CROSS REFER ENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This PCT application claims priority to U.S. provisional application number 63/266,050 entitled ‘Tootwear Shaper” and filed on December 28, 2021, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0065] The present disclosure relates to footwear shaper devices and methods for preserving the shape of footwear while minimizing al teration of natural foot mechanics when walking. More specifically, the disclosure pertains to a contoured, wearable sheath with a raised portion for preventing creasing at the toe box of footwear such as sneakers.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Every respectable shoe collection includes at least one pair of collectable sneakers such as celebrity-endorsed or celebrity collaborative designs and limited-edition styles and colors. Some shoe collectors buy and wear sneakers exclusively. Most sneakers are made of leather or at least have a leather toe box. A distinguishing feature of these collectable sneakers is the smooth texture and surface of the leather upper part of the shoe. More specifically, the upper portion of the toe box and top of the toe area is usually the first part of the sneaker admirers not ice first.

[0004] One of the drawbacks of owning collectable sneakers is the restraint and disincentive to wear, enjoy, and show off the sneakers is the leather upper being prone to creasing. Creasing commonly happens on leather uppers on top of the toe area due to regular and expected foot mechanics of walking heel to toe. W hen pressure is applied to the ball of the foot, the toes flex and then point in a up and down motion io propel the foot into the next step. As this happens, the sneaker bends not only at the rubber outsole but also at the leather upper.

[0005] Creasing is exacerbated when excess space is present inside the shoe between the top of the foot and the interior surface of the leather upper portion above the metatarsals and phalanges. This excess vertical space is intentional from a shoe design standpoint to prevent the wearer from cramped toes during sports activities such as basketball, cross training, skateboarding, and walking. Therefore, it is inevitable creasing will occur when the sneaker is worn.

[0006] Some individuals have resorted to stuffing the sneaker toe box interior with tissue paper, wool, or wearing extra thick socks or multiple pairs of socks when wearing the sneakers.

However, this is not only ineffective but also results in unnatural foot mechanics. When the sneakers are not being worn, others place a shoe form inside to help maintain the original shape. However, traditional show forms do not account for the void of vertical space in the toe box area.

SUMMARY OF TH E DISCLOSURE

[0007] What is needed is a footwear shaper device that prevents creasing of the upper portion of a shoe that is prone to bending when being worn. The footwear shaper device comprises an insert. The insert can be used with a sheath. The footwear shaper device preserves the leather upper smooth surface and may be used while the shoe is being worn and when the shoe is being stored.

[0008] In one embodiment, the footwear shaper device comprises a sheath and an insert providing a contoured toe top region that may be worn on the foot by the shoe wearer or may be placed on a shoe form during storage. [0009] The sheath comprises a lop portion and a bottom portion sewn together with a closed distal end and an open proximal end leading to the interior space defined by the top portion interior and the bottom portion interior. The top portion exterior comprises a pouch sewn into the top portion exterior at a seamed edge, a poach proximal seam, and a poach distal seam. The pouch has an open edge permitting access to the pouch interior space. An end flap is sewn onto the top portion exterior.

[0010] In one embodiment, the footwear shaper device comprises a three-dimensional tapered and contoured insert that anatomically and ergonomically fits with the natural foot shape, supports natural foot mechanics, and substantially tills a vertical void between the wearer’s foot and the underside of the shoe.

[0011] The footwear shaper device is used by obtaining the insert and the sheath. The pouch open edge is stretched to accommodate the tapered end of the insert into the pouch interior space until the insert tapered end touches the pouch sewn edge. The end flap is pulled away from the sheath and is fited over the insert wide end to substantially envelop the insert. The end flap is tucked under the pouch open edge.

[0012] Further method steps include inserting a foot through the sheath open proximal end. The foot with the footwear shaper device is inserted into a shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings that are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure. Together with the description, they serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0014] Figure I illustrates top and side views of an exemplary insert of a footwear shaper device. (0015] Figure 2 illustrates a front and rear top perspective view of an exemplary footwear shaper device insert.

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a top exterior view and a top interior view of an exemplary footwear shaper device sheath.

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a before and after of a shoe without an exemplary footwear shaper device and with an exemplary footwear shaper device.

[0018] Figure 5 illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary footwear shaper device with insertion of an insert into a pouch.

[0019] Figure 6 illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary footwear shaper device with an insert substantially concealed in a pouch.

[0020] F igure 7 illustrates an exemplary footwear shaper device with a sheath configuration worn on a foot.

[0021] Figure 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of an exemplary’ footwear shaper device worn on a foot inside a shoe.

[0022] Figure 9 illustrates exemplary methods steps for using an exemplary footwear shaper device.

