US20190380396A1

US20190380396A1 - Foot Cushioning Device

Info

Publication number: US20190380396A1
Application number: US16/009,343
Authority: US
Inventors: Joanie LaHara
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-06-15
Filing date: 2018-06-15
Publication date: 2019-12-19

Abstract

A foot cushioning device for enhancing comfort includes a shell and a plurality of pads. The shell is tubular and has an open end so that the shell is configured to insert a foot through the open end. The shell is flexible so that the shell is configured to conform to the foot that is positioned in the shell. A plurality of first couplers is coupled to an exterior surface of the shell. The pads are resilient. Each of a plurality of second couplers is coupled to a respective pad. The second coupler is positioned to selectively couple to a respective first coupler to couple the respective pad to the shell, positioning the respective pad to cushion a portion of the foot that is positioned in the shell adjacent to the respective pad.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to cushioning devices and more particularly pertains to a new cushioning device for enhancing comfort.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a shell and a plurality of pads. The shell is tubular and has an open end so that the shell is configured to insert a foot through the open end. The shell is flexible so that the shell is configured to conform to the foot that is positioned in the shell. A plurality of first couplers is coupled to an exterior surface of the shell. The pads are resilient. Each of a plurality of second couplers is coupled to a respective pad. The second coupler is positioned to selectively couple to a respective first coupler to couple the respective pad to the shell, positioning the respective pad to cushion a portion of the foot that is positioned in the shell adjacent to the respective pad.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a foot cushioning device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new cushioning device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the foot cushioning device 10 generally comprises a shell 12 and a plurality of pads 14. The pads 14 are resilient. The shell 12 is tubular and has an open end 16 so that the shell 12 is configured to insert a foot through the open end 16. The shell 12 is flexible so that the shell 12 is configured to conform to the foot that is positioned in the shell 12. The shell 12 comprises cotton or the like. The shell 12 may be sized so that the open end 16 reaches to below an ankle, to above the ankle, and to a calf of a leg of a user.
Each pad 14 has a respective shape so that the plurality of pads 14 comprises pads 14 that have a variety of shapes. Each pad 14 has a respective thickness so that the plurality of pads 14 comprises pads 14 that have a variety of thicknesses. The pads 14 may comprise memory foam. Each pad 14 also may comprise a bladder 18 that defines an interior space 20. A gel 22 is positioned in and substantially occupies the interior space 20.
The plurality of pads 14 comprises a first cushion 24, a second cushion 26, a third cushion 28, a fourth cushion 30, a fifth cushion 32, and a sixth cushion 34. The first cushion 24 is shaped complementarily to a heel of the foot, as shown in FIG. 1. The second cushion 26 is shaped complementarily to an arch of the foot, as shown in FIG. 2. The third cushion 28 is shaped complementarily to a metatarsal region of the foot, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The fourth cushion 30 is shaped complementarily to a region of the foot that extends from proximate to the outmost (baby) toe to the metatarsal region of the foot, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The fifth cushion 32 is shaped complementarily to a region of the foot that extends from proximate to the innermost (big) toe to the metatarsal region of the foot, as shown in FIG. 7. The sixth cushion 34 is shaped complementarily a top of the toes of the foot, as shown in FIG. 7.
A plurality of first couplers 36 is coupled to an exterior surface 38 of the shell 12. Each of a plurality of second couplers 40 is coupled to a respective pad 14. The second coupler 40 is positioned to selectively couple to a respective first coupler 36 to couple the respective pad 14 to the shell 12, positioning the respective pad 14 to cushion a portion of the foot that is positioned in the shell 12 adjacent to the respective pad 14. The second coupler 40 and the respective first coupler 36 comprise a hook and loop fastener 42, as shown in FIG. 5.
The pads 14 are configured to provide support, to deter formation of blisters, corns, and calluses, and to reduce impact to feet and skeletal system of the body as the user walks and runs. The shell 12 may be worn with and without an article of footwear positioned over the shell 12.
In use, the foot is inserted through the open end 16 into the shell 12. The user selects pads 14 from the plurality of pads 14 to meet the user's specific requirements in selectively cushioning regions of the user's foot. The second couplers positioned on the selected pads 14 are coupled to their respective first couplers to coupled to the pads 14 to the regions of the foot per the user's requirements.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

I claim:

1. A foot cushioning device comprising:

a shell, said shell having an open end, said shell being tubular wherein said shell is configured for inserting a foot through said open end, said shell being flexible wherein said shell is configured for conforming to the foot positioned in said shell;

a plurality of first couplers coupled to an exterior surface of said shell;

a plurality of pads, said pads being resilient; and

a plurality of second couplers, each said second coupler being coupled to a respective said pad wherein said second coupler is positioned for selectively coupling to a respective said first coupler for coupling said respective said pad to said shell positioning said respective said pad for cushioning a portion of the foot positioned in said shell adjacent to said respective said pad.

2. The device of claim 1, further including said shell comprising cotton.

3. The device of claim 1, further including each said pad having a respective shape such that said plurality of pads comprises pads having a variety of shapes.

4. The device of claim 3, further including said plurality of pads comprising:

a first cushion shaped complementarily to a heel of the foot;

a second cushion shaped complementarily to an arch of the foot;

a third cushion shaped complementarily to a metatarsal region of the foot;

a fourth cushion shaped complementarily to a region of the foot extending from proximate to the outmost toe to the metatarsal region of the foot;

a fifth cushion shaped complementarily to a region of the foot extending from proximate to the innermost toe to the metatarsal region of the foot; and

a sixth cushion shaped complementarily a top of the toes of the foot.

5. The device of claim 1, further including each said pad having a respective thickness such that said plurality of pads comprises pads having a variety of thicknesses.

6. The device of claim 1, further including said second coupler and said respective said first coupler comprising a hook and loop fastener.

7. The device of claim 1, further including said pads comprising memory foam.

8. The device of claim 1, further including each said pad comprising:

a bladder defining an interior space; and

a gel positioned in and substantially occupying said interior space.

9. A foot cushioning device comprising:

a shell, said shell having an open end, said shell being tubular wherein said shell is configured for inserting a foot through said open end, said shell being flexible wherein said shell is configured for conforming to the foot positioned in said shell, said shell comprising cotton;

a plurality of first couplers coupled to an exterior surface of said shell;

a plurality of pads, said pads being resilient, each said pad having a respective shape such that said plurality of pads comprises pads having a variety of shapes, each said pad having a respective thickness such that said plurality of pads comprises pads having a variety of thicknesses, said pads comprising memory foam, said plurality of pads comprising:

a first cushion shaped complementarily to a heel of the foot,

a second cushion shaped complementarily to an arch of the foot,

a third cushion shaped complementarily to a metatarsal region of the foot,

a fourth cushion shaped complementarily to a region of the foot extending from proximate to the outmost toe to the metatarsal region of the foot,

a fifth cushion shaped complementarily to a region of the foot extending from proximate to the innermost toe to the metatarsal region of the foot, and

a sixth cushion shaped complementarily a top of the toes of the foot; and

a plurality of second couplers, each said second coupler being coupled to a respective said pad wherein said second coupler is positioned for selectively coupling to a respective said first coupler for coupling said respective said pad to said shell positioning said respective said pad for cushioning a portion of the foot positioned in said shell adjacent to said respective said pad, said second coupler and said respective said first coupler comprising a hook and loop fastener.

10. The device of claim 9, further including each said pad comprising:

a bladder defining an interior space; and

a gel positioned in and substantially occupying said interior space.