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 proximal end and not connected to any other structure;   (e) said sleeve being closed at said distal end;   (f) said sleeve being configured to fit snuggly around a hallux toe of a person; and   (g) said sleeve being made of an 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 a toe sleeve, the 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 proximal end and not connected to any other structure;   (e) said sleeve being closed at said distal end;   (f) said sleeve being configured to fit snuggly around a hallux toe of a person;   (g) said sleeve being made of an elastic material;   (h) a gripping surface; and   (i) said gripping surface being applied to the exterior of said sleeve;   The method comprising:   (j) a human user stretching said sleeve over his or her hallux toe;   (k) said human user positioning said gripping surface such that said gripping surface is positioned under his or her hallux toe;   (l) said human user engaging in an aquatic activity;   (m) said human user completing said aquatic activity; and   (n) said human user removing said sleeve from his or her hallux toe.   
     
     
         4 . The toe sleeve of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is made of latex. 
     
     
         5 . The toe sleeve of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is made of silicone. 
     
     
         6 . The toe sleeve of  claim 2  wherein said sleeve is made of latex. 
     
     
         7 . The toe sleeve of  claim 2  wherein said sleeve is made of silicone. 
     
     
         8 . The method of using a toe sleeve of  claim 3  wherein said sleeve is made of latex. 
     
     
         9 . The method of using a toe sleeve of  claim 3  wherein said sleeve is made of silicone.