Abstract:
A flexible footwear covering that fits on a shoe, which has a lower coefficient of friction than the bottom of a shoe allowing for ease of motion on carpeted or other surfaces where the grip of the shoes worn inhibit movement. The covering is in the general shape of a sock with a non retractable or retractable ring, which lies within the arch of the bottom of the shoe giving the option to leave fully covered for maximum ease of movement or expose the heel for more traction when needed. In addition, the flexible footwear covering can be used as a fitness tool with or without the optional design of reinforced panels that are positioned at the toe, ball and/or heel on the outside of the shoe. With the reinforced panels, a variety of exercises can be done to strengthen various muscles of the upper and lower body in a supine or prone position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/234,448, filed on 2009 Aug. 17 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Apparatuses consistent with the present invention relates to a flexible device, which fits over a shoe. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible shoe covering which reduces the friction and drag between shoes and carpeted surfaces allowing a wearer to move with ease and less risk of injury. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The fitness industry is very aware that moving or exercising on carpeted surfaces while wearing rubber soled or athletic shoes is difficult, compromising and dangerous. This problem occurs because athletic shoes are not designed to move freely on carpet. Specifically, athletic shoes provide too much grip on carpet and do not allow a wearer to turn, slide, twist, or pivot in order to move or to do exercises properly and safely. Such a strong grip can cause various injuries and put unnecessary stress and strain on the muscles and joints of the lower body. Those injuries including, but not limited to, the lower back, hips, knees and ankles because while a wearer tries to accomplish these various movements the shoe will stay stationary causing the wearer to move in an unnatural and potentially harmful way. 
     The home fitness and video games industries, in particular need to address this problem because the majority of their target market will use their instructional fitness or sport interactive games at home on carpeted surfaces. With the latest video game technology of motion recognition, more people than ever are choosing to stay home to workout, dance and even play sports. Can you imagine playing tennis or basketball on a carpeted court? But that&#39;s what the developers of these interactive games are asking you to do, which is dangerous, and they know it. They advertise their products by photographing people playing the games in their athletic shoes, which lessens the chance of injury and on hard wood and/or polished studio floors because it&#39;s safer and easier to move on than carpet. 
     This type of misleading advertising has been going on for decades with the origin of the home fitness industry. The choreography for the home fitness market is developed, taught and filmed from expensive wood polished studio/dance floors so no one gets hurt and can do the exercises properly. So why would the fitness industry ask those at home to do what they themselves will not do on carpeted surfaces? Because neither the fitness nor the entertainment video game industries know how to fix the problem of moving effectively and safely on carpet. Participants are not aware that it is neither their inability to learn nor their current level of physical fitness that is holding them back and causing potential injuries. It is the surface of the floor they are working on and the movements they trying to accomplish upon them. 
     By fixing this problem, the home fitness/game enthusiast can finally have a level playing field in trying to accomplish what is being asked from them. Once the dangers of moving on carpeted surfaces in athletic/rubber soled shoes are known by the general public, the implicated industries will not have to discontinue or go back and change their older products. By simply including and/or endorsing this small, lightweight, portable, convenient and invaluable device, they will have given their consumers the knowledge and the tool to overcome the obstacle of moving on carpeted surfaces. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention, as embodied in the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, to overcome or avoid these problems and provide a device, which allows a person to move and/or exercise safely and properly on carpet while any type of footwear. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. In addition, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any or all of the problems described above. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible covering for use on shoes. A flexible material in the general shape of a sock has a top stretchable first ring and a smaller retractable bottom second ring. When the top ring and material is stretched around the toe and heel, the material continues around to the bottom of the shoe setting the second retractable ring in place at the arch of the shoe. The material that covers the bottom of the shoe has a lower coefficient of friction than the sole of the shoe allowing the wearer to move with ease on carpeted surfaces. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible covering for use on shoes including a first ring which is fitted around the top of a shoe, a second ring located on the bottom of the shoe, and a material that extends from the first ring to the second ring, wherein the second ring is stretchable between a non-stretched configuration and a stretched configuration wherein the second ring is stretched over a heel of the shoe to allow more fraction to be obtained through the heel when necessary. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible covering for use on shoes including a first ring which is fitted around the top of a shoe, a second ring located on the bottom of the shoe, and a material that extends from the first ring to the second ring, wherein reinforcement is provided on portions of the covering which correspond to a toe and or heel of the shoe allowing for specific exercises to be accomplished or modified from a prone or supine position on carpeted surfaces. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible covering for use on shoes including a first ring which is fitted around the top of a shoe, a second ring located on the bottom of the shoe, and a material that extends from the first ring to the second ring, wherein the second ring is stretchable but not retractable between a non-stretched configuration and a stretched configuration wherein the second ring is stretched over a heel of the shoe to allow fraction through the heel to be maintained. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible covering for use on shoes including a first ring which is fitted around the top of a shoe, a second ring located on the bottom of the shoe, and a material that extends from the first ring to the second ring, wherein reinforcement is provided on portions of the covering which correspond to the toe and or ball of the shoe and has a lower coefficient of friction than the bottom of the shoe and the material covering the shoe, wherein the second ring is stretched over a heel of the shoe allowing for heel traction to be obtained and reinforcement to be only at the toe and or ball of the shoe providing a extra level of lower coefficient of friction than the bottom of the shoe and floor. Such in the case of, but not limited to, dancers who need a spot in which to spin allowing them to practice on a carpeted or other surface where the grip of the shoes worn would create too much grip to practice safely. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible covering for use on shoes including a first ring which is fitted around the top of a shoe, a second ring located on the bottom of the shoe, and a material that extends from the first ring to the second ring, wherein reinforcement is provided on portions of the covering which correspond to the toe and or ball of the shoe and has a lower coefficient of friction than the bottom of the shoe and the material covering the shoe, wherein the second ring has a stabilization patch to hold the second ring in place while stretched over a heel of the shoe. Reinforcement to be only at the toe and or ball of the shoe providing a extra level of lower coefficient of friction than the bottom of the shoe and floor and a stabilization patch on the top of the fabric corresponding to the toe of the shoe, which has a higher coefficient of friction than the toe of the shoe and the material covering the shoe allowing, but not limited to, dancers and player of dance games to accomplish popular dance moves otherwise not able to attempt. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of moving on carpet including putting on a shoe, putting covering over the shoe, wherein the covering has a lower coefficient of friction than a bottom of the shoe, and moving on carpet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sock in a non-stretched configuration; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates the sock of  FIG. 1  once it is fitted onto the shoe; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2A  wherein the sock is pulled over a heel of the shoe; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates how the bottom the sock of  FIG. 2A  is stretched over the heel of the shoe as shown in  FIG. 2B  and retracted back to cover the bottom of a shoe;  FIG. 2A   
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sock with directed reinforcement applied in a non stretched configuration; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates the sock of  FIG. 4  with directed reinforcement applied once it is fitted on the shoe; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5A  with directed reinforcement applied wherein the sock is pulled over a heel of the shoe; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates how the bottom the sock of  FIG. 5A  is stretched over the heel of the shoe as shown in  FIG. 5B  and retracted back to cover the bottom of a shoe  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a sock in a non-stretched configuration without the shoe; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the sock of  FIG. 7  once it is fitted on the shoe; wherein the sock is pulled over a heel of the shoe; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a sock with directed reinforcement applied in a non-stretched configuration without the shoe; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the sock of  FIG. 9  with directed reinforcement applied wherein the sock is pulled over a heel of the shoe; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9  with additional directed patches applied in a non-stretched configuration without the shoe; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9  with additional directed patches applied wherein the sock is pulled over a heel of the shoe; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and element descriptions, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. In addition, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention with unnecessary detail. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sock  1  which has a first ring  2  which is made of a stretchable material. Sock  1  also has a second ring  3  which is made of a stretchable and retractable material with a softer yet flexible material  4  between and connecting the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  in a non-stretched configuration. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sock  1 . In  FIG. 2A  the sock  1  is fitted completely around shoe  5 . The shoe  5  has a bottom  6  which comprises the sole of the shoe and a top  7  which comprises all parts above the sole. The sock  1  is fitted on the shoe  5  by stretching the first ring  2  around the top of the shoe  7  and bottom of the shoe  6 . 
     In  FIG. 2A , the second ring  3  is in a non-stretched configuration at the bottom of the shoe  6  and located generally at the arch of the shoe  8 . Therefore, when the second ring  3  is in the non-stretched configuration, the material  4  except for a portion of the arch  8  covers the bottom of the shoe  6  completely. Accordingly, when a wearer (not shown) wears the sock  1  with the second ring  3  in the non-stretched configuration, little or no portion of the bottom of the shoe  5  will directly contact a floor. 
