Midsole Protection Device

Abstract

A midsole protection device is provided. The device includes a closed loop elastomeric sidewall band. In a fully relaxed state, the sidewall approximates the outer shape of a sneaker and cooperates with the sneaker to substantially cover and protect its midsole while leaving the upper substantially exposed. The device grips the sneaker between an upper edge and a bottom flange. The upper edge and flange structures cooperate to retain the device in a fixed position on the sneaker. The midsole protection device may also include one or more iridescent colors, a camouflage or other pattern, or a logo such as a logo of a favorite sports team or a logo of a sneaker manufacturer.

Description

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

[0001] Embodiments generally relate to the field of footwear protection devices.

B. Description of the Related Art

[0002] There is a long-standing need to protect footwear, and a wide variety of devices have been developed for this purpose. One very common device is commonly known as the galosh, or as galoshes. This is typically a rubber over shoe sized slightly smaller than the shoe size with which it is intended to cooperate. Galoshes are stretched over shoes to provide a protective barrier against water, mud, or any common environmental contaminants that would damage or soil footwear. While effective, the principal drawback of galoshes is that they hide the shoe. Thus, many find them aesthetically unattractive.

[0003] Other devices have been developed that provided targeted protection to particularly vulnerable parts of a shoe. For instance, the midsole of a sneaker which is often white tends to show the slightest blemish. Devices have been made that cover the midsole in whole or in part, but all have certain disadvantages that remain unaddressed. For instance, US Publication No. US2015/0351498A1 by Paul discloses a midsole covering but provides no structure for retaining the device on a shoe. Accordingly, the device slowly rides up as the wearer walks. Other known devices cover the bottom sole of the shoe as well as the midsole, which deprives the wearer of the gripping utility of the sneaker's bottom sole.

[0004] What is needed is a device that is limited to covering the midsole and includes structure capable of retaining the device in a fixed position on a sneaker. Some embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more benefits or advantages over the prior art.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Some embodiments may provide a midsole protection device. The device may comprise a sidewall having a bottom retaining flange, a toe section and a heel section. The sidewall defines a closed loop formed according to a size and shape of a midsole of a predetermined sneaker. The bottom retaining flange extends perpendicularly inward from a tangent line of the sidewall by a length between 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch, wherein the bottom retaining flange defines a bottom opening. The toe section of the sidewall has a curvature indicated by an angle .theta., between 35.degree. and 55.degree., where angle .theta. is the angle between a vertical tangent line through a point midway up the toe section from a bottom edge of the sidewall, and an oblique tangent line through a point at a top edge of the sidewall. The heel section of the sidewall has an inward tilt indicated by an angle .phi., between 25.degree. and 45.degree., where angle .phi. is the angle between a vertical tangent line through a point on the heel section and a line parallel to the heel section of the sidewall.

[0006] According to some embodiments the distance between the top edge of the sidewall and the bottom edge of the sidewall varies about a circumference of the sidewall according to the size and shape of the midsole of the predetermined sneaker.

[0007] According to some embodiments the bottom opening comprises greater than 50% of a bottom of the device.

[0008] According to some embodiments the bottom opening comprises greater than 90% of a bottom of the device.

[0009] According to some embodiments angle .theta. of the toe section of the sidewall is 45.degree.+/-10%.

[0010] According to some embodiments angle .phi. of the heel section of the sidewall is 35.degree.+/-10%.

[0011] According to some embodiments the device comprises an elastomer.

[0012] According to some embodiments the bottom retaining flange, the toe section, and the heel section are a unitary molded part.

[0013] According to some embodiments the sidewall further comprises one or more of an iridescent color, a camouflage pattern, or a logo.

[0014] Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals indicate like structure, and wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is an elevation perspective view of an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 through line 2-2;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a magnified partial view of the portion of FIG. 1 enclosed in box 118;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an embodiment cooperating with a sneaker;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of an embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a side partial view of a toe section of an embodiment; and

[0022] FIG. 7 is a side partial view of a heel section of an embodiment.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] As used herein the terms "embodiment", "embodiments", "some embodiments", "other embodiments" and so on are not exclusive of one another. Except where there is an explicit statement to the contrary, all descriptions of the features and elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in all operable combinations thereof.

[0024] Language used herein to describe process steps may include words such as "then" which suggest an order of operations; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of such terms is often a matter of convenience and does not necessarily limit the process being described to a particular order of steps.

[0025] Conjunctions and combinations of conjunctions (e.g. "and/or") are used herein when reciting elements and characteristics of embodiments; however, unless specifically stated to the contrary or required by context, "and", "or" and "and/or" are interchangeable and do not necessarily require every element of a list or only one element of a list to the exclusion of others.

[0026] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an embodiment 100. The embodiment 100 includes a unitary sidewall 102 forming a closed loop. The sidewall 102 varies in height about its circumference to approximate the height of a midsole that it is designed to protect. Accordingly, the forefoot section 112 of the embodiment 100 is shortest in height, corresponding to the shortest section of midsole on a corresponding sneaker. The heel section 114 and toe section 110 are both taller that the forefoot section 112, and further curve inward toward the sneaker to provide for retaining the sneaker within the embodiment 100. The sidewall 102 includes a bottom retaining flange 104 extending from a bottom edge 106 of the sidewall at approximately 90 degrees. The person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this angle is not critical, and can vary substantially without departing from the invention.

[0027] The retaining flange 102 prevents the device 100 from riding upward as the user walks, thus maintaining its optimal position, selectively covering the midsole while leaving the shoe's upper exposed. The flange 104 is small relative to a bottom opening 108, and is minimally-sized to retain the embodiment 100 while not obstructing the sole of a sneaker on which it is installed. The benefit conferred by a minimally-sized retaining flange is that it provides a large bottom opening 108 allowing the user to benefit from the gripping function of the sneaker. This is a significant improvement over prior art devices that either completely cover the sneaker sole, or altogether omit any bottom structure, including a bottom flange. The former deprives the user of the gripping function of the sneaker's sole, and the latter provides no structure for preventing ride-up of the device.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment 100 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 2, a minimally-sized bottom retaining flange 104 is advantageously between 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch in length, as measured from the bottom edge 106 of the side wall 102 along a line 200 normal to a tangent line 116 (FIG. 1) of the sidewall 102. The selected tangent line 116 illustrated here is a tangent of the curvature of the sidewall 102 that is vertical; however, as will become clear with reference to FIG. 6, the tangent line is not vertical at every point between the top edge 107 and the bottom edge 106 of the sidewall 102. While the sidewall 102 and retaining flange 104 are shown perfectly square, the person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this is for purposes of rendering a simple illustration, and is not a limitation of the invention. Rather, the angle .mu. may vary substantially from 90 degrees, while the normal line 200 remains perpendicular to the tangent line 116.

[0029] Turning to FIG. 3, this is a magnified view of section 118 of FIG. 1 and illustrates the relationship of the flange 104 and sidewall 102 with respect to the normal line 200 and tangent 116. More specifically, tangent line 116 and normal line 200 both emanate from point P of side wall 102. A slice of flange 104 coinciding with normal line 200 extends away from the bottom edge of sidewall 102 parallel to the normal line 200. Thus, in its relaxed state this slice of flange 104 is naturally parallel to normal line 200. However, the slice of flange 104 can flex in direction y as illustrated by the dotted lines 200. Accordingly, in reference to the minimally-sized retaining flange 104, the direction in which the flange 104 extends is the direction of the normal line 200 in a relaxed state. With particular reference to the tangent line 116 and the normal line 200, the person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that these lines are abstract geometric relationships, and not physical structures.

[0030] Generally, the sidewall 102 and retaining flange 104 comprise a tough elastomeric material. The particular material choice is not a limitation of the invention, as the person having ordinary skill in the art will be capable of selecting an appropriate material as a matter of design choice. However, suitable materials include natural rubber, vulcanized rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, acetonitrile butadiene rubber, and polyester urethane rubber.

[0031] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the embodiment 100 installed on an undersized sneaker 400. Since sneaker 400 is undersized, this figure does not illustrate a typical fitting of the device 100, but instead shows how the device 100 lays in relation to a protected midsole 410. In a proper fit, the midsole 410 would be covered by the forefoot 112 and out of view. Similarly, the toe section of the midsole 410T would be covered by the toe section of the device 110. As this FIG. 4 illustrates, the device 100 covers the more delicate midsole of the shoe 400 which it is intended to protect, leaving the more durable upper 420 exposed.

[0032] Turning to FIG. 5, the embodiment 100 is shown from an alternative angle, more specifically, an elevation view facing the toe section 110. The toe section 110 is shown in the foreground and the heel section 114 is shown in the background. The forefoot section 112 is visible midfield-of-view. The sidewall 102 is shown with a minimally-sized bottom retaining flange 104 extending from the bottom edge 106 of the sidewall 102. Bottom opening 108 is also in view, making up about 90% of the bottom of the embodiment 100.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a closeup view of the toe section 110 showing its curvature. More specifically, a first tangent line 600 taken at a point 600M midway up sidewall 102 is vertical, while a second tangent line 610 taken at a point 610T at the top of sidewall 102 is oblique to the first tangent line 600. The angle .theta. between them represents the curvature of the toe section 110, which is between 35.degree. and 55.degree.. The curvature .theta. is such that the toe section 110 curves over the top of the toe of sneaker 400 (See FIG. 4), thereby holding it in place. Though, the toe section 110 extends above the midsole 410T of the sneaker and covers part of the upper 420, the obstruction is minimal.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 7, a magnified view of the heel section 114 of the embodiment 100 is shown. The heel section 114 is geometrically similar to the rest of the sidewall 102, except for the toe section 110, in that it lacks the curvature of the toe section 110. More specifically, a vertical tangent line 700 is shown through point 700V at or near the bottom edge 106 of sidewall 102, and a second line 710 overlays and is parallel to a portion 710L of sidewall 102. The angle .phi. between the vertical line 700 and parallel line 710 indicates the inward tilt of the sidewall 102, which tends to enclose and grip the midsole of a sneaker. Angle .phi. is between 25.degree. and 45.degree.. Notably, the height of the heel section 114 of the sidewall 102 exceeds that of the other two sections 110, 112 because the midsole of a sneaker is thickest at the heel.

