Patent Application
20230263271
The present invention relates generally to the field of non-slip shoes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-slip footwear device that is comprised an upper shoe portion and a sole. The upper shoe portion is comprised of a heel, an opening, at least one zipper, at least one strap, at least one shoelace, and a plurality of eyelets. The sole is comprised of at least one insole, at least one sole connector, and a plurality of grips. In this manner, the device can be worn by the user to provide a fashionable shoe that is also non-slip to prevent accidents in the workplace. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
Many individuals work in or frequent environments where a wet floor may occur. These environments include places such as, but not limited to, a bar, a restaurant, or a hospital. Wet floors present an increased risk of slipping and falling. In order to avoid these accidents, establishments typically require that staff members wear slip-resistant footwear. However, most slip-resistant footwear is non-fashionable and visually unappealing.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for improved slip-resistant footwear. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-slip footwear device which can provide a fashionable shoe which is also slip-resistant. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-slip footwear device which allows slip-resistant shoes to always be worn in the restaurant industry and therefore keep employees safe. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-slip footwear device which offers safety and convenience for anyone in an occupation that requires slip-resistance footwear.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a non-slip footwear device. The device is comprised of an upper shoe portion and a sole which is fixedly attached to the upper shoe portion. In differing embodiments, the upper shoe portion may have the appearance of a plurality of differing types of shoes. However, in the preferred embodiment, the upper shoe portion resembles a heeled sneaker. The upper shoe portion may also be manufactured out of a plurality of cloth or leather materials that may be commonly used to make shoes. However, the upper shoe portion is preferably manufactured out of a combination of leather and cloth material. In addition, any surface of the upper shoe portion may be comprised of a plurality of shoe indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be shoe or shoe brand related.
In this manner, the non-slip footwear device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a fashionable shoe which is also slip-resistant to avoid possible accidents in the workplace and to keep employees safe at all times. In this manner, the non-slip footwear device overcomes the limitations of existing footwear devices known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a non-slip footwear device that provides a fashionable shoe which is also slip-resistant to avoid possible accidents in the workplace and to keep employees safe. The device is primarily comprised of an upper shoe portion and a sole which is fixedly attached to the upper shoe portion. In differing embodiments, the upper shoe portion may have the appearance of a plurality of differing types of shoes. However, in the preferred embodiment, the upper shoe portion resembles a heeled sneaker. The upper shoe portion may also be manufactured out of a plurality of cloth or leather materials that may be commonly used to make shoes. However, the upper shoe portion is preferably manufactured out of a combination of leather and cloth material. In addition, any surface of the upper shoe portion may be comprised of a plurality of shoe indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be shoe or shoe brand related.
The upper shoe portion is comprised of a heel, an opening, at least one zipper, at least one strap, at least one shoelace, and a plurality of eyelets. In the preferred embodiment, the zipper can be any zipper known in the art that allows the shoe to be fitted tightly to the user's foot. The strap is preferably fixed to one side of the upper shoe portion and can be attached to the opposite side of the upper shoe portion via hook and loop. In differing embodiments, the strap can connect to the shoe using a plurality of attachment methods such as, but not limited to, a button or a buckle. In the preferred embodiment, the eyelets can be manufactured from a lightweight metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum. In a differing embodiment, the eyelets can be a rigid plastic.
The sole may be manufactured from rubber or any materials that may be commonly used to make shoe soles. However, in the preferred embodiment, the sole is manufactured from a rubber composition. In addition, any surface of the sole may be comprised of a plurality of sole indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. that may or may not be shoe or shoe brand related.
The sole is comprised of at least one insole, at least one sole connector, and a plurality of grips. In the preferred embodiment, the insole may be manufactured of a foam material. In a differing embodiment, the insole may be manufactured from a gel material. In this manner, the insole will provide comfort to the user's foot. The sole connector is preferably a waterproof adhesive which fixedly attaches the insole to the sole. In the preferred embodiment, the grips have the appearance of circles. In differing embodiments, the grips may have the appearance of other shapes.
Accordingly, the non-slip footwear device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a fashionable shoe which is also slip-resistant to avoid possible accidents in the workplace and to keep employees safe at all times. In this manner, the non-slip footwear device overcomes the limitations of existing headstones known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now 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, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved non-slip footwear device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-slip footwear device which can provide a fashionable shoe which is also slip-resistant. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-slip footwear device which allows slip-resistant shoes to always be worn in the restaurant industry and therefore keeps employees safe. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-slip footwear device which offers safety and convenience for anyone in an occupation that requires slip-resistance footwear.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a non-slip footwear device that allows a user to look fashionable with a slip resistant shoe while staying safe in the workplace. The device is primarily comprised of an upper shoe portion and a sole which is fixedly attached to the upper shoe portion. In differing embodiments, the upper shoe portion may have the appearance of a plurality of differing types of shoes. However, in the preferred embodiment, the upper shoe portion resembles a heeled sneaker. The upper shoe portion may also be manufactured out of a plurality of cloth or leather materials that may be commonly used to make shoes. However, the upper shoe portion is preferably manufactured out of a combination of leather and cloth material. In addition, any surface of the upper shoe portion may be comprised of a plurality of shoe indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be shoe or shoe brand related.
