Patent Publication Number: US-2015059205-A1

Title: Foot protecting devices

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to foot protecting devices. In particular, foot protecting devices configured to be selectively inserted between a shoe&#39;s tongue and laces are described. 
     Running and walking are popular forms of exercise. Running and walking can lead to foot discomfort and injury. The top portions, or metatarsal areas, of runners&#39; (and walkers′) feet are particularly susceptible to pain and discomfort from shoe lace pressure. Additionally, constant shoe lace pressure during sustained exercise often leads to bruised, inflamed, or raw metatarsal areas, which force runners and walkers to limit or discontinue exercise activities. 
     Known foot protecting devices are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing foot protecting devices are bulky. Existing foot protecting devices are configured to protect feet from blunt force trauma. For example, steel-toe boots protect feet from potential crushing by heavy objects or steel shanks in hiking boots protect feet from piercing objects below the boot. Bulky existing foot protecting devices are not suitable for sustained running or walking; bulky existing foot protecting devices are often the cause of foot discomfort. 
     Protecting feet from blunt force trauma requires specialty footwear to accommodate existing bulky foot protecting devices. Existing bulky foot protecting devices are permanently integrated within bulky work boots or hiking boots. Rather than decreasing user fatigue, existing bulky specialty footwear actually increases user fatigue and is not suitable for sustained exercise activities. 
     In addition, conventional foot protecting devices are prohibitively heavy. Often, existing foot protecting devices are comprised of heavy material like steel or thick plastic. Heavy conventional foot protecting devices increase user fatigue and are not suitable for sustained running or walking. 
     Moreover, conventional foot protecting devices protect user&#39;s toes or sole, but fail to protect users&#39; metatarsals. Metatarsal bones are particularly susceptible to fatigue and injury during sustained exercise activities. However, conventional foot protecting devices fail to protect users&#39; metatarsal bones from fatigue and injury. 
     Thus, there exists a need for foot protecting devices that improve upon and advance the design of known foot protecting devices. Examples of new and useful foot protecting devices relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to foot protecting devices including a shell including a top surface and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface and substantially aligned with the top surface, and a cushioning layer proximate the bottom surface, wherein the shell is configured to mount within a user&#39;s shoe between a shoe&#39;s tongue and a shoe&#39;s laces, the cushioning layer is positioned proximate the tongue and the shell is positioned proximate the laces. In some examples the foot protecting device includes a plurality of apertures, channels, and retaining elements on the top surface of the shell. In some further examples the foot protecting device includes a selectively removable cushioning layer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first example of a foot protecting device inserted in a user&#39;s shoe. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the anatomically-molded shape of the foot protection device. 
         FIG. 3  is bottom perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 1  depicting a tongue-engaging surface of a cushioning layer. 
         FIG. 4  is a top elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 1  depicting a safety element on a top surface of a shell. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the interface between the shell and the cushioning layer. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer with anti-slip elements. 
         FIG. 7  is a magnified view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 1  depicting a plurality of heat-dissipating elements and a plurality of longitudinal channels on the tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a second example of a foot protecting device including a plurality of apertures, channels, and retaining elements on a top surface of a shell of the foot protecting device. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 8  depicting a tongue-engaging surface of a cushioning layer including anti-odor elements. 
         FIG. 10  is a top elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 8  depicting the apertures and channels on the top surface of the shell. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 8  depicting the interface between the shell and the cushioning layer. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 8  depicting the tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer. 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of a third example of a foot protecting device including a shell and a selectively removable cushioning layer. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 13  depicting a bottom surface of the shell. 
         FIG. 15  is a top elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 13  depicting a concave configuration of a top edge and a bottom edge. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-section view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 13  depicting the interface between the shell and the cushioning layer. 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in  FIG. 13  depicting a plurality of apertures and longitudinal channels on a tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed foot protecting devices will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
     Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various foot protecting devices are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , a first example of a foot protecting device, foot protecting device  100 , will now be described. Foot protecting device  100  includes a shell  110  and a cushioning layer  140 . Foot protecting device  100  functions to reduce or alleviate pressure on the metatarsal portion of a user&#39;s foot  180 . Indeed, foot protecting device  100  disperses shoe lace pressure over the top of user&#39;s foot  180 . 
