# US 4,168,584 A · Karate foot protector

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- Number: US 4,168,584 A
- Document ID: US4168584A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 05/925,808
- Filed: 1978-07-18
- Granted: 1979-09-25
- Earliest claimed: 1978-07-18
- Assignees: Pro-Tect, Inc.
- Inventors: Fred H. Wren, Jr.; Frank H. Babcock, III
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4168584A

## CPC

- A63B 71/1225: {for the legs, e.g. thighs, knees, ankles, feet}
- A43B 5/18: Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes
- A63B 2071/1266: {for the calf}
- A63B 2071/1283: {for the foot}
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

## Abstract

This foot protector includes a front portion providing a protective cover for the toes and instep of the wearer and a wrap-around rear portion protecting the back and ankle portions of the foot, the protector being fully open at the bottom. The rear portion of the protector includes oppositely disposed sides and is formed into separable portions which are provided with lace openings so that they can be laced together by a single lace. The lace includes a side lace portion which draws the sides together, and a transverse portion which extends under the foot and cooperates with the side lacing to secure the protector to the foot. Reinforcing strips are provided to strengthen the lace margins and the junction between the front and rear portions of the shoe.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A foot protector for karate combat comprising:
(a) a unitary body formed from a resilient foam core having a flexible outer casing, the body including:
(1) a front portion adapted to cover the upper portion of the foot and the front sides thereof,
(2) a rear portion adapted to cover the ankle portion of the foot,
(3) an open bottom portion defined by a lower margin,
(4) said rear portion being formed into two at least partially separable parts providing adjacent substantially vertical margins disposed in side-by-side relation and having a plurality of first lace retaining means disposed adjacent thereto, and
(5) one of said front and rear portions including second lace retaining means disposed in spaced relation from said first lace retaining means, and
(b) a lace including a first portion received by said first lace retaining means to connect the separable parts together and including a second portion received between said first and second lace retaining means to pass under the foot and cooperate with said first portion to secure the protector to the foot.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A foot protector as defined in claim 1, in which:
(c) said lace retaining means are provided by lace openings.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A foot protector as defined in claim 1, in which:
(c) said lace is elastic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A foot protector as defined in claim 1, in which:
(c) said rear portion includes first and second opposed side portions extending rearwardly from said front portion, said first side portion being formed into said separable parts including said first lace retaining means, and
(d) said second side portion including said second lace retaining means disposed oppositely of said first lace retaining means.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A foot protector as defined in claim 4, in which:
(e) said first lace retaining means are provided by lace openings including a lower lace opening disposed in each of said separable parts of said first side portion,
(f) said second lace retaining means are provided by a pair of lace openings disposed in said second side portion, and
(g) said second lace portion extends between said openings of said first and second side portions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A foot protector as defined in claim 1, in which:
(c) said front portion includes a pair of transversely spaced openings, and
(d) double elastic loop means is disposed between said transversely spaced openings to attach the shoe to the front portion of the foot.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A foot protector as defined in claim 1, in which:
(c) said rear portion includes first and second opposed side portions extending rearwardly from said front portion a substantially equal amount to provide said separable parts including said first lace retaining means, and
(d) each of said side portions include second lace retaining means disposed in spaced relation from said first lace retaining means.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A foot protector as defined in claim 1, in which:
(c) reinforcing strips are molded between said foam core and said flexible casing about each lace retaining means.