Shoe Indicator System and Kit

Abstract

A shoe indicator system and kit are provided to visually aid differentiation of left and right shoes. The shoe indicator system comprises a left and right shoe comprising respective left and right shoe indicators irremovably integrated on a portion of the respective shoe itself or otherwise on auxiliary left and right shoe inserts or insoles. The left and right shoe indicators respectively define left and right-side portions of a figure that appears as a unified word, phrase, image, or the like when viewed together. Each left and right shoe indicator may be integrated on any portion of its respective shoe or auxiliary insert or insole so that accurate positioning of the shoes may be visually confirmed by the unification of the figure defined by left and right-side portions by a user prior to wear.

Claims

1. A shoe indicator kit comprising: a left shoe insert comprising a left shoe indicator irremovably integrated thereon; and a right shoe insert comprising a right shoe indicator irremovably integrated thereon, wherein the left and right shoe indicators define respective left and right-side portions of a figure and are configured to visually align with each other to portray a unified figure across the left and right shoe inserts.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a left shoe and a right shoe, each operative to receive the respective left and right shoe insert.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the left and right shoe insert are permanently integrated within the respective left and right shoe.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the left and right shoe indicator are at least partially obscured during wear.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the unified figure comprises any or a combination of a word, phrase, image, and symbol.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are displayed in high contrast to any remaining portion of the left and right shoe insoles.

7. A shoe indicator system comprising: a left shoe having disposed thereon a left shoe indicator; and a right shoe having disposed thereon a right shoe indicator, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are configured to visually align with one another to portray a unified figure across the left and right shoes.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the unified figure comprises any or a combination of a word, phrase, image, and symbol.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are bodily integrated into any portion of the left and right shoes, respectively.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are bodily integrated into an insole of respective left and right shoes and are readily visible through an opening defined by the collar of each of the left and right shoes.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are bodily integrated into and positioned on respective left and right sole of the shoes.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are positioned on an outer edge of the sole of the shoes when worn.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are positioned on an outer surface of the shoes.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the left and right shoe indicators are displayed in high visual contrast to left and right shoe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the shoe indicator system.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the shoe indicator system of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the shoe indicator system.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the shoe indicator system.

[0032] The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

[0033] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

[0034] The terms first, second, third, fourth, and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms include, and have, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus

[0035] The terms couple, coupled, couples, coupling, and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a left shoe 110 and right shoe 120 may be configured to display or otherwise comprise a left and right shoe indicator 112, 122, respectively. It may be seen that the left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 may be formed or disposed on the left and right shoes 110, 120 such that when properly oriented, the left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 may reveal a unified figure. In this case, such left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 define west and east portions, respectively, of a world map, and thus reveal the world map as a unified figure when placed in the correct orientation.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the left shoe and right shoe indicators 112, 122 may be disposed and positioned on a left and right shoe insole 114, 124, respectively, such that the indicators 112, 122 may be viewed through an opening defined by a collar 116, 126 defined by each shoe. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such insoles 114, 124 may be permanently disposed within each shoe either by glue, staples, sewing, or any other means, or may be removable from and replaceable within each shoe as desired without departing from the invention. In any event, the left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 may be positioned on each insole 114, 124, respectively, within the opening defined by the respective collar 116, 126 such that, when the left and right shoes 110, 120 are aligned, an inner edge of the left shoe indicator 113 may align with an inner edge of the right shoe indicator 123 to visually portray a unified figure, such as the exemplary world map, defined by the left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 together.

[0039] The left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 may be texturally or otherwise bodily integrated into the shoe portion of the shoe to which it is applied. In other words, the left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 may be formed of the same material as any part of the shoe that such indicators are positioned on. In this exemplary embodiment, any fiber or material comprising insoles 114, 124 may be dyed to define the left and right shoe indicators 112, 122 in high visual contrast to any remaining portion of the insole 114, 124. For example, the left and right shoe indicators may comprise a color, or plurality of colors, that are visually distinct from the background or underlying color of the portion of the shoe to which the left and right shoe indicators are disposed. In some embodiments, the left and right shoe indicators may be embossed.

