U.S. patent application number 13/845894 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for toe spacer sock and corrective footwear.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Steel. Invention is credited to Michael Steel.
Application Number | 20130276331 13/845894 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37073982 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130276331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steel; Michael |
October 24, 2013 |
Toe Spacer Sock and Corrective Footwear
Abstract
An article of footwear, such as a sock, sandal, shoe or boot,
contains built-in cushions or spacers to correct or protect the
toes, or to provide the wearer better comfort. The cushions or
spacers may be retained between the toes in a tube, formed
integrally with the sock, which is everted to a position between
adjacent toes. The footwear may have an integral toe-correcting
strap built in to provide outward tension on the big toe.
Inventors: |
Steel; Michael; (La Jolla,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Steel; Michael |
La Jolla |
CA |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
37073982 |
Appl. No.: |
13/845894 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12723963 |
Mar 15, 2010 |
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13845894 |
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11395522 |
Apr 3, 2006 |
7676850 |
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12723963 |
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60667396 |
Apr 1, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/94 ;
36/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/26 20130101; A41B
11/006 20130101; A41B 11/004 20130101; A43B 3/126 20130101; A43B
3/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/94 ;
36/95 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/26 20060101
A43B007/26 |
Claims
1. An article of footwear having integral individual toe
compartments sufficient for receiving the toes of a wearer, and at
least one additional compartment between said toe compartments for
receiving and retaining a cushion or toe spacer placed therein.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the additional compartment is
tubular, is longer than the other compartments, and is open at its
distal end, whereby a cushion or toe spacer may be inserted into
the compartment at the end of the compartment inverted to retain
the cushion or spacer therein.
3. The invention of claim 2, wherein the tubular additional
compartment is connected to the footwear by a neck portion having a
diameter substantially less than that of the tube, so as to retain
the tube within the footwear once the tube is everted.
4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the article of footwear is a
shoe, a shoe insert, a boot, a sandal, a sock or a slipper.
5. An article of footwear comprising a strap anchored to the
footwear, said strap being connected to or forming a loop which
extends around the big toe to prevent the big toe from deforming
into a crooked bunion toe, or to correct a slightly bent one.
6. The invention of claim 5, wherein the strap is elastic.
7. The invention of claim 6, wherein the elastic strap extends from
the loop, between inner and outer layers of the footwear, along an
inside edge of the foot, around the heel, thence along the outside
of the foot to an anchorage point.
8. The invention of claim 8, wherein the strap is anchored to the
footwear by a hook-type Velcro fastener element for engaging loops
in the footwear material.
9. The invention of claim 5, wherein the article of footwear is a
shoe, a shoe insert, a boot, a sandal, a sock or a slipper.
Description
[0001] This application is a division of copending application Ser.
No. 12/723963, filed Mar. 15, 2010, which was a division of
application Ser. No. 11/395522, filed Apr. 3, 2006, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,676,850, which claimed benefit from provisional application
No. 60/667396, filed Apr. 1, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to orthopedic footwear, and more
particularly to a sock, sandal shoe or boot having extended,
reversible tubes or fingers formed thereon for retaining toe
separators or cushions between the toes.
[0003] The invention is concerned with proper alignment of the big
toe (Hallux). In some people, there is a tendency of the big toe to
bend outward (Valgus) toward the smaller toes and deform over time
into a Hallux Valgus or crooked big toe. The cause may be
hereditary, or it can be the extended wearing of shoes that are too
tight or ill fitting. Beyond being unsightly, a bent great toe can
turn so dramatically to the outside of the foot that the bursa at
the base of the big toe becomes inflamed and swells (bunion). In
addition, the big toe can interfere with, irritate and deform the
adjacent smaller toes. The resulting deformity of the toe bones and
joints (Hallus Vagus) can be so painful that corrective surgery is
commonly required. It is the purpose of this invention to reduce
substantially the frequency of such surgeries through the
protective and corrective forces that this invention will provide
to crooked and healthy toes.
[0004] Prior inventors have developed a number of solutions for
correcting the toes, by providing splints, separators and the like.
Many such devices are needlessly complex and difficult to apply and
wear. It would benefit those suffering from certain foot problems
to have a simple sock construction specially designed to retain toe
spacers or cushions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a sock that
supports cushions or separators between or around at least two toes
of the foot, to protect or correct the toes.
