US20190343229A1

US20190343229A1 - Shoe for user with bunion feet

Info

Publication number: US20190343229A1
Application number: US16/244,425
Authority: US
Inventors: Chiew Sai Yean
Original assignee: Nth Global Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Nth Global Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2018-03-13
Filing date: 2019-01-10
Publication date: 2019-11-14
Also published as: MY200955A

Abstract

FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe with a support structure for a bunion foot, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As disclosed, a shoe with a support for allaying a bunion foot comprising a leather lining, a stretchable fabric and an arch support. The leather lining forms a support structure around the feet of a user. The stretchable fabric is stitched in-line with the leather lining. The arch support is connected inside the leather lining to support a sole of the shoe. The stretchable fabric is attached an inner lining of the shoe. The shoe further comprises a heel counter attached between the inner lining and an upper.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a personal wearing apparatus and particularly relates to a shoe with a unique design of a footing base to allay and support a user's feet with bunion deformity.

BACKGROUND

A bunion is a deformity of the joint connecting the big toe to the foot. The big toe often bends towards the other toes and the joint becomes red and painful. The onset of the deformed toe is gradual that may leads to complications including bursitis or arthritis.
To allay the bunion deformation and increase a comfort level, US 20130326914 A1 discloses a woman's shoe comprising a vamp, portions of which include a three-layered structure of an outer layer, an interior layer and an intermediate layer. The interior layer and the outer layer are formed of leather, and each leather layer includes opening structures selected from the group consisting of holes, slits and goring.
Another prior art US 20090113759A1 discloses a therapeutic footwear such as sandals, conventional shoes, and corrective inserts that may be inserted into conventional shoes. Specifically, the therapeutic footwear may be used for maintaining, correcting, or repositioning the great toe to decrease pressure on the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint or bunion.
Yet another prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,596 discloses a high-heeled shoe, and method for making the same, the shoe being characterized by providing a substantially flat supporting area for a wearer's foot while appearing to support the foot at an angle. The shoe comprises a sole portion forming a supporting area for a wearer's foot, a heel joined with the sole portion extending perpendicularly downward at least an inch from the sole portion, and securing means for selectively securing the sole portion to a wearer's foot. A forefoot area of the sole portion is elevated to a level substantially horizontal with the heel area whereby the supporting area is generally flat.
However, the prior art shoes comprise multiple leather layers that reduces flexibility of the shoe and also reduces an area for a foot that results in increasing a pressure on the bunion foot. Also, the prior arts have a plurality of pores, slits and goring for increasing comfort in the shoe, but results are limited for supporting a bunion foot.
In the view of foregoing, there is a need for a shoe with a support structure for a bunion foot. Also, there is a need for a shoe with a single layer structure to allow free space for a bunion foot. Further, there is a need for a shoe with enhanced flexibility and support to the feet along a toe and a heel area.

SUMMARY

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a shoe with a support structure for a bunion foot.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe with a single layered fabric structure to allow free space for a bunion foot.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe with enhanced flexibility and support to the feet along a toe and a heel area.
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a shoe with a support for allaying a bunion foot comprising a leather lining, a stretchable fabric and an arch support. The stretchable fabric is attached an inner lining of the shoe. The leather lining forms a support structure around the feet of a user. The stretchable fabric is stitched in-line with the leather lining. The arch support is connected inside an insole to support a sole with curvature of the feet. The shoe further comprises a heel counter attached between the inner lining and an upper.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the stretchable fabric allows an air breathing inside a shoe area.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cushion is provided in a multi-layered insole placed atop the sole of the shoe.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cushion is made through multiple layers of elastomeric materials.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cushion is made up of a single elastomeric material formed in an arc shape.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the arc support is detachable in nature to support a plurality of shoe with variable shapes and sizes.
These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c illustrates a side perspective view, a side view and a top view respectively of the shoe with a support structure for a bunion foot, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1a-1c illustrates a shoe with a support structure for a bunion foot, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1a-1c , a shoe (100) with a support for allaying a bunion foot comprising a leather lining (101), a stretchable fabric (102) and an arch support (103). The leather lining (101) forms a support structure around the feet of a user. The stretchable fabric (102) is stitched in-line with the leather lining (101). The arch support (103) is connected inside the leather lining (101) to support a curvature of the feet. The stretchable fabric is attached an inner lining (104) of the shoe. The shoe further comprises a heel counter (105) attached between the inner lining and an upper (106).
According to one embodiment of the present invention, most high-heeled shoes have heels of between 2-3 inches, although some can be higher. The shoes with heels of 5 inches or more, however, are generally considered purely for fashion rather than for normal wear. Although the invention is not limited by heel height, a bunion sufferer is generally more likely to choose and wear a shorter version of a high heel rather than a taller one. Hence, a placement of multiple layers of elastomeric material lead to variable height of heels along with providing support to a bunion foot or a toe deformation.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the arch support is of variable sizes and hence can be fitted in various places of shoe preferably in place of foot curvature but can also be fitted in a toe area to allay a deformed toe.
Depending upon a type of insole application, the shoe allows a plurality of users with different foot condition and standing posture such as a flat foot, a bunion foot, a knock knee, a bow knee, a leg with over pronation, a foot with high arch and a foot with supination. The shoe provides a supportive insole to allow the shoe usage by the user with high arch foot as well as the user having flat foot. Further, the stretchable fabric provides a smoothening experience for the users with a bunion foot and various leg deformities.
As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A bathing apparatus comprising:

a lower body including one or more engine components;

an upper body mounted on said lower body and including a watertight enclosure adapted to accommodate a person therein;

wherein the engine components in the lower body are configured to manage the water in enclosure of said upper body by receiving water therein from outside and pumping the water into the upper body.

2. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engine components include at least one electric pump.

3. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper body is a watertight enclosure having four sides with front panel having an opening allowing-a person to step in or out.

4. The bathing apparatus of claim 3 wherein the upper body comprises space sufficient to accommodate a person sitting, standing, or occupying a wheelchair.

5. The bathing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the front panel is configured with a drawbridge having a rough surface, adapted to allow a person to step into the upper body.

6. The bathing apparatus of claim 3, including a sliding door which automatically closes by pressing a push button switch.

7. The bathing apparatus of claim 6 wherein the sliding door is configured to close from a side or from a bottom.

8. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bathing apparatus is configured to rotate.

9. The rotating bathing apparatus, of claim 8 wherein the rotation turns the bathing apparatus into a first position and a second position.

10. The rotating bathing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first position allows the user to enter the bathing apparatus.

11. The rotating bathing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second position allows the user to take a shower bath in the bathtub or fill the bathtub with water.

12. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, further including a set of guide rails for supporting a user.

13. The bathing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the front panel of claim 3 includes a rubber sealer for preventing water leakage.

14. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper body is fixed on the lower body by means of a metal stand of the lower body driven into the holes of the upper body.

15. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper body includes an extendable or retractable cable to release or draw a wheel chair into the bathing apparatus.

16. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engine components in the lower body pump water into the upper body by means of a shower bath arrangement or by a simple pump.

17. The bathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the lower body includes a used water tank holding used water and a clean water tank for holding clean water; and

an upper body is mounted on the lower body and includes a watertight enclosure accommodating a person therein, receiving the clean water from the clean water tank and releasing used water into the used water tank

wherein the engine components in the lower body includes at least one electric pump configured to receive the used water from used water tank and pumping the same into the clean water tank via at least one membrane filter.

18.-23. (canceled)