U.S. patent application number 14/111595 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for foot protector.
This patent application is currently assigned to INNOVER LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Jasbir Gill. Invention is credited to Jasbir Gill.
Application Number | 20140196306 14/111595 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44147003 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140196306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gill; Jasbir |
July 17, 2014 |
FOOT PROTECTOR
Abstract
Foot protector (30) adapted to be worn between the foot and a
predefined shaped item of outer footwear (10), comprising a thin
flexible resilient elastic non slip membrane (30) shaped to grip
the foot without slipping. The membrane (30) is of a complementary
shape corresponding to the predefined shape of the outer footwear
(10) so as to engage the outer footwear (10) in a non slip manner.
The membrane (30, 31, 32, 36) may have an orthopaedic style of
support (41) integrally incorporated into the foot protector (30)
to provide support under the arch of the foot of the wearer.
Inventors: |
Gill; Jasbir; (Birmingham,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gill; Jasbir |
Birmingham |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
INNOVER LIMITED
Birmingham, West Midlands
GB
|
Family ID: |
44147003 |
Appl. No.: |
14/111595 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
April 16, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2012/050834 |
371 Date: |
March 25, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/10 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 19/00 20130101;
A43B 7/142 20130101; A43B 17/14 20130101; A43B 17/00 20130101; A43B
23/28 20130101; A43B 17/003 20130101; A43B 13/226 20130101; A43B
13/386 20130101; A43B 1/0027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/10 |
International
Class: |
A43B 17/00 20060101
A43B017/00; A43B 19/00 20060101 A43B019/00; A43B 17/14 20060101
A43B017/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 2011 |
GB |
1106315.3 |
Claims
1. A discrete foot protector (30) adapted to be worn on a person's
foot between the foot and item of outer footwear (10) to protect
the foot against rubbing by the outer footwear (10), said protector
(30) comprising a thin flexible resilient elastic non-slip membrane
(30) shaped to grip the foot without slipping on the foot and which
in use provides a barrier between the foot and the outer footwear
(10).
2. A foot protector (30) according to claim 1 adapted to be worn
between the foot and a predefined shaped item of outer footwear(10)
wherein the membrane (30) is of a complementary shape to the
predefined shape of the outer footwear.
3. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is selected from of a silicone polymer. polyvinylchloride,
polyester, polythene, silicone rubber, SEBS Block Copolymers,
Styrene-ethylene, butadiene-styrene, or a thermoplastic
elastomer.
4. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is made of a porous or gas permeable material to allow the foot of
the wearer to breathe.
5. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is made of a non porous material that is perforated to allow the
foot of the wearer to breathe
6. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the thickness of
the membrane (30) is in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm.
7. A foot protector according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of
the membrane (10) varies at different regions of the foot protector
(30).
8. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is made of a transparent or translucent material.
9. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is made of a coloured material.
10. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is skin-coloured.
11. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is decorated.
12. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the item of outer
footwear (10) has straps (15,18,19), and the membrane (30) is
shaped, dimensioned and comprises an integral sole and one or more
hoops corresponding to the position of the straps (15, 18, 19) of
the outer footwear (10) to provide a barrier between the wearer's
foot and the outer footwear (10).
13. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the outer
footwear (10) is a shoe, and the membrane (30) is shaped and
dimensioned so that it covers the toes, body of the foot and the
heel (36) of the foot of the wearer.
14. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the outer
footwear (10) is a shoe, and the membrane (30) comprises two
discrete parts (39. 40) one of which (39) is shaped and dimensioned
so that it covers the toes and ball of the foot, and a second part
(36, 40) which extends around the heel without being joined by a
sole.
15. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the item of outer
footwear (10) is a shoe with open sides, and membrane (30) is
shaped and dimensioned so that it covers the toes and sole of the
foot but leaves the side of the foot uncovered.
16. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (30)
is of a corresponding shoe shape that covers the toes and sole of
the foot and has an integral portion (36) that covers the heel but
leaves the side of the foot uncovered.
17. A foot protector according claim 1 wherein the item of outer
footwear (10) is a boot and the membrane (30) comprises integral
sole and one or more hoops corresponding to the shape of the
boot.
18. A foot protector according to claim 1 wherein the item of outer
footwear (10) is a boot shaped sandal with straps (15,18,19), and
the membrane (30) comprises an integral sole (31) and one or more
hoops corresponding to the position of the straps (15, 18, 19) of
the sandal.
19. A foot protector according claim 1 including an orthopaedic
style of support (41)to provide support under the arch of the foot
of the wearer.
20. A foot protector according to claim 19 wherein the support (41)
is integrally incorporated into the membrane (30) to provide
support under the arch of the foot of the wearer.
21. A foot protector according to claim 19 wherein the support (41)
comprises a sac (42) containing a gel (43).
22. A foot protector (30) according to claim 1 wherein the membrane
is bonded to a sole made from a material selected from leather, man
made materials, rubber compounds, or plastics material to form an
item of outer footwear.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to footwear intended to be worn on
the wearer's foot for the purpose of protecting the wearer's foot
and reducing or alleviating discomfort or soreness due to rubbing
of an outer piece of footwear (such as a shoe, sandal, slipper, or
boot) on the wearer's foot.
[0002] There is a need for a foot protector that a discrete item
that is interchangeable and can be worn with different designs of
outer footwear to reduce or eliminate discomfort, or soreness or
injury caused by the shoe or sandal rubbing on the foot.
[0003] There have been many proposals in the past in the form of
loose fitting socks and stockings for wearing on the foot, or
adhesive patches, some of which my use a gel or pliable deformable
infill.
[0004] There have been proposals to place insoles on the bottom, or
sole, of shoes that are made of rubber, plastics, gels, foam, or
cardboard type materials, but none of these solve the problem of
reducing soreness or discomfort completely because the foot often
slips inside the outer footwear. Also, due to the thickness of some
inserts, the discomfort of the wearer increases elsewhere on the
foot as the outer footwear becomes tighter. Furthermore, many of
the prior known solutions have been ugly and often ruin the overall
appearance of the shoe or sandal, and particularly with high
fashion shoes, often destroys the original point of the wearer
choosing the shoe in the first place.
[0005] There are numerous products in the market place to help
relieve pain from rubbing, chaffing, and pressure, by providing
cushioning in various forms. These include cushioned Insoles that
are shaped to the shape of the base of the foot or shoe and are
placed in the bottom of the shoe by cutting them to size. Some
insoles are sized to fit the full length of the shoe or are
half-size to fit under the ball of the foot. Insoles are generally
made from gel, foam rubber, or memory foam or latex but again often
do not prevent the wearer's foot slipping inside the outer footwear
and also make the outer footwear tight creating different foot
problems.
[0006] Other solutions have included sticking pads in the outer
footwear for various purposes. These include pads the are used to
try to take up the slack of ill-fitting shoes. These pads are often
referred to as "heel grips" or the like, and are not
interchangeable for use with other designs of shoes.
[0007] It is also known to make shaped gel filled pads or spots
that have an adhesive backing to enable the pads to be stuck to the
inside of the shoe sole and upper. Some forms of pads are in the
form of gel filled heel shield or sling back strips. Another form
of protective pad is known as a foot cover that is fastened inside
the shoe and comprises a gel located inside a fabric cover that
covers the front part of the foot. Other foot pain relief remedies
have included plasters of various shapes and thicknesses with the
aim of providing foam cushioning, pressure relief for ball of foot,
relief of rubbing, chaffing, or friction or pressure on bunions,
callous and corns, and are also used to try to prevent build up of
hard skin. Some of these dressings have added medication such as
Salicylic Acid, or hydrocolloid or felt pads, or foam pads to treat
corns, blisters and verrucas.
[0008] Fashion garments that include features to relieve pain have
also been proposed. These include knitted or woven fabric foot
fashion garments. Some are plain and some are decorative (including
lace). Some cover part of the foot i.e. the front of foot (some
have an elasticated strap for the heel), toe or heel/ankle. Some
cover all the foot and are low cut slipper style
socks/footsies/invisible sneakers/Mini socks. Some come with ankle
and leg ties. Many of the fashion garments are like sock/pop
sock/tights/stocking type fabrics. Theses foot garments come in
various shapes, sizes, thicknesses and fabrics with the aim of
providing cushioning from rubbing or friction. Many of these
products do not stop the wearer's foot slipping forward from inside
the outer footwear, causing pain, and also chaffing.
[0009] We are aware of the following prior published documents
GB270033, GB281,565, GB279,327, GB204,562, US2010/0154251,
US2007/0283598, US2006/0288609, U.S. Pat. No. 2,332,252, U.S. Pat.
