US20150040427A1

US20150040427A1 - Sock covering

Info

Publication number: US20150040427A1
Application number: US13/961,046
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth B. Sanders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-07
Filing date: 2013-08-07
Publication date: 2015-02-12

Abstract

A shoe insole covering embedded with bamboo and charcoal, designed to cover a shoe insole is presented. The shoe insole covering comprises a main body, an opening and a plurality of raised dots. The main body includes a top portion, a bottom portion and an inner portion. The opening is located at the bottom portion. The opening includes an elastic edge that is extendable. The extendable elastic edge allows the shoe insole covering to fit with shoe insoles of different sizes. The shoe insole covering receives the shoe insole through the opening and secures the shoe insole at the inner portion. The shoe insole covering provides grip and prevents shifting of the shoe insole in footwear. The plurality of raised dots provide additional grip to the footwear. The shoe insole covering completely wraps the shoe insole. The shoe insole covering is washable and reduces bad odor coming out from the shoe insole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/715,477 filed Oct. 18, 2012.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiment relates in general to shoe insoles. More specifically, the present embodiment provides a shoe insole covering that provides grip to footwear, and reduces odor produced by the shoe insole when inserted into the footwear.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A wide variety of shoe insoles have been developed in the art. The shoe insoles are good shock absorbers and alleviate biomechanical complaints like heel pain, shin pain, knee pain and lower back pain caused by the poor function of foot. The insole when inserted inside the footwear provides proper fitness and offers additional comfort to the foot. The shoe insoles are widely used by athletics since they prevent foot pain and discomfort during any sport event. Different types of shoe insoles include cushioned insoles, corrective insoles, orthotic insoles, diabetic insoles, arch support insoles, and many more.
The shoe insoles are generally made from hard plastic materials or from soft materials like cloth, gel and foam. People suffering from foot and leg problems like sores, bunions, arch pain, tendonitis or warts are recommended to use soft shoe insoles that provide support and cushion like feeling to the foot. The soft shoe insoles may wear out quickly when the footwear is subjected to stress. Usually, the foot is in direct contact with the insole and if the insole is made of hard material it causes discomfort to the wearer.
Over the years, a variety of shoe insoles have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,346 issued to Lebo on Jul. 03, 2007 describes a shoe having an insole made from rigid material for providing structural integrity to be secured to an outsole, an upper portion secured to the insole, and a hole in the insole for enhancing flexibility of the insole.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20120272548 entitled to Downard on Nov. 1, 2012 describes a flexible protection plate, an insole, and a shoe with three forefoot pads and three toe compartments. The sections of the protection plate are hinged or separated to allow a greater degree of independent movement of the three main groups of muscles and bones in the forefoot in response to varying walking, hiking and running terrain. Even so, the insole and the pads are made from hard plastic material that causes discomfort to the wearer.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20120304493 entitled to Hudson on Dec. 06, 2012 describes a woman's fashion shoe with a removable insole fitted inside an opening so as to appear as part of the shoe. The opening both conceals the insole and holds it in place. But, this opening is not extendable to fit with shoe insoles of different sizes. Further, the opening does not provide any grip to the shoe. Moreover, the opening causes the foot to smell bad.
Therefore, there is a need for a shoe insole covering that can be inserted into footwear. Such a shoe insole covering would provide grip for stabilizing a shoe insole and preventing movement. Such a shoe insole covering would also provide a means for continuous stimulation and massaging therapy to a user's feet, providing a form of acupressure or zone therapy to the user. Further, the needed shoe insole covering would be extendable to fit with shoe insoles of different sizes. Moreover, such a covering would be washable and would not produce bad odor. Such a needed shoe insole covering would protect the insole from wear and tear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of the specifications, the present invention is a shoe insole covering embedded with bamboo and charcoal and designed to cover a shoe insole. The shoe insole covering comprises a main body having a top portion, a bottom portion and an inner portion. An opening having an elastic edge is located at the bottom portion. The elastic edge is extendable and allows the shoe insole covering to fit with the shoe insole of different sizes. The shoe insole covering receives the shoe insole through the opening and secures the shoe insole at the inner portion. The shoe insole covering further includes a plurality of raised rubberized or silicon dots on the inner portion.
The shoe insole covering completely wraps the shoe insole. The shoe insole covering is washable and reduces bad odor coming out from the shoe insole. The shoe insole covering provides grip preventing shifting of the shoe insole in the footwear. Bamboo and charcoal contribute to the odor reducing benefits of the shoe insole covering. In the preferred embodiment, the shoe insole covering made from bamboo and charcoal is used with a semi-rigid insole.
The plurality of raised dots are rubberized screen printed which makes the footwear fit with the shoe insole covering.
The plurality of raised dots also effect zone therapy by providing continuous stimulation of the user's feet and a massaging effect. Overall, this continuous massage action may contribute to a beneficial effect on the leg and foot muscles and internal organs of the wearer, as it may help to increase circulation in the lower extremities in particular.
A first objective of the present invention is to provide a shoe insole covering to cover a shoe insole.
A second objective of the present invention is to provide a shoe insole covering that can be inserted into footwear.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide a shoe insole covering having an elastic edge that is extendable.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a shoe insole covering that is washable and reusable.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a shoe insole covering that does not produce bad odor.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a shoe insole covering having a plurality of raised dots that provides grip to the footwear.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a shoe insole covering having a plurality of raised dots that effect zone therapy.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention, illustrating a bottom portion of the shoe insole covering;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention, illustrating a top portion of the shoe insole covering; and

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention, illustrating a shoe insole wrapped with the shoe insole covering.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the present invention, illustrating an inner portion of the shoe insole covering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.
FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe insole covering 10 for insertion into footwear. The shoe insole covering 10 is designed to wrap a shoe insole 26 (FIG. 3). The shoe insole covering 10 comprises a main body 12 having a bottom portion 14, a top portion 16 (FIG. 2) and an inner portion 24. The bottom portion 14 includes an opening 18. An elastic edge 20 is located around the opening 18. The elastic edge 20 is extendable and enables the shoe insole covering 10 to fit with the shoe insole 26 of different sizes. The shoe insole covering 10 receives the shoe insole 26 through the opening 18 and secures the shoe insole 26 at the inner portion 24. The shoe insole covering 10 further includes a plurality of raised dots 22 at the inner portion 16 to provide additional grip to the footwear.
FIG. 2 clearly illustrates the top portion 16 of the main body 12. The shoe insole covering 10 completely wraps the shoe insole 26. In use, the foot of the wearer comes in direct contact with the top portion 16 of the shoe insole covering 10 and provides a sockless appearance to the footwear. The shoe insole covering 10 is made of fabric material embedded with bamboo and charcoal that is washable and reusable thereby reducing bad odor coming out from the shoe insole 26.
Referring to FIG. 3, the shoe insole 26 wrapped with the shoe insole covering 10 is inserted into the footwear. The shoe insole covering 10 prevents the foot from slipping out from the footwear while walking/running, and prevents the shoe insole from shifting in the footwear.
FIG. 4 illustrates the inner portion 24 of the shoe insole covering 10.
to The shoe insole covering 10 comprises a plurality of raised rubberized or silicon dots 22 evenly spaced across the inner portion 24 of the shoe insole covering 10. The plurality of raised dots 22 are rubberized screen printed. The plurality of raised dots 22 located at the inner portion 24 of the bottom portion 14 of the shoe insole covering 10, enhance the grip of the shoe insole in the footwear. Alternatively, the plurality of raised dots 22 located at the inner portion 24 of the top portion 16 directly contact the bottom of the foot of the wearer which while walking/running provides continuous stimulation and a massaging effect to the wearer's feet.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe insole covering for insertion into footwear, comprising:

a main body having a top portion, a bottom portion and an inner portion;

an opening having an elastic edge, the opening configured to receive and secure a shoe insole; and

a plurality of raised dots at the inner portion;

whereby the shoe insole covering reduces odor produced by the shoe insole.

2. The shoe insole covering of claim I wherein the opening is located at the bottom portion.

3. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the shoe insole received through the opening is secured at the inner portion.

4. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the shoe insole covered with the shoe insole covering is designed to insert into the footwear.

5. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the covering provides grip and prevents shifting of the shoe insole.

6. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the plurality of raised dots is made of rubber.

7. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the plurality of raised dots are evenly spaced across the inner portion.

8. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the plurality of raised dots evenly spaced across the inner portion on the side of the bottom portion and provide additional grip.

9. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the covering is washable and reusable.

10. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the elastic edge is extendable thereby enabling the shoe insole covering to fit with the shoe insole of different sizes.

11. The shoe insole covering of claim 1 wherein the covering is embedded with bamboo and charcoal to help reduce odor.

12. A shoe insole covering for insertion into footwear, comprising:

a main body having a top portion, a bottom portion and an inner portion;

an opening located at the bottom portion, the opening being designed to receive and secure a shoe insole at the inner portion;

an elastic edge located around the opening, the elastic edge being extendable; and

a plurality of raised dots at the inner portion;

whereby the shoe insole covering reduces odor produced by the shoe insole.

13. The shoe insole covering of claim 12 wherein the shoe insole covered with the shoe insole covering is designed to insert into the footwear.

14. The shoe insole covering of claim 12 wherein the plurality of raised dots provides grip to the footwear.

15. The shoe insole covering of claim 12 wherein the elastic edge enables the shoe insole covering to fit with the shoe insole of different sizes.

16. The shoe insole covering of claim 12 wherein the shoe insole covering is washable and reusable.

17. The shoe insole covering of claim 12 wherein the plurality of raised dots is made of rubber.

18. The shoe insole covering of claim 12 wherein the plurality of raised dots are evenly spaced across the inner portion.

19. The shoe insole covering of claim 12 wherein the covering is embedded with bamboo and charcoal to help reduce odor.