Shoe accessory
OwnerBenjamin Bailarinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The shoe accessory includes a platform for supporting a conventional shoe. The shoe accessory's base has a convex or other non-planar surface that causes the shoe accessory to be stable in a longitudinal (heel-toe) direction, and unstable in a lateral (medial/lateral) direction. The non-planar surface may be defined by a ridge segment on the platform's bottom side. One or more straps are provided to temporarily secure the wearer's conventional shoe to the platform in a non-destructive manner. A generally U-shaped heel retainer may be provided adjacent a rear portion of the platform for receiving the heel of the shoe. The shoe accessory makes a flat-soled shoe laterally unstable while allowing for longitudinal stability and a naturalistic gait, and thus facilitates exercise of leg and foot muscles during normal walking, etc.
Claims14
A shoe accessory configured for temporary mounting to a shoe, the shoe accessory comprising:
- a rigid, unitary platform having a top side for supporting a sole of the shoe, a bottom side opposite said top side, a toe portion and a heel portion;
- a protruding ridge disposed on said bottom side of said platform, said ridge providing a non-planar base of said shoe accessory, said ridge extending longitudinally of said platform and continuously from said heel portion to said toe portion, said ridge comprising:
- a rearward portion extending from said heel portion to a ball portion of said platform intermediate said heel portion and said toe portion, said rearward portion being uniform in transverse cross-section and having an outer surface that is convex in a lateral direction transverse to said longitudinal direction;
- and
- a forward portion extending from said ball portion to said toe portion, said forward portion being tapered to have a progressively decreasing transverse cross-sectional area from said ball portion to said toe portion;
- a strap attached to said platform, said strap being capable of securing said shoe accessory to the shoe;
- and
- a heel retainer joined to said platform, said heel retainer extending above said top surface of said platform.
An exercise kit comprising:
- a pair of shoe accessories, each shoe accessory comprising:
- a rigid, unitary platform having a top side for supporting a sole of the shoe, a bottom side opposite said top side, a toe portion and a heel portion;
- a protruding ridge disposed on said bottom side of said platform, said ridge providing a non-planar base of said shoe accessory, said ridge extending longitudinally of said platform and continuously from said heel portion to said toe portion, said ridge comprising:
- a rearward portion extending from said heel portion to a ball portion of said platform intermediate said heel portion and said toe portion, said rearward portion being uniform in transverse cross-section and having an outer surface that is convex in a lateral direction transverse to said longitudinal direction;
- and
- a forward portion extending from said ball portion to said toe portion, said forward portion being tapered to have a progressively decreasing transverse cross-sectional area from said ball portion to said toe portion;
- a strap attached to said platform, said strap being capable of securing said shoe accessory to the shoe;
- and
- a heel retainer joined to said platform, said heel retainer extending above said top surface of said platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.