[0023 [NUMERALS OF Ti ll: FIGURES

[0024] I. Insert

[0025] 3. Tapered end

[0026] 5. Wide end

[0027] 7. Straight edge [0028] 9, Curved edge

[0029] 11. Proximal end

|0030] 13. Distal end

[0031] 15. Elongated outer comer

[0032] 17. Sheath

[0033] 19. seam

[0034] 21. Pouch seamed edge

[0035] 23. Pouch open edge

[0036] 25. Pouch panel

[0037] 27. End flap

[0038] 29. Pouch proximal seam

[0039] 31. Pouch distal seam

[0040] 33. l op exterior

[0041] 35. Closed distal end

[0042] 37. Open proximal end

[0043] 39. Interior space

[0044] 41. Creasing

[0045] 43. Shoe upper portion

[0046] 45. Top exterior [0047] 47, Bottom exterior

[0048] 49. Sock

[0049] 51. Footwear shaper device

[0050] 53. Shoe

[0051] 55. Foot

[0052] 57. Shoe underside

[0053] 59. Toe box

[0054] 61. Vertical space

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The exemplary embodi ments of the footwear shaper devices demonstrate benefits pertaining to reducing sneaker creasing as well as not restricting the natural loot mechanics of the wearer while walking. Footwear shaper devices have various contoured shapes depending on the toe box shape and depending on the wearer's natural foot shape. Some footwear shaper devices may be custom cut or filled based on the wearer’s preferences. The footwear shaper devices may be worn in addition to or in lieu of socks. The footwear shaper devices may also be applied to a footwear form for improving shape maintenance during storage and cleaning.

[0056] In the following sections, detailed descriptions of examples and methods of the disclosure will be given. The description of both preferred and alternative examples is exemplary only, and it is understood that to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications, and alterations may be apparent. It is therefore to be understood that the examples do not limit the broadness of the aspects of the underlying disclosure as defined by the claims. Detailed Descriptions of the Drawings

[0057] Referring now to Figure 1, top and side views of an insert of an exemplary footwear shaper device are shown. In the particular embodiment, the footwear shaper device has a contoured tapered portion that is narrower at the phalanges than at the metatarsals. The thickness of the footwear shaper device is graduated. In some embodiments, the footwear shaper device is thicker over the m id part of the phalanges than over the metatarsals and tarsals. However, in other embodiments, the thickness is greater over the distal metatarsals. The width is greater over the metatarsals that over the phalanges. A distal end is placed over the phalanges may be curved or shaped to match a toe box such as almond shape, round, pointed, or square, A proximal end is wider and placed over the metatarsals and has a substantially straight edge with curved comers with an elongated outer corner at a wide end intended to be placed over the fifth metatarsal,

[0058] Footwear shaper devices may be made from materials that provide hemi structures that may be compressible. Example materials include natural fibers, synthetic fibers, foam or gel matrices, elastomers, and combinations thereof. In addition, footwear shaper devices may include attachment means such as hook-and-loop closures, elastics, wraps, or bands to hold the footwear shaper device to the wearer’s foot.

[0059] In addition, other features include friction enhancers to help hold the footwear shaper device in place between the shoe upper interior side and the top side of the footwear shaper device. Friction enhancers may be hook-and-loop closure tapes, grips, and rough textures placed on the top portion of the footwear shaper device. Additionally, friction enhancers may also be present on the back or on the sides in sparse patterns that still allow the wearer to remove the foot from the shoe when intended. Additional appreciated benefits of the footwear shaper device include improved foot and ankle stability and reduction in blisters, corns, and hammertoes. [0060] Referring now to Figure 3, a top exterior view and a top interior view of an exemplary footwear shaper device sheath is shown, In this particular example, the footwear shaper device has a proximal width of about 2 inches, a middle width from about 2 inches to about 3.5 inches, and a distal width of about 2.5 inches. The width may vary depending on the wearer’s desired shoe width. However, in embodiments made with elastomers or elastic materials, the footwear shaper device will stretch to conform to the wearer’s foot. In preferred embodiments,

[0061] Exemplary lengths of a footwear shaper device i n a sheath configuration may be about 5.5 inches with variances in shoe size at the bottom portion and about three inches with variances in shoe size at the top portion of the footwear shaper device. The distal end of the footwear shaper device may have a tapered shape to correlate to a wearer’s foot shape or the shoe’s toe box shape. The footwear shaper device sheath may be comprised of a single piece of overlay material to reduce irritation. However, a footwear shaper device may have strategic seams, pouches, panels, flaps, or boxes for defining graduated and contoured insert, shapes.

[0662] Referring now to Figure 4, the before and after of a shoe without and with an exemplary footwear shaper device are shown. The top photo shoes the appearance of a collectible sneaker without a footwear shaper device of the disclosure. The wearer is only wearing socks. Several depressed creases are visible at the location of the metatarsals and phalanges where the foot naturally bends when walking. The bottom photo shows the same collectible sneaker with the footwear shaper device of the disclosure. The depressed creases are reduced, and the shoe upper portion has a smooth and substantially even appearance. The wearer is wearing the sheath footwear shaper device over a sock.

