Abstract:
A formfitting protective footwear apparatus comprising, generally, a protective sheath that envelops all or a portion of the foot from the ankle forward. In all embodiments, the formfitting protective footwear apparatus of the present invention surrounds the forefoot about the instep and arch and extends forward to protect at least the ball of the foot.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/130,122, filed Apr. 20, 1999. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to protective footwear for use in dance, athletic, and other activities. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The need for protective and functional footwear intended for specific applications is well-known. Just as basketball and football place different demands on the human foot and thus require different footwear, different forms of dance and athletics also require specialized footwear. For example, balletic dance requires specially designed toe shoes, jazz dance requires specially designed character shoes, and tap dance requires specially modified tap shoes. Until now, however, there has been no satisfactory footwear for use by modern dancers, despite the fact that modern dance places severe stresses on the human foot. 
   Unlike many more traditional forms of dance, modern dance requires rapid, abrupt, and complex shifts in body position, center of gravity, directional momentum, and weight distribution. Included in these movements are forceful turns, spins, and other such movements that can cause friction burns, tearing, slivers, blisters, and other foot problems. In addition, modern dancers—like other dancers—risk serious injury if their foot should slip on the dance floor or if they should turn their ankle. However, given the aesthetic requirements of their art, most modern dancers currently opt to dance barefoot and tolerate the damage done to their feet. 
   Earlier, unsuccessful attempts at providing such footwear range from the use of thongs that were wrapped around the foot to dancers cutting up nylon stockings and tying them to their feet before each performance. The only footwear currently available for use in modern dance comprises a “sole” that is secured to the foot by means of an ankle strap and toe loops. However, because this sole is not securely bound to the sole of the foot, severe tearing of the skin is common, particularly between the great and index toes. For that reason, most modern dancers do not use this apparatus. A major drawback of all the above approaches is that such footwear does not provide all of the protective and safety benefits desired, nor are they durable and minimally disruptive to a dancer&#39;s performance. 
   The ideal modern dance footwear would both protect the feet from friction burns, tearing, slivers, blisters, and other foot problems and also provide beneficial traction, optional ankle support, and other safety benefits. In addition to providing these advantages, the ideal modern dance footwear should be an unobtrusive article that either gives the appearance of a naked foot or that coordinates with a dance costume. It should be durable, reusable, and, ideally, washable, yet not impede a dancer&#39;s performance. 
   In additional contemplated embodiments, the footwear article of the present invention may be modified for use in the martial arts, where training involves many of the same movements as modern dance and where difficult surfaces, such as wooden, ceramic, or synthetic gymnasium floors, must be used. The footwear of the present invention may also be adapted for use in aquatic and marine environments, particularly for uses that require surefooted performance and foot protection, such as sailing, surfing, and sailboarding, without the disadvantages of shoes and other footwear. 
   The present invention provides an elegant solution to all of these problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear article that is capable of accommodating rapid, abrupt, and complex shifts in body position, center of gravity, directional momentum, and weight distribution without causing friction burns, tearing, slivers, blisters, and other foot problems, yet does not restrict the foot in its movement or provide the appearance of a shod foot. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a footwear article that provides beneficial traction, optional ankle support, and other safety benefits. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a footwear article that is unobtrusive and that either gives the appearance of a naked foot or that coordinates with a costume. 
   It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a footwear article that is durable, reusable, and, ideally, washable, yet that does not interfere with the wearer&#39;s performance. 
   It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a footwear article that is suitable for use in the martial arts. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a footwear article that is suitable for use in an aquatic or marine environment. 
   The present invention is an article of footwear that comprises, generally, a protective sheath that envelops all or a portion of the foot from the ankle downward. In all embodiments, the formfitting protective footwear apparatus of the present invention surrounds the forefoot about the instep and arch and extends forward to protect at least the ball of the foot. The footwear of the present invention is intended primarily for use by modern dancers, although other embodiments suitable for other uses, such as in martial arts training, sailing surfing, and sailboarding, are contemplated. 
   Prior to this invention, only ineffective and/or unreliable devices were available to the modern dancer. In addition to failing to adequately protect the foot, such devices were not durable and did not provide the desired safety benefits of the present invention. The significance of the present invention is that it enables a modern dancer to perform difficult movements with force and confidence that they will not injure their feet or other portions of their body as a result. These benefits extend to other users of the present invention, such as martial artists, sailors, surfers, and sailboarders. 
   Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the drawings and the invention, which follow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the formfitting protective footwear apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows the construction elements of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the embodiment constructed from the elements shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows a plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  positioned for use over a human foot; 
       FIG. 5  shows the components of a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6A–B  show top and bottom plan views of the finished assembly of the third embodiment of the present invention constructed from the components shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIGS. 7A–E  show a sequence illustrating the construction and assembly of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment constructed according to the sequence of  FIGS. 7A–E ; 
       FIGS. 9A–B  shows the components of a fifth embodiment of the present invention and the constructed embodiment, respectively. 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 11A–D  shows a sequence illustrating the construction and assembly of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention positioned for use over a human foot. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the form fitting protective footwear apparatus  10  of the present invention comprises an elasticized sleeve  12  capable of remaining fitted about the forefoot and being provided with a footpad  14  of protective materials sufficient to protect the ball of the foot when apparatus  10  is in place over a human foot. Sleeve  12  of this embodiment of the invention is further provided with means  16  for retaining sleeve  12  about the instep of the foot and means  18  for retaining sleeve  12  at the forefoot without slippage toward the heel, e.g., holes for the toes. 
