U.S. patent application number 14/696075 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-29 for footwear with an integrated donning mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Suganthi Ravindran. Invention is credited to Suganthi Ravindran.
Application Number | 20150305442 14/696075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54333537 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150305442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ravindran; Suganthi |
October 29, 2015 |
Footwear with an Integrated Donning Mechanism
Abstract
A footwear with an integrated donning mechanism allows a user to
put on a shoe and a sock without bending over or overexerting
themselves. This is accomplished through the use of an at least one
attachment mechanism. Each attachment mechanism includes a first
interlocking element and a second interlocking element. The sock
includes an outer contact surface connected in between a sock toe
and an ankle band. The shoe includes an inner contact surface
connected in between a shoe toe and a collar. The first
interlocking element connects onto the outer contact surface. The
second interlocking element connects onto the inner contact
surface. When the sock is positioned within the shoe, the first
interlocking element and the second interlocking element are
engaged to each other, and thus fastening the sock to the shoe such
that it is easier for the user put on the sock and the shoe.
Inventors: |
Ravindran; Suganthi; (Dix
Hills, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ravindran; Suganthi |
Dix Hills |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54333537 |
Appl. No.: |
14/696075 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61984129 |
Apr 25, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/138 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/28 20130101;
A43B 23/0205 20130101; A43B 23/0235 20130101; A41B 11/007 20130101;
A41B 2400/44 20130101; A43B 11/00 20130101; A43B 1/0081
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/28 20060101
A43B023/28; A41B 11/00 20060101 A41B011/00; A43B 11/00 20060101
A43B011/00 |
Claims
1. A footwear donning mechanism comprises: a sock; a shoe; an at
least one attachment mechanism; the sock comprises a sock toe, an
ankle band, and an outer contact surface; the shoe comprises a shoe
toe, a collar, and an inner contact surface; each of the at least
one attachment mechanism comprises a first interlocking element and
a second interlocking element; the outer contact surface extending
from the sock toe to the ankle band; the first interlocking element
being connected onto the outer contact surface; the inner contact
surface extending from the shoe toe to the collar; the second
interlocking element being connected onto the inner contact
surface; the sock traversing into the shoe; the sock toe being
positioned adjacent to the shoe toe; and the first interlocking
element and the second interlocking element being engaged to each
other.
2. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
the at least one attachment mechanism comprises a toe attachment
mechanism; the first interlocking element of the toe attachment
mechanism being connected onto the outer contact surface, adjacent
to the sock toe; the second interlocking element of the toe
attachment mechanism being connected onto the inner contact
surface, adjacent to the shoe toe; and the first interlocking
element and the second interlocking element of the toe attachment
mechanism being engaged to each other.
3. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
the at least one attachment mechanism comprises an ankle attachment
mechanism; the first interlocking element of the ankle attachment
mechanism being connected onto the outer contact surface, adjacent
to the ankle band; the second interlocking element of the ankle
attachment mechanism being connected onto the inner contact
surface, adjacent to the collar; and the first interlocking element
and the second interlocking element of the ankle attachment
mechanism being engaged to each other.
4. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
the sock further comprises a leg sleeve; the leg sleeve being
perimetrically and adjacently connected to the ankle band; and the
leg sleeve being externally positioned to the shoe.
5. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
a sole support; the sole support being integrated into a sole of
the sock; and the sole support being positioned within the shoe,
adjacent to an insole of the shoe.
6. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the at least one attachment mechanism is a hook and loop fastening
mechanism.
7. A footwear donning mechanism comprises: a sock; a shoe; an at
least one attachment mechanism; a sole support; the sock comprises
a sock toe, an ankle band, and an outer contact surface; the shoe
comprises a shoe toe, a collar, and an inner contact surface; each
of the at least one attachment mechanism comprises a first
interlocking element and a second interlocking element; the outer
contact surface extending from the sock toe to the ankle band; the
first interlocking element being connected onto the outer contact
surface; the inner contact surface extending from the shoe toe to
the collar; the second interlocking element being connected onto
the inner contact surface; the sock traversing into the shoe; the
sock toe being positioned adjacent to the shoe toe; the first
interlocking element and the second interlocking element being
engaged to each other; the sole support being integrated into a
sole of the sock; and the sole support being positioned within the
shoe, adjacent to an insole of the shoe.
8. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 7 comprises:
the at least one attachment mechanism comprises a toe attachment
mechanism; the first interlocking element of the toe attachment
mechanism being connected onto the outer contact surface, adjacent
to the sock toe; the second interlocking element of the toe
attachment mechanism being connected onto the inner contact
surface, adjacent to the shoe toe; and the first interlocking
element and the second interlocking element of the toe attachment
mechanism being engaged to each other.
9. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 7 comprises:
the at least one attachment mechanism comprises an ankle attachment
mechanism; the first interlocking element of the ankle attachment
mechanism being connected onto the outer contact surface, adjacent
to the ankle band; the second interlocking element of the ankle
attachment mechanism being connected onto the inner contact
surface, adjacent to the collar; and the first interlocking element
and the second interlocking element of the ankle attachment
mechanism being engaged to each other.
10. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 7 comprises:
the sock further comprises a leg sleeve; the leg sleeve being
perimetrically and adjacently connected to the ankle band; and the
leg sleeve being externally positioned to the shoe.
11. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein
the at least one attachment mechanism is a hook and loop fastening
mechanism.
12. A footwear donning mechanism comprises: a sock; a shoe; a toe
attachment mechanism; an ankle attachment mechanism; a sole
support; the sock comprises a sock toe, an ankle band, and an outer
contact surface; the shoe comprises a shoe toe, a collar, and an
inner contact surface; both the toe attachment mechanism and the
ankle attachment mechanism each comprise a first interlocking
element and a second interlocking element; the outer contact
surface extending from the sock toe to the ankle band; the first
interlocking element of the toe attachment mechanism being
connected onto the outer contact surface, adjacent to the sock toe;
the first interlocking element of the ankle attachment mechanism
being connected onto the outer contact surface, adjacent to the
ankle band; the inner contact surface extending from the shoe toe
to the collar; the second interlocking element of the toe
attachment mechanism being connected onto the inner contact
surface, adjacent to the shoe toe; the second interlocking element
of the ankle attachment mechanism being connected onto the inner
contact surface, adjacent to the collar; the sock traversing into
the shoe; the sock toe being positioned adjacent to the shoe toe;
the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element
of the toe attachment mechanism being engaged to each other; the
first interlocking element and the second interlocking element of
the ankle attachment mechanism being engaged to each other; the
sole support being integrated into a sole of the sock; and the sole
support being positioned within the shoe, adjacent to an insole of
the shoe.
13. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 12
comprises: the sock further comprises a leg sleeve; the leg sleeve
being perimetrically and adjacently connected to the ankle band;
and the leg sleeve being externally positioned to the shoe.
14. The footwear donning mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the at least one attachment mechanism is a hook and loop fastening
mechanism.
Description
[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S.
Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/984,129 filed on Apr.
25, 2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to footwear. More
specifically, the present invention is an alternative design for a
shoe and a sock which allows the user to put on the sock and the
shoes with minimal physical exertion or bending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The human body is prone to a variety of mental and physical
conditions which affect, to a certain degree, the cognitive and
physical capabilities of the person; one of the consequences of
these conditions is mobility restrictions. While minor mobility
restrictions yield slight discomfort, the majority of the time that
the individual is capable of overcoming the limitations by
themselves. More severe mobility restrictions, such as the
restrictions caused by obesity and old age, require the individual
to seek outside assistance even for the most trivial of tasks. As
the baby boomers generation, people born between 1946 and 1964,
begin to reach elderly age above 60 years old and the obesity rate
in the United States reaches an all-time high, the amount of
individuals with limited mobile restrictions grow every day.
Outside assistance may be provided by a professional, close family
member, or a friend; leaving the individual feeling helpless and
weak. Additionally, professional assistance is quite expensive and
difficult to obtain for certain times and dates. One of the more
prominent problems associated with relatively mild mobile
restrictions is the inability to bend over to a functional degree.
This limitation makes tasks such as putting on shoes and socks, an
otherwise trivial task, difficult and strenuous. A plurality of
different products have been invented which allow users to easily
put on their shoes and socks, but the majority of those products
are just modifications of shoe horns which still require the user
to bend over to some degree. Additionally, many of these devices
are multi-component devices which require a substantial amount of
time to set up and are difficult and/or awkward to execute.