The upper shoe portion is comprised of a heel, an opening, at least one zipper, at least one strap, at least one shoelace, and a plurality of eyelets. In the preferred embodiment, the zipper can be any zipper known in the art that allows the shoe to be fitted tightly to the user's foot. The strap is preferably fixed to one side of the upper shoe portion and can be attached to the opposite side of the upper shoe portion via hook and loop. In differing embodiments, the strap can connect to the shoe using a plurality of attachment methods such as, but not limited to, a button or a buckle. In the preferred embodiment, the eyelets can be manufactured from a lightweight metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum. In a differing embodiment, the eyelets can be a rigid plastic.
The sole may be manufactured from rubber or any materials that may be commonly used to make shoe soles. However, in the preferred embodiment, the sole is manufactured from a rubber composition. In addition, any surface of the sole may be comprised of a plurality of sole indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be shoe or shoe brand related.
The sole is comprised of at least one insole, at least one sole connector, and a plurality of grips. In the preferred embodiment, the insole may be manufactured of a foam material. In a differing embodiment, the insole may be manufactured from a gel material. In this manner, the insole will provide comfort to the user's foot. The sole connector is preferably a waterproof adhesive which fixedly attaches the insole to the sole. In the preferred embodiment, the grips have the appearance of circles. In differing embodiments, the grips may have the appearance of other shapes.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The upper shoe portion 110 is comprised of a heel 122, an opening 120, at least one zipper 112, at least one strap 114, at least one shoelace 116, and a plurality of eyelets 118. The heel 122 is fixedly attached to the sole 130. In the preferred embodiment, the heel 122 is manufactured from a plastic such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, etc. In a differing embodiment, the heel 122 may be manufactured from leather, wood, fabric, animal hide, rubber, etc.
The opening 120 is positioned at the top surface of the upper shoe portion 110. The opening 120 allows a user to comfortably insert their foot into the opening 120 of the device 100. The zipper 112 can be any zipper known in the art that allows the shoe to be fitted tightly to the user's foot. In the preferred embodiment, the zipper 112 can be a nylon coil zipper, a molded tooth zipper, a metal zipper, etc.
The strap 114 is preferably fixed to one side of the upper shoe portion 110. The strap 114 may allow a user to tighten the device 100. The device 100 may have any combination of laces 116 and straps 114. This includes only laces 116, only straps 114, or no laces 116 and no straps 114 (wherein the upper 110) is made of a waterproof, sock-like, elastic material.
In the preferred embodiment, the shoelace 116 is manufactured from cotton. In a differing embodiment, the shoelace 116 can be manufactured from a woven material such as, but not limited to, nylon, textured polyester, spun polyester and polypropylene, etc. In one embodiment, the shoelace 116 is made from an elastic material to increase comfort.
The eyelets 118 are fixedly attached to the upper shoe portion 110. In the preferred embodiment, the eyelets 118 can be manufactured from a lightweight metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum. In a differing embodiment, the eyelets 118 can be a flexible or semi-flexible plastic such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, etc.
The sole 130 is comprised of at least one insole 134, at least one sole connector 136, and a plurality of grips 132. The insole 134 is fixedly attached to the sole 130 by the sole connector 136. In the preferred embodiment, the insole 134 may be manufactured of a foam material. In a differing embodiment, the insole 134 may be manufactured from another material such as, but not limited to, gel, leather, etc. In this manner, the insole 134 will provide comfort to the user's foot.
The sole connector 136 is preferably a waterproof adhesive which fixedly attaches the insole 134 to the sole 130. The grips 132 are preferably manufactured from rubber. In a differing embodiment, the grips 132 may be manufactured from another non-slip material. In the preferred embodiment, the grips 132 have the appearance of circles. In differing embodiments, the grips 132 may have the appearance of other shapes such as, but not limited to, an oval, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “non-slip footwear device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the non-slip footwear device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the non-slip footwear device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the non-slip footwear device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the non-slip footwear device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the non-slip footwear device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the non-slip footwear device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/313,453, which was filed on Feb. 24, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63313453 | Feb 2022 | US |
