GB2489977A

GB2489977A - Membrane for gripping footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2489977A
Application number: GB1106315.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jasbir Kaur Gill
Original assignee: INNOVER Ltd
Current assignee: INNOVER Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-14
Filing date: 2011-04-14
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Also published as: EP2696716A2; EA201370227A1; CN104159467A; GB201320128D0; BR112013026462A2; US20140196306A1; GB201106315D0; WO2012140449A2; WO2012140449A3; GB2505119A

Abstract

Footwear adapted to be worn between the foot and an item of outer footwear, comprising a thin flexible elastic non slip membrane 31,32,36 shaped to grip the foot and the outer footwear without slipping. The membrane 31,32,36 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 may have an orthopaedic style of support 41 integrally incorporated into the footwear to provide support under the arch of the foot of the wearer. The membrane is preferably formed from polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polythene or silicone rubber, and may have hoops corresponding to straps of the outer footwear. The membrane may alternatively form the upper of outer footwear.

Description

FOOTWEAR

This invention relates to footwear and in particular although not exclusively to footwear intended to be worn between the wearer's foot and an outer piece of footwear such as a shoe, sandal, slipper, or boot for the purpose of reducing or alleviating soreness or discomfort due to the outer footwear rubbing on the wearer's foot.

There is a need for an independent, interchangeable, footwear to be placed on the foot to reduce or prevent movement between the wearer's foot and the outerwear that would reduce or eliminate discomfort, or soreness or injury caused by the shoe or sandal that moves relative to the foot and rubs the foot.

There have been many proposals in the past in the form of socks, stockings for wearing on the foot or adhesive patches, some of which my use a gel or pliable deformable infill to try to take up the slack in ill-fitting shoes. These pads are fastened inside the shoe and are not interchangeable for use with other shoes.

There have been proposals to place insoles on the bottom, or sole, of shoes that are made of rubber, plastics, gels, cardboard type materials, and foam, 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 increases elsewhere 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 destroy the original point of the wearer choosing the shoe in the first place.

There are numerous products in the market place to help relief 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such footwear that is unobtrusive, unnoticeable, and attractive when worn.

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.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided footwear adapted to be worn between the foot and a predefined shaped item of outer footwear, comprising a thin flexible elastic non-slip membrane shaped to grip the foot without slipping and being of a complementary shape corresponding to the predefined shape of the outer footwear so as to engage the outer footwear in a non slip manner.

The membrane is preferably made from a silicone polymer or silicone rubber but may be made from materials selected from polyvinylchloride, polyester, polythene, or polyurethane. It is preferred that the membrane is made of a porous or gas permeable material to allow the foot of the wearer to breathe. Alternatively it could be made of a non-porous or non-permeable material and be foraminated or perforated.

It is preferred that the membrane has elastic properties and is made of a non-slip material but it may be coated in places with various non-stick products such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to aid comfort and easy of use.

The preferred thickness of the membrane is in the range of 0.1mm to 2.0 mm, and preferably 0.25 mm thick.

The membrane may be made of a transparent or translucent material. The membrane may be made of a coloured material and could be skin-coloured. If desired, the membrane is decorated and could be decorated or patterned.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The present invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figures 1 to 9 show, schematically various known shapes of outer footwear with which the present invention can be used; Figures 10 to 12 show respectively a plan view, side view and cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention of footwear in accordance with the present invention suitable for use with a open toed sandal; Figure 11 is a cross sectional view along line 11-11 of Figure 10 and Figure 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of figure 10; Figures 13 and 14 are respectively a side view and a cross sectional view similar to that of figures 11 and 12 showing a modified version of the footwear of Figures 10 to 12;, Figure 14 is a cross sectional view along line 14-14 of figure 13 Figures 15 and 16 show respectively a plan and cross sectional views of a further modification of footwear constructed according to the present invention; Figures 17 shows footwear constructed in accordance with the present invention for wear with flip flops, sling backs and thongs; Figure 18 shows footwear in accordance with the present invention for covering the toes of a wearer; Figure 19 shows footwear constructed in accordance with the present invention comprising two parts that are used together to form the footwear; Figures 20 and 21 show footwear constructed in accordance with the present invention that incorporates an orthopaedic style foot arch support. Figure 20 is a side view and Figure 21 is a cross sectional view along line 21-21 of Figure 20; and.

Figure 22 shows a footwear in accordance with the present invention incorporating an integral sole Referring to Figure 1 there is shown schematically an item of outer footwear 10 in the form of a sandal 10 with straps 11, 12, and 13 fixed to a conventional sole 14.

In Figure 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. Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a modification of the flip flop 10 of figure 2 that has a larger width strap 15 that covers more area of the top of the wearer's foot. Figure 4 shows another type of flip flop that is similar to the flip flop of figure 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.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 there is shown two types of court shoes 10; the shoe in figure 5 has a low heel whereas that of figure 6 has a high heel. Both of the shoes of figures 5 and 6 have an upper 20 that is made of leather of manmade fibre.

Referring to Figure 7 there is shown a variation of the court shoes of figure 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.

In Figure 8 there is shown a boot style of outer footwear 10 the upper 25 of the boot 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 figure 9 is a high heeled boot.

Other types of outer footwear with which the present invention can be used are sandals known as "strappy sandals", trainers, sports shoes, and pumps.

All of the above mentioned outer footwear may be in flat soled, low heel or high heel versions with, or without, platform soles.

Referring to figure 10 there is shown the plan view of one of a pair of footwear 30 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention adapted to be worn on the foot of a wearer to provide an interface between the foot and an item of outer footwear (not shown in Figures 10 to 21).

The footwear 30 is made of very thin elastic or elasticised membrane, such as, for example, a silicone polymer membrane typically 0.25 mm (0.001") thick of the type sold by Polymer Systems Technology Ltd and Clinical Polymer Technologies Ltd. This membrane has slightly tacky non-slip surfaces. The type of membrane used was an air permeable membrane supplied for medical applications but it need not be of such high quality. The footwear comprises an integral sole 31 and a tubular front upper 32 that is dimensioned to grip the front and upper part of the foot lightly, leaving the toes to project forwards of the upper 32. As shown in figure 11 the upper 32 is a complete tubular shape. The footwear 30 may be made in many different shoe sizes or there may be one size to fit many sizes of feet.

The footwear 30 of Figure 10 to 12 are intended to be worn on the foot and used with the outer footwear shown in figures 1 to 9 and other types of outer footwear.

In a modification of the footwear 30 of Figure tOm (shown in figures 15 and 16) the width of the upper 32 of the footwear 30 of figure 10 when measured in a direction from the toes towards the heel can be smaller than that shown in figure 10 and strap 33 (shown in Figure 15 and 16) provided to enable the footwear to be used with the style of outer footwear shown in figures 1 to 4.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14 there is shown a modification of the footwear 30 in which the cylindrical tubular upper 32 of the footwear of figures 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 tubular upper shown in Figure 12. The footwear of figure 13 also has a sole 3. The footwear of figures 12 and 13 may, or may not, have an additional feature of a heel grip 36 (as shown in Figure 13) shaped to lightly grip around the heel of the wearer enabling this footwear to be worn with items of outer footwear that have heel covers such as those shown in figures 1, and 4 to 9.

The Footwear 30 shown in figures 17 and 18 have an upper 32 for covering the front of the foot and a sole 31. In figure 17 two holes 34, 35 are provided to allow the toes to project through; the upper 32 of the footwear. The footwear 30 of Figure 18 does not have the holes 34, 35. The footwear of figure 17 is suitable for wear with the shoes shown in figures 1 to 9. The footwear 30 of figures 187 and 18 may or may not have an optional heel grip 36 (as shown in figure 18), and would be suitable for wear with the shoes of figure 7 or those of figures 6 and 9.

Referring to Figure 19 there is shown footwear 30 made of two parts 39 and 40 that constitute footwear 30 for wearing on one foot. One part 39 is a thin silicone polymer membrane 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 Figure 17. The second part 40 is a thin silicone polymer membrane shaped to cover the heel of the wearer (similar to the shape of the heel cover shown in Figure 13) but there is no sole interconnecting the parts 39 and 40. The footwear 30 of Figure 19 can be worn when wearing outer footwear of the type shown in any of figures 1, 4 to 9 Referring to Figures 20 and 21 there is shown footwear 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 footwear 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 footwear 30 or is subsequently incorporated into the footwear 30 by moulding or forming the membrane of the footwear around the sac 42.

It is to be understood that the uppers 32 of the footwear of Figures 15 to 22 could be a cylindrical tube (as shown in Figure 12) or a frusta conical tube (as shown in Figure 13).

The membranes 30 are preferably made of permeable materials that allow the foot to breathe and perspire. Preferably the membrane has slightly tacky surfaces (not adhesive) that prevents the footwear slipping on the foot and prevents the footwear slipping relative to the outer footwear. The prototypes of footwear 30 were made from a sheet of silicone polymer but other elastic membrane materials may be suitable. The 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 shape. Whist this provided a comfortable fit for the footwear 30 shown in Figures 10 to 21, it is thought that it may be better to make the footwear 30 as a seamless construction by either 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 the tubular or frusta conical shapes that make the uppers 32 and cutting the sole shape 31 (and where appropriate the heel supports 36) from the tubular parts of the membrane that form the uppers 32, to leave an integral flat sole 31 (and heel support 36 where appropriate).

It is to be understood that the membrane 30 is moulded, fabricated, or cut, to form shapes that complement predefined shapes of outer foot wear, so that the footwear 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. The membrane 30 may be an air permeable or porous material but could be made from a non porous material that is foraminated or perforated.

Where it is desired that the footwear 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.

It may be possible to make the membrane from other materials than silicone rubber polymers such as, for example polyethylene, polyurethane, or polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyesters but I have not tried these materials yet. It is thought that a typical range of preferred thicknesses for the membrane is in the range of 0.10mm to 2.0mm thick.

The membrane has elastic properties and is made of a non slip material but could be coated in places with various non-stick products such as polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) to aid comfort and easy of use.

In the above examples, Figures 10 to 21 show only the right foot of the footwear 30.

However it is to be understood that the footwear 30 of the present invention is to be sold as matching pairs of left and right foot shapes, although some footwear 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.

In the above description I have disclosed footwear3o for wear with an item of outer footwear. In Figure 22 there is shown one example of footwear 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 footwear is made from a thin elastic membrane such as that disclosed above with reference to Figures 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 figures 1 to 9.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Footwear comprising a thin flexible resilient elastic non-slip membrane shaped to grip the foot without slipping that constitutes the upper, and a sole.
2. Footwear according to claim 1 wherein the membrane is 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.
3. Footwear according to claim 1 adapted to be worn between the foot and a predefined shaped item of outer footwear, comprising a thin flexible elastic non slip membrane shaped to grip the foot without slipping and being of a complementary shape corresponding to the predefined shape of the outer footwear so as to engage the outer footwear in a non slip manner.
4. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the membrane is made of a silicone polymer.
5. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the membrane is selected from polyvinylchloride, polyester, polythene, or silicone rubber.
6. Footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane is made of a porous or gas permeable material to allow the foot of the wearer to breathe,
7. Footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the thickness of the membrane is in the range of 0.1mm to 2.0 mm.
8. Footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane is made of a transparent or translucent material.
9. Footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane is made of a coloured material.
10. Footwear according to Claim 8 wherein the membrane is skin-coloured.
11. Footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane is decorated.
12. Footwear according to any one of claims 3 to 11 wherein the item of outer footwear has straps, and the membrane is shaped, dimensioned and comprises an integral sole and one or more hoops corresponding to the position of the straps of the outer footwear.
13. Footwear according to any one of the claims 3 to 12 wherein the item of outer footwear is a shoe, and the membrane is shaped and dimensioned so that it covers the toes, body of the foot and the heel of the foot.
14. Footwear according to any one claims 3 to 13 wherein the item of outer footwear is a shoe, and the membrane comprises two 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.
15. Footwear according to any one of Claims 3 to 14 wherein the item of outer footwear is a shoe with open sides, and membrane is shaped and dimensioned so that it covers the toes and sole of the foot but leaves the side of the foot uncovered.
16. Footwear according to Claim 14 or claim 15 wherein 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.
17. Footwear according to any one of Claims 3 to 16 wherein the item of outer footwear is a boot and the membrane comprises integral sole and one or more hoops corresponding to the shape of the boot.
18. Footwear according to claim 3 to 17 wherein the item of outer footwear is a boot shaped sandal with straps, and the membrane comprises an integral sole and one or more hoops corresponding to the position of the straps of the sandal.
19. Footwear according to any one of the preceding claims including an orthopaedic style of support to provide support under the arch of the foot of the wearer.
20. Footwear according to claim 19 wherein orthopaedic style of support is integrally incorporated into the membrane to provide support under the arch of the foot of the wearer.