 100 is configured to be rolled or folded into a
packaged configuration and later unrolled or unfolded into a
wearing or unpackaged configuration. The footwear item 100 may have
a variety of purposes, whereas one such purpose is as a temporary
footwear item worn by a person to obtain relief from uncomfortable
shoes. The temporary footwear item 100 helps to maintain a bottom
of a person's foot clean and substantially protected from the
ground or other walking surface. The footwear item 100 may be used
for walking from an automobile to a gym, in a hotel, on a camping
trip, in a medical clinic or hospital environment, etc.
[0019] The footwear 100 includes a sole member 102 and an
attachment member 104 for coupling or attaching the footwear item
100 to the person's foot. The attachment member 104 is coupled to
or integrally formed with the sole member 102. In one embodiment, a
forward portion 108 of the attachment member 104 is secured to a
plug device 106, which in turn is coupled to the sole member 102.
An aft portion 110 of the attachment member 104 is integrally
formed and extends from the sole member 102.
[0020] The plug device 106 may be made from polymeric, rubber, or
other materials and may take a variety of forms, for example, but
not limited to, a fastener, a button, a snap, a hook and loop
fastening system, a staple, adhesive, etc. In the illustrated
embodiment, the connection between the aft portion 110 and the sole
member 102 takes the form of the aft portion 110 being integrally
formed with the sole member 102 and separated there from by cutting
the sole member 102. In other embodiments, the connection between
the aft portion 110 and the sole member 102 may take other forms
such as, but not limited to, a fastener, a button, a snap, a hook
and loop fastening system (e.g., VELCRO.RTM.), a staple, adhesive,
etc.
[0021] The sole member 102 and the attachment member 104 may be
made from a variety of materials, preferably materials that are
sufficiently flexible to allow the footwear item 100 to be rolled
or folded into a packaged configuration and later unrolled or
unfolded into a wearing or unpackaged configuration. By way of
example, the sole member 102 and the attachment member 104 are made
from the same material, such as a soft rubber, natural rubber, a
polymeric, a foam, or other equivalent type of material.
Preferable, the sole member 102 and the attachment member 104 are
made for a type of material that is easily rollable or foldable
such that the footwear item 100 may be compressed into a small size
for placement into a compartment, such as, but not limited to, a
small purse, bag, glove box, or pocket. In one embodiment, the sole
member 102 may have a relatively smooth upper surface 112, an
opposing non-slip or otherwise grippable tread surface 114, and be
capable of bearing a person's weight and withstanding frictional
(e.g., walking) forces. It is appreciated that the materials for
producing the footwear item 100 may be recycled or recyclable
materials.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows the footwear item 100 in a first packaged
configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the footwear item 100
has been rolled up to take on a substantially reduced size or
footprint. A wrap 116 having a first end 118 and a second end 120
may be used to maintain the shape and footprint of the footwear
item 100 in the packaged configuration. The first and second ends
118, 120 are fastened or otherwise connected together, for example
with a snap or with a hook and loop fastening system.
Alternatively, the wrap 116 may take the form of a rubber band or
other stretchable member, a plastic or fabric sleeve, or tape. In
another embodiment, the footwear item 100 may be placed in the
packaged configuration and then stored in a semi-rigid or rigid
container, similar to an eye glass case.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows the footwear item 100 in a second packaged
configuration. In this illustrated embodiment, the footwear item
100 has been folded up to take on the substantially reduced size or
footprint. A band 122 secures the footwear item 100 in the packaged
configuration. Similar to the wrap 116 describe above, the band 122
may take a variety of forms such as a rubber band or other
stretchable member, a plastic or fabric sleeve, or tape 120 and may
be fastened with a snap or with a hook and loop fastening
system.
[0024] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a footwear item 200 having a sole member
202 and an attachment member 204. The attachment member 204 is
integrally formed with the sole member 202, such that a plug device
106 like the one as described above is not required to connect the
attachment member 204 to the sole member 202.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a footwear item 300 in an unpackaged
configuration having a sole member 302 and an attachment member
304. Prior to rolling or folding the footwear item 300 into a
packaged configuration, the attachment member 304 may be placed
around a periphery 306 defined by a rear portion of the sole member
302. In one embodiment, the periphery 306 defines a cut line where
the attachment member 304 is cut or separated from the sole member
302. When the footwear item 300 is placed on the person's foot, the
attachment member 304 is folded forward approximately along line
308 and then a front portion 310 of the attachment member 304 may
be coupled to a first portion 312 of the sole member 302 in the
various ways described above or by other equivalent means. In one
embodiment, the front portion 310 of the attachment member 304 is
cut such that the attachment member 304 comprises two straps
extending from the sole member 302.
[0026] These and other changes can be made in light of the above
detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the
terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the
specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims,
but should be construed to include all types of footwear items and
components thereof, to include but not limited to flip-flop,
sandal, and slipper-type footwear configurations that operate in
accordance with the claims.
[0027] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For
example, different types of sole materials, attachment members, and
packaging configurations may achieve similar advantages as the
footwear items described above. Accordingly, the scope of the
invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred
embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined by
reference to the claims that follow.
* * * * *