US20120144699A1 - Shoe having a plurality of toe compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a shoe, comprising: a sole portion, and an upper portion, wherein the sole portion and upper portion together form a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user, and wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation of U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/392,337, filed May 19, 2011, and U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/392,345, filed May 19, 2011, which are both continuations of U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/380,701, filed on Dec. 9, 2010, issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D639,535 on Jun. 14, 2011. The related applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• Aspects of the present invention relate to a shoe having a plurality of compartments configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY
• Conventional shoes generally comprise an upper portion and a sole portion, wherein the shoe serves as one large compartment for the foot. However, some users find conventional shoes to be uncomfortable or less than ideal for walking, running, jogging, or other activities, as the user's foot may move around within the shoe during these activities. Some users prefer a shoe with a better “fit,” wherein one or more of their toes are each secured in their own small compartment within a shoe. The closer fit of such shoes can provide some advantages over conventional shoes, especially in users who prefer an increased tactile sensation to the ground. Some users also believe that the closer fit may encourage the user to adopt a gait that is healthier for the foot. In addition, some users feel enhanced comfort when their individual toes are separated and not cramped into one single compartment.
• Shoes have been described in the art, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,898 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,860, which are directed to shoes with individual toe portions. Each of the individual toe portions is configured to receive one toe.
• However, users of such shoes often complain about shoes having five individual toe portions, as it can be time consuming and difficult to put the shoe on and/or take it off. This difficulty can occur because the user must place each of the user's five toes in an individual slot. In addition, some users complain that the separation of the fourth and fifth toes creates discomfort.
• There is a need in the art for a shoe that provides users with a close and comfortable fit with increased ease in placement of the foot into and out of the shoe.
• All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Aspects of the present invention meet the above needs, as well as others, by providing a shoe having a plurality of toe compartments.
• In one variation, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, a shoe comprises: a sole portion and an upper portion, wherein the sole portion and upper portion together form a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user, and wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.
• In one variation of the invention, the shoe may comprise up to four compartments, wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes of the user's foot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one variation of a shoe according to aspects of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;
• FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof;
• FIG. 4 is a side elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 5 is an opposite side elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 6 is a front elevation view thereof; and
• FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view thereof.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another variation of a shoe according to aspects of the present invention;
• FIG. 9 is a top plan view thereof;
• FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof;
• FIG. 11 is a side elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 12 is an opposite side elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 13 is a front elevation view thereof; and
• FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Example variations of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the following figures.
• FIGS. 1 through 7 show one example variation of the invention.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of ashoe1. Theshoe1 is generally composed of anupper portion2 and asole portion3. In some variations, theshoe1 covers most of the foot and extends up to about the ankle area of the foot of the user. The shoe comprises a heel area9 which is configured to receive the heel of the foot of a user. Theupper portion2 of theshoe1 may be attached to thesole portion3 of theshoe1. The shoe comprises an opening8 where a user may insert a foot into the shoe. The shoe in accordance with aspects of the present invention comprises a plurality of compartments which are configured to receive one or more toes of the foot of a user. In some variations, each of the compartments covers most, if not all, of the entire length toe or toes. The shoe comprises at least two compartments and up to four compartments. In some example variations, the shoe comprises fourcompartments4,5,6, and7, wherein a first compartment4 is configured to receive the first toe, asecond compartment5 is configured to receive the second toe, athird compartment6, is configured to receive the third toe, and afourth compartment7 is configured to receive both the fourth and fifth toes. The first toe refers to the “big” toe of a user, which is the toe that is medialmost on the medial side of the foot. The second toe is directly adjacent to the first toe, and the third toe is directly adjacent to the second toe. The fifth toe refers to the “pinky” toe, or the toe that lateralmost on the lateral side of the foot. The fourth to refers to the toe that is directly adjacent to the fifth toe. Themedial side14 of the shoe and thelateral side15 of the shoe are depicted inFIG. 2. Thecompartments4,5,6, and7 are composed of theupper portion1 and thesole portion2. Theupper portion1 and thesole portion2 may be composed of the same material or different material. In some example variations of aspects of the invention, thesole portion2 of one or more of thecompartments4,5,6, and7 may extend upward up to, but not over, the toe nail area of the foot of the user. The toe nail area of the foot refers to the portion of the toe of a user wherein a toe nail typically exists. Viewing a toe from a front elevation view, such as inFIG. 6, the toe nail area refers to the top portion of the toe. The shoe comprises onecompartment7 which is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes. In some example variations, thecompartment7 is configured to receive only the fourth and fifth toes, and not any additional toes. The shoe may also optionally comprise one ormore straps10,11 which may be used by the user to secure or tighten the shoe on the user's foot. Thestraps10 may extend fully or partially across the top of the show from the medial side to the lateral side. The shoe may also optionally comprise one ormore rings12,13 or other pulling mechanisms that may assist the user in inserting the foot into theshoe1.
• FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of ashoe1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention.Shoe1 comprises amedial side14 and alateral side15. The shoe comprises acompartment7, located on thelateral side15 side of shoe, configured to receive at least the fourth and fifth toes.
• FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of ashoe1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and in particular, the bottom of thesole portion3 of theshoe1.
• FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of ashoe1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and in particular, thelateral side15 of the shoe. As seen in this figure, the shoe comprises acompartment7 that is configured to receive at least the fourth and fifth toes and is located on the lateral side of theshoe1.
• FIG. 5 shows an opposite side elevation view of ashoe1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and in particular, themedial side14 of the shoe.
• FIG. 6 shows a front elevation view of ashoe1 of the invention. As seen inFIG. 6, in accordance with some aspects of the invention, thesole portion3 of one or more of thecompartments4,5,6, and7 may extend upward up to, but not over, the toe nail area of the foot of the user. The toe nail area of the foot of the user may be covered by theupper portion2 of theshoe1.
• FIG. 7 shows a rear elevation view of ashoe1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7, theshoe1 comprises a heel area9 configured to receive the heel of the foot of a user. The heel area9 may optionally extend upward around the rear16 of the shoe to provide the user with a more comfortable fit. Theshoe1 may also optionally comprise straps10,11 to enhance a close fit of the foot of a user to the shoe. Rings or other pullingmechanisms12,13 may also be present to assist the user in inserting the foot into theshoe1.
• FIGS. 8 through 14 show another example variation of aspects of the present invention. As seen inFIGS. 8-14, the shoe1acomprises an upper portion2a, a sole portion3a, and an opening8awhere the foot of a user can be inserted. The shoe1acomprises a plurality ofcompartments4a,5a,6a, and7a. In preferred aspects, the shoe1acomprises a compartment7alocated in thelateral side15aof the foot that is configured to receive at least both the fourth and fifth toes and preferably only the fourth and fifth toes. The shoe also comprises a medial side14a. The shoe may also comprisestraps10a,11awhich can be used to enhance the fit of the shoe1a, and rings or other pulling mechanisms, such as hooks,12a,13a, which may be used to assist the user in inserting the foot into the shoe1a. The shoe1acomprises a heel area9aconfigured to receive the heel of the foot of a user. The heel area9amay optionally extend upward around the rear16aof the shoe to provide the user with a more comfortable fit
• Example aspects of the present invention have now been described in accordance with the above advantages. It will be appreciated that these examples are merely illustrative of various aspects thereof. Many variations and modification will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (5)

1. A shoe, comprising:

a sole portion, and

an upper portion,

wherein the sole portion and upper portion together form a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive one or more toes of a foot of a user, and wherein one of the compartments is configured to receive at least the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.

2. The shoe ofclaim 1, wherein the shoe comprises four compartments.

3. The shoe ofclaim 1, wherein the shoe comprises a compartment that is configured to receive only the fourth and fifth toes of the foot of the user.

4. The shoe ofclaim 1, wherein the sole portion of one or more compartments extends upward up to the toe nail area of the one or more compartments.

5. The shoe ofclaim 1, wherein the sole portion of the shoe comprises an extended portion which extends upwardly around a rear of a heel area of the shoe.

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