Patent Application
20240065374
The present invention relates generally to the field of shoe sole devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved therapeutic shoe sole that protects and cushions the foot of a user. 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.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in shoe sole devices. Generally, poorly designed shoe soles are normally not thick enough to prevent objects from penetrating the bottom of the shoe or boot. Further, penetration of a sharp object through the sole and into the foot may cause damage to the foot, or may allow bacteria and germs to enter the body through a puncture wound.
Accordingly, there have been countless injuries, loss of money and time because persons have accidentally driven and/or punctured points or other sharp objects into the sole of footwear and consequently injured their feet. Specifically, construction workers and many people in industry, business, and in athletics face this problem daily. Finding a pair of boots or shoes which has adequate protection in the sole is difficult and time consuming to locate.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved shoe sole device that protects and cushions the foot of a user. More particularly, there is a demand for a shoe sole device that is configured of thick, non-penetrating sole material to prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole of the shoe or boot.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that provides users with an improved therapeutic shoe sole that protects and cushions the foot of the user. There is also a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that features a thick, non-penetrating sole material to prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole of the shoe and into the foot. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that protects users from electrical shock and allows a user the ability to work in any condition safely. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that offers an adequate amount of support for the area of the foot. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that accommodates individuals of all shoe sizes and can be placed on any style of shoe. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that can be between ¼-⅜ inches thick.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a shoe sole device. The device is an improvement to the soles of shoes and boots that helps prevent objects from penetrating the soles of the footwear. Further, the device helps improve the posture of the user and prevents the user from getting electrocuted through the bottom of his or her footwear. The shoe sole device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of a conventional shoe sole and can measure approximately ¼-⅜ inches thick. The body component would comprise a flexible metal or alloy component that is encompassed by a non-electrically conductive rubber or plastic component. The flexible metal or alloy component would prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole of the footwear and the non-electrically conductive rubber or plastic component would protect the user from being electrocuted through the foot. The body component can also comprise a therapeutic foam cushion component that offers comfort and allows the user to build better posture while wearing footwear equipped with the device.
In this manner, the shoe sole device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that prevents sharp objects from penetrating the sole. The device is a thick, non-penetrating sole that protects and cushions a user's foot. The device can be manufactured to be ¼-⅜ inches thick.
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 shoe sole device. The device is an improvement to the soles of shoes and boots that helps prevent objects from penetrating the soles and prevents the user from getting electrocuted through the bottom of his or her footwear. The shoe sole device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of a conventional shoe sole. The body component would comprise a flexible metal or alloy component that is encompassed by an electrically insulated rubber or plastic component. The body component can also comprise a therapeutic foam cushion component that offers comfort and allows the user to build better posture while wearing footwear equipped with the device.
In one embodiment, the shoe sole device is utilized with any suitable size and style of shoe or boot. Generally, the shoe sole device is provided for use as a barrier in the event that the user steps upon a sharp and/or pointed object, such as a nail or spike. This barrier of a device prevents the spike or nail from passing through the sole of the shoe or boot, and this protects the user's feet.
In another embodiment, the shoe sole device is also provided for use as a safety barrier in the event that the user steps on a live current or an object that would conduct a live current. This barrier of a device prevents the user from electrocution and insulates a user from a ground fault through the bottom of his or her footwear. Further, the device cushions a user and helps improve the posture of the user without causing excessive sweating a user's feet.
In one embodiment, the device is used with a boot that has a substantially standard shaped upper adapted to enclose the foot and ankle of a user and a sole. The sole comprises a heel portion and a fore plate portion that extends from a position distal the heel to the toe of the boot. In another embodiment, the device is used with a shoe that has a substantially standard shaped upper adapted to enclose the foot of a user and a sole. The sole comprises a heel portion and fore plate portion that extends from a position distal the heel to the toe of the shoe.
In one embodiment, the shoe sole device for a shoe or boot structure comprises a body component. The body component for the shoe or boot structure is configured in the shape of a conventional shoe sole and can measure approximately ¼-⅜ inches thick. Generally, the body component is formed of impenetrable material which is encased in a protective coating of material. Specifically, the impenetrable material is a flexible metal or alloy component that would prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole of the footwear (i.e., shoe or boot structure). The protective coating of material is a non-electrically conductive rubber or plastic component would protect the user from being electrocuted through the foot and would act to cushion the metal component.
In one embodiment, the shoe sole device comprises a body component comprising a flexible metal or alloy plate component that is encompassed by an electrically insulated rubber or plastic component. Thus, a lower layer of the rubber component and an upper layer of the rubber component are positioned around a metal component. Generally, the layers of the rubber component extend the full length of the body component, while the metal layer extends from the front of the body component to a point adjacent to the front portion of the heel portion thereof.
In one embodiment, when forming the body component, the metal component layer, which may be formed of any thin metal, is plated with any suitable substance to be trapped therebetween, to force the layers of the rubber component layers tightly against the metal component layer. For example, the layers can be over-molded, adhered, laminated, etc., to form a compete body component for the shoe sole device.
In one embodiment, the body component is formed by the process wherein a lower layer of the rubber component and an upper layer of the rubber component comprise a metal component sandwiched therebetween. Further, the metal component comprises a plurality of perforations that are regularly spaced apart over its entire surface. Then, the flexible operation of the rubber component layers penetrate the plurality of perforations, causing the upper and lower rubber component layers to thereby bond together through said perforations. Further, the perforations are preferably so small that only the very smallest of nails would project therethrough.
In yet another embodiment, the body component comprises a lower layer of the rubber component, an intermediate layer of the rubber component, and an upper layer of the rubber component. Between the layers of the rubber components is positioned a thin metal plate component. The metal plate component would be positioned between the layers of rubber components. Specifically, a metal plate component between the lower and the intermediate layers and a second metal plate component between the intermediate and the upper layers. The metal plate components would comprise a plurality of perforations, and said perforations are so spaced within said plates that they will not align with each other in the completed body component. Thus, by so positioning the perforations, the chance of a nail penetrating the sole is reduced to a minimum. In this form of the invention, during the process of vulcanizing the body component, the rubber components upon the opposite sides of the metal plate components will be forced through the perforations of the metal plate components, thereby bonding the layers of rubber together.
In one embodiment, the metal plate component comprises a corrugated layer of a metal-matrix composite material. Further, disposed immediately above and below the corrugated metal layer is at least one layer of a rubber composite component. The combination of the corrugation metal layer and the rubber composite component layers. Then, the flexible operation of the rubber component layers penetrate the corrugated layer, causing the upper and lower rubber component layers to fill into the ridges and troughs of the corrugated layer, creating a smooth surface area for the body component. Further, the corrugations would prevent any nails, tacks, or other sharp objects to project therethrough.
Generally, the shoe sole device of this invention may be utilized as an outer sole for all types of boots and shoes, with the shoe sole being attached to the upper of a shoe by any well-known method in the art, or the shoe sole device may be employed as an inner sole (i.e., insole), in which case it may be inserted in any suitable shoe or boot in the usual well known manner, and when so employed, it is evident that it will protect the foot against nails, tacks, etc., or other pointed articles, which, if stepped upon, might penetrate the outer sole of the shoe and injure the user's foot.
In one embodiment, the rubber components comprise all gum or rubber compounds, or all compositions of materials having the qualities of rubber that are employed as substitutes therefore and are the equivalents thereof. Further, the rubber components can be nylon rubber, SBR, silicone, nitrile, butyl, neoprene, EPDM, etc., or any other suitable rubber or plastic material as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the metal components comprise a singular body of metal or two sections of metal, alloy, or other puncture proof material of chain link or woven material design, or a metal plate with a plurality of perforations and/or corrugations. Typically, the metal would be stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc., or any other suitable metal or alloy material as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the arch of the body component is made of a sufficient height to conform to the standard work boot or shoe and/or a user's foot, as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the body component further comprises a therapeutic foam cushion component layer that can be positioned above the outermost rubber layer or as an insole component of the device. The foam cushion component layer acts to offer comfort and allows the user to build better posture while wearing footwear equipped with the device. The foam cushion component would be manufactured of EPDM, polyurethane, polyethylene, PVC foam, EVA foam, neoprene, etc., or any other closed-cell foam material as is known in the art. Further, the foam cushion component layer would be secured to the rubber layer via adhesives, compression-molding, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art.