No. 1,901,659 that relate to various forms of outer footwear or
devices to protect the outer wear against damage by sweat from the
foot of the wearer or which relate to water proof items to be worn
over socks or are loose fitting on the foot of the wearer. None of
these designs of footwear provide an interchangeable foot protector
that is a constructed from a membrane that grips the foot in a non
slip way and is worn between the foot and the outer footwear to
prevent the footwear causing injury by the outer footwear rubbing
the foot.
[0010] Another proposal has been to provide foldable shoes for
carrying in a handbag that can be unfolded and worn on the foot as
an item of footwear.
[0011] All of the known proposals to reduce pain or discomfort
suffer from the disadvantage that they do not prevent the wearer's
foot moving relative to the outer footwear and in some cases are
not readily interchangeable for use with different items of outer
footwear.
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an
independent, interchangeable piece of footwear to be placed on the
foot of a person to reduce or prevent movement between the wearer's
foot and outer footwear (shoe sandal, slipper and the like) that
reduces or eliminates discomfort, or soreness or injury caused by
the outer footwear relative to the foot which rubs the foot.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide such
footwear that is unobtrusive, unnoticeable, and attractive when
worn.
[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided Footwear comprising a thin, flexible, resilient, elastic,
non-slip, membrane shaped to grip the foot without slipping that
constitutes the upper, and a sole. Preferably the membrane is
bonded or moulded to a sole made from a material selected from
leather, manmade materials, rubber compound, or plastics material
to form an item of outer footwear.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided A discrete foot protector adapted to be worn on a
person's foot between the foot and item of outer footwear (10) to
protect the foot against rubbing by the outer footwear, said
protector comprising a thin flexible resilient elastic non-slip
membrane shaped to grip the foot without slipping on the foot and
which in use provides a barrier between the foot and the outer
footwear.
[0016] Preferably the foot protector adapted to be worn between the
foot and a predefined shaped item of outer footwear in which case
the membrane is of a complementary shape to the predefined shape of
the outer footwear.
[0017] Preferably the membrane is selected from of a silicone
polymer. polyvinylchloride, polyester, polythene, silicone rubber,
SEBS Block Copolymers, Styrene-ethylene, butadiene-styrene, or a
thermoplastic elastomer. It is preferred that the membrane is made
of a porous or gas permeable material to allow the foot of the
wearer to breath, or is made of a non porous material that is
perforated or foraminated to allow the foot of the wearer to
breathe
[0018] The preferred thickness of the membrane is in the range of
0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. If desired the thickness of the membrane (10) may
varies at different regions of the foot protecto. For example it
may be thicker under the ball of the foot.
[0019] The membrane may be made of a transparent or translucent
material. The material may be clear or may be made of a coloured
material. The membrane may be skin-coloured. If desired the
membrane may be decorated or patterned.
[0020] Where the outer footwear has straps, the membrane may be is
shaped, dimensioned and comprise an integral sole and one or more
hoops corresponding to the position of the straps of the outer
footwear to provide a barrier between the wearer's foot and the
outer footwear.
[0021] The membrane may be shaped and dimensioned so that it covers
the toes, body of the foot and the heel of the foot of the
wearer.
[0022] In the case where the outer footwear is a shoe, the membrane
may comprise two discrete parts, one of which is shaped and
dimensioned so that it covers the toes and ball of the foot, and a
second part which extends around the heel without being joined by a
sole.
[0023] Where the outer footwear (10) is a shoe with open sides, the
membrane may be shaped and dimensioned so that it covers the toes
and sole of the foot but leaves the side of the foot uncovered. In
this latter case, the membrane is preferably of a corresponding
shoe shape that covers the toes and sole of the foot and has an
integral portion that covers the heel but leaves the side of the
foot uncovered.
[0024] Where the outer footwear is a boot the membrane may
comprises an integral sole and one or more hoops corresponding to
the shape of the boot.
[0025] Where the outer footwear is a boot-shaped sandal with straps
the membrane may comprise an integral sole and one or more hoops
corresponding to the position of the straps of the sandal.
[0026] The foot protector may include an orthopaedic style of
support to provide support under the arch of the foot of the
wearer. In this case, the support may be integrally incorporated
into the membrane to provide support under the arch of the foot of
the wearer. Preferably the support comprises a sac containing a
gel.
[0027] The membrane may be bonded or moulded to a sole made from a
material selected from leather, manmade materials, rubber
compounds, or plastics material to form an item of outer
footwear.
