Resiliently compressible barrier system conformable to footwear aperture

Abstract

A barrier system ( 1 ) providing various apparatus and methods to barricade a footwear aperture ( 5 ) from the passage of foreign or unintended material or organisms ( 8 ) into the footwear cavity ( 7 ). Particular embodiments of the invention comprise a footwear aperture barrier ( 2 ) of a resiliently compressible material having an oval or ovoid ( 3 ) shape that can be conformed to the interior aperture surface ( 6 ) of footwear ( 4 ). Other embodiments of the invention provide a molded footwear aperture barrier ( 2 ) of resiliently compressible foam material that elastically conforms to the interior aperture surface ( 6 ) of footwear ( 4 ).

1 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture, comprising steps of; a. compressing said resilient barrier material; b. rebounding of the said resilient barrier material; c. conforming said resilient barrier material to the interior aperture surface of the said footwear; and d. engaging sufficient frictional engagement between said resilient barrier material and said interior aperture surface as to provide a sufficient barrier to prevent passage of said foreign or unintended material or organisms into the cavity of the footwear. 
     
     
         2 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , wherein said resilient barrier material comprises an ovoid or oval shape having operably mated barricade elements coupled to said footwear aperture. 
     
     
         3 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , wherein said footwear aperture comprises an opening intended for the entrance of a foot appendage. 
     
     
         4 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of locating resilient barrier material within said footwear aperture. 
     
     
         5 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 4 , further comprising the step of securing resilient barrier material to a location within said footwear aperture. 
     
     
         6 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 5 , wherein the said step of securing resilient barrier material to a location within said footwear aperture comprises the step of rebounding of the said resilient barrier material. 
     
     
         7 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 5 , wherein the said step of securing resilient barrier material to a location within said footwear aperture comprises the step of conforming said resilient barrier material to the interior aperture surface of the said footwear. 
     
     
         8 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 5 , wherein the said step of securing resilient barrier material to a location within said footwear aperture comprises the step of engaging sufficient frictional engagement between said resilient barrier material and said interior aperture surface as to provide a sufficient barrier to prevent passage of said foreign or unintended material or organisms. 
     
     
         9 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 5 , wherein the said step of securing resilient barrier material to a location within said footwear aperture comprises the step of having operably mated barricade elements coupled to said footwear aperture. 
     
     
         10 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 8 , wherein the said engaging sufficient frictional engagement between said resilient barrier material and said interior aperture surface comprises of a material that provides sufficient compression and rebound to provide a sufficient barrier to prevent passage of said foreign or unintended material or organisms. 
     
     
         11 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 9 , wherein the said step of having operably mated barricade elements coupled to said footwear aperture comprises of inserting the resilient barrier material into the aperture opening of the footwear. 
     
     
         12 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , wherein the said interior aperture surface comprise an oval, ovoid, or circular opening. 
     
     
         13 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of coloring said resilient barrier material. 
     
     
         14 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of establishing indicia on a portion of the exterior surface of said resilient barrier material. 
     
     
         15 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of connecting said resilient barrier material to another said resilient barrier material. 
     
     
         16 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of connecting said resilient barrier material to another said resilient barrier material by means of a cord, rope, lace, ribbon, string, toggle, wire, or other fastening device. 
     
     
         17 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , wherein said resilient barrier material comprises an oval mushroom shape having operably mated barricade elements coupled to said footwear aperture and top mushroom shaped portion creating a cap or dome cap over the opening of the footwear aperture. 
     
     
         18 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 17 , wherein said mushroom shaped portion creating a cap or dome cap over the opening of the footwear aperture provides excellent characteristics in the repelling or deflection of moisture, liquids, debris, rock, dirt, or dust. 
     
     
         19 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , wherein the said resilient barrier material comprise of various sizes to accommodate varying sizes of footwear apertures. 
     
     
         20 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 3 , wherein the said footwear comprise of a main aperture designated to the entrance of the foot appendage. 
     
     
         21 ) A method of barricading a footwear aperture as described in  claim 1 , wherein the said resilient barrier material comprise of various sizes to accommodate varying footwear types.