Protection devices for use in shoes or other products
First Claim
1. A shoe comprising:
- an upper having top and bottom layers of material or a flap having an internal pocket; and
a device for protecting the metatarsal region of a user'"'"'s foot, the device being situated between the top and bottom layers of the upper or within the internal pocket, wherein the device comprises;
a first layer of material having top and bottom surfaces and a series of cones formed into at least one of the top and bottom surfaces, the series of cones including individual cones of varying depth and width; and
a second layer of material overlying the first layer and having a rigidity that is higher than a rigidity of the first layer, the first layer being shaped to conform to the metatarsal region of the user'"'"'s foot, such that the device is configured to provide protection for the metatarsal region against injurious events,wherein first and second series of cones are formed into the top and bottom surfaces of the first layer of material, respectively, the first and second series including a first set of cones having a second depth and width, and a second set of cones having a second depth and width, the first depth and width being greater than the second depth and width.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A variety of devices for protecting a user'"'"'s foot from injury are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device may be a metatarsal protection device, which may include a first layer of material having top and bottom surfaces, with at least one of such surfaces including a series of cones or a pattern of hexagons thereon. The metatarsal protection device may also include a second relatively rigid layer of material overlying the first layer, and the first layer may be shaped to conform to the metatarsal region of the user'"'"'s foot, such that the device is configured to protect the metatarsal region against injury. Other configurations and variations of a metatarsal protection device are also disclosed, as are other uses for the principles of the invention(s) disclosed herein (e.g., protection devices for other areas of the foot, etc.)
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A shoe comprising:
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an upper having top and bottom layers of material or a flap having an internal pocket; and a device for protecting the metatarsal region of a user'"'"'s foot, the device being situated between the top and bottom layers of the upper or within the internal pocket, wherein the device comprises; a first layer of material having top and bottom surfaces and a series of cones formed into at least one of the top and bottom surfaces, the series of cones including individual cones of varying depth and width; and a second layer of material overlying the first layer and having a rigidity that is higher than a rigidity of the first layer, the first layer being shaped to conform to the metatarsal region of the user'"'"'s foot, such that the device is configured to provide protection for the metatarsal region against injurious events, wherein first and second series of cones are formed into the top and bottom surfaces of the first layer of material, respectively, the first and second series including a first set of cones having a second depth and width, and a second set of cones having a second depth and width, the first depth and width being greater than the second depth and width. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A shoe comprising:
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an upper having top and bottom layers of material or a flap having an internal pocket; and a device for protecting the metatarsal region of a user'"'"'s foot, the device being situated between the top and bottom layers of the upper or within the internal pocket, wherein the device comprises; a first layer of material having top and bottom surfaces, at least one of the top and bottom surfaces including a first pattern of hexagons formed thereon; and a second layer of material overlying the first layer and having a rigidity that is greater than a rigidity of the first layer, the first layer being shaped to conform to the metatarsal region of the user'"'"'s foot, such that the device is configured to provide protection for the metatarsal region against injurious events, wherein the second layer exhibits rigidity when bent in one direction, and reacts with relative flexibility when bent in another opposing direction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification