Modified Tread Surface Patents (Class 36/59C)
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Patent number: 6161315Abstract: A golf shoe includes an outsole having a forefoot, a shank, and a heel. A stability ridge is disposed on the outer surface and along the perimeter of the forefoot, the heel, or both the forefoot and the heel. This ridge provides additional traction and stability, particularly when the golfer swings his club to take a shot.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Cutter & BuckInventor: Edward Dalton
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Patent number: 6101746Abstract: A football boot has a plurality of studs disposed in a pattern which includes a part of at least one ring. The studs are asymmetric in that they provide grip along a first axis and permit sliding along another axis in a manner to encourage self cleaning. The studs are arranged with their respective first axes aligned along the locus of the ring and their respective second axes aligned transversely of the ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Inventor: Anthony Evans
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Patent number: 6094843Abstract: A footwear cleat of flexible plastic includes a central hub portion and a series of resilient protrusions cantilevered from and extending radially outward and downwardly beyond the central hub portion. The protrusions are capable of horizontally engaging turf under the footwear for providing secure footing.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Softspikes, Inc.Inventor: John J. Curley, Jr.
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Patent number: 6082024Abstract: A sole for footwear comprises an outer sole (12; 22; 31) housing a plurality of pressure-stimulation elements (15; 24; 33) movable perpendicularly, relative to the bearing surface of the outer sole, through the thickness of the outer sole and, in the absence of stresses, extending below the bearing surface of the outer sole by a predetermined distance in order, when the sole is pressed against a bearing surface, to exert, through a resilient intermediate element (17; 27; 35) comprising a soft inner sole of the footwear, a pressure localized at predetermined nerve centers in the sole of a foot on which the therapeutic footwear is worn.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: D.B.A. S.r.l.Inventor: Alberto Del Biondi
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Patent number: 6076283Abstract: An outsole is provided having excellent gripping and traction properties on wet surfaces. These properties are achieved by equipping the bottom surface of the outsole with a combination of gripping regions having different gripping characteristics. The gripping regions include (a) regions of siping, oriented in different directions to provide multidirectional traction, and (b) regions of stippling (spaced protuberances).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: SRL, Inc.Inventor: Jason C. Boie
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Patent number: 6055746Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole with a rearfoot strike zone segmented from the remaining heel area by a line of flexion which permits articulation of the strike zone during initial heel strike of a runner. The line of flexion is located to delimit a rearfoot strike zone reflecting the heel to toe running style of the majority of the running population. In addition to allowing articulation of the rearfoot strike zone about the line of flexion, the sole incorporates cushioning elements, including a resilient gas filled bladder, to provide differential cushioning characteristics in different parts of the heel, to attenuate force applications and shock associated with heel strike, without degrading footwear stability during subsequent phases of the running cycle. The line of flexion may be formed by various means including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Lyden, Gordon A. Valiant, Robert J. Lucas, Michael T. Donaghu, David M. Forland, Joel L. Passke, Thomas McGuirk, Lester Q. Lee
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Patent number: 6052923Abstract: A cleat for providing traction in golf shoes (and shoes for other turf sports) that does not adversely affect turf, but provides a desired level of traction under as many different conditions as possible, and is resistant to being worn down on hard surfaces. The cleat has a flange with an attachment stud for attaching to a receptacle in a shoe sole, a plurality of traction protrusions on the flange to engage grass blades to provide traction without damaging turf, and a bearing portion that bears the wearer's weight, particularly when the wearer walks on a hard surface. The protrusions are thereby less affected by the abrading effects of the hard surface, and last longer before they are worn to the point that they are no longer able to provide traction.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Softspikes, Inc.Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