[0040] The same may be said for application of left and right indicators to an outer portion of respective left and right shoes, as will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, and in general, any upper defining the left and right shoe may comprise woven canvas, knit nylon or polyester, or any other fiber known to those of ordinary skill in the art as being suitable for footwear which may be then dyed to define visually distinct designs. In some embodiments, however, the left and right shoes may comprise uppers made of sheets of material such as natural or synthetic leather. In such cases, and even in the case of woven fiber materials, it is possible that the left and right indicators be painted, drawn, embroidered, screen printed, stained, or otherwise applied to a portion of a shoe. Thus, it is also contemplated that left and right shoe indicators may be externally, but permanently, applied to a portion of respective left and right shoes in countless manners without departing from the invention.

[0041] Turning to FIG. 3, and as stated above, it is also contemplated that left and right shoe indicators may be positioned on an external portion of each shoe. For example, the left and right shoe indicators 312, 322 may be positioned on respective left and right heels 314, 324 of left and right shoes 310, 320. In this case, left and right shoe indicators 312, 314 together define a united figure as the exclamation COOL!, where the Os are replaced with happy faces, as a combination of letters, symbols, and emojis. It will be appreciated that swapping the position of the left and right shoe 310, 312 in this case would display a nonsensical series of letters, symbols, and emojis as OL!CO, where the Os are replaced with happy faces. A user placing shoes in the wrong orientation will thus view a nonsensical figure and know to rearrange the shoes to form a unified figure before placing the shoes on their feet.

[0042] Of course, the united figure may take countless forms without departing from the invention. In general, the united figure may comprise any or a combination of letters, words, phrases, images, and symbols. These could further define animal drawings or pictures, logos or brand emblems, user names or nicknames, emoticons and emojis, faces, artistic drawings, photographs, pictures, drawings, or any other design visually distinguishable from the shoe surface to which they are applied. In the event that the united figure defines a word or phrase, it is contemplated that the invention may encourage reading development. However, the united figure may take any form or appearance as desired or needed, such as for aesthetic purposes; to reflect the wearer's interests, tastes, or sensibilities; to communicate or display a particular message; or for any other reason.

[0043] With reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary unified figure defined by left and right shoe indicators 412, 422 is depicted as a flower disposed on left and right shoe soles 410, 420. It is contemplated that the placement of the left and right shoe indicators 412, 422, when positioned on the sole of the shoe may be aligned when the shoes are viewed from the bottom. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the left and right indicators 412, 422 are positioned along an inner edge 414, 424 of each shoe so that when viewed from the bottom, the unified figure is joined along inner edges 414, 424 of the shoe soles 410, 420. However, one may recognize that due to bilateral asymmetry, left and right indicators aligned in this manner will require shoes to be turned over together so that their left-right position is swapped, in order to maintain alignment of the unified figure. As such, in some embodiments, it may be beneficial to position left and right indicators on the respective left and right soles along an outer edge of each shoe so that each shoe may be turned over in place and avoid potential confusion caused by the asymmetry. Of course, in such embodiments, figures will not be unified while the shoes are being worn. However, this does not depart from the invention as unifying figures will still aid accurate placement of the shoes to the left and right.

[0044] It will be recognized that in the event that the left and right shoe indicators are disposed on any interior portion of the left and right shoes, such as in exemplary FIGS. 1 and 2, whether removable or not, or on the sole of such shoes, such as in exemplary FIG. 4, such indicators will be obscured from view when worn by a user.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0045] While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the indicator system may be used in any item that a left and right indicator may be beneficial, including, without limitation, socks and gloves. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

[0046] The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0047] Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the shoe indicator system and kit with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the shoe indicator system and kit to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the shoe indicator system and kit is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

[0048] While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the system and kit are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

[0049] While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the system and kit are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the shoe indicator system and kit.