     In addition, the material  4  has a lower coefficient of friction than the bottom of the shoe  3 . Therefore, when a wearer puts on the sock  1  with the second ring  3  in the non-stretched configuration, the wearer is able to glide over a carpeted surface regardless of where the bottom of the shoe  6  meets the carpet or floor surface. Being able to glide allows the wearer (not shown) to better move with ease in any direction which might otherwise put undue stress on joints and muscles such as turning, twisting, pivoting and sliding. All such movements happen frequently throughout our daily routines or while exercising with or without a video within our own homes. Therefore, when a wearer puts on the sock  1  with the second ring  3  in the non-stretched configuration the wearer is able to move through their daily tasks, perform exercises and/or play interactive video games properly on carpeted surfaces with less risk of injury. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2A  wherein the second ring  3  is in a stretched configuration. Specifically, in the stretched configuration, the second ring  3  is stretched over the heel  9  of the shoe  5 . When the second ring  3  is in the stretched configuration, a portion of the heel  9  that is provided on the bottom of the shoe  6  is not covered by the material  4  which gives the wearer more options and advantages. 
     For example, many exercises are more easily performed when the heel  9  grips the carpet harder than the ball portion  10  of the shoe  5 . In the stretched configuration, a wearer is able but not limited to easily turning on the balls of his or her feet while still having the ability to stop at any moment when necessary using the heel  9 . 
     In addition, a wearer may use the stretched configuration when he or she is moving on different types of surfaces. Different surfaces have different coefficients of friction. Since the sock  1  has a lower coefficient of friction than the bottom of the shoe  6 , wearing the sock  1  on a surface with a lower coefficient of friction, such as a wood, tile or linoleum floor, may cause there to be too little fraction between the sock  1  and the said surface. In such a case, a wearer may feel insecure in their pursuit of movement. Therefore, by having the heel  9  not covered by the material  4  in the stretched configuration, the heel  9  creates more traction between the shoe  5  and the surface preventing accidental slipping or falling. Also, in the stretched configuration, a wearer will not have to take off the sock  1  in order to go between different types of surfaces. 
     Additionally, many people who use walkers, and especially older people, tend to lean forward putting as much of their body weight as possible on their walkers for support which takes weight off their lower body allowing them to pull their feet forward over the floor. Older people also tend to take off their shoes while inside because the weight of their shoes and drag on carpeted surfaces is problematical when trying to walk. However, by wearing a sock  1  in the stretched configuration, the sock  1  will allow their shoes to glide over the carpeted floor due to its lower coefficient of friction. Therefore, the person using the walker will not have to lean over as far or put so much of their body weight onto the walker to get the leverage necessary to move. By lessening the weight load on their upper body buy allowing them to glide over a surface instead of unavoidable gripping, the capability to stand up straighter is possible therefore can improve proper body mechanics, overall posture and lung capacity. Additionally, by having the heel  9  not covered by the material  4 , greater traction is obtained at the heel  9 , and there is less chance that the wearer will accidentally slip or fall while moving freely from one surface to another. It is also important to note that the above strategy can work for anyone who has ambulatory difficulty weather through but not limited to age, disability, or in recovery from an acute injury. 
     Furthermore, the second ring  3  is designed to be both stretchable from the non-stretched configuration to the stretched configuration and retractable from the stretched configuration to the non-stretched configuration. This allows for the sock  1  to be switched back and forth between full coverage of the bottom of the shoe  6  and exposing just the heel  9  of the shoe  5 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the options available after fitting the sock  1  around the shoe  5  which places second ring in the arch of the shoe  8 , on the bottom of the shoe  6 . Once the second ring  3  in place the wearer has the ability to leave the second ring in the middle of the arch of the shoe  8  for full coverage of the material  4  on the bottom of the shoe  6 , allowing for maximum gliding ability or stretch the second ring  3  down and over the heel  9 , landing on the back  7 , of the shoe  5  for more traction and support. 
