U.S. patent application number 13/644459 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-11 for footwear having insect repellent.
The applicant listed for this patent is Marshall B. Cummings, Renee M. Lura. Invention is credited to Marshall B. Cummings, Renee M. Lura.
Application Number | 20130086820 13/644459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48041138 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130086820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lura; Renee M. ; et
al. |
April 11, 2013 |
FOOTWEAR HAVING INSECT REPELLENT
Abstract
Footwear is disclosed. The footwear includes a sole. A strap is
secured to the sole. The strap aids in retaining the footwear on an
individual's foot. The footwear further includes an insect
repellent. The insect repellent may be on a strip. The strip is
retained on the strap. The strip can be removed from the strap and
replaced with a different strip. One of the strap or insect
repellent strip has at least one opening for disposition about a
post contained on the other of the strap or the insect repellent
strip.
Inventors: |
Lura; Renee M.; (Fargo,
ND) ; Cummings; Marshall B.; (Troy, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lura; Renee M.
Cummings; Marshall B. |
Fargo
Troy |
ND
MI |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48041138 |
Appl. No.: |
13/644459 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61543464 |
Oct 5, 2011 |
|
|
|
61611648 |
Mar 16, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/12 20130101; A43B
3/101 20130101; A43B 1/0045 20130101; A43B 3/126 20130101; A43B
7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/136 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/00 20060101
A43B023/00; A43B 3/12 20060101 A43B003/12 |
Claims
1. Footwear comprising: a sole; a strap secured to the sole, the
strap having at least one post extending therefrom; and a strip
containing insect repellent and having at least one opening, the
opening for disposition about the post to detachably retain the
strip on the strap.
2. Footwear according to claim 1 wherein the post has a body and a
head extending from the body wherein a lip is formed between the
body and the head.
3. Footwear according to claim 2 wherein the body has a first
diameter and the head has a second diameter that is greater than
the first diameter of the body.
4. Footwear according to claim 3 wherein the head has a generally
hemispherical portion.
5. Footwear according to claim 2 wherein the opening of the strip
is positioned adjacent to the body of the post and under the head,
in order to detachably retain the strip on the strap.
6. Footwear according to claim 1 wherein the strip has
ornamentation thereon.
7. Footwear according to claim 1 wherein the footwear includes at
least one opening to expose a portion of a user's foot.
8. Footwear according to claim 7 wherein the open footwear
comprises a flip-flop, a slide or a sandal.
9. Footwear according to claim 1 wherein the insect repellent
comprises DEET, Geraniol, citronella or combinations thereof.
10. Footwear comprising: a sole; a strap secured to the sole; and a
strip containing insect repellent secured to the strap.
11. Footwear according to claim 10 wherein one of the strap or the
strip has at least one post extending therefrom, the other of the
strap or the strip has at least one opening, the opening for
disposition about the post to detachably retain the strip on the
strap.
12. Footwear as set forth in claim 10 wherein at least one of the
strap or the strip has an adhesive thereon to detachably retain the
strip on the strap.
13. Footwear as set forth in claim 10 wherein at least one of the
strap or the strip has hook and loop fasteners thereon to
detachably retain the strip on the strap.
14. Footwear as set forth in claim 10 wherein the strip is retained
on the strap by sewing.
15. Footwear according to claim 11 wherein the post has a body and
a head extending from the body wherein a lip is formed between the
body and the head.
16. Footwear according to claim 15 wherein the body has a first
diameter and the head has a second diameter that is greater than
the first diameter of the body.
17. Footwear according to claim 16 wherein the head has a generally
hemispherical portion.
18. Footwear according to claim 15 wherein the opening of the strip
is positioned adjacent the body of the post and between the head
and the strap, to detachably retain the strip on the strap.
19. Footwear according to claim 10 wherein the strip has
ornamentation thereon.
20. Footwear according to claim 10 wherein the footwear includes at
least one opening to expose a portion of a user's foot.
21. Footwear according to claim 20 wherein the open footwear
comprises a flip-flop, a slide or a sandal.
22. Footwear according to claim 10 wherein the insect repellent
comprises DEET, Geraniol, citronella or combinations thereof.
23. Footwear comprising: a sole; a strap retained on the sole,
wherein the strap contains insect repellent.