[0063] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, an exemplary footwear shaper device with insertion of an insert into a pouch is shown. A sheath comprises a top portion and a bottom portion sewn together with a closed distal end and an open proximal end leading to the interior space defined by the top portion interior and the bottom portion interior. The top portion exterior comprises a pouch sewn into the top portion exterior at a seamed edge, a pouch proximal seam, and a pouch distal seam. The pouch has an open edge permitting access to the pouch interior space. An end flap (shown in Figure 6) is sewn onto the top portion exterior. In the example of the device in Figures 5 and 6. the insert is substantially concealed by the end flap. The end flap is pulled over the insert wide end of the insert and can be tucked under the pouch panel .

[0064] Referring now to Figure 7, an exemplary footwear shaper device with a sheath configuration worn on a foot is shown . Figure 7 more specifically shows how the wearer places the sheath footwear shaper device over a sock. The footwear shaper device insert has a graduated contour and thickness. In some embodiments, thickness is greatest at the middle portion, lowest at the proximal portion, and graduated lower from the middle portion toward the distal portion. However, in preferred embodiments, the insert has a wedge shape or an asymmetrical trapezoid shape with a wide thick end sloping to a narrow' tapered end. In some embodiments, the thick wide end is positioned over a wearer’s fifth metatarsal and phalange or just over the fifth phalange at the outer side of the foot. The narrow tapered end is positioned over the first metatarsal and phalange or just over the first phalange at the inner side of the foot. In addition, the insert thickness may be graduated or increase from the proximal end to the distal end toward the toes or phalanges. The insert compensates for lower foot volume at die toes or phalanges. Therefore, graduation in thickness may have a variance or range of from about 0.3mm to about 5cm with values within the range contemplated. One example includes a thickness of 2.5cm at a thick wide end and a thickness of 2cm at a narrow tapered end. The wearer can still flex and point and resume with natural foot movement without and hinderance due to the contoured portion.

[0065] Referring now to Figure 8, an exemplary footwear shaper device worn on a foot inside a shoe is shown. Specifically, a wearer has a footwear shaper device on the foot where the sheath is minimally invasive, not substantially affecting fit. The insert is contained inside the pouch. The pouch panel frictionally fits against or touches an underside of a shoe to apply accommodating pressure against the shoe underside. The footwear shaper device substantially reduces or eliminates a vertical void between a foot and a shoe underside in a shoe toe box or at foot’s metatarsal and phalange region. Accordingly, a wearer’s toes will not blister due to friction in the toe box, and the shoe upper portion will not crease due to lack of support and structure from the underside of the shoe.

[0066] Referring now to Figure 9, exemplary method steps for using an exemplary footwear shaper device are shown. A sheath and an insert are obtained. When combined, the sheath and insert form a footwear shaper device. The sheath and the insert are interchangeable and can have different materials and shapes depending on a wearer’s foot size and shape and depending on the type of shoe to be worn. In preferred embodiments, the pouch open edge and end flap are located at an outer side of the foot such as in line with a foot’s outer longitudinal arch or fifth metatarsal.

[0067] The pouch open edge is stretched or pulled back to reveal the pouch interior space to accommodate an insert. The tapered narrow end of the insert is pushed through the pouch open edge and into the pouch interior space. The wide thick end of the insert may be exposed and lie on top of an end flap. The end flap is pulled away from the sheath and the pouch and is stretched over the wide thick end of the insert. The end flap envelops the insert, substantially concealing the insert. The end flap can be tucked under the pouch panel. [0068] A foot is inserted through the sheath open proximal end. The foot may be inserted to where the toes reach the closed distal end of the sheath. The open proximal end conforms around the foot. The sheath may conform around the middle, tarsometatarsal joint, or arch of the foot or may folly cover the foot as a sock would. The footwear shaper device may be worn over socks or without socks. The foot with the footwear shaper device may be inserted into a shoe.

|0069] Alternatively, the disclosure provides for an exemplary shoe form, tree, or stretcher having a contoured metatarsal and phalanges area fixedly attached or integrated into the body of the shoe form, tree, or stretcher. Some embodiments may also be modular to account for various foot shapes and widths. Shoe shape may be maintained by placing the sheath footwear shaper device on a footwear form, tree, or stretcher. This will maintain consistency in shaping and result in the sneaker having a smooth upper portion longer. The footwear shaper device also helps maintain the upper smooth and level when cleaning and restoring footwear. The footwear shaper device may provide additional compression for arch support.

Conclusion

|0070] A number of embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these details should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosures or of what may be c laimed.

[0071] Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in combination in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.