[0006] Another object is to maintain a corrective force on the big
toe, with the aim of straightening the toe, or preventing it from
becoming more crooked.
[0007] These and other objects are attained by the socks shown in
the drawings and described below.
[0008] In the following description, the term "toe sock" means a
sock constructed so that the five toes of the foot (designated
T1-T5, beginning with the great toe) are individually surrounded by
sock fabric, so that each toe can move independently. The term
"great toe" means the big toe. The term "tabi sock" means a sock
knitted so that the large or great toe is surrounded by fabric, and
the four smaller toes are contained together in one compartment,
analogous to a mitten for the hand Tabi socks are commonly worn
with sandals. The sandal post slips into the space between the two
toe compartments.
[0009] A primary advantage of the invention is its ease of use. The
wearer simply puts on a sock the normal course of dressing and the
cushion already properly positioned.
[0010] Another advantage of the invention is that enables one to
insert cushions of different sizes. A person can then use a thinner
or thicker cushion, according to their particular foot condition.
Actually, the person can start with a thin cushion, and gradually
increase the cushion thickness to increase corrective force without
discomfort.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the accompanying drawings,
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a toe separator sock, having
individual toes, one toe containing an attached toe separator or a
toe spacer to the right side of the great toe.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a modified form of the
invention, showing the sock with a spacer inserted into a
receptacle.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a modified form of the
invention, wherein the four smaller toes are contained within a
single sock space.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows another variation, in which the spacer
receptacle is formed separately between two toes.
[0016] FIG. 5 is like FIG. 4, except that the sock encloses all the
toes within its outer layer.
[0017] FIG. 6 is another modification, wherein all of the toes, and
the spacer receptacle, are individually formed.
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates another variation, in which the toes are
individually formed, and there are two separator receptacles.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment, including a strap and toe
cap or hood which is looped over and around the great toe, and
passes around the heel to an anchor point on the outside of the
foot.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a sock like that of FIG. 1,
with the addition of a bunion pad on the left side of the foot.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of sock having a spacer tube or
toe separator tube as manufactured, before the tube is
inverted.
[0022] FIG. 11 shows the sock of FIG. 10, after the toe tube has
been inverted.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a modification of the sock of FIG. 11, containing
an additional element.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the toe portion of the sock
shown in FIG. 12.
[0025] FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 10, except that the toes have
separate compartments which are one half conventional toe
length.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a double toe tube sock, before
inverting the two tubular cushion pockets.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a top plan view thereof, after inverting the
cushion pockets.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a plan view of another double toe tube sock,
before inverting the two cushion pockets.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a top plan view thereof, after inverting the two
cushion pockets.
[0030] FIGS. 19 and 20 show a sock, suitable for wearing with
thong-type sandals, in which there are separate compartments for
the great toe, and for the remaining toes, and cushions pockets are
provided on opposing sides of the compartments.
[0031] FIG. 21 illustrates a sock having a U-shaped cushion
permanently sewn into the sock between the great and second
toes.
[0032] FIGS. 22 and 23 show an alternative to the sock of FIG. 19,
wherein a cushion retainer tube is provided only on the great toe
side compartment of the sock.
[0033] FIGS. 24 and 25 show, before an after inversion, a sleeve of
large diameter which contains and cushions the great toe.
[0034] FIG. 26 shows a shoe, boot, sandal or slipper which, like
the sock of FIG. 8, contains an adjustable strap for maintaining a
corrective force on the great toe.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1 show a toe sock 10 having individual toe compartments
14, 16, 18, 20, 22, with a cushion, spacer or toe separator 12
provided on the inside of the great toe compartment 15. In FIG. 2,
the spacer or cushion 12 is situated in its own compartment 13.
[0036] The sock shown in FIG. 3 is like that of FIG. 1, except the
lesser toes are situated in a common compartment 16. FIG. 4 shows a
variation in which the spacer 12 is contained in its own
compartment 15 between the toe compartments 14, 16. FIG. 5 shows a
variation of FIG. 4, where an outer layer of material has been
added over the cushion to give the sock a conventional appearance.
FIG. 6 is a version of FIG. 4, with individual toe compartments.