In yet another embodiment, the shoe sole device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of preventing objects from penetrating the bottom of a shoe or boot is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a shoe sole device comprising a body component with a metal component encompassed by a rubber component and a foam cushion component disposed on top. The method also comprises manufacturing the shoe sole device in multiple sizes and styles to accommodate multiple shoes. Further, the method comprises securing the desired size and style shoe sole device to a shoe. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the shoes by wearing and walking in them.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
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 a shoe sole device that provides users with an improved therapeutic shoe sole that protects and cushions the foot of the user. There is also a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that features a thick, non-penetrating sole material to prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole of the shoe and into the foot. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that protects users from electrical shock and allows a user the ability to work in any condition safely. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that offers an adequate amount of support for the area of the foot. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that accommodates individuals of all shoe sizes and can be placed on any style of shoe. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a shoe sole device that can be between ¼-⅜ inches thick.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel shoe sole device. The device is an improvement to the soles of shoes and boots that helps prevent objects from penetrating the soles. The shoe sole device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of a conventional shoe sole and can measure approximately ¼-⅜ inches thick. The body component would comprise a flexible metal or alloy component that is encompassed by a non-electrically conductive rubber or plastic component. The body component can also comprise a therapeutic foam cushion component that offers comfort and allows the user to build better posture while wearing footwear equipped with the device. The present invention also includes a novel method of preventing objects from penetrating the bottom of a shoe or boot. The method includes the steps of providing a shoe sole device comprising a body component with a metal component encompassed by a rubber component and a foam cushion component disposed on top. The method also comprises manufacturing the shoe sole device in multiple sizes and styles to accommodate multiple shoes. Further, the method comprises securing the desired size and style shoe sole device to a shoe. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the shoes by wearing and walking in them.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Generally, the shoe sole device 100 is utilized with any suitable size and style of shoe or boot 112 as is known in the art. Further, the shoe sole device 100 is provided for use as a barrier in the event that the user 110 steps upon a sharp and/or pointed object, such as a nail or spike. This barrier of a device 100 prevents the spike or nail from passing through the sole of the shoe or boot 112, and this protects the user's feet.
Additionally, the shoe sole device 100 is also provided for use as a safety barrier in the event that the user 110 steps on a live current or an object that would conduct a live current. This barrier of a device 100 prevents the user 110 from electrocution and insulates a user 110 from a ground fault through the bottom of his or her footwear 112. Further, the device 100 cushions a user 110 and helps improve the posture of the user 110 without causing excessive sweating a user's feet.
Generally, the shoe sole device 100 for a shoe or boot structure 112 comprises a body component 102. The body component 102 for the shoe or boot structure 112 is configured in the shape of a conventional shoe sole and can measure approximately ¼-⅜ inches thick. The body component 102 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user, and/or the shape and size of the shoe or boot 112 being utilized. Generally, the body component 102 is formed of impenetrable material which is encased in a protective coating of material. Specifically, the impenetrable material is a flexible metal or alloy component 104 that would prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole of the footwear (i.e., shoe or boot structure 112). The protective coating of material is a non-electrically conductive rubber or plastic component 106 that would protect the user 110 from being electrocuted through the foot and would act to cushion the metal component 104.
Furthermore, the shoe sole device 100 comprises a body component 102 comprising a flexible metal or alloy plate component 104 that is encompassed by an electrically insulated rubber or plastic component 106. Thus, a lower layer 114 of the rubber component 106 and an upper layer 116 of the rubber component 106 are positioned around a metal component 104. Generally, the layers 114 and 116 of the rubber component 106 extend the full length of the body component 102, while the metal layer 104 extends from the front 118 of the body component 102 to a point adjacent to the front portion of the heel portion 120 thereof.
