Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to an improved therapeutic toe separator. Background of the Invention

[0002] Toe separators are therapeutic devices for stretching the toes apart, including for soothing aching feet and addressing tight feet problems, including hammer toes, bunions, planter fasciitis, crossed toes, claw toes and the like.

[0003] Various prior art toe separator devices exist including those disclosed by the website https://www.newchic.com/foot-care-4330/p-1340201.html which discloses a flexible and soft toe spacer which can be worn in shoes, KR 20190002986 U (LIMH-I et al.) 05 December 2019 which discloses a correcting apparatus for toes which is ergonomically designed including that the first two spacers are thicker than the rest, US D439704 S (IKEDA ) 27 March 2001 which discloses an ornamental design of a toe opener and US 20160310308 A1 (FENF, LLC) 27 October 2016 which discloses a toe-aligning device which has a planar base and a plurality of stretchable posts which can be stretched by pulling the enlarged heads thereof when inserting between the toes such that, when released, retract and thereby widen to thereby push the toes apart.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide an improved toe separator, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0005] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] There is provided herein a toe separator having ergonomic improvements as compared to prior art arrangements, including those outlined above.

[0007] Specifically, the toe separator comprises the conventional elongate base and four interdigital posts extending from an upper surface thereof. [0008] The base is greater than 10 mm in height and an upper surface thereof is convex in cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the base.

[0009] The convex curved upper surface ergonomically curves under the base of each toe whilst the height of greater than 10 mm provides sufficient pressure at the base of each toe, thereby additionally stretching each toe longitudinally as compared to only adjacently as per prior art devices.

[0010] The base may comprise a planar undersurface such that the toe separator may be readily stood upon to increase the pressure applied at the base of each toe.

[0011 ] Furthermore, each post meets the base at a respective circumferential baseline and the base may comprise sufficient width such that the upper surface extends rearward beyond baselines of the posts to thereby define a rearward ledge, preferably downwardly sloping, rearward of the baselines of the posts. The rearward ledge further enhances longitudinal toe stretching by bearing against the front edge of the ball of the foot behind the toes.

[0012] The base may define a rearward ridge, the upper surface thereof forming part of the downwardly sloping rearward ledge. Furthermore, the rearward ridge may comprise a planar face generally aligned along the longitudinal axes of the posts to thereby define a flat edge against which the forward edge of the wall of the foot may press to stretch the toes longitudinally.

[0013] The upper surface may also extend forward of baselines of the posts to define a front ledge, similarly preferably downwardly sloping, to increase the contact surface area of the curved upper surface of the base and to enhance longitudinal stretching. [0014] The post may be ovular in cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the base to provide sufficient width for toe stretching yet without encroaching on the forward and rearward ledges of the base.

[0015] Furthermore, each post may widen in cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the base to gradually stretch the toes apart as the toes are pressed towards the base. As such, during the initial stretching, the toes may be inserted away from the upper surface of the base and then pressure may be applied to force the toes down towards the base (such as by standing on the toe separator and being assisted by the planar base thereunderneath) to gradually increase the stretch.

[0016] Each post may further continuously widen in cross section towards an upper edge thereof along the longitudinal axis of the base to hold the toes between the posts.

[0017] According to one aspect, there is provided a toe separator comprising: an elongate base and a plurality of interdigital posts extending from an upper surface of the base, each post meeting the base at a respective circumferential baseline, wherein: an upper surface of the base thereof is convex in cross section along a longitudinal axis of the base; and the base is greater than 10 mm in height.

[0018] The elongate base may have a width such that the upper surface extends rearward beyond baselines of the posts to thereby define rearward ledge rearward of the baselines of the posts.

[0019] The rearward ledge may be downwardly sloped.

[0020] The body may define a rearward ridge, the upper surface thereof defining the rearward ledge.

[0021] The rearward ridge may have a planar rear face.

[0022] The rearward ridge may have an overhang thereunderneath.

[0023] The base may have a width such that the upper surface extends forward beyond baselines of the posts to thereby define a forward ledge forward of the baselines of the posts.

[0024] The base may comprise a planar undersurface.

[0025] The posts may be ovular in cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the elongate base.

[0026] Each post may continuously widen in cross section towards a baseline thereof along a longitudinal axis of the base.

