FOOTWEAR WITH REST SUPPORT

Abstract

Footwear includes a sole with a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and the heel region. A support structure is positioned within the mid-sole region. The support structure is configured to engage an object to facilitate resistance to gravitational pull.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/397,060, which was filed on Apr. 3, 2006, and the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to footwear to facilitate rest support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When sitting, many people like to extend their legs and rest them on a raised object. Typically, the object supports the individual's heels. This may result in heel fatigue. In addition, depending upon the individual's position, it may require a relatively awkward movement to remove the feet from the raised object.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide an alternative technique for resting the legs of an individual, particularly an individual in a sitting position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes footwear with a sole having a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and the heel region. A support structure is positioned within the mid-sole region. The support structure is configured to engage an object to facilitate resistance to gravitational pull.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of footwear configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of footwear configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of footwear 200 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The footwear includes a sole 202 with a forefoot region 204 and a heel region 206. Positioned between the forefoot region 204 and the heel region 206 is a mid-sole region 208. In accordance with the invention, a support structure 210 is positioned within the mid-sole region 208. The support structure 210 is configured to engage an object and thereby allow an individual to rest a foot on the object. The support structure 210 is particularly useful when an individual is in a sitting position and wishes to engage his or her feet with an object. The support structure 210 is also useful if an individual is standing and desires to rest a leg on an object.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the footwear 200. FIG. 2 illustrates that the support structure 210 includes an engagement surface 212 that is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the plane defined by the sole 202. The engagement surface 212 provides a mechanism for physical engagement with an object so that the footwear may be used to hold a user's foot on the object. More particularly, the engagement surface 212 is configured to engage an object in a manner that allows the support structure 210 to resist gravitational pull. As a result, the user is allowed to position his or her feet with reduced energy devoted to maintaining the feet in a stationary position. Thus, the support structure 210 operates to maintain the user's foot in a single position with reduced effort on behalf of the user. The configuration of the support structure 210 also allows a user to easily disengage from the object.

The support structure 210 may be formed integrally with the shoe sole 202. Alternately, the support structure 210 may be attached to the shoe sole 202 using an adhesive of fastening device. The support structure 210 may be formed of rubber, leather, and/or other shoe sole compositions. Preferably, the support structure 210 is positioned in the mid-sole region 208 so as not to inhibit the user's normal motion when walking. Observe that in this embodiment of the invention, the support structure 210 has a curved surface extending toward the forefoot region 204. This curved surface facilitates a normal walking motion.

The footwear 200 is particularly useful in connection with a motorcycle. A motorcycle typically includes mounts for the user's feet. As used herein, a mount refers to any motorcycle structure capable of supporting a user's feet. The mount may be a platform upon which a user rests the sole of a foot. Alternately, the mount may be a peg upon which a user rests the sole or heel of a foot. While the footwear 200 is particularly useful in connection with motorcycles, it may also be used in connection with household furniture, horse riding equipment, and the like.

The invention provides footwear to facilitating resting of a user's legs. The footwear allows a user to keep feet and legs in place without constant tension. This reduces leg fatigue. This may be important in any number of contexts, including long motorcycle trips.

The support structure is separate from any tread structure formed on the sole of the shoe. Indeed, the support structure should not regularly engage the ground when an individual is walking.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, method, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. Footwear, comprising:

a sole, wherein the sole includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and the heel region, wherein at least the forefoot region and the heel region include tread structure, and further wherein the tread structure of the heel region is spaced away from the mid-sole region; and

a support structure extending from the mid-sole region, wherein the support structure is separate from the tread structure, and wherein the support structure includes an engagement surface generally facing the heel region, wherein the engagement surface is configured to engage an object and restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the object due to gravity when a user is wearing the footwear and positions the engagement surface on an upper portion of the object.

9. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is sized and positioned to not engage a ground surface when the user is wearing the footwear and walking on the ground surface.

10. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is sized and positioned to project beyond any surface feature of the forefoot region.

11. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the tread structure is substantially smooth.

12. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure includes a left support structure and a right support structure laterally spaced away from the left support structure with respect to a longitudinal axis generally defined by the sole, and wherein the left support structure includes a left engagement surface and the right support structure includes a right engagement surface, wherein the left engagement surface and the right engagement surface comprise the engagement surface.

13. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is positioned in the mid-sole region so as not to obstruct a natural walking motion.

14. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is integrally formed with the sole.

15. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is attached to the sole.

16. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the sole and the support structure are formed of the same material.

17. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is configured to engage the object to facilitate resistance to gravitational pull and thereby allow the user to rest a foot on the object.

18. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the engagement surface extends at least substantially perpendicular to a plane generally defined by the sole.

19. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the engagement surface extends at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis generally defined by the sole.

20. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the engagement surface is an elongate engagement surface.

21. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure includes a curved surface that generally faces toward the forefoot region.

22. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is configured to engage a motorcycle mount.

23. A method of riding a motorcycle, the method comprising:

wearing, by the user, the footwear of claim 22; and

positioning the engagement surface against the motorcycle mount to restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the motorcycle mount due to gravity.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the motorcycle mount includes a peg.

25. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the support structure is configured to engage horse riding equipment.

26. A method of riding a horse, the method comprising:

wearing, by the user, the footwear of claim 25, the method comprising:

positioning the engagement surface against horse riding equipment to restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the horse riding equipment due to gravity.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the horse riding equipment includes a stirrup.

28. Footwear, comprising:

a sole, wherein the sole includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and the heel region, wherein at least the forefoot region and the heel region include a ground-contacting surface, and further wherein the ground-contacting surface of the heel region is spaced away from the mid-sole region and at least a portion of the mid-sole region does not include the ground-contacting surface; and

a support structure extending from the mid-sole region, wherein the support structure does not comprise the ground-contacting surface, wherein the support structure includes an engagement surface generally facing the heel region, wherein the engagement surface is configured to engage an object and restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the object due to gravity when a user is wearing the footwear and positions the engagement surface on an upper portion of the object.

29. The footwear of claim 28, wherein the ground-contacting surface includes tread structure, and wherein the support structure is separate from the tread structure.

30. Footwear, comprising:

a sole, wherein the sole includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and heel region; and

a support structure positioned within the mid-sole region, wherein the support structure includes an engagement surface that is substantially perpendicular to a plane generally defined by the sole, wherein the engagement surface is configured to engage an object in a manner that allows the support structure to resist gravitational pull, wherein when a user wearing the footwear positions the footwear so that the engagement surface engages the object, less energy is required to maintain the user's foot in a stationary position.

31. The footwear of claim 30, wherein the support structure includes a left support structure and a right support structure laterally spaced away from the left support structure with respect to a longitudinal axis generally defined by the sole, and wherein the left support structure includes a left engagement surface and the right support structure includes a right engagement surface, wherein the left engagement surface and the right engagement surface comprise the engagement surface.