     While  FIG. 3  illustrates the steps being performed in this order, a person skilled in the art would understand that the steps may be performed in many other orders and certain steps may be performed simultaneously. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sock  1 . Parts that are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B are identified by the same reference numerals and will not be explained again here.  FIG. 4  additionally shows the reinforcement panels  11  provided on portions of the sock  1  which correspond, but are not limited to the heel of the shoe  9 , the ball of the shoe  10  and or the toe of the shoe  11 , in a non stretched configuration. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4  of a sock  1 . In  FIG. 4 , the reinforcement  11  is shown at the portions of the sock  1  which correspond to the toe  12  and the heel  9  of the shoe  5 . However, the reinforcement  11  can be provided in many different configurations. One example would be such as going around the entire shoe  5 , so long as the reinforcement  11  is provided at either a portion of the sock  1  that corresponds to the heel  9  of the shoe  5  or a portion of the sock  1  that corresponds to the ball  10  of the shoe  5  or a portion of the sock  1  that corresponds to the toe  12  of the shoe  5 . In addition, the reinforcement  11  has a lower coefficient of friction then the bottom of the shoe  6 , but may have a different coefficient of friction than the rest of the material  4 . 
     Providing reinforcement  11  on portions of the sock  1  which corresponds to a toe  12  and the heel  9  of the shoe  5  allows for the improvement of a variety of exercises and better performance when the reinforcement  11  has a different coefficient of friction than the rest of the material  4 . For example, by having reinforcement  11  at a toe  12 , push-ups become a full body exercise due to the lack of grip on the floor from the toes of the shoes. Without gripping the floor, the wearer must use more than just their normal upper body strength to complete the exercise. The entire abdominal wall along with the muscles of the back, legs and gluteus must engage for the toes of the shoes not move backwards with the up and down motion of the push-up. If someone is not strong enough for such an advanced exercise, he or she can still use the sock  1  with the reinforcement  11  from an easier approach, yet still challenging. For example, a wearer would start in a boxed push-up position with their elbows and knees on the floor and toes under. Keeping their elbows on the floor they then would push one leg out straight and then the other one out to meet the first one At this point both legs are in a straight position behind them. Using their body strength to stay in that position is challenging since the grip of their toes will be less than what they are use to with the reinforcement  11  on the toe  12  of shoe  5 . Taking it one step further, from previous position, the wearier could allow the sliding ability of the sock  1  with the reinforcement  11  to take them back a few inches further without moving their elbows or bending their knees and then using their abdominal, upper back and shoulder muscles, pull themselves back to the beginning position using the gliding ability given from the reinforcement  11  being placed on the toe  12  of shoe  5 . 
     In addition, by having reinforcement  11  at the heel  9 , a wearer regardless of ability, can turn supine and start working their abdominal muscles by pushing their heels forward and back on the carpet or known surface. This is an especially good option for obese or over weight individuals because their legs never leave the ground and the hip flexor muscles do not engaged. Therefore, participants will not experience the common pain that comes from improper positioning due to a lack of strength and or too much stress being applied. Even for people who consider themselves fit will get an intense core workout from pushing their heels forward on the floor instead of driving their legs up. 
     By making the reinforcement  11  with a different coefficient of friction than the rest of the material  4 , one can choose the amount of force needed to perform a given exercise in order to optimize the workout. The coefficient of friction of the reinforcement  11  may be either higher or lower than the rest of the material  4  allowing for many options in manufacturing for different physical abilities and disabilities. 
       FIG. 6  shows the options available after fitting the sock  1  around the shoe  5  which places second ring in the arch of the shoe  8 , on the bottom of the shoe  6  with the applied reinforcement. Once the second ring  3  in place the wearer has the ability to leave the second ring in the middle of the arch of the shoe  8  for full coverage of the material  4  on the bottom of the shoe  6 , allowing for maximum gliding ability or stretch second ring  3  down and over the heel  9  for more traction and support. 
