Patent Application
20240251906
The present invention relates generally to footwear, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an infant shoe that is configured to accommodate an infant during a crawling movement wherein the shoe of the present invention provides improved foot positioning and securement of the shoe.
As is known in the art, infants spend a significant amount of time crawling as they begin to develop their ambulatory skillset. As infants begin to crawl and ultimately transition to walking most parents will place shoes on the infants feet to provide protection. Conventional infant shoes have an upper manufactured from various materials wherein the upper has a sole at the bottom thereof. The sole is typically manufactured from a different material such as but not limited to rubber. The conventional infant shoe is provided in a form wherein the foot is positioned in a neutral position wherein the foot and ankle are placed at an approximately ninety-degree angle.
One issue with conventional infant shoes is their inability to accommodate a crawling infant. In a crawling motion, the top of the infant's foot is adjacent the ground and is essentially drug across the surface during the crawling motion. The conventional shoe, and the angle thereof, does not accommodate the foot position as the foot more desirably should be in a plantar flexion position wherein the foot is extended downward. A plantar flexion position is the natural position for a foot of a crawling infant during crawling without shoes. The style of conventional infant shoes provides several challenges during use thereof on a crawling infant. Often, the infant will lose the shoe as the toe of the conventional shoe engages the surface with sufficient force so as to cause the shoe to be removed from the infant's foot. Additionally, certain infant shoe designs may actually result in the transfer of dirt or debris into the shoe causing discomfort for the infant. Lastly, the conventional infant shoe design results in the marring and degradation of the portion of the upper proximate the toe area as the upper is not designed to accommodate engagement with the surface on which the infant is crawling.
Accordingly, there is a need for an infant shoe that is configured to provide positioning of an infant's foot during a crawling motion and wherein the present invention includes an upper sole as well as expansion members operable to accommodate placement of a foot into the shoe.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an infant footwear that is configured facilitate improved positioning of an infant's feet during a crawling motion wherein the present invention includes an upper portion having an interior volume.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe to be worn by an infant and accommodate the infant while performing a crawling motion wherein the upper portion includes a bottom sole member secured thereto.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an infant footwear that is configured facilitate improved positioning of an infant's feet during a crawling motion wherein the present invention further includes an upper sole member.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a shoe to be worn by an infant and accommodate the infant while performing a crawling motion wherein the upper sole member is secured to the upper portion proximate the toe region of the shoe.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an infant footwear that is configured facilitate improved positioning of an infant's feet during a crawling motion wherein the upper portion of the present invention further includes expansion members proximate opposing sides of the ankle region of the shoe.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a shoe to be worn by an infant and accommodate the infant while performing a crawling motion wherein the upper portion of the shoe is formed at an angle that positions a foot disposed therein in a plantar flexion position.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an infant footwear that is configured facilitate improved positioning of an infant's feet during a crawling motion wherein the upper portion further employs fastening members proximate the ankle region of the shoe.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
