WO2010020029A1

WO2010020029A1 - Footwear for a wearer having a substantially non-functional upper limb

Info

Publication number: WO2010020029A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/001479
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriana C. Gamble
Original assignee: Gamble Adriana C
Priority date: 2008-08-19
Filing date: 2008-08-19
Publication date: 2010-02-25

Abstract

Footwear for use by a wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb is disclosed. The footwear includes a right footwear article having a right foot opening for receiving the wearer's right foot, a left footwear article having a left foot opening for receiving the wearer's left foot, and first and second fasteners respectively located on the right footwear article and the left footwear article, the first and second fasteners each being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

Description

FOOTWEAR FOR A WEARER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY NONFUNCTIONAL UPPER LIMB

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to footwear and more particularly to fasteners for footwear.

2. Description of Related Art

Footwear articles often include fasteners that require manual fastening by a wearer, in which case the wearer has to bend over to reach the fastener and exercise some manual dexterity to fasten the fastener. Some examples of fasteners found on shoes include shoelaces, hook and pile fasteners, buckles, over-center fasteners, and zippers. Such fasteners are generally used to secure the footwear article to the foot and may further provide some stabilizing support to the foot. Although some fasteners, such as shoelaces are generally located on the center of the shoe, buckle fastening systems such as those commonly found on the straps of women's sandals, and over- center fasteners such as those commonly found on ski boots, are more often located on outwardly oriented opposite sides the respective right and left shoes.

A person having a disability that causes one of their hands and/or arms to be substantially non-functional may have difficulty in using their functional hand to reach across a footwear article to fasten an outwardly oriented fastener. For example, a person with a disability of the right hand or arm may find it difficult to fasten a fastener located on their left shoe. Such disabilities may include neural disabilities that severely limit motor coordination on one side of the body, selective paralysis, and/or damage or loss of a portion of the hand or arm. There are instances where it is desirable to use a fastener when securing the footwear to a person's feet. For example, it may be considered fashionable to have a buckle on a strap of a pair of sandals, but disabled persons may opt not to wear such shoes due to fastening difficulties. Accordingly, a disabled person may be limited in their selection of footwear, and there remains a need for improved fasteners for footwear for use by persons with disabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for securing footwear to a wearer's feet, the footwear including a right footwear article and a left footwear article, the wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb. The method involves receiving a right foot of the wearer in a right foot opening of the right footwear article, receiving a left foot of the wearer in a left foot opening of the left footwear article, and fastening first and second fasteners respectively located on the right footwear article and the left footwear article. The first and second fasteners are each located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

Fastening the first and second fasteners may involve fastening first and second fasteners respectively located on one of a right side of the right footwear article and a right side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's right upper limb, and a left side of the right footwear article and a left side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's left upper limb.

Fastening the first and second fasteners may involve fastening the first and second fasteners using only the wearer's functional upper limb. Fastening the first and second fasteners may involve fastening first and second functional fasteners operably configured to secure the right and left footwear articles to the wearer's right and left feet respectively.

Fastening the first and second fasteners may involve fastening first and second decorative fasteners.

Securing the respective right and left footwear articles may involve causing the respective right and left foot openings to constrict to secure the wearer's left and right feet in the left foot opening and the right foot opening respectively.

The method may involve adjusting respective adjustments associated with each of the right footwear article and the left footwear article, the respective adjustments being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

Adjusting the respective adjustments may involve adjusting respective adjustments located on one of a right side of the right footwear article and a right side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's right upper limb, and a left side of the right footwear article and a left side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's left upper limb.

Adjusting may involve adjusting the respective adjustments to cause the left and right footwear articles to conform to the wearer's feet.

Adjusting may involve adjusting the respective adjustments using only the wearer's functional upper limb. Receiving the respective left and right feet of the wearer may further involve supporting the wearer's feet on respective soles of the left and right footwear articles.

Receiving the respective left and right feet of the wearer may further involve at least partially enclosing the wearer's feet in respective uppers of the left and right footwear articles.

Fastening the first and second fasteners may involve fastening one of a buckle, an over-center fastener, a hook and pile, a button, a clip, a hook, and a zipper.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided footwear for use by a wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb. The Footwear includes a right footwear article, a left footwear article, provisions for receiving the wearer's right foot in a right footwear article, and provisions for receiving the wearer's left foot in a left footwear article. The footwear also includes fastening provisions for fastening each of the left and right footwear articles, the fastening provisions being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided footwear for use by a wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb. The footwear includes a right footwear article having a right foot opening for receiving the wearer's right foot, a left footwear article having a left foot opening for receiving the wearer's left foot, and first and second fasteners respectively located on the right footwear article and the left footwear article. The first and second fasteners each being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb. The first and second fasteners may be respectively located on one of a right side of the right footwear article and a right side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's right upper limb, and a left side of the right footwear article and a left side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's left upper limb.

The first and second fasteners may include functional fasteners operably configured to secure the right and left footwear articles to the wearer's right and left feet respectively.

The first and second fasteners may include decorative fasteners.

The first and second fasteners may be operably configured to constrict the respective right and left foot openings to secure the wearer's left and right feet in the left foot opening and the right foot opening respectively.

The footwear may include respective adjustments associated with each of the right footwear article and the left footwear article, the respective adjustments being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

The respective adjustments may be located on one of a right side of the right footwear article and a right side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb may be the wearer's right upper limb, and a left side of the right footwear article and a left side of the left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's left upper limb.

The respective adjustments may be operably configured to cause the left and right footwear articles to conform to the wearer's feet. The respective adjustments may be located to be operable by only the wearer's functional upper limb.

The right footwear article and the left footwear article each may include a respective sole for supporting the wearer's feet.

The right footwear article and the left footwear article each may include a respective upper for enclosing the wearer's feet.

The first and second fasteners may include one of a buckle, an over-center fastener, a hook and pile, a button, a clip, a hook, and a zipper.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a right footwear article for use by a wearer having a substantially functional left upper limb and a substantially non-functional right upper limb, the footwear article having a right foot opening for receiving the wearer's right foot. The footwear article includes a fastener located on the right footwear article to permit convenient access by the wearer's left upper limb.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a left footwear article for use by a wearer having a substantially functional right upper limb and a substantially non-functional left upper limb, the footwear article having a left foot opening for receiving the wearer's left foot. The footwear article includes a fastener on the left footwear article to permit convenient access by the wearer's right upper limb.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of footwear in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of footwear shown in Figure 1 being worn by a wearer;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of footwear in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of footwear in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 , footwear in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention for use by a wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb is shown generally at 10. The footwear 10 includes a right footwear article 14 having a right foot opening 34 for receiving a wearer's right foot. The footwear 10 also includes a left footwear article 12 having a left foot opening 20 for receiving a wearer's left foot. The footwear 10 further includes first and second fasteners 38 and 24 respectively located on the right footwear article 14 and the left footwear article 12. The first and second fasteners 38 and 24 are located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the first and second fasteners 38 and 24 are respectively located on a right side of the right footwear article 14 and a right side of the left footwear article 12 for a case where the wearer has only a functional right upper limb. In other embodiments the first and second fasteners 38 and 24 may be respectively located on a left side of the right footwear article and a left side of the left footwear article for a case where the wearer has only a functional left upper limb.

In this embodiment, the right footwear article 14 includes a right sole 32 and the left footwear article 12 includes a left sole 18. The right footwear article 14 includes a right upper 30 and the left footwear article 12 includes a left upper 16 for at least partially enclosing the wearer's feet. The right and left footwear articles 14 and 12 may also include respective right and left compliant insoles 36 and 22 for cushioning the wearer's feet.

In this embodiment the right footwear article 14 includes a right retaining portion 40 and the left footwear article includes a left retaining portion 26 for securing the footwear 10 to the wearer's feet. In the embodiment shown, the first fastener 38 includes a buckle 39 and a hook and pile retention system 41 located on the right retaining portion 40. Similarly the second fastener 24 includes a buckle 25 and a hook and pile retention system 42 located on the left retaining portion 26. In other embodiments, the first and second fasteners may include a hook and pile fastener without a buckle, a button, a clip, a hook, or a zipper for example.

In the embodiment shown, the first and second fasteners 38 and 24 are functional fasteners operably configured when fastened to constrict the right and left foot openings 34 and 20 to secure the footwear to the wearer's feet. In other embodiments (not shown), the first and second fasteners may comprise decorative fasteners.

Referring to Figure 2, the footwear 10 is shown in use by a wearer 50. The wearer 50 has a functional right upper limb 52 and a non-functional left upper limb 54. As shown in Figure 2, the wearer 50 has already secured the right footwear article 14 to her right foot 56 and the first fastener 38 has been fastened by the wearer using the functional right upper limb 52.

When putting on the left footwear article 12, the wearer places her left foot 58 in the left foot opening 20 of the left footwear article and fastens the second fastener 24 using the functional right upper limb 52. Referring back to Figure 1 , in the embodiment shown, fastening the second fastener 24 involves threading the left retaining portion 26 through the buckle 25 and engaging the hook and pile system 42 to constrict the left foot opening 20. The degree of constriction of the left foot opening 20 may be selectively varied by varying a threaded length of the retaining portion 26.

Advantageously, the wearer 50 is not forced to reach across to the left side of the left footwear article 12, since the second fastener 24 is conveniently located on the right side of the left footwear article. In conventional footwear the second fastener 24 would commonly be located on the left side of the left footwear article thereby requiring the wearer 50 to exercise manual dexterity to secure the footwear.

Referring to Figure 3, an alternative footwear embodiment is shown generally at 100. The footwear 100 includes a right footwear article 104 having a right foot opening 108 for receiving the wearer's right foot. The footwear 100 also includes a left footwear article 102 having a left foot opening 106 for receiving the wearer's left foot. The footwear 100 further includes a first plurality of fasteners 110, 112, and 114 located on the right footwear article 104. The footwear 100 also includes a second plurality of fasteners 116, 118, and 120 located on the left footwear article 102. The first and second plurality of fasteners 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120 are each located on the right and left footwear articles 104 and 102 respectively to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb. In the embodiment shown, the first and second plurality of fasteners 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 are respectively located on a right side of the right footwear article 104 and a right side of the left footwear article 102 in a case where the wearer has a functional right upper limb. In other embodiments the first and second plurality of fasteners may be respectively located on a left side of the right footwear article and a left side of the left footwear article in cases where the wearer has a functional left upper limb.

In the embodiment shown, the footwear 100 comprise a ski boot and the first and second plurality of fasteners 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120 each comprise an over-center fastener for securing the ski boot to the wearer's feet. The first and second plurality of fasteners 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 are each connected to respective adjustable straps 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132. The right and left foot openings 108 and 106 are constricted by fastening the first and second plurality of fasteners 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120. The degree of constriction of the right and left foot openings 108 and 106 may be varied by adjusting the adjustable straps 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132 prior to fastening the fasteners 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120.

Referring to Figure 4, another footwear embodiment is shown generally at 200. The footwear 200 includes a right footwear article 204 having a right foot opening 208 for receiving the wearer's right foot. The footwear 200 also includes a left footwear article 202 having a left foot opening 206 for receiving the wearer's left foot. The footwear 200 further includes first and second fasteners 210 and 212 respectively located on the right footwear article 204 and the left footwear article 202. The first and second fasteners 210 and 212 are located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb. The right footwear article 204 includes a right sole 222 and a right upper 220. The left footwear article 202 includes a left sole 218 and a left upper 216. In this embodiment, the right footwear article 204 and the left footwear article 202 also include a first and second respective adjustments 224 and 226, which are located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb. The first and second adjustments 224 and 226 may permit further adjustment of the footwear to cause the left and right footwear articles 204 and 202 to better conform to the wearer's feet. For example, the first and second adjustments 224 and 226 may comprise actuators for inflating respective air pouches within the left and right footwear articles 204 and 202 for providing support or relief to a particular portion of the wearer's foot. Such adjustments may be provided in running shoes for example.

In the embodiment shown, the first and second fasteners 210 and 212, and the first and second adjustments 224 and 226, are respectively located on a right side of the right footwear article 204 and the right side of the left footwear article 202 in cases where the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's right upper limb.

In other embodiments the first and second fasteners and the first and second adjustments may be respectively located on a left side of the right footwear article and a left side of the left footwear article in cases where the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's left upper limb.