     While  FIG. 6  illustrates the steps being performed in this order, a person skilled in the art would understand that the steps may be performed in many other orders and certain steps may be performed simultaneously. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 7 , a sock  100  is illustrated. The sock  100  has a first ring  120  and second ring  130 . The first ring  120  is made to be stretchable. The second ring  130  is also made to be stretchable but not retractable back to a small hole as illustrated in  FIG. 3  of sock  1 . Soft flexible material  140  runs continuously from the first ring  120  and the second ring  130  creating but not limited to a sock like structure. In  FIG. 7 , a sock  100  is illustrated in a non-stretched configuration. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7  wherein the second ring  130  is in a non retractable stretched configuration. Specifically, in the stretched configuration, the second ring  130  is stretched over a heel of the shoe  9 . When the second ring  130  is in the stretched configuration, the heel  9  that is provided on the bottom of the shoe  6  is not covered by the material  140  which has similar advantages to the sock  1  illustrated in  FIG. 2B . Additionally, the sock  100  has an additional advantage of being easier to manufacture. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the sock  100 . Parts that are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  are identified by the same reference numerals and will not be explained again here.  FIG. 9  additionally shows the reinforcement  150  provided on portions of the sock  100  which correspond, but are not limited to the ball of the shoe  10  in a non stretched configuration. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9  wherein the second ring  130  is in a non retractable stretched configuration. The additional reinforcement  150  is shown only at the portions of the sock  100  which correspond to the ball  10  of the shoe  5  in a stretched configuration. However, the reinforcement  150  can be provided in any way, such as going around the entire shoe or the reinforcement  150  can be a full panel of different fabric so long as the reinforcement  150  once fitted on a shoe is provided at or in addition to either a portion of the sock  100  that corresponds to the ball  10  of the shoe  5  or a portion of the sock  100  that corresponds to toe  9  of the shoe  5 . In addition, the reinforcement  150  has a lower coefficient of friction then the bottom of the shoe  6 , but may have a different coefficient of friction than the rest of the material  140 . Furthermore, providing the reinforcement  150  has similar advantages to providing the reinforcement  11  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the sock  100 . Parts that are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10  are identified by the same reference numerals and will not be explained again here.  FIGS. 11 and 12  additionally show a positioning patch  160  provided on the inside of the sock  170  which will be placed against, but is not limited to the upper back  7  of the shoe  5 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  also additionally show a stabilization patch  180  provided on the outside of the sock  100  which corresponds, but is not limited to the toe of the sock  190 .  FIG. 11  shows these additions in a non stretched configuration. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 11  wherein the second ring  130  is in a non retractable stretched configuration. Providing the additional positioning patch  160  is to aid in proper fit of sock  100  due to the higher coefficient of friction than the material  4 . Although sock  1  and sock  100  is structured small in size so as to be applied tightly when stretched, some shoes are much smaller than others and would benefit from the positioning patch  160  to help keep the second ring  130  from a possible loose fit around shoe  5 . 
       FIG. 12  also illustrates the additional stabilization patch  180  which is slightly bigger than the positioning patch  160 , and has a higher coefficient of friction than the material  140 , is shown on outside of the sock  100  which corresponds to the toe of the sock  190  and utilized by the toe  12  of the shoe  5 . The stabilization patch will help, but not limited to, dancers and/or the dance game participant who would like to accomplish specific and/or popular dance moves which would require a moment to balance on, but not limited to, the toes of one&#39;s shoes. Special and expensive shoes are normally required to attempt such dance moves. With the stabilization patch, professionals, armatures, the home dance enthusiast or dance video/game player will be able to not only attempt such unreachable moves in, but not limited to their homes, they&#39;ll be able practice enough that the possibly of mastering them will finally be within reach. 
     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 
     For example, the material  4  of sock  1  or the material  140  of sock  100  may be made from materials such as nylon, spandex, Lycra, polyester and/or cotton but the material  4  of sock  1  or the material  140  of sock  100  is not limited to those materials. Also, the material  4  of sock  1  or the material  140  of sock  100  may be made from a blend of material. Further, the first and second rings  2  and  3  of sock  1  and the first, second, and third rings  120 ,  130  of sock  100  may be made of the same as material  4  of sock  1  or the material  140  of sock  100  as the rest of the sock, a different material, or the same material but reinforced at the rings or full panels. Also the positioning and stabilization patches may be made of but not limited to silicone rubber. Additionally, while it is preferable for the bottom of the shoe  6  to be completely covered by the material  4 , except for a portion of the arch  8 , when the second ring  3  of sock one or the second ring  130  of sock  100  is in the non-stretched configuration, some portion of the bottom of the shoe  6  besides the arch  8  may be exposed and still be within the present invention. Also, the term ring used in this specification is not limited to a circular ring and can be any shape such as an oval, square, or any other type of geometric figure so long as the ring is closed or it can be a tighter material woven into the fabric and not separated. Furthermore, it is preferable for the sock  1  or  100  to have the general shape of a sock, tube, or a combination thereof with or without a closed or open heel.