GB2225211A - Footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

To encourage babies to walk, slip on shoes 10, 11, 12 are provided which incorporate a "bedpan-type squeak" 14 in the heel part of the sole so that, when the foot is driven down onto the ground beneath, an audible noise is generated by compression of the squeak between the heel and the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

FOOTWEAR This invention relates to a device to be worn on the foot, which includes a cavity for the foot and a flat sole portion which extends in use across the device beneath the foot cavity.

Falling within the area of devices contemplated by the present invention are shoes, slippers and the glove-like foot coverings worn by babies which are popularly known as "Padders". The invention also contemplates devices which need not cover the foot at all, but might be an open construction secured to the foot in some way.

Some babies learn to walk very early in their lives, and need little encouragement to master the skill.

Other babies take longer and need more encouragement. It is one object of the present invention to provide another way of encouraging such babies.

According to the present invention there is provided a device to be worn on the foot, as identified above, but characterized by a compressible element which is adapted to emit an audible noise during its compression, the element being mounted to the sole portion for compression between the foot and the ground on which the wearer stands.

The basic idea underlying the invention is that a baby learning to walk is entertained and encouraged by the noise which is emitted from the compressible element, every time the baby takes a step or brings into firm contact with the ground the foot on which he or she is wearing the device which contains the compressible element.

Preferably, the compressible element is located at the heel part of the sole, so that it is compressed between the heel and the ground, Preferably the device is provided as one of a pair of 'such devices, one for each foot, and each containing a compressible element, as aforesaid.

The most immediate application of the invention is to the above-mentioned "Padders" worn by babies not yet walking. These "Padders" are washabie, so the compressible element should be chosen and installed in suc a way that it is resistant to washing of the garment in which it is housed.

Known per se is the sc-called "bedpan-type squeak". This is a small balloon with a flattened circular shape reminiscent of the cavity of a bedpan, with a noise-emitting reed fitted within a straw at a point on its circular periphery. Squeezing the balloon drives air from its cavity through the straw, causing the razed to vibrate and emit an audible noise. Removing compressional stress from the balloon allows it to recover its original shape by drawing air beak along the straw, past the reed.

Such a bedpan-squeak s well adapted for installation in the sol structure of a simple foot covering, beneath the reel cavity of the garment, and preferred embodiments or tne present inventiOn may utilize such a "squeak" with the straw and reed rojecting axially and rearwardly fo the sole. f the straw is hard, and there is a anger of the rear of the heel becoming bruised on the hard straw, extra paddng * "Padders" is a trade mark of R.G. Jarrett Limited may be necessary around and above the straw. If the "squeak" is in itself not waterproof, it could be housed within a waterproof enclosure such as a plastic bag.

Provided air can still be driven from the balloon of the squeak through the straw, the squeak will still function to produce a noise, and the noise will still escape through the waterproof enclosure.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a rear elevation of a "Padder" foot covering in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the foot covering; FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the foot covering; FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view; FIGURE 5 is a section on line A-A; and FIGURE 6 is a section on line BB.

The illustrated foot covering has a conventional upper construction 10 and base construction 11, the upper 10 containing a lining 12. Between the lining 12 and the base 11, beneath the heel cavity 13, is located a bedpan-type squeak mechanism 14. The hard cylindrical valve and noise generator 15 of the mechanism 14 protrudes from the rear of the foot covering, on its central longitudinal axis. To avoid bruising the rear of the heel, for example when the baby thrusts its foot repeatedly against hard surfaces in order to create noises from the generator 15, a shaped block of impact-absorbing padding material 16, preferably of foamed plastics material, is installed between the upper construction 10 and the lining 12, immediately above the noise generator 15.

As shown in Figure 4, stitching 17 around the periphery of the squeak mechanism 14 can be used to retain the squeak in the required position beneath the heel cavity 13.

Other applications of the invention are foreseen.

Mcntally handicapped adults may be encouraged to walk by shoes which embody the invention. There may also be considerable commercial potential in "novelty" devices as the basis of practical jokes.

Claims (7)

C t A I M S

1. A device to be worn on the foot, which includes a cavity for the foot and a flat sole portion which extends in use across the device beneath the foot cavity, and a compressible element which is adapted to emit an audible noise during its compression, the element being mounted to the sole portion for compression between the foot and the ground on which the wearer stands.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 to fit the foot of a human baby.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the compressible element is at the heel part of the sole.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the compressible element is a bedpan-type squeak.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the compressible element comprises a noise-emitting reed within a straw.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the straw debouches from the rear of the sole portion, at the back of the heel part.

7. A device to be worn on the foot, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.