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a product which
allows individuals with mobility limitations to quickly and easily
put on their shoes and socks. Instead of focusing on means of
inserting the foot into the sock, the present invention proposes an
alternative unique system of anchoring a modified sock into the
shoe and then simply inserting the foot into said assembly. The
present invention utilizes a sock with a semi rigid sole and a
modified shoe to fasten the sock inside the shoe to create a more
efficient solution when compared to prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sock component of the
present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe component of the
present invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention with a
partial sectional cut in the shoe, depicting the internal
components.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention with a
partial sectional cut in the shoe, depicting the positioning of the
sock within the shoe.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention,
depicting the leg sleeve component of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0011] The present invention is footwear with an integrated donning
mechanism. More specifically, the integrated donning mechanism does
not require the user to bend over or over exert themselves. This is
especially useful for individuals with physical disabilities that
otherwise would require external assistance. The present invention
is an alternative sock and shoe design which allows a user to
attach the sock to the shoe prior to inserting his/her foot. This
feature allows the user to simply slip their respective foot into
the sock and shoe assembly without bending over and with or without
partial assistance from a shoe horn.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, the present invention
comprises a sock 1, a shoe 7, and an at least one attachment
mechanism 12. The sock 1 is an apparel item designed to cover the
human foot, most often times composed of linen or other similar
cloth material. The sock 1 helps absorbs and wick away sweat
produced by the foot as well as provide insulation in cold
environments to keep the foot warm and to reduce the chance of
frostbite. The present invention may be used with a variety of
different types of socks 1 including, but not limited to, men's
socks, woman's socks, sport's socks, bobby socks, slouch socks, and
knee socks. Additionally, the sock 1 may vary in length, size,
color, and material composition. Contrary to the sock 1, the shoe 7
is a more durable covering for the human foot that protects the
foot from environmental hazards and provides comfort during
movement and activities. The shoe 7 may vary in size, length,
color, material composition, and type. Shoe 7 types include, but
are not limited to, sneakers, loafers, chucks, dress shoes, and
boots. The at least one attachment mechanism 12 is a means for
attaching the sock 1 within the shoe 7 such that the user may
insert his/her foot within the sock 1 and therefore within the shoe
7. Each of the at least one attachment mechanisms 12 comprises a
first interlocking element 15 and a second interlocking element 16
which secure the sock 1 within the shoe 7 with a strong enough hold
that the user may slide his/her foot in without dislodging or
displacing the sock 1; the first interlocking element 15 is
connected to the sock 1 and the second interlocking element 16 is
connected to the shoe 7.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1 the sock 1 comprises a sock toe 2, an
ankle band 3, and an outer contact surface 4. The sock toe 2 is the
closed off portion of the sock 1 that is designed to cover and
protect the toes of a user. The ankle band 3 is the top portion of
sock 1 which holds the sock 1 to the user's leg and encircles the
opening into which the users inserts his/her foot. The outer
contact surface 4 is the external surface of a main body of the
sock 1 and as such extends from the sock toe 2 to the ankle band 3.
The outer contact surface 4 directly engages the external
environment around the sock 1, most often times the shoe 7. The
first interlocking element 15 is connected onto the outer contact
surface 4 as seen in FIG. 1.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the shoe 7 comprises a shoe
toe 8, a collar 9, and an inner contact surface 10. The shoe toe 8
is the closed off portion of the shoe 7 that is designed to protect
the toes. The collar 9 is the rim which encircles the opening of
the shoe 7 and the portion that constricts around an ankle of the
user and holds the shoe 7 in place. The inner contact surface 10 is
the inside material of the shoe 7 which comes in direct contact
with the sides of the foot, the top of the foot, and/or the rear of
the heel. More specifically, the inner contact surface 10 extends
from the shoe toe 8 to the collar 9. The second interlocking
element 16 is connected onto the inner contact surface 10 as seen
in FIG. 4.
[0015] To use the present invention, the user first inserts the
sock 1 into the shoe 7 such that the first interlocking element 15
is engaged to the second interlocking element 16. More
specifically, the sock 1 traverses into the shoe 7 with the sock
toe 2 being positioned adjacent to the shoe toe 8 as seen in FIG.
4. With the first interlocking element 15 engaged to the second
interlocking element 16, the sock 1 is secured within the shoe 7
the user then simply inserts his/her foot into the sock 1 and
applies pressure downwards until the foot is fully inside the sock
1 and therefore the shoe 7; this step may require a shoe horn
depending on the type of sock 1 and shoe 7 being used. In one
embodiment of the present invention, a sole support 17 may be used
to ensure that the sock 1 does not move while the user is putting
on the sock 1 and shoe 7 assembly. The sole support 17 is a
semi-rigid piece of material that is shaped to a sole 6 of the sock
1. The sole support 17 is integrated into the sole 6 of the sock 1
such that when the sock 1 is positioned within the shoe 7, the sole
support 17 is positioned adjacent to an insole 11 of the shoe 7.
