Adjustable Toe Protector

Abstract

An adjustable toe protector is disclosed and is formed from a loop of a tubular material with a pile layer on the inside where the length of the loop is adjustable, and pads the top the toes with a double thickness of the material so that shoe pressure straightens the toe out while a crest pad formed by a resilient insert into the tubular material beneath the toe lifts the toes.

1 . Apparatus for application to the toes of a patient comprising:
 a band comprising a loop having a length to wrap around a plurality of the toes of the patient;   the loop defining a top portion extending across the top of the toes and a bottom portion to extend underneath the toes;   the loop having two connecting portions one at each end each joining the top portion so as to extend between two toes;   the band having a first end and a second end and comprising an elongate tubular member with a hollow interior;   where the first end is inserted into the hollow interior of the second end and emerges through a hole adjacent the second end to define the loop with the first end defining a tail which can be pulled to tighten the loop.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is formed of a fleece material with a pile layer on an inner surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the pile layer is at least partly removed at said connecting portions so that the connecting portions are thinner than the top and bottom portions. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a resilient padding member is inserted into the hollow interior at least at the bottom portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a resilient padding member is inserted into the hollow interior only at the bottom portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the hole is defined by a slit in the tubular material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the top portion is defined by a first end portion at the first end lying inside a second end portion at the second end so that the first and second end portions overlap to define a thicker part of the loop at the top portion. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for application to the toes of a patient comprising:
 a band comprising a loop having a length to wrap around a plurality of the toes of the patient;   the loop defining a top portion extending across the top of the toes and a bottom portion to extend underneath the toes;   the loop having two connecting portions one at each end each joining the top portion so as to extend between two toes;   the band comprising an elongate tubular member with a hollow interior;   wherein the tubular member is formed of a fleece material with a pile layer on an inner surface.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the pile layer is at least partly removed at said connecting portions so that the connecting portions are thinner than the top and bottom portions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein a resilient padding member is inserted into the hollow interior at least at the bottom portion. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein a resilient padding member is inserted into the hollow interior only at the bottom portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the hole is defined by a slit in the tubular material. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the top portion is defined by a first end portion at the first end lying inside a second end portion at the second end so that the first and second end portions overlap to define a thicker part of the loop at the top portion. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for application to the toes of a patient comprising:
 a band comprising a loop having a length to wrap around a plurality of the toes of the patient;   the loop defining a top portion extending across the top of the toes and a bottom portion to extend underneath the toes;   the loop having two connecting portions one at each end each joining the top portion so as to extend between two toes;   the band comprising an elongate tubular member with a hollow interior;   wherein the top portion is defined by a first end portion at the first end lying inside a second end portion at the second end so that the first and second end portions overlap to define a thicker part of the loop at the top portion.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the tubular member is formed of a fleece material with a pile layer on an inner surface. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the pile layer is at least partly removed at said connecting portions so that the connecting portions are thinner than the top and bottom portions. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein a resilient padding member is inserted into the hollow interior at least at the bottom portion. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein a resilient padding member is inserted into the hollow interior only at the bottom portion. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the hole is defined by a slit in the tubular material.