FIG. 7 is like FIG. 6, with the addition of another spacer 12', in
its own compartment 15' between the second and third toes.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a toe sock containing an elastic strap 30
having a reinforced loop 38 which is placed over and around the big
toe. The strap is intended to prevent a big toe from deforming into
a crooked bunion toe, or to correct a slightly bent one. The
elastic strap 30 travels between inner and outer layers 26, 28 of
the sock, through passages defined by stitching 36, along the
inside edge of the foot, just below the ankle and around the heel,
thence along the outside of the foot (just slightly on the top side
of the foot). Its free end 32 attaches to the sock at an anchor
spot 34 just before reaching the last two smaller toes. The end may
have a hook-type Velcro element for engaging loops in the sock
material. This sock may also be constructed with one single layer
in which case the strap will be retained in its proper place by
fabric channels or tunnels at 36.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 9, any of the socks having built-in toe
spacers, toe separators or toe straps may also contain a bunion
cushion 40 at the inner side of the ball of the foot to help
relieve the pain and irritation of a toe bunion. As shown in FIG.
26, any of the socks having built-in toe spacers, toe separators or
toe straps may also contain a foot spacer or a foot repositioning
pad 62 at the inner side of the foot to reposition the foot toward
the outside of the shoe. The cushion or pad repositions the foot
away from the inside wall of the shoe, thus reducing pressure on
the big toe, which can contribute to deformation of the great toe.
The repositioning of the foot also allows the toe cushions, toe
separators and toe straps to have greater mechanical leverage and
increased corrective action on the toes.
[0039] FIG. 10 shows a single-cushion toe sock as it emerges from
the toe sock-knitting machine as shown FIG. 1. The sock has a
non-conventional spacer pocket 15 in the form of a knit tube, about
the length of a toe, extending forward from the toe. The pocket is
connected to the sock by a neck of reduced diameter.
[0040] FIG. 11 shows the sock, once the spacer pocket 15 has been
everted by pushing it into the interior of the sock. Now a spacer
or cushion may be inserted into the pocket. The reduced-diameter
neck help keeps the pocket everted and inside the sock, but if
desired, the spacer or cushion may be sewn, glued or otherwise
attached to the sock fabric. The pocket may, optionally, have an
open end 15b, so that the toe cushion may be removed from the
inside and, if desired, replaced by a thinner or thicker toe
spacer.
[0041] To prevent the toe separator from becoming dislodged during
strenuous exercise such as running, tennis or gymnastics, the sock
illustrated in FIG. 12 has the toe spacer attached to a slightly
larger under base which prevents the toe spacer from moving up
between the toes or dislodging. The toe spacer compartment is more
securely held in place by the added wings 44 (FIGS. 12 and 13),
which are situated in the low pressure concave areas near the base
of the toes and at the toe tips.
[0042] The sock of FIG. 14 is identical to that of FIG. 10, except
that individual toe compartments are formed to be one half the
normal length of the common toe sock. This irregular one-half toe
length construction increases the air circulation around the toes
of the foot, thereby reducing or preventing the incidence of toe
fungus or athlete's foot. The top half of the toes are covered and
separated by fabric, leaving the bottom half of the toes separated
slightly and open for air circulation.
[0043] The sock of FIG. 15 is similar to the single finger toe
separator sock of FIG. 10, except it has two separate cushion
pockets. The pocket sections are everted (FIG. 16) as described in
the preceding paragraph. Spacers or cushions may be inserted into
the everted pockets at this point, or subsequently, by the end
user. FIGS. 17 and 18 show another variation, where spacers are
placed between the first two toes and the last two toes.
[0044] FIG. 19 illustrates a tabi sandal sock 10, having a groove
or space between the great toe compartment and the lesser toes
compartment. FIG. 20 shows the sock after the cushion pockets 15
have been pushed or inverted into the inside of the sock. The tabi
sock reduces or eliminates irritation between the great and second
toe by the sandal post as the wearer walks. This enables people
having painful bunions to wear sandals comfortably.
[0045] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a tabi sandal sock having a
U-shaped cushion 50 permanently sewn into the "V" area between the
toes. In this embodiment, there is no separate cushion compartment.
The cushion may have a durable fabric covering or similar material
integrated with a silicon gel or foam so that the sewing stitches
do not pull through the cushion.
[0046] FIG. 22 shows a tabi sock having a single cushion pocket 15
extending from the great toe compartment. The pocket has been
everted in FIG. 23.
[0047] Tabi socks knit without seams are particularly useful for
application with a shoe, such as that shown in FIG. 26, having a
strap built in for correcting a crooked big toe. A tabi sock is
necessary in this application so that the big toe is isolated and
can receive a loop or hood that is attached to an elastic strap
which applies effective mechanical correcting pressure on the big
toe. Building a toe separator or cushion into the sock helps reduce
any discomfort on the inside of the big toe caused by the
correcting force of the toe strap. The fabric stitching on the
inside of the big toe can be manufactured by a programmable sock
knitting machine in such a way as to have a loose knit area
comprising yarn loops which can be used as an anchor for Velcro
hook elements provided on the toe strap.
[0048] FIGS. 24 and 25 provide a large-diameter evertible tube 52
extending from the end of the great toe compartment. When the tube
is everted, it surrounds and covers the top and sides of the great
toe, providing comfort and protection.
[0049] The toe strap system shown in FIG. 26 may alternatively be
built into a shoe, shoe insert, boot, sandal, or slipper 54. The
toe strap 55 loops over the big toe (protected by a toe sock or
tabi sock) and is attached to an elastic strap, which passes
through the wall of the shoe at 56. The strap travels down the side
of the shoe just below the ankle then around the heel. It free end
58 is attached by Velcro elements 60 to the outside rear portion of
the shoe, just beyond the outside of the ankle. The strap tension
can be adjusted to alter the correcting force on the big toe by
repositioning the Velcro elements.
[0050] FIG. 26 also shows the shoe as having a cushion 62 which
repositions the foot approximately 0.25-0.38 inch (0.63-0.96 cm)
toward the outside of the shoe. The slight repositioning of the
foot decreases the pressure that is imposed upon the big toe by the
inside wall of the shoe and also gives the toe strap (if used)
greater leverage.
[0051] Each individual toe separator sock, or each toe sock with
the toe strap built in, should be worn with (or contain) a foot
repositioning pad, or the shoe insert with the foot repositioning
pad 62 (FIG. 30) needs to be used together with these socks. A
well-designed shoe, with a lot of space around the big toe or extra
room in the toe box should be worn as well.
[0052] Other modifications and variations are possible. For
example, up to four inter-toe spacers could be provided and up to
five toe tubes could be provided, or combinations of both toe
separators and toe tubes. The toe separators and toe tubes may be
concealed or evident, as desired. Various materials might be used
for the spacers, including rigid, resilient, and semi-rigid
polymeric foam materials or a silicon gel in an envelope or
integrated around a durable fabric or cloth capable of being sewn
or glued for attachment purposes. The toe spacers and/or toe tubes
can be permanently attached to the sock, or made to be removable.
If attached, they may be secured to the sock material by sewing,
adhesives, or other means.
[0053] The sock may be made of various natural or synthetic
materials, such as cotton, acrylic or nylon. The nominal
thicknesses of these socks may vary as well. For instance, the
fabric material can be thick for an athletic sock, medium for
normal socks and dress socks, or the socks can be ultra thin nylon
for panty hose applications.
[0054] Within a sock, portions may vary from the nominal thickness.
For example, at the toes, the sock thickness could be made
approximately two-thirds the thickness of the rest of the sock.
Thickness variations can be obtained simply a matter of programming
the sock knitting machine.
[0055] The socks described above can be customized for an athletic
version with special toe spacers that stay in place even during
strenuous foot activity (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Athletic socks can
also be manufactured with an added thickness of fabric on the
bottom of the foot.
[0056] Seamless glove or sock knitting machines can be modified and
programmed to produce the tubular cushion pockets required for this
invention, which pockets are inverted to contain toe cushions
and/or separators.
[0057] A standard sock machine should not be used to make the socks
according to this invention. It is very important there be no seams
at the toes, on the sides, or between the toes. Many manufacturers
of tabi socks use techniques that result in thick seams between and
on top of the toes, which of course is not suitable for this
application. A modified hand mitten or glove sewing machine may be
used instead, after modification and reprogramming. By using a hand
mitten machine, toe socks can be produced having no seams between
the toes.
[0058] Inasmuch as the invention is subject to these and other
modifications and variations, it is intended that the invention
should be mentioned not by the foregoing description and the
drawings, which are only examples, but rather by the claims which
follow.
* * * * *