Additionally, when forming the body component 102, the metal component layer 104, which may be formed of any thin metal, is plated with any suitable substance to be trapped therebetween, to force the rubber component layers 106 tightly against the metal component layer 104. For example, the layers can be over-molded, adhered, laminated, etc., or any other suitable process as is known in the art, to form a compete body component 102 for the shoe sole device 100.
As shown in
In another embodiment, the body component 102 comprises a lower layer 114 of the rubber component 106, an intermediate layer 202 of the rubber component 106, and an upper layer 116 of the rubber component 106. Between the layers 114, 116, and 202 of the rubber components 106 is positioned a thin metal plate component 104. The metal plate component 104 would be positioned between the layers 114, 116, and 202 of rubber components 106. Specifically, a metal plate component 104 is positioned between the lower 114 and the intermediate layers 202 and a second metal plate component 104 is positioned between the intermediate 202 and the upper layers 116. The metal plate components 104 would comprise a plurality of perforations 200 and said perforations 200 are so spaced within said plates 104 that they will not align with each other in the completed body component 102. Thus, by so positioning the perforations 200, the chance of a nail penetrating the sole is reduced to a minimum. In this form of the invention, during the process of vulcanizing the body component 102, the rubber components 106 upon the opposite sides of the metal plate components 104 will be forced through the perforations 200 of the metal plate components 104, thereby bonding the layers 114, 116 and 202 of rubber 106 together.
As shown in
Furthermore, the arch 302 of the body component 102 is made of a sufficient height to conform to the standard work boot or shoe 112 and/or a user's foot, as is known in the art. Thus, the arch 302 can be of any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, depending on the wants and/or needs of a user 110, as well as the shape and size of a user's foot.
Additionally, in another embodiment, the body component 102 further comprises a therapeutic foam cushion component layer 108 that can be positioned above the outermost 116 rubber layer component 106 or as an insole component of the device 100. The foam cushion component layer 108 acts to offer comfort and allows the user 110 to build better posture while wearing footwear equipped with the device 100. The foam cushion component 108 would be manufactured of EPDM, polyurethane, polyethylene, PVC foam, EVA foam, neoprene, etc., or any other closed-cell foam material as is known in the art. Further, the foam cushion component layer 108 would be secured to the rubber layer 106 via adhesives, compression-molding, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art. Further, the foam cushion component 108 would also allow the shoe sole device 100 to be breathable and prevent a user's feet from excessively sweating.
As shown in
As shown in
Generally, the shoe sole device 100 of this invention may be utilized as an outer sole for all types of boots and shoes 112, with the shoe sole device 100 being attached to the upper 500 or 504 of a shoe 112 by any well-known method in the art, or the shoe sole device 100 may be employed as an inner sole 506 (i.e., insole), in which case it may be inserted in any suitable shoe or boot 112 in the usual well known manner, and when so employed, it is evident that it will protect the foot against nails, tacks, etc., or other pointed articles, which, if stepped upon, might penetrate the outer sole 502 of the shoe 112 and injure the user's foot.
In one embodiment, the rubber components 106 comprise all gum or rubber compounds, or all compositions of materials having the qualities of rubber that are employed as substitutes therefore and are the equivalents thereof. Further, the rubber components 106 can be nylon rubber, SBR, silicone, nitrile, butyl, neoprene, EPDM, etc., or any other suitable rubber or plastic material as is known in the art.
In another embodiment, the metal components 104 comprise a singular body of metal or two sections of metal, alloy, or other puncture proof material of chain link or woven material design, or a metal plate 104 with a plurality of perforations 200 and/or corrugations 300. Typically, the metal would be stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc., or any other suitable metal or alloy material as is known in the art.
In yet another embodiment, the shoe sole device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 508. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 508 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 508 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be shoe, boot, sole, or brand related.
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 users 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 “shoe sole device”, “shoe device”, “sole device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the shoe sole device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the shoe sole device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shoe sole device 100 as shown in
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. 63/402,682, which was filed on Aug. 31, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63402682 | Aug 2022 | US |