24. Footwear as set forth in claim 23 wherein the strap has
ornamentation thereon, the ornamentation containing the insect
repellent.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to footwear
incorporating insect repellent. More particularly, the present
invention relates to open footwear including straps which may
comprise insect repellent or to which a band or strip having insect
repellent can be detachably retained.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Insect repellent is typically used to repel insects from an
individual. Many insect repellents are known, such as DEET,
Geraniol, geranium, peppermint, lavender, lemongrass and citronella
oil. Certain garments having insect repellent contained therein
have been shown in the art. One such example is U.S. Pat. No.
7,487,554 B1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to an embodiment, there is provided footwear
comprising a sole. The footwear comprises a strap secured to the
sole. The strap has at least one post extending therefrom. The
footwear further comprises a strip containing insect repellent
having at least one opening. The opening in the strip is for
disposition about the post to detachably retain the strip on the
strap.
[0004] According to an embodiment, there is provided footwear
comprising a sole. The footwear comprises a strap secured to the
sole. The footwear further comprises a strip containing insect
repellent. One of the strap or the strip has at least one post
extending therefrom. The other of the strap or the strip has at
least one opening. The opening is for disposition about the post to
detachably retain the strip on the strap.
[0005] According to an embodiment, there is provided footwear
comprising a sole. The footwear further comprises a strap retained
on the sole, wherein the strap contains insect repellent.
[0006] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of footwear;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment an insect repellent
strip;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a strap
of footwear partially broken away;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of footwear;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of an
insect repellent strip; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a strap
of footwear partially broken away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or its uses.
[0015] An embodiment relates to a dispensing system that can be
used to dispense volatile insect repelling materials. The
embodiment may relate to footwear that can include a band or strip
which may be used to dispense volatile insect repelling
material.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of footwear according to an
embodiment. As shown, the footwear in this embodiment is typically
known as a "flip-flop." While a flip-flop is shown in the
illustrated embodiment and discussed below, it will be appreciated
that embodiments may include open footwear, for example, footwear
incorporating straps that are generally open. Such footwear may
comprise slides or sandals or other footwear that are attached to
the user's foot using at least one strap and otherwise contain
general open areas exposing at least portions of the user's foot
are footwear within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0017] The flip-flop is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1. The
flip-flop 10 includes a sole 12 having a plurality of openings 14
therethrough. A strap generally indicated at 16 is secured to the
sole 12 via being passed through the openings 14 in a well-known
manner. It will be appreciated that the strap 16 may comprise a
single strap or multiple straps used to allow the flip-flop 10 to
be retained on a user's foot. Further, the strap may take any
suitable configuration.
[0018] The strap 16 may comprise any suitable material such as by
way of non-limiting example, cloth, rubber, polymeric, composites
or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the strap 16 may include
a bottom or foot engaging portion 18. In an embodiment, the bottom
foot engaging portion 18 may generally be smooth to engage the
user's foot so as to not irritate the user's foot. It will be
appreciated, however, that the bottom foot engaging portion 18 may
take any suitable configuration and need not necessarily be
generally smooth.
[0019] The strap 16 further includes an upper portion 20. The upper
portion 20 may be on the side of the strap opposite to the foot
engaging portion 18. The upper portion 20 of the strap 16 may take
any suitable configuration. The strap 16, and particularly the
upper portion 20 may also contain any decoration including
textures, colors, patterns or the like.
[0020] The upper portion 20 of the strap 16 may include a plurality
of posts generally indicated at 22. In an embodiment, the posts 22
extend from the upper portion 20 in a direction generally away from
the bottom foot engaging portion 18. The posts 22 may include a
body portion 24 and a head 26.
[0021] In one embodiment, the body 24 may comprise a generally
cylindrical shape having a generally circular cross-section. It
will be appreciated, however, that the body 24 may take any
suitable geometric configuration and need not have a circular
cross-section. By way of non-limiting example, the body may have a
hexagonal or octagonal shaped cross-section.
