EQUIPMENT FOR ENABLING A USER TO ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND USE OF SUCH EQUIPMENT

Abstract

Equipment that includes a shoe/footwear and a range of footwear elements, and a method of using such equipment, each of such elements being configured to enable a user to perform a type of physical activity that is different from the types of physical activity enabled by the other footwear elements in the range of footwear elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon French Patent Application No. FR 15/02505, filed Dec. 1, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an equipment for enabling a user to engage in physical activity, and to the use of such equipment.

The invention applies in particular to the practice of physical activity performed by a user, particularly in the context of a sporting activity or to be able to move around. The invention is applicable to physical activities that are performed using an apparatus, such as snowshoes, downhill skis, touring skis, cross-country skis, cycles, or the like, as well as to physical activities that are performed without using any particular apparatus, such as walking, hiking, or any other activities requiring specific shoes.

2. Background Information

To enable the user to practice all of the aforementioned physical activities, it is known to use equipment, each of which comprises:

• • a shoe adapted to receive a foot of the user, the shoe comprising a sole assembly on which the foot of the user is adapted to rest, and a flexible upper comprising a lower portion adjoining the sole assembly and adapted to cover the foot of the user, and
  • a footwear element specially adapted to enable the user to practice a type of physical activity, the footwear element comprising a sole assembly on which the sole assembly of the shoe is adapted to rest, and a flexible upper comprising a lower portion adjoining the sole assembly and adapted to cover the shoe.

Completely satisfactory equipment of this type is described in particular in the patent document FR 2 988 981-A1 and family member US 2013/0263477-A1.

There is, however, a need for equipment with better modularity to adapt to various types of physical activities.

SUMMARY

The invention meets this need.

To this end, the invention primarily relates to equipment comprising:

• • a shoe configured to receive a foot of a user, the shoe comprising a sole assembly on which the foot of the user is configured to rest, and a flexible upper comprising a lower portion adjoining the sole assembly and configured to cover the foot of the user; and
  • at least one footwear element comprising a sole assembly on which the sole assembly of the shoe is adapted to rest, and a flexible upper comprising a lower portion adjoining the sole assembly and configured to cover the shoe,
    in which the at least one footwear element comprises a range of footwear elements in which each footwear element is specially configured to receive the shoe and particularly configured to enable the user to perform a type of physical activity that is different from the types of physical activity enabled by the other footwear elements in the range of footwear elements.

The invention provides a wide range of selectable footwear elements for a single shoe, as well selectable pairs of footwear elements for a pair of shoes. The user can then use the shoe (or pair) alone, for example for walking, running or the like, or in combination with one (or the pair) of the footwear elements to practice a corresponding type of physical activity, and can change the footwear element, when desired, to practice a different type of physical activity. The modularity of the footwear element is thus improved.

Each of the footwear elements internally comprises a housing specially configured to receive the shoe. In particular, the housing is similar, or even identical, for all of the footwear elements in the range of footwear elements. It has a shape complementary with the shoe to enable adjustment of the shoe in each of the footwear elements in the range of footwear elements, and to thus enable the practice of various types of physical activities while ensuring the safety and comfort of the user.

Each of the footwear elements may include functional members specifically configured for the practice of a type of physical activity, the functional members of each footwear element being different from the functional members of the other footwear elements in the range of footwear elements.

The functional members of each footwear element can be rigidly connected, such as connected for no movement in relation to, such footwear element.

The sole assembly of each footwear element may have an inner surface configured to be in contact with the sole assembly of the shoe, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and at least a portion of the functional members of each footwear element can be carried by the outer surface of the sole assembly of such footwear element.

One of the footwear elements may comprise notches or tread blocks on the outer surface of the sole assembly as functional members, the sole assembly having no through-holes between the inner and outer surfaces.

One of the footwear elements may comprise spikes projecting in relation to the outer surface of the sole assembly as functional members.

At least one of the footwear elements can be configured to be mounted on at least one apparatus, the functional members of such footwear element comprising a fastening element configured to cooperate with a locking mechanism provided on the apparatus for reversibly retaining the footwear element on the apparatus.

The sole assembly of each footwear element may extend along an extension direction between a tip and a heel, and the fastening element may comprise at least a front portion configured to be mounted in the vicinity of the tip of the sole assembly of the footwear element, and a fastening device configured to be reversibly retained in the locking mechanism, the fastening device being at least partially provided on the front portion of the fastening element.

