Footwear with therapeutic pad

• US 5,339,541 A
• Filed: 12/27/1993
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vesture Corporation (MRGB Hold Co.)
• Original Assignee: Vesture Corporation (MRGB Hold Co.)
• Inventors: Owens, Byron C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US08/173,869
• Time in Patent Office: 239 Days
• Field of Search: 36/71, 36/88, 36/45, 36/136, 36/132, 36/141, 36/9 R, 36/89, 36/93, 36/2.6
• US Class Current: 36/2.6
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0003 Face
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0095 with a temperature indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0201 shaped as a doll
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0207 Plants, dried plants, seeds or fruits
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0231 hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0242 heated by microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/026 with a fluid absorbing layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/10 Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0214 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0242 by a fluid circulating in the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/025 by direct air flow on the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0257 by a heat accumulator, e.g. a sand or liquid reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0292 with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive

Abstract

A therapeutic pad is used in footwear which has a liquid absorbent to prevent liquid leakage in the event the sealed envelope of the pad is ruptured. The footwear includes a pair of compartments which substantially surround the foot cavity for receiving the therapeutic pad.

Claims

1. Footwear and a therapeutic pad in combination comprising:

a sole, an upper portion, said upper portion comprising an outside wall and an inside wall, said upper portion also comprising a heel area and a toe area, said upper portion defining a therapeutic pad compartment between said outside wall and said inside wall, said compartment extending substantially the entirety of both sides of the upper portion through said heel and said toe areas, and an elongated, flexible therapeutic pad, said upper portion defining a single opening for insertion and removal of said therapeutic pad, said opening located in said heel area of said upper portion, said pad releasably positionable within said compartment.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said elongated therapeutic pad comprises a midsection and two end sections, said pad for extending uninterrupted substantially the entirety of said compartment such that said pad end sections are positioned in said toe area and said pad midsection is positioned in said heel area.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said therapeutic pad comprises a pad suitable for heating in a microwave oven.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said pad comprises a resilient member.

5. Footwear as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper portion defines a foot cavity.

6. Footwear as claimed in claim 5 wherein said upper compartment extends along said foot cavity.

7. Footwear as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compartment opening includes means to close said compartment.

8. A combination of footwear and a therapeutic pad comprising:

(a) a sole,

(b) an upper portion, said upper portion comprising an outside wall and an inside wall, said upper portion also comprising a heel area and a toe area, said upper portion defining a single therapeutic pad compartment, said compartment positioned between said outside wall and said inside wall, said compartment extending substantially the entirety of said upper portion through said heel and said toe areas, said upper portion also defining a foot cavity, said compartment extending along said foot cavity, said upper portion also defining a single compartment opening, said opening located in said heel area, said opening in communication with said compartment, said opening including means to close said compartment;

(c) a single, elongated, flexible, therapeutic pad, said therapeutic pad comprising a midsection and two end sections, said therapeutic pad comprising a pad suitable for heating in a microwave oven, said therapeutic pad comprising a resilient member, said therapeutic pad releasably positionable within said therapeutic pad compartment, said therapeutic pad for removal and insertion through said single compartment opening, said therapeutic pad for extending uninterrupted substantially the entirety of said compartment such that said therapeutic pad end sections are positioned in said toe area and said therapeutic pad midsection is positioned in said heel area.