SockTips

Abstract

A footwear accessory (hereafter referred to as “SockTip”) that facilitates reduced shoe toe-box creasing and enhanced comfort of footwear, for example, dress, casual, and athletic shoes. The SockTip includes instep and toe elements with the instep element constructed with increased thickness atop the toe and metatarsal areas and along the sides of the foot when worn. Worn with toed footwear, SockTip's increased thickness, generally over top and aside of the foot metatarsal area, pads the shoe-toe box, thereby reducing the onset of creasing and facilitating enhanced shoe comfort.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 124,604 entitled “SockTips” filed on Dec. 26, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]This invention relates to a product configured for preventing, or significantly reducing the onset of, creasing in the shoe-toe box of toed footwear, for example, dress, casual, and athletic shoes. By padding the shoe toe-box, this invention also relates to enhancing wear comfort of said shoe types using said product.[0003]Currently existing apparatus or devices in the marketplace intended to preserve general shoe shape, appearance, and or to reduce shoe toe-box creasing, include the conventional “shoe tree” and so-called “insert for footwear,” the latter of which is sold under the trademark ForceFields by NewRide, a division of Penguin Brands, Inc. (reference U.S. Pat. No. 8,490,300 B1—Insert for footwear...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a footwear accessory called SockTip that is like a small sock that can be attached to regular shoes. It increases the thickness of the toe and metatarsal areas, reducing the likelihood of issues like shoe toe-box creating and promoting shoe comfort. The SockTip's design helps to form-fit over the foot, reducing friction and discomfort when walking or running. It also provides added padding to reduce pain from toe and bunion issues.

Problems solved by technology

One might argue an inconvenience factor of needing to insert a mechanism in the sock before wear, and needing to remove it prior to laundering.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,490,300 B1—Insert for FootwearWhile the insert for footwear is designed to maintain general shape and appearance of footwear, the resiliency of the material from which it is constructed may result in discomfort to the user.

Further, the insert typically requires “trimming” to achieve desired fit which can be an inconvenience as it relies on user intervention and customization to be effective.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,391,064 A—Toe MittThe toe mitt provides for preventing wear to a stocking toe; however, its design is not referenced as such that it will prevent shoe toe creasing, enhance shoe comfort, nor improve shoe fit.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,334,356 A—Toe CoverThe toe cover provides for reduced foot slippage in footwear; however, its design is not reference as such that it will prevent shoe toe creasing, enhance shoe comfort, nor improve shoe fit.

And, while the shoe shaper insert may maintain the fashionable design of “pointed toed shoes,” its application may not be useful across a spectrum of shoe types.

Its construction consists of a mold from a rigid plastic material, which would make it impractical for use in dress, casual, and athletic shoes, as it may provide discomfort to the wearer.

Additionally, the metatarsal guard is intended to remain affixed inside the shoe or boot and could result in concerns related to cleanliness over time.

While the invention could provide comfort to a toe dancer, its application is not designed to ensure ongoing aesthetic appeal of—including reducing toe-box creasing in—dress, casual, and athletic shoes (such as gym shoes).

However, this invention does not embody the dense terry loop design over the metatarsal region of the foot, and thereby would not provide added top of foot comfort, toe of shoe form-fitting, and or facilitate reduction of shoe to creasing over time.

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