Ergonomic Shoe

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/637,406, which was filed on Apr. 23, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention generally relates to the field of footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel dress shoe that includes an elevated heel and an angled front area to better accommodate the toes. The shoe includes an anatomically shaped toe box which has a pointed toe end and a slanting front end angled between 8 degrees to 20 degrees, extending to a small toe end positioned lower than the large toe end. The toe box mimics the natural curvature of the foot, reduces pressure on the toes and prevents discomfort, blisters, and fatigue commonly associated with traditional dress shoes. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

By way of background, men and women often wear dress shoes at smart casual or more formal events, and many individuals wear dress shoes daily to businesses and meetings. Conventional dress shoes are designed for aesthetics and are not comfortable. Such shoes fail to support the foot properly. Standard dress shoes are frequently uncomfortable and lack the ergonomic features necessary to accommodate the natural shape of the foot. Traditional dress shoes typically have rounded or pointed toe boxes that press against the toes, leading to discomfort and various foot-related issues such as pain, blisters, and fatigue. Inadequate support to the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint can also cause bunion.

Furthermore, many dress shoes do not feature an elevated heel, which can contribute to poor posture and additional strain on the foot and leg muscles. Individuals may feel disappointed with the current types and styles of dress shoes available, as dress shoes do not meet their needs for both style and comfort. Individuals desire a new type of dress shoe that combines design with ergonomic features, providing better accommodation for the foot.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved dress shoe that is both aesthetic and ergonomic. There is also a long felt need in the art for a novel dress shoe that provides better accommodation for the foot and reduces discomfort during prolonged wear. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dress shoe that supports the natural shape and curvature of the foot. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a unique dress shoe that includes an elevated heel and an ergonomic toe box. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a dress shoe that includes a slanted or angled front area to support digits of the foot of a user. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a dress shoe that can is comfortable, stylish, and can be worn for extended times. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a uniquely designed dress shoe that combines design with ergonomic features, provides better accommodation for the foot and reduces discomfort such as pain, stiffness, blisters, bunion, and more.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an ergonomic dress shoe. The shoe accommodates the natural anatomy of a wearer's foot and features an upper member including at least a vamp, a lacing area with a plurality of eyelets, and a throat. An elevated heel is disposed on the rear end of the bottom surface of the sole for providing posture support. An angled toe box conforms to the anatomy of the wearer's foot and includes a pointed toe end and a slanting front end that extends from the small toe end to the larger toe end for providing support to the toes (i.e., digits) of the feet of the wearer. The slanting front end of the toe box is angled from about 8 degrees to about 20 degrees relative to the toe end to mimic the natural shape of the foot and to reduce pressure on the digits. The toe box also supports Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and does not press on the digits.

In this manner, the ergonomic dress shoe of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a novel dress shoe that includes anatomically shaped toe box which mimics the natural curvature of the foot and reduces pressure on the toes. The shoe also helps prevent various foot-related issues such as bunions, calluses, and general foot fatigue. The shoe's toe box includes a slanting front end which provides a more natural fit and posture for the foot. The protruding arcuate portion accommodates the Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, offering additional support and cushioning. The dress shoe of the present invention offers improvement over traditional dress shoes by combining ergonomic features with stylish design, thereby providing a comfortable and supportive footwear option.

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a specialized dress shoe for accommodating the natural anatomy of a wearer's foot. The dress shoe comprises an upper member including at least a vamp, a lacing area with a plurality of eyelets, and a throat. A sole is coupled to the upper member. An elevated heel is disposed on the rear end of the bottom surface of the sole for providing posture support. An angled toe box conforms to the anatomy of the wearer's foot and includes a pointed toe end and a slanting front end that extends from the large toe end to the small toe end for providing support to the toes (i.e., digits) of the feet of the wearer. The slanting front end of the toe box is angled from about 8 degrees to about 20 degrees relative to the toe end to mimic the natural shape of the foot and to reduce pressure on the digits.

In yet another embodiment, an ergonomic dress shoe is disclosed. The ergonomic dress shoe comprises a vamp, a lacing area with a plurality of eyelets, and a throat, an angled toe box conforming to the anatomy of the wearer's foot, the toe box includes a pointed toe end and a slanting front end that extends from the large toe/digit end to the small toe/digit end, a protruding arcuate portion is disposed on a first or inner side surface of the toe box accommodates the Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and top portion of second or outer side surface of the toe box is curved towards the little digit end to support and adhere to the little digit of the wearer.

In another embodiment, a specialized dress shoe designed to accommodate the natural shape and dimensions of a wearer's foot is disclosed. The dress shoe includes an upper member including a vamp, a lacing area with a plurality of eyelets, a throat, a sole coupled to the upper member, an elevated heel disposed on the sole, wherein the heel ranges from about 0.5 inch to about 3 inches, an anatomically shaped toe box conforming to the natural curvature of the wearer's foot, the toe box includes a pointed toe end, a slanting front end extending from the large toe/digit end to the small toe/digit end, the slanting front end is angled between about 8 degrees to about 20 degrees to provide a comfortable fit and to reduce pressure on the toes, and a protruding arcuate portion on a first or inner side surface of the toe box accommodates the Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, wherein the first or inner side surface is longer in length than a second or outer side surface, wherein the toe box has a thickness from about 2.0 mm to about 2.5 mm to eliminate pressing of the toes and ensure a comfortable fit.

In another aspect, the shoe is made of leather or suede and can be designed in different styles including Oxford, Derby, Loafers, and Monk Strap.