     Inserting foot protecting device  100  within users&#39; shoes between the shoe tongue and laces solves one deficiency of conventional foot protecting devices. Foot protecting device  100  protects users&#39; metatarsal bones from fatigue and injury without the need for bulky or heavy specialty footwear. 
     Moreover, foot protecting device  100  can be used to decrease foot fatigue during long-distance running and walking or sustained exercise activities. Foot protecting device  100  is light weight, low bulk, and fits easily within users&#39; existing footwear. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , foot protecting device  100  is configured to mount within a user&#39;s shoe  190  between a shoe tongue  191  and a shoe&#39;s laces  193 . Shell  110  is inserted proximate laces  193 , and cushioning layer  140  is proximate tongue  191 . Alternatively, the foot protecting device may be inserted under the shoe&#39;s tongue between the tongue and the user&#39;s foot or inside the tongue through a tongue slot. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , shell  110  is comprised of plastic. Additionally or alternatively, the shell may be comprised of any now known or later developed material. Acceptable shell materials include wood, metal, rubber, Kevlar®, carbon fiber, and composites. 
     As shown most clearly in  FIG. 4 , shell  110  is rectangular. Alternatively, the shell may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows inserting the foot protecting device between a shoe&#39;s tongue and laces. Examples of acceptable shell shapes include, but are not limited to, round, oval, diamond, square, trapezoid and triangle. 
     As shown in the  FIGS. 1 and 2  example, shell  110  includes a top surface  120 . Top surface  120  is latitudinally convex. Top surface  120  is configured to facilitate or allow foot protecting device  100  to accommodate and protect user&#39;s foot  180 . 
     Alternatively, the top surface may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the foot protecting device to removably insert between a shoe tongue and laces and accommodate a user&#39;s foot. Example top surface configurations include, but are not limited to, planar, edged-planar, curved, and pyramidal. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2 , top surface  120  includes a safety element  125 . In the  FIG. 2  example, safety element  125  is comprised of reflective tape. Additionally or alternatively, the safety element may be comprised of any safety promoting device or system, including, but not limited to, reflectors, lights, horns, and sirens. 
     In the  FIG. 2  example, safety element  125  covers substantially all of top surface  120 . Alternatively, the safety element may cover relatively little or a portion of the top surface. In some examples the safety element may define a frame around the outer edge of the top surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shell  110  includes a bottom surface  130  spaced from and substantially aligned with top surface  120 ; bottom surface  130  is latitudinally concave. Bottom surface  130  is configured to facilitate or allow foot protecting device  100  to accommodate user&#39;s foot  180 . 
     Alternatively, the bottom surface may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the foot protecting device to removably insert between a shoe tongue and laces and accommodate a user&#39;s foot. Example bottom surface configurations include, but are not limited to, planar, edged-planar, curved, and pyramidal. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , cushioning layer  140  is proximate to bottom surface  130 . Cushioning layer  140  is positioned proximate tongue  191  when foot protecting device  100  is mounted within user&#39;s shoe  190 . 
     Alternatively, the cushioning layer may be positioned proximate a user&#39;s foot if the foot protecting device is placed under the shoe tongue and the cushioning layer is positioned over the user&#39;s metatarsals. 
     In the  FIG. 3  example, cushioning layer  140  is anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Additionally or alternatively, the cushioning layer may include life-extending features including, but not limited to, odor absorbing and moisture evaporating features. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , cushioning layer  140  is comprised of foam rubber. Alternatively, the cushioning layer may be comprised of any material now known or later developed that facilitates or allows user comfort. Acceptable cushioning layer materials include, but are not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, fabric, fleece, silicon, carbon fiber, and composites. 
     As shown most clearly in  FIG. 5 , cushioning layer  140  includes a shell-engaging surface  142  proximate bottom surface  130 . In the  FIG. 5  example, shell-engaging surface  142  is fixedly attached to bottom surface  130 . Alternatively, the shell-engaging surface may be removably attached to the bottom surface. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 5 , cushioning layer  140  includes a tongue-engaging surface  144  opposite shell-engaging surface  142 . Tongue engaging surface  144  is substantially aligned with bottom surface  130 ; tongue-engaging surface is latitudinally concave. 
     As shown most clearly in  FIG. 7 , tongue-engaging surface  144  includes anti-slip elements  146 . Anti-slip elements  146  limit or reduce slipping of foot protecting device  100 . In the  FIG. 7  example, anti-slip elements  146  are comprised of rubber strips integrated longitudinally on tongue-engaging surface  144 . 
     Alternatively, the anti-slip elements may be comprised of any now known or later developed compound that facilitates or allows the anti-slip element to limit or reduce slipping of the foot protecting device within the shoe. Examples of acceptable anti-slip elements include, but are not limited to rubberized dots or strips, silicon elements, hook-and-pile elements, and stays. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , tongue-engaging surface  144  also includes a plurality of heat-dissipating elements  170 . Heat dissipating elements  170  are configured to facilitate or allow heat to dissipate and moisture to evaporate from tongue-engaging surface  144 . 
     In the  FIG. 7  example, heat-dissipating elements  170  are configured as cylindrical apertures in tongue-engaging surface  144 . Alternatively, the heat-dissipating elements may be configured in any shape or form that facilitates or allows heat to dissipate and moisture to evaporate. The heat dissipating elements may be oval, square, rectangular, triangular, or linear. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 7 , tongue-engaging surface  144  includes a plurality of longitudinal channels  175 . Longitudinal channels  175  facilitate or allow channeling moisture on tongue-engaging surface  144 . Additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal channels may facilitate or allow ventilation and airflow on or over the tongue-engaging surface. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , longitudinal channels  175  are linear. Alternatively, the longitudinal channels may be configured in any manner that facilitates or allows channeling moisture, ventilation, and airflow over the tongue engaging surface. Examples of acceptable channel formations include regular curves, waves, and spirals. 
     Turning attention to  FIGS. 8-12 , a second example of a foot protecting device, foot protecting device  200 , will now be described. Foot protecting device  200  includes many similar or identical features to foot protecting device  100 . Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of foot protecting device  200  will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between foot protecting device  200  and foot protecting device  100  will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two foot protecting devices. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , foot protecting device  200  includes a shell  210  including a longitudinally convex top surface  220  defining a plurality of channels  222  and a plurality of apertures, a plurality of retaining elements  250  removably attached to top surface  220 , a longitudinally concave bottom surface  230  spaced from and substantially aligned with top surface  220 , and an anti-microbial cushioning layer  240  fixedly secured to bottom surface  230 . 
     Foot protecting device  200  includes additional features to facilitate or allow placing and retaining foot protecting device  200  within a user&#39;s shoe. Whereas foot protecting device  100  can be inserted between a shoes laces and tongue then subsequently removed with ease, foot protecting device  200  includes channels  222  and retaining elements  250  to securely retain foot protecting device  200  within the shoe. A user must at least partially unlace the shoe to remove foot protecting device  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , channels  222  are configured to accommodate shoe laces. In the example shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , channels  222  are linear. Alternatively, the channels may be slight depressions in the top surface and configured in any shape or configuration that facilitates or allows retaining the foot protecting device within a user&#39;s shoe. Examples of acceptable channel configurations include, but are not limited to troughs, depressions, and notches. 
     In the  FIGS. 8 and 10  example, channels  222  define an X-pattern. The X-pattern is most deep at the center and becomes more shallow toward the outer edges. Alternatively, the channels may be more defined: the X-pattern may be deeper from center to edge. Alternatively, the channels may be less defined: the X-pattern may be more shallow or all together lack defined edges. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 8 , retaining elements  250  are configured to accommodate shoes laces. In the  FIG. 8  example, retaining elements  250  are U-shaped. Alternatively, the retaining elements may be configured in any shape or form capable of accommodating shoe laces and retaining the foot protecting device in the shoe. The retaining elements may be eyelets, tunnels, ports, and hooks. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 8 , retaining elements  250  are removably attached. Alternatively, the retaining elements may be fixedly attached through any now known or later developed attachment method. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , apertures  260  define air circulating and heat dissipating features in shell  210 . In the  FIG. 8  example, apertures  260  are oval. Alternatively, the apertures may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows circulating air and dissipating heat. The apertures may be circular, linear, square, rectangular, triangular, diamond-shaped, or a combination of shapes. 
