U.S. patent application number 12/616725 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for compactable pedicure and evening footwear.
Invention is credited to Alissa Kraisosky.
Application Number | 20100115793 12/616725 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42163887 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100115793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kraisosky; Alissa |
May 13, 2010 |
Compactable pedicure and evening footwear
Abstract
A compactable pedicure and evening footwear is a foldable
footwear that includes: a foldable sole; a heel retaining
extension; a toe separator; and a sandal strap. Therein the
footwear transitions into a folded state for storage, and then
transitions into an unfolded state for usage. The sole folds and
the sandal strap releasably retains the heel retaining extension so
as to releasably maintain the footwear in the folded state. The
shoe may include an ankle strap and a cover for the sandal strap. A
carrying case may also be included.
Inventors: |
Kraisosky; Alissa; (Walnut
Creek, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Larry E Severin, Esq
3581 Teaberry Circle
Seal Beach
CA
90740
US
|
Family ID: |
42163887 |
Appl. No.: |
12/616725 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61114207 |
Nov 13, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/94 ; 36/102;
36/11.5; 36/34R; 36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B
23/24 20130101; A43B 3/0078 20130101; A43B 3/248 20130101; A43B
7/26 20130101; A43B 3/101 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/94 ; 36/102;
36/11.5; 36/50.1; 36/34.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/26 20060101
A43B007/26; A43B 13/18 20060101 A43B013/18; A43B 3/12 20060101
A43B003/12; A43C 11/00 20060101 A43C011/00; A43B 21/00 20060101
A43B021/00 |
Claims
1. A foldable footwear comprising: a foldable sole; a heel
retaining extension; a toe separator; and a sandal strap; wherein
the footwear transitions into a folded state for storage, and then
transitions into an unfolded state for usage.
2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole folds and the sandal
strap releasably retains the heel retaining extension so as to
releasably maintain the footwear in the folded state.
3. The footwear of claim 1, further comprising: an ankle retaining
extension.
4. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the ankle retaining extension
includes a strap adapted to retain both the footwear and a second
footwear of claim 3 together in the folded state.
5. The footwear of claim 1, further comprising: a cover for the
sandal strap.
6. The footwear of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of toe
separators, adapted to separate toes of a user; and an open area
adjacent the toe separators, adapted to expose toenails of the
toes.
7. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sandal strap is connected
to sides of the sole, and the sandal strap is positioned on the
sole so as to releasably retain the footwear in the folded position
and expose toenails of a user in the unfolded position.
8. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole includes an insole
having perforations to retain the toe separator.
9. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole comprises an outsole
for contact with the ground that includes rubber, a midsole that
includes foam, and a topsole for contact with a user that includes
a soft material.
10. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sandal strap has
perforations to retain the toe separator.
11. The footwear of claim 1, further comprising: a carrying case
adapted to store a pair of the footwear when the pair of footwear
are each in the folded state.
12. A device for a foot having a heel, an upper portion, and toes
with toenails, the device comprising: a foldable sole; a heel
retaining extension, adapted to retain the heel; a sandal strap,
adapted to retain the upper portion of the foot; a toe separator,
adapted to separate the toes; and an open area adjacent the toe
separator, adapted to expose the toenails; wherein the sole folds
and the sandal strap releasably retains the heel retaining
extension so as to releasably maintain the device in a collapsed
state.
13. The device of claim 12, the foot having an ankle, the device
further comprising: an ankle strap, adapted to retain the
ankle.
14. The device of claim 12 further comprising: a cover for the
sandal strap; perforations in the sandal strap to retain the toe
separator; and perforations in an upper portion of the sole to
retain the toe separator.
15. A method of compacting a footwear, comprising: providing a
foldable sole, a heel retaining extension, a sandal strap, and a
toe separator; releasably retaining a heel of a foot to the sole
with the heel retaining extension; releasably retaining an upper
portion of the foot to the sole with the sandal strap; separating
toes of the foot with the toe separator; and folding the sole so
that the sandal strap releasably retains the heel retaining
extension, thereby compacting the footwear.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: exposing toenails
of the toe.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: releasably
retaining an ankle of the foot to the footwear with an ankle
strap.
