U.S. patent application number 09/867817 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for adjustable shoes capable of being fitted to feet of different shapes and sizes.
Invention is credited to Williams, Robert W..
Application Number | 20020178616 09/867817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25350513 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020178616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams, Robert W. |
December 5, 2002 |
Adjustable shoes capable of being fitted to feet of different
shapes and sizes
Abstract
This invention concerns an adjustable shoe capable of being
fitted to feet of different shapes and sizes, comprising a two-part
sole structure, which includes a forward sole member and a rear
sole member, a shoe body, comprising a forward body portion and a
rear body portion, and a heel. The forward sole member is freely
movable back and forth relative to said rear sole member for
matching different foot length to fit the foot being fitted within
the shoe. The forward body portion is mounted on the forward sole
member, the rear body portion mounted on the rear sole member, and
the heel mounted under the rear sole member. The forward body
portion is selectively adjustable for engaging and holding a top
area for matching and holding different foot width and foot height
to fit the foot being fitted within the shoe. The forward body is
freely movable back and forth relative to said rear body portion
for matching and holding different foot length to fit the foot
being fitted within the shoe.
Inventors: |
Williams, Robert W.;
(Cresthill, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Chales F. Meroni, Jr.
Meroni & Meroni
A Professional Corporation
P.O. Box 309
Barrington
IL
60011
US
|
Family ID: |
25350513 |
Appl. No.: |
09/867817 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/97 ; 36/100;
36/138 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20130101; A43B
3/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/97 ; 36/100;
36/138 |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/26 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A bowling shoe capable of being fitted to feet of different
shapes and sizes, said bowling shoe comprising: a two-part sole
structure which includes a rear sole member having a bottom guide
member, which is elongated and extends forwardly in a longitudinal
direction, a forward sole member having a bottom guide way, which
is sized and shaped for receiving said bottom guide member for
enabling relative movement of said rear sole member and said
forward sole member into a selected adjusted position corresponding
to the length of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe; a
heel positioned under said two-part sole structure, made of
non-slip rubber or like, means connecting said rear sole member in
fixed assembly to said heel, said forward sole member positioned on
top of said heel and being freely movable back and forth in a
longitudinal direction relative to said rear sole member and said
heel to a selected adjusted position; a shoe body having a rear
body portion positioned on said rear sole member, means connecting
said rear sole member in fixed assembly to said rear body portion,
having a left guide member and a right guide member, both of which
are elongated and extend forwardly in a longitudinal direction, and
a forward body portion positioned on said forward sole member,
means connecting said forward sole member in fixed assembly to said
forward body portion, having a left shoe flap with a left guide
way, which is sized and shaped for receiving said left guide member
for enabling relative movement of said forward body portion and
said rear body portion into a selected adjusted position
corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted within the
bowling shoe, and a right shoe flap with a right guide way, which
is sized and shaped for receiving said right guide member for
enabling relative movement of said forward body portion and said
rear body portion into a selected adjusted position corresponding
to the length of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe; a
left-side hook and loop fastener structure which includes a first
part of said left-side hook and loop fastener structure positioned
on said left shoe flap, means connecting said left shoe flap in
fixed assembly to said first part of said left-side hook and loop
fastener structure, and a second part of said left-side hook and
loop fastener structure positioned on said rear body portion of
said shoe body, means connecting said rear body portion of said
shoe body in fixed assembly to said second part of said left-side
hook and loop fastener structure; and a right-side hook and loop
fastener structure which includes a first part of said right-side
hook and loop fastener structure positioned on said right shoe
flap, means connecting said right shoe flap in fixed assembly to
said first part of said right-side hook and loop fastener
structure, and a second part of said right-side hook and loop
fastener structure positioned on said rear body portion of said
shoe body, means connecting said rear body portion of said shoe
body in fixed assembly to said second part of said right-side hook
and loop fastener structure.
2. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein a top hook and loop fastener
structure is provided, said top hook and loop fastener structure
comprising a first part of said top hook and loop fastener
structure positioned on said left shoe flap, means connecting said
left shoe flap in fixed assembly to said first part of top hook and
loop fastener structure, and a second part of said top hook and
loop fastener structure positioned on said right shoe flap, means
connecting said right shoe flap in fixed assembly to said second
part of top hook and loop fastener structure, said first part of
said top hook and loop fastener structure is selectively adjustable
relatively to said second part of said top hook and loop fastener
structure for engaging and holding said left shoe flap to said
right shoe flap, and capable of holding said forward body portion
of said shoe body to accommodate variations in foot width and foot
height of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe.
3. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein said first part of said
left-side hook and loop fastener structure is selectively
adjustable relatively to said second part of said left-side hook
and loop fastener structure for engaging and holding said first
part of said left-side hook and loop fastener structure to said
second part of said left-side hook and loop fastener structure, and
capable of holding said front portion of said shoe body in a
selected adjusted position relatively to said rear body portion of
said shoe body with said second part of said left-side hook and
loop fastener structure corresponding to the length of the foot
being fitted within the bowling shoe.
4. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein said first part of said
right-side hook and fastener structure is selectively adjustable
relatively to said second part of said right-side hook and loop
fastener structure for engaging and holding said first part of said
right-side hook and loop fastener structure to said second part of
said right-side hook and loop fastener structure, and capable of
holding said front portion of said shoe body in a selected adjusted
position relatively to said rear body portion of said shoe body
with said second part of said right-side hook and loop fastener
structure corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted
within the bowling shoe.
5. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein said rear sole member has a
length between 1/6.sup.th to 1/3.sup.rd of the length of said
forward sole member.
6. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein both said forward body
portion of said show body and said rear body portion of said shoe
body have stiffener, made of synthetic plastic.
7. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein both said left-side guide
member and said right-side guide member are made of synthetic
plastic.
8. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein said bottom guide member is
made of steel.
9. The bowling shoe in claim 1 wherein said rear body portion has
yieldable opposing sides collectively defining an open end, said
yieldable opposing sides being relatively movable for matching the
heel shape of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe.
10. A bowling shoe capable of being fitted to feet of different
shapes and sizes, said bowling shoe comprising: a two-part sole
structure which includes a rear sole member having a bottom guide
member, which is elongated and extends forwardly in a longitudinal
direction, a forward sole member having a bottom guide way, which
is sized and shaped for receiving said bottom guide member for
enabling relative movement of said rear sole member and said
forward sole member into a selected adjusted position corresponding
to the length of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe; a
heel positioned under said two-part sole structure, means
connecting said rear sole member in fixed assembly to said heel,
said forward sole member positioned on top of said heel and being
freely movable back and forth in a longitudinally direction
relative to said rear sole member and said heel to a selected
adjusted position; a shoe body having a rear body portion
positioned on said rear sole member, means connecting said rear
sole member in fixed assembly to said rear body portion, having a
left guide member and a right guide member, both of which are
elongated and extend forwardly in a longitudinal direction, and a
forward body portion positioned on said forward sole member, means
connecting said forward sole member in fixed assembly to said
forward body portion, having a left shoe flap with a left guide
way, which is sized and shaped for receiving said left guide member
for enabling relative movement of said forward body portion and
said rear body portion into a selected adjusted position
corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted within the
bowling shoe, and a right shoe flap with a right guide way, which
is sized and shaped for receiving said right guide member for
movement into a selected adjusted position corresponding to the
length of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe; a
left-side fastener structure which includes a first part of said
left-side fastener structure positioned on said left shoe flap,
means connecting said left shoe flap in fixed assembly to said
first part of left-side fastener structure, and a second part of
said left-side fastener structure positioned on said rear body
portion of said shoe body, means connecting said rear body portion
of said shoe body in fixed assembly to said second part of said
left-side fastener structure; and a right-side fastener structure
which includes a first part of said right-side fastener structure
positioned on said right shoe flap, means connecting said right
shoe flap in fixed assembly to said first part of said right-side
fastener structure, and a second part of said right-side fastener
structure positioned on said rear body portion of said shoe body,
means connecting said rear body portion of said shoe body in fixed
assembly to said second part of said right-side fastener
structure.
11. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein a top fastener structure
is provided, said top fastener is selectively adjustable to engage
and hold said left shoe flap to said right shoe flap, and capable
of holding said forward body portion of said shoe body to
accommodate variations in foot width and foot height of the foot
being fitted within the bowling shoe.
12. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein said first part of said
left-side fastener structure is selectively adjustable relatively
to said second part of said left-side fastener structure for
engaging and holding said first part of said left-side fastener
structure to said second part of said left-side fastener structure,
and capable of holding said first portion of said shoe body in a
selected adjusted position relatively to said rear body portion of
said shoe body with said second part of said left-side fastener
structure corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted
within the bowling shoe.
13. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein said first part of said
right-side fastener structure is selectively adjustable relatively
to said second part of said right-side fastener structure for
engaging and holding said first part of said right-side fastener
structure to said second part of said right-side fastener
structure, and capable of holding said front portion of said shoe
body in a selected adjusted position relatively to said rear body
portion of said shoe body with said second part of said right-side
fastener structure corresponding to the length of the foot being
fitted within the bowling shoe.
14. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein said rear sole member has
a length between {fraction (1/20)}.sup.th to 1/2.sup.nd of the
length of said forward sole member.
15. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein both said forward body
portion and rear body portion have stiffener composing of fiber
glass, synthetic plastic, or like.
16. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein both said left-side guide
member and said right-side guide member are made of stiffener
composing of fiber glass, synthetic plastic, or like.
17. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein said bottom guide member
is made of hard stiffener composing of hard metal, hard synthetic
plastic, hard fiber glass, or like.
18. The bowling shoe in claim 10 wherein said rear body portion has
yieldable opposing sides collectively defining an open end, said
yieldable opposing sides being relatively movable for matching the
heel shape of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe.
19. A bowling shoe capable of being fitted to feet of different
shapes and sizes, said bowling shoe comprising: a two-part sole
structure which includes a rear sole member, a forward sole member,
and a bottom connection structure enabling relative movement of
said rear sole member and said forward sole member into a selected
adjusted position corresponding to the length of the foot being
fitted within the bowling shoe; a heel positioned under said
two-part sole structure, means connecting said rear sole member in
fixed assembly to said heel, said forward sole member positioned on
top of said heel and being freely movable back and forth in a
longitudinal direction relative to said rear sole member and said
heel to a selected adjusted position; and a shoe body having a rear
body portion positioned on said rear sole member, means connecting
said rear sole member in fixed assembly to said rear body portion,
a forward body portion positioned on said forward sole member,
means connecting said forward sole member in fixed assembly to said
forward body portion, and a side connection structure enabling
relative movement of said forward body portion and said rear body
portion into a selected adjusted position corresponding to the
length of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe.
20. The bowling shoe in claim 19 wherein said forward body portion
of said shoe body is selectively adjustable through a side
connection structure relatively to said rear body portion of said
shoe body and capable of holding said forward body portion of said
shoe body in a selected adjusted position to said rear body portion
of said shoe body corresponding to the length of the foot being
fitted within the bowling shoe.
21. The bowling shoe in claim 19 wherein said forward body portion
of said shoe body is selectively adjustable and capable of holding
said forward body portion of said shoe body to accommodate
variations in foot width and foot height of the foot being fitted
within the bowling shoe.
22. The bowling shoe in claim 19 wherein both said forward body
portion and rear body portion have stiffener, composing of fiber
glass, synthetic plastic, or like.
23. The bowling shoe in claim 19 wherein said side connection
structure is made of stiffener, composing of fiber glass, synthetic
plastic, or like.
24. The bowling shoe in claim 19 wherein said bottom connection
structure is made of hard stiffener, composing of hard metal, hard
synthetic plastic, or like.
25. The bowling shoe in claim 19 wherein said rear body portion has
yieldable opposing sides collectively defining an open end, said
yieldable opposing sides being relatively movable for matching the
heel shape of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe.
26. A bowling shoe capable of being fitted to feet of different
shapes and sizes, said bowling shoe comprising: a two-part sole
structure which includes a rear sole member, a forward sole member,
and a bottom connection structure, made of hard stiffener,
composing of hard metal, hard synthetic plastic, or like, enabling
relative movement of said rear sole member and said forward sole
member into a position corresponding to the length of the foot
being fitted within the bowling shoe; and a heel under said two
part sole structure, means connecting said rear sole member in
fixed assembly to said heel, said forward sole member positioned on
top of said heel and being freely movable back and forth in a
longitudinal direction relative to said rear sole member and said
heel to a selected adjusted position.
27. The bowling shoe in claim 26 wherein a shoe body having
stiffener, composing of fiber glass, or synthetic plastic, or like,
positioned over said rear sole member, the shoe body having a
forward body portion and a rear body portion, means connecting said
rear body portion of said shoe body in fixed assembly to said rear
sole member.
28. The bowling shoe in claim 27 wherein said rear body portion has
yieldable opposing sides collectively defining an open end, said
yieldable opposing sides being relatively movable for matching the
heel shape of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe.
29. The bowling shoe in claim 28 wherein said rear body portion of
said shoe body is movable back and forth in a longitudinal
direction relatively to said forward body portion of said shoe body
to a position corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted
within the bowling shoe.
30. The bowling shoe in claim 29 wherein said forward body portion
of said shoe body is positioned on said forward sole member, means
connecting said forward body portion of said shoe body in fixed
assembly to said forward sole member.
31. The bowling shoe in claim 30 wherein said forward body portion
of said shoe body is selectively adjustable and capable of holding
said forward body portion of said shoe body to accommodate
variations in foot width and foot height of the foot being fitted
within the bowling shoe.
32. A shoe capable of being fitted to feet of different shapes and
sizes, said shoe comprising: a two-part sole structure which
includes a rear sole member, a forward sole member, and a bottom
connection structure, enabling relative movement of said rear sole
member and said forward sole member into a position corresponding
to the length of the foot being fitted within the shoe; a heel
positioned under said two part sole structure, means connecting
said rear sole member in fixed assembly to said heel, said forward
sole member positioned on top of said heel and being freely movable
back and forth in a longitudinal direction relative to said rear
sole member and said heel to a selected adjusted position; and a
shoe body having a rear body portion positioned on said rear sole
member, means connecting said rear sole member in fixed assembly to
said rear body portion, and a forward body portion positioned on
said forward sole member, means connecting said forward sole member
in fixed assembly to said forward body portion.
33. The shoe in claim 32 wherein said forward body portion of said
shoe body is selectively adjustable relatively to said rear body
portion of said shoe body and capable of holding said first portion
of said shoe body in a selected adjusted position to said rear body
portion of said shoe body with said real portion of said shoe body
corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted within the
shoe.
34. The shoe in claim 32 wherein said forward body portion of said
shoe body is selectively adjustable and capable of holding said
forward body portion of said shoe body to accommodate variations in
foot width and foot height of the foot being fitted within the
shoe.
35. The shoe in claim 32 wherein both said forward body portion and
rear body portion have stiffener composing of fiber glass,
synthetic plastic, or like.
36. The shoe in claim 32 wherein said connection structure is made
of hard stiffener composing of hard metal, hard fiber glass, hard
synthetic plastic, or like.
37. The shoe in claim 32 wherein said rear body portion has
yieldable opposing sides collectively defining an open end, said
yieldable opposing sides being relatively movable for matching the
heel shape of the foot