A footwear device

Abstract

A footwear device comprising an elastic sock 3, covering the instep and ankle, and an integrated bridge pad 2, held in place by the sock when worn by a user. Wherein the bridge pad may be either inela

Description

Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a footwear device, in particular a device for sports; more particularly a device for improving footwear for safety or injury reduction. Background 10 In many societies there are increasing numbers of people playing sports, for example soccer or football. This can be for pleasure or competitively, and may have differing levels of engagement from players. 15 On occasion players may be overly engaged and can be violent. It can for example be painful andtor damaging in football if another player stamps on a player’s foot, or is otherwise violent when making challenges, for example kicking ankles. 20 Prior Art EP 4 275 768 (BOCCINO) discloses a foot-borne sports device, in particular for a soccer player, comprising a positioning aid to which a protective element is fastened in a defined position, wherein the protective element forms a wedge layer on the 25 positioning aid, which wedge layer has a concave inner surface which nestles against the back of the foot of a foot carrying the positioning aid and which is opposite a flat outer surface which permits a defined ball contact with the back of the foot characterized in that the positioning aid is a sock, in particular a sports sock, and the wedge support is non-detachably connected to the positioning aid, in particular by 30 gluing, welding, sewing or intermediate flow into the material of the positioning aid. GB 0 808 287 (NIESIOLOWSKI) discloses a metatarsal / dorsum protector for the foot comprises a moulded pad shaped to fit over the top of the foot from the beginning of the toes up to the ankle and covering the metatarsals which pad may be sandwiched 35 between two socks and may be kept in place by gluing or sewing and may be made from silicone rubber. US 2008 0 209 616 (MANNING) discloses a sock woven from textile material for wearing with a soccer shoe, and a protective synthetic foam pad secured in the upper metatarsal prominence area of the sock, said pad comprising a firm, slow rebound, foam material, said foam pad having a thickness in the range of three to six millimeters and being of closed cell polyurethane material. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a footwear device generally comprising an elastic sock for covering the instep and ankle of a user, and a bridge pad, wherein the bridge pad is integrated into the sock so as to be held in place over a bridge of a user’s foot when the sock is pulled over the user’s foot. In this way the device of the present invention acts at all times to protect a player or user’s foot from another player stamping on their foot. In some embodiments of the footwear device the bridge pad is inelastic, so as to provide a rigid structure to prevent passage of damage through the bridge pad to the user’s bridge. In some embodiments of the footwear device the bridge pad is flexible, so as to allow the bridge pad to be shaped over the bridge of the user without issue. In some embodiments of the footwear device the sock is a straight cylindrical tube, which is pulled onto and over the user’s foot and ankle, whereas in other embodiments it may be envisaged that the sock is formed in a standard sock format or short ankle sock format. In some embodiments of the footwear device the sock covers the user’s toes. In other embodiments the sock may comprise an open end for the toes, for example wherein it may be further envisaged that the sock may comprise a stirrup or elastic holder, and / or the elasticity of the sock material may hold the sock in place despite its open toe end. In some embodiments of the footwear device the sock covers the user’s heel. In other embodiments the sock may comprise a hole for the heel, for example so as to prevent bunching of material, and / or wherein the elasticity of the sock material may hold the sock in place. A layer of high impact material may be positioned within the sock layers and cushioned with thin padding for example. In some embodiments of the footwear device the device comprises a padding layer under the bridge pad, so as to provide comfort against the user’s bridge and / or so as to avoid transmission of impacts to the bridge pad. Such padding layer may comprise closed cell polyurethane foam. In some embodiments of the footwear device the device comprises a plastic bridge pad, for example polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) which may be multipartite. It may be envisaged that in other embodiments the bridge pad may be silicone, alloy such as aluminium or metal. In some embodiments of the footwear device the bridge pad comprises reinforced carbon fibre. In some such embodiments of the footwear device the bridge pad comprises multiple parts that are articulated, for example hinged together so as to allow for adaptation to the user’s foot. In some embodiments of the footwear device the device comprises an upper layer above the bridge pad, which upper layer may comprise padding such as closed cell polyurethane foam. In some embodiments of the footwear device the device comprises a plurality of layers above the bridge pad, which layers may thereby be envisaged to accommodate slippage between the inner surface of the footwear being worn, and the bridge pad itself, so as to minimise its displacement in use or friction therebetween forming discomfort. In some embodiments of the footwear device the device comprises an Achilles pad, which pad in use is located at or around the Achilles of the user, so as to limit damage or absorb impacts. In this way in some such embodiments of the footwear device the Achilles pad is resiliently deformable, for example comprising gel and / or closed cell polyurethane foam or padding. Further embodiments may be rigid and flexible and / or articulated. 5 In some embodiments of the footwear device the Achilles pad is displaceable from a pocket, so as -.o allow for replacement or maintenance. In some embodiments of the footwear device the bridge pad is displaceable from a pocket, so as to allow for replacement or maintenance. 10 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: 15 Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a pairof a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use; 20 Figure 2 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a third isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; 25 Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, before use; Figure 5 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in 30 Figure 4; Figure 6 shows an isometric view of a pair of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use; 35 And Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic isometric representative view of a formation of a pad for use in an embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 5 Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown embodiments of a footwear device 99,199 generally comprising an elastic sock 3,13 / 16 / 12 / 17 for covering the instep and ankle of a user, and a bridge pad 2,12, wherein the bridge pad is integrated into the sock so 10 as to be held in place over a bridge of a user’s foot when the sock is pulled over the user’s foot. In particular reference to the first pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a fabric cylinder of a fixed diameter, being an elastic material such as tubular 15 compression fabric, which may have double fabric layers and may comprise Lycra (RTM) or cotton, or a cotton, elastane and polyamide mix such as 91% polyamide, 9% Lycra (RTM), 91% polyamide, 9% Lycra (RTM), or 80% polyamide, 20% Lycra (RTM). The cylinder extends from a first open end 8 in use located on the shin of the user, to 20 a distal second end 5 which may be envisaged to be located at the toes of the user in use. More particularly the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 comprises an opentoed embodiment. 25 Both of the endmost seams 7 are double stitched so as to ensure a robust and resistant seam and end of the cylinder, so as to prevent fraying or similar degradation. Proximate the leg end 8 there is provided an Achilles pad 1, which in use is thereby 30 located by the cylindrical sock 3 in the region of the user’s Achilles tendon, thereby providing support, and providing a shield against damage for example from stray kicks from other players. The Achilles pad is substantially square and formed of a resiliently deformable padding 35 material such as silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), latex or plastics such as nitrile rubber or an inelastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); which is sewn into a permanent seamed patch 6 so as to be easy and repeatable to locate correctly in use. The Achilles pad is located on a first side of the cylindrical sock 3, as shown in Figure 5 when flat. It may be envisaged that the pad may comprise an EVA foam (closed cell ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer foam) for example in a thickness or 1mm or 2mm, being thin but high density. Alternatively the pad may comprise polymer gel such as Silipos (RTM) for example with a thickness of 3mm. Alternatively the pad may comprise soft felt padding with a composition of 100% cotton and thickness of 5mm. Below the Achilles pad 1, towards the distal toe end 5 of the cylindrical sock 3, there is provided a hole 4 for passage of the user’s heel. In this way the pictured embodiment may flex into shape onto the user in use, and minimise bunching, breathability and discomfort due to its cylindrical tubular shape. On the reverse side of the cylindrical sock 3 as shown in Figure 4, further towards the toe end 5 from the heel hole 4, there is provided the bridge pad 2. The bridge pad is substantially square and planar when not in use, as can be seen in Figure 4. In the pictured embodiment the bridge pad is permanently sewn into a seamed patch 6 and it may be envisaged that this ensures reliable and repeatable placement in use, where the bridge pad 2 is adapted to flex around the bridge of the user’s foot under urging from the cylindrical sock 3 and the shoe (not shown). The bridge pad is formed of a plurality of layers of material internally, comprising a resiliently deformable foam upper padding layer, under a fabric outer, which upper layer may be envisaged to absorb and accommodate sliding movement between the shoe’s inner surface and the bridge pad. A rigid core of carbon fibre provides an inelastic, flexible material that absorbs impacts and prevents damage to the user’s foot. This may be 1mm, 2mm or 3mm, formed in high-strength carbon fibre reinforcement and epoxy resin having a smooth carbon fibre finish on one side and a textured 'peel-ply' finish on the reverse, and continuous glass fibre roving (with increased fibre content for strength), This may be suitable for use with most epoxy and polyester resin coating. Further embodiments may comprise perforated aluminium for example being 1mm thick, with hole size of 1 mm. 1 mm thickness ensures sturdiness and protection with flexibility to mould comfortably to foot shape and the perforated design also facilitates consistent air flow. A lower resiliently deformable padding layer provides a comfortable padding between the inelastic rigid core and the user’s foot in use. In particular reference to the second pictured embodiment 199 the embodiment comprises an embodiment formed as a standard sock, wherein the embodiment comprises a plurality of panels 12,13,16,17. The panels comprise two rear panels 17 which are provided with an internal Achilles pad, being seamed to other panels and having a gel material or a closed cell polyurethane foam material for example, so as to absorb impacts. The panels further comprise fore panels 13, being envisaged to be standard elastic fabric as known in the art, and footpad panels 16, which may be envisaged to have different properties, for example padding or grip. The panels further comprise a bridge panel 12, which is provided with an internally included bridge pad, which is envisaged to comprise a lighter weight material to the first embodiment, for example a plastic shield such as a resilient thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) which may be biodegradable. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A footwear device generally comprising an elastic sock for covering the instep and ankle of a user, and a bridge pad, wherein the bridge pad is integrated into the sock so as to be held in place over a bridge of a user’s foot when the sock is pulled over the user’s foot.

2. A footwear device according to claim 1 wherein the bridge pad is inelastic.

3. A footwear device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the bridge pad is flexible.

4. A footwear device according to any preceding claim wherein the sock is a straight cylindrical tube.

5. A footwear device according to any preceding claim wherein the sock covers the user’s toes.

6. A footwear device according to any preceding claim wherein the sock covers the user’s heel.

7. A footwear device according to any preceding claim comprising a padding layer under the bridge pad.

8. A footwear device according to any preceding claim comprising a plastic bridge pad.

9. A footwear device according to any preceding claim wherein the bridge pad is multipartite.

10. A footwear device according to claim 9 wherein the bridge pad parts are articulated.

11. A footwear device according to any preceding claim wherein the bridge pad comprises reinforced carbon fibre.

12. A footwear device according to any preceding claim comprising an upper layer above the bridge pad.

13. A footwear device according to claim 12 wherein the upper layer comprises padding.

14. A footwear device according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of layers above the bridge pad.

15. A footwear device according to any preceding claim comprising an Achilles pad.

16. A footwear device according to claim 15 wherein the Achilles pad is resiliently deformable.

17. A footwear device according to claim 15 wherein the Achilles pad is gel.

18. A footwear device according to claim 15 wherein the Achilles pad is displaceable from a pocket.

19. A footwear device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bridge pad is displaceable from a pocket.A

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