     As shown most clearly in  FIG. 9 , anti-microbial cushioning layer  240  includes anti-odor elements  248 . Anti-odor elements  248  shown in  FIG. 9  are activated carbon. Additionally or alternatively, the anti-odor elements may be comprised of any now known or later developed anti-odor element. Acceptable anti-odor elements include, but are not limited to, wool and silver. 
     Turning attention to  FIGS. 13-17 , a third example of a foot protecting device, foot protecting device  300 , will now be described. Foot protecting device  300  includes a shell  310  including a plurality of apertures  360  and an anti-microbial cushioning layer  340  removably secured to shell  310 . Cushioning layer  340  includes a plurality of apertures  370  and a plurality of longitudinal channels  375 . 
     Moreover, shell  310  includes a top surface  320  and a bottom surface  330  spaced from and substantially aligned with top surface  320 . Further, shell  310  includes a top edge  322  connecting top surface  320  and bottom surface  330 . Shell  310  also includes a bottom edge  324  opposite top edge  322  and connecting top surface  320  and bottom surface  330 . Apertures  360  connect top surface  320  and bottom surface  330 . 
     As shown most clearly in  FIG. 15 , top edge  322  is configured to anatomically accommodate a user&#39;s foot. Top edge  322  facilitates or allows natural movement of user&#39;s foot during running, jumping, striding, and walking. 
     In the  FIG. 15  example, top edge  322  is concave. Alternatively the top edge may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the top edge to accommodate a user&#39;s foot. The top edge may be linear, curved, or inverse-wedge shaped. 
     Also shown most clearly in  FIG. 15 , bottom edge  324  is configured to anatomically accommodate a user&#39;s foot. Bottom edge  324  facilitates or allows natural movement of user&#39;s foot during running, jumping, striding, and walking. 
     In the  FIG. 15  example, bottom edge  324  is concave. Alternatively the bottom edge may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the bottom edge to accommodate a user&#39;s foot. The top edge may be linear, curved, or inverse-wedge shaped. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , apertures  360  facilitate or allow circulating air, evaporating moisture, and dissipating heat around foot protecting device  300 . Apertures  360  are substantially the same size and shape as apertures  370  of cushioning layer  340 . Alternatively, the apertures of the shell may be unequal in size and shape with the apertures of the cushioning layer. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , apertures  360  of shell  310  are substantially aligned with apertures  370  of cushioning layer  340 . Alternatively, the apertures of the shell may be configured to align with some, a portion of some, or none of the apertures of the cushioning layer. 
     In the  FIG. 13  example, apertures  360  are cylindrical. Additionally or alternatively, the apertures may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture. Examples of acceptable configurations include, but are not limited to, squares, ovals, rectangles, triangles, and diamonds. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , cushioning layer  340  includes a shell-engaging surface  342 . Shell-engaging surface  342  removably attaches to bottom surface  330  with a hook-and-pile system  335 . In the  FIGS. 13-14  example, bottom surface  330  includes hook elements, and shell-engaging surface  342  includes pile elements. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom surface may include pile elements, and the shell-engaging surface may include hook elements. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the shell and cushioning layer may be removably attached by any now known or later developed means. Acceptable attaching mechanisms include, but are not limited to, buttons, snaps, clips, slots, and reusable adhesives. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , cushioning layer  340  includes a shoe-tongue-engaging surface  344  opposite shell-engaging surface  342 . Shoe-tongue engaging surface  344  is substantially aligned with shell-engaging surface  342 ; shoe-tongue-engaging surface is latitudinally concave. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , shoe-tongue-engaging surface  344  defines a plurality of longitudinal channels  375 . Longitudinal channels  375  function separately and in combination with apertures  370  and apertures  360  to facilitate or allow venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture in and around foot protecting device  300 . 
     In the  FIG. 17  example, longitudinal channels  375  are linear. Alternatively, the channels may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture in and around the foot protecting device. Acceptable channel configurations include regular curves, waves, and spirals. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , apertures  370  connect shell-engaging surface to shoe-tongue-engaging surface. Apertures  370  function separately and in combination with apertures  360  and longitudinal channels  375  to facilitate or allow venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture in and around foot protecting device  300 . 
     In the  FIG. 14  example, apertures  370  are cylindrical. Additionally or alternatively, the apertures may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture. Examples of acceptable configurations include, but are not limited to, squares, ovals, rectangles, triangles, and diamonds. 
     The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.