U.S. patent application number 13/600172 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for anti-slip patch for shoe heel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jon Michael Blumenaus. Invention is credited to Jon Michael Blumenaus.
Application Number | 20130269218 13/600172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49323781 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130269218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blumenaus; Jon Michael |
October 17, 2013 |
ANTI-SLIP PATCH FOR SHOE HEEL
Abstract
An anti-slip patch can fit into a shoe heel to prevent socks
from slipping into the shoe. The anti-slip patch can cover an area
of the vertical inner heel cap of the shoe with a hook surface or
similar material that can prevent slippage of a sock. The hook
exposed surface of the anti-slip patch can become an integral part
of the vertical inner heel cap lining of the shoe and can securely
fasten on to the vertical heel part of any type of sock when worn
in the shoe. The snug fit of the foot inside the shoe ensures
continuous pressure being applied to the sock for it to remain
adhered to the exposed hook material of the anti-slip patch,
keeping the sock securely locked in its desired comfortable
position on the foot while being worn in the shoe in both dry and
wet conditions.
Inventors: |
Blumenaus; Jon Michael;
(Dalton, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Blumenaus; Jon Michael |
Dalton |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49323781 |
Appl. No.: |
13/600172 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61686860 |
Apr 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/136 ;
36/58.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/136 ;
36/58.6 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/28 20060101
A43B023/28 |
Claims
1. An anti-slip patch for a shoe comprising: a first surface
operable to attach to a heel upper of the shoe; and a second
surface having an exposed hook surface disposed to retain a sock
when a sock is worn on a user's foot in the shoe.
2. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a
smooth surface permanently affixed to the heel upper.
3. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, wherein the first surface is an
outer hook surface operable to attach to a hook-like material
disposed along the heel upper of the shoe.
4. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, further comprising tabs disposed
on ends of the anti-slip patch, wherein the tabs are operable to
fit into slots formed in the heel upper of the shoe.
5. The anti-slip patch of claim 4, wherein the tabs are void of
hooks.
6. The anti-slip patch of claim 1, further comprising a soft cover
operable to fit over and cover the exposed hook surface.
7. A shoe comprising an anti-slip patch disposed on a heel upper of
the shoe, the anti-slip patch comprising a first surface operable
to attach to a heel upper of the shoe and a second surface having
an exposed hook surface disposed to retain a sock when a sock is
worn on a user's foot in the shoe.
8. The anti-slip patch of claim 7, wherein the first surface is a
smooth surface permanently affixed to the heel upper.
9. The anti-slip patch of claim 7, wherein the first surface is an
outer hook surface operable to attach to a hook-like material
disposed along the heel upper of the shoe.
10. The anti-slip patch of claim 7, further comprising: tabs
disposed on ends of the anti-slip patch; and slots formed in the
heel upper of the shoe for inserting the tabs to position the
anti-slip patch on the heel upper of the shoe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/686,860, filed Apr. 14, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to shoe accessories and, more
particularly, to a lined vertical shoe heel cap that clings to
socks to prevent them from slipping into the shoe.
[0003] Socks can often slip down into shoes, boots, sneakers, and
the like, and end up in an uncomfortable position under the
wearer's foot. This problem is even more pronounced today, as there
are so many different types and brands of socks being worn in all
kinds of different types of hi-tech innovative designed shoes used
for today's active recreational lifestyles. These socks undergo a
lot of movement and stress in the shoe and they also absorb
moisture, causing them to have a tendency to move down into the
shoe, beginning at the heel.
[0004] Currently, all one can do to alleviate the discomfort of
socks slipping into their footwear is to repeatedly keep pulling
the socks back up to their original comfort zone position on the
foot.
[0005] There are temporary fixes available, however these take time
to prepare, such as using sticky tapes and expandable band wraps.
These self-help options can be scuffed loose or simply peeled away.
They may also feel irritable in addition to looking makeshift.
[0006] As can be seen, there is a need for a device and method for
preventing a sock from slipping into a wearer's footwear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a anti-slip patch
for a shoe comprises a first surface operable to attach to a heel
upper of the shoe; and a second surface having an exposed hook
surface disposed to retain a sock when a sock is worn on a user's
foot in the shoe.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a shoe comprises
an anti-slip patch disposed on a heel upper of the shoe, the
anti-slip patch comprising a first surface operable to attach to a
heel upper of the shoe and a second surface having an exposed hook
surface disposed to retain a sock when a sock is worn on a user's
foot in the shoe.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having an anti-slip
patch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shoe of FIG.
