U.S. patent application number 11/565783 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for sizing system for boots and shoes and article therefor.
Invention is credited to Paul Barclay.
Application Number | 20080127512 11/565783 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39474118 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080127512 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barclay; Paul |
June 5, 2008 |
SIZING SYSTEM FOR BOOTS AND SHOES AND ARTICLE THEREFOR
Abstract
A shoe and boot sizing system includes within a shoe or boot, a
first insole insert having a compactable material, wherein the
first insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range
within the shoe or boot for a manufactured new condition and a
second predetermined fit size range within the shoe or boot for an
altered condition and a second insole insert is configured to be
disposed beneath the first insole insert and upon the insole which
when inserted provides approximately a half size decrease to the
size of the respective shoe and boot.
Inventors: |
Barclay; Paul; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
R. William Graham
22 S. St. Clair St.
Dayton
OH
45402
US
|
Family ID: |
39474118 |
Appl. No.: |
11/565783 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/88 ;
36/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43D 999/00 20130101;
A43D 1/02 20130101; A43B 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/88 ;
36/43 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/14 20060101
A43B007/14; A43B 13/38 20060101 A43B013/38 |
Claims
1. A shoe sizing system for a shoe having an insole, which
includes: a first insole insert having a compactable material
disposed within the shoe adjacent the insole thereof, wherein a
first predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided when
said first insole insert in a manufactured new condition and a
second predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided
when said first insole insert in an altered condition; and a second
insole insert configured to be disposed beneath said first insole
insert and upon the insole of the shoe which when inserted provides
approximately a half size decrease to size of said shoe.
2. The system of claim 1, further including a package for
containing a pair of shoes, a pair of each said first and second
inserts.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said package further includes
instructional indicia thereon for use of said inserts.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said shoe is of a predetermined
size and said second insole insert includes printed indicia thereon
complementary to the shoe size to provide the half size decrease in
the shoe.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said shoe includes sheepskin and
said first insole insert includes sheepskin.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first insole insert includes
a polyfoam layer having said sheepskin connected thereto.
7. A method for sizing a shoe includes said steps of: providing a
shoe; providing a first insole insert having a compactable material
disposed within the shoe adjacent the insole thereof, wherein a
first predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided when
said first insole insert in a manufactured new condition and a
second predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided
when said first insole insert in an altered condition; and
providing a second insole insert configured to be disposed beneath
said first insole insert and upon said insole which when inserted
provides approximately a half size decrease to said shoe.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to shoes and, more
particularly, to a sizing system for boots and shoes and article
therefor, wherein the shoes have a sheepskin lining or the like.
The system has multiple components that permit the boot or shoe to
adjust in size to the wearer's foot without sacrificing comfort or
fit as the sheepskin lining compacts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] It is not uncommon for foot length versus shoe length to
vary by country as well as manufacturer. The size of the left and
right foot can vary for many people.
[0003] Typically, each shoe or boot is suitable for a small
interval of foot lengths. The length of the inner cavity of a shoe
must typically be 1.5-2 cm longer than the length of the foot.
There are three typical lengths that a shoe-size system can refer
to:
[0004] a) The average length of foot for which a shoe is suitable.
For customers, this measure has the advantage of being directly
related to their feet. It applies equally to any type, form, or
material of shoe. However, this measure is less popular with
manufacturers, as it requires them to test carefully for each new
shoe model, for which range of foot sizes it is recommendable. It
puts on the manufacturer the burden of ensuring that the shoe will
fit a foot of a given length.
[0005] b) The length of the inner cavity of the shoe. This measure
has the advantage that it can be measured easily on the finished
product. However, it will vary with manufacturing tolerances and
provides the customer only very crude information about the range
of foot sizes for which the shoe is suitable.
[0006] c) The length of the "last", the foot-shaped template over
which the shoe is manufactured. This measure is the easiest one for
the manufacturer to use, as it identifies only the tool used to
produce the shoe. It makes no promise about manufacturing
tolerances or for what size of foot the shoe is actually suitable.
It leaves all responsibility and risk of choosing the correct size
with the customer.
[0007] These measures differ substantially from each other for the
same shoe. One common set of length units used today to define
shoe-size systems are Millimeter (mm)=0.04 inch and Centimeter
(cm)=10 mm=0.39 inch. For example, in France, Germany, and most
other European countries, the traditional shoe size is the length
of the last. Shoe size in the United States and Canada is based on
the length of the last, measured in barleycorns, minus a constant.
This constant differs for shoes intended for men, women and
children. A number of other ad-hoc notations for width or girth are
also used. A manufacturer thus far had to adopt a sizing system
which it felt would accommodate the market to which it sold its
shoes or boots.
[0008] There exist a number of various after market inserts for
shoes or boots which include, for example, shoe inserts that can be
self modified (by cutting to size) to fit the shoe/boot sizes.
These inserts are commonly used for padding and deodorizers within
shoes for personal hygiene and personal comfort. A primary purpose
of such insert is to keep inner soles of shoes sanitary and to
prolong life of shoe by protecting it from soils and odors. Another
feature is their disposability so individuals who would prefer not
to wear socks or stockings can do so and still keep shoes fresh and
clean especially during the summer months.