[0027] Each post may continuously widen in cross section towards an upper terminus thereof along a longitudinal axis of the base.

[0028] The toe may further comprise an outer hook at an end of the base, the hook rising from the base towards an inwardly transitioning end thereof [0029] The plurality of interdigital posts may comprise four interdigital posts.

[0030] The toe separator may comprise flexible material.

[0031 ] The flexible material may comprise silicon.

[0032] The base curves through approximately 90°.

[0033] The base may comprise a big toe portion which may be straight and a small toe portion which may be straight, and wherein the portions meet at an elbow portion therebetween.

[0034] Upper termini of the post may be planar.

[0035] Upper termini of the posts comprise enlarged heads.

[0036] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0037] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0038] Figure 1 shows a top rear perspective view of a toe separator device in accordance with an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the toe separator device;

[0040] Figure 3 shows a magnified view of two interdigital posts of the toe separator device;

[0041 ] Figure 4 shows an end perspective view of the toe separator device;

[0042] Figure 5 shows a magnified view of the end of the toe separator device;

[0043]

[0044] Figure 6 shows a top view of the toe separator device; and

[0045] Figures 7 and 8 show embodiments of the toe separator device wherein the posts comprise enlarged ornamental heads.

Description of Embodiments

[0046] A toe separator 109, typically of a rubber-like material such as medical grade silicon, comprises an elongate base 110 and four integrally formed interdigital posts 11 1 extending from an upper surface 112 thereof. The material may be transparent in embodiments.

[0047] With reference to Figure 6, the base 110 may be curved. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the base 1 10 curves through approximately 90° and may comprise a big toe portion 1 13 which is straight and a small toe portion 114 which is also straight and which meet at an elbow portion 128 therebetween.

[0048] Each post 11 1 integrally meets the upper surface 112 at a respective circumferential baseline 115.

[0049] With reference to the magnified view of the base 1 10 shown in Figure 5, the upper surface 112 of the base 110 is convex in cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the base 1 10. Furthermore, the base 110 has a height of greater than 10mm. [0050] Furthermore, the base 1 10 is sufficiently wide such that the upper surface 112 extends rearward beyond baselines 115 of the posts 1 11 to thereby define a rearward ledge 116 rearward of the baselines 115 of the posts.

[0051 ] The rearward ledge 1 16 may be downwardly sloped.

[0052] The base 110 may define a rearward ridge 1 17, the upper surface thereof defining the rearward ledge 116.

[0053] The rearward ledge 117 may comprise a planar rearward face 1 18 being generally parallel with longitudinal axes of the posts 1 11.

[0054] The rearward ledge 117 may overhang at an undersurface 1 19 thereof. The undersurface 119 may transition to a lower face 120 of the base 110.

[0055] The base 110 may comprise a planar undersurface 121.

[0056] The base 110 may further comprise sufficient width such that the upper surface

112 also extends forwardly beyond baselines 1 15 of the posts 11 1 , thereby defining a forward ledge 122 forward of the baselines 115 of the posts 11 1. Similarly, the forward ledge 122 may slope downwardly towards the front of the base 1 10.

[0057] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, each post 1 11 may continuously widen in cross section towards a respective baseline 115 thereof along a longitudinal axis of the base 110. As such, the digital space 123 between the posts narrows continuously towards and right up to the upper surface 112. [0058] Furthermore, each post 111 may continuously widen in cross section towards an upper terminus 124 thereof along the longitudinal axis of the base 110 such that the digital space 123 between the posts 111 similarly narrows continuously upwardly. [0059] The upper termini 124 of the posts 111 may be planar as shown in Figures 2 and 5. Flowever, in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the upper termini 124 may comprise enlarged heads 124 which further enclose the digital spaces 123 thereunderneath.

[0060] The enlarged heads 124 may comprise ornamental shapes including comprising star formations shown in Figure 7 and teardrop shaped formations shown in Figure 8.

[0061 ] Outer digital hooks 126 may terminate ends of the base 110. The outer digital hooks 126 may rise from the base 110 and transition inwardly at upper ends thereof, thereby forming a semi-enclosed outer digital toe space 127 with the next adjacent post 111.

[0062] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Flowever, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

[0063] The term "approximately" or similar as used herein should be construed as being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.