ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR SECURING DEVICE

Abstract

An athletic footwear retaining device comprises a length of fabric extending around the ankle of an athlete and around the arch portion of an athletic footwear device worn by the athlete and a releasable retaining device for securing the length of fabric in place.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, athletic shoes S such as a football shoes, baseball shoes, soccer shoes, and the like have typically been secured to the feet F of athletes means of one or more lengths of tape T. For example, a first portion or length of tape T1 is secured around the ankle of the athlete for the purpose of stabilizing the ankle and thereby preventing ankle injury. A second quantity or length of tape T2 is secured around the arch portion of the athletic shoe S and functions to secure the shoe S on the foot F of the athlete by preventing the laces L of the shoe S from loosening. The second quantity or length of tape T2 may also wrap the material of the shoe S around the foot F of the athlete more securely than would be possible utilizing the laces L of the shoe S.

The system for securing athletic footwear on the feet of athletes illustrated in FIG. 1 has been used in decades but is nevertheless characterized by multiple deficiencies. First, the procedure for wrapping tape around the ankles and footwear of athletes is time consuming particularly when consideration is given to the fact that it is necessary to secure all of the footwear for all of the athletes comprising a particular team substantially simultaneously. Another difficulty involves the fact that the tape used to secure athletic footwear is not particularly durable such that it may become necessary to re-tape the footwear of particular athletes, for example, during halftime.

The present invention comprises an improved device for securing athletic footwear on the feet of athletes which overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, there is provided an athletic shoe retainer constructed from a durable fabric and configured to wrap around both the ankle of an athlete and around the arch portion of an athletic shoe worn by the athlete. The device is secured in place by a releasable fastener such as a zipper or a hook-and-loop type fastener and is thereby adapted for repeated usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art technique for retaining athletic shoes;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an athletic footwear retaining device comprising a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an athletic footwear retaining device comprising a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 2 thereof, there is shown an athletic footwear retaining device 10 comprising a first embodiment of the invention. The athletic footwear retaining device 10 comprises an upper portion 12 which wraps securely around the ankle of an athlete. The athletic footwear retaining device 10 further includes a lower portion 14 which is securely wrapped around the arch portion of an athletic shoe 16 which may comprise a football shoe, a baseball shoe, a soccer shoe, or any other type of athletic shoe. The athletic footwear retaining device 10 is secured in place by a releasable retaining device 18 such as a zipper or a hook-and-loop type fastener.

The athletic footwear retaining device 10 is constructed from a durable, flexible and somewhat stretchable fabric of the type utilized in the construction of various types and kinds of athletic apparel, medical devices, and the like. Such materials typically comprise one or more polymers. The fabric is utilized in the construction of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 is preferably launderable to facilitate repeated usage.

The lower portion 20 of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 may comprise a durable, wear resistant fabric which is not necessarily flexible. The lower portion 20 of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 may be secured to the remainder thereof by sewing. The lower portion 20 may be sewn on top of a portion of the fabric comprising the athletic footwear retaining device 10 extending under the athletic shoe 16. Alternatively, the lower portion 20 may be sewn to opposite ends of the fabric comprising the athletic footwear retaining device 10.

Use of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 begins with securing the athletic shoe 16 on the foot of a athletic in the usual manner. The retaining device 18 of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 is opened and the toe of the shoe 16 is extended through the lower portion 14 of the athletic footwear retaining device 10. The retaining device 18 is then closed thereby securing the athletic footwear retaining device 10 around the ankle of the athlete and around the shoe 16 secured on the foot of the athlete.

FIG. 2 illustrates an athletic footwear retaining device 30 comprising a second embodiment of the invention. Many of the component parts of the athletic footwear retaining device 30 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 3 with the same reference numerals utilized in the description of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 but are differentiated therefrom by a prime (′) designation.

The athletic footwear retaining device 30 is particularly useful in conjunction with ice skates, roller skates, and other similar devices. For example, the ice skate 32 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a shoe portion 36 and a blade portion 38. A gap 40 extends between the shoe portion 36 and the blade portion 38. The athletic footwear retaining device 30 includes a strap 42 which extends through the gap 40 and around the arch portion of the shoe portion 36 of the ice skate 32. The strap 40 is secured in place by a hook-and-loop type fastener 44. The strap 42 of the athletic footwear retaining device 30 of FIG. 2 may also be utilized in the construction of the athletic footwear retaining device 10 of FIG. 1 to provide more constriction around the arch of the athlete wearing the athletic shoe 16.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. For use in conjunction with an athletic footwear device of the type comprising an arch portion, an athletic footwear retaining device comprising:

a unitary length of fabric configured to wrap securely around the ankle of an athlete and around the arch portion of an athletic footwear device worn by the athlete;

releasable fastener means for securing the length of fabric in place.

2. The athletic footwear retaining device according to claim 1 wherein the unitary length of fabric comprises a stretchable fabric.

3. The athletic footwear retaining device according to claim 1 wherein the releasable fastener comprising a zipper.

4. The athletic footwear retaining device according to claim 1 wherein the releasable fastener means comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.

5. The athletic footwear retaining device according to claim 1 wherein the unitary length of fabric includes a wear resistant section extending under the arch portion of the athletic footwear device worn by the athlete.

6. The athletic footwear retaining device according to claim 1 wherein the unitary length of fabric further includes a strap portion extending around the foot of the athlete and aligned with the arch portion of the athletic footwear device worn by the athlete.