SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FOOTWEAR

Abstract

A footwear comprises a sock, an insert that can be inserted inside the sock and attached to an inner surface of the sock, and a sole that can be attached to an outer surface of the sock. The insert has substantially a shape of a foot of a wearer and the sole has substantially the same shape as the shape of the insert. Both the insert and the sole can be attached to a foot portion of the sock via an adhesive, stitching, or both. The sock can be of different lengths to cover the wearer's ankles, calves, or thighs.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS'

[0001] The present patent application is a formalization of a previously filed co-pending provisional patent application entitled "Systems and Methods for Footwear," filed on 2020 Aug. 3, as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/060,599 by the inventor(s) named in this application. This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of the cited provisional patent application according to the statutes and rules governing provisional patent applications, particularly 35 USC .sctn. 119 and 37 CFR .sctn. 1.78. The specification and drawings of the cited provisional patent application are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to systems and methods for footwear. In particular, a footwear comprises a sock, an insert, and a sole. The insert has a shape that is substantially the shape of a wearer. The insert is inserted and attached to an inner surface of a foot portion of the sock. The sole, having substantially the shape of the insert is disposed outside of the sock and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

BACKGROUND

[0004] A sock is used to cover and protect a wearer's foot. The sock provides protection within the confines of a home whose interior surface is clean and soft. The wearer uses a shoe, in addition to the sock, to protect his/her feet when he/she walks outside of the homes. It would be desirable to combine the functionality of the sock and the shoe so that a single footwear can be utilized inside and outside the home. The present invention is a footwear that comprises a sock that can be worn inside the home. It further includes an insert and a sole that can convert the sock into a footwear that can be worn inside and outside the home.

SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a footwear is disclosed, wherein the footwear comprises a sock comprising a foot portion and operable to cover a foot of a wearer, an insert having substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer and inserted inside the sock and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion of the sock, and a sole having substantially the shape of the foot of the wearer and disposed outside the sock and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

[0006] Preferably, the sock further comprises an ankle portion operable to cover an ankle of the wearer.

[0007] Preferably, the sock further comprises a calf portion operable to cover a calf of the wearer.

[0008] Preferably, the sock further comprises a thigh portion operable to cover a thigh of the wearer.

[0009] Preferably, the sock is made from one of cloth, spandex, silk, and leather.

[0010] Preferably, the sock comprises ornamental designs on an outer surface of the sock.

[0011] Preferably, the insert is made from one of suede, cloth, and polymers.

[0012] Preferably, the insert is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

[0013] Preferably, the stitching is made from at least one of a fiber, a thread, a yarn, and a cord.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one of an adhesive and stitching is applied to a perimeter of the insert.

[0015] Preferably, the sole is made from polymers.

[0016] Preferably, the sole further comprises treads on an outer surface of the sole.

[0017] Preferably, the sole is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

[0018] In another aspect, a footwear is disclosed, wherein the footwear comprises a sock comprising a foot portion and operable to cover a foot of a wearer and an insert having substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer and inserted inside the sock and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion of the sock.

[0019] Preferably, the insert is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

[0020] Preferably, the footwear further comprises a sole having substantially the shape of the foot of the wearer and disposed outside the sock and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

[0021] Preferably, the sole is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

[0022] In another aspect, A method of transforming a sock into a footwear, wherein the sock comprises a foot portion and operable to cover a foot of a wearer, wherein the method comprises inserting an insert having substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer inside the sock, attaching the insert to an inner surface of the foot portion of the sock, disposing a sole having substantially the shape of the foot of the wearer outside the sock, and attaching the sole to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

[0023] Preferably, the step of attaching the insert to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock comprises one of binding the insert to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via an adhesive and coupling the insert to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via stitching.

[0024] Preferably, the step of attaching the sole to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock comprises one of binding the sole to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via an adhesive and coupling the sole to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via stitching.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a footwear according to a preferred embodiment. An insert is inserted inside the sock and attached to an inner surface of a foot portion of the sock. A sole is placed exterior to the sock and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a footwear according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear comprises a sock that extends beyond the foot to cover the ankle and calf of a wearer by further including an ankle portion and a calf portion.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the foot portion of the sock of the footwear shown in FIG. 2. An insert is inserted in the sock and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion of the sock. A sole is disposed outside the sock and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a footwear according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear comprises a sock, an insert, and a sole. The sole is attached to an outer surface of a foot portion of the sock and further includes treads on an outer surface of the sole.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of a footwear according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear comprises a sock that extends beyond the foot to cover the ankle of a wearer by further including an ankle portion.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of a footwear according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear comprises a sock that extends beyond the foot to cover the ankle and calf of a wearer by further including an ankle portion and a calf portion, further including ornamental designs on an outer surface of the sock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a footwear 100 according to a preferred embodiment. An insert 104 is inserted inside the sock 102 and attached to an inner surface of a foot portion 114 of the sock 102. A sole 106 is placed exterior to the sock 102 and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion 114 of the sock 102.

[0032] The sock 102 comprises the foot portion 114 which operates to cover a foot of a wearer. In this preferred embodiment, the sock 102 is made from cloth. However, in other embodiments, the sock 102 can be made from spandex, silk, leather, or any other suitable material. Moreover, in this preferred embodiment, in addition to the foot, portion 114, the sock 102 further comprises an ankle portion 108 and a calf portion 110. In an alternative embodiment, the sock 102 can further comprises a thigh portion, operable to cover the thigh of the wearer. The sock 102 further comprises ornamental designs 112 on an outer surface of the sock 102. The ornamental designs can be words, images, drawings, geometric shapes, etc., or a combination thereof, either in black and white or color.

[0033] The insert 104 has substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer. The insert 104 can be inserted inside the sock 102 and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion 114 of the sock 102 (see FIG. 3). In this preferred embodiment, the insert 104 is made from suede but other suitable materials, such as cloth and polymers are contemplated. The insert 104 is inserted inside the sock 102 and is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion 114 of the sock 102 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof. In particular, the stitching can be made from a fiber, a thread, a yarn, a cord, etc. The adhesive may be any suitable glue that can bind the sock 102 to the insert 104. In this preferred embodiment, the adhesive or the stitching is applied to a perimeter of the insert 104. In other embodiments, the adhesive or the stitching can be applied to other areas of the insert 104.

[0034] The sole 106 has substantially the same shape as that of the foot of the wearer. The sole 106 is disposed outside of the sock 102 and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion 114 of the sock 102 (see FIG. 3). In this preferred embodiment, the insert 104 is made from polymer material such as rubber. However, other suitable materials that can protect the sock from external elements, such as a combination of wood and leather is contemplated. The sole 106 is placed outside of the sock 102 and is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion 114 of the sock 102 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof. In particular, the stitching can be made from a fiber, a thread, a yarn, a cord, etc. The adhesive may be any suitable glue that can bind the sock 102 to the sole 106. In this preferred embodiment, the adhesive or the stitching is applied to a perimeter of the sole 106. In other embodiments, the adhesive or the stitching can be applied to other areas of the sole 106.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a footwear 200 according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear 200 comprises a sock 202 that extends beyond the foot to cover the ankle and calf of a wearer by further including an ankle portion 208 and a calf portion 210. An insert 204 (not visible in this view, but see FIG. 3) is inserted inside the sock 202 and attached to an inner surface (see FIG. 3) of a foot portion 214 of the sock 202. A sole 206 is placed exterior to the sock 202 and attached to an outer surface (see FIG. 3) of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202.

[0036] The sock 202 comprises the foot portion 214 which operates to cover a foot of a wearer. In this preferred embodiment, in addition to the foot portion 214, the sock 202 further comprises an ankle portion 208 and a calf portion 210. In an alternative embodiment, the sock 202 can further comprises a thigh portion, operable to cover the thigh of the wearer. The sock 202 further comprises ornamental designs 212 on an outer surface of the sock 202. The ornamental designs can be words, images, drawings, geometric shapes, etc., or a combination thereof, either in black and white or color.

[0037] The insert 204 has substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer. The insert 204 can be inserted inside the sock 202 and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202 (see FIG. 3). The insert 204 is inserted inside the sock 202 and is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0038] The sole 206 has substantially the same shape as that of the foot of the wearer. The sole 206 is disposed outside of the sock 202 and attached to an, outer surface of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202 (see FIG. 3). The sole 206 is placed outside of the sock 202 and is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202 of the footwear 200 shown in FIG. 2. The insert 204 is inserted in the sock 202 and attached to an inner surface 208 of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202. The sole 206 is disposed outside the sock 202 and attached to an outer surface 210 of the foot portion 214 of the sock 202.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a footwear 400 according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear 400 comprises a sock 402, an insert (not visible in this view), and a sole 406. The sole 406 is attached to an outer surface of a foot portion 408 of the sock 402 and further includes treads 404 on an outer surface of the sole 406.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of a footwear 500 according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear 500 comprises a sock 502 that extends beyond the foot to cover the ankle of a wearer by further including an ankle portion 508.

[0042] The sock 502 further comprises ornamental designs 510 on an outer surface of the sock 502. The ornamental designs can be words, images, drawings, geometric shapes, etc., or a combination thereof, either in black and white or color.

[0043] An insert 504 has substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer. The insert 504 is inserted inside the sock 502 and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion 512 of the sock 502 (see FIG. 3). The insert 504 is inserted inside the sock 502 and is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion 512 of the sock 502 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0044] A sole 506 has substantially the same shape as that of the foot of the wearer. The sole 506 is disposed outside of the sock 502 and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion 512 of the sock 502 (see FIG. 3). The sole 506 is placed outside of the sock 502 and is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion 512 of the sock 502 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of a footwear 600 according to a preferred embodiment. The footwear 600 comprises a sock 602 that extends beyond the foot to cover the ankle and calf of a wearer by further including an ankle portion 608 and a calf portion 610, further including ornamental designs 612 on an outer surface of the sock 602. The ornamental designs can be words, images, drawings, geometric shapes, etc., or a combination thereof, either in black and white or color.

[0046] An insert 604 has substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer. The insert 604 is inserted inside the sock 602 and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion 614 of the sock 602 (see FIG. 3). The insert 604 is inserted inside the sock 602 and is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion 614 of the sock 602 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0047] A sole 606 has substantially the same shape as that of the foot of the wearer. The sole 606 is disposed outside of the sock 602 and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion 614 of the sock 602 (see FIG. 3). The sole 606 is placed outside of the sock 602 and is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion 614 of the sock 602 via an adhesive, stitching, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0048] The foregoing explanations, descriptions, illustrations, examples, and discussions have been set forth to assist the reader with understanding this invention and further to demonstrate the utility and novelty of it and are by no means restrictive of the scope of the invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A footwear, comprising: (a) a sock comprising a foot portion and operable to cover a foot of a wearer; (b) an insert having substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer and inserted inside the sock and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion of the sock; and (c) a sole having substantially the shape of the foot of the wearer and disposed outside the sock and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sock further comprises an ankle portion operable to cover an ankle of the wearer.

3. The footwear of claim 2, wherein the sock further comprises a calf portion operable to cover a calf of the wearer.

4. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the sock further comprises a thigh portion operable to cover a thigh of the wearer.

5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sock is made from one of cloth, spandex, silk, and leather.

6. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sock comprises ornamental designs on an outer surface of the sock.

7. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the insert is made from one of suede, cloth, and polymers.

8. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the insert is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

9. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the stitching is made from at least one of a fiber, a thread, a yarn, and a cord.

10. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the at least one of an adhesive and stitching is applied to a perimeter of the insert.

11. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole is made from polymers.

12. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole further comprises treads on an outer surface of the sole.

13. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

14. A footwear, comprising: (a) a sock comprising a foot portion and operable to cover a foot of a wearer: and (b) an insert having substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer and inserted inside the sock and attached to an inner surface of the foot portion of the sock.

15. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the insert is attached to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

16. The footwear of claim 14, further comprising: (c) a sole having substantially the shape of the foot of the wearer and disposed outside the sock and attached to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

17. The footwear of claim 16, wherein the sole is attached to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via at least one of an adhesive and stitching.

18. A method of transforming a sock into a footwear, said sock comprising a foot portion and operable to cover a foot of a wearer, said method comprising: (a) inserting an insert having substantially a shape of the foot of the wearer inside the sock; (b) attaching the insert to an inner surface of the foot portion of the sock; (c) disposing a sole having substantially the shape of the foot of the wearer outside the sock; and (d) attaching the sole to an outer surface of the foot portion of the sock.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of attaching the insert to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock comprises one of binding the insert to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via an adhesive and coupling the insert to the inner surface of the foot portion of the sock via stitching.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of attaching the sole to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock comprises one of binding the sole to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via an adhesive and coupling the sole to the outer surface of the foot portion of the sock via stitching.