Exercise sneaker having a plurality of attachment points along an outer peripheral thereof for attaching an elastic band to perform exercise movements

Abstract

A sneaker-like or exercise shoe with an adjustable, posterior heel strap that provides for a one size fits all configuration. A plurality of peripheral hook members are positioned around the mid-section and toe portion of the shoe for attaching an elastic or stretchable band. Specifically, the plurality of hook members are positioned (A) on the inside of the foot at the medial portion of the 1st metatarsal distal end; (B) on the outside of the foot at the lateral medial portion of the 5th metatarsal distal end; and (C) on the distal end of the 2nd metatarsal. At the back of the shoe the strap goes around the posterior calcaneus of a foot for adjustable sizes.

Description

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sneakers. More specifically the present invention relates to an exercise sneaker having a plurality of attachment points along an outer peripheral thereof for attaching an elastic band to perform exercise movements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art teaches various shoe-like devices for providing resistance exercise to the foot and ankle muscles, but they are all insufficient for various reasons. The most common issue with the devices taught in the prior art is their inferior placement of attachment points along the peripheral of the shoe and the in-ability for the device to be used by a variety of wearers.

German Patent DE202005006610 to Karl-Heinz Costin discloses a sandal like shoe having an inner side, which is wider than the lower sole and has fitted medal hoops for being joined to ropes to be pulled during a physiotherapeutic exercise. One loop is positioned at a front end of the shoe and another is positioned at the heel area. Two more loops are attached to the sides of the heel area and two more pairs of loops are located beside the location of the toe joints. However, nothing in this reference discloses that it can be provided as a one-size fits all configuration, with an adjustable back strap as in your invention. In fact, it specifically states it is available in three different sizes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,103 to Fulton discloses an exercising device for strengthening joints of the body, particularly the ankle joint. A plate that is engaged against the foot of the user imparts controlled resistance in all directional movements of the ankle joint through elastic limbs having one set of corresponding ends attached to predetermined points around the periphery of the plate and the other set of corresponding ends attached to a pair of handles which are gripped by the user in his or her hand for varying the degree of resistance imparted by the limbs. Nothing in this reference discloses the use of hook members attached to footwear or a sneaker. However, the type of exercise imparted upon the ankle and foot is similar to what you wish to accomplish with the present invention.

US Published Patent Application US20060265910 to Lampley discloses a sport shoe that provides a set of four rings, which are each separately engaged with the shoe and free to rotate between opposing positions abutting the exterior surface of the shoe on opposite sides of the ring. A frontal ring is centered on the instep and, when rotated to a medial rotational attitude, is aligned vertically and with a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the shoe. An inside ring, when rotated to its medial rotational attitude is aligned horizontally and centered relative to the height of the inside of the shoe. An outside ring, when rotated to its medial rotational attitude is aligned horizontally and centered relative to the height of the outside of the shoe. A rear ring is centered on the back of the shoe and, when rotated to its medial rotational attitude, is aligned vertically and with the longitudinal axis of symmetry. Although the rings or hoops are being used for a completely different purpose as compared to your invention, it is relevant for its disclosure of hook members attached to a peripheral portion of the shoe and or sneaker.

International Published Application WO200514116 to Nitta et al. discloses an exercise foot harness adapted to be secured to either the foot or shoe of a user. The exercise foot harness includes an interconnection of a toe strap, a mid-strap, and a heel strap. The toe strap includes a coupling member so that the toe strap may be secured around the toe area of an athletic shoe. The toe strap also includes one or more coupling points where a user may secure a resistance device, such as a weight cable of a home gym or other exercise machine. The heel strap includes a coupling member so that the heel strap may be secured around the heel area of an athletic shoe. The heel strap also includes one or more coupling points where a user may secure a resistance device. Finally, the mid-strap is used to secure the exercise foot harness around the mid-portion of an athletic shoe. In one particular arrangement, coupling points are provided at the top of the toe, the bottom of the toe, the left and right side, and the heel so that a user may connect a resistance device or devices to any number of combinations of coupling points and perform numerous different exercises. This reference is relevant for its disclosure of the coupling points positioned around the outer edge of the shoe. However, nothing herein describes a one size fits all device with an adjustable posterior heel strap as in the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sneaker-like or exercise shoe with an adjustable, posterior heel strap that provides for a one size fits all configuration. A plurality of peripheral hook members are positioned around the mid-section and toe portion of the shoe for attaching an elastic or stretchable band. Specifically, the plurality of hook members are positioned (A) on the inside of the foot at the medial portion of the 1st metatarsal distal end (commonly referred to as the ball of foot); (B) on the outside of the foot at the lateral medial portion of the 5th metatarsal distal end; and (C) on the distal end of the 2nd metatarsal. At the back of the shoe the strap goes around the posterior calcaneus of a foot for adjustable sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the back of the shoe in a closed position illustrating the strap, which goes around the posterior calcaneus of a foot for providing adjustable sizes; and

FIG. 3 is a view of the back of the shoe in an open position illustrating the strap, which goes around the posterior calcaneus of a foot for providing adjustable sizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention is a standard shoe 1 comprised of an upper 10 with securing means 12, and sole 11 where the back, heal portion 9 has been cut off or removed and replaced with a hook and loop strap or other adjustable means 2 for securing the shoe 1 to the foot of a wearer and providing means for a one size fits all configuration. The hook and loop strap or other adjustable means 2 is attached in such a manner so that it can be adjustable and fit many sizes of feet. There are also three eyelet holes 3, 4, and 5 positioned strategically around the front portion 5 of the shoe. The three points are vital and need to be in specific locations, which are basically the three strongest points of a human foot. To those eyelet holes a loop is connected forming the peripheral hook members 3, 4, and 5 so that a wearer can then attach the shoe to an elastic band, surgical tubing, weight, or pulley system so that they can strengthen and rehab the ankle through resistance training.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the invention is a sneaker-like or exercise shoe 1 with an adjustable, posterior heel strap 2 that provides for a one size fits all configuration. A plurality of peripheral hook members 3, 4, and 5 are positioned around the mid-section 6 and toe portion 7 of the shoe for attaching an elastic or stretchable band. Specifically, the plurality of hook members 3, 4, and 5 are positioned (A) on the inside of the foot at the medial portion of the 1st metatarsal distal end 3 (commonly referred to as the ball of foot); (B) on the outside of the foot at the lateral medial portion of the 5th metatarsal distal end 4; and (C) on the distal end of the 2nd metatarsal 5. At the back of the shoe the strap 2 goes around the posterior calcaneus of a foot for adjustable sizes.

These three locations are critical to the present invention. The hook members 3, 4, and 5 need to line up to the strong parts to the foot so that a wearer can get the best strength and good pull against the resistance means. The anchorage points are also adapted securely to receive a connector mounted on an end of an elastic member. Some adaptations include the use of a loop, a hook, or other connection means taught in the prior art.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the view of the back portion 9 of the shoe 1 in a closed and open position illustrating the strap 2 which corresponds to the posterior calcaneus of a wearer's foot for providing adjustable sizes is shown. The strap 2, in a closed position is attached to the lateral side of the shoe 2 and is wrapped around the posterior calcaneus of a wearer's foot to the medial side of the shoe 2 where a buckle 13 is located. The strap 2 is threaded through the buckle 13 and wrapped back around the posterior calcaneus of a wearer's foot to the lateral side of the shoe 2 where it is fastened to its self using a hook and loop fastener or equivalent means known in the art.

It is appreciated that the relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in database and subsystem configuration to detach them for each other and provide the possibilities to deploy the system in different locations and under different authorities with division of labor, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

In addition, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

at least one shoe,

the at least one shoe including an upper portion, a back portion, and a sole portion, wherein the upper portion is provided with one or more anchorage means,

the back portion of the at least one shoe provided with adjustable means for securing the at least one shoe to the foot for adjustable sizes and corresponding to the posterior calcaneus of a foot; and

wherein the at least one resistance member may be attached to the anchorage means and, in use, provides a resistance force against which the wearer may exert him or herself.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable means for securing the at least one shoe to the foot of a wearer provides means for a one size fits all configuration.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable means for securing the at least one shoe to the foot of a wearer is further comprised of a hook and loop fastener.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is provided with three anchorage means positioned on the shoe corresponding to:

the medial portion of the 1st metatarsal distal end;

the distal end 2nd metatarsal; and

the lateral medial portion of the 5th metatarsal distal end.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the resistance means includes an elastic band and, in use, gripped by a wearer of the device so as to provide an elastic force against which the wearer may exert him or herself.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the resistance means includes an elastic band and, in use, secured to another object so as to provide an elastic force against which the wearer may exert him or herself.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the resistance means includes a weighted pulley system attached to the anchorage means and, in use, provides a resistance force against which the wearer may exert him or herself.

8. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the resistance means is surgical tubing.

9. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the anchorage points are adapted securely to receive a connector mounted on an end of an elastic member.