WO1998024337A1

WO1998024337A1 - Slipper with contoured sole

Info

Publication number: WO1998024337A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/020445
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael H. Ganon
Original assignee: Totes Isotoner Corporation
Priority date: 1996-12-05
Filing date: 1996-12-13
Publication date: 1998-06-11

Abstract

A slipper (10) having a contoured sole wherein a soft resilient vamp (12) is attached to a sole member (14) formed from a cushioning pad, the sole member (14) having a contoured interior (16) and an upstanding perimeter rim (18). The pad contoured interior (16) has a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb shock and provide support when the user is walking or running. Some of the projections have a plurality of holes or recesses (23) which gives a cushioning action when the shoe is being worn. The projections include an arch projection (20), a toe crease ridge (22), and a deformable heel platform (24) which functions in various combinations to form a toe recess (26), a foot ball recess (28) and a heel recess (32) with a heel platform (24) therein.

Description

SLIPPER WITH CONTOURED SOLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to shoes, and more particularly, to slippers of a type having a novel sole.

Description of the Prior Art

Casual soft slippers have traditionally used flat padded soles having leather exteriors and an essentially flat supporting material inside the shoe, usually covered with a soft fabric. Thus, there is even and consistent cushioning throughout the sole of the conventional slipper. Such a construction is quite adequate for normal use since well-conditioned feet are prepared to deal with the essentially flat sole of the slipper. However, many people who like to wear soft slippers as a casual item have weaker, less perfectly formed feet and consequently would benefit with some additional supporting structure, preferably one having a form that would support certain weaker areas of the foot . It is to this body of users that the present invention is directed.

Summary and Objectives of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the weaknesses of known slippers in that it, for the first time, enables the use of a formed sole for a slipper that, because of its design and material, absorbs the shock and provides support when the user is walking and running. The slipper uses a soft resilient vamp secured to a sole member formed from a cushioning pad and having a contoured interior and an upstanding perimeter rim. The interior has a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer and to form sole recesses that cooperatively receive the toes, foot ball recess, and heel. The heel recess has a slightly raised heel platform resiliently positioned to absorb shock and provide support during use. Some of the projections, namely the arch and possibly the heel, have a plurality of holes that provide a cushioning action.

From the brief description given, it can be appreciated that a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a soft slipper such as a scuff, mule or ballerina with a molded sole having all of the advantages of prior art devices and more, and none of the disadvantages . Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a slipper of the type described wherein the contoured interior of the sole provides a toe recess, a foot ball recess, and a heel recess having a slightly raised heel platform. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a slipper of the type described that can be formed from a single piece of cushioning material. Yet still a further objective of the present invention is to provide a slipper of the type described wherein the contoured sole can be easily and inexpensively fastened to the vamp to form the finished slipper.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a slipper of the type described wherein some of the formed projections have holes or recesses to provide a spring-like or cushioning effect. Thus, there has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are obviously additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining several embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details and construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments now being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting in any respect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the concepts upon which this disclosure is based and that it may readily be utilized as a basis for designating other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of this development. It is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

So that the manner in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are obtained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of the specification and wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may admit to additional equally effective embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slipper with a contoured sole forming the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of the slipper and sole comprising the present invention wherein the sole has been displaced from the vamp. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sole comprising a part of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, a slipper shown generally as 10 depicted in this view as a ballerina slipper is formed from a soft resilient vamp 12 of leather, plastic, fabric or other suitable shoe top material and is joined to a sole member shown generally as 14. Member 14 is preferably molded from a cushioning material having a contoured interior 16 and an upstanding perimeter rim 18 bordering the entire sole. Interior 16 has a plurality of projections subsequently to be described which supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb the shock and provide support when the wearer is walking and running. The projections include an arch projection 20, a toe crease ridge 22 and a deformable heel platform 24 shown in Fig. 2 as a raised grid. The arch projection 20 and the heel platform 24 may be provided with a plurality of recesses or holes 23 to give a cushioning action when the weight of the foot is exerted on the perforated projection.

Three major recesses are formed in the sole first by, for example, the inner connection of the toe crease ridge 22 and the perimeter rim 18 to form a toe recess 26. In another configuration, the toe crease ridge 22, the arch support 20, and a perimeter ridge 18 form the foot ball recess 28. Finally, the perimeter rim 18, a resilient heel ridge 30 and the arch support 20 form heel recess 32 within which is positioned heel platform 24.

Slipper 10 is thereafter formed in a conventional manner with a light cushioning material inlaid over the surface of sole contoured interior 16 and thereafter covered with a dressing fabric which will directly engage the foot of the wearer. The sole is then attached to the vamp 12 in a conventional manner, either by stitching directly the perimeter rim 18 of sole 14 to vamp 12 or by adhering it with glue or other bonding substances .

Thus, a slipper with a contoured sole is formed that will provide comfort and support to the non-professional wearer to a far greater extent than has been obtainable in prior art slippers. Obviously, the vamp can be made of any number of materials and any decorative form. A decorative bow or other ornamental device can be affixed to the front portion of the vamp as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is conceivable that certain minor deviations of the construction illustrated in the preferred embodiment of this invention can be made to accommodate particular types of situations or intended styles. Hence, the invention is not intended to be limited specifically to the illustrative embodiment set forth, but only by the scope of the appended claims and the reasonably equivalent structures to those defined therein.

