ATHLETES FOOTWEAR

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, footwear for receiving and supporting a foot of a wearer is provided. The footwear may have a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side. The footwear may further have an upper and a sole. The upper is a portion that is atop the sole. The upper and the sole define a cavity that receives the foot. The sole may further have an outsole forming the outer side of the sole. In accordance with one embodiment, the outsole may be generally divided into three sections. The outsole may have a toe section, a medial section, and a heel section. The toe section may have a plurality of cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes, and the heel section is a platform.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to footwear, and more particularly to footwear soles and the usefulness of footwear sole in cleated athletic shoes prevalent in sports such as soccer, football, baseball or the like, enhancing athletes performance and balance while preventing injury.

2. Description of the Related Art

Athletic shoes with cleats provide traction, without taking into account the biomechanics and biometrics of an athlete. The modern athletic shoe is a highly refined combination of elements which cooperatively interact in an effort to minimize weight while maximizing comfort, cushioning, stability and durability. However, these goals are potentially in conflict with each other in that the efforts to achieve one of the objectives can have a deleterious effect on one or more of the others. Moreover, the deleterious effect is prominent in a high performance cleated shoes. As a result, the shoe industry continues in its efforts to optimize the competing qualities of cushioning, durability and stability.

In athletic shoes the sole ordinarily has a multi-layer construction comprised of an outsole, a midsole and an insole. The outsole is normally formed of a durable material to resist wearing of the sole during use. In many cases, the outsole includes lugs, cleats or other elements to enhance the traction afforded by the shoe. The midsole forms the middle layer of the sole and is typically composed of a soft foam material to cushion the impact forces and pressure experienced by the foot during athletic activities. The foam midsole may be formed with or without the inclusion of other cushioning elements, such as a resilient inflated bladder. An insole layer is usually a thin padded member provided overtop of the midsole to enhance the comfort afforded to the wearer.

Athletic shoes by and large are deficient in providing proper balance and safety for the wearer. Consequently, numerous injuries are sustained by those engaging in athletic activities. To overcome these shortcomings, over the years manufacturers focused their attention upon enhancing only the spikes of the athletic shoes. To this end, over time outsoles have been modified to provide better traction. These endeavors have further led to the incorporation of other cushioning elements within the midsoles (e. g., resilient inflated bladders) and other sole configurations intended to provide enhanced cushioning effects. The industry's focus on improving traction has resulted in a marked improvement of shoes in this regard. However, footwear stability has not always been so successfully addressed. In fact, the benefits realized in traction and cushioning have sometimes led to a degradation of the shoe's stability.

To appreciate the potential harmful effects that could be attributed to instability, it is important to have a basic understanding of the dynamics of running. While the general population includes a wide variety of running styles, most people run in a heel-to-toe manner. However, in this running style the foot does not normally engage the ground in a simple back to front linear motion. When a person runs, the feet generally engage the ground under the approximate midline of their body, rather than to the sides as in walking. As a result, the foot is tilted upon ground contact such that initial engagement with the ground (commonly referred to as the “rear foot strike”) usually occurs on the lateral rear corner of the heel.

At rear foot strike, then, the foot is ordinarily oriented with the big toe pointing upward and slightly outward. As the ground support phase progresses the foot is lowered to the ground in a rotative motion such that the sole comes to be placed squarely against the ground. Inward rotation of the foot is known as eversion and, in particular, inward rotation of the calcaneus associated with articulation of the subtalar joint is known as rear foot pronation. While, eversion is itself a natural action, excessive pronation, or an excessive rearward rate of pronation is sometimes associated with injuries among runners and other athletes.

Additionally, cleats are provided on the outsole to help with traction. The major drawback with the cleats is that the athletes draw more energy to run as they dig the foot out of the dirt or mud or ground. The cleats when dug into the ground causes delay in reaction time for athlete.

Additionally, the cleats are cause of injuries to athletes as the cleats twists the athlete's feet's. As an athlete is engaged in the sports the athlete's heels are not supported, while wearing the many of the shoes currently in market. The athlete's heels sink into the ground, stressing muscles and tendons in the lower leg and foot. Thus, disrupting the anatomical alignment between the heel and toes.

Although some cleats may limit movement of the toes and provide an incremental enhancement of stability, it falls far short of the performance, ease, stability, and grip afforded by the subject matter disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, footwear for receiving and supporting a foot of a wearer is provided. The footwear may have a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side. The footwear may further have an upper and a sole. The upper is a portion that is atop the sole. The upper and the sole define a cavity that receives the foot.

The sole may further have an outsole forming the outer side of the sole. In accordance with one embodiment, the outsole may be generally divided into three sections. The outsole may have a toe section, a medial section, and a heel section. The toe section may have a one or more cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes, enabling an athlete to gain frontal foot traction. Additionally, the heel section may comprise a platform. The platform may be a retrofit over an existing footwear having plurality of cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes in the heel section. The retrofit platform may be at least half the height of the cleat or stud, or pod or spike among the plurality of cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes in the heel section.

In one embodiment, the platform and the outsole is a unitary body. Optionally, the platform may be molded on existing footwear. In yet another embodiment, the platform is a retrofit attachment. The retrofit attachment may be detachable from the footwear. Furthermore, the platform may be a customizable retrofit. For example, the platform may be customizable for individual athlete based on at least one of the athlete's injury statistic, anatomy, anatomical alignment between heel and toes, biomechanics, biometrics, posture, personal preferences, Body Mass Index (BMI), or the like, or any combination thereof.

The platform may be made of carbon rubber, reinforced carbon compound, or the like, or any combination thereof. The platform may have a reinforcements made of carbon fiber, or the like. Optionally, the platform may be made by filling mold in the space between the one or more cleats. The mold may be formed using carbon compound, rubber, or the like. In an alternate embodiment, a one or more reinforcements may be provided to provide support for the mold. For example, one of the one or more reinforcements is a bar passing through the one or more the cleats, the one or more reinforcements support and hold the mold within place.

The platform may be setup in one embodiment to cover up to 80% of the heel section. The footwear described in the subject matter disclosed herein may have a one or more anti-slip features, on the platform, enabling the athletes to improved traction. The anti-slip features may be configured to provide traction in one or more turf conditions. Furthermore, one or more the anti-slip features may be a traction carving or a groove or a wave. In one embodiment, the anti-slip feature may be up to 8 mm deep and up to 6 mm wide. One or more anti-slip features may cover up to 30% of the heel section. In one embodiment, the anti-slip feature may be only 2 mm deep. In an optional embodiment, the anti-slip feature may be plurality of ridges formed on top of the heel section.

Optionally, at least one of the one or more anti-slip features may include one or more layers of concentric circular tractions. For example, each of the circular tractions may have a plain perimeter or a serrated perimeter, or any combination thereof. Additionally, each of the plurality of concentric circular tractions is at different depths. The footwear described in the subject matter disclosed herein may be used for by athletes in at least one of the American Football, rugby, soccer, softball, baseball, running, or the like, or any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, in which like numerals represent similar parts, illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 illustrates footwear with a platform in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates footwear with a platform as a retrofit attachment in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates footwear with a platform as a retrofit mold in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates footwear with a platform with an anti-slip feature in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates footwear with a platform with an alternate anti-slip feature in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

To the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, the term “or” as used in either the detailed description or the claims is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the subject matter disclosed herein may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined or that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical, and electrical variations may be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. In the description that follows, like numerals or reference designators will be used to refer to like parts or elements throughout. In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. As used herein, the term shoe, footwear may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 illustrates footwear 100 with a platform 102 in accordance with an embodiment. The subject matter disclosed herein in is an improvement upon the existing outsole for athletic shoes. The subject matter disclosed herein is applicable to any shoes with cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes, etc. The footwear 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a front end 104, a rear end 106, a first side 108 and an opposite second side (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the footwear has an upper 110 and a sole 112. The upper 110 and the sole 112 defining a cavity 114 that receives an athlete's foot.

The footwear shown in FIG. 1 additionally has an outsole 116 divided into three sections. First section is a toe section 118 supporting the toe bones and metatarsals. The toe section 118 may have a one or more cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes, enabling an athlete to gain frontal foot traction. Second section of the outsole 112 is a medial section 120, which is the section between the first toe section and a third heel section. The third heel section 122 supports the platform 102. In one embodiment, the height of the platform 102 is determined by the footwear size.

The platform 102 described herein improves an athlete's anatomical alignment from heel bone to the toe. Additionally, the platform 102 in athlete's shoes improves safety, stability, and performance. In one embodiment, the platform 102 covers up to 80% of the entire heel section as opposed to other athletic shoes. The greater heel area provides larger area for anti-slip features to be placed on the heel. In one embodiment, the material used to build the outsole 112 of a contemporary athletes shoe is the same material used to build the platform 102. The platform 102 may be made of carbon rubber, reinforced carbon compound, carbon fiber, or the like, or any combination thereof. Possibly, the platform 102 may have a hollow cavity having reinforcements. For example, the reinforcements may be metal, alloy, carbon compound or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates footwear 200 with a platform 202 as a retrofit attachment in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrated the platform 102 and the outsole 112 is a unitary body. However, FIG. 2 illustrates the platform 202 as a retrofit attachment. The retrofit attachment platform 202 in one embodiment may be attached to the existing one or more cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes using screws 204. For example, drilling holes in the cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes and the retrofit attachment platform 202. The holes are drilled so that the holes in the cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes are aligned to the holes in the retrofit attachment platform 202. Fastening the retrofit attachment platform 202 to the cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes using one or more screws. Optionally, the retrofit attachment platform 202 in one embodiment may be attached to the existing one or more cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes using friction. The retrofit attachment may be detachable allowing replacement of the retrofit attachment that may be damaged or where the user may simply want to replace the retrofit attachment with a different customized attachment platform.

FIG. 3 illustrates footwear 300 with a platform 302 as a retrofit mold in accordance with an embodiment. The molding material may be filled in between cleats 303 and around as desired. In one embodiment, the mold may be injected into a shell of a desired platform. The molding material may be carbon compound, carbon fiber, rubber, polyurethane, or the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, when retrofitting an existing athletic shoe or footwear holes may be drill across one or more cleats. One or more reinforcements may be placed through the holes of two or more cleats to hold the mold in place. The retrofit mold is molded on existing footwear with reinforcements. The reinforcements may be made of carbon fibers.

Furthermore, the platform may be a customizable retrofit. For example, the platform may be customizable for individual athlete based on at least one of the athlete's injury statistic, anatomy, anatomical alignment between heel and toes, biomechanics, biometrics, posture, personal preferences, Body Mass Index (BMI), or the like, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates footwear with a platform with an anti-slip feature in accordance with an embodiment. Optionally, the anti-slip features may be made with carbon rubber to provide more cushion and grip. Optionally, the anti-slip feature used to enable athletes perform in rain may be built using harder material. Additionally, the shape of the anti-slip feature may be designed to help maintain traction in slippery ground.

FIG. 5 illustrates footwear with a platform with an alternate anti-slip feature in accordance with an embodiment. The footwear described in the subject matter disclosed herein may have a one or more anti-slip features, on the platform, enabling the athletes to improved traction. The anti-slip features may be configured to provide traction in one or more turf conditions. Furthermore, one or more the anti-slip features may be a traction carving or a groove or a wave. In one embodiment, the anti-slip feature may be up to 8 mm deep and up to 6 mm wide. One or more anti-slip features may cover up to 30% of the heel section.

For example, the design may be circular track. In one embodiment, the anti-slip feature may be up to 5 mm deep. In one embodiment, the anti-slip feature may be up to 5 mm wide. Optionally, at least one of the one or more anti-slip features may include one or more layers of concentric circular tractions. For example, each of the circular tractions may have a plain perimeter or a serrated perimeter, or any combination thereof. Additionally, each of the plurality of concentric circular tractions is at different depths. The footwear described in the subject matter disclosed herein may be used for by athletes in at least one of the American Football, rugby, soccer, softball, baseball, running, or the like, or any combination thereof.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions, types of materials and coatings described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A footwear for receiving and supporting a foot of a wearer, the footwear comprising:

a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side;

an upper and a sole, the upper and the sole defining a cavity for receiving the foot;

an outsole forming the outer side of the sole, the outsole having a toe section, a medial section and a heel section, the toe section having a plurality of cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes, the heel section having a platform.

2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform is retrofit over an existing footwear having plurality of cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes in the heel section, the platform having at least half the height of the cleat or stud, or pod or spike among the plurality of cleats or studs, or pods, or spikes in the heel section.

3. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform further comprises a plurality of anti-slip features enabling the athlete improved traction.

4. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the plurality of anti-slip features configured to provide traction in at least one of a plurality of turf conditions.

5. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the plurality of anti-slip features comprises traction carvings or grooves or waves.

6. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the anti-slip feature is up to 8 mm deep and up to 6 mm wide.

7. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the plurality of anti-slip features cover up to 30% of the heel section.

8. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the at least one of the plurality of anti-slip features comprise a plurality of layers of concentric circular tractions, the circular tractions having a plain perimeter or a serrated perimeter, or any combination thereof.

9. The footwear of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of concentric circular tractions are at different depths.

10. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the at least one of the plurality of anti-slip features is a ridge.

11. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform and the outsole is a unitary body.

12. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform is a retrofit attachment.

13. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform is a customizable retrofit.

14. The footwear of claim 13, wherein the platform is customizable for individual athlete based on at least one of the athlete's injury statistic, anatomy, anatomical alignment, biomechanics, biometrics, posture, personal preferences, Body Mass Index (BMI), stability, weight support, or the like, or any combination thereof.

15. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises carbon compound, carbon fiber, rubber, reinforced compound, polyurethane, or the like, or any combination thereof.

16. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform cover up to 80% of the heel section.

17. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform is hollow having reinforcements.

18. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the platform is a retrofit mold, the mold filling the space between a plurality of cleats.

19. The footwear of claim 18, wherein a plurality of reinforcements are provided, with at least one of the plurality of reinforcements passing through the plurality of cleats, the plurality of reinforcements support and hold the mold within place.

20. The footwear of claim 19, wherein a plurality of reinforcements may be metal compounds, carbon compounds, carbon fiber, or the like or the combination thereof.