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  Clear material security footwearUSPTO Application #: 20060207125Title: Clear material security footwear Abstract: A substantially transparent article of footwear includes a substantially transparent resilient sole having a gripping surface and a substantially transparent shoe upper integrally extending from the resilient sole. The upper includes an element for aeration of a foot of a user and a substantially transparent insole disposed within the upper and a closure element for the upper. The transparent closure element operates to stabilizing an ankle and in-step area of a foot of the user within the footwear. (end of abstract) Agent: Richard M. Saccocio, P.A. - Ft. Lauderdale, FL, US Inventor: Alfred Dana USPTO Applicaton #: 20060207125 - Class: 036045000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Uppers The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060207125. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention pertains to a substantially transparent article of footwear. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The events of Sep. 11, 2001 have made security an extremely high priority in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. There has been an increase in the level of security at many airports, federal buildings, law enforcement agencies and other locales which are frequently traveled. Although the Transportation Security Administration ("TSA") does not require a traveler to remove his shoes before entering a walk-through metal detector, TSA screeners encourage travelers to remove them before entering the metal detector as many types of footwear will require additional screening even if the metal detector does not alarm. TSA screeners thus encourage travelers to remove footwear, that is more likely to require additional screening, including, boots, platform shoes (including platform flip-flops), footwear with a thick sole or heel (including athletic shoes), and footwear containing metal (including many dress and construction shoes). [0003] Accordingly, it is desirable at times to have footwear that is easily removable, comfortable, and that will speed the process of screening at airports, federal buildings, law enforcement agencies and other locales which are frequently traveled. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,979 to Sileo relates to transparent footwear, the appearance of which can be altered to achieve different aesthetic affects. The tongue and insole of the footwear include non-transparent indicia which can be removed and either reversed or replaced. Also, other transparent footwear that have been considered in the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 2,887,792 to Staff relating to women's dress shoes and U.S. Pat. No. D430,966 to Brady et al. relating to a clear sole shoe. However, these devices do not satisfactorily consider all issues of convenience, security, removability, and comfort that are addressed herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention is directed to a substantially transparent article of footwear. This article of footwear comprises a substantially transparent resilient sole including a gripping surface and a substantially transparent shoe upper integrally dependent from the resilient sole. The upper includes means for aeration of a foot of a user and a substantially transparent insole disposed within the shoe upper, and a substantially transparent closure means. The transparent closure means includes means for stabilizing an ankle and in-step area of the foot of the user within the article of footwear. Said shoe upper includes a heel portion formed of a flexible clear material and a forward portion of said upper integrally dependent from said heel portion. Said forward portion of the upper preferably comprises a mesh fabric for aeration of the foot of the user. One edge of said stabilizing means further comprises means for elastic engagement of said ankle and in-step area of said foot. [0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a substantially transparent article of footwear that will allow travelers to pass through security detectors at a quicker pace. [0007] It is another object to provide a comfortable and easily removable transparent article of footwear that may also be used when traveling. [0008] It is a further object to provide a transparent article of footwear to provide to travelers confidence in the knowledge that they are traveling more safely. [0009] The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appended herewith. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of the substantially transparent article of footwear of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of the article of FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of the substantially transparent article of footwear of FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing insertion of the foot of a user into the article of footwear of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0014] The instant invention relates to an article of footwear 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The article of footwear 10 includes a substantially transparent resilient sole 20, a substantially transparent flexible shoe upper 30, a substantially transparent insole 40, and a substantially transparent closure means 50. Said transparent resilient sole 20 includes a gripping surface 22 to improve traction of the article of footwear 10 when worn by a user, as is shown in FIG. 4. The length and width of the transparent sole 20 may vary to accommodate the sizes of a human foot. Said transparent shoe upper 30 is integrally dependent from said substantially transparent sole 20. Such dependence may be accomplished by bonding or integral molding of the elements. As shown in FIG. 1, said shoe upper 30 includes a heel portion 60 formed of a clear but more rigid material than sole 20. Said substantially transparent upper 30 also includes a forward portion 62 which is integrally dependent from said heel portion 60. [0015] Said shoe upper 30 and sole 20 are preferably made of a thermoplastic such as a polyvinyl. Said transparent shoe upper 30 and sole 20 may also be made of other substantially transparent moldable polymers such as polyethylene 20 and polypropylene. It is noted that the majority, the entire article of footwear 10 is formed of one or more substantially transparent materials, materials preferably an elastomeric polymer, but may be made of alternative materials if they are substantially transparent and resilient. [0016] The article 10 must be substantially transparent to enable security officers in various locations, including airports to visually inspect the entire shoe and foot of a user to see that no part of the article of footwear 10 includes metal or moving parts. A security officer is able to accomplish this rapidly so that there will be little need for a traveler to have to remove one's shoes to have them especially scanned. [0017] Said forward portion 62 of shoe upper 30 of said footwear 10 preferably defines a mesh material 64, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Said mesh material 64 comprises means 32 for aeration and expansion of the foot of the user. Preferably, the mesh is made of a substantially transparent elastomeric polymer. The forward portion 62 of shoe upper 30 is not limited to a mesh material and may be a solid transparent material with small ventilation holes integrally placed on the shoe upper 30. The mesh material or an alternative ventilated transparent material 64 allows the foot to breathe within the article of footwear 10. The selection of mesh material 64 can also ensure adequate scanning of the foot of the user in the event a terrorist were to construct the shoe of a radio opaque material. Alternatively, the mesh material may be a solid breathable material as opposed to a material with any type of holes. [0018] Said forward portion 62 of shoe upper 30 of said footwear 10 may also define a mesh material 64 and perforations for aeration. The perforations may also be located on other portions of the article of footwear 10 to allow the foot to breathe. [0019] To assist the user placing the article of footwear on one's foot and preventing of slipping up or down the ankle of the user, one edge of said aeration means 32 may comprise means for elastic engagement 70 of the ankle and in-step area of the foot. Said engagement means may be integrally dependent from the shoe upper 30, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or may comprise a cross-over strap 50 discussed below. The engagement means may also comprise two or more cross-over straps. Alternatively, said article of footwear may not include said elastic engagement and would be similar to a loafer. Said elastic engagement means 70 preferably comprises a substantially transparent material, which may include an elastomeric polymer. Continue reading... Full patent description for Clear material security footwear Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Clear material security 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 Clear material security footwear or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Disposable sole for the shoe or foot of a wearer Next Patent Application: Security footwear Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Clear material security footwear patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.17776 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. 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