[0009] Many shoes and boots are particularly challenged in
achieving a uniform sizing from one set of shoes to another. This
is due to the particular material from which the shoes/boots are
made, wherein the material is highly susceptible to stretching and
compacting from their finished manufactured new condition. In the
case of shoes and boots made of sheepskin, there is a need for an
improved sizing system. The present invention aims at overcoming
the deficiencies in sizing for such shoes and boots.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object to improve shoe and boot sizing systems.
[0011] It is an object to provide a sheepskin shoe and boot sizing
system and article therefor.
[0012] It is another object to provide a package having components
enabling proper sizing for sheepskin shoes and boots.
[0013] Another object is to improve the method of sizing boots and
shoes, particularly those made of sheepskin or the like.
[0014] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a shoe and
boot sizing system. The system includes within a shoe or boot, a
first insole insert having a compactable material, wherein the
first insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range
within the shoe or boot for a manufactured new condition and a
second predetermined fit size range within the shoe or boot for an
altered condition. A second insole insert is provided which is
configured to be disposed beneath the first insole insert and upon
the insole which when inserted provides approximately a half size
decrease to the size of the respective shoe and boot. The system
can further include packaging upon which instructional indicia is
imprinted to show the use of the insole inserts. The boot or shoe
can include an animal fur, such as sheepskin, and the first insert
includes a complementary fur (sheepskin) extending from a top
surface and includes a bottom surface to be disposed adjacent the
insole.
[0015] A method according to the invention includes the steps of
providing a boot or shoe, providing a first insole insert having a
compactable material within the shoe or boot, wherein the first
insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range for a
manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size
range for an altered condition, and providing a second insole
insert which is configured to be disposed beneath the first insole
insert and upon the insole which when inserted provides
approximately a half size decrease to the respective shoe and
boot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1A depicts a side sectional view elements of the
invention in one mode.
[0017] FIG. 1B depicts a side sectional view one insert of the
invention in new condition.
[0018] FIG. 1C depicts a side view elements of the invention in
another mode.
[0019] FIG. 1D depicts a side sectional view the insert of FIG. 1B
in altered condition.
[0020] FIG. 1E depicts a side sectional view another insert of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of insert components of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of insert components of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts a package showing an aspect of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, the system of the present
invention is generally referred to by the numeral 10. The system 10
includes within a shoe or boot (hereinafter both of which are
generally referred to as a shoe 12), a first insole insert 14
having a compactable material 16, wherein the first insole insert
14 has an area RN as seen in FIG. 1B for a new condition and an
area RA for the altered condition (e.g., used) as seen in FIG. 1D.
When the first insole insert 14 is inserted into the shoe 12, there
is provided a first predetermined fit size range R1 for a
manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size
range R2 for an altered condition.
[0025] In many instances the fit may be or become sloppy. In such
case, the altered condition utilizes a second insole insert 18
configured with a top surface 26 to be disposed beneath and
adjacent the first insole insert 14 and has a bottom surface 28
disposed upon the insole 20. The top surface 26 includes printed
sizing indicia 27, here by way of example showing U.S. Men 7/Women
8, indicating that the second insole insert 18 is to be used in a
men's size 7 shoe and women's size 8 shoe. When inserted, the
second insole insert 18 defines and area R3 which provides
approximately a half shoe size decrease to the size of the
respective shoe 12. The second insole insert 18 can be constructed
of a relatively supportive material such as a dense polyfoam or
other suitable material to achieve the intended functions herein
(i.e., sizing as well as comfort) and can include covering which is
print receptive to enable indicia 27 printed thereon.
[0026] This system 10 is important since the shoe 12 can include an
animal fur, such as sheepskin, and the first insole insert 14 can
include a fur (sheepskin) 16. In this regard, the first insole
insert 14 can include a relatively supportive polymer material,
such as a polyfoam, having a formed arch support 25 therein, and
have the sheepskin 16 bonded to a top surface 22 and includes a
bottom surface 24 to be disposed adjacent the insole 20. Thus, the
shoe 12 can be readily adjusted to accommodate size deviations due
to inherent stretching or compacting of the material or to account
for deviations in size from one set of shoes to another as well as
aid in achieving proper fit.
[0027] The system 10 can further include package 30 for containing
a pair of shoes 12, a pair of each said first insole insert 14 and
second insole insert 18. The package 30 can include instructional
indicia 32 imprinted to show the use of the insole inserts 14 and
18.
[0028] A method according to the invention includes the steps of
providing a boot or shoe, providing a first insole insert having a
compactable material within the boot or shoe, wherein the first
insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range for a
new condition and a second predetermined fit size range for an
altered condition, and providing a second insole insert which is
configured to be disposed beneath the first insole insert and upon
the insole which when inserted provides approximately a half size
decrease to the respective shoe and boot.
[0029] The insole inserts 14 and 18 are comfortable and can include
materials that absorb moisture from the feet. They can also be
manufactured in such a way as to combat odor as well as well as
absorb perspiration.
[0030] While the instant invention has been shown and described in
what is considered to be a practical and preferred embodiments, it
is recognized that departures may be made within the spirit and
scope of this invention which is, therefore, not to be limited
except as set forth in the claims hereinafter and within the
doctrine of equivalents.
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