In yet another aspect, the dress shoe includes an insole configured to provide arch support for improved stability and comfort during prolonged wear.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved dress shoe that is both aesthetic and ergonomic. There is also a long felt need in the art for a novel dress shoe that provides better accommodation for the foot and reduces discomfort during prolonged wear. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dress shoe that supports the natural shape and curvature of the foot. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a unique dress shoe that includes an elevated heel and an ergonomic toe box. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a dress shoe that includes a slanted or angled front area to support digits of the foot of a user. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a dress shoe that can is comfortable, stylish, and can be worn for extended periods. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a uniquely designed dress shoe that combines design with ergonomic features, provides better accommodation for the foot and reduces discomfort such as pain, stiffness, blisters, bunion, and more.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a specialized dress shoe designed to accommodate the natural shape and dimensions of a wearer's foot. The dress shoe includes a vamp, a lacing area with a plurality of eyelets, and a throat, a sole coupled to the upper member, an elevated heel disposed on the sole, an anatomically shaped toe box conforming to the natural curvature of the wearer's foot, the toe box includes a pointed toe end, a slanting front end extending from the large toe end to the small toe end, the slanting front end is angled between about 8 degrees and about 20 degrees to provide a comfortable fit and to reduce pressure on the toes, and a protruding arcuate portion on a first or inner side surface of the toe box accommodates the Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, wherein the first or inner side surface is longer in length than a second or outer side surface. In another embodiment, the slanting front end is angled between about 10 degrees and about 16 degrees.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring initially to the drawings,illustrates a perspective view of toe support designed footwear of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. The toe support designed footwearof the present invention is designed as a specialized footwear for providing better accommodation of the toe of a wearer. More specifically, the anatomically enhanced dress shoeis designed specifically for formal or semi-formal occasions but can be designed for all types of formal, semi-formal, and casual shoes. Referring to, the shoeincludes an upper memberwhich includes a vamp, a lacing area, and a throat. The lacing areaincludes a plurality of eyeletsfor receiving a lace to secure the shoeon the foot of a wearer. A heelis disposed on the soleof the shoefor providing posture support and height enhancement to the wearer. The upper memberis coupled with the solefor providing support and protection to the foot of a user.

The shoeincludes an angled toe boxthat conforms to the anatomy of the toe and foot of the wearer. The toe boxmimics or replicates the shape of the toes or digits of the feet of a user and includes a pointed toe endand a supporting slanting front end. The digit supporting slanting front endextends from the large toe endand terminates at the small toe endwhich is vertically positioned lower than the toe end. A protruding or arcuate portionis disposed on the side surfaceof the toe boxfor accommodating Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the foot. Further, the second or outer side surfaceof the shoeis less than the length of the first or inner side surface.

The toe accommodating endhelps in reducing pressure on the toe, thereby providing comfort and preventing conditions like bunions or hammertoes. The dress shoeof the present invention can come in various designs to cater to different fashion preferences. Preferably, the dress shoecan be made of leather or suede and can be made in different styles such as Oxford, Derby, Loafers, Monk Strap, and more.

illustrates a side perspective view of the ergonomic footwear of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. As illustrated, the shoeincludes the elevated heelwhich can range from about 0.5 inch to about 3 inches to help improve posture by slightly elevating the heel above the toes. The heelalso reduces strain on the Achilles tendon and enhances walking comfort for the wearer. The solecan be of the same color or of a different color as the upper memberand can be customized to meet preferences of the users.

Referring again to, the top portionof the second or outer side surfaceis curved or arcuate towards the little digit endand is adapted to support and adhere to the little digit of the user. The top portionextends to the little digit end. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the arcuate members or portions,support the anatomy of the feet of a human and the toe boxis unique and is not like conventional pointy or overly rounded toe boxes.

illustrates a perspective view showing position of foot of a user inside the dress shoe of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. As illustrated, the footof the wearer is placed on the inner soleof the shoeand the shoeis worn like conventional footwear. The toeis positioned along the protruding or arcuate portionand the pointed toe endis dimensioned to be placed at the distal endof the toeto support and cushion the toe. More specifically, the protruding or arcuate portionsupports and cushions the Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and the shoe can also be worn by individuals having bunions. The digit supporting slanting front endprovides support to the digitswithout pressing them and thereby reducing pressure on them. The shoecan be worn for prolonged time without discomfort. The shoeenables proper accommodation of the foot's natural shape and prevents different foot-related issues, such as blisters, calluses, and general foot fatigue.

illustrates a planar view showing the direction of the slanting digit supporting front end relative to the toe end in accordance with the disclosed structure. The front endslants from the large toeto the little toe to mimic the natural shape of the foot. In the preferred embodiment, the front endslants at angle(relative to horizontal phantom line) from about 8 degrees to about 20 degrees to provide a sloping digit terminal edge and a comfortable fit, reducing pressure on the digits and enabling for a more natural foot posture.

In different embodiments, the toe endand the front endare from 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm thick, thereby eliminating pressing of digits. The insole can be configured to provide arch support for improved stability.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “ergonomic footwear”, “anatomically enhanced dress shoe”, “toe support designed footwear”, “footwear”, and “dress shoe” are interchangeable and refer to the anatomically enhanced dress shoeof the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing the anatomically enhanced dress shoeof the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the anatomically enhanced dress shoeas shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the anatomically enhanced dress shoeare well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions the anatomically enhanced dress shoeare important design parameters for user convenience, the anatomically enhanced dress shoemay be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.