US20060107444A1 - Protective footwear and method of forming the same - Google Patents

Protective footwear and method of forming the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060107444A1
US20060107444A1 US10/958,517 US95851704A US2006107444A1 US 20060107444 A1 US20060107444 A1 US 20060107444A1 US 95851704 A US95851704 A US 95851704A US 2006107444 A1 US2006107444 A1 US 2006107444A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
footpad
sleeve
footwear
formfitting
end portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/958,517
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jamie Huggins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dance Paws LLC
Original Assignee
Dance Paws LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dance Paws LLC filed Critical Dance Paws LLC
Priority to US10/958,517 priority Critical patent/US20060107444A1/en
Assigned to DANCE PAWS LLC reassignment DANCE PAWS LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HUGGINS, JAMIE
Priority to PCT/US2005/035884 priority patent/WO2006041952A2/fr
Priority to CA002583025A priority patent/CA2583025A1/fr
Priority to EP05804276A priority patent/EP1796489A4/fr
Publication of US20060107444A1 publication Critical patent/US20060107444A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
    • A41B11/02—Reinforcements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
    • A41B11/004—Hosiery with separated toe sections
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B2400/00—Functions or special features of shirts, underwear, baby linen or handkerchiefs not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • A41B2400/60—Moisture handling or wicking function

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to protective footwear for use in dance and other athletic activities.
  • Footwear currently available for use in modern dance includes a “sole” that is secured to the foot by an ankle strap and toe loops.
  • Other footwear products cover only the ball of the foot and do not have an ankle strap.
  • Such products attach to the foot with toe loops and an elastic band that crosses over the bridge of the foot.
  • these known footwear products are not securely bound to the foot, and thus have a tendency to cause tearing of the skin, particularly between the great and index toes. For this reason, most modern dancers do not use this type of footwear.
  • a major drawback of all the above approaches is that such footwear does not provide all of the necessary protective and safety benefits, not are they durable and minimally disruptive to a dancer's performance.
  • Formfitting footwear includes a stretchable sleeve to be worn on a human foot, the sleeve having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Toe openings are disposed at the first end of the elastic sleeve.
  • a footpad is disposed at the first end of the elastic sleeve adjacent the toe openings, the footpad comprising an inner layer of at least one of a shock absorbing material and a cushioning material and an outer layer that contacts a ground surface.
  • FIG. 1 shows protective footwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention placed on a wearer's feet
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing various components of the protective footwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the sleeve in a spread-out configuration;
  • FIG. 6 shows protective footwear according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 7 shows a step of a method of forming formfitting footwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows protective footwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention placed on a wearer's feet.
  • the protective footwear 1 includes a sleeve 10 that is preferably made of an elastic material so as to conform and fit snugly around the foot.
  • An elastic piece 12 is provided around an open end of the sleeve 10 to ensure that the sleeve 10 does not fall towards the toes during movement.
  • Toe openings 14 are provided at the opposite end of the sleeve 10 to allow the toes to move freely and contact the ground surface.
  • a footpad 16 is disposed on the bottom portions of the sleeve 10 near the ball of the foot. As will be described in more detail below, the footpad protects the wearer's foot from injury by providing a barrier between the skin and the floor and by absorbing shock, and also provides traction.
  • the footpad 16 is a multi-layer structure made up of a ground-contact layer 18 , a shock-absorbing and/or cushioning layer 20 and an optional moisture absorbing layer 22 .
  • the various layers of the footpad 16 may be laminated together by, for example, adhesive.
  • the ground-contact layer 18 is preferably made of a durable material that provides adequate friction with the ground surface. Suitable material for the ground contact layer 18 include smooth leather, suede leather, synthetic leather, moldable polymers, elastomers and synthetic rubber materials, such as neoprene.
  • the ground-contact layer 18 may also be textured to enhance traction, such as by forming ridges, grooves and/or dimplings in the outer surface of the ground-contact layer 18 .
  • the thickness of the ground-contact layer 18 is preferably in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 2.0 mm.
  • the shock-absorbing and/or cushioning layer 20 is preferably placed between the ground-contact layer 18 and the optional moisture-absorbing layer 22 .
  • the shock-absorbing and/or cushioning layer 22 may have the ability to cushion and/or absorb forces exerted on the wearer's feet during, for example, dance movements such as leaps and twirls.
  • the shock-absorbing and/or absorbing layer 22 assists in reducing foot pain and injury.
  • the moisture-absorbing layer 22 is preferably placed closest to the wearer's foot to enhance sweat capability.
  • the moisture-absorbing layer is an optional layer, and thus, in other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the footpad 16 may only include the ground-contact layer 18 and the shock-absorbing layer 20 .
  • the moisture absorbing layer 22 is preferably made of materials such as, for example, Ultralore® or nylon and polyester fabrics made with up to 50% load of ReFresh fibers, and has a thickness in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 2.0 mm.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing various components of the protective footwear according to an another exemplary embodiment of the invention with the sleeve in a spread-out configuration.
  • the present embodiment is substantially the same as the previous embodiment except for the provision of a separate toe piece 32 that protects the forefoot of the wearer and provides toe openings.
  • the toe piece 32 is attached to a cutout portion 30 of the sleeve 10 formed in the upper portion 11 of the sleeve 10 .
  • the toe piece 32 is formed of a material that provides sufficient support so that the portions adjacent to or between the toe holes do not tear during intensive use, and also sufficient comfort so as not to induce blistering or tearing of the skin adjacent to or between the toes.
  • Appropriate materials for the toe piece 32 may be, for example, neoprene, powermesh or tricot spandex.
  • FIG. 6 shows protective footwear according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the present embodiment is substantially the same as the previous embodiments except that the sleeve 10 extends over the ankle of a user.
  • Such a construction provides increased lateral stability and support.
  • the sleeve 10 is first formed from a lycra sheet in a spread out configuration as shown in FIG. 2 . Cut-out portions 30 and 34 may be formed in the lycra sheet to accommodate the toe piece 32 and the footpad 16 , respectively. Alternatively, toe holes 14 may be formed directly in the sheet instead of using a separate toe piece 16 .
  • the footpad 16 is then attached to the lower portion 13 of the sleeve 10 and the lycra is trimmed around the footpad 16 .
  • the elastic piece 12 is then attached to the end of the sleeve 10 furthest from the wearer's toes. As shown in FIG.
  • the upper portion 11 of the sleeve 10 is folded over the lower portion 13 of the sleeve 10 such that the footpad 16 is disposed within the void defined by the upper portion 11 and lower portion 13 . Then, as shown in FIG. 8 , the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12 are joined together around their respective edges, and the product is turned inside out to result in the finished protective footwear 10 .
  • the protective footwear may be made by any other suitable process, such as one in which the sleeve with the toe holes are formed as a unitary construction using conventional molding processes.
  • the upper and lower portions of the sleeve may be two entirely separate pieces which are later sewn together.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
US10/958,517 2004-10-05 2004-10-05 Protective footwear and method of forming the same Abandoned US20060107444A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/958,517 US20060107444A1 (en) 2004-10-05 2004-10-05 Protective footwear and method of forming the same
PCT/US2005/035884 WO2006041952A2 (fr) 2004-10-05 2005-10-05 Chaussures de protection et procede de production correspondant
CA002583025A CA2583025A1 (fr) 2004-10-05 2005-10-05 Chaussures de protection et procede de production correspondant
EP05804276A EP1796489A4 (fr) 2004-10-05 2005-10-05 Chaussures de protection et procede de production correspondant

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/958,517 US20060107444A1 (en) 2004-10-05 2004-10-05 Protective footwear and method of forming the same

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060107444A1 true US20060107444A1 (en) 2006-05-25

Family

ID=36148885

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/958,517 Abandoned US20060107444A1 (en) 2004-10-05 2004-10-05 Protective footwear and method of forming the same

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20060107444A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1796489A4 (fr)
CA (1) CA2583025A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006041952A2 (fr)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060130217A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2006-06-22 Lambertz Bodo W Sock
US20060196078A1 (en) * 2005-03-01 2006-09-07 Ballet Makers, Inc. Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same
US20090090028A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-09 Moramarco Katrina L Dancer's foot pad
US20100154251A1 (en) * 2005-03-01 2010-06-24 Ballet Makers, Inc. Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same
US20110252541A1 (en) * 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Kristen Vander Hoeven Apparel for a foot with multiofitting and multi-purpose capabilities
US20130283637A1 (en) * 2010-11-05 2013-10-31 Pointe Noir Pty Ltd Protective footwear
US20140196202A1 (en) * 2013-01-17 2014-07-17 Cassandra Cantrall Protective toe sleeve for use during aquatic activity
USD734938S1 (en) * 2014-04-25 2015-07-28 Toesox, Inc. Sock
US20150282554A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-08 Ryan Irion Barefoot running spikes and accessories
USD773796S1 (en) 2015-05-21 2016-12-13 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock sole
USD774296S1 (en) 2015-05-01 2016-12-20 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD778041S1 (en) 2015-08-07 2017-02-07 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD785916S1 (en) 2015-06-10 2017-05-09 Pointe Noir Pty Ltd. Foot covering for fitness and dance
USD804162S1 (en) 2016-04-14 2017-12-05 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
US9918513B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2018-03-20 Shahab Vakili Reversible protective footwear
USD862064S1 (en) 2014-03-31 2019-10-08 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD883652S1 (en) 2017-07-13 2020-05-12 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Five toe sock
US20200170344A1 (en) * 2017-08-04 2020-06-04 Stefanie Miller Kwiatkowski Slip resistant shoe
US10806193B2 (en) * 2014-11-07 2020-10-20 Toscom Co., Ltd. Supporter and method for manufacturing same

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2011203310B2 (en) * 2005-09-26 2013-07-18 Vibram Spa Footwear Having Independently Articuable Toe Portions
GB2518590B (en) * 2013-08-02 2017-10-11 Marks Spencer Plc A Garment
GB2524034A (en) * 2014-03-12 2015-09-16 Carol Lynn Gina Quinn Sock

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US715543A (en) * 1902-04-07 1902-12-09 William E Bosworth Foot-shield.
US1741340A (en) * 1925-11-07 1929-12-31 William M Scholl Orthopedic sock
US2771691A (en) * 1954-09-22 1956-11-27 J W Landenberger & Co Cushioned foot protector
US5054129A (en) * 1990-09-04 1991-10-08 Elsa Baehr Hosiery garment with open-toe, open crotch structure
US5090055A (en) * 1989-10-31 1992-02-25 Mcelroy Philip J R Air cushion kneeling pad
US5623734A (en) * 1995-03-21 1997-04-29 Pugliatti; Annette M. Pedicure sock
US5791163A (en) * 1996-09-26 1998-08-11 Throneburg; James L. Knit foot protector having integral padding and method of knitting same
US5906007A (en) * 1998-07-10 1999-05-25 Roberts; Liana Callas Article of footwear for use in relation to a pedicure
US6334222B1 (en) * 2000-08-09 2002-01-01 Sanxing Sun Sock for athlete's foot
US7051457B1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2006-05-30 Huggins Jamie J Formfitting protective footwear apparatus

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2332252A (en) * 1941-04-28 1943-10-19 Edna S Payne Shoe construction
US3858379A (en) * 1970-06-09 1975-01-07 Us Army Process for making a polyvinyl alcohol gel support pad
US4519148A (en) * 1983-07-18 1985-05-28 Sisco Jann L Exercise shoe
US5865779A (en) * 1997-04-09 1999-02-02 Gleason; John A. Orthotic device for treatment of plantar fasciitis
US6018888A (en) * 1998-04-06 2000-02-01 Wilkenfeld; David Protective footwear for modern dance
WO2000000049A1 (fr) * 1998-06-30 2000-01-06 E & E Hosiery, Inc. Socquettes a orteils libres pour sandales
US20060179549A1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2006-08-17 Dance Paws Llc Adjustable formfitting protective footwear
US6623734B2 (en) * 2000-06-22 2003-09-23 Soft Gel Technologies, Inc. Super absorption coenzyme Q10
DE10128555A1 (de) * 2001-06-13 2001-11-29 Levee Strumpfwaren Vertriebs G Fußteil von Strümpfen oder Strumpfhosen, insbesondere zum Tragen mit offenen Schuhen
US6857203B2 (en) * 2001-10-16 2005-02-22 Gloria Minden, Inc. Pleatless ballet slipper
US7673396B2 (en) * 2005-03-01 2010-03-09 Ballet Makers, Inc. Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US715543A (en) * 1902-04-07 1902-12-09 William E Bosworth Foot-shield.
US1741340A (en) * 1925-11-07 1929-12-31 William M Scholl Orthopedic sock
US2771691A (en) * 1954-09-22 1956-11-27 J W Landenberger & Co Cushioned foot protector
US5090055A (en) * 1989-10-31 1992-02-25 Mcelroy Philip J R Air cushion kneeling pad
US5054129A (en) * 1990-09-04 1991-10-08 Elsa Baehr Hosiery garment with open-toe, open crotch structure
US5623734A (en) * 1995-03-21 1997-04-29 Pugliatti; Annette M. Pedicure sock
US5791163A (en) * 1996-09-26 1998-08-11 Throneburg; James L. Knit foot protector having integral padding and method of knitting same
US5906007A (en) * 1998-07-10 1999-05-25 Roberts; Liana Callas Article of footwear for use in relation to a pedicure
US7051457B1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2006-05-30 Huggins Jamie J Formfitting protective footwear apparatus
US6334222B1 (en) * 2000-08-09 2002-01-01 Sanxing Sun Sock for athlete's foot

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060130217A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2006-06-22 Lambertz Bodo W Sock
US8448350B2 (en) * 2005-03-01 2013-05-28 Ballet Makers, Inc. Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same
US20060196078A1 (en) * 2005-03-01 2006-09-07 Ballet Makers, Inc. Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same
US7673396B2 (en) * 2005-03-01 2010-03-09 Ballet Makers, Inc. Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same
US20100154251A1 (en) * 2005-03-01 2010-06-24 Ballet Makers, Inc. Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same
US20090090028A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-09 Moramarco Katrina L Dancer's foot pad
US7847143B2 (en) 2007-10-05 2010-12-07 Moramarco Katrina L Dancer's protective foot pad
US20110252541A1 (en) * 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Kristen Vander Hoeven Apparel for a foot with multiofitting and multi-purpose capabilities
US20130283637A1 (en) * 2010-11-05 2013-10-31 Pointe Noir Pty Ltd Protective footwear
US20140196202A1 (en) * 2013-01-17 2014-07-17 Cassandra Cantrall Protective toe sleeve for use during aquatic activity
US9918513B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2018-03-20 Shahab Vakili Reversible protective footwear
USD862064S1 (en) 2014-03-31 2019-10-08 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
US20150282554A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-08 Ryan Irion Barefoot running spikes and accessories
USD752852S1 (en) 2014-04-25 2016-04-05 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD734938S1 (en) * 2014-04-25 2015-07-28 Toesox, Inc. Sock
USD775812S1 (en) 2014-04-25 2017-01-10 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD775813S1 (en) 2014-04-25 2017-01-10 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
US10806193B2 (en) * 2014-11-07 2020-10-20 Toscom Co., Ltd. Supporter and method for manufacturing same
USD774296S1 (en) 2015-05-01 2016-12-20 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD773796S1 (en) 2015-05-21 2016-12-13 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock sole
USD785916S1 (en) 2015-06-10 2017-05-09 Pointe Noir Pty Ltd. Foot covering for fitness and dance
USD778041S1 (en) 2015-08-07 2017-02-07 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD843707S1 (en) 2015-08-07 2019-03-26 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD804162S1 (en) 2016-04-14 2017-12-05 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Sock
USD883652S1 (en) 2017-07-13 2020-05-12 Thirty Three Threads, Inc. Five toe sock
US20200170344A1 (en) * 2017-08-04 2020-06-04 Stefanie Miller Kwiatkowski Slip resistant shoe
US11589650B2 (en) * 2017-08-04 2023-02-28 Stefanie Miller Kwiatkowski Slip resistant shoe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1796489A4 (fr) 2009-03-11
EP1796489A2 (fr) 2007-06-20
WO2006041952A2 (fr) 2006-04-20
WO2006041952A3 (fr) 2006-09-14
CA2583025A1 (fr) 2006-04-20

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: DANCE PAWS LLC, MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HUGGINS, JAMIE;REEL/FRAME:016849/0653

Effective date: 20041006

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION