Three toed footwear
10973277 · 2021-04-13
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
A43C11/1493
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A43C11/14
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
An article of footwear having an upper secured to an outsole in combination having three toe pockets, the first toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a big toe of a wearer, and the second toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a second toe of the wearer, and the third toe pocket having a configuration to receive within the remaining third toe, fourth toe and fifth toe of the wearer.
Claims
1. A method of producing an article of footwear, comprising: securing an upper to an outsole in combination to delimit only three toe pockets, each one of said three toe pockets having medial and lateral toe pocket side portions and a toe pocket front portion secured to said outsole, each upwardly extending to correspondingly connect to toe pocket top portion, wherein a first toe pocket disposed closest to a medial side of said article of footwear delimits an individual toe pocket configured to receive within only a big toe of a wearer, wherein a second toe pocket disposed immediately adjacent said first toe pocket delimits an individual toe pocket configured to receive within only a second toe of said wearer disposed immediately adjacent said big toe of said wearer, said second toe pocket having a lesser width across said toe pocket top portion than said first toe pocket, wherein a third toe pocket disposed immediately adjacent said second toe pocket and closest a lateral side of said article of footwear delimits an individual toe pocket configured to receive within only the remaining third toe, fourth toe and fifth toe of said wearer, said third toe pocket having a greater width across said toe pocket top portion than either of said first or second toe pockets.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said toe top portions and said toe side portions comprise a flexible textile material.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising locating one or more flex elements on said toe top portions of said upper which flex upon flexure of said outsole.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising extending a releasable strap over said upper, wherein a first end of said strap secures to a medial side of said upper, wherein a second end of said strap releasably secures to a lateral side of said upper.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: extending a releasable strap over said upper, wherein a first portion of said releasable strap has medial portion disposed between a first end and a second end, said first end secured to a medial side of said upper, and a ring coupled to said second end of said first portion; and wherein a second portion of said releasable strap has a medial portion disposed between a first end and a second end, said first end secured to said lateral side of said upper, said second portion extendable through said ring and said second end releasably securable to said medial portion of said second portion.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising joining a collar to a top line of said upper, wherein said collar has a passage configured to receive a drawstring, said drawstring having adjustable length which allows adjustment of an open area defined by said collar.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: securing an insole to said outsole in combination having at least one aperture which fluidly communicates between inside and outside of said article of footwear; and disposing a mesh material between said outsole and said insole, said mesh material having mesh openings sufficient in area to allow an amount of fluid to pass through said at least one aperture.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said plurality of apertures have a location generally within an instep of said outsole.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein said mesh openings have a generally square form having a sieve size occurring in a range of about 0.5 millimeters to about 1.0 millimeters.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein said plurality of apertures each generally have the form of a parallelogram having a first pair of opposed angles and a second pair of opposed angles, said first pair of opposed angles of lesser degree angle than said second pair of opposed angles.
12. A method of using an article of footwear, comprising: inserting a foot inside of an upper secured to an outsole in combination to delimit only three toe pockets, each one of said three toe pockets having medial and lateral toe pocket side portions and a toe pocket front portion secured to said outsole; locating only a big toe of said foot within a first toe pocket disposed closest to a medial side of said article of footwear; locating only a second toe of said foot within a second toe pocket disposed immediately adjacent said first toe pocket of said article footwear; and locating the remaining three toes of said foot in a third toe pocket disposed immediately adjacent said second toe pocket and closest a lateral side of said article of footwear.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said upper secured to said outsole comprises a top toe portion and a side toe portion, said top toe portion generally overlaying a top of each toe, said toe side portion generally forming the medial side, front side and lateral side of said three toe pockets.
14. The method claim 12, further comprising releasably securing a strap extending over the upper, a first end of said strap secured to a medial side of said upper and a second end of the strap releasably secured to a lateral side of said upper.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: releasably securing a strap extending over the upper, said strap comprising: a first portion having a first end and a second end, said first end secured to a medial side of said upper; a ring coupled to said second end of said first portion; and a second portion having a medial portion disposed between a first end and a second end, said first end secured to said lateral side of said upper; and extending said second portion through said ring; and releasably securing said second end to said medial portion of said medial portion of said second portion.
16. The method of claim 12, adjusting an open area defined by a collar joined to a top line of said upper.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein adjusting comprises adjusting a length of a drawstring disposed inside of a passage within said collar.
18. The method of claim 12, further comprising draining an amount of fluid from inside to outside of said article of footwear through at least one aperture fluidly communicating between surfaces of an insole secured to said outsole.
19. The method of using an article of footwear of claim 18, wherein draining said amount of fluid from inside to outside of said article of footwear further comprises draining said amount of fluid through a mesh material disposed between said outsole and said insole.
