INFANT SHOE

Abstract

An infant shoe that is configured to maintain a foot disposed therein in a plantar flexion position so as to accommodate the motions of a crawling infant. The shoe of the present invention includes an upper portion manufactured from a flexible waterproof material. The upper portion includes an interior volume and further has an opening providing access thereto. Embodiments of the infant shoe of the present invention can include expansion members proximate the opening wherein the expansion members temporarily expand the opening to facilitate insertion of a foot thereinto. The upper portion of the shoe includes a bottom sole member that will engage the surface upon an infant being in a standing position. The present invention further includes an upper sole member secured to the upper portion that is configured to engage the surface when an infant is in a crawling position.

Claims

1. An infant shoe configured to accommodate a crawling motion of an infant wherein the infant shoe comprises: an upper portion, said upper portion being manufactured from a flexible material, said upper portion having an opening providing access to an interior volume of the infant shoe; a bottom sole member, said bottom sole member being secured to said upper portion proximate a lower edge thereof, said bottom sole member being manufactured from rubber, said bottom sole member extending from a toe region of the infant shoe to a heel region of the infant shoe; an upper sole member, said upper sole member being disposed on the upper portion proximate the toe region of the infant shoe, said upper sole member being manufactured from rubber, said upper sole member extending from said toe region towards an ankle region of the infant shoe across a top surface of the upper portion; and wherein the upper portion is positioned so as to place a foot of an infant utilizing the infant shoe in a plantar flexion position.

2. The infant shoe configured to accommodate the crawling motion of an infant as recited in claim 1, wherein said opening of said upper portion has a diameter that is wider that than of a diameter of the infant shoe proximate the ankle region.

3. The infant shoe configured to accommodate the crawling motion of an infant as recited in claim 1, and further including at least one expansion member, said at least one expansion member being integrally formed in said upper portion proximate said opening, said at least one expansion member being manufactured from an elastic material, said at least one expansion member operable to temporarily expand the diameter of the opening for journaling a foot therethrough.

4. The infant shoe configured to accommodate the crawling motion of an infant as recited in claim 3, and further including at least one fastening element, said at least one fastening element configured to secure the infant shoe to the foot of an infant.

5. The infant shoe configured to accommodate the crawling motion of an infant as recited in claim 4, wherein the upper sole member includes an outer surface.

6. The infant shoe configured to accommodate the crawling motion of an infant as recited in claim 5, wherein the outer surface of said upper sole member is provided in a form selected from a group consisting of: smooth or textured.

7. The infant shoe configured to accommodate the crawling motion of an infant as recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one expansion member is tapered in shape, said at least one expansion member having a width proximate the opening that is greater than a width proximate a lower end of the at least one expansion member distally located from said opening.

8. The infant shoe configured to accommodate the crawling motion of an infant as recited in claim 7, wherein the upper portion is waterproof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated an infant shoe 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

[0019] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms a, an and the include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to an element is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word or should be understood as having the definition of a logical or rather than that of a logical exclusive or unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0020] References to one embodiment, an embodiment, exemplary embodiments, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

[0021] Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the infant shoe 100 includes an upper portion 10 wherein the upper portion 10 is manufactured from a flexible waterproof material such as but not limited to nylon. The upper portion 10 is formed to create an interior volume wherein the interior volume is of sufficient size to accommodate an infant foot therein. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the upper portion 10 could be manufactured to have alternate heights relative to the ankle/shin of the user. By way of example but not limitation, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the upper portion 10 could be manufactured to have a height that is below the ankle, above the ankle or generally equal to the ankle. The upper portion 10 includes opening 15 wherein the opening 15 provides access to the interior volume facilitating placement of a foot therein. The opening 15 of the present invention is configured to have a slightly greater diameter that the diameter of the upper portion 10 proximate the ankle region 6. The wider diameter of the opening 15 facilitates easier donning of the infant shoe 100 onto a foot of an infant. The upper portion 10 of the infant shoe 100 in a preferred embodiment is configured such that the infant shoe 100 is maintained in a plantar flexion position as is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 submitted herewith. This configuration of the upper portion 10 facilitates an improved experience for a crawling infant wherein the infant's foot is supported in the natural position the foot will be in while crawling and further provides improved securement to the infant's foot to avoid accidental removal of the shoe during crawling movements of the infant.

[0022] The upper portion 10 in one embodiment of the infant shoe 100 further includes expansion members 20,25. Expansion members 20,25 are integrally formed into the upper portion 10 utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to stitching or adhesion. Expansion members 20, 25 are manufactured from a suitable durable elastic material and provide an ability for the upper rear section 30 of the upper portion 10 to be biased outwards away from the opening 15 during donning of the infant shoe 100 onto a foot of an infant. The expansion members 20, 25 are tapered in shape having a greater width proximate the opening 15. The aforementioned shape provides benefit to expansion of the opening 15 for insertion of a foot thereinto. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the expansion members 20,25 could be provided in alternate sizes and/or shapes and achieve the desired functionality as described herein. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the infant shoe 100 could be provided with or without the expansion members 20,25.

[0023] Fastening member 40,45 are secured to the upper portion 10 and are operable to inhibit dislodging of the infant shoe during use thereof. Fastening members 40,45 are strap like members that employ hook and loop material to secure to the upper portion 10. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening members 40,45 circumvent the rear section of the ankle region 6 approximately one hundred and eighty degrees with ends of the fastening members 40,45 be on opposing sides of the upper portion 10. While two fastening members 40,45 are illustrated in the embodiment illustrated herein in FIG. 3, as illustrated in FIG. 2 herein, the present invention could incorporate as few as one fastening member or as illustrated in FIG. 1, more than two fastening members. While strap-like elements are illustrated herein for the fastening members, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the fastening members could be manufactured utilizing alternate elements. By way of example but not limitation, the fastening members could be manufactured from zippers or other suitable conventional fasteners. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the fastening member 40,45 could be located in alternate positions on the upper portion 10 as is illustrated with the embodiments submitted herewith.

[0024] The infant shoe 100 includes a bottom sole member 60. The bottom sole member 60 is secured to the upper portion 10 proximate the lower edge thereof utilizing suitable durable techniques. The bottom sole member 60 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to rubber. The bottom sole member 60 extends from the toe region 5 to approximately the heel region 4. The bottom sole member 60 is manufactured to be the width of the infant shoe 100 and it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the bottom sole member 60 could have an outer surface that can include but is not limited to smooth or textured. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the surface of the bottom sole member 60 could be provided with various graphics and/or marketing indicia imprinted thereon.

[0025] The infant shoe 100 further includes an upper sole member 70. The upper sole member 70 is secured to the upper portion 10 proximate the toe region 5 utilizing suitable durable techniques. The upper sole member 70 is manufactured from a similar material as the bottom sole member 60 such as but not limited to rubber. The upper sole member 70 extends across the width of the upper portion 10 proximate the toe region 5 extending thereacross upwards towards the ankle region. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention the upper sole member 70 could extend upward along the upper portion 10 in various different lengths.

[0026] Furthermore, it is additionally contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the surface of the upper sole member 70 could be provided in various embodiments that include but are not limited to smooth or textured. The upper sole member 70 provides protection of the top of the foot of the infant wearing the infant shoe 100 as well as inhibits damage to the upper portion 10 that has the upper sole member 70 secured thereto.

[0027] It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the illustrated embodiments submitted herewith are exemplary only and that numerous alternate embodiments and styles are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the infant shoe 100 could be provided in different sizes and colors.

[0028] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.