[0028] Where the item of outer footwear has straps, and the
membrane is preferably shaped, dimensioned to have an integral sole
and one or more hoops corresponding to the position of the straps
of the outer footwear connected to the sole.
[0029] Where the item of outer footwear is a shoe the membrane is
shaped and dimensioned so that it covers the toes, body of the foot
and the heel of the foot.
[0030] Where the item of outer footwear is a shoe, the membrane may
be shaped and dimensioned so that it covers the toes, and the heel
of the foot.
[0031] Where the item of outer footwear is a shoe with open sides
the membrane may be shaped and dimensioned so that it covers the
toes and sole of the foot but leaves the side of the foot
uncovered. In a further embodiment for use with a shoe the membrane
comprises a shoe shaped membrane that covers the toes and sole of
the foot and has an integral portion that covers the heel but
leaves the side of the foot uncovered.
[0032] Where the item of outer footwear is a boot and the membrane
may comprise an integral sole and one or more hoops corresponding
to the shape of the boot. Where the item of outer footwear is a
boot shaped sandal with straps, the membrane may comprise an
integral sole and one or more hoops corresponding to the position
of the straps of the sandal.
[0033] The present invention will now be described by way of
examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0034] FIGS. 1 to 9 show, schematically various known shapes of
outer footwear with which the present invention can be used;
[0035] FIGS. 10 to 12 show respectively a plan view, side view and
cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention
of a foot protector constructed in accordance with the present
invention suitable for use with a open toed sandal;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG.
10 and
[0037] FIG. 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10;
[0038] FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively a side view and a cross
sectional view similar to that of FIGS. 11 and 12 showing a
modified version of the foot protector of FIGS. 10 to 12;, FIG. 14
is a cross sectional view along line 14-14 of FIG. 13
[0039] FIGS. 15 and 16 show respectively a plan and cross sectional
views of a further modification of a foot protector constructed
according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 17 shows a foot protector constructed in accordance
with the present invention for wear with flip flops, sling backs
and thongs;
[0041] FIG. 18 shows a foot protector constructed in accordance
with a further embodiment of the present invention for covering the
toes of a wearer;
[0042] FIG. 19 shows a foot protector constructed in accordance
with yet a further embodiment the present invention comprising two
parts that are used together to form the foot protector;
[0043] FIGS. 20 and 21 show a foot protector constructed in
accordance with the present invention that incorporates an
orthopaedic style foot arch support. FIG. 20 is a side view and
FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view along line 21-21 of FIG. 20;
and.
[0044] FIG. 22 shows a foot protector constructed in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention incorporating an
integral sole.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9 there is shown schematically
various items of outer footwear 10, In FIG. 1 the outer footwear 10
is in the form of a sandal 10 with straps 11, 12, and 13 fixed to a
conventional sole 14.
[0046] In FIG. 2 there is shown a flip flop 10 that has a strap 15
fixed to the sole 16 and running from one side near the heel end of
the sole over the top of the flip flop to the other side. A central
strap 18 is connected to the strap 15 and runs forwards and
downwards to be connected to the sole 16 at a location between the
big toe and second toe of the wearer's foot.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a modification of the
flip flop 10 of FIG. 2 that has a larger width strap 15 that covers
more area of the top of the wearer's foot. FIG. 4 shows another
type of flip flop that is similar to the flip flop of FIG. 3 but
having an additional strap 19 that encompasses the ankle of the
wearer's foot. Other forms of flip flop are those called "thongs"
that have very thin straps 18 that pass between the big toe and
second toe of the wearer and attach to the ankle strap 19.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 there are shown two types of
court shoes 10; the shoe in FIG. 5 has a low heel whereas that of
FIG. 6 has a high heel. Both of the shoes of FIGS. 5 and 6 have an
upper 20 that is made of leather of manmade fibre.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown a variation of the court
shoes of FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein the shoe 10 has open sides formed by
having a front portion 21 that covers the toes and a heel portion
22 that wraps around the rear of the heel. The two portions 21 and
22 are connected together by a leather or rubber sole 23. An ankle
strap 24 is provided that encompasses the ankle. Another form of
court shoe is that called a "sling-back". It has the front shape
and upper of the court shoe which partway up the foot ends replaced
and held in place by a strap that extends from the upper around the
heel.
[0050] In FIG. 8 there is shown a boot style of outer footwear 10
the upper 25 of the boot 10 covers the complete foot and ankle of
the wearer. The boot upper may be made of leather or man made
fabric or could be an open network of straps, chains or textile
elements. The boot 10 shown in FIG. 9 is a high heeled boot.
