U.S. patent application number 09/840355 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for climbing shoe with concave sole.
Invention is credited to Chu, Young.
Application Number | 20020152642 09/840355 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25282139 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020152642 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chu, Young |
October 24, 2002 |
CLIMBING SHOE WITH CONCAVE SOLE
Abstract
A climbing shoe includes an inner sole, an outer sole and a
molded middle sole between the inner sole and the outer sole. The
middle sole is concave in shape. The outer sole conforms to the
concave shape of the middle sole. The concave shape allows the
outer sole to hook on a rocky ledge. The molded middle sole
provides a structure that causes the concave outer sole to
substantially maintain the concave shape when pressure is applied
to the outer sole.
Inventors: |
Chu, Young; (Santa Fe
Springs, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES K. PARK
PARK & SUTTON LLP
SUITE 1110
3255 WILSHIRE BLVD. SUITE 1110
LOS ANGELES
CA
90010
US
|
Family ID: |
25282139 |
Appl. No.: |
09/840355 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/113 ; 36/25R;
36/30R; 36/59C; 36/59R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/10 20130101;
A43B 13/12 20130101; A43B 5/003 20130101; A43B 13/143 20130101;
A43B 13/146 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/113 ;
36/59.00R; 36/25.00R; 36/30.00R; 36/59.00C |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/00; A43B
013/00 |
Claims
In the claims:
1. A climbing shoe comprising: a) an upper portion; b) an inner
sole attached to the upper portion; c) an outer sole; and d) a
molded middle sole having a concave surface, wherein the molded
middle sole is between the inner sole and the outer sole, wherein
the concave surface of the middle sole is attached to the outer
sole; wherein the outer sole conforms to the concave shape of the
middle sole, whereby the concave outer sole can hook on a rocky
ledge, and whereby the concave outer sole substantially maintains
the concave shape when pressure is applied to the outer sole.
2. The climbing shoe of claim 1 wherein the outer sole has about a
uniform thickness.
3. The climbing shoe of claim 2 wherein the middle sole further
having a convex surface, wherein the convex surface is attached to
the inner sole.
4. The climbing shoe of claim 3 wherein the middle sole further
having an apex, a base line having a length `L`, and a distance
`D`, wherein `D` is the vertical distance between the base line and
the apex, wherein the distance `D` is less than about 20 percent of
the length `L`.
5. The climbing shoe of claim 4 wherein the distance `D` is less
than about 10 percent of the length `L`.
6. The climbing shoe of claim 5 wherein the middle sole forms
apertures, thereby reducing the weight of the middle sole.
7. The climbing shoe of claim 6 wherein the inner sole further
having an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is flat.
8. The climbing shoe of claim 1 wherein the middle sole further
having a top surface, wherein the top surface is flat.
9. The climbing shoe of claim 8 wherein the outer sole further
having a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface substantially
conforms to the concave shape of the middle sole.
10. A climbing shoe comprising: a) an upper portion; b) an inner
sole attached to the upper portion; c) an outer sole having a front
section and a back section; and d) a molded middle sole having a
concave surface, wherein the molded middle sole is between the
inner sole and the front section of the outer sole, wherein the
concave surface of the middle sole is attached to the front section
of the outer sole; wherein the front section conforms to the
concave shape of the middle sole, whereby the concave front section
can hook on a rocky ledge, and whereby the concave front section of
the outer sole substantially maintains the concave shape when
pressure is applied to the outer sole.
11. The climbing shoe of claim 10 wherein the front section of the
outer sole has about a uniform thickness.
12. The climbing shoe of claim 11 wherein the back section of the
outer sole is flat.
13. The climbing shoe of claim 12 wherein the middle sole further
having a convex surface, wherein the convex surface is attached to
the inner sole.
14. The climbing shoe of claim 13 wherein the middle sole forms
apertures, thereby reducing the weight of the middle sole.
15. The climbing shoe of claim 14 wherein the inner sole further
having an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is flat.
16. The climbing shoe of claim 15 wherein the outer sole further
having a bottom surface, wherein the front section of the bottom
surface substantially conforms to the concave shape of the middle
sole.
17. The climbing shoe of claim 11 wherein the middle sole further
having a top surface, wherein the top surface is flat.
18. The climbing shoe of claim 17 wherein the middle sole further
having an apex, a base line having a length `L`, and a distance
`D`, wherein `D` is the vertical distance between the base line and
the apex, wherein the distance `D` is less than about 20 percent of
the length `L`.
19. The climbing shoe of claim 18 wherein the middle sole forms
apertures, thereby reducing the weight of the middle sole.
20. The climbing shoe of claim 19 wherein the back section of the
outer sole is flat.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to climbing shoes. More particularly,
the climbing shoe with concave bottom shape relates to climbing
shoes where the bottom surface of the shoe assists the climber in
maintaining a firm foothold on the rocks.
[0002] Traditional climbing shoes have generally flat surfaces on
the bottom of the climbing shoe. With a flat surface, the edges of
the toe are placed on little foot holds on the rocks. Just the
placement and pressure of the flat bottom surface of the shoe on
the rocks assists in maintaining the foothold on the rocks. The
climbing shoe needs great stability, since the whole weight of the
individual may be supported by just the edges of the toe and the
climber's hands. The climbing shoe must retain a solid hold on the
rocks, when the climber stretches to reach the next foothold or
handhold in the rocks. Climbing shoes with flat bottom surfaces can
be prone to slipping and losing their grip on the rocks.
[0003] The prior art includes walking shoes that have a bottom
outer sole with outside edges that protrude lower than the
remaining inner portion of the bottom outer sole. The shape is
designed to flex when walking to absorb some of the impact of the
foot upon the walking surface. The curvature of the outer sole does
not remain rigid, and the inner portion of the bottom outer sole
flexes to touch the walking surface during walking. The edges are
thicker than the other areas, so sensitivity is lost. The climber
cannot adequately sense and feel the foot holds, when the edges are
thick.
[0004] This walking shoe design is most disadvantageous for
climbing. There is a need for a climbing shoes where the shape of
the bottom outer sole is substantially maintained, so the climbing
shoe can hook on a rock. The hooking grip of the climbing shoe upon
the small crevices can be lost if the bottom outer sole fails to
remain rigidly in shape or when the climbing shoe bottom surface is
flat, thus susceptible to slipping from the rocks. Very small
projections in the rocks are used to hook the shoe of a climber.
Just a small area of the bottom outer sole may be supporting the
climber's weight when hooked on the rock. Walking shoes with curved
outer soles are not designed to rigidly support the climber's
weight, to the contrary, walking shoes are designed to flex to
cushion the impact upon the foot.
[0005] In one prior art design, the sole tread pattern adapts to
all types of ground due to its adjustable stud profile. As the foot
presses down, the sole changes shape to grip the ground contours
and on soft ground the studs penetrate the soil. As the weight is
taken off the sole, it releases energy, giving wearers an added
spring to their step. The changing shape of the sole is
advantageous for walking, but can be detrimental in rock climbing.
A sole that flexed and changed shape would be susceptible to losing
a grip on a rocky ledge.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a climbing shoe with a bottom
surface that is shaped for hooking the shoe on a rock ledge.
Climbing shoes with flat surface are prone to sliding off of the
rocks, when the climber stretches for a new hold and shifts his or
her body weight. The new climbing shoe requires a shape that will
provide greater traction and grip when climbing rocks than the
traditional walking shoes or climbing shoes.
SUMMARY
[0007] A climbing shoe with a concave bottom shape fulfills the
objective of a climbing shoe with a bottom surface that is shaped
for hooking the shoe on a rock ledge. The climbing shoe with a
concave sole provides greater traction and grip when climbing
rocks, which provides greater safety and confidence for the
climber.
[0008] A climbing shoe with a concave bottom shape includes an
inner sole, an outer sole and a molded middle sole between the
inner sole and the outer sole. The middle sole is concave in shape.
The outer sole conforms to the concave shape of the middle sole.
The concave shape allows the outer sole to hook on a rocky ledge.
The molded middle sole provides a structure that causes the concave
outer sole to substantially maintain the concave shape when
pressure is applied to the outer sole.
[0009] A molded stiffener forms the molded middle sole. The middle
sole forms apertures. The apertures reduce the amount of material
used in manufacturing the middle sole and reduce the weight of the
middle sole. The middle sole is slightly stiff to maintain the
concave shape, yet also has some flexibility to absorb the forces
applied to the shoe.
[0010] The outer sole has about a uniform thickness. The uniform
thickness of the outer sole maintains and emulates the concave
shape of the middle sole. The outer sole forms the shoe bottom
surface, which is also concave due to the concave shape of the
molded middle sole. The substantially uniform thickness of the
outer sole results in the bottom surface conforming to the concave
shape of the middle sole. The concave shape of the bottom surface
of the outer sole provides increased hooking ability on the rocks
for the climber.
[0011] The edges of the outer sole need to be thin enough to feel
the foothold. Thin edges on the outer sole provides stability, in
contrast to the thick edges of the prior art walking shoes that are
prone to slipping on the rocks. A concaved shoe bottom provides
added edging power for standing on small footholds, because the
edges will grab the foothold and will not move around to cause a
slip from the foothold. Thin flat uniformed thickness outer soles
are used to provide better sensitivity.
[0012] The climbing shoe with a concave sole is further described
with detail in the appended figures, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the climbing shoe with the molded
middle sole in dashed lines.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the climbing shoe with the molded
middle sole in dashed lines.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the molded middle sole.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an end view of the molded middle sole as shown is
FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an end view of the molded middle sole showing the
distance `D` and length `L`.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view taken along the 6-6 line of FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front view of a prior art walking shoe, with the
inside area separated from the ground.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front view of a prior art walking shoe, showing
the inside area gripping the ground.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 6, a climbing shoe 10
includes an inner sole 12, an outer sole 14 and a molded middle
sole 16 between the inner sole 12 and the outer sole 14. The middle
sole 16 is concave in shape having a concave surface 17. The
concave surface 17 of the middle sole 16 is attached to the outer
sole 14. The middle sole has a convex surface 19 that is attached
to the inner sole 12. The middle sole 16 has a stiffness that
maintains the concave shape, along with flexibility that absorbs
the pressure and movements of the foot without fracturing the
middle sole 16. The outer sole 14 conforms to the concave shape of
the middle sole 16. The concave shape allows the outer sole 14 to
hook on a rocky ledge. The molded middle sole 16 maintains a
substantially concave shape when a climber applies pressure to the
climbing shoe 10 during scaling of the rock formations. The molded
middle sole 16 provides a structure that causes the flat outer sole
14 to substantially maintain the concave shape when pressure is
applied to the outer sole 14.
[0022] The outer sole 14 has about a uniform thickness `t`, as show
in FIG. 2. The uniform thickness `t` of the flat outer sole 14
maintains and emulates the concave shape of the middle sole 16. The
outer sole 14 has a shoe bottom surface 18, which is concave due to
the concave shape of the molded middle sole 16. The substantially
uniform thickness `t` of the outer sole 14 results in the bottom
surface 18 conforming to the concave shape of the middle sole 16.
The outer sole 14 can vary slightly in thickness `t`, particularly
around the outer edges 20 of the bottom surface 18, so that a
slight rim 22 can be formed on the outer edges 20. When included,
the rim 22 provides greater gripping and hooking capability on
rocks and crevices when climbing.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the inner sole has an upper
surface 38. The upper surface 38 is flat. The middle sole has a top
surface 40 that is flat. The flat upper surface 38 provides a
comfortable surface for the bottom of the foot. If the upper
surface 38 is a convex shape, then the climbing shoe 10 can be
uncomfortable. When the middle sole has a flat top surface 40, then
the inner sole 12 can be a substantially uniform thickness, with a
flat upper surface 38. When the middle sole has a convex top
surface 40, then the inner sole 12 needs to be thinner near the
apex 28 to create a flat upper surface 38. FIG. 5 shows the convex
top surface 40.
[0024] Referring particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the middle sole
16 forms apertures 24. The apertures 24 reduce the amount of
material used in manufacturing the middle sole 16 and reduce the
weight of the middle sole 16. Manufacturing costs are lower when
less material is used. The middle sole 16 is molded from a material
that provides sufficient strength even with the apertures 24
scattered throughout the middle sole 16 structure. Common materials
that are applicable include fiberglass, rigid plastic, epoxy
compositions, rubber polymers, steel or other metals.
[0025] A molded material forms the concave shape of the molded
middle sole 16. The middle sole 16 can be sized to just cover the
front 23 section of the climbing shoe 10. Although not shown, a
larger sized middle sole 16 can be used to cover substantially all
of the outer sole 14, including the front section 23 and the back
section 26.
[0026] Referring particularly to FIG. 5, the middle sole 16 has a
an apex 28, a base line 30 having a length `L`, a first end 32, a
second end 34, and a distance `D`. The base line 30 travels from
the first end 32 to the second end 34. The distance `D` is the
vertical distance between the base line 30 and the apex 28. The
apex 28 and distance `D` are located where the distance between the
concave surface 17 and the base line 30 is the greatest. The
distance `D` is less than twenty percent of the length `L`. In one
embodiment the distance `D` is about ten percent of the length `L`.
The top surface 40 is convex.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, a cutaway view along the 6-6 line of
FIG. 1 is shown. The upper surface 38 of the inner sole 12 is flat.
The top surface 40 of the middle sole 16 is a convex surface 19.
The inner sole 12 is thin near the top surface 40 to create a flat
upper surface 38. The middle sole 16 has a concave surface 17.
Attached to the inner sole 12 is the upper portion 36 of the shoe
that covers and supports the foot. The inner sole 12 and the outer
sole 14 can be primarily made from a rubber polymer. The upper
portion 36 can include any material commonly used for shoes, such
as leather, nylon and cotton fabric.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a prior art walking shoe 100 is
illustrated. The upper portion 136 is shown cutoff. In FIG. 7, the
inside area 102 and studs 106 of the outer sole 114 do not touch
the ground 104. FIG. 8 shows the walking shoe 100 pressed down on
the ground 104, the outer sole 114 changes shape to grip the ground
104 contours and on soft ground the studs 106 penetrate the soil.
As the weight is taken off the outer sole 114, it releases energy,
giving wearers an added spring to their step. The changing shape of
the outer sole 114 is advantageous for walking, but can be
detrimental in rock climbing. An outer sole 114 that flexed and
changed shape would be susceptible to losing a grip on a rocky
ledge.
[0029] The concave shape of the bottom surface 18 of the outer sole
14 of the climbing shoe 10 provides improved gripping ability for
the climber. Climbing shoes with flat bottom surfaces 18 do not
have any contours in shape that will help to grip the rocks. The
climbing shoe 10 with a concave sole provides an added gripping
ability, besides just the pressure of the climbing shoe 10 applied
downward on the rocks. The concave shape can improve the
confidence, climbing ability and safety of the climber.
[0030] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with regard to the preferred versions thereof,
other versions are possible. Therefore, the appended claims should
not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions
contained herein.
* * * * *