[0035] The person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be fabricated according to any of a variety of known means, including but not limited to casting and various molding methodologies as the ordinarily skilled artisan can readily select as a matter of design choice. Accordingly, the sidewall, bottom retaining flange, toe section, and heel section can all be a single unitary molded part.

[0036] One may use embodiments as described herein by sliding a shoe into the midsole protection device. For instance, and without limitation, one may slide the toe of a sneaker into the toe section of the device and stretch the heel section rearward over the heel of the sneaker. One may additionally run his finger along the circumference of the sidewall to ensure that the sidewall is properly positioned over the midsole of the sneaker, eliminating any folds in the sidewall and ensuring that the toe section and the heal section of the embodiment are effectively positioned to retain the sneaker as previously described herein.

[0037] In some embodiments, the sidewall may include one or more decorative designs or colors to personalize the device. For example, and without limitation, devices may include iridescent colors, camouflage patterns, sports team logos, logos of sneaker manufacturers, and so on.

[0038] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may be changed or modified without departing from the general scope of the invention. The invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A midsole protection device, comprising: a sidewall defining a closed loop formed according to a size and shape of a midsole of a predetermined sneaker; a bottom retaining flange extending perpendicularly inward from a tangent line of the sidewall by a length between 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch, wherein the bottom retaining flange defines a bottom opening; a toe section of the sidewall having a curvature indicated by an angle .theta., between 35.degree. and 55.degree., where angle .theta. is the angle between a vertical tangent line through a point midway up the toe section from a bottom edge of the sidewall, and an oblique tangent line through a point at a top edge of the sidewall; and a heel section of the sidewall having an inward tilt indicated by an angle .phi., between 25.degree. and 45.degree., where angle .phi. is the angle between a vertical tangent line through a point on the heel section and a line parallel to the heel section of the sidewall.

2. The midsole protection device of claim 1, wherein a distance between the top edge of the sidewall and the bottom edge of the sidewall varies about a circumference of the sidewall according to the size and shape of the midsole of the predetermined sneaker.

3. The midsole protection device of claim 1, wherein the bottom opening comprises greater than 50% of a bottom of the midsole protection device.

4. The midsole protection device of claim 3, wherein the bottom opening comprises greater than 90% of a bottom of the midsole protection device.

5. The midsole protection device of claim 1, wherein angle .theta. of the toe section of the sidewall is between 40.degree. and 50.degree..

6. The midsole protection device of claim 1, wherein angle .phi. of the heel section of the sidewall is between 30.degree. and 40.degree..

7. The midsole protection device of claim 1, wherein the midsole protection device comprises an elastomer.

8. The midsole protection device of claim 1, wherein the sidewall, the bottom retaining flange, the toe section, and the heel section are a unitary molded part.

9. A midsole protection device, comprising: a sidewall defining a closed loop formed according to a size and shape of a midsole of a predetermined sneaker, wherein a distance between the top edge of the sidewall and the bottom edge of the sidewall varies about a circumference of the sidewall according to the size and shape of the midsole of the predetermined sneaker; a bottom retaining flange extending perpendicularly inward from a tangent line of the sidewall by a length between 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch, wherein the bottom retaining flange defines a bottom opening, wherein the bottom opening comprises greater than 90% of a bottom of the midsole protection device; a toe section of the sidewall having a curvature indicated by an angle .theta., of between 40.degree. and 50.degree., where angle .theta. is the angle between a vertical tangent line through a point midway up the toe section from a bottom edge of the sidewall, and an oblique tangent line through a point at a top edge of the sidewall; and a heel section of the sidewall having an inward tilt indicated by an angle .phi., of between 30.degree. and 40.degree., where angle .phi. is the angle between a vertical tangent line through a point on the heel section and a line parallel to the heel section of the sidewall, wherein the midsole protection device comprises an elastomer.

10. The midsole protection device of claim 9, wherein the sidewall, the bottom retaining flange, the toe section, and the heel section are a unitary molded part.

11. The midsole protection device of claim 9, wherein the sidewall further comprises one or more of an iridescent color, a camouflage pattern, or a logo.