[0051] Other types of outer footwear with which the present
invention can be used are sandals known as "strappy sandals",
trainers, sports shoes, and pumps.
[0052] All of the above mentioned outer footwear may be in flat
soled, low heel or high heel versions with, or without, platform
soles.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 10 there is shown the plan view of one of
a pair of foot protectors 30 constructed in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. The foot protector 30 is a
discrete item adapted to be worn on the foot of a wearer to provide
an interface between the foot and an item of outer footwear 10 (not
shown in FIGS. 10 to 21). The foot protector 30 is made of very
thin resilient, elastic or elasticised membrane, such as, for
example, a silicone polymer membrane typically) 0.4 to 1.0 mm
(0.020 to 0.040'') thick of the type sold by Polymer Systems
Technology Ltd and Clinical Polymer Technologies Ltd. as an air
permeable membrane supplied for medical applications but it need
not be of such high quality. Preferably the membrane 30 is made
from an air permeable or porous material but could be made from a
non porous material that is foraminated or perforated.
[0054] The foot protector 30 comprises an integral sole 31 and a
tubular front upper 32 that is dimensioned to grip and mould itself
to the shape of the front and upper part of the wearer's foot
lightly, leaving the toes to project forwards of the upper 32. As
shown in FIG. 11, the upper 32 is a complete tubular shape. The
foot protector 30 may be made in many different shoe sizes or there
may be one size to fit many sizes of feet. The foot protector 30 of
FIGS. 10 to 12 are intended to be worn on the foot and used with
the outer footwear 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 and other types of
outer footwear.
[0055] In a modification of the foot protector 30 of FIG. 10 (shown
in FIGS. 15 and 16) the width of the upper 32 of the foot protector
30 of FIG. 10 when measured in a direction from the toes towards
the heel can be smaller than that shown in FIG. 10, and one or more
hoops or straps 33 (shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) corresponding to the
position of the straps of the shoe shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Similarly, the foot protector 30 could have straps (not shown) that
are positioned and correspond to the straps 15, 18, 19 of the shoes
shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 to enable the foot protector 30 to be used
with the style of outer footwear 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 there is shown a modification
of the foot protector 30 in which the cylindrical tubular upper 32
of the footwear of FIGS. 10 to 12 is replaced by a slightly
frusta-conical tubular upper 32. It is thought that this may
provide more comfort with less tight a grip than that of the
cylindrical tubular upper shown in FIG. 12. The footwear of FIG. 13
also has a sole 3. The foot protector 30 of FIGS. 12 and 13 may, or
may not, have an additional feature of a heel grip 36 (as shown in
FIG. 13) shaped to lightly grip around the heel of the wearer
enabling this foot protector to be worn with items of outer
footwear that have heel covers such as those shown in FIGS. 1, and
4 to 9.
[0057] The Foot protector 30 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 have an upper
32 for covering the front of the foot and a sole 31. In FIG. 17 two
holes 34, 35 are provided to allow the toes to project through the
upper 32 of the foot protector 30. The foot protector 30 of FIG. 18
does not have the holes 34, 35. The foot protector 30 of FIG. 17 is
suitable for wear with the shoes shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. The foot
protector 30 of FIGS. 187 and 18 may or may not have an optional
heel grip 36 (as shown in FIG. 18), and would be suitable for wear
with the shoes of FIG. 7 or those of FIGS. 6 and 9.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 19 there is shown a foot protector 30 made
of two parts 39 and 40 that constitute a foot protector 30 for
wearing on one foot. One part 39 is a thin silicone polymer
membrane (or SEBS or TPE) shaped to cover the toes of the wearer.
If desired, the part 39 may, or may not, have holes to receive the
toes of the wearer that are similar to the holes 34, 35 shown in
FIG. 17. The second part 40 is a thin silicone polymer membrane (or
SEBS or TPE) shaped to cover the heel of the wearer (similar to the
shape of the heel cover shown in FIG. 13) but there is no sole
interconnecting the parts 39 and 40. The foot protector 30 of FIG.
