Footwear Retention Elastic Device

Abstract

A footwear retention elastic device is provided and may comprise a band body comprising a planar structure with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface. The band body may further comprise a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite that of the first terminal end. The band body may comprise a protective layer disposed upon the first side surface such that the protective layer covers at least a majority of the first side surface of the band body. The band body may comprise a buffer layer disposed upon the second side surface such that the buffer layer covers at least a majority of the second side surface of the band body.

1 . A footwear retention elastic device, comprising:
 a band body comprising a planar structure with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface, wherein the band body further comprises a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite that of the first terminal end;   a protective layer disposed upon the first side surface, wherein the protective layer covers at least a majority of the first side surface of the band body; and   a buffer layer disposed upon the second side surface, wherein the buffer layer covers at least a majority of the second side surface of the band body.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , further comprising: a coupling mechanism securing the first terminal end to the second terminal end, wherein the coupling mechanism is disposed at the first terminal end and the second terminal end. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of complimentary coupling elements, and wherein a first coupling element of the plurality of complimentary coupling elements is disposed at the first terminal end and a second coupling element of the plurality of complimentary coupling elements is disposed at the second terminal end. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of complimentary coupling elements comprise one or more of a clasp, a button, a magnet, a clip, a patch of hook and loop fasteners, a zipper, fabric ties, elastics, leather trims, shoelace ties or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , wherein the band body is fabricated from one or more of polyester, elastane, cotton and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , wherein the band body is manipulated between a default state and an extended state. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 6 , wherein the first terminal end is uncoupled from the second terminal end when the band body is in the default state. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 6 , wherein the first terminal end is coupled to the second terminal end when the band body is in the extended state. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 6 , wherein the band body comprises an elongate shape and a length-by-width dimensional ratio value of between 4 and 9 when the band body is in the extended state. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 6 , wherein, in the extended state, the band body provides a minimum restorative force of 2.25 Newtons. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is fabricated from one or more weatherproof materials including polyurethane laminate, thermoplastic polyurethane, waxed cotton, nylon, woven polyester, PVC coated polyester, terylene, laminated cotton, enameled cloth, polyester fleece, polyester microfiber, wool, polyvinyl chloride, micro denier filaments or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , wherein the buffer layer is fabricated from one or more non-abrasive materials including cloth, fleece, velvet, elastane, silk satin, cotton linen, woven polyester, plush or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more non-abrasive materials comprise a coefficient of friction with a footwear article of between 0.15 and 0.30. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , wherein the band body is fabricated from a plurality of rubber cores each wrapped in a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of rubber cores are woven together into a band. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 14 , wherein the protective layer comprises a plurality of horizontal weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band, wherein the pitch of the parallel rows is between 0.03 inches and 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 14 , wherein the buffer layer comprises an array of braided diamond-shaped weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band, wherein the pitch of the parallel rows is between 0.06 inches and 0.1 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the band body is fabricated from a plurality of rubber cores each wrapped in a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of rubber cores are woven together into a band;   the protective layer comprises a plurality of horizontal weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band; and   the buffer layer comprises an array of braided diamond-shaped weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band.   
     
     
         18 . The footwear retention elastic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the band body is fabricated from a plurality of rubber cores each wrapped in a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of rubber cores are woven together into a band;   the protective layer comprises a plurality of horizontal weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band, wherein the pitch of the parallel rows is between 0.03 inches and 0.05 inches; and   the buffer layer comprises an array of braided diamond-shaped weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band, wherein the pitch of the parallel rows is between 0.06 inches and 0.1 inches.   
     
     
         19 . A footwear retention elastic device, comprising:
 a band body comprising a planar structure with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface, wherein:
 the band body further comprises a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite that of the first terminal end, and 
 the band body is fabricated from a plurality of rubber cores each wrapped in a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of rubber cores are woven together into a band; 
   a protective layer disposed upon the first side surface, wherein:
 the protective layer covers at least a majority of the first side surface of the band body, and 
 the protective layer comprises a plurality of horizontal weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band; and 
   a buffer layer disposed upon the second side surface, wherein:
 the buffer layer covers at least a majority of the second side surface of the band body, and 
 the buffer layer comprises an array of braided diamond-shaped weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band. 
   
     
     
         20 . A footwear retention elastic device, comprising:
 a band body comprising a planar structure with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface, wherein:
 the band body further comprises a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite that of the first terminal end, 
 the band body is fabricated from a plurality of rubber cores each wrapped in a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of rubber cores are woven together into a band, and 
 the band body is manipulated between a default state and an extended state, wherein, in the extended state, the band body provides a minimum restorative force of 2.25 Newtons and comprises an elongate shape and a length-by-width dimensional ratio value of between 4 and 9 when the band body is in the extended state; 
   a protective layer disposed upon the first side surface, wherein:
 the protective layer covers at least a majority of the first side surface of the band body, and 
 the protective layer comprises a plurality of horizontal weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band, wherein the pitch of the parallel rows is between 0.03 inches and 0.05 inches; and 
   a buffer layer disposed upon the second side surface, wherein:
 the buffer layer covers at least a majority of the second side surface of the band body, and 
 the buffer layer comprises an array of braided diamond-shaped weaves arranged in parallel rows along the length of the band, wherein the pitch of the parallel rows is between 0.06 inches and 0.1 inches.