Advantageously, in each of the embodiments shown above, the wearer is not forced to reach across either a left or right footwear article, since both fasteners are located on a common side of the footwear articles. In conventional footwear the fasteners would commonly be located on opposite sides of the footwear articles, thereby requiring the wearer to exercise manual dexterity to secure the footwear.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for securing footwear to a wearer's feet, the footwear including a right footwear article and a left footwear article, the wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb, the method comprising:

receiving a right foot of the wearer in a right foot opening of the right footwear article;

receiving a left foot of the wearer in a left foot opening of the left footwear article; and

fastening first and second fasteners respectively located on the right footwear article and the left footwear article, wherein said first and second fasteners are each located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein fastening said first and second fasteners comprises fastening first and second fasteners respectively located on one of:

a right side of said right footwear article and a right side of said left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's right upper limb; and

a left side of said right footwear article and a left side of said left footwear article when the wearer's functional upper limb is the wearer's left upper limb.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein fastening said first and second fasteners comprises fastening said first and second fasteners using only the wearer's functional upper limb.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein fastening said first and second fasteners comprises fastening first and second functional fasteners operably configured to secure the right and left footwear articles to the wearer's right and left feet respectively.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein fastening said first and second fasteners comprises fastening first and second decorative fasteners.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein securing the respective right and left footwear articles comprises causing the respective right and left foot openings to constrict to secure the wearer's left and right feet in the left foot opening and the right foot opening respectively.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting respective adjustments associated with each of said right footwear article and said left footwear article, said respective adjustments being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein adjusting said respective adjustments comprises adjusting respective adjustments located on one of:

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said adjusting comprises adjusting said respective adjustments to cause the left and right footwear articles to conform to the wearer's feet.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said adjusting comprises adjusting said respective adjustments using only the wearer's functional upper limb.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving said respective left and right feet of the wearer further comprises supporting the wearer's feet on respective soles of said left and right footwear articles.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving said respective left and right feet of the wearer further comprises at least partially enclosing the wearer's feet in respective uppers of said left and right footwear articles.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein fastening said first and second fasteners comprises fastening one of a buckle, an over-center fastener, a hook and pile, a button, a clip, a hook, and a zipper.

14. Footwear for use by a wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb, the footwear comprising:

a right footwear article;

a left footwear article;

means for receiving the wearer's right foot in a right footwear article;

means for receiving the wearer's left foot in a left footwear article; and fastening means for fastening each of the left and right footwear articles, said fastening means being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

15. Footwear for use by a wearer having one substantially functional upper limb and another substantially non-functional upper limb, the footwear comprising:

a right footwear article having a right foot opening for receiving the wearer's right foot;

a left footwear article having a left foot opening for receiving the wearer's left foot; and

first and second fasteners respectively located on the right footwear article and the left footwear article, said first and second fasteners each being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

16. The footwear of claim 15 wherein said first and second fasteners are respectively located on one of:

17. The footwear of claim 15 wherein said first and second fasteners comprise functional fasteners operably configured to secure the right and left footwear articles to the wearer's right and left feet respectively.

18. The footwear of claim 15 wherein said first and second fasteners comprise decorative fasteners.

19. The footwear of claim 17 wherein said first and second fasteners are operably configured to constrict the respective right and left foot openings to secure the wearer's left and right feet in the left foot opening and the right foot opening respectively.

20. The footwear of claim 15 further comprising respective adjustments associated with each of said right footwear article and said left footwear article, said respective adjustments being located to permit convenient access by the wearer's functional upper limb.

21. The footwear of claim 20 wherein said respective adjustments are located on one of:

22. The footwear of claim 21 wherein said respective adjustments are operably configured to cause the left and right footwear articles to conform to the wearer's feet.

23. The footwear of claim 22 wherein said respective adjustments are located to be operable by only the wearer's functional upper limb.

24. The footwear of claim 15 wherein the right footwear article and the left footwear article each comprise a respective sole for supporting the wearer's feet.

25. The footwear of claim 24 wherein the right footwear article and the left footwear article each comprise a respective upper for enclosing the wearer's feet.

26. The footwear of claim 15 wherein said first and second fasteners comprise one of a buckle, an over-center fastener, a hook and pile, a button, a clip, a hook, and a zipper.

27. A right footwear article for use by a wearer having a substantially functional left upper limb and a substantially non-functional right upper limb, the footwear article having a right foot opening for receiving the wearer's right foot and comprising a fastener located on the right footwear article to permit convenient access by the wearer's left upper limb.

28. A left footwear article for use by a wearer having a substantially functional right upper limb and a substantially non-functional left upper limb, the footwear article having a left foot opening for receiving the wearer's left foot and comprising a fastener on the left footwear article to permit convenient access by the wearer's right upper limb.