SPORTS SHOE AND A GROUND PLATE DEVICE

Abstract

A sports shoe is disclosed for playing golf, having a sole fitted with a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism being provided with a rotary element rotatable against a biasing force provided to the rotary element by a biasing mechanism coupled to the rotary element. Further, a ground plate device is provided, in particular for use in playing golf, the ground plate device comprising a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism being configured to receive a section of a sole of a sports shoe, especially a golf shoe, and being provided with a rotary element rotatable against a biasing force provided to the rotary element by a biasing mechanism coupled to the rotary element. In a preferred embodiment, the ground plate device further comprises fastening means for detachably or not-detachably fastening the sports shoe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/146,729 filed Jan. 23, 2009, and entitled A SPORTS SHOE AND A GROUND PLATE DEVICE

The invention relates to a sports shoe and a ground plate device, in particular for playing golf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf swing ‘follow-through’ leads to strain on knee ligaments because left foot (right hander) cannot rotate on the ground due to studs. Some player's particular golf style leads to over-rotation and knee ligament ‘overstrain. This has led to bone avulsions and joint disruption. Such players may be an extreme (or just in the public eye) but the problem is surprisingly common. The problem resides in the rotation about a fixed foot where the knee is the weak point—like an unfolding rope twist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide an improved sports shoe and a ground plate device, in particular for use in playing golf, avoiding the above-mentioned problem.

According to an aspect of the invention, a sports shoe, in particular for playing golf, is provided, comprising a sole fitted with a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism being provided with a rotary element rotatable against a biasing force provided to the rotary element by a biasing mechanism coupled to the rotary element.

According to another aspect of the invention, a ground plate device is provided, in particular for use in playing golf, the ground plate device comprising a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism being configured to receive a section of a sole of a sports shoe, especially a golf shoe, and being provided with a rotary element rotatable against a biasing force provided to the rotary element by a biasing mechanism coupled to the rotary element. In a preferred embodiment, the ground plate device further comprises fastening means for detachably or not-detachably fastening the sports shoe.

The invention enables the ball of the foot to rotate against a biasing force provided e.g. by a spring, but only when the knee strain is excessive. At all other times the shoe feels ‘normal’. In one aspect of the invention, by “free-floating” against the biasing force a section of the sole on a bearing or slippery surface, the rotary mechanism is used to soften the process of over extension; offloading the sudden tension on the knee ligaments. Either a biasing element, e.g. a spring, can be of a fixed tension or adjustable to account for different styles and body weights. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing element is sufficiently tight to make the shoe seem normal for walking and other non-rotational functions. The biasing force provided to the rotary element will restore the sole after the swing is over

Advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in dependent sub-claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the biasing mechanism comprises a spring element providing the biasing force to the rotary element.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the biasing mechanism is provided as an adjustable biasing mechanism configured to adjust the biasing force.

In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the biasing mechanism is configured to adjust the biasing force in dependence on a rotation position of the rotary element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the biasing mechanism is configured to increase the biasing force in dependence on a rotation position of the rotary element

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary element is provided with a rotatable disc, the disc being rotatable against the biasing force.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rotation mechanism is received in a recess of the sole.

In still a further embodiment of the invention, on an outer surface of the rotary element a plurality of studs is provided.

In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary element has its rotation axis in a section intended to receive the ball of a foot. In an alternative embodiment, the rotary axis is provided in a section located back from the section intended to receive the ball of the foot.

The ground plate device may be provided with one or more of the advantageous features disclosed for the sports shoe above.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Following the invention will be described in further detail, by way of example, with reference to preferred embodiments. In the figures,

FIG. 1a and 1b show a sports shoe from below with a rotary element in a normal position and a rotary position, respectively, a rotary axis of the rotary element being located in a section intended to receive the ball of a foot,

FIG. 2 shows the sports shoe from FIG. 1a and 1b in side view, and

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a sports shoe from below with a rotary element in a normal position and a rotary position, respectively, wherein the rotary axis is located back from the section intended to receive the ball of a foot.

FIG. 1a and 1b show a sports shoe 1 from below with a rotary element 2 in a normal position and a rotary position, respectively. The rotary element 1 which is part of a rotary mechanism (see FIG. 2 below) is provided as a disc like element. In case of using the sports shoe 1 for playing golf, FIG. 1b shows the sports shoe 1 at the end of a swing where a spring 3 providing a biasing force to the rotary element 2 is extended.

FIG. 2 shows the sports shoe from FIG. 1a and 1b in side view. The rotary element 2 is fitted to a support element 4 by a bearing 5. On an outer surface 6, the rotary element 2 is provided with studs 7.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a sports shoe from below with a rotary element in a normal position and a rotary position, respectively, wherein the rotary axis is located back from the section intended to receive the ball of a foot.

The rotary described above, in another embodiment, may be provided in a ground plate device (not shown) which is not part of the sports shoe of a user. The golfer may step on to the ground plate device, in his/her current shoes for the demanding (and potentially damaging) drive. The ground plate device, in preferred embodiments, incorporates one or more features described for the sports shoe above. To specify this external device not include in a sports shoe leads to additional advantages. First, such an external plate device may be provided as a separate article. It would be easier to allow the heel component in an external plate, as well as adjustable pivot points/fulcrum to optimize the process.

The features disclosed in this specification, claims and/or the figures may be material for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, taken in isolation or in various combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A sports shoe, in particular for playing golf, comprising a sole fitted with a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism being provided with a rotary element rotatable against a biasing force provided to the rotary element by a biasing mechanism coupled to the rotary element.

2. Sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring element providing the biasing force to the rotary element.

3. Sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is provided as an adjustable biasing mechanism configured to adjust the biasing force.

4. Sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to adjust the biasing force in dependence on a rotation position of the rotary element.

5. Sports shoe according to claim 4, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to increase the biasing force in dependence on a rotation position of the rotary element

6. Sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the rotary element is provided with a rotatable disc, the disc being rotatable against the biasing force.

7. Sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism is received in a recess of the sole.

8. Sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein on an outer surface of the rotary element a plurality of studs is provided.

9. Sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the rotary element has its rotation axis in a section intended to receive the ball of a foot.

10. Ground plate device, in particular for use in playing golf, comprising a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism being configured to receive a section of a sole of a sports shoe, especially a golf shoe, and being provided with a rotary element rotatable against a biasing force provided to the rotary element by a biasing mechanism coupled to the rotary element.

11. Ground plate device according to claim 10, further comprising fastening means for detachably or not-detachably fastening the sports shoe.