CUSHION FOR REMOVABLE ATTACHMENT TO FOOTWEAR

Abstract

A removable cushion for supplementing footwear is shown and described. The removable cushion includes a resilient sole, a heel pocket, a closure encircling the footwear or body of the user proximate the heel pocket to retain the removable cushion on the footwear at the heel, and a front closure encircling the front of the foot to retain the removable cushion on the front of the footwear at the front of the foot. The closures may comprise encircling straps bearing hook and loop fastener. The resilient sole may have a low wall projecting upwardly at an open toe area and between the heel pocket and the front closure. The resilient sole may comprise closed cell foam and may have treads and an elevated heel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear, and more particularly, to a removable cushion for shoes, for combating fatigue and enhancing comfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People who work on their feet in relatively confined spaces, such as staffing cashier stations, toll booths, and the like frequently experience fatigue of the legs or feet or related ailments. This may arise from ordinary general purpose footwear not having characteristics conducive to providing for effective support and comfort for the feet. In particular, repetitive impacts may take their toll on foot comfort.

There exists a need to improve ergonomic performance of general purpose footwear to enhance comfort for the legs and feet for those working on their feet, especially in confined spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention sets forth a removable cushion for supplementing footwear of a user to mitigate discomfort over prolonged periods during which people work on their feet in confined spaces. The removable cushion may include a resilient sole, a heel pocket, a closure encircling the footwear or body of the user proximate the heel pocket to retain the removable cushion on the footwear at the heel, and a front closure encircling the front of the foot to retain the removable cushion on the front of the footwear at the front of the foot. The closures may comprise encircling straps bearing hook and loop fastener.

The heel pocket provides support for the foot in that twisting or torsional movements of the foot will not dislodge the heel from the novel cushion. The resilient sole may have a low wall projecting upwardly at an open toe area and between the heel pocket and the front closure. These low walls may also act to prevent the footwear from sliding laterally along the novel cushion.

The resilient sole may comprise closed cell foam and may have treads and an elevated heel.

The present invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an environmental side view of a cushion for removable attachment to footwear, with environmental elements rendered in broken lines, showing the cushion worn by a user;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the cushion of FIG. 1, with attachment straps shown spread open to reveal detail;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the cushion of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of still another embodiment of the cushion of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is shown a cushion 100 for removable attachment to footwear 10. Cushion 100 comprises a resilient sole 102 made from a polymeric foam, resilient sole 102 including a proximal end 104 near a heel 14 of a user's footwear 10 when cushion 100 is donned (as shown in FIG. 1), and a distal end 106 near toes 108 of the user's foot (or footwear 10) when cushion 100 is donned. Cushion 100 further comprises a front engagement element 110 attached to resilient sole 102 proximate distal end 106, and configured to partially envelop a front portion 12 of the user's footwear 10, thereby retaining resilient sole 102 to the front portion 12 of the user's footwear 10 when cushion 100 is donned. Cushion 100 also comprises a heel pocket 114 configured to partially surround a heel 14 of the user's footwear 10 and retain heel 14 stably therein when cushion 100 is donned. Cushion 100 further comprises a rear engagement element 116 attached to heel pocket 114 and configured to encircle a joint 16 between a foot 18 (or footwear 10, where worn) and a lower leg 20 of the user when cushion 100 is donned. Hence, heel pocket 114 snugly engages heel 14. Heel pocket 114 and front engagement element 110 extend farther above resilient sole 102 than does any other component of cushion 100 between heel pocket 114 and front engagement element 110. This promotes facile donning and removal of cushion 100 from footwear 10, the latter otherwise being susceptible to undesirably engaging a side wall of cushion 100.

It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as above and upwardly refer to the subject drawing as viewed by an observer. The drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, which could obviously change with changes in posture and position of the foot and leg. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way.

In cushion 100, front engagement element 110 may comprise a left strap 118 attached to resilient sole 102 at a left side of resilient sole 102, a right strap 120 attached to resilient sole 102 at a right side of resilient sole 102, and a second fastener having respective complementing parts 122, 124 on left strap 118 and on right strap 120. The second fastener may comprise hook and loop fastener. In this case, complementing parts 122, 124 will be miniature hooks (or loops) and miniature loops (or hooks).

Left strap 118 and right strap 120 are configured to overlap one another when the cushion is donned, to enable overlying mutual engagement of complementing parts 122, 124.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not either require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

It will be appreciated that cushion 100 may be utilized with footwear 10 or alternatively, with a bare foot. Therefore the terms foot and footwear will be used interchangeably as context permits.

The rear engagement element may comprise one and only one rear strap 126 projecting from heel pocket 114 and a first fastener having complementing parts 128, 130 on rear strap 126 and on heel pocket 114. The first fastener may comprises hook and loop fastener.

In alternatives to hook and loop material, connection of right and left straps 120, 118 of the front engagement element and of rear strap 126 of the rear engagement element may be permanent, such as incorporating stitching or a rivet, in two examples, or alternatively, may be manually removable and restorable, such as by incorporating snaps, buttons, hook and loop fastener, etc.

Cushion 100 may further comprise a first low wall 132 projecting upwardly from resilient sole 102 between heel pocket 114 and the front engagement element. First low wall 132 may for example project a quarter inch above resilient sole 102. First low wall may assist in preventing footwear 10 from sliding laterally along resilient sole 102, particularly when the user is pivoting on that foot. Although illustrated as being continuous between heel pocket 114 and left and right straps 118, 120, first low wall 132 may extend for a lesser distance.

The front engagement element may be open to expose a toe portion 134 of the user's footwear 10 at distal end 106 of resilient sole 102 when cushion 100 is donned. Cushion 100 may further comprise a second low wall 136 projecting upwardly from resilient sole 102 along exposed toe portion 134 of user's footwear 10, second low wall 136 promoting stability of footwear 10 relative to resilient sole 102.

Resilient sole 102 may comprises treads 138 on a bottom surface 140 thereof. Resilient sole 102 may include an elevated heel portion 142, elevated in that it projects from bottom surface 140 sufficiently to elevate a rear portion of resilient sole 102 above a front portion thereof. Constituency of resilient sole 102 may comprises either open or closed cell polymeric foam or PVC. Closed cell polymeric foam is preferred as closed cell construction deters entry of liquids into resilient sole 102.

Although resilient sole 102 is preferably fabricated from open or closed cell polymeric foam, other constructions are possible while still being resilient. Resiliency as used herein signifies that resilient sole yields to projections and objects being stepped on, and conforms readily to floor contours. This mitigates harshness of impacts and other unpleasant sensations to the sole of footwear 10, which could destabilize footing.

FIG. 3 shows a variation of cushion 100 wherein cushion 100 does not use straps 116, 118, 120. Other aspects of the embodiment of FIG. 3 may be in common with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. To this end, reference numerals denote identical components throughout the various embodiments, including that of FIG. 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, cushion 100 for removable attachment to foot (or footwear) 10 (or foot joint 16) may comprise resilient sole 102 made from polymeric foam. Resilient sole 102 may include proximal end 104 near heel 14 (FIG. 1) of the user's footwear when cushion 100 is donned and a distal end 106 near toes 108 of the user's foot 10 when cushion 100 is donned. Front engagement element 100 may be attached to resilient sole 102 proximate distal end 106, and configured to partially envelop front portion 12 of the user's footwear, thereby retaining resilient sole 12 to front portion 12 of the user's footwear when cushion 100 is donned. Heel pocket 114 may be configured to partially surround heel 14 of the user's footwear and retain heel 14 stably therein when cushion 100 is donned. At least one of front engagement element 110 and heel pocket 114 may comprise an elastic material and is dimensioned and configured to close over the user's footwear and elastically constrict thereover so as to retain cushion 100 to the footwear. Heel pocket 114 may snugly engage heel 14. Heel pocket 114 and front engagement element 110 extend farther above resilient sole 102 than does any other component of cushion 100 between heel pocket 114 and front engagement element 110.

Front engagement portion 110, heel pocket 114 and optionally, low wall (in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4) comprise a pliable, elastic material which will bend and yield under forces of one quarter to ten pounds as applied by fingers of a human using cushion 100, or as imposed by the foot of the wearer in the course of donning cushion 100. Natural and synthetic rubbers exemplify suitable materials.

As seen in FIG. 3, front engagement element 110 may comprise an open toed continuous member dimensioned and configured to partially surround front portion 12 of the user's footwear 10 and to leave a toe portion 134 of the user's footwear 10 exposed.

As seen in FIG. 4, front engagement element 100 may comprise a closed toed continuous member dimensioned and configured to partially surround front portion 12 of the user's footwear 10 and fully cover toe portion 134 of the user's footwear 10.

Still referring to FIG. 4, cushion 100 may comprise a grasping loop 144 coupled to heel pocket 114, to assist in pulling cushion 100 fully onto footwear 10 after toe portion 134 of the user's footwear 10 has been engaged by front engagement element 110. Grasping loop 144 may be attached to heel pocket by for example by stitching, by a rivet, or by any other suitable fastener (none shown).

Of course, grasping loop 144 may be provided with any embodiment of cushion 100.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.

Claims

1. A cushion for removable attachment to footwear, the cushion comprising a resilient sole made from polymeric foam, the resilient sole including a proximal end near a heel of a user's footwear when the cushion is donned and a distal end near toes of the user's foot when the cushion is donned;a front engagement element attached to the resilient sole proximate the distal end, and configured to partially envelop a front portion of a user's footwear, thereby retaining the resilient sole to the front portion of the user's footwear when the cushion is donned;a heel pocket configured to partially surround a heel of the user's footwear and retain the heel stably therein when the cushion is donned; anda rear engagement element attached to the heel pocket and configured to encircle a joint between a foot and a lower leg of the user when the cushion is donned, wherein the heel pocket snugly engages the heel, wherein the heel pocket and the front engagement element extend farther above the resilient sole than does any other component of the cushion between the heel pocket and the front engagement element.

2. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the rear engagement element includes one and only one rear strap projecting from the heel pocket and a first fastener having complementing parts on the rear strap and on the heel pocket.

3. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the first fastener comprises hook and loop fastener.

4. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the front engagement element comprises a left strap attached to the resilient sole at a left side of the resilient sole, a right strap attached to the resilient sole at a right side of the resilient sole, and a second fastener having respective complementing parts on the left strap and on the right strap.

5. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the second fastener comprises hook and loop fastener.

6. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the left strap and the right strap are configured to overlap one another when the cushion is donned.

7. The cushion of claim 1, further comprising a first low wall projecting upwardly from the resilient sole between the heel pocket and the front engagement element.

8. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the front engagement element is open to expose a toe portion of the user's footwear at the distal end of the resilient sole when the cushion is donned.

9. The cushion of claim 8, further comprising a second low wall projecting upwardly from the resilient sole along the exposed toe portion of the user's footwear.

10. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the resilient sole comprises treads on a bottom surface

11. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the resilient sole includes an elevated heel portion.

12. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the resilient sole comprises closed cell polymeric foam.

13. A cushion for removable attachment to footwear, the cushion comprising a resilient sole, the resilient sole including a proximal end near a heel of a user's footwear when the cushion is donned and a distal end near toes of the user's foot when the cushion is donned;a front engagement element attached to the resilient sole proximate the distal end, and configured to partially envelop a front portion of a user's footwear, thereby retaining the resilient sole to the front portion of the user's footwear when the cushion is donned;a heel pocket configured to partially surround a heel of the user's footwear and retain the heel stably therein when the cushion is donned;a rear engagement element attached to the heel pocket and configured to encircle a joint between a foot and a lower leg of the user when the cushion is donned, wherein the heel pocket snugly engages the heel, wherein the heel pocket and the front engagement element extend farther above the resilient sole than does any other component of the cushion between the heel pocket and the front engagement element; andat least one of a first low wall projecting upwardly from the resilient sole between the heel pocket and the front engagement element, and a second low wall projecting upwardly from the resilient sole along the exposed toe portion of the user's footwear, wherein the front engagement element is open to expose a toe portion of the user's footwear at the distal end of the resilient sole when the cushion is donned.

14. The cushion of claim 1, further comprising a grasping loop coupled to the heel pocket, to assist in pulling the cushion fully onto the footwear after a toe portion of the user's footwear has been engaged by the front engagement element.

15. A cushion for removable attachment to footwear, the cushion comprising a resilient sole made from polymeric foam, the resilient sole including a proximal end near a heel of a user's footwear when the cushion is donned and a distal end near toes of the user's foot when the cushion is donned;a front engagement element attached to the resilient sole proximate the distal end, and configured to partially envelop a front portion of a user's footwear, thereby retaining the resilient sole to the front portion of the user's footwear when the cushion is donned; anda heel pocket configured to partially surround a heel of the user's footwear and retain the heel stably therein when the cushion is donned, wherein at least one of the front engagement element and the hell pocket comprises an elastic material and is dimensioned and configured to close over the user's footwear and elastically constrict thereover so as to retain the cushion to the footwear, andthe heel pocket snugly engages the heel, wherein the heel pocket and the front engagement element extend farther above the resilient sole than does any other component of the cushion between the heel pocket and the front engagement element.

16. The cushion of claim 15, wherein the front engagement element comprises an open toed continuous member dimensioned and configured to partially surround the front portion of the user's footwear and to leave a toe portion of the user's footwear exposed.

17. The cushion of claim 15, wherein the front engagement element comprises a closed toed continuous member dimensioned and configured to partially surround the front portion of the user's footwear and fully cover a toe portion of the user's footwear.

18. The cushion of claim 15, further comprising a grasping loop coupled to the heel pocket, to assist in pulling the cushion fully onto the footwear after a toe portion of the user's footwear has been engaged by the front engagement element.