[0022] In an embodiment, the head 26 may have a diameter that is
larger than the diameter of the body 24. That is, at least a
portion of the head 26 may extend beyond at least a portion of the
outer periphery of the body 24. In an embodiment, the body 24 has a
generally circular cross-section having a first diameter and the
head 26 has a generally circular cross-section having a second
diameter, which second diameter is greater than the first diameter
of the body 24. In this manner, a lip 28 may be formed under the
edges of the head 26. The head 26 may also take any suitable
geometric configuration. By way of non-limiting example, the head
26 may include a generally hemispherical portion. Alternatively,
the head may be disc shape or frustoconical. The specific
configuration of the upper portion of the head 26 may therefore be
any suitable configuration. In one embodiment, the bottom portion
of the head 26 forming the lip 28 may have a generally flat
surface.
[0023] The post 22 may comprise any suitable material such as by
way of non-limiting example, rubber, polymeric, composites or
combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the post 22 may be
separately formed and affixed to the strap 16. In another
embodiment, the post 22 may be integrally formed with the strap 16.
In another embodiment, the post 22 and strap 16 may be molded as a
single piece.
[0024] The footwear 10 may also include a strip 30. The strip 30
may be detachably secured to the strap 16. In an embodiment, the
strip 30 may include a plurality of openings 32. The openings may
be configured to be in close proximity about the periphery of the
post 22. In such an embodiment, the openings 32 may be generally
circular. In another embodiment, the openings 32 may be elongated
to form an elongated slot (not shown). The openings 32 may be
configured so that at least a portion of the openings 32 is smaller
in dimension than a portion of the head 26 of the post 22. In this
way, the opening 32 can be placed about the post 22 such that at
least a portion of the strip 30 may be disposed under the lip 28 of
the post 22 as will be more fully discussed below. The strip may be
comprised of a resilient material that may be impregnated with an
insect repellent material; such impregnated insect repellent
materials are well-known. The impregnated insect repellent may be
released from the strip 30 in a well-known manner to repel insects
from an individual.
[0025] In an embodiment, the openings 32 of the strip 30 can be
snap-fit over the posts 22 to detachably retain the strip 30 on the
strap 16. The snap-fit may occur by expanding the opening 32 and
placing the expanded opening 32 over the head 26 of the post 22 on
strap 16. The strip 30 may then be moved over the posts 22 such
that the openings 32 may be placed about the body 24 of the post
22. Once the strip 30 has been placed sufficiently over the head 26
of the post 22 such that the openings are generally adjacent to the
body 24 of post 22, the openings 32 may recover to generally their
original shape and may be retained under the lip 28 of post 22.
Accordingly, in an embodiment, the strip can be made out of any
suitable material that allows the openings 32 to be placed on the
posts 22 and detachably retained thereon. By way of non-limiting
example, such materials or combinations thereof may include
rubbers, polymerics, composites, cloth or the like. In another
embodiment the snap-fit may occur by deforming the head 26. In this
embodiment, the posts 22 may be more resilient and the strip 30 may
be less resilient. The head 26 may deform to allow it to pass
through the opening 32 in the strip 30. Once the head 26 has been
passed through the opening 32, the head 26 may recover to generally
its original shape and the strip 30 may be retained under the lip
28 of post 22. The shape of the head 26 may aid in the deformation
of either the opening 32 or the head 26 to allow the snap-fit.
[0026] In one embodiment, several of the openings 32 may be placed
over multiple posts 22 on the strap 16. It will be appreciated that
only one post 22 and one opening 32 may be necessary to retain the
strip 30 on the strap 16. In an embodiment, the strip 30 is
detachably retained on the upper portion of strap 20 so as to avoid
contact of the strip 30 with an individual's foot. Further, the
strip 30 may be sized such that it rests entirely upon the strap 16
so no portion of the strip 30 engages the individual's foot. It
will be appreciated, however, that the strip 30 may be of any size
and may contact the individual's foot. Any number of strips 30 may
be used. In the embodiment illustrated, two strips 30 are placed at
different locations on the strap 16.
[0027] The strip 30 can be decorated in any suitable manner. By way
of non-limiting example, the strip 30 can be colored and
multi-colored. The strip 30 further can be textured or incorporate
any design or wording thereon. By having strips of different
design, the design of the footwear 10 is easily configurable. This
allows a user to replace the strips 30 to allow the footwear to
have any desired design, the nature of which can easily be changed.
Further, the strip 30 can take any geometric configuration. In one
embodiment, the strip 30 may be sized such that it covers a
majority of the upper portion 20 of the strap 16. It may be
desirable in such an embodiment to maximize the surface area of the
strip 30 to enhance the bug repellent ability of the strip 30. In
another embodiment, it may be desirable to size the strip 30 such
that it covers less than a majority of the upper portion of the
strap 16.
[0028] As set forth above, the strips 30 may be impregnated with or
contain a volatile insect repellent material, such as DEET,
Geraniol, citronella or other compound that has insect repellent
properties. It may be desirable to replace the strips from time to
time to either change the appearance of the flip-flop 10 or to
remove and replace a strip 30 that has diminished effectiveness for
insect repellent. In order to remove the strip 30 from the strap
16, the user simply unsnaps the strip 30 from the strap 16 by
deforming either the openings 32 or the head 26 of post 22 to pull
the strip 30 over the head 26 of post 22 of the strap 16. This may
be done until each of the openings on the strip 30 is moved over
the head 26 of post 22 of the strap 16. Once the strip 30 has been
removed, it may be replaced with another strip 30 as set forth
above.
[0029] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternate embodiment. In general, the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has the posts 24' and openings
32' in reverse orientation from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3.
That is, the posts 24' are contained on the strip 30' while the
openings 32' are contained on the strap 16'. Otherwise the
embodiments are substantially similar.
[0030] The flip-flop 10' includes a sole 12' having a plurality of
openings 14' therethrough. A strap generally indicated at 16' is
secured to the sole 12' via being passed through the openings 14'
in a well-known manner. It will be appreciated that the strap 16'
may comprise a single strap or multiple straps used to allow the
flip-flop 10' to be retained on a user's foot. Further, the strap
may take any suitable configuration. The strap 16' may include a
bottom or foot engaging portion 18'.
[0031] The strap 16' further includes an upper portion 20'. The
upper portion 20' may be on the side of the strap opposite to the
foot engaging portion 18'. The upper portion 20' of the strap 16'
may take any suitable configuration. The strap 16', and
particularly the upper portion 20' may also contain any decoration
including textures, colors, patterns or the like.
[0032] The strap 16' may include a plurality of openings 32'
therethrough. The flip-flop 10' may further include a strip 30'.
The strip 30' includes a plurality of posts generally indicated at
22'. The posts 22' include a body 24'. In one embodiment, the body
24' may comprise a generally cylindrical shape having a generally
circular cross-section. It will be appreciated, however, that the
body 24' may take any suitable geometric configuration and need not
have a circular cross-section.
[0033] The posts 22' may include a head 26'. In an embodiment, the
head 26' may have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of
the body 24'. That is, at least a portion of the head 26' may
extend beyond at least a portion of the outer periphery of the body
24'. The head 26', or wider section of the post 22', may in fact be
located at any position along the body 24' of the post 22'. In an
embodiment, the body 24' has a generally circular cross-section
having a first diameter and the head 26' has a generally circular
cross-section having a second diameter, which second diameter is
greater than the first diameter of the body 24'. In this manner, a
lip 28' may be formed under the edges of the head 26'. The head 26'
may also take any suitable geometric configuration. In an
embodiment, the openings 32' of the strap 16' can be snap-fit over
the posts 22' on the strip 30', in similar fashion as described
above, to detachably retain the strip 30' on the strap 16'. In this
embodiment, the strip 30' may comprise an insect repellent
material.
[0034] In alternate embodiments, the strap 16 may have a width that
may be greater than the diameter of the body 24 of post 22.
Similarly, the strip 30' may have a width that may be greater than
the diameter of the body 24' of post 22'. It will be appreciated
that any number of posts 22, 22' may be placed on the strap 16 or
strip 30'. Similarly, the posts 22, 22' may be located on the strap
16 or strip 30' in any configuration. In an embodiment, the posts
22, 22' are generally shown in the middle of a strap 16 and strip
30', respectively and generally in line with the other posts 22,
22'. However, it will be appreciated that the posts 22, 22' need
not be in the middle of the strap 16 or strip 30' and may extend
from any portion of the strap 16 or strip 30'. Similarly, the
strips 30 and straps 16' are shown to have the openings 32, 32' in
the middle of the strip 30 and strap 16, respectively. It will be
appreciated that the openings 32, 32' can be in any configuration.
In an embodiment, each of the openings 32, 32' aligns with each
post 22, 22'. Further, there may be more openings 32, 32' than
posts 22, 22'. In such a case, not every opening 32, 32' need be
placed around a post 22, 22' in order to secure the strip 30, 30'
to the strap 16, 16'.
[0035] Also, the embodiments shown are for a flip-flop having the
straps 16, 16' connected to the sole 12 via passing through the
openings 14, 14'. It will be appreciated that other forms of
attaching the strap 16, 16' or multiple straps 16, 16' to the sole
are contemplated. By way of non-limiting example, the straps 16 may
be connected directly to the outside surface of the side or top of
the sole 12, 12' such as in the case of footwear referred to as
slide. In such a case, the strap 16, 16' may often take a wider
geometric configuration than the strap 16, 16' for a flip-flop.
Nonetheless, any manner of securing the strap 16, 16' to the sole
12, 12' is contemplated. Further, any configuration and number of
strips 30, 30' may be used. It will also be appreciated that the
strap 16, 16' may comprise multiple components. Straps 16, 16' may
be adjustable with respect to one another or to the sole 12, 12' By
way of non limiting example the strap 16, 16' may comprise two
components each of which is connected to the sole 12, 12',
respectively. The two strap 16, 16' components may be secured
together such as by the use of hook and loop fasteners, buckles or
any other suitable mechanism for securing the strap components. In
this way, the strap components may be adjusted to allow overall
adjustment of the strap 16, 16' to fit a particular user's
foot.
[0036] Further, an embodiment illustrated has the posts 22
extending from the upper portion 20. It will be appreciated that
other embodiments may have the posts 22 extending from other
portions of the strap 16, including the foot engaging portion. Such
embodiments may additionally include the posts 22 extending from
the upper portion. Thus, the strips 30 may be detachably secured to
any portion of the strap 16.
[0037] In other embodiments, the strip 30, 30' may be secured to
the strap 16, 16' in other manners. By way of non-limiting example,
the strip 30, 30' may be secured to the strap 16, 16' using
adhesive, two sided tape, hook and loop fasteners, such as
VELCRO.RTM., snaps, buttons or by sewing. Further combinations of
such fastening methods may be used. In such embodiments, the posts
22, 22' and openings 32, 32' may or may not be present. Accordingly
in some embodiments the strip 30, 30' may be releasably secured to
the strap 16, 16'. In other embodiments, the strip 30, 30' may be
more fixed to the strap 16, 16'. Further, the strip 30,30' may be
secured directly to the sole of the footwear 10 in another
embodiment. In such an embodiment, it may be preferable to secure
the strip to the edge or side of the sole.
[0038] In another embodiment, the strap 16, 16' may comprise the
volatile insect repellent material. In such an embodiment, if a
strip 30, 30' is secured to the strap 16, 16', the strip 30, 30'
may include but does not necessarily include an insect repellent.
In such an embodiment, the strip 30, 30' may merely be decorative.
Further in an embodiment, the strap 16, 16' need not include posts
22 or openings 32' to secure a strip 30, 30' and a strip 30, 30'
may not be included. In this embodiment, only a portion of the
strap 16, 16' may contain insect repellent. By way of non-limiting
example, the strap 16, 16' may contain ornamentation 34' thereon
that includes the insect repellent or only segments of the strap
16, 16' may contain the insect repellent. Thus, in an embodiment,
the footwear 10, 10' may not include any strip 30, 30' and the
strap 16, 16', a portion thereof or ornamentation thereon may
comprise the insect repellent material.
[0039] While embodiments of footwear of the type of flip-flops,
sandals and slides are described, it will be appreciated that all
types of footwear, including but not limited to shoes and boots,
whether or not having open areas exposing a part of an individual's
foot, are contemplated within the scope of the disclosure. In such
embodiments, any portion of the shoe or boot that is adjacent an
individual's foot, ankle or leg may be considered the strap for
such embodiments.
[0040] Further, it is appreciated that while the embodiments
disclose insect repellent, it will be appreciated that as used
herein, insect repellents, including types not specifically
disclosed herein may be used to repel insects, fleas, ticks or the
like.
[0041] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *