Protective toe sleeve for use during aquatic activity

Abstract

A protective sleeve for a swimmer's hallux toe, commonly known as the great toe, is smaller in diameter than the toe for which it is intended, and is intended to stretch around the great toe, ensuring a tight fit. The protective sleeve would have a gripping surface on its lower surface, to provide additional friction when the user is walking on wet, slick floor surfaces. The device would preferably be composed of durable, non-rigid, flexible material such as latex, silicon, rubber, or other elastic, durable material. Multiple sizes are contemplated for users having differently sized great toes.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A toe sleeve comprising:
 (a) a sleeve;   (b) said sleeve being tubular in shape;   (c) said sleeve having a distal end and a proximal end;   (d) said sleeve being open at said distal end;   (e) said sleeve being closed at said proximal end;   (f) said sleeve having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the hallux toe of a human user;   (g) said sleeve being made of a durable elastic material.   
     
     
         2 . The toe sleeve of  claim 1  further comprising a gripping surface, said gripping surface being applied to the exterior of said sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . A method of using the toe sleeve of  claim 1  comprising stretching said sleeve over the hallux toe of said human user, positioning said gripping surface such that said gripping surface is positioned under the hallux toe of said human user, said human user engaging in an aquatic activity, said human user completing said aquatic activity, and removing said sleeve from the hallux toe of said human user. 
     
     
         4 . A method of using the toe sleeve of  claim 2  comprising stretching said sleeve over the hallux toe of said human user, positioning said gripping surface such that said gripping surface is positioned under the hallux toe of said human user, said human user engaging in an aquatic activity, said human user completing said aquatic activity, and removing said sleeve from the hallux toe of said human user. 
     
     
         5 . The toe sleeve of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is made of latex. 
     
     
         6 . The toe sleeve of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is made of silicone. 
     
     
         7 . The toe sleeve of  claim 2  wherein said sleeve is made of latex. 
     
     
         8 . The toe sleeve of  claim 2  wherein said sleeve is made of silicone. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said sleeve is made of latex. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said sleeve is made of silicone. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said sleeve is made of latex. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said sleeve is made of silicone.