19 can be worn when wearing outer footwear of the type shown in any
of FIGS. 1, 4 to 9.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21 there is shown a foot protector
30 that has an orthopaedic style of support 41. This support 41 may
be a discrete separate item, or could be integrally incorporated
into the foot protector 30, to provide support under the arch of
the foot of the wearer. The support 41 is made separately and could
be made of a pre-shaped silicone polymer sac 42 that is filled with
a gel material 43 and is either placed into the outer footwear (or
inside the tubular upper 32 of the foot protector 30 or is
subsequently incorporated into the foot protector 30 by moulding or
forming the membrane of the foot protector 30 around the sac
42.
[0060] It is to be understood that the uppers 32 of the foot
protector 30 of FIGS. 15 to 22 could be a cylindrical tube (as
shown in FIG. 12) or a frusta-conical tube (as shown in FIG.
13).
[0061] The membranes 30 are preferably made of air permeable
materials that allow the foot to breathe and perspire. Preferably
the membrane has slightly tacky or clingy surfaces (not adhesive)
that prevents the footwear slipping on the foot and but allows the
foot protector 30 to slip relative to the outer footwear 10. The
prototypes of the foot protector 30 were made from a sheet of
silicone polymer, but other resilient, pliable, elastic membrane
materials may be suitable. It may be possible to make the membrane
30 from other materials than silicone rubber polymers, such as, for
example polyethylene, polyurethane, or polyvinylchloride (PVC) or
polyesters, SEBS Block Copolymers
(Styrene-ethylene/butadiene-styrene) or TPE (Thermo Plastic
elastomer). It is thought that a typical range of preferred
thicknesses for the membrane is in the range of 0.40 mm to 1.0 mm
thick. The membrane 30 may be of varying thicknesses at different
regions of the foot protector 30.
[0062] When making the prototype foot protectors 30 shown in FIGS.
10 to 21 the membrane sheet was cut to shape to form a tongue that
constitutes the sole 31 and the uppers 32 and the sheet wrapped to
form the tubular or frusta conical uppers 32 and glued or heat
sealed to form the tubular cross sectional shaped uppers 32. Whist
this provided a comfortable fit for the foot protector 30, it is
thought that it may be better to make the foot protector 30 as a
seamless construction. This may be done either by flow moulding or
full injected moulding a fluid mouldable material to create the
membrane 30 to the desired shapes of sole 31 and uppers 32 (and
heel supports 36 where included), or by extruding an extrudable
material to make the tubular or frusta-conical shapes that make the
uppers 32, The sole shape 31 (and where appropriate the heel
supports 36) may be made by cutting them out of the tubular parts
of the membrane that form the uppers 32 to leave an integral flat
sole 31 (and heel support 36 where appropriate).
[0063] It is to be understood that the membrane 30 is preferably
moulded, fabricated, or cut, to form shapes that complement
predefined shapes of outer foot wear, so that the foot protector 30
is shaped to confront the parts of the outer footwear (such as
straps, heel supports and uppers) where it is expected the outer
footwear might chafe the foot of the wearer.
[0064] Where it is desired that the foot protector 30 be
unobtrusive or unnoticeable when worn, it could be made of a
transparent material that is of a matt or gloss finish or could be
made of skin coloured materials. Where it is desired to show off or
add to the footwear the footwear could be made of highly coloured
or patterned materials.
[0065] The membrane 30 could be coated in places with various
non-stick products such as polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) to aid
comfort and easy of use. Indeed the membrane may be coated with, or
impregnated with, medical preparations such as an antiseptic, anti
bacterial, or deodorising material or substance. Indeed the medical
properties could be incorporated into the membrane 30 as it is
moulded or extruded.
[0066] In the above examples, FIGS. 10 to 21 show only the right
foot of the foot protector 30. However it is to be understood that
the foot protector 30 of the present invention is to be sold as
matching pairs of left and right foot shapes, although some foot
protectors 30 could be made of identical shapes (that is to say
that it is not shaped for either the right or left foot) and the
sole shapes may be cut out by the wearer to suit each foot.
[0067] In the above description there is disclosed foot protectors
30 for wear with an item of outer footwear. In FIG. 22 there is
shown one example of foot protector constructed in accordance with
the present invention adapted to be worn in place of an item of
outer footwear. The upper 32 and sole 31 of the foot protector is
made from a thin elastic membrane such as that disclosed above with
reference to FIGS. 10 to 21 that lightly moulds to the foot of the
wearer. In this case, the upper 32 and sole 31 is made of an
elastic silicone polymer membrane that is bonded or integrally
moulded to a wear resistant sole 40 that is made of, for example,
leather, manmade materials, rubber or plastic to form an item of
outer footwear similar to any one of FIGS. 1 to 9.
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