Claims

1. A slipper and contoured sole comprising: a soft resilient vamp; and a sole member attached to the vamp formed from a cushioning pad having a contoured interior and an upstanding perimeter rim, the interior having a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb the shock and provide support when the user is walking and running.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the projections include an arch projection, a toe crease ridge, and a deformable heel.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perimeter rim and the toe crease ridge form a toe recess .

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch support form a foot ball recess.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perimeter rim, the arch support, and the resilient heel ridge form a heel recess having a heel platform.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the perimeter rim, the arch support and the toe crease ridge form a foot ball recess.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the perimeter rim, the resilient heel ridge and the arch support form a heel recess having a heel platform.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch support form a foot ball recess.

9. A slipper and contoured sole comprising: a soft resilient vamp; and a sole member attached to the vamp formed from a cushioning pad having a contoured interior and an upstanding perimeter rim, the interior having a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb the shock and provide support when the user is walking and running wherein the projections include an arch projection, a toe crease ridge, and a deformable heel, the perimeter rim and the toe crease ridge form a toe recess, and the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch support form a football recess.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein the perimeter rim, the arch support, and the resilient heel ridge form a heel recess having a heel platform and one or more of the projections have a plurality of holes that provide a cushioning action.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 8 May 1997 (08.05.97); original claims 4-10 amended; new claim 11-20 added; remaining claims unchanged (5 pages)]

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perimeter rim and the toe crease ridge form a toe recess . 4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch projection form a foot ball recess.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perimeter rim, the arch projection, and the resilient heel ridge form a heel recess having a raised heel platform positioned within the heel recess.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the perimeter rim, the arch projection and the toe crease ridge form a foot ball recess. 7. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the perimeter rim, the resilient heel ridge and the arch projection form a heel recess having a raised heel platform resiliently positioned within the heel recess.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch projection form a foot ball recess.

9. A slipper and contoured sole comprising: a soft resilient vamp; and a sole member attached to the vamp formed from a cushioning pad having a contoured interior and an upstanding perimeter rim, the interior having a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb the shock and provide support when the user is walking and running wherein the projections include an arch projection, a toe crease ridge, and a deformable heel platform, the perimeter rim and the toe crease ridge form a toe recess, and the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch projection form a foot ball recess.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein the perimeter rim, the arch projection, and the resilient heel ridge form a heel recess having a raised heel platform and one or more of the projections have a plurality of holes that provide a cushioning action.

11. A slipper and contoured sole comprising: a soft resilient vamp; and a sole member attached to the vamp formed from a cushioning pad having a contoured interior, a resilient heel ridge and upstanding perimeter rim, the interior having a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb the shock and provide support when the wearer is walking and running wherein the projections include an

AMEND T ARTICLE 1 arch projection, a toe crease ridge, and a deformable heel platform, the perimeter rim and the toe crease ridge forming a toe recess, and wherein the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch projection form a foot ball recess, and the perimeter rim, the arch projection, and the resilient heel ridge form a heel recess, the heel platform being slightly raised and resiliently positioned within the heel recess.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the raised heel platform comprises a raised grid for providing a cushioning action.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the raised heel platform includes a plurality of holes for providing a cushioning action.

14. A slipper and contoured sole comprising: a soft resilient vamp; and a sole member attached to the vamp formed from a cushioning pad having a contoured interior, a resilient heel ridge, and an upstanding perimeter rim, the interior having a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb the shock and provide support when the wearer is walking and running wherein the projections include an arch projection, a toe crease ridge, and a deformable heel platform wherein the perimeter rim, the arch projection, and the resilient heel ridge form a heel recess, the heel platform being slightly raised and resiliently formed within the heel recess.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19J

15. The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein the raised heel platform has a plurality of recesses for providing a cushioning action when the weight of a foot is exerted on the heel platform.

16. The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein the raised heel platform comprises a raised grid for providing a cushioning action when the weight of a foot is exerted on the heel platform.

17. The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein one or more of the projections has a plurality of recesses for providing a cushioning action.

18. A contoured sole for a slipper comprising: a sole member having a contoured interior, a resilient heel ridge and upstanding perimeter rim, the interior having a plurality of projections to supportingly engage the foot recesses of a wearer to absorb the shock and provide support when the wearer is walking and running wherein the projections include an arch projection, a toe crease ridge, and a deformable heel platform, the perimeter rim and the toe crease ridge forming a toe recess, and wherein the perimeter rim, the toe crease ridge and the arch projection form a foot ball recess, and the perimeter rim, the arch projection, and the resilient heel ridge form a heel recess, the heel platform being slightly raised and resiliently positioned within the heel recess.

19. The combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein the raised heel platform comprises a raised grid for providing a cushioning action.

20. The combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein the raised heel platform includes a plurality of holes for providing a cushioning action.

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

Pursuant to Rule 46.5, Applicant states that claims 4-10 have been amended to delete "support" and substitute "projection" therefor to refer to the "arch projection" claimed in claims 2 and 9. Claims 5, 7, 9 and 10 have been generally amended to clarify the language and more particularly describe the invention. Also, Applicant has added new claims 11-20 to more particularly describe the invention. Applicant submits that claims 1-20, as amended, are both novel and of inventive step over the references of record.