The sole support 17 may also act as a foot orthoses that alters the
characteristics of the shoe 7 to increase comfort, promote proper
blood circulation, and proper pressure distribution. Various
materials may be used for the sole support 17 including, but not
limited to, gel, rubber, plastic, and other similar materials.
Additionally, the sole support 17 may partially or fully extend
across the sole 6 of the sock 1. Furthermore, the sole support 17
may also contain padding in various regions to further facilitate a
comfortable feel for the user.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sock 1
further comprises a leg sleeve 5. The leg sleeve 5 extends the sock
1 to cover the lower portion of the leg for added coverage and or
aesthetic appeal as seen in FIG. 5. The leg sleeve 5 is
perimetrically and adjacently connected to the ankle band 3. This
positions the leg sleeve 5 externally to the shoe 7. In this
embodiment, two additional steps are required for the user to but
the sock 1 and shoe 7 on. The user would first roll the leg sleeve
5 towards the ankle band 3, insert the sock 1 into the shoe 7,
insert his/her foot into the sock 1, and then roll the leg sleeve 5
up the leg as seen in FIG. 5.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one
attachment mechanism 12 comprises a toe attachment mechanism 13 and
an ankle attachment mechanism 14. This embodiment fastens the sock
1 and the shoe 7 at two different points, ensuring the sock 1 does
not move while the user inserts his/her foot. The toe attachment
mechanism 13 fastens the sock toe 2 and the shoe toe 8 together.
The first interlocking element 15 of the toe attachment mechanism
13 is connected onto the outer contact surface 4, adjacent to the
sock toe 2. The second interlocking element 16 of the toe
attachment mechanism 13 is connected onto the inner contact surface
10, adjacent to the shoe toe 8. When the sock 1 is positioned
within the shoe 7, the first interlocking element 15 and the second
interlocking element 16 of the toe attachment mechanism 13 are
engaged to each other. Positioning the toe attachment mechanism 13
towards the front of the sock 1 and shoe 7 ensures the sock 1 is
fully extended inside the shoe 7 and that there are no crumpled
regions.
[0018] The ankle attachment mechanism 14 fastens the ankle band 3
and the collar 9 together. The first interlocking element 15 of the
ankle attachment mechanism 14 is connected onto the outer contact
surface 4, adjacent to the ankle band 3. The second interlocking
element 16 of the ankle attachment mechanism 14 is connected onto
the inner contact surface 10, adjacent to the collar 9. When the
sock 1 is positioned within the shoe 7, the first interlocking
element 15 and the second interlocking element 16 of the ankle
attachment mechanism 14 are engaged to each other. This design
fastens the two ends of the sock 1 to the shoe 7 and ensures ease
of use for the user; when inserting the sock 1 into the shoe 7, the
first interlocking element 15 has little to no obstacles that get
caught on. Alternative placement of the first interlocking element
15 and the second interlocking element 16 may also be utilized.
[0019] To properly insert the sock 1 into the shoe 7, the user
first inserts the sock toe 2 into the shoe 7 and attaches the sock
toe 2 to the shoe toe 8 through the use of the toe attachment
mechanism 13. Next, the user aligns the ankle band 3 to be
coincident with the collar 9 and ensures that the sock 1 does not
have any wrinkles or bent regions. Afterwards, the user attaches
the collar 9 to the ankle band 3 through the use of the ankle
attachment mechanism 14. The user is then able to insert his/her
foot inside the sock 1 and the shoe 7 simultaneously as seen in
FIG. 4.
[0020] In alternative embodiments of the present invention, each of
the at least one attachment mechanisms 12 comprises a multitude of
interlocking elements distributed about the outer contact surface 4
and the inner contact surface 10. The interlocking elements may be
implemented in the form of strips, patterns, and other designs.
Referring to FIG. 3, the preferred at least one attachment
mechanism 12 is a hook and loop fastening mechanism. Furthermore,
it is preferred that the first interlocking element 15 is the loop
portion of the hook and loop fastening mechanism and the second
interlocking element 16 is the loop portion of the hook and loop
fastening mechanism. Alternative fastening mechanism may also be
used for the at least one attachment mechanism 12 including, but
not limited to, buttons, friction strips, adhesive, and other
similar mechanisms. In one embodiment, the at least one attachment
mechanism 12 is a multitude of reusable adhesive strips distributed
about the outer contact surface 4 and the inner contact surface
10.
[0021] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *