US20150201701A1

US20150201701A1 - Foot Protection Device for Insertion into a Sandal to Minimize Pressure and Irritations on the Top and Front Portions of the Foot

Info

Publication number: US20150201701A1
Application number: US14/157,813
Authority: US
Inventors: Allison Shapiro
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-17
Filing date: 2014-01-17
Publication date: 2015-07-23

Abstract

A foot protection device for insertion into a sandal, the sandal having a plurality of straps that run across the front and top area of the foot that may apply excess pressure and cause irritations to the foot, the foot protection device comprising, (a) an insole that lays upon and covers the sandal sole, (b) a foot band member positioned below the sandal straps and above the top of the foot and for the foot band member to have sufficient thickness and surface hardness to absorb the sandal strap stresses applied to the top of the foot and to thereby redistribute these stresses over the foot band member surface area to minimize any strap excess pressure and irritations to the top of the foot, and (c) a means for attaching each of the foot band member opposing ends to one of each of the insole opposing sides.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to foot protection devices that may be inserted into sandals to provide enhanced comfort. More particularly, the invention disclosed herein relates to sandal insoles for redistributing potential stresses caused by sandal straps that run across the front and top area of the foot of a wearer. The foot protection device thereby minimizes excess pressure and irritations to the front and top portion of the foot on which the straps come into contact.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention is particularly applicable to the shoe industry, and to one who typically wears sandals consisting of straps that come into contact with the front and top portion of the wearer's foot, and will be described with particular reference thereto.
The continuing concern among those in the shoe industry and among consumers who wear uncomfortable or irritating shoes, is that the straps of a shoe or sandal may cause discomfort to the wearer and there is ever growing concern to look for an invention that relieves pressure, minimizes irritations, and provides enhanced comfort. Shoe insoles and comfort padding are often used to address the specific needs of an individual in connection with this problem.
Over a period of time, the shoe sections that run across the portions of the foot have the potential for applying pressure and friction to the wearer's foot and causing that person to experience excess pressure, pain, or resulting in irritations and blisters. This problem affects the wearer and the wearer's foot in using certain shoes daily and may even impact the wearer's foot for days after the use depending on the duration of wear and the exertion of force and pressure upon the foot. Thus, the wearer is impeded from the general use of particular shoes in everyday living.
In addition, the wearer may also experience discomfort on the bottom sole of the foot. In this case, the wearer may utilize devices including padded insoles, arch supports and orthopedic shoe supports. Such insoles have proven less than ideal in aspects that address comfort to the front and top portions of the foot that may come in contact with sandal straps that cause pressure and irritations.
The prior art teaches many types of insoles offering various support and comfort padding. The foot sole supports and padding provide a comfortable surface for manipulation and allow a wearer to use the insole for its intended use or function to support and provide comfort to the sole of the foot.
Various types of other relief are also available to provide direct spot comfort and alleviate pressure on specific problem areas that come into contact with troublesome shoe sections. Most, if not all, of these relief paddings are limited to individual spot relief and do not provide relief for portions of the foot that extend beyond a limited, isolated area, nor do they provide relief for strap configurations across the top and front portions of the foot.
The goal of any comfort shoe insole or padding is to promote an eased condition such that the foot is maintained in a comfortable position, and to deter points of external pressure or stress caused by certain shoe sections that come into direct contact with the wearer's foot. Moreover, a further goal of these products is to facilitate the function of the foot as it interacts and engages with the wearer's shoe while the wearer is in a seated or idle position, and also if the wearer is in motion or engaged in walking or some other activity experienced in the regular course of daily life.
Conventional insoles and relief pads suffer from a number of drawbacks to address the problem of sandal straps potentially applying excessive force and causing irritations on the top and front portions of the wearer's foot. One such drawback is that conventional insoles allow the wearer to experience comfort only on the sole of the foot. In addition, relief pads only provide comfort to limited points of contact between the shoe and the foot and only provide a temporary solution as these pads must be applied, and removed daily, and new pads must then be reapplied for the next wear of the shoe. For example, a wearer may experience discomfort on the back of the heel, and therefore use heel liners to provide relief. In the case of a wearer having particular foot corns or bunions on certain toes of the foot from the constant rubbing of the shoe on the foot, the wearer will use bunion pads to relieve pressure from those particular, and limited points of contact with the shoe. This type of padding relief is temporary and only provides a single daily wear use to be applied and removed daily.
Therefore, the use of conventional relief insoles or padding is not conducive for use in situations requiring coverage beyond limited areas like the sole of the foot or specific isolated spots. Conventional insoles and padding do not address the problems encountered with sandals having a number of thin straps spaced and oriented such that the straps run across a front and top portion of the foot. Thus, conventional insoles do not alleviate problems typically encountered from the excessive pressure and irritations caused by sandal straps that are in touch with the wearer's foot.
Another common drawback associated with specific, spot comfort padding is that it typically allows only a limited area of the foot to come into contact with the padding and does not fit over the entire front and top foot portion that requires relief of pressure and irritation. A user, hence, would be required to line the foot with multiple spot padding adhesives in order to assist in alleviating a larger area of the top, front of the foot falling underneath the straps of the sandal.
Alternatively, a wearer may also attempt to line the padding underneath each strap. These uses, however, are not an effective or productive use for these padding products, as the shape of the padding is not suited for multiple pads to be used at once or for more than one use. In addition, this type of padding could not accommodate thin straps and would be a visual eye sore and be too cumbersome to wear multiple pads.
Furthermore, the padding is usually too thick to accommodate the space between the wearer's foot and the sandal, thereby putting additional discomfort on the wearer by consuming space and creating tension or tightness on the foot against the padding and shoe. Hence, the external force applied by a walking movement may quickly lead to pressure, discomfort and/or irritations on the foot.
More recently, padded or foam heel liners have been introduced to the shoe industry. Padded heel liners usually attach to the inside of the heel of the shoe with the padded portion facing inside the shoe and placed against the heel of foot where the user is experiencing pressure or discomfort. The heel liners are typically used to relieve pressure on the back of the heel to prevent friction and rubbing of the shoe against the wearer's heels.
In addition, medical tape may also be used to prevent friction between the shoe and the wearer's foot. Although usually used in the dance industry with ballet shoes, wearers may apply medical tape smoothly and directly on portions of the foot experiencing discomfort from pressure exerted by certain sections of a shoe. Medical tape is generally purchased in a container with or without a cutting mechanism so that the user is permitted to select the length of the tape to be used and can be extended in a length along the foot to address the areas experiencing pressure or discomfort.
This medical tape does not contain padding but does provide rub relief for the users. The tape is an adhesive that must be affixed to the foot and is intended for only a single use. In addition, another drawback is that the tape or spot relief padding may shift during use and leave a tacky adhesive residue against the wearer's skin that must be removed via a rubbing motion or removal liquid such as soap, rubbing alcohol, or baby oil. In some cases the tacky, adhesive residue becomes a difficult task to fully remove on the inside of the shoe itself, thus imposing the wearer to continue to feel a residual substance against the foot during future use.
In addition, toe pouch padding has also been introduced to the shoe industry to provide comfort for pump type shoes that enclose an area of the front portion of the foot. This type of padding sits within the enclosed portion of the closed-toe pump shoe. This type of padding is not conducive to relieving pressure from sandal straps running across the front and top portions of the foot, as the toe pouch padding would be visually apparent underneath the straps and would appear outside of the shoe or in between the plurality of spaced apart straps, which is not the intention or purpose of that product.
Shoes are a constant part of everyday life and the majority of people regularly wear shoes or sandals, thereby spending continuous amounts of time in a type of foot enclosure. A person wearing sandals having a number of spaced apart straps, where the straps are positioned across the front and top area of the foot, may end up experiencing excess forces from the straps and irritations on those portions of the wearer's foot that come into contact with those straps. With continuous, repeated use of these types sandals, the wearer experiences unnecessary pressure and skin irritations caused by the straps, and the wearer's use of particular sandals is uncomfortable or impeded, thus interrupting the wearer's selection of shoes, everyday living and continuous daily activities.
Despite the existence of many types of insoles and padding to facilitate comfort for one wearing shoes, the sandal wearer continues to experience pressure and irritations on the top and front portions of the foot that come into contact with troublesome straps.
Accordingly, a need exists for a new and improved foot device that specifically relieves the discomfort, pressure, pain and irritations experienced by a sandal wearer on the front and top portions of the wearer's foot. In addition, there is a need for a foot protection device that provides better and more advantageous overall results in terms of extending the length of time a wearer is able to comfortably wear shoes or sandals with a plurality of spaced-apart, thin straps that are oriented such that the straps run across the front and top area of the foot of a wearer. It is a general object of the present invention to provide such a foot protection device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recognizing the need for the development of new and improved methods and products for relieving excess pressure and irritations on the front and top area of the foot, the present invention is generally directed to the needs set forth above and overcoming the problems with and the disadvantages exhibited by prior foot protection devices, insoles and padding.
The present invention relates to a foot protection device that is configured to relieve the excess pressure and irritations on the top and front portions of the foot of one who is wearing sandals having a number of straps, wherein the foot protection device comprises: (a) an insole having opposing sides and a configuration adapted to allow the insole to lay upon and approximately cover the inside sandal sole, (b) a foot band member having a top surface with pairs of opposing sides and ends, the foot band member positioned below the sandal straps and above a portion of the top of the foot and for the foot band member to have sufficient thickness and top surface hardness so as to absorb the stresses applied by the sandal straps to the top portion of the foot and to thereby redistribute these stresses over a significant portion of the foot band member surface area so as to minimize the potential excess pressure and irritations caused by the straps to the top portion of the foot with which the straps come into contact, and (c) a means for attaching each foot band member opposing end to one of each of the insole opposing sides.
In other possible embodiments of the present invention: (e) the configuration of the foot band member is further adapted so as to be transparent, (f) the sandal straps having a defined width and length and therefore a surface area that comes into contact with the foot, and the sum of the surface areas for the plurality of straps defining a total sum of the strap surface area for the sandal, the ratio of the foot band member surface area to the total strap surface area of the sandal being in the range of 3-7, (g) the member top surface having a surface hardness as measured by a ASTM D2240—type D durometer rating in the substantial range of 40-90, and (h) the foot band member having a thickness in the substantial range of 0.01-0.15 inches.
In addition, the present invention can take the form of a method of forming a foot protection device for insertion into a sandal, said sandal of the type having a plurality of substantially spaced-apart, thin straps that are connected to the sole of the sandal and are oriented such that the straps run across a portion of the front and top area of the foot and because of their orientation and thinness have the potential for applying excess pressure and causing irritations to those portions of the front and top portion of the foot with which the straps come into contact, the method comprising: (a) utilizing an insole having opposing sides and a configuration adapted to allow the insole to lay upon and approximately cover the inside sandal sole, (b) utilizing an insole having opposing sides and a configuration adapted to allow said insole to lay upon and approximately cover the sandal sole, and (c) utilizing an insole having opposing sides and a configuration adapted to allow the insole to lay upon and approximately cover the sandal sole, utilizing a means for attaching each of the foot band member opposing ends to one of each of the insole opposing sides.
Thus, there has been summarized above (rather broadly and understanding that there are other preferred embodiments which have not been summarized above) the present invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, elevational view that illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foot protection device shown in use with a sandal on the foot of a wearer.

FIG. 2 is perspective, elevational view that illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foot protection device being shown apart from the foot of a wearer and sandal.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foot protection device being shown apart from the foot of a wearer and sandal.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the sole of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For lexicon purposes, the terminology “shoe” and “sandal” are used interchangeably.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention 1 in the form of a foot protection device 1 shown in use on the foot 10 of one who is wearing a sandal. To use the device 1, the wearer will insert the wearer's foot 10 into the device 1 such that the foot band member 30 substantially covers an area of the front portion 12 and top portion 14 of the foot 10 and the wearer's sole 16 rests against the top surface 26 of the insole 20. With the device in place, the wearer may then insert the wearer's foot and the device into the sandal for use. Alternatively, the wearer may also first place the device 1 into the sandal 40 such that the sandal straps 42 are resting against the foot band member 30 and the device insole 20 lays against the sandal insole 44. The wearer may then insert the wearer's foot 10 into the sandal 40 with positioned device 1.
Sandals 40 generally differ in the style, number, length, and width of straps 42 that run across the foot 10 of a wearer. Often, sandals 40 include a plurality of straps 42 that are substantially thin and spaced-apart and are connected to each side of the sandal sole. The straps 42 have the potential for applying pressure and excess friction and causing discomfort and irritations where the straps 42 come into contact with the wearer's foot 10. Thus, these problems with the straps 42 impact and disrupt the wearer's everyday living and use of particular sandals 40.
The present invention 1 is designed to relieve excessive pressure and minimize irritations caused by sandal straps 42 positioned on the top portion 12 and front portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10. A sandal wearer may experience excessive rubbing, discomfort, pressure, and irritation caused by the sandal straps 42. The wearer inserts the foot 10 into the foot protection device 1 for use within the sandal 40. Use of the foot protection device 1 is particularly suited for continuous, repeated use by the wearer of such sandals 40.
The present invention 1 is seen to comprise parts or elements that include an insole 20, a foot band member 30, and a means for attaching each side of the foot band member's opposing ends 32, 34 to one of each of the insole's opposing sides 22, 24. See FIGS. 1 and 2. Such that, the first foot band member-opposing end 32 is attached to the first insole opposing side 22 and the second foot band member opposing end 34 is attached to the second insole opposing side 24.
The insole 20 comprises a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 28, and two insole opposing sides 22, 24—a first side 22, and a second side 24, along with a front end portion 37 and a back end portion 39. The insole 20 is configured to lay upon and cover the inside sole 44 of the sandal 40. By way of example, the insole 20 may be made of any suitable material such as cloth, cushioning material, polymer, molded material or the like material in order to achieve a desired length and thickness for comfort and/or support. FIGS. 2-4.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the foot band member 30, which can be of any desired shape or form, is preferred in a substantially rectangular form. The foot band member 30 may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, vinyl, a polymer material, polyvinyl chloride or the like material. The foot band member 30 also has a top surface 36 and bottom surface 38, along with two opposing sides—a first opposing side 33, and a second opposing side 35. The foot band member also has two opposing ends 32, 34—a first opposing end 32, and a second opposing end 34. The foot band member 30 is configured such that the two-foot band member 30 opposing ends 32, 34 are connected with insole 20. The foot band member-first opposing end 32 is connected to the insole first opposing side 22, and the foot band member-second opposing end 34 is connected to the insole-second opposing side 24. The foot band member 30 shields the front portion 12 and top portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10 and is defined by a certain surface area defined by the length and width of the foot band member 30. The foot band member 30 is configured and situated relative to the insole as to minimize the excess pressure or irritations caused by the straps 42 of the sandal 40 placed against portions of the foot. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the foot band member 30 would be of a translucent or transparent material such that the foot band member may be used with sandals having substantially thin straps 42. In a possible embodiment, the foot band member 30 would be substantially situated near the front-end portion 37 of the insole 20 and lay above the foot 10 on the top portion 12 and front portion 14 of the foot 10. This positioning would place the foot band member 30 substantially beneath the sandal straps 42. Because the foot band member 30 is made of material having a sufficient thickness, the foot band member 30 is able to redistribute the stresses applied by the sandal straps 42 over the top portion 12 and front portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10 throughout the surface area of the foot band member 30. Thereby, the foot band member 30 alleviates and relieves discomfort experienced caused by the sandal straps 42.
Because the sandal straps 42 have a defined width and length, they may comprise a certain surface area that comes in contact with the foot 10 of a wearer when the device is in use. The ratio of the strap area in relation to the foot band member 30 area may be substantially in the range of 3:7.
The present invention also comprises a means for attaching the foot band member 30 to the insole 20. The foot band member 30 has a first opposing end 32 that may be attached to the insole 20 first opposing side 22, and the foot band member 30 second opposing side 34 may be attached to the insole 20 second opposing side 24. Both foot band member first and second opposing ends 32, 34 are substantially attached to the insole-first and second opposing sides 22, 24 at the front-end portion 37 of the insole 20.
FIG. 1 shows the foot 10 of the intended wearer. The foot 10 includes a front portion 12, top portion 14, and the sole 16 of the foot 10. FIGS. 1 and 6 show the foot 10 of a wearer who is wearing a sandal 40 and using the foot protection device 1 when both the foot 10 and device 1 are inserted into the sandal 40.
As shown in FIG. 1, the wearer inserts the foot 10 into the foot protection device 1 and the sandal 40. The straps 42 are connected to each side of the sole 44 of the sandal 40 and are oriented such that the sandal 40 has a number of straps 42 that are spaced apart and run across the front portion 12 and top portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10. Due to the positioning of the straps 42 on the wearer's foot 10, the straps 42 have the potential for applying excess pressure or friction and causing discomfort, and pain, and irritations where the straps 42 come into contact with the foot 10.
In one possible embodiment, the wearer's foot 10 is inserted into the foot protection device 1 such that the foot band member 30 covers the top portion 12 and front portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10. The sole 16 of the wearer's foot 10 rests on the insole 20 of the foot protection device 1. The top portion 12 and front portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10 extends underneath the foot band member 30, which relieves the excess pressure and minimizes irritations to the top portion 12 and front portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10 that would otherwise be exerted on the foot 10 during continuous wear without the device 1. As previously described herein, relieving such pressure and irritations on the foot 10 of a wearer decreases the pain, stress and discomfort experienced by a wearer.
It should be understood that the insole 20 could be otherwise configured and sized and formed for contacting more or less of the wearer's foot 10. In addition, in at least some embodiments of the invention, the insole 20 and foot band member 30 could have a different surface material or texture. It should be understood that other types of surface materials or textures could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It also should be understood that the foot band member 30 is connected to the insole 20 and that the foot protection device 1 could be provided with any suitable connecting, coupling or attachment means without departing from the scope of the present invention, for attaching the foot band member-first opposing end and second opposing end 34 to the insole-first opposing side 22 and second opposing side 24 respectively. For example, the foot band member 30 could be connected to the insole 20 by a connecting means of the releasable type or of the permanent type without departing from the scope of the invention. The foot band member 30 could be easily adhered to adjoin the insole 20 opposing sides 22 and 24 or could be glued, sewn, or used in combination with elastic, or affixed by other means. In addition, the foot protection device 1 could be one continuous device and thus the foot band member 30 would be affixed to the insole 20 by way of permanent embodiment.
There are many suitable materials from which the present invention can be fabricated and all are considered to come within the scope of the present invention. A major consideration in the selection of such a material is the requirement that it be able to sufficiently redistribute over a larger surface area the forces that would otherwise be imposed by a sandal's thin straps 42 on the front and top portions of a wearer's foot 10. In order for this to occur, the foot band member 30 cannot be excessively indented in those areas where a sandal's thin straps 42 are pressing down against the foot band member 30. Experimentation has shown that a material with an ASTM D22240—type D durometer rating in the range of 40 to 90 is sufficient for this task, with preferred materials having a rating of greater than 65.
For example, many types of high quality, transparent or translucent, vinyl polymer material have been found to be suitable from which to fabricate the foot band member 30 of the present invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any similar material may also be used to fabricate this foot band member 30.
It was further found that by utilizing a material with such a level of surface hardness, and with a thickness in the range of approximately 0.01 inches-0.1 inches (which was kept as small as possible so as to not detract from the appearance of the sandal 40), the foot band member 30 could effectively redistribute the forces being imposed by a sandal's thin straps 42 over an area that was greater than 3 to 7 times the surface area of the thin straps 42 that were actually in contact with a wearer's foot (i.e., wherein each of the sandal's straps 42 has a defined width and length and therefore a defined surface area that comes into contact with a wearer's foot 10, and that the sum of such surface areas for all of a sandal's straps 42 defines a sandal's total strap surface area. The foot band member is fabricated such that the area between the end surfaces and side surfaces forms a surface area and is in the range of 3-7 times that of a sandal's total strap surface area).
A vinyl polymer product of 12-gauge vinyl (having a range of approximately 0.01-0.1 inches of thickness) for the foot band member 30 was found to be the most cost effective for the current application. In one preferred embodiment, the food band member was constructed using poly vinyl chloride (PVC) having a flexible material structure. The fabrication materials yield a foot protection device that is easily and continuously used and will provide comfort relief to the wearer from the troublesome sandal straps.
In one preferred embodiment, the foot band member 30 is fabricated such that the foot band member 30 is substantially rectangular in shape and the member 30 would have dimensions that vary according to a foot size. In the preferred embodiments, the dimensions range are as follows: the length of the foot band member 30 first opposing side 33 (that lays closest to the toes and approximately parallel to the toes) is in a range of 3-5 inches; the length of the foot band member 30 second opposing side 35 (that lays on the top portion of the foot farthest from the toes and approximately parallel to the toes) is in a range of 5-8 inches; the width of the middle of the foot band member 30 is in the range of 1.5-4 inches; the width of the foot band member 30 on the inside 11 of the foot 10 is in the range of 2.5-3.5 inches; and the width of the foot band member 30 on the outside 13 of the foot 10 is in the range of 2.5-4.5 inches. It should be understood, however, that the foot band member 30 may be of many shapes, sizes, lengths, and widths without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, one preferred embodiment of the foot band member 30 was fabricated having a thickness in the range of substantially 0.01-0.1 inches.
In another preferred embodiment, the foot band member 30 could be made of a transparent material, so as not to detract from the visual appearance of the sandal 40.
Experimentation was conducted to determine the optimal size and positioning of the foot band member 30 on the front portion 12 and top portion 14 of the wearer's foot 10 and provide for an adequate length, width, and surface area in order to reduce the impact of the shoe straps 42 that come in contact with the wearer's foot 10.
Advantages of the present invention include the minimization of repetitive stress-type pressure and irritations by use of the foot band member 30, which allows the wearer to continuously wear shoes or sandals in everyday living without the discomfort of excess stress or pain on the wearer's foot. In addition, the foot protection device 1 is also specifically designed so as to allow the foot to extend into the sandal and be protected by the foot band member 30. The foot band member 30 redistributes the stresses of the troublesome straps 42 that would usually come in contact with the skin on the top and front potion of the wearer's foot, but instead the sandal strap forces are dispersed onto and throughout the foot band member 30, which is situated on top of and above of the wearer's foot 10 and below the sandal straps 42.
Furthermore, the proposed foot protection device is designed so as to be easily used and manufactured using conventional forms of manufacturing and conventional materials so as to provide a foot protection device that will be economically feasible, long lasting for an item of its nature and relatively trouble-free in operation.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the present invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and utilization shown and described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention that is illustratively set forth in the following representative claims to the present invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A foot protection device for insertion into a sandal, said sandal of the type having a plurality of substantially spaced-apart, substantially thin straps that are connected to each side of the sole of the sandal and are oriented such that the straps run across a portion of the front and top area of the foot of a wearer and because of their orientation and substantial thinness have the potential for applying excess pressure and causing irritations to those portions of the front and top portion of the foot of said wearer with which the straps come into contact, said foot protection device comprising:

an insole having a top surface and a bottom surface and opposing sides and a configuration adapted to allow said insole to lay upon and approximately cover said sandal sole,

a foot band member having a top surface with pairs of opposing sides and ends and a specified surface area between said ends and sides, said member having a configuration adapted to allow said foot band member to be positioned below said sandal straps and above a portion of the top of the foot of a sandal wearer and for said member to have sufficient thickness and said member top surface to have sufficient surface hardness so as to absorb the stresses otherwise applied by said sandal straps to said top portion of the foot of said sandal wearer and to thereby redistribute these stresses over a significant portion of said surface area of said member so as to minimize the potential that said straps will apply excess pressure and cause irritations to the top portion of the foot of the wearer with which said straps come into contact, and

a means for attaching each of said foot band member opposing ends to one of each of said insole opposing sides.

2. The foot protection device as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuration of said foot band member is further adapted so as to be transparent.

3. The foot protection device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said sandal straps having a defined width and length and therefore a surface area that comes into contact with the foot of said wearer, and the sum of the surface areas for said plurality of straps defining a total strap surface area for said sandal, the ratio of said foot band member surface area to the total strap surface area of said sandal being in the range of 3-7.

4. The foot protection device as recited in claim 2, wherein each of said sandal straps having a defined width and length and therefore a surface area that comes into contact with the foot of said wearer, and the sum of the surface areas for said plurality of straps defining a total strap surface area for said sandal, the ratio of said foot band member surface area to the total strap surface area of said sandal being in the range of 3-7.

5. The foot protection device as recited in claim 1, wherein said member top surface having a surface hardness as measured by an ASTM D2240—type D durometer rating in the range of 40 to 90.

6. The foot protection device as recited in claim 2, wherein said member top surface having a surface hardness as measured by an ASTM D2240—type D durometer rating in the range of 40 to 90.

7. The foot protection device as recited in claim 3, wherein said member top surface having a surface hardness as measured by an ASTM D2240—type D durometer rating in the range of 40 to 90.

8. The foot protection device as recited in claim 4, wherein said member top surface having a surface hardness as measured by an ASTM D2240—type D durometer rating in the range of 40 to 90.

9. The foot protection device as recited in claim 5, said foot band member having a thickness in the range of 0.01-0.1 inches.

10. The foot protection device as recited in claim 6, said foot band member having a thickness in the range of 0.01-0.1 inches.

11. The foot protection device as recited in claim 7, said foot band member having a thickness in the range of 0.01-0.1 inches.

12. The foot protection device as recited in claim 8, said foot band member having a thickness in the range of 0.01-0.1 inches.

13. A method of forming a foot protection device for insertion into a sandal, said sandal of the type having a plurality of spaced-apart, thin straps that are connected to each side of the sole of the sandal and are oriented such that the straps run across a portion of the front and top area of the foot of a wearer and because of their orientation and thinness have the potential for applying excess pressure and causing irritations to those portions of the front and top portion of the foot of said wearer with which the straps come into contact, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) utilizing an insole having a top surface and a bottom surface and opposing sides and a configuration adapted to allow said insole to lay upon and approximately cover said sandal sole,

(b) utilizing a foot band member having a top surface with pairs of opposing sides and ends and a specified surface area between said ends and sides, said foot band member having a configuration adapted to allow said member to be positioned below said sandal straps and above a portion of the top of the foot of a sandal wearer and for said member to have sufficient thickness and said member top surface to have sufficient surface hardness so as to absorb the stresses otherwise applied by said sandal straps to said top portion of the foot of said sandal wearer and to thereby redistribute these stresses over a significant portion of said surface area of said member so as to minimize the potential that said straps will apply excess pressure and cause irritations to the top portion of the foot of the wearer with which said straps come into contact, and

(c) utilizing a means for attaching each of said foot band member opposing ends to one of each of said insole opposing sides.

14. The method of forming a foot protection device as recited in claim 13, wherein said configuration of said foot band member is further adapted so as to be transparent.

15. The method of forming a foot protection device as recited in claim 13, wherein each of said sandal straps having a defined width and length and therefore a surface area that comes into contact with the foot of said wearer, and the sum of the surface areas for said plurality of straps defining a total strap surface area for said sandal, the ratio of said foot band member surface area to the total strap surface area of said sandal (40) being in the range of 3-7.

16. The method of forming a foot protection device as recited in claim 13, wherein said member top surface having a surface hardness as measured by an ASTM D2240—type D durometer rating in the range of 40 to 90.

17. The method of forming a foot protection device as recited in claim 13, said foot band member having a thickness in the range of 0.01-0.1 inches.

18. The method of forming a foot protection device as recited in claim 14, wherein each of said sandal straps having a defined width and length and therefore a surface area that comes into contact with the foot of said wearer, and the sum of the surface areas for said plurality of straps defining a total strap surface area for said sandal, the ratio of said foot band member surface area to the total strap surface area of said sandal being in the range of 3-7.

19. The method of forming a foot protection device as recited in claim 15, wherein said member top surface having a surface hardness as measured by an ASTM D2240—type D durometer rating in the range of 40 to 90.

20. The method of forming a foot protection device as recited in claim 16, said foot band member having a thickness in the range of 0.01-0.1 inches.