Internal bracing sock construction

Abstract

A footwear accessory in the form of an elastic sleeve provides stability and support to the wearer that is not otherwise obtained from street and fashion footwear. The accessory enables a dancer to perform using street and fashion footwear in lieu of conventional dance footwear. The sleeve is adapted for positioning about the arch of a footbed or the insole of a shoe. In addition to stabilizing the wearer's foot, the accessory retains the foot against the footbed or shoe insole, particularly during vigorous dance movements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accessory for a shoe, comprising
 (a) a footbed including heel, arch, and toe portions; and   (b) an elastic sleeve connected with said arch portion of said footbed, said sleeve containing a top opening for receiving the foot of a wearer, whereby when the accessory is used in connection with a shoe, the accessory stabilizes the wearer's foot relative to the shoe and retains the bottom portion of the wearer's foot against an insole of the shoe.   
     
     
         2 . An accessory as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic sleeve contains a front opening through which the toes and ball of the wearer's foot extend above said footbed toe portion. 
     
     
         3 . An accessory as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said elastic sleeve contains a rear opening from which the heel of the wearer's foot extends above said footbed heel portion. 
     
     
         4 . An accessory as defined in  claim 3 , and further comprising a shoe having a sole and an upper, said footbed being connected with said shoe sole and said sleeve being at least partially connected with said shoe upper. 
     
     
         5 . An accessory as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said sleeve includes stitching around said top, front, and rear openings to reinforce portions of said sleeve adjacent to said top, front, and rear openings, respectively.