Insert for preventing wrinkling of athletic shoes

Abstract

The insert for preventing wrinkling of athletic shoes includes a toe cap having a contoured front wall curving rearwardly into an upper wall and curving on opposite sides into opposed side walls. The toe cap is made from a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer and may be fiber reinforced. A layer formed from a gel or other cushioning material is disposed over at lease an inner surface of the toe cap. The insert can be positioned beneath or within the toe portion of the shoe upper to prevent wrinkling of the toe end of the shoe upper.

1 . An insert for preventing wrinkling of an athletic shoe, comprising: 
 a toe cap having a contoured front wall, and upper wall extending rearwardly from said front wall, and opposed side walls extending from opposite sides of said upper wall, the toe cap defining an inner surface; and    a layer of cushioning material disposed on an inner surface of said toe cap;    whereby the insert may be positioned in the athletic shoe to prevent the toe from wrinkling.    
   
   
       2 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said toe cap is made from a plastic material.  
   
   
       3 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said cushioning material is a gel material.  
   
   
       4 . An athletic shoe in combination with an insert for preventing wrinkling the athletic shoe, comprising: 
 an athletic shoe having a sole and an upper joined to the sole and forming a toe of the shoe;    a toe cap having a contoured front wall, an upper wall extending rearwardly from said front wall, and opposed side wall extending from opposite sides of said upper wall, the toe cap defining an inner surface; and    a layer of cushioning material disposed on an inner surface of said cap;    whereby the insert may be positioned in the athletic shoe to prevent the toe from wrinkling.