US2798311A - Foot protector - Google Patents

Description

W. M. SCHOLL FOOT PROTECTOR July 9, 1957 Filed March 31, 1955' 15725 17. 0.? MMW M80901! EZZXAC-ri'iiilliiliefi FOOT PROTECTOR William'M. Scholl, Chicago, Ill. Application March 31, 1955, Serial No. 498,233

1 Claim. (Cl. 36-10) This invention relates to improvements in afoot protector, and more particularly to a foot protector of the slipper-type,.althougl1 the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various deviceshave beenmade to lend protection, to the humanfootto eliminate the adverse effects of rubbing of the foot relatively to the shoe or vice versa,.particularly against the sides, bottom, and heel of the foot. These formerly known devices, however, were frequently attached to the shoe or other article of footwear, or if attached to the human foot, could only be worn within an article of footwear. Frequently, it required more than one device to eliminate the chafing action of rubbing with some particular article of footwear due to the different locations of the freedom of movement of the foot relatively to the shoe. In addition, it may be mentioned that formerly known devices of this character had only the one function and could only be used for the single purpose.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a slipper type foot protector which may be worn within a shoe or other article of footwear, or utilized outside an article of footwear as a house slipper.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of a foot protector in the form of a light weight and thin slipper-type covering for the foot, the device being capable of fitting comfortably within a shoe or other article of footwear, and the same device will afford protection to the skin or hosiery of the user when worn as a house slipper without the article of footwear.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a slipper-type foot protector comprising a sole portion of resilient cushioning material, and an upper of knit stretchable fabric or the like, which is stocking-like in character.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a slipper-type foot protector comprising a cushioning sole portion, a relatively thin fabric upper, and a heel guard or protector secured to the fabric upper around the heel portion thereof.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision of a slipper-type foot protector comprising a sole portion of cushioning material, and a thin fabric upper, with one or both faces of the sole portion covered with a slick smooth surfaced substance to eliminate any drag on the foot of the user or against the interior of a shoe.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a slippertype foot protector comprising a sole portion of foam latex, with a thin fabric relatively low cut upper stitched to the sole portion.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the fol lowing disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a human nited States Patent M 2,798,311 Patented July 9, 1957 foot encased in a slipper-type foot protector embodying principles of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the protector alone;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view through the protector taken substantially as indicated by the line III-III of Fig. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a protector, illustrating a slightly different form of construction;

As shownon the drawings:

In order to acquire an accurate fit, and render the device more comfortable to the user especially when Worn within an article of footwear, the patterns for the device are cut for right and left feet. The structure illustrated is a protector for a right foot, and it will be understood that the protector for the left foot is'of the same general construction, but the pattern, particularly that for the sole portion, is shaped in accordance with the left foot.

- The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a sole portion 1, best seen in Fig. 3, which is Preferably of foam latex of cellular construction having intercommunicating cells. This material is very light in weight, comfortable to the foot, and by virtue of the cells intercommunicating provides some ventilation due to the repeated applications and releases of foot pressure against the device during walking. In the showing of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the sole portion is covered over its outer face with a slick smooth non-skid covering 2, such as a silky finished fabric or the like. This eliminates any drag of the device against the insole of a shoe and renders it easy to slip on a shoe over the device.

A relatively low cut upper, generally indicated by numeral 3, is attached to the sole portion in any suitable manner, such as by stitching 4. This upper 3 is preferably a one-piece construction and is preferably made of a soft elastic knit fabric, which is somewhat stockinglike in character and particularly in feel. This upper is preferably made of twisted stretchable yarn so that it may fit feet of different sizes within a reasonable range, the inherent contractual powers of the fabric providing an intimate and comfortable feel. The upper includes a portion 5 covering the toes of the user, a heel embracing part 6, with relatively low out side walls 77 connecting the toe and heel portions. Where the upper is of elastic knit fabric, it may be easily stretched over the foot, and by virtue of its inherent contracting powers affords an easy comfortable and yet reasonably close fit.

Any suitable form of trim or margin as indicated at 8 may be utilized, and in the illustrated instance this is accomplished merely by folding over a portion of the fabric. Inside the fold a thin strip 9 of rubber or equivalent elastic material is inserted to hold the device more firmly on the foot of a user.

It is preferable in the heel portion of the upper to insert a heel protector or guard as indicated at 10. This is preferably made of thicker material than the upper, and relatively stiffer material, although it should, of course, be flexible. Preferably, the heel guard 10 is secured to the upper only along the top edge of the guard, and in effect the guard depends from the upper and extends to a point just above the sole portion. The heel guard may be provided with numerous perforations as indicated at 11 for ventilative purposes, if so desired. The heel guard may be turned forwardly when the device is turned inside out for such purposes as laundering, since the device may be cleansed whenever deemed necessary.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a slightly different form of construction, in that the inside face of the sole portion or cushioning member 1 is also covered with a slick nonskid covering 12 such as a silky finish fabric like the cove:

2 over the outer face of this cushioning member. Obviously, either face of the cushioning member may be provided with such a cover, or both faces as seen in Fig. 4.

From the foregoing, it' will be noted that I have pro vided a simple foot protector of the slipper type. The device is easily slipped on the foot, atfordsa comfortable cushioning relief to the bottom of the foot, provides adequate ventilation, and may readily be worn inside an article of footwear without discomfort to the user Of course, the device may be worn over the naked foot or over a foot encased in hosiery. When the device is in position on the foot, even when worn with a loose fitting article of footwear, no adverse eflfects from rubbing at any location will result. Chafing or blistering of the heel is also effectively prevented by the additional heel guard 10. 'At the same time, the cushioning effect of the foam latex sole portion gives the-same benefits 'asa cushion type insole disposed in the article of footwear. Further, the device may be laundered whenever deemed necessary, is very durable, and highly economical.

When the user is in the house or home and removes his shoes or the like, the device may be utilized temporarily as a house slipper affording adequate covering for the foot, and providing a cushioning element to walk upon.

It will be understood that modifications and variations 4 may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

A slipper style foot protector to be worn both in and without a shoe or the like, comprising a sole of foam latex having intercommunicating cells and which is contoured in keeping with the outline of the plantar surface of the human foot, a covering of smooth slick fabric over the outer face of said sole, an upper of elastic fabric secured to said sole and having an inwardly turned top margin, a thin strip of elastic material in said turned margin, and an added heel guard of stifier material depending from said turned margin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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