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  Adjustable formfitting protective footwearUSPTO Application #: 20060179549Title: Adjustable formfitting protective footwear Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to improved formfitting protective footwear generally comprising a protective sheath that envelops all or a portion of the foot from the ankle forward, and which includes fasteners which allow the user to adjust the footwear to comfortably fit his or her foot. In all embodiments, the formfitting protective footwear apparatus of the present invention surrounds the forefoot about the instep and arch and extends forward to protect at least the ball of the foot. (end of abstract) Agent: Amster, Rothstein & Ebenstein LLP - New York, NY, US Inventors: Jamie J. Huggins, Nicole T. Huggins, Elizabeth Feigenbaum USPTO Applicaton #: 20060179549 - Class: 002239000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Head Coverings, Stockings The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060179549. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of the following co-pending patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/557,029, filed Apr. 20, 2000, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/958,517, filed Oct. 5, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to adjustable formfitting protective footwear generally comprising a protective sheath that envelops all or a portion of the foot from the ankle forward, and which includes fasteners which allow the user to adjust the footwear to comfortably fit his or her foot. The footwear can be worn during activities which are performed with bare feet and which require traction and/or protection from skin burns and tears, including, for example, modern dance, Pilates, yoga and martial arts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The need for protective and functional footwear intended for specific applications is well-known. Just as basketball and football place different demands on the human foot and thus require different footwear, different forms of dance also require specialized footwear. For example, ballet requires specially designed slippers and toe shoes, jazz dance requires specially designed character shoes, and tap dance requires specially modified tap shoes. [0004] The dance style known as, modern dance requires rapid, abrupt, and complex shifts in body position, center of gravity, directional momentum and weight distribution and is often danced barefoot. Included in these movements are forceful turns, spins, stops and other movements that can cause friction burns, tearing, slivers, blisters and other foot problems. In addition, modern dancers--like other dancers--risk serious injury if their foot should slip on the dance floor or if they should turn their ankle. However, given the aesthetic requirements of their art, modern dancers often opt to dance barefoot and tolerate the foot discomfort and injuries associated therewith. [0005] Earlier, unsuccessful attempts at providing footwear for barefoot dancers included thongs wrapped around the foot and/or tying cut nylon stockings to the foot. Some modern dancers wear a "sole" that is secured to the foot by means of an ankle strap and toe loops. However, because this sole is not securely bound to the sole of the foot, severe tearing of the skin is common, particularly between the great and index toes. As a result, most modem dancers are reluctant to use this type of footwear. [0006] Co-pending patent applications Ser. Nos. 09/557,229 and 10/958,517, whose disclosures are incorporated-by-reference in their entirety, disclose various embodiments of footwear for dancers which addresses at least some of the problems associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is an object of the various embodiments disclosed herein to provide adjustable formfitting protective footwear for dancers and other barefoot athletes such as practitioners of Pilates, yoga and martial arts, using fasteners to secure the footwear to the wearer's foot. In particular, the various embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to adjustable formfitting footwear for barefoot athletes which in one embodiment comprises: a protective sleeve to be worn on a human foot comprising an inner portion and an outer portion; toe openings disposed in the sleeve; protective material secured to the inner portion of the sleeve; a footpad secured to the outer portion of the sleeve, wherein the protective material and the footpad are positioned in locations whereby they are underneath and protect the ball of the human's foot when inserted in the sleeve; and fasteners on the protective sleeve for adjustably securing the footwear to the foot. [0008] In another embodiment, the formfitting footwear comprises: a protective sleeve to be worn on a human foot; toe openings disposed in the sleeve; a protective material disposed adjacent to the toe openings; and a footpad disposed on the protective material, wherein the protective material and the footpad are positioned on the sleeve in locations whereby they are underneath and protect the ball of the human's foot when inserted in the sleeve; and fasteners on the protective sleeve for adjustably securing the footwear to the foot. [0009] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the drawings and the invention, which follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The above and related objects, features and advantages of the disclosed footwear will be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the formfitting protective footwear of applicant's footwear; [0012] FIG. 2 shows the unassembled components of a second embodiment of the disclosed footwear; [0013] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of footwear assembled using the components shown in FIG. 2; [0014] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 positioned on a foot; [0015] FIG. 5 shows the unassembled components of a third embodiment of the disclosed footwear; [0016] FIGS. 6A-B show plan and bottom views of the footwear assembled using the components of FIG. 5; [0017] FIG. 7A shows the components of a partially unassembled fourth embodiment of the disclosed footwear; [0018] FIG. 7B shows the footwear of FIG. 7A after it has been assembled; [0019] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the disclosed footwear; Continue reading... Full patent description for Adjustable formfitting protective footwear Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable formfitting protective footwear patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Adjustable formfitting protective footwear or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Athletic protective padding Next Patent Application: Device and method for foot hygiene and the prevention and treatment of infected feet Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Adjustable formfitting protective footwear patent info. 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