Shoe pocket and method of use

• US 6,094,844 A
• Filed: 07/14/1999
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SPI Foods, Inc. (Kerry Group PLC), Pac Tech Packaging Technologies GMBH (Pac Tech), Slotflop Ventures
• Original Assignee: SPI Foods, Inc. (Kerry Group PLC)
• Inventors: Potts, Matthew K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOHANDESI, JILA M
• Application Number:
  US09/354,381
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 36/136, 36/132, 36/1, 36/2.6, 36/54
• US Class Current: 36/136
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/00 Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00

Abstract

A shoe pocket, formed within the sole of footware such as a shoe, for storing objects such as keys, credit cards, matches, cigarettes, money clips, change, or specialized inserts. The shoe pocket comprises one or more recesses formed anywhere on the sole of the shoe, but preferably under the arch of the shoe, and with an opening to one side of the sole of the shoe. In one embodiment the object to be stored is placed directly in the recess in the sole of the shoe. In another embodiment, a housing is permanently affixed within the recess to receive the objects desired to be stored. In further embodiment, the housing is configured to receive an insert. The insert may itself be an object desired to be stored, such as a pedometer, a small computer, a calculator or other similar device, or the insert may be used to hold smaller objects such as keys, credit cards, etc., before being placed in the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is formed of a rigid material and provides arch support for the shoe. The invention also includes a method of storing objects within a pocket in the sole of the shoe.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising:

an upper;

a sole connected to the upper;

a recess formed in the side of the sole;

an insert with a top surface, a closed bottom surface and sides, and wherein the insert has at least one opening at a side configured to receive an object;

whereby the surfaces and perimeters of the object received make substantial contact with the internal elements of the insert; and

including a means for securing the insert within the recess including a cam locking mechanism carried on a joining member comprising a cam, an aperture formed on a recess interior wall and the cam and joining member comprising a movable connection between the cam and a tab;

whereby said cam locks, or "snaps" into the aperture upon placement of the insert into the recess; and

whereby when said tab is depressed the movement of the joining member releases the cam from the aperture to permit removal of the insert.

2. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the insert is further secured within the recess by frictional contact between the surfaces of the recess and the surfaces of the insert.

3. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the recess is positioned at the arch portion of the sole.

4. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the cam locking mechanism comprises at least one aperture in the ceiling of the recess and at least one cam extending from the outer top surface of the insert.

5. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the object is at least one key.

6. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the object is at least one credit card.

7. The shoe of claim 5 wherein the object is inserted and removed from the back side of a rectangular insert.

8. The shoe of claim 5 wherein the object is inserted and removed from either of the shortest opposite sides of a rectangular insert.

9. The shoe of claim 6 wherein the object is inserted and removed from the back side of a rectangular insert.

10. The shoe of claim 6 wherein the object is inserted and removed from either of the shortest opposite sides of a rectangular insert.

11. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the object is placed in a slot.

12. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the insert is released from the recess when a tab with a movable arm connected to a cam is depressed downward, thereby disengaging the cam from the aperture.

13. The shoe of claim 12 whereby the tab is connected to the cam by the top surface of the insert.

14. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the object is an electronic device.

15. The shoe of claim 1 wherein a housing is inserted into the recess, and the insert is inserted into a housing.