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Patent number: 6029377Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole composed of an inner layer and an outer layer that comes into contact with the ground surface. In the athletic shoe, a plurality of downward projecting projections are formed on the lower surface of the outer layer as parts of the outer layer, and a ring-shaped flange portion is formed as a part of the outer layer to surround the corresponding projection. The ring-shaped flange portion slants upward from its outer edge toward the inner edge. When a downward pressure greater than a predetermined value acts onto a portion where the projection and the corresponding flange portion are formed, the flange deforms in order to move the projection downward. In another athletic shoe, a plurality of projections is formed on the outer surface of a sole, and a depression is formed in the outer surface of the sole in the vicinity of each of the projections.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Bridgestone Sports, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Niikura, Tadatoshi Yamada
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Patent number: 6018889Abstract: Footwear intended primarily for outdoor use, wherein a variety of ground conditions are likely to be encountered, has a sole with traction elements inspired by the hoof of a mountain goat. In several embodiments, an interior region of the sole is provided with a plurality of pairs of relatively soft protruding pods, while a perimetric region surrounding the interior region includes a plurality of relatively hard lugs provided on opposite sides of the pod pairs. The pods extend downwardly below the lugs such that they will make initial ground contact and compress. The compression cushions initial impact and increases the area of ground contact to improve traction on firm smooth surfaces. The compression also brings the lugs into ground engagement, following initial contact, to improve stability and traction on irregular and soft ground surfaces. Other embodiments of the invention implement similar principles, in soles having a more conventional (less goat hoof-like) appearance.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1999Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Michael Ray Friton
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Patent number: 6016613Abstract: There is disclosed a golf shoe having a plurality of first and second traction projections extending out from the outsole to define a ground engaging surface. The first traction projections are arranged around a first pivot point located in the forefoot portion and a second pivot point located in the rearfoot portion of the outsole. The first traction projections have a body orientated lengthwise toward the pivot points. The second traction projections extend out from the outsole along the periphery of the outsole. The first and second traction projections define a ground engaging surface which, in use, enhance the traction of the outsole during the full golf swing motion.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Nike International Ltd.Inventors: Derek Campbell, Peter Phillip Backus
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Patent number: 6009640Abstract: The invention is a replaceable golf shoe cleat or spike 10 for use in place of a standard metal spike 4. Winter golf shoe spike 10 preferably has a main cleat body 11 molded from a durable plastic type material in single unitary fashion. A threaded stud 13 is formed on the upper surface of generally concavo-convex flange 12 and protrudes axially therefrom. A plurality of traction ribs 15 are formed on the bottom traction surface of concavo-convex flange 12. While the ribs 15 may be present in a variety of configurations, they are preferably triangular ridges arranged in a radial fashion emanating from the center of concavo-convex flange 12.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Softspikes, Inc.Inventors: Ernie L. Deacon, Faris W. Mc Mullin
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Patent number: 5992052Abstract: A vapor-permeable shoe which includes an upper, a tread made of elastomer, shaped so as to form a plurality of domes whose convexity is directed toward the ground, each dome having at least one minute through slit which is normally closed due to the elasticity of the material and allows the outflow of a mixture of air and water vapor formed inside the shoe when the compression applied by the sole of the foot of a user generates an overpressure at the chambers formed internally by said domes, a vapor-permeable or perforated insole, and a waterproof and vapor-permeable protective membrane. The lower part of the upper, the tread and the membrane are perimetrically sealed in the regions where they join.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Nottington Holding B.V.Inventor: Mario Polegato Moretti
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Patent number: 5979083Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a two-layer outsole for use with a shoe. The outsole includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a longitudinally extending axis. The outer layer forms the bottom of the outsole and has a plurality of first holes at spaced locations therethrough. The inner layer includes a base adjacent one side of the outer layer and a plurality of projections that extend from the base through the first holes in the outer layer, and terminate in a pointed free end. The projections protrude from the bottom of the outsole, and provide traction when the outsole interacts with the ground. The free end also forms a ridge. The ridge of each projection is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, each projection has an outline with a tear-drop shape. It has been found that when projections with this configuration are used with non-metal cleats, excellent traction is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Douglas K. Robinson, John F. Lane, III, John J. Erickson
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Patent number: 5943794Abstract: An improved golf shoe and sole is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of golf shoes comprising a right shoe and a left shoe, the right shoe having a different arrangement of traction elements on the sole thereof than the left shoe. For right-handed golfers, the sole of the right shoe has a greater number of axial traction members which are aligned with an edge of the sole than transverse traction members which are positioned transverse to the edge of the sole. The right shoe accordingly resists pivotal motion. The left shoe has a greater number of transverse traction members than axial traction members so as to allow pivotal motion. The golf shoes accordingly allow the golfer to make a fuller back swing and to follow through more completely on the power stroke. The relative number of axial and transverse traction members on the left an right shoes may be reversed for left-handed golfers.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Nordstrom, Inc.Inventor: Pamela A. Gelsomini
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Patent number: 5937547Abstract: A stud for sport shoes wherein the shoes are provided with internally threaded sockets for receiving the stud, the stud comprises: a main body portion having an upper and a lower surface; a shank extending outwardly from the upper surface of the body portion and having an outer dimension enabling the same to be threadably received within the threaded sockets of the sport shoe; and a plurality of concentric spaced apart ridges extending outwardly from the lower surface of the body portion to provide traction between the shoe and a supporting surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1996Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Greenspike, Inc.Inventor: Edward F. Abbey
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Patent number: 5926974Abstract: Footwear intended primarily for outdoor use, wherein a variety of ground conditions are likely to be encountered, has a sole with traction elements inspired by the hoof of a mountain goat. In several embodiments, an interior region of the sole is provided with a plurality of pairs of relatively soft protruding pods, while a perimetric region surrounding the interior region includes a plurality of relatively hard lugs provided on opposite sides of the pod pairs. The pods extend downwardly below the lugs such that they will make initial ground contact and compress. The compression cushions initial impact and increases the area of ground contact to improve traction on firm smooth surfaces. The compression also brings the lugs into ground engagement, following initial contact, to improve stability and traction on irregular and soft ground surfaces. Other embodiments of the invention implement similar principles, in soles having a more conventional (less goat hoof-like) appearance.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Michael Ray Friton
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Patent number: 5918385Abstract: An outsole for an article of footwear having inclined lugs that protrude downwardly from the bottom of the outsole. The outsole defines an undercut around at least a portion of each lug to permit the lugs to collapse into the outsole when walking on hard, flat surfaces. The lugs in the forefoot portion of the outsole are inclined rearwardly and the lugs in the heel portion of the outsole are inclined forwardly. In a second aspect, the outsole includes a plurality of downwardly protruding ridges that undulate around the profile of the outsole in a generally horizontal direction to provide the profile of the outsole with a gripping surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Inventor: Raymond V. Sessa
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Patent number: 5887371Abstract: A footwear cleat of flexible plastic includes a central hub portion and a series of resilient protrusions cantilevered from and extending radially outward and downwardly beyond the central hub portion. The protrusions are capable of horizontally engaging turf under the footwear for providing secure footing.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Inventor: John J. Curley, Jr.
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Patent number: 5875568Abstract: An athletic shoe for a human foot containing an elongated sole piece having a front, middle and rear section and having a ground engaging bottom surface and an upper surface in which the wearer's foot is received and, an upper piece secured to said sole piece, said upper piece providing an enclosed embracing foot enclosure having a counter section at the rear of the foot, a mid-body section, and a toe box section at the front, wherein said sole piece has a curved sole at the rear section of the sole to permit the user's foot to be tilted forward to enhance the power of the push when the user's foot makes contact with ground when the user strikes at the user's heel. In addition, the shoe can have an improved tread design and a removable and replaceable shock absorbing insert. The shoe preferably employs the principle of energy conversion.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1996Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Inventor: Richard Lennihan, Jr.
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Patent number: 5873184Abstract: A sole for a sport shoe to provide increased traction and stability comprises a main sole member having a heel portion including a heel curve and a forward position underlining the ball of the foot including a toe curve. The main sole member has a center point defined by the intersection of an optical center line and a transverse line. The optical center line and the transverse line defines four quadrants, namely, a forward lateral, a forward medial, a rearward lateral, and a rearward medial. A forward medial cleat is located generally on a first radial line 30 degrees to the medial side of the optical center line about the center point and spaced generally 44% of the length of the transverse line from the center point. A rearward lateral cleat is located on a second radial line generally 130 degrees to the lateral side of the optical center line about the center point and spaced generally 59% of the length of the transverse line from the center point.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1995Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Adidas America, Inc.Inventor: Frederick H. Ihlenburg
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Patent number: 5862614Abstract: An indoor exercise shoe which is lightweight and has an improved traction feature. The outsole of the shoe includes a primary midfoot element positioned to underlie the arch of the foot. Traction inserts of high traction material are mounted in openings in the primary midfoot element. The traction inserts project outwardly from the midfoot element for engaging and gripping a surface, such as the pedal of a stationary bicycle, under conditions when the midfoot region of the outsole is relied upon for traction.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Nine West Group, Inc.Inventor: Kanae H. Koh
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Patent number: 5822884Abstract: A disposable, flexible shoe cover for receive a sole of a shoe or a foot is provided. The shoe cover includes cleats secured to an outside surface of the shoe cover, wherein some of the cleats are adapted to overlie the sole. The cleats may include a first portion and a second portion wherein, the second portion is thicker in cross-section than the first portion. The first and second portions of the cleats may eccentricly positioned. The shoe cover may also include elastic member secured to an inside surface of the body and adapted to contact the sole.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Roeder
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Patent number: 5768802Abstract: A one-piece sports sole-heel unit of increased stability comprising a unit body of natural or synthetic rubber, the sole-heel unit being formed in one piece and including in at least one region of that surface by which it rests on the ground at least one downwardly projecting element connected by yieldable elastic portions within the unit body, into which it can at least partly retract when resting and applying load to the sole-heel unit. Several projecting elements can be provided, positioned both on the sole and on the heel of the sole-heel unit, these projecting elements being generally connected to the unit body by small-thickness vertical bellows portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1995Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Vibram S.p.A.Inventor: Marco Bramani
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Patent number: 5761832Abstract: An athletic shoe has an upper and a sole extending along the bottom of the upper. The sole has a ball portion along the front of the sole and a heel portion along the rear of the sole as well as a lower surface which lies in a substantially predetermined plane. A plurality of elongated recesses are provided in the sole so that the recesses extend radially outwardly from a preset point in the central part of the ball of the sole and so that the recesses are circumferentially spaced from each other. An elongated resilient member is positioned in each recess and each resilient member is dimensioned so that it is spaced inwardly from the sides of its associated recess and also so that the resilient member depends downwardly from the predetermined plane of the sole. In practice, when the person wearing the athletic sole pivots around the preset point in the ball of the sole, the resilient member collapses to one side of its associated recess depending upon the direction of the pivot.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Inventor: Gary F. George
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Patent number: 5752332Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Asics CorporationInventors: Akira Kataoka, Masanobu Inohara, Ryuichi Tsukita, Toshio Suma, Kiyohiro Saito
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Patent number: 5724754Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Asics CorporationInventors: Akira Kataoka, Masanobu Inohara, Rvuichi Tsukita, Toshio Suma, Kiyohiro Saito
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Patent number: 5711094Abstract: A pair of shoes for use by golfers includes a first shoe to be worn on a golfer's rear foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball which is provided with a sole and a heel and a plurality of spikes which extend downwardly from the sole and the heel. A second shoe is provided to be worn on a golfer's front foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball, and the second shoe is provided with a smooth, spikeless sole and a smooth, spikeless heel for enabling the golfer to make a proper turn to face the target during the golf swing.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1997Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Inventor: Gerald Grossman
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Patent number: 5699628Abstract: A footwear system for use in driving a vehicle includes a first boot or shoe and a second boot or shoe, each including a sole having a heel region at a proximal end of the sole with rounded ridges disposed adjacent to one another and extending substantially across a width of the sole. The sole of the first boot or shoe includes a first metatarsal region including rounded ridges disposed adjacent to one another and extending substantially along a length of the sole and the sole of the second boot or shoe includes a second metatarsal region having rounded ridges disposed adjacent to one another and extending substantially across a width of the sole.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: H.H. Brown Shoe Company, Inc.Inventor: Cyrus D. Boatwalla
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Patent number: 5689904Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Asics CorporationInventors: Akira Kataoka, Masanobu Inohara, Ryuichi Tsukita, Toshio Suma, Kiyohiro Saito
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Patent number: 5653046Abstract: A durable, lightweight shock absorbing shoe sole having an upper sole and a bottom sole attached to the bottom of the upper sole and including a plurality of inverted cups within the bottom sole and penetrating into the upper sole. At least one of the inverted cups being of a preselected configuration and located directly beneath and pointed convexly toward a natural contact point of the human foot for absorbing and dispersing shock generated at the natural contact point during a footstep. The cup is also angularly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole a preselected number of degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. In addition, a reinforcing system is incoporated within the shoe sole and works in cooperative relationship with the inverted cups for increasing the structural integrity of the shoe sole.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1995Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Inventor: Kevin B. Lawlor
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Patent number: 5644813Abstract: A disposable overshoe mop (10) comprising a structure (12), for covering a shoe (14) or foot worn by a person (16), so as to protect the shoe (14) or foot from water and dirt. A component (18) is affixed to the bottom of the covering structure (12), for cleaning a floor (20).Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Inventor: Paula Puskas
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Patent number: 5634283Abstract: A resilient, all-surface sole for footwear in which metal studs are mounted in the sole and extend beyond the bottom surface of the sole to such an extent that when footwear embodying the sole is worn, the metal stud is depressed within the sole until the tips of the studs are substantially at the plane of the bottom surface of the sole.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Inventor: Sidney Kastner
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Patent number: 5625964Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole with a rearfoot strike zone segmented from the remaining heel area by a line of flexion which permits articulation of the strike zone during initial heel strike of a runner. The line of flexion is located to delimit a rearfoot strike zone reflecting the heel to toe running style of the majority of the running population. In addition to allowing articulation of the rearfoot strike zone about the line of flexion, the sole incorporates cushioning elements, including a resilient gas filled bladder, to provide differential cushioning characteristics in different parts of the heel, to attenuate force applications and shock associated with heel strike, without degrading footwear stability during subsequent phases of the running cycle. The line of flexion may be formed by various ways including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Lyden, Gordon A. Valiant, Robert J. Lucas, Michael T. Donaghu, David M. Forland, Joel L. Passke, Thomas McGuirk, Lester Q. Lee
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Patent number: 5623774Abstract: A stud for sport shoes wherein the shoes are provided with internally threaded sockets for receiving the stud, the stud comprises: a main body portion having an upper and a lower surface; a shank extending outwardly from the upper surface of the body portion and having an outer dimension enabling the same to be threadably received within the threaded sockets of the sport shoe; and a plurality of concentric spaced apart ridges extending outwardly from the lower surface of the body portion to provide traction between the shoe and a supporting surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1996Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Greenspike, Inc.Inventor: Edward F. Abbey
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Patent number: 5581913Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Asics CorporationInventors: Akira Kataoka, Masanobu Inohara, Ryuichi Tsukita, Toshio Suma, Kiyohiro Saito
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Patent number: 5553399Abstract: A lightweight footwear article (100) providing improved traction has a sole (101) having a ground contact surface that has an area somewhat oversized in contrast to the foot of a wearer and constructed of a pliable, breathable, machine-washable fibrous material which provides good traction on slippery surfaces. The footwear article (100) may also have a removable, contoured, cushioned insole (102). Moreover, the footwear article (100) may have an upper (104) made of a lightweight, breathable, machine-washable material.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1994Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Inventor: Molly Strong
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Patent number: 5533277Abstract: An ice-gripping sandal for securement to other primary footwear. The sandal comprises a sole, a toe strapping assembly and a heel strapping assembly. The sole has plural groups of cleats projecting therefrom. Some of the cleats extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the sole and include portions having ice-gripping screws. Grooves are provided between the cleats in the forefoot and toe portions of the sole. The width and depth of those grooves increase from the medial side of the sole to the lateral side of the sole to facilitate the release of material which may tend to adhere therein when the wearer walks. The toe strapping assembly includes plural flexible straps which produce an adjustable size toe box for receipt of the toe of the primary footwear. The straps of both of the strapping assemblies include VELCRO.RTM. fastening strips.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Michael BellInventors: Michael Bell, Jonathan M. Bell
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Patent number: 5509218Abstract: A cushioning device for cushioning the contact load on a foot during gait. The cushioning device includes a tread of curvilinear shock absorbing elements substantially extending along a basic contact trajectory equivalent to the locus of substantially maximum contact stress during foot rolling. Each shock absorbing element has a triangular-shaped cross section having an inclined face oriented toward the contact trajectory such that each of the shock absorbing elements is flexed away from the basic contact trajectory during stance. As a result, the cushioning device deforms along the basic contact trajectory to a greater degree than on the rest of the device area, thereby equalizing the plantar contact stresses and improving the shock absorbing process.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Inventors: Mircea Arcan, Radu Arcan
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Patent number: 5505012Abstract: The present invention relates to a directionally yieldable cleat assembly attached to an athletic shoe having an upper and a sole with a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced cleats are mounted to the sole so that the cleats protrude outwardly from the bottom of the sole. In one embodiment, a bumper is provided between the cleat and the sole for enabling a greater magnitude of deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to a predetermined lateral force imposed upon the cleat in a first laterally inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe than the deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to the same predetermined force imposed on the cleat in direction other than the first lateral direction. Deflection of the cleat is also minimized or eliminated in response to forces imposed on the cleats in a parallel direction to the longitudinal axis of the sole to ensure that traction for the shoe is uncompromised.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1994Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Assignee: Andrew S. WalkerInventors: Andrew S. Walker, Elwyn Gooding
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Patent number: 5483760Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1994Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: ASICS CorporationInventors: Akira Kataoka, Masanobu Inohara, Ryuichi Tsukita, Toshio Suma, Kiyohiro Saito
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Patent number: 5469639Abstract: A shoe sole comprises an outsole having a recess formed in the upper surface and an insert formed of resilient material that fits in the recess. The insert has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, downwardly extending transverse ribs extending across the underside of the insert. The ribs are formed of at least two lengths, with longer ribs alternating with shorter ribs in a regular pattern along the longitudinal length of the insert. The ribs are formed in a wavy sinusoidal pattern across the width of the shoe and the individual ribs are formed in sinusoidal vertical patterns, so that each individual rib has downwardly extending portions of different lengths that repeat in a pattern across the width of the shoe. The varying lengths of the ribs provide a first cushioning rate for initial compression of the insert, while the shorter portion of the ribs provide a graduated increase in spring resistance upon further compression of the ribs.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1994Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Inventor: Raymond V. Sessa
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Patent number: 5448839Abstract: A shoe and polymeric shoe sole having a heel portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the medial side to the lateral side relative to the horizontal support surface, a forefoot portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the lateral side to the medial side relative to the support surface, and a diagonally crossing neutral zone in the midfoot portion. The heel portion has a central, resilient, compressible, calcaneal pad which is substantially unslanted, preferably with a downward, slightly convex configuration. The calcaneal pad protrudes downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the heel portion and is recessed upwardly above the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the heel portion. The metatarsal head pad extends downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the forefoot portion and is recessed above the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the forefoot portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1993Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.Inventors: Malcolm G. Blissett, Raymond M. Fredericksen
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Patent number: 5425184Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole with a rearfoot strike zone segmented from the remaining heel area by a line of flexion which permits articulation of the strike zone during initial heel strike of a runner. The line of flexion is located to delimit a rearfoot strike zone reflecting the heel to toe running style of the majority of the running population. In addition to allowing articulation of the rearfoot strike zone about the line of flexion, the sole incorporates cushioning elements, including a resilient gas filled bladder, to provide differential cushioning characteristics in different parts of the heel, to attenuate force applications and shock associated with heel strike, without degrading footwear stability during subsequent phases of the running cycle. The line of flexion may be formed by various means including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Lyden, Gordon A. Valiant, Robert J. Lucas, Michael T. Donaghu, David M. Forland, Joel I. Passke, Thomas McGuirk, Lester Q. Lee
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Patent number: 5423135Abstract: A sole construction for use with a boating shoe or the like comprises an outsole having a multiplicity of wave-like incisions in a traction area. The incisions are each in the form of a flattened sine wave and extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sole. A plurality of straight incisions intersect the wave-like incisions and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sole. The sole may further include inner and outer traction areas in which a plurality of incisions intersect wave-like incisions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, with the straight incisions extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1991Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: The Timberland CompanyInventors: Charles Poole, Gary Duclos
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Patent number: 5384973Abstract: A sole having an articulated forefoot includes a flex joint extending generally longitudinally between the hallux and the second toe and at least one additional flex joint extending transversely across the sole. The flex joints can intersect with each other to form substantially separated sections in the sole by for facilitating relatively independent movement of selected toes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1992Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Robert M. Lyden
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Patent number: 5377431Abstract: The present invention relates to a directionally yieldable cleat assembly attached to an athletic shoe having an upper and a sole with a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced cleats are mounted to the sole so that the cleats protrude outwardly from the bottom of the sole. In one embodiment, a bumper is provided between the cleat and the sole for enabling a greater magnitude of deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to a predetermined lateral force imposed upon the cleat in a first laterally inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe than the deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to the same predetermined force imposed on the cleat in directions other than the first lateral direction. Deflection of the cleat is also minimized or eliminated in response to forces imposed on the cleats in a parallel direction to the longitudinal axis of the sole to ensure that traction for the shoe is uncompromised.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Inventors: Andrew S. Walker, Elwyn Gooding
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Patent number: 5351421Abstract: A shoe sole comprising a sole portion (10) with a forward toe end (12) and a rear end (13), an inner medial side (15) and an outer lateral side (16). Blade-like projections (20) extend downwardly from the sole portion (10) and are angled relative to a generally longitudinal line (31) from the toe end (12) to the rear end (13) of the sole portion (10) so that an outer end (31) of each projection nearer to the medial side (15) is located nearer to the toe end. The angled projections provide increased grip for the outside foot of a wearer during turning movement. The heights of the projections (20) progressively reduce from the rear end (13) of the sole portion towards the toe end (12). At least the forwardmost one (21) of the medial projections has an outer corner (33) at the end of the lower extremity (30) which is displaced inwardly towards the lateral side (16).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1992Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Inventor: David J. Miers
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Patent number: 5313718Abstract: There is disclosed an athletic shoe having grooves in a ground engaging surface of a sole formed concentrically about a pivot point in the ball portion and having traction projections in the form of bristles or columns embedded in the bottom of the grooves. Free ends of the traction projections protrude from the ground engaging surface whereby forces on the free ends of the traction projections perpendicular to the grooves, as when a player is accelerating, causes the projections to bend against the side walls of the grooves which thus support the projections against further bending with the free ends of the projections protruding from the outsole to provide traction. Forces on the free ends of the projections tangentially to the grooves, as when a player pivots, cause the projections to bend into or lay down in the grooves and thus offer little or no traction.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1993Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. McMahon, Gordon A. Valiant
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Patent number: 5259125Abstract: A roofer's attachment for shoes to provide secure footing while working on a sloping roof and the like. The attachment preferably includes a rigid half sole having a slip-resistant material on the bottom surface, an instep strap attached to the sides of the half sole, a rigid toe member that biases the toe portion of the half sole against the roof and prevents curling and a heel strap to secure the attachment to the roofer's shoe. The material on the bottom surface of the half sole is preferably formed from medium weave indoor/outdoor carpet. The toe member is preferably made of a rigid material such as Teflon or a suitably curved piece of steel and the half sole is made of hard plastic or hardened leather with the carpet attached underneath.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Inventor: Manuel C. Gromes
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Patent number: 5259129Abstract: The invention is a replaceable golf shoe cleat or spike 10 for use in place of a standard metal spike 4. Winter golf shoe spike 10 preferably has a main cleat body 11 molded from a durable plastic type material in single unitary fashion. A threaded stud 13 is formed on the upper surface of generally concavo-convex flange 12 and protrudes axially therefrom. A plurality of traction ribs 15 are formed on the bottom traction surface of concavo-convex flange 12. While the ribs 15 may be present in a variety of configurations, they are preferably triangular ridges arranged in a radial fashion emanating from the center of concavo-convex flange 12.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: Warm Springs Golf Club, Inc.Inventors: Ernie L. Deacon, Faris W. McMullin