The fastening device of the fastening element may comprise at least one pin extending perpendicular to the extension direction at a distance from the outer surface of the sole assembly, the pin being configured to cooperate with two jaws of the locking mechanism that are movable between a locking position, in which the jaws are moved closer to one another to clamp the pin, and a retracted position, in which the jaws are spaced apart to allow positioning of the pin therebetween.

The upper of at least one of the footwear elements may further comprise an upper portion extending from the lower portion away from the sole assembly as a functional member.

The equipment may comprise a pair of shoes each configured to receive one foot of the user, and a range of pairs of footwear elements, each of the pairs of footwear elements being configured to enable the user to practice a type of physical activity that is different from the types of physical activity enabled by the other pairs of footwear elements in the range of pairs of footwear elements, the footwear elements of each pair of footwear elements each being configured to receive one of the shoes. As a result of this arrangement, the user can always use the same shoes for the various activities. Thus, the user always finds the same fitting volume, that is, the same foot-enveloping, for each foot, with comfort and the ability to transmit the associated sensory information, irrespective of the activity engaged in. Consequently, the user does not experience changes in the perception of sensory information, which might have been the case had the user changed shoes, instead of changing footwear elements. Indeed, the conventional shoes dedicated to specific activities each offer slightly different fitting volumes and a slightly different level of comfort, albeit for the same shoe size.

Secondarily, the invention relates to the use of an equipment as defined above, such use comprising:

• • inserting the foot in the shoe, and then inserting the shoe in a first footwear element in the range of footwear elements to practice a first type of physical activity, and
  • removing the shoe from the first footwear element, and then inserting the shoe in a second footwear element in the range of footwear elements to practice a second type of physical activity that is different from the first type of physical activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, the description being made with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of equipment comprising a shoe and a first footwear element selected from a range of footwear elements, in which each footwear element is specially configured to receive the shoe and specially configured to enable the user to perform a type of physical activity that is different from the types of physical activity enabled by the other footwear elements in the range of footwear elements, the first footwear element being specially configured for hiking, the first footwear element comprising a sole assembly, an outer surface of which bears notches or tread blocks;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe being inserted into the first footwear element of the equipment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the outer surface of the sole assembly of the first footwear element of the equipment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view of the outer surface of the sole assembly of a second footwear element of the equipment of FIG. 1, the second footwear element being specially configured to receive the shoe and especially configured for walking on slippery ground, the sole assembly comprising spikes projecting in relation to the outer surface;

FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the outer surface of the sole assembly of a third footwear element of the equipment of FIG. 1, the third footwear element being specially configured to receive the shoe and especially configured for cross-country skiing, the sole assembly comprising two pins, one of which is configured to cooperate with a locking mechanism of the cross-country ski; and

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are views similar to those of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, illustrating a fourth footwear element of the equipment of FIG. 1, the fourth footwear element comprising a flexible upper comprising only a lower portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawing figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements.

The drawing figures show equipment 1 for enabling a user to perform various types of physical activity. As explained in the following description, the equipment 1 allows and facilitates the practice of any of many types of physical activities that may or may not involve the use of an apparatus. Snowshoeing, downhill skiing, ski touring, cross-country skiing, cycling, and the like are non-limiting examples of the types of physical activities that can be performed using the equipment 1 of the invention with an apparatus. Similarly, walking, hiking, or the like, are non-limiting examples of the types of physical activities that can be performed using the equipment 1 of the invention without an apparatus.

In particular, the equipment 1 comprises a single pair of shoes 2 and a plurality of pairs of footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. The footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d of each pair are specially adapted to receive one of the shoes 2, and carry functional members that are specific to the practice of one type of physical activity for which the pair is intended. The pairs of footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d thus constitute a range of pairs of footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, in which each pair of footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d is specially configured to enable the user to perform a type of physical activity that is different from the types of physical activities enabled by the other pairs of footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d in the range of pairs of footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. As a result, the equipment offers the specific capabilities desired for a given activity.

Each shoe 2 of a respective pair of such shoes, which is configured to receive a respective foot of the user, comprises a sole assembly 3 on which the foot of the user is configured to rest, and a flexible upper 4. The sole assembly 3, such as a flexible sole assembly to allow bending or foot rolling movement (that is, longitudinal bending during alternate raising and lowering of the heel), extends lengthwise from a rear end, or heel 5, to a front end, or tip 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper 4 includes only a lower portion 4a adjoining the sole assembly 3 and is configured to cover the foot of the user. The upper 4, in the area of the heel 5, has an upper edge 8 demarcating an opening 9 through which the user can insert his/her foot into the shoe 2. To facilitate foot insertion, the upper edge 8 can be extended over a portion of the upper 4 corresponding to the instep by an opening 10, or slot, having two opposite edges 11. The opposite edges 11 may be connected to one another by a reversible tightening device, such as a lace 12, for example.

Each footwear element 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d internally comprises a housing 33 specially configured, particularly in terms of shape and dimensions, for receiving the shoe 2. In particular, the housing 33 is provided so that adjustment of the shoe 2 in each of the footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d ensures comfort and safety for the user while practicing the type of physical activities corresponding to a respective one of the footwear elements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. The footwear element 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d can also be configured to protect the shoe 2 and the foot of the user. It may then be made so as to ensure impermeability to water or snow, thermal insulation, and/or to have reinforcements for protection against impacts, or the like.

Each of the footwear elements includes a sole assembly 23 on which the sole assembly 3 of the shoe 2 is configured to rest, and a flexible upper 24.

The sole assembly 23, such as a sole assembly that is flexible to allow bending or foot rolling movement, extends along an extension direction E from a rear end, or heel 25, to a front end, or tip 26. The sole assembly 23 has an inner surface 23a configured to be in contact with the sole assembly 3 of the shoe 2, and an outer surface 23b opposite the inner surface 23a and configured to be directed towards a ground surface or, as further explained in the following description, towards the apparatus on which the footwear element 20c can be mounted.

The upper 24, in a non-limiting embodiment, forms a continuous envelope provided, in the area of the heel 25, with an upper edge 28 demarcating a shoe insertion opening 29 through which the user can insert the shoe 2 into the footwear element 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. To facilitate insertion of the shoe 2, the upper edge 28 can be extended over a portion of the upper 24 by an opening 30, which can take the form of a slot/slit having two opposite edges 31. The opposite edges 31 may be connected to one another by a reversible tightening device, such as a slide fastener 32 having a slider and pull tab, for example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment. An additional tightening member 34 may be provided on the upper 24, in the vicinity of the shoe insertion opening 29, to improve support of the footwear element 20a, 20b, 20c in the area of the ankle of the user.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, the upper 24 comprises a lower portion 24a adjoining the sole assembly 23 and provided to cover the shoe 2 of the user. It also comprises an upper portion 24b extending the lower portion 24a in a direction away from the sole assembly 23. The upper portion 24b is provided to cover at least the ankle of the user, or the ankle and a portion of the lower leg. The shoe insertion opening 29 is then provided on the upper portion 24b, and the slit 30 extends laterally over the upper portion 24b and on a portion of the lower portion 24a of the upper 24 corresponding to the instep. The footwear element 20a, 20b, 20c comprises the additional tightening member 34 formed by a tongue 35 extending between a first end connected to the upper portion 24b of the upper 24 and a second free end. The tongue 35 is provided with a fastening textile strip 36 configured to cooperate with a complementary fastening textile strip provided on the upper portion 24b of the upper 24. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the upper 24 may only comprise the lower portion 24a on which the shoe insertion opening 29 and the slit 30 are provided.

FIGS. 1 to 3, in particular, show the shoe 2 and a first footwear element 20a specially configured for hiking. As shown in FIG. 3, in a non-limiting fashion, the first footwear element 20a comprises functional members specially configured for hiking in the form of notches or tread blocks 40 formed unitarily or integrally with the outer surface 23b of the sole assembly 23. The sole assembly 23 of the first footwear element 20a is also devoid of through-holes between its inner 23a and outer 23b surfaces. These functional members may also comprise a predetermined thickness of the sole assembly 23 of the first footwear element 20a and/or a predetermined flexibility of the sole assembly 23. The upper portion 24b of the upper 24, ensuring a particular support for the ankle of the user, also constitutes a portion of the functional members.

FIG. 4 shows a second footwear element 20b specially configured for walking on slippery ground, such as on ice or snow, for example. The second footwear element 20b comprises functional members that are different from the functional members of the first footwear element 20a, made in the form of spikes 50 projecting in relation to the outer surface 23b of the sole assembly 23. In particular, the second footwear element 20b includes a rear crampon 51 located in the area of the heel 25 of the sole assembly 23, correspondingly with the heel of the user's foot, and a front crampon 52 located in the area of the tip 26 of the sole assembly 23, correspondingly with the toes and metatarsus of the foot of the user. The rear crampon 51 comprises a body 53 and spikes 50, and the front crampon 52 comprises a body 54 and spikes 50. The front crampon 52 comprises a transverse articulation 55 connecting two subdivisions of the body 54 to one another. Each of the front 52 and rear 51 crampons is rigidly connected to the sole assembly 23 of the second footwear element 20b. For example, rivets 56 or other permanent, irremovable, attachment fasteners or other permanent expedient (that would not require destruction of part of the crampon or sole assembly, for example), could maintain the body 54, 53 of each of the front 52 and rear 51 crampons in contact with the outer surface 23b of the sole assembly 23.

Alternatively, other functional members, such as those described in the patent document FR-A1-2 988 981 and family member US 2013/0263477-A1, for example, could be provided. The disclosure of US 2013/0263477-A1 is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, including for the purpose of disclosing the aforementioned functional members.

As indicated above, the range of pairs of footwear elements may comprise one or more pairs of footwear elements configured to be mounted on an apparatus. In this regard, FIG. 5 shows a third footwear element 20c specially configured for the practice of cross-country skiing.

The third footwear element 20c comprises functional members that are different from the functional members of the first 20a and second 20b footwear elements. In particular, the functional members of the third footwear element 20c comprise a fastening element 60 configured to cooperate with a locking mechanism provided on the apparatus for reversibly retaining the third footwear element 20c on the apparatus, such as a cross-country ski, for example.

The fastening element 60 comprises a front portion 61 in the vicinity of the tip 26 of the sole assembly 23 of the third footwear element 20c, and a fastening device 62 configured to be reversibly retained in the locking mechanism of the cross-country ski. The fastening device 62 is provided only on the front portion 61 of the fastening element 60 so as to allow the heel 25 of the sole assembly 23 to be free when the third footwear element 20c is mounted on the cross-country ski.

The fastening device 62, of the type described in the document FR-A1-2 968 898 and family member US 2012/0151801-A1, includes first 63 and second 64 bars extending along the extension direction E between correspondingly positioned ends. The disclosure of US 2012/0151801-A1 is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, including for the purpose of disclosing the aforementioned fastening device. The first 63 and second 64 bars, comprised of one or more synthetic materials, such as plastic, rubber or the like, are rigidly connected to the sole assembly 23, for example by means of screws, glue, overmolding, or the like. The fastening device 62 also includes first 65 and second 66 transverse pins or rods made of any suitable material, such as metal such as steel, and each having ends embedded in the first 63 and second 64 bars, respectively, so that they extend perpendicular to the extension direction E, at a distance from the outer surface 23b of the sole assembly 23. In particular, the first pin 65 is located on the side of the first respective opposite ends of the first 63 and second 64 bars, and the second pin 66 is located on the side of the second respective opposite ends of the first 63 and second 64 bars.

The first pin 65 is configured to cooperate with the locking mechanism of the cross-country ski. The second pin 66 is then provided to be elastically biased by a return mechanism of the cross-country ski. The locking mechanism may comprise two jaws. The jaws have a locking position in which they are moved closer to one another to clamp the first pin 65 and thereby retain the front portion 61 of the fastening element 60 while allowing the heel of the third footwear element 20c to be free. The jaws are reversibly movable towards a retracted position in which they are spaced apart to enable the first pin 65 to be positioned therebetween or to be removed therefrom.

Alternatively, other fastening devices may be provided. In particular, the fastening device may comprise only one transverse pin, such as pin 65. In addition, any other type of device for fastening to other types of apparatuses than a cross-country ski could be provided.

FIGS. 6-8 show a fourth footwear element 20d specially configured for sports hiking, trail running, or mountain running. The functional members of this fourth footwear element 20d only differ from those of the first footwear element 20a in that its upper 24 is devoid of upper portion 24b and comprises only a lower portion 24a.

The invention is not limited to the particular footwear elements described above and integrates any footwear element provided with functional members rigidly connected to the footwear element and specially configured for the practice of a type of physical activity, the functional members of the footwear element being different from the functional members of the other footwear elements in the range of footwear elements.

To use the equipment described above, the user inserts his/her foot in the shoe 2 and then inserts the shoe 2 in one of the footwear elements in the range of footwear elements, for example the first footwear element 20a to practice hiking, as shown in FIG. 2. To change the type of physical activity, for example to switch to trekking or trail running, that is, to a mountain foot race, the user removes the shoe 2 from the first footwear element 20a and then inserts it in the fourth footwear element 20d, as shown in FIG. 7.

Generally, a footwear element may have a shoe insertion opening extended rearward, by a rear slit or slot, rather than forward, such as a rear insertion opening like that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0263477-A1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. In that case, the shoe insertion occurs from the rear.

Still generally, it has been shown that an advantage of the invention is to keep the same footwear, irrespective of the practice. With the invention, the user is less dependent on the usual differences between the various shoes used for various practices, when compared to practices with shoes according to the prior art.

It has also shown that the envelope of a footwear element has characteristic(s) that are configured to the practice for which it is intended. Such characteristics can relate, for example, to imperviousness, ground-adhering, damping, protection against impacts, reinforcement, material, structure of the mechanism for affixing to an apparatus, dimensions, ventilation capabilities, or the like.

Further, at least because the invention is disclosed herein in a manner that enables one to make and use it, by virtue of the disclosure of particular exemplary embodiments, such as for simplicity or efficiency, for example, the invention can be practiced in the absence of any additional element or additional structure that is not specifically disclosed herein. For example, it can be said that, as a non-limiting embodiment, all or particular ones of the footwear elements do not include a metatarsus strap or an instep strap, such as disclosed in the aforementioned US 2013/0263477-A1.

Claims

1. Equipment for enabling a user to engage in any of a range of physical activities, comprising:

a shoe configured to receive a foot of the user, the shoe comprising: a sole assembly configured to support the foot of the user; a flexible upper comprising a lower portion adjoining the sole assembly and configured to cover the foot of the user, and

at least one footwear element comprising: a sole assembly configured to support the sole assembly of the shoe; a flexible upper comprising a lower portion adjoining the sole assembly of the footwear element and configured to cover the shoe;

said at least one footwear element comprising a range of footwear elements;

each of the range of footwear elements being configured to receive the shoe and being configured to enable the user to perform at least one type of a range of types of physical activities that is different from types of physical activity enabled by others of the footwear elements in the range of footwear elements.

2. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein:

each of the footwear elements internally comprises a housing configured to receive the shoe.

3. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein:

each of the footwear elements comprises functional members configured to facilitate practicing one of the types of physical activities from among the different types of physical activities; and

the functional members of each of respective ones of the range of footwear elements being different from the functional members of the others of the footwear elements in the range of footwear elements.

4. Equipment according to claim 3, wherein:

the functional members of each of the footwear elements are rigidly connected to a respective one of said footwear elements.

5. Equipment according to claim 3, wherein:

the sole assembly of each of the footwear elements has an inner surface configured to be in contact with the sole assembly of the shoe, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; and

at least a portion of the functional members of each of the footwear elements is carried by the outer surface of the sole assembly of a respective one of the footwear elements.

6. Equipment according to claim 5, wherein:

one of the footwear elements comprises notches and tread blocks on the outer surface of the sole assembly as the functional members; and

the sole assembly of the one of the footwear elements being devoid of through-holes between the inner and outer surfaces.

7. Equipment according to claim 5, wherein:

one of the footwear elements comprises spikes projecting away from the outer surface of the sole assembly as the functional members.

8. Equipment according to claim 5, wherein:

at least one of the footwear elements is configured to be mounted on at least one apparatus and comprises a fastening element configured to cooperate with a locking mechanism provided on the apparatus for reversibly retaining the footwear element on the apparatus.

9. Equipment according to claim 8, wherein:

the sole assembly of each of the footwear elements extends along an extension direction between a tip and a heel; and

the fastening element comprises: at least a front portion configured to be mounted in a vicinity of the tip of the sole assembly of the footwear element; and a fastening device configured to be reversibly retained in the locking mechanism, the fastening device being at least partially provided on the front portion of the fastening element.

10. Equipment according to claim 9, wherein:

the fastening device of the fastening element comprises: at least one pin extending perpendicular to the extension direction at a distance from the outer surface of the sole assembly; the pin is configured to cooperate with two jaws of the locking mechanism that are movable between a locking position, in which said jaws are moved closer to one another to clamp the pin, and a retracted position, in which said jaws are spaced apart to enable the pin to be positioned between the jaws.

11. Equipment according to claim 3, wherein:

the upper of at least one of the footwear elements further comprises an upper portion extending from the lower portion away from the sole assembly as at least one of the functional members.

12. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein:

the shoe is a first of a pair of shoes, the pair of shoes comprising a second shoe;

the first and second shoes are respectively configured to receive a pair feet of the user, and to be received within a range of pairs of the footwear elements;

each of the pairs of footwear elements is configured to enable the user to perform at least one type of a range of types of physical activities that is different from types of physical activity enabled by others of the pairs of footwear elements in the range of pairs of footwear elements.

13. Method of using equipment according to claim 1, comprising:

inserting a foot in the shoe;

then inserting the shoe in a first of the range of footwear elements to practice a first type of physical activity;

then removing the shoe from the first of the range of footwear elements; and

then inserting the shoe in a second of the range of footwear elements to practice a second type of physical activity that is different from the first type of physical activity.