     FIG. 2  shows the construction elements of a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the embodiment shown is constructed of four elements. First element  22  is an upper elasticised element having a first edge  24  disposed perpendicularly to side edges  26  and  26 ′ thereof and a second edge  28  defining a curve or an oblique angle such that the portions of second edge  28  proximate to side edges  26  and  26 ′ are closer to first edge  24  than is the center portion of second edge  28 . Second element  32  is a non-elasticised element having a first edge  34  defining a curve or angle that matingly corresponds with the angle or curve of second edge  28  of first element  22 , side edges  36  and  36 ′, and a second edge  38  provided with five toe holes  33  disposed adjacent thereto. It is desirable that element  32  be sturdy enough for the portions adjacent to or between toe holes  33  do not tear during intensive use, but that the material from which element  32  is constructed provides sufficient comfort to the foot as not to induce blistering or tearing of the skin adjacent to or between the toes. Third element  42  is a lower elasticised element having both a first edge  44  and a second edge  48  disposed perpendicularly to side edges  46  and  46 ′ thereof. Finally, fourth element  52  is a non-elasticised element suitable for use as a pad capable of protecting the ball of the foot, while not inhibiting the movement of the wearer. In various embodiments, fourth element  52  may be constructed of any suitable material, including smooth leather, suede leather, synthetic leather, moldable polymers and elastomers, and other suitable material. In addition, it is understood that fourth element  52  may be textured, as by dimpling, forming ridges therein, forming grooves therein, or other means, such that fourth element  52  may provide enhanced traction when in contact with a substantially flat surface, such as a floor, or a sailboard or surfboard. 
   To construct this embodiment, first and second elements  22  and  32  are joined, preferably by stitching, along their matingly corresponding edges  28  and  34 . Next, fourth element  52  is joined to third element  42 , again, preferably by stitching, such that fourth element  52  will be positioned under the ball of the foot in the finished article. First and third elements  22  and  42  are then joined to form a foot-shaped profile, again, preferably by stitching, along their side edges  26 / 45  and  26 ′/ 46 ′, such that perpendicularly disposed second edges  24  and  44  of first element  22  and third element  42  are adjacent each other and in parallel, leaving an opening therebetween capable of accommodating the insertion of a foot into the void created between first and third elements  22  and  42 . It is important to note that at this point, fourth element  52  should be disposed within the interior void created between first and third elements  22  and  42 . First edge  38  of second element  32  is then joined to third element  42 , again, preferably by stitching. Finally, the constructed article  20  is trimmed along the joined edges and turned inside-out, such that the trimmed edges now occupy the interior void and fourth element  52  is now disposed on the exterior of the article.  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of constructed article  20  made from the elements shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4  shows a plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  positioned for use over a human foot. 
   It is understood that these steps may be performed in different sequences, provided that the finished article is properly constructed to withstand intensive use. In addition, it is understood that the components may be of different configurations, e.g., they may be pre-cut such that construction is completed without need for a trimming step.  FIG. 5  shows how the components of a third embodiment of the present invention may be constructed.  FIGS. 6A–B  show top and bottom plan views of the finished assembly of the third embodiment of the present invention constructed from the components shown in FIGS.  5 -A–C. Similarly,  FIGS. 7A–E  show a sequence illustrating the construction and assembly of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper element that accommodates the toe holes is of unitary construction.  FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment constructed according to the sequence of  FIGS. 7A–E . 
     FIGS. 9A–B  show the components of a fifth embodiment of the present invention and the constructed embodiment, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 9A , this fifth embodiment is formed from an elongated strip of material  100  having first edge  102  defining an outward curve or angle such that a single toe hole  104  may be defined adjacent thereto, side edges  106  and  106 ′, and second edge  108  that is substantially straight and disposed perpendicularly to each of side edges  106  and  106 ′. Footpad  110  is joined to elongated strip  100  adjacent toe hole  104 , such that in the completed article the footpad is disposed in the area of the ball of the foot. Construction of this embodiment is achieved simply by sewing side edges  106  and  106 ′ together, such that footpad  110  is disposed interiorly, and turning the finished article inside-out. In use, the article is slipped over a human foot such that the great toe is inserted into toe hole  104 , the remaining toes extending unencumbered beyond first edge  102 . 
     FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment  120  is of unitary construction and is formed by a conventional molding process. Footpad  122  constructed of a like or alternate material may optionally be provided. 
     FIGS. 11A–D  shows a sequence illustrating the construction and use of a seventh embodiment of the present invention comprising two elements. First element  130  is a thin half-sock provided with toe sleeves. First element  130  is constructed from matching elements  132  and  134  that are joined, preferably by stitching along their forwardmost edges. Second element  10  is any of the other embodiments of the present invention. In use, the wearer first slips element  130  over the foot, and then slips on article  10  of the present invention, such that the toes are protected from contact with the floor by element  130 . 
   Finally,  FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of an eighth embodiment  140  of the present invention positioned for use over a human foot. This embodiment, which may be adapted for use with any of the other embodiments of the invention, is characterized by its extension over the ankle, thereby providing increased lateral stability and support. 
   It is understood that the presently claimed invention may be embodied in other specified forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes which come within the meaning and range or equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.