SUPPORTIVE FOOTWEAR FOR ATHLETIC TRAINING

Abstract

A shoe has a main body, an ankle strap, plantar bridge, and a toe loop connected to the main body. The main body wraps around the dorsal instep area of the foot and the plantar bridge wraps around the plantar midfoot area of the foot, without covering the ball, the plantar metatarsals, the heel, or the toes. The ankle strap is attached at its ends to the main body and extends around the back of the foot above the heel for constraining the main body from forwarding movement. The toe loop surrounds one of the toes and connects with the main body from above the foot, for constraining the main body from rearward movement.

Claims

1. A footwear for practicing yoga exercises, the footwear comprises: a tubular V-shape main body configured to cover a majority of an instep surface area of a foot; an ankle strap configured to wrap around a back of the foot above a heel of the foot but below an ankle bone; and a plantar bridge configured to traverse from side to side across a plantar surface of a midfoot located directly under tarsal bones.

2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the footwear further comprises a toe loop configured to wrap around a big toe or a second toe at a metatarsophalangeal joint.

3. The footwear according to claim 2, wherein the tubular V-shape main body, the ankle strap, the plantar bridge, and the toe loop are integrally forming a single unit.

4. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plantar bridge has a forward edge and a rearward edge, both the forward edge and the rearward edge are concave in shape.

5. A method for supporting a foot while practicing yoga to prevent injury, the method comprises the steps of: providing a footwear for practicing yoga exercises, the footwear comprises: a tubular V-shape main body configured to cover a majority of an instep surface area of the foot, an ankle strap configured to wrap around a back of the foot above a heel of the foot but below an ankle bone, and a plantar bridge configured to traverse from side to side across a plantar surface of a midfoot located directly under tarsal bones.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the footwear further comprises a toe loop configured to fit around a big toe or a second toe at a metatarsophalangeal joint.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the tubular V-shape main body, the ankle strap, the plantar bridge, and the toe loop are integrally forming a single unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a medial view of a left foot of a user wearing the disclosed shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a plantar view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a rearward lateral view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a plantar view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a medial view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a lateral view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a plantar view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a top view of the left foot of a user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 11 is the plantar view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 12 is a top view of the left foot of a user wearing the shoe constructed, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 13 is a plantar view of the left foot of a user wearing the shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 14 is a plantar view of a left foot showing all of the anatomical drawings of the bones of the foot and the shoe position relative to the bones, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as apparatus and methods of use thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0040] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0042] The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.

[0043] The following detailed description is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details may be set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatus are shown in block diagram form to facilitate describing the subject innovation. Moreover, the drawings are drawn to be to scale.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1-9 which shows different views of the disclosed shoe 10 that has a unique construction for supporting a foot 100 while practicing yoga to prevent injury. FIG. 1 is a medial view of the left foot of the user wearing shoe 10. Besides yoga, the shoe 10 is useful for a wide range of physical activities and has the unique construction of leaving a ball and heel of a wearer's foot 100 uncovered, while covering at least some of the dorsal instep area of the foot and a limited portion of the plantar surface directly under the tarsal bones at the midfoot area of the wearer's foot.

[0045] For purposes of this application, parts of the wearer's foot include an instep (defined, for purposes of this application, as the dorsum of the foot which faces upwardly when the person is standing, including the area over the dorsal instep area and the metatarsal bones, but excluding the phalanges) and the plantar midfoot (defined, for purposes of this application, the portion of the planum of the wearer's foot located directly under the five tarsal bones of the plantar midfoot area, the area anatomically described for the purpose of this invention as the area directly under the five tarsal bones that make up the midfoot. These five bones are properly named the medial cuneiform bone, the intermediate cuneiform bone, the lateral cuneiform bone, the cuboid bone and the navicular bone. The planum or plantar surface being the portion of the foot that faces downwardly when the person is standing). The ball of the foot is formed generally under the head of the first metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot. The heel refers to the region positioned generally under the calcaneus bone, and the back of the foot is the portion above and behind the heel 1050 and talus 1040 (i.e., the location of the Achilles tendon, shown in FIG. 14). The toes are formed by the phalanges. Since the general construction of the foot is known in the art, this is not discussed in greater detail herein. FIG. 11 shows the anatomy of the feet.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1-9 which shows different views of the disclosed shoe 10. FIG. 1 is a medial view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe and FIG. 2 shows a top view thereof. FIGS. 1 and 2 show that shoe 10 has a tubular V-shaped main body 12 connected directly to a toe loop 18 above the foot, and the V-shaped main body 12 connected to the toe loop 18 at an intersection 20. The V-shaped main body of the shoe has a medial edge 22 and a lateral edge 24. An ankle strap 16 extends from the V-shaped main body and wraps around the back of the foot above the heel of the foot but below an ankle bone. The shoe 10 further includes a plantar bridge 14 configured to traverse from side to side across a plantar surface of a midfoot located directly under tarsal bones.

[0047] The dorsal aspect of the shoe can be adapted in a V-shape with the smallest point of the V-shaped main body originating at the toe loop intersection/connection 20 and expanding outwardly, with the medial edge 22 of the V-shape main body 12 traversing in a medial direction and the lateral edge 24 of the V-shape main body 12 traversing in a lateral direction over the dorsal instep area of the foot with solid coverage between both edges of the V-shaped main body 12. The V-shape main body provides a solid coverage as it pertains to a V-shaped main body of the invention is described as complete coverage between the medial to the lateral edges of the V-shaped main body as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 clearly shows this intersection of the V-shape main body and the toe loop.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a plantar view of the left foot 100 of the user wearing the disclosed shoe 10. As shown in the drawing, the plantar bridge 14 can be adapted into a single one-piece, solid member that is an integral part of the V-shaped main body 12. The plantar bridge has a limited area of coverage located directly under the tarsal bones of the plantar midfoot. FIG. 3 also shows the toe loop 18 with the limited plantar coverage at the base of the big toe encircled by the toe loop 18. This is one of the critical physical features of this shoe to have the plantar surface exposed as shown.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a rearward lateral view of the disclosed shoe shown worn on the left foot. The lower edge 17 of the ankle strap 16 can be adapted in a curvilinear shape to extend directly from the back of the heel to the medial and lateral undersides of the plantar bridge. FIG. 5 is a plantar view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 6 which shows a medial view of the left foot of the user wearing the disclosed shoe. This drawing shows the V-shape main body 12 and the ankle strap 16 below the medial ankle bone of the user wearing the disclosed shoe. FIG. 7 is a lateral view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe. FIG. 7 shows the V-shape main body 12 and the ankle strap 16 below the lateral ankle bone of the user wearing the shoe 10.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a top view of the left foot of the user wearing the shoe and FIG. 9 is plantar view thereof. Shoe 10 is more clearly shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. shoe 10 has the V-shaped main body 12, an integral ankle strap 16 that extends from the vertices of the V-shape body 12, a continuous plantar bridge 14, a continuous toe loop 18, and an intersection 20 between the V-shape body 12 and the toe loop 18. The single toe loop of the shoe encircles the big toe of the user from the bottom elevation.

[0052] The ankle strap can constrain the shoe from forward movement while the toe loop can constrain the shoe from rearward movement. The plantar bridge, because of its dimension and size can support the flexing of the foot during physical activity, enhancing the movement and preventing potential injury to the foot. The ankle strap, the toe loop, the plantar bridge, and the V-shaped main body can be integral to form a single unit. Such a single unit is economical to manufacture and comfortable to wear.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a single toe-loop that wraps around the big toe of the foot. However, the disclosed shoe can also be supported by another toe or more than one toe. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a shoe 30 that has a V-shape main body 32, an ankle strap 34 that extends from the V-shape main body 32, a plantar bridge 36 that is integral with the V-shape main body 32, and a toe loop 38 integral with the V-shape main body 32 at an intersection 40. The toe-loop 38 wraps around the second toe of the left foot.

[0054] Similarly, FIGS. 12 and 13 show another embodiment of a shoe 50 in which the toe loop wraps around two toes i.e., the big toe and the second toe. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the shoe 50 that has a V-shape main body 52, an ankle strap 54 that extends from the V-shape main body 52, a plantar bridge 56 that is integral with the V-shape main body 52, and a toe loop 58 integral with the V-shape main body 52 at an intersection 60.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 14 which is a schematic diagram showing the anatomy of a foot and the position of the plantar bridge of the disclosed shoe relative to the foot anatomy to further illustrate the critical feature of the invention. The disclosed specialized shoe can support the feet while bending or flexing, such as practicing yoga postures or exercises. The supportive footwear can prevent injury to the foot during flexing and bending. Moreover, this shoe provides the user with the natural grip and sensory perception needed for physically demanding activities such as yoga where balance and movement are of great importance.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 14, the majority of the plantar surface of the foot can remain exposed and uncovered except for the small area of the midfoot located directly under the tarsal bones 1030 of the foot. All the plantar surface on the bottom of the foot is uncovered and unrestricted for a natural grip and a nearly barefoot sensory perception of the ground surface, for proper movement and placement of the foot. A single solid strip that traverses from side to side across the plantar surface of the midfoot located directly under the tarsal bones is referred to herein as “the plantar bridge” and provides the desired support to the foot during flexing or bending. It is clear from the drawing that the plantar bridge of the main body does not cover the whole or the whole of the arch area, but a very limited area directly under the five tarsal bones that make up the midfoot and is critical for proper flexing of the foot while performing yoga. The forward edge 1060 and the backward edge 1070 of the plantar bridge on the main body extends from side to side across the plantar surface of the foot located directly under the tarsal bones of the midfoot and extends directly to the toe loop in a curvilinear path with no interruptions or other intersections or connections except the connection/intersection of the toe loop 20.

[0057] In one implementation, the ankle strap can be below the ankle bone to provide maximum freedom and movement as well as allow the main body and all its parts to remain in the closest and most snug contact with the foot during a wide variety of movements associated with the practice of yoga. The ankle strap can also be an integral part of the main body and is adapted to extend around the back of the foot above the heel for constraining the main body from forwarding movement, and wherein the ankle strap and the main body are adapted so that they are below the medial and lateral ankle bone of the wearer, that being described anatomically as malleolus of the tibia and the fibula in such a manner that the ankle bone is uncovered and unrestricted and wherein the lower edge of the ankle strap/main body is adapted in a curvilinear shape to extend directly from the back of the heel to the medial and lateral undersides of the midfoot area of the foot crossing the plantar surface directly under the tarsal bones as one solid member.

[0058] In one implementation, a toe loop 210 that is adapted to fit around the big toe 1010 or the second toe at the MTP joint (anatomically described as the base of the proximal phalanx which is the most proximal portion of the proximal phalanx bone which articulates via a synovial joint with the adjacent metatarsal to form the metatarsophalangeal joints 1020) leaving the pad (the “pad′ of the toe can be anatomically described as the plantar surface contact area of the toe) of the toe exposed without covering any of the other toes.

[0059] In another implementation, a single toe loop is disclosed that is adapted to fit around the big toe or the second toe at the MTP joint leaving the pad of the toe exposed without covering any of the other toes.

[0060] In another implementation, disclosed footwear can include two toe loops adapted to fit around a big toe and a second toe adjacent to the big toe at the MTP joint leaving the pad of the toe exposed without covering any of the other toes.

[0061] In one implementation, the tubular V-shaped main body, the ankle strap, the plantar bridge of the main body, and the toe loop is integral forming a single unit. The V-shaped main body covers a majority of the dorsal instep surface area of the foot. Alternatively, the plantar bridge of the main body can be anchored directly to the toe loop with a curvilinear line to the front of the footwear and anchored directly to the heel of the foot with a curvilinear line, and anchor directly to the solid V-shape tubular main body. In other words, the toe loop, ankle strap, and the V-shaped main body are all anchored to the plantar bridge part or section of the main body and all these parts are tied directly to each other. The distal edge of the plantar bridge extends directly to the toe loop or loops in a curvilinear path to constrain the main body from rearward movement and the rearward edge of the plantar bridge traverses directly to the area above the heel to constrain the main body from forwarding movement.

[0062] In one implementation, disclosed is a shoe that is adapted with a single one-piece plantar bridge member that is an integral part of the tubular V-shape main body. The plantar bridge wraps under the midfoot directly under the tarsal bones of the foot with a forward edge 26 and a rearward edge 28 (shown in FIG. 3) with solid coverage between the two edges on the plantar area directly below the five tarsal bones as shown in FIG. 3. The forward edge traverses laterally across the plantar surface of the foot at the midfoot area to the medial and lateral sides of the foot wherein this forward edge then traverses distally in curvilinear path forming a V-shape pattern across the dorsal instep area of foot to the toe loop connection, with the tip of the “V” connecting with the toe loop. The rearward edge of the plantar bridge traverses laterally across the plantar surface of the foot at the midfoot area to the medial and lateral sides of the foot wherein this rearward edge then traverses in a curvilinear path forming the bottom edge of the ankle strap as it traverses to the back of the foot above the heel area.

[0063] In one implementation, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, the shoe 10 includes a main body 12 that wraps around the dorsal instep area of the foot and the plantar midfoot located directly under the tarsal bones of the foot, without covering the ball of the foot, the plantar metatarsals, or the heel or the toes. In this embodiment, the main body is in the form of a tubular V-shaped sleeve having a forward edge 13 and a trailing edge 15 that are separated by a width great enough to cover a majority of the instep and the plantar midfoot area of the foot. For the purposes of this application, the term majority shall be defined to mean over 50%.

[0064] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.