Description
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(6) Generally, an article of footwear (1) as shown in
(7) Now referring primarily to
(8) Now referring primarily to
(9) Now referring primarily to
(10) Again referring primarily to
(11) There can be an advantage in providing three toe pockets (29)(30)(31) as above-described. First, the big toe (31) is primarily flexed by the flexor hallucis longus muscle, located in the deep posterior of the lower leg (18), via the flexor hallucis longus tendon. Additional flexion control is provided by the flexor hallucis brevis. It is extended by the abductor hallucis muscle and the adductor hallucis muscle. The big toe (31) can be moved independently of the remaining or other toes (33)(34)(35)(36). Therefore, a separate first toe pocket (29) allows the first toe (32)(the “big toe”) to be separately received within the footwear (1) to maintain movement in a toe which naturally moves independently of the other toes (33)(34)(35)(36). As to the second toe (33), third toe (34), fourth toe (35) and fifth toe (36) the flexor digitorum brevis muscle and the extensor digitorum brevis muscle and the flexor tendons are shared, making these toes (33)(34)(35)(36) generally move as one unit. However, some prehensility, or grasping capability, in these toes still exists. Second, providing a separate second toe pocket (30) allows the second toe (33) to be separately received with in the footwear (1) to allow use of prehensility of the second toe (33) in conjunction with the opposed movement of the first toe (32) separate of the remaining three toes (34)(35)(36). Third, providing a separate third toe pocket (31) allows the third toe (34), fourth toe (35) and fifth toe (26) to be received as a group within one toe pocket to facilitate the movement of these toes (34)(35)(36) as a group inside of the footwear (1), consistent with sharing of the musculature and tendons, as above-described, which is lacking in footwear having individual toe pockets for each toe or may be disadvantaged by footwear having four toe pockets.
(12) Again referring primarily to
(13) Providing one or more of the tree toe pockets (29)(30)(31) having the form of a toe top portion (37)(38)(39) and toe side portion (40)(41)(42) provides certain advantages. First, the outsole (3) does not need to extend substantially upward and does not need to overlay any one of the toes (32)(33)(34)(35)(36). The outsole (3) can extend upward at the front well below or reside at about the midline of each of the toes (32)(33)(34)(35)(36) with the toe side portions (40)(41)(42) of the upper (2) extending upward to join the corresponding toe top portions (37)(38)(39). This structure allows each of toes (32)(33)(34)(35)(36) to move forward in the footwear (11) without the toe end (56) being forcibly urged against the inside of the outsole (3). Rather, the corresponding side toe portion (40)(41)(42) when made from a flexible textile material can stretchably engage one or more toe ends (56) reducing force applied to the toe end (56) without substantial loss of force of the toe downwardly against the outsole (3). This structure can avoid or reduce injury to the toe end(s) (56) or the corresponding toe nail(s) (57).
(14) Again referring primarily to
(15) Again referring primarily to
(16) Now referring primarily to
(17) Now referring primarily to
(18) As to certain embodiments the footwear (1) can be secured about the wearer's (81) foot (6). For example, the wearer (81) can releasably secure a strap (59) extending over the upper (2). The first end (60) of the strap (59) being secured to a medial side (9) of the upper (2) and the second end (61) of the strap (59) being releasably secured by the wearer (11) to a lateral side (10) of the upper (2) by a strap fastener (62). As to certain embodiments, the wearer (11) can engage the matable portions of a loop material (64) coupled to the lateral side (10) of the upper (2) to a hook material (63) coupled proximate the second end (67) of the strap (59); however, it is appreciated that the strap fastener (62) can take many different forms.
(19) As to other embodiments, the wearer (81) can releasably secure an embodiment of the strap (59) which includes a first portion (65) secured by a first end (66) to the medial side (9) of the footwear (1). The ring (68) as above described can be secured to second end (67) of the first portion (65). A second portion (69) having a medial portion (70) disposed between a first end (71) and a second end (72) can have the first end (71) secured to the lateral side (10) of the upper (2). The wearer (11) can pass the second end (72) through the ring (68) and releasably secure the second end (72) to the medial portion (70) of said second portion (69) by mated engagement of the parts of the strap fastener (62), which as to certain embodiments can be mated hook an loop materials (63)(64).
(20) As to other embodiments, the wearer (81) locate the collar (19) coupled to the top line (16) of the upper (3) to surround the leg (18), which as to certain embodiments can be below the ankle (17), at the ankle (17) or above the ankle (17). As to those embodiments of the collar (19) which are elastically stretchable, the collar (19) can elastically engage the portion of the leg (18) and re-conform to the leg (18) as it moves. As to other embodiments, as shown in the example of
(21) The method of using the footwear (1) can further include transfer of an amount of fluid from inside the footwear (1) to outside of the footwear (1) through at least one aperture (74) fluidly communicating between surfaces of the insole (73) secured in combination to the outsole (3).
(22) As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of an inventive passive chamber spark plug including devices and methods for using such devices including the best mode.
(23) As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and figures.
(24) It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “flex element” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “flexing”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “flexing”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “flex element” and even a “means for flexing.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
(25) In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to included in the description for each term as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by reference.
(26) All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” one particular value to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.
(27) Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwise limited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
(28) Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each footwear herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.
(29) The background section of this patent application provides a statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United States patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.
(30) The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent application or continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
(31) The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.