Rigid and flexible shoe

• US 6,796,058 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rigiflex LLC
• Original Assignee: Rigiflex LLC
• Inventors: Pochatko, David
• Primary Examiner(s): KAVANAUGH, JOHN T
• Application Number:
  US10/328,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 361/02, 361/40, 361/10, 361/07, 361/08, 361/32, 361/36, 361/50, 361/65, 361/37, 36/15
• US Class Current: 36/102
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0081 made at least partially of hook-and-loop type material hook and loop-type straps for fastening purpose A43C11/1493
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/36 Easily-exchangeable soles protecting-soles A43C13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1464 with adjustable pads to allow custom fit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe including an upper section, a flexible sole having first and second opposing surfaces and an opening, wherein at least a portion of a base periphery of the upper section is attached to the flexible sole, and at least one rigid member removably positioned in the opening of the flexible sole. The present invention also relates to a method of making the shoe and a method of treating a foot using the shoe.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising:

an upper section;

a flexible sole having first and second opposing surfaces, a channel formed within the flexible sole extending longitudinally from a heel portion thereof, and an opening to the channel at the heel portion, wherein at least a portion of a base periphery of the upper section is attached to the flexible sole; and

at least one rigid member removably positioned in the channel of the flexible sole.

2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, steel, fiberglass, and plastics.

3. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid member is fastened to the flexible sole using a fastening device selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastners, buckles, snaps, laces, clips, and friction fit.

4. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sole is generally in the shape of a foot.

5. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the upper section is made of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, vinyls, plastics, and cloths.

6. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the upper section comprises one or more fasteners.

7. The shoe according to claim 1 further comprising:

an insole having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the second surface of the insole is adjacent and in contact with the first surface of the flexible sole.

8. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the insole is made of a material selected from the group consisting of open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, and sponges.

9. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the insole is generally in the shape of a foot.

10. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sole is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, vinyls, injection-molded materials, wood, ethyl vinyl acetate, and polyurethanes.

11. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the channel extends longitudinally from the heel portion of the flexible sole to at least a ball portion of the flexible sole.

12. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the channel extends longitudinally from the heel portion of the flexible sole to a toe portion of the flexible sole.

13. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shoe is a post-operative shoe.

14. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein two or more rigid members are removably positioned in the opening of the flexible sole.

15. A method of treating a foot comprising:

positioning a foot of a user in the shoe according to claim 1;

positioning at least one rigid member within the channel of the flexible sole; and

subsequently removing the at least one rigid member from the channel of the flexible sole.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said positioning at least one rigid member is carried out with two rigid members.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said subsequently removing the at least one rigid member comprises:

first removing one of the two rigid members and

second removing the other of the two rigid members.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said first removing is carried out after a delay following a surgical procedure.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein said second removing is carried out after a delay following said first removing.

20. A method of making a shoe comprising:

providing an upper section and a flexible sole having first and second opposing surfaces, a channel formed within the flexible sole extending longitudinally from a heel portion thereof, and an opening to the channel at the heel portion;

attaching at least portion of a base periphery of the upper section to the flexible sole; and

removably positioning at least one rigid member in the channel of the flexible sole.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one rigid member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, steel, fiberglass, and plastics.

22. The method according to claim 20 further comprising:

fastening the at one least rigid member to the flexible sole using a fastening device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the fastening device is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snaps, laces, clips, and friction fit.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the flexible sole is generally in the shape of a foot.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein the upper section is made of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, vinyls, plastics, and cloths.

26. The method according to claim 20, wherein the upper section comprises one or more fasteners.

27. The method according to claim 20 further comprising:

providing an insole having first and second opposing surfaces, and

positioning the second surface of the insole adjacent and in contact with the first surface of the flexible sole.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the insole is made of a material selected from the group consisting of open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, and sponges.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the insole is generally in the shape of a foot.

30. The method according to claim 20, wherein the flexible sole is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, vinyls, injection-molded materials, wood, ethyl vinyl acetate, and polyurethanes.

31. The method according to claim 20, wherein the channel extends longitudinally from the heel portion of the flexible sole to at least a ball portion of the flexible sole.

32. The method according to claim 20, wherein the channel extends longitudinally from the heel portion of the flexible sole to a toe portion of the flexible sole.

33. The method according to claim 20, wherein the shoe is a post-operative shoe.

34. The method according to claim 20, wherein at least two rigid members are removably positioned in the opening of the flexible sole.