U.S. patent number 3,762,075 [Application Number 05/275,749] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-02 for disposable shoe.
Invention is credited to Dorothy G. Munschy.
United States Patent |
3,762,075 |
Munschy |
October 2, 1973 |
DISPOSABLE SHOE
Abstract
A disposable shoe having a sole, an upper continuous with the
sole so as to define a front portion of the shoe, a first flap
extending from the sole and adapted to be folded to form a back
portion for the shoe, a pair of second flaps extending rearwardly
from the front portion and adapted to engage each other and
outwardly to overlay the first flap to retain the first flap in
position as a back portion for the shoe; and indicia provided on
the first flap designating potential fold lines where the first
flap can be folded to define a shoe of the length indicated.
Inventors: |
Munschy; Dorothy G.
(Bakersfield, CA) |
Family
ID: |
23053638 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/275,749 |
Filed: |
July 27, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/97; 36/48;
36/93; 36/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
3/163 (20130101); A43B 3/26 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
3/16 (20060101); A43b 023/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/2.5B,11,51,2.5E,2.5R,48,49,47 ;2/DIG.6 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lawson; Patrick D.
Claims
I claim:
1. A shoe fabricated from a single blank of sheet material
comprising a sole having predetermined forward, central and
rearward portions disposed substantially in a common plane and
shaped generally to conform to the shape of a person's foot;
opposite wings integral with opposite sides of the sole throughout
the central portion thereof providing toe extensions extended
convergently frowardly about the forward portion of the sole,
upwardly over the forward portion of the sole and having overlapped
central edges disposed above the forward portion of the sole; means
securing the toe extensions about the edges of the forward portion
of the sole and the overlapped central edges to each other, the
sole having a heel tab continuous with the rearward portion thereof
folded upwardly from the plane of the sole to form a heel for the
shoe, the wings each having an integral rearwardly extended tab,
the tabs being folded rearwardly about the heel tab in overlapping
relation to each other; and means releasably securing the
overlapped tabs in adjustably overlapped relation.
2. A disposable shoe comprising an integral blank of sheet material
having an elongated sole providing successively continuous
predetermined heel, central and toe portions, the heel and central
portions having side edges disposed in substantially parallel
planes, the heel portion being transversely folded to substantially
right angular relation to the central portion to form a back to the
shoe, the toe portion being semi-ovate, forwardly extended from the
central portion and having an arcuate peripheral edge; and a wing
continuous with each side edge of the central portion, said wings
being mirror images of each other, being folded to substantially
right angular relation to the central portion of the sole, along
the side edges thereof, having flaps rearwardly extended from said
central portion and overlapped rearwardly about the heel portion of
the sole, and toe portions disposed on opposite sides of the toe
portion of the sole, each toe portion having an arcuate edge
extended forwardly about the peripheral edge of the toe portion and
secured thereto to a point of juncture with the opposite wing and a
wing securing edge continuous with the sole attaching edge of its
respective wing extended rearwardly from its said sole attaching
edge along the wing securing edge of the opposite wing and secured
thereto; and means releasably securing the flaps of the wings in
said overlapped relation rearwardly about the heel portion of the
sole.
3. A blank for the formation of a disposable shoe comprising a
planar sheet of disposable material substantially symmetrical about
a longitudinal center line having an elongated sole providing
integral predeteremined heel, central and toe portions aligned
along said center line, the heel and central portions being
continuous and substantially rectangular and having opposite
substantially parallel side edges, the heel portion being foldable
from the plane of the central portion to form a back to the shoe,
the toe portion being continuous with the central portion,
substantially semi-ovate, of a width wider than the central and
heel portions and elongated along said longitudinal center line;
and a wing extended from each of the side edges of the central
portion, said wings being continuous with their respective central
portions throughout the lengths thereof, and foldable from the
plane of the sole along the side edges thereof to form opposite
sides of the shoe, the wings being mirror images of each other and
having flaps extended along the heel portion of the sole in spaced
relation thereto foldable in overlapping relation outwardly about
the heel portion when the latter is folded to form the back of the
shoe, and toe portions disposed on opposite sides of the toe
portion of the sole, each toe portion having an arcuate forwardly
and outwardly extended sole attaching edge adapted to extend one
half of the distance about the toe portion of the sole and to be
secured thereto and a wing securing edge continuous with the sole
attaching edge of its respective wing extended rearwardly
longitudinally of the sheet and adapted to be secured to the wing
securing edge of the opposite wing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to disposable shoes and more
particularly to such shoes which are of minimal expense, adjustable
to fit a wide range of foot sizes, and therefore suitable for use
for brief or prolonged periods in place of street shoes for
purposes of convenience, sanitation, aesthetics and the like in
hospitals, research facilities, gymnasiums, restaurants and other
environments in which quickly available disposable shoes are
desired.
The prior art patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,821,051 to Brown;
U.S. Pat. No. 2,110,839 to Ferriot; U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,889 to
Lahnstein et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,894 to Morgan; U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,027,658; 3,057,085; and 3,057,086 to Rigsby; and U.S. Pat. No.
3,142,911 to Waters disclose shoes which are adjustable in various
ways. None of the aforementioned patents, however, discloses a shoe
intended for disposable use which provides means for adjusting the
shoe to a pre-designated size so as to fit a wide variety of users.
The shoe of the present invention thus is believed to attain
advantages not heretofore possible with prior art shoes.
There are a number of circumstances in which it is desirable to
wear coverings for the feet other than ordinary street shoes.
Patrons of restaurants and hotels are commonly required by health
and safety codes or, as otherwise prescribed by the management, to
wear shoes while being on the premises. Frequently, patrons of such
establishments, particularly where the establishments have swimming
pools or are located adjacent to public recreational facilities
such as beaches, do not have their regular shoes conveniently at
hand. The management of such restaurant or hotel then has the
alternatives of refusing entry, supplying shoes for temporary use,
or, as most commonly occurs, simply overlooking the violation of
the code or house rule.
Similarly, gymnasiums, athletic clubs, and public recreational
facilities often deem it desirable that patrons wear coverings for
the feet in order to avoid the transmission of communicable foot
germs which may be prevalent. This is a particular hazard in such
establishments where dampness, warm temperatures and frequent
bodily contact foster an environment conducive to the growth,
multiplication, and communication of such germs. Such temporary
coverings for the feet also find utility in hospitals and research
facilities of all types in which a scrupulously sanitary
environment is necessary in order to avoid contamination which
might adversely affect patients and research projects.
Conventionally available disposable coverings for the feet for use
in the above described circumstances are less than satisfactory.
Perhaps the most commonly used type of covering particularly in
gymnasiums and athletic clubs is the simple paper slipper
consisting of a sole with an upper toe portion stitched thereon.
Such slippers are of very little use in that they absorb moisture,
deteriorate rapidly and only partially cover the feet, thereby
allowing substantial contact with the floor and other sources of
contamination. Other prior art devices which are sometimes utilized
take the form of a roughly foot-shaped sack or bag normally
constructed of a plastic material. Such devices are of a size so as
to be receivable over nearly any size foot and are secured about
the ankle of the wearer in gathered relation by a suitable cord or
string. Such devices are utilzed particularly in hospital operating
rooms and research facilities to preclude the undesirable
contaminating contact. However, they are uncomfortable in that they
do not conform to the feet of the wearer, do not stay in position
without frequent readjustment, and have wrinkled or gathered areas
which produce discomfort during prolonged use.
Therefore, it has long been recognized as desirable to have a
disposable shoe or slipper which is inexpensive to produce and
purchase, covers substantially all of the foot, is adjustable to
conform to a wide range of foot sizes, and is comfortable to
wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a disposable shoe of minimum cost.
Another object is to provide such a shoe which is adjustable
comfortably to fit a wide range of foot sizes.
Another object is to provide such a shoe which is durable so as to
provide a reasonably long operational life while being inexpensive
enough to permit disposal after a brief period of use.
Another object is to provide such a shoe which has indicia thereon
for precise preadjustment of the shoe to the size particularly
suited comfortably to conform to a wearer's foot.
Another object is to provide such a shoe which has an elastic
portion for secure retention of the shoe on the foot of the
wearer.
A further object is to provide such a shoe which is suitable for
vending by coin-operated vending machines.
A still further object is to provide such a shoe which aids in
inhibiting the communication of foot germs when properly
employed.
Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and
arrangement thereof in a device for the purposes described which is
dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank used in constructing the
disposable shoe embodying the principles of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the disposable shoe.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the disposable shoe showing flaps
thereof disposed in substantially the same plane for illustrative
convenience.
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the shoe.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 4--4 of
FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring more particularly to the drawings, the disposable shoe of
the present invention is shown as constructed of a blank of
suitable sheet material 10. The particular material employed can,
of course, be paper, fabric, leather or the like. However, because
it is durable, impervious to moisture and of very low cost, the
blank is preferably of flexible plastic. Also, in the case of
plastic, the shoe can initially be molded or cast in the
configuration of the shoe to be described without requiring
stitching, adhesively securing, vulcanizing, or bonding. It will
become apparent that the shoe can also be constructed of the
individual parts to be described which are sewn, stitched, glued,
vulcanized, or bonded so as to form the shoe. The economic
advantages derived from the use of a single blank of sheet material
requiring a minimum of stitching in forming the shoe therefrom make
this the preferred mode of construction.
In its preferred form, the blank 10 has a sole 11 defining a front
or toe portion 12, a central portion 13, and a rear or heel portion
14 of the shoe. The sole has opposite sides 15 from which opposite
wings 16 are individually, continuously extended. Each of the wings
has a forward toe extension 17 adjacent to the front portion of the
sole and an edge 18.
During manufacture, the blank 10 is folded so that the toe
extensions 17 of the wings 16 extend about the front portion 12 of
the sole and the edges 18 are overlapped above the front portion as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Depending upon the material from which
the blank is constructed, the edges are secured together by
stitching, adhesively securing, vulcanizing, or bonding so as to
form a vamp or upper 19 for the shoe. Similarly, the toe extensions
17 are secured to the periphery of the front portion of the sole by
any of the above procedures. An elastic strip 20 is secured on the
interior side of the upper so as to form a gathered portion 21.
The sole 11 has a heel tab, or first flap 24 extending from the
rear portion 14 thereof. The flap has suitable fold lines 25 as
well as indicia 26 displayed thereon, such as shown in FIG. 3,
which indicates convenient lines along which folding of the flap
should be performed in order to define a shoe of the indicated
length. A pair of rearward extensions or second flaps 27 extend
continuously from the opposite sides 15 of the sole and upper 19 of
the shoe. Each second flap has an exterior surface 28 and an
interior surface 29. The second flaps are adapted to be secured in
overlapping relation to each other by a hook and fabric fastener
generally indicated at 30. While other fasteneres can be employed,
this form is most advantageous due to its low cost, durability,
ease of use and adjustability. The fastener is composed of a matted
fabric strip 31 secured adjacent to the remote end of one of the
second flaps on its exterior surface and a hook strip 32 secured
adjacent to the remote end of the other flap on its interior
surface so that the strips are engageable when the second flaps are
folded as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.
OPERATION
The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention
is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at
this point. The disposable shoe of the present invention in one
size can be adjusted to fit any normal foot as well as either a
right or left foot. In order to adjust the shoe to fit a foot of a
particular size, the first flap 24 is folded along the appropriate
fold lines 25 as indicated by the indicia 26 so as to be
approximately normal to the sole thereby defining a shoe of the
desired length. As shown in FIG. 3, the first flap is folded toward
the front portion 12 of the shoe along two transverse lines in the
case of medium and large adjustment and along three transverse
lines in the case of small adjustment. In FIG. 5, the first flap is
folded along two lines so as to define a shoe of medium length.
After folding of the first flap 24, as described, the second flaps
27 are extended rearwardly from the upper 19 along the opposite
sides 15 of the sole 11 and roughly normal thereto. The remote
portions of the second flaps are folded toward each other in
engaged overlapping relation and in rearward covering relation to
the folded first flap, as best shown in FIG. 2, so as to form the
back portion of the shoe. The second flaps are secured in this
position by the hook and fabric fastener 30 so as to maintain the
first flap in the pre-folded configuation thereby defining the shoe
of the present invention. Since the shoe is formed preferably from
a single blank of sheet material 10, and since the juncture of the
first flap and the second flaps is quite close to the first fold
point of the first flap, as indicated by the indicia 26 and shown
in FIG. 3, the pressure of the heel of the wearer against the first
flap and the snug engagement of the second flaps about the first
flap as described securely retain the first flap in the described
folded configuration during use without slipping from position. It
will be seen that the elastic strip 20 allows the gathered portion
21 to expand and contract so as to fit snugly around the foot of
the wearer. After putting the shoes on, the engagement of the
second flaps can be readjusted so as to fit the shoes more
comfortably to the feet of the wearer.
The disposable shoes of the present invention can be dispensed at
any suitable location from vending machines and can be packaged for
such dispensing so as to maintain pre-established sanitary
standards prior to being used. The shoes can also be treated with a
suitable disinfectant to help maintain cleanliness during use.
The shoes, once adjusted, can be worn for an indefinite period of
time by the wearer or readjusted for use by other persons. Since
the shoes are preferably constructed of a flexible plastic
material, they are quite durable, impervious to moisture, and can
afford a long period of comfortable use. However, since the shoes
are of minimal expense, they can be disposed of for purposes of
sanitation and convenience, as desired. Since the shoes cover
substantially all of the surface area of the feet of the wearer,
the maximum in sanitary protection is achieved during use.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what
is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it
is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the
scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the
illustrative details disclosed.
* * * * *