US20120216426A1

US20120216426A1 - Open Toe Athletic Shoe

Info

Publication number: US20120216426A1
Application number: US13/035,084
Authority: US
Inventors: Birgit Hixon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-25
Filing date: 2011-02-25
Publication date: 2012-08-30

Abstract

An athletic shoe comprising: an upper portion; a sole, where the sole is attached to the upper portion; and an opening in a toe area of the upper portion. The sole may include a heel portion and an arch support. In one particular embodiment, the sole further includes an inner sole that extends beyond the toes of user. The athletic shoe may further include shoestrings, where the shoestrings secure the shoe on the users foot.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an open toe athletic shoe for exposing the toes of a user.
2. Description of Related Art
Athletic shoes are used during exercise and usually include a firm padded sole with sufficient arch support. Athletic shoes further fully cover the entire foot once the shoe is placed on a user's foot. Most athletic shoes include shoestrings and are tightened put in place with the use of shoestrings. A significant number of the athletic shoes include leather upper portions but a number of shoes include nylon, polyester and/or other manmade materials suitable for adequate support. Some of the drawbacks to the typical athletic shoe involves the occasional blistering, loss of toenails and other incidents related to the toe or front area of the foot rubbing against the inside portion of the athletic shoe. Many individuals, women in particular, take great care in maintaining their toenails and toe areas for aesthetic purposes. However once enclosed within the typical athletic shoe the toenails can become damaged, blistered and any pedicure existing on the feet may be ruined due to the contact of the toes with the inner portion of the athletic shoe. Consequently, it would be advantageous to have an athletic shoe that includes an open toe area to allow for exposure of the toes but maintains support for athletic or exercise activity such as running, walking and/or participating in aerobic activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an athletic shoe comprising: an upper portion; a sole, where the sole is attached to the upper portion; and an opening in a toe area of the upper portion. The sole may include a heel portion and an arch support. In one particular embodiment, the sole further includes an inner sole that extends beyond the toes of user. The athletic shoe may further include shoestrings, where the shoestrings secure the shoe on the users foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an open toe athletic shoe according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an additional side view of the athletic shoe according to the present invention with an insertion of a user's foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an open toe athletic shoe, which provides adequate support for athletic or exercise activity however provides an opening in the toe area for exposure of the toes of the user. The athletic shoe according to the present invention allows for the toes of the user to be exposed and therefore eliminates much of the pressure and friction associated with the toe area during the use of traditional athletic shoes.
In reference to FIG. 1, a side view of an open toe athletic Shoe 50 according to the present invention as depicted. The open toe Shoe 50 includes an Upper Portion 30 and a Sole 54 as shown in FIG. 1. The upper Portion 30 includes shoestrings at the top portion of the Upper Portion 30 used to secure the shoe onto the user's foot. Below the Upper Portion 30, is a Sole 54 and a Heel Portion 52. As noted the Heel Portion 52 is slightly thicker than the Sole 54 providing extra absorbent cushioning for use during athletic activities. At the center of the Sole 54 is an Arch Support Portion 55. The Arch Support Portion 55 provides sufficient arch support for the user of the Shoe 50.
The Shoe 50 further includes an Opening 51 at the front portion of the Upper 30. The Opening 51 exposes the Inner Sole 58, as shown in FIG. 1. This Opening 51 allows for the exposure of the user's toes once the shoe is placed on the user's foot. FIG. 2 depicts the use of the open toe athletic Shoe 50 according to present invention on a user's Foot 20. As shown, the user's Foot 20 is placed within the open toe Shoe 50 and exposes the user's Toes 22 as shown in FIG. 2. The Inner Sole 58 extends just beyond the user's Toes 22 and therefore ensures that the toe area is adequately supported by the Sole 54. Use of the open toe athletic shoe according to present invention alleviates some of the problems associated with the traditional athletic shoe by decreasing foot's perspiration, diminishing the loss of toenails and prevent damage to any nail polish that is applied during the typical pedicure. The open toe of the athletic shoe provides a balanced and convenient feature for the user who maintains the toe area of their foot for aesthetic purposes.

Claims

1. An athletic shoe comprising:

a. an upper portion;

b. a sole, where the sole is attached to the upper portion; and

c. an opening in a toe area of the upper portion.

2. The athletic shoe according to claim 1, where said sole includes a heel portion and an arch support.

3. The athletic shoe according to claim 1, where the sole further includes an inner sole that extends beyond the toes of a user.

4. The athletic shoe according to claim 1, further including shoestrings, where the shoestrings secure the shoe on the user's foot.