18. The method of claim 15, the sole further including a topsole,
the method further comprising: attaching the toe separator to the
sole with perforations in the topsole.
19. The method of claim 15 further comprising: attaching the toe
separator to the sole with perforations in the sandal strap.
20. The method of claim 15 further comprising: providing a carrying
case; and storing the compacted footwear in the carrying case.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Patent Application No. 61/114,207, filed Nov. 13, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to footwear and more
specifically to pedicure and spa slippers, women's evening shoes,
and collapsible shoes.
[0003] There may exist multiple times when a compactable yet
stylish shoe is needed, such as after dancing, shopping, or
prolonged walking. The wearer may wish to change from high-heeled
shoes to more comfortable footwear, yet does not want the burden of
carrying flat-soled shoes in a small evening bag. In addition, an
individual may necessitate open-toed shoes after a pedicure, but
desires a shoe that is more durable than a typical disposable
pedicure slipper and can be worn for longer periods than from
pedicure salon to car. The shoe may, for example, easily fit in a
purse or handbag and be worn before nail polish is applied. There
is a well-established need for a compactable shoe that may serve
these four purposes: comfort, fashion, durability, and
practicality.
[0004] It would be desirable to have collapsible shoes that help
separate the toes after a pedicure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, foldable footwear
includes: a foldable sole; a heel retaining extension; a toe
separator; and a sandal strap; wherein the footwear transitions
into a folded state for storage, and then transitions into an
unfolded state for usage.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a device for a
foot having a heel, an upper portion, and toes with toenails,
includes: a foldable sole; a heel retaining extension, adapted to
retain the heel; a sandal strap, adapted to retain the upper
portion of the foot; a toe separator, adapted to separate the toes;
and an open area adjacent the toe separator, adapted to expose the
toenails; wherein the sole folds and the sandal strap releasably
retains the heel retaining extension so as to releasably maintain
the device in a collapsed state.
[0007] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of
compacting a footwear includes: providing a foldable sole, a heel
retaining extension, a sandal strap, and a toe separator;
releasably retaining a heel of a foot to the sole with the heel
retaining extension; releasably retaining an upper portion of the
foot to the sole with the sandal strap; separating toes of the foot
with the toe separator; and folding the sole so that the sandal
strap releasably retains the heel retaining extension, thereby
compacting the footwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention in the folded position;
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention in the folded position;
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the present
invention in the folded position;
[0014] FIG. 7 depicts a cross section of a portion of an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the present invention,
folded and stored in a container; and
[0016] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of the present invention with
two shoes folded together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, including
the best mode of carrying out the invention, are hereby described
in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments,
features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing
description or may be learned without undue experimentation. The
figures are not drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated.
The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms
of "the invention," is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but
describes the manner and process of making and using the invention.
The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The
order in which steps are listed in the claims does not indicate
that the steps must be performed in that order.
[0018] An embodiment of the present invention generally provides a
crushable or compactable pedicure and evening shoe.
[0019] Embodiments of the present invention provide a compactable
pedicure shoe with an elegant, stylized design for evening use,
having the potential for significant convenience. An embodiment
involves an outer sole (or outsole) and insole made of a durable,
yet flexible material that is easily compacted. The footwear may be
suitable for emergency or daily use. The footwear may be placed in
a carrying pouch if desired, and or in a small container, such as
an evening handbag. The plastic lining pouch may be replaced. The
upper portion of the shoe may have a sandal type configuration with
separators for each toe. These partitions may sufficiently separate
the toes thus not damaging the fresh pedicure, and also may be
sufficiently flexible to for comfort, as in the case of removal of
high-heeled shoes. The sandal and toe separators may also be made
of a sufficiently flexible elastic material for comfort and
compactability. The sandal may be adorned with sequins, crystals,
or other materials suitable for wear in multiple environments.
[0020] An embodiment may combine the functions of pedicure and spa
slippers, women's evening shoes, and collapsible shoes into a
single item that may be carried in a small handbag or other small
container for convenience. An embodiment also may provide the
wearer with a shoe that can be used for short, long-term, or daily
use.
[0021] Embodiments may provide toe separation to protect nascent
nail polish, and may take into account support of the foot and
means to secure the shoe to the foot. This may avoid difficulties
in being mobile for prolonged periods. The back of the shoe thus
avoids being rendered "draggy" and the shoe is usable for more than
just short-term use.
[0022] Embodiments may be disposable, or embodiments may be of
higher quality (not necessarily disposable). Embodiments are
collapsible, and may be used during or after a pedicure.
Embodiments avoid the requirement for adhesives to secure the
footwear to the foot.
[0023] An embodiment is a crushable/compactable, durable footwear
suitable after a pedicure or for evening use, including a flexible
yet durable, foldable outsole with a nonskid base, an insole
(either a topsole or a combined midsole and topsole), a sandal
strap or sandal portion, four toe separators for each toe, and an
ankle retaining extension. The footwear folds to transition into a
folded state for storage, and then transitions into an unfolded
state for usage. The sandal strap is the upper portion of a sandal,
and is not necessarily just a strap. It passes over the arch of the
foot to retain the insole to the bottom of the foot. It is of a
suitable width and location so that, for storage, the sole can bend
near the sole's mid-point and the heel extension can be tucked
under the sandal strap, and for usage, the shoe leaves the toenails
exposed.
[0024] As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 6, an embodiment 10 of the
present invention is a crushable and compactable pedicure shoe 12
or footwear, which may include a sole 14, a flexible sandal portion
or sandal strap 16 made of manmade lining leather or other soft
material on the underside, an embellished satin cover 18 on the
upper side of the sandal portion, four elastic toe separators 20,
and a back (quarter portion) or heel extension 22 that buckles in
place with an ankle strap and buckle 24.
[0025] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 depict an embodiment 10 in the open
position, ready to be worn after a pedicure. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6
depict an embodiment 10 in the folded position, ready to be stored
when not in use.
[0026] As depicted in FIG. 7, an embodiment 10 of the present
invention includes a sole 14 having three layers: an outsole 30,
made of a durable yet flexible rubber design with a nonskid base, a
sole cushioning or midsole 32 made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate)
foam, and an insole or topsole 34 made of manmade lining leather.
The sandal strap 16 holds an upper portion of the user's foot to
the topsole 34. The toe separators 20 may be held in place with
perforations in the topsole 36 and perforations in the sandal strap
38. The embellished cover 18 covers the sandal strap 16 and sandal
strap perforations 38.
[0027] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a satin carrying case 40,
which is storing a pair of collapsed pedicure shoes 12. The user
stores the pair of shoes 12 when not in use. One shoe may be for
the left foot and the other for the right.
[0028] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of two shoes 12 folded
together.
[0029] In an embodiment, the outsole 30 is connected to a thin EVA
foam material via outersole glue to form a midsole 32, and this is
secured to the topsole 34 with leather glue. The insole or topsole
34 portion has perforations 36 for the toe separators 20. The toe
separators 20 are threaded through the insole and held in place
with outersole glue and leather glue that connects the topsole 34
and outsole 30 to the EVA foam. The toe separators 20 are attached
to the stitched sandal portion 16 between the manmade lining
leather and outer satin covering 18 of the sandal portion. The
sandal portion 16 is connected between the insole and outsole with
leather glue and outersole glue. The back portion (quarter) 22 is
connected between the insole and outsole 30 with leather and
outersole glue. A buckle and strap 24 connect one side of the
quarter portion 22 to the other.
[0030] In an embodiment, the outsole 30 can also be made of
polyvinyl plastic, plastic, ethylene-vinyl acetate, leather, or
silicone; however rubber is preferable; the sandal portion 16 can
be made of plastic, leather, vinyl, denim cloth, polyvinyl chloride
material, silicone rubber, wood, hemp, yarn, rayon, polyester,
plastic, silicone, or metal, however manmade leather is preferable;
the toe separators 20 also could be made of silicone rubber,
rubber, leather, plastic, rolled fabric, or polyvinyl chloride;
however the elastic is preferable; the midsole 32 also could be
made of leather, foam, felt, silicone, canvas, plastic or rubber,
but ethylene-vinyl acetate is preferable; the topsole 34 also could
be made of leather, foam, felt, silicone, canvas, denim, polyester,
ethylene-vinyl acetate, satin, plastic or rubber, but manmade
lining leather is preferable; the satin cover 18 also could be made
of denim, polyester, cotton, silk, beading, spandex, metal, yarn,
fur, canvas, patent leather, hemp, rayon, linen, leather, crushed
velvet, manmade leather, or rubber, however satin is preferable;
the quarter or heel extension 22 also could be made of denim, silk,
polyester, cotton, beading, metal, yarn, fur, ribbon, spandex,
canvas, patent leather, hemp, rayon, linen, leather, crushed
velvet, manmade leather, or rubber, however satin is preferable;
the ankle strap 24 attached to the quarter 22 may alternately tie
with ribbons, leather, denim, polyester, cotton, beading, metal,
yarn, fur, ribbon, spandex, canvas, patent leather, hemp, rayon,
linen, leather, crushed velvet, silk manmade leather, or rubber, or
snaps, however the satin strap with the buckle is preferred. The
carrying case 40 can also be made of plastic, polyester, elastane,
silk silicone, canvas, or leather, however satin is preferable.
[0031] Embodiments may have an ankle strap attached to the heel of
the shoe, which can further secure the shoe to the foot, or may
have less than the four toe separators. For example, it may only
have one toe separator between the great and second toe, such as
similar to a thong sandal.
[0032] In an alternate embodiment, there is no need for a cover
placed over the sandal portion. However, a satin cover would render
the sandal more stylish and fashionable. Embodiments of the shoe
may be stylized on top of either the sandal portion or the cover
with beads, jewels, artwork, paints, photographs transferred to
canvas or other material, sequins, rhinestones, crystals, or
similar decorative items. Binding materials utilized for these
stylizations may include: glue such as hot melt glue, barge cement,
stitching/sewing, or binding cement, however leather and outersole
glue are preferable.
[0033] In an embodiment, the toe separators provide comfort, for
example, from walking distances in high heels. In an embodiment,
the carrying case is provided with the shoe. An embodiment of the
crushable/compactable shoe is folded, rolled, or crushed and placed
in the carrying case for storage. When the embodiment is needed,
the shoes currently being worn (such as high-heeled shoes) are
removed and placed in a shopping bag or carried, and the embodiment
is worn. The crushable/compactable shoes are placed in the carrying
case after use, if the wearer so chooses.
[0034] In an embodiment, the shoe may be crushed or compacted into
a small object that may fit into a small purse or carrying case.
The outsole may be made of a rubber material that is sufficiently
durable to support the foot yet sufficiently flexible that it may
be readily crushed or compacted. In embodiments, the outsole is the
thickness of three to four millimeters, and the thickness of the
insole is four to five millimeters. The toe separators may be made
of a durable yet flexible elastic material. The toe separators may
have a length of four to five centimeters and width of five to six
millimeters. Perforations may be placed in the sandal portion and
insole portion with scissors, a knife, punching device, or other
sharp object at four portions comprising the junction of the
metatarsophalangeal joints. The perforations may be four to five
millimeters in length. The toe separators may be placed in the
slits and stitched to the upper portion of the sandal and bound to
the lower side of the insole, respectively. The binding material
may be leather and outersole glue. The sandal portion of the shoe
may be bound to the lower side of the insole. The lower side of the
insole may be bound to the upper side of the outsole. The cover may
be attached to the sandal portion. The cover may be made of satin.
The shoe may be further decorated with beads, lace, jewels, or
other sufficiently durable decorative material. The quarter portion
may be bound between the insole and outsole. The quarter material
may be satin. The ankle strap may be attached to each end of the
quarter by stitching. The ankle strap material may be satin and
manmade lining leather of a width of 1 and 1/2 centimeters by
length of 20 centimeters. The buckle may be attached to the ankle
strap at one end, and the other end of the ankle strap is stitched
to the quarter.
[0035] An embodiment of a carrying case may include a material of
satin approximately 20 centimeters in length by 16 centimeters in
width, which has two small satin or plastic ribbons on each side
stitched in a drawstring fashion. The case may be unfolded and
carry the crushable/compactable shoes. The case may have an inside
plastic lining which can be removed and interchanged for reasons of
hygiene.
[0036] While the present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that
this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey
the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this
invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by
both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.
* * * * *