ADHESIVE FOOTWEAR AND DEVICES

• US 20130291410A1
• Filed: 05/03/2013
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth B. Trauner
• Original Assignee: Kenneth B. Trauner
• Inventors: Trauner, Kenneth B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,462,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/30.R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/32 by adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/10 Low shoes , e.g. comprising only a front strap; Slippers
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/102 leaving the heel of the foot bare A43B3/106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/18 Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes

Abstract

Footwear used for high performance activities such as running can be adhesively attached to the plantar surface of feet rather than uppers or straps. The upper surface of the protective layer of the footwear can have adhesive regions that secure the foot to the footwear and other regions that are not adhesively coupled to the foot. The adhesive regions can be under the heel, along the lateral side of the foot, under the first through fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints and around the perimeter of the foot above the plantar surface.

Claims

1. A footwear apparatus comprising:

a protective layer having a lower surface and an upper surface; and

a plurality of adhesive regions attached to the upper surface of the protective layer for adhesively coupling the upper surface of the protective layer to a foot.

2. The footwear apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first of the plurality of adhesive regions adhesively couple the upper surface of the protective layer to a heel portion of the foot.

3. The footwear apparatus of claim 1 wherein a second of the plurality of adhesive regions adhesively couple the upper surface of the protective layer to a ball portion of the foot.

4. The footwear apparatus of claim 1 wherein the adhesive regions are circular.

5. The footwear apparatus of claim 1 wherein none of the plurality of adhesive regions are on an arch portion of the protective layer.

6. The footwear apparatus of claim 1 wherein none of the plurality of adhesive regions are on a toe portion of the protective layer.

7. The footwear apparatus of claim 1 further comprising;

a modular arch support coupled to an upper surface of the protective layer.

8. The footwear apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

raised edges that extend upward from the protective layer having inner surfaces and outer surfaces.

9. The footwear apparatus of claim 8 wherein some of plurality of adhesive regions are on the inner surfaces of the raised edges.

10. The footwear apparatus of claim 8 wherein the raised edges do not extend around a toes portion of the protective layer.

11. A footwear apparatus comprising:

a protective layer having a lower surface and an upper surface;

a plurality of recessed regions in the upper surface of the protective layer; and

a plurality of adhesive regions within at least some of the recessed regions of the protective layer, wherein the adhesive regions adhesively couple the protective layer to a foot.

12. The footwear apparatus of claim 11 wherein a first of the plurality of adhesive regions adhesively couple the upper surface of the protective layer to a heel portion of the foot.

13. The footwear apparatus of claim 11 wherein a second of the plurality of adhesive regions adhesively couple the upper surface of the protective layer to a ball portion of the foot.

14. The footwear apparatus of claim 11 wherein a first of the plurality of recessed regions is on a toe portion of the protective layer.

15. The footwear apparatus of claim 11 wherein none of the plurality of adhesive regions are on an arch portion of the protective layer.

16. The footwear apparatus of claim 11 wherein none of the plurality of adhesive regions are on a toe portion of the protective layer.

17. The footwear apparatus of claim 11 further comprising;

a modular arch support coupled to an upper surface of the protective layer.

18. The footwear apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

raised edges that extend upward from the protective layer having inner surfaces and outer surfaces.

19. The footwear apparatus of claim 18 wherein some of plurality of adhesive regions are on the inner surfaces of the raised edges.

20. The footwear apparatus of claim 18 wherein the raised edges do not extend around a toes portion of the protective layer.