1, showing the anti-slip patch and sock fitting into the shoe;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a shoe having an
anti-slip patch according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a shoe having an
anti-slip patch according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the anti-slip
patch of FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a shoe having an
anti-slip patch according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the anti-slip
patch of FIG. 8; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0021] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an
anti-slip patch that can fit into a shoe heel to prevent socks from
slipping into the shoe. The anti-slip patch can cover an area of
the vertical inner heel cap of the shoe with a hook surface or
similar material that can prevent slippage of a sock. The hook
exposed surface of the anti-slip patch can become an integral part
of the vertical inner heel cap lining of the shoe. This hook
exposed surface can securely fasten on to the vertical heel part of
any type of sock when worn in the shoe. The snug fit of the foot
inside the shoe ensures continuous pressure being applied to the
sock for it to remain adhered to the exposed hook material of the
anti-slip patch in the heel cap lining, keeping the sock securely
locked in its desired comfortable position on the foot while being
worn in the shoe in both dry and wet conditions.
[0022] A shoe can be configured or adapted to include the anti-slip
patch of the present invention. The exposed hook surface of the
anti-slip patch can be conformed into the vertical heel cap lined
area. Because many shoe styles often have cushioned inner heel cap
linings, the location of the exposed hook surface area can
comfortably conform to the overall shoe inner surface lining and
also to the heel inward curvature shape area of the foot just below
the ankle. The soft, puffy thickness of the knitted sock fabric
helps to cushion and dissipate any feeling of the exposed hook
surface of the anti-slip patch on the foot, eliminating any
discomfort when the shoe is worn with a sock.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an anti-slip patch 10 can be
disposed in a shoe 12. The anti-slip patch 10 can include an
exposed hook surface 15 having exposed hooks 16 that can catch a
sock 20 worn by a wearer. The anti-slip patch 10 can include a
smooth surface 18 that can attach to a heel upper 14 of the shoe
12. The smooth surface 18 can be attached by various methods, such
as with an adhesive, by stitching, or the like.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in another embodiment of the
present invention, an anti-slip patch 22 can include tabs 25 that
fit into slots 26 formed between the lining 34 of the shoe upper 24
and the outer component 32 of the shoe upper 24. The tabs 25 may be
void of hook 28 on a hook surface 27 of the anti-slip patch 22. The
slot 26 may be void of lining 34 of the shoe upper 24. This design
helps permit the tab 25 to be disposed into the slot 26. The design
of FIGS. 4 and 5 can allow the user to insert and remove the
anti-slip patch 22 from the shoe 32.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a cover 35 can be made from a
soft, fuzzy, loop-like material 36. The cover 35 can be sized to
fit over the exposed hook surface 16 of the anti-slip patch 10 (or
the hook surface 27 of the anti-slip patch 22, for example). The
cover 36 will allow the patch 10, 22 to stay in place, even if the
user is not wearing socks, allowing the user to cover the patch and
prevent irritation to their bare skin from the hook surface 16,
27.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, some shoes 37 can include a
soft, fuzzy, loop-like lining 44 along an upper 42 of the shoe 37.
An anti-slip patch 38 can be designed with in inner hook surface 39
and an outer hook surface 40 disposed on a substrate material 41.
The inner hook surface 39 can be disposed to engage the sock 20
while the outer hook surface 40 can be disposed to engage the
lining 44 of the upper 42 of the shoe 37, as shown in FIG. 10, for
example. In this embodiment, a user can adapt their shoes with the
anti-slip patch 38 of the present invention by simply attaching the
patch 38 to the lining 44 of the shoe 37. The user can remove the
anti-slip patch 38, as desired, by simply peeling away the
anti-slip patch 38 to release the bond between the outer hook
surface 40 and the lining 44.
[0027] While the above description and drawings show various
embodiments of a single patch design, two or more patches can be
individually disposed along the heel upper portion of the shoe. For
example, two patches can be disposed on opposing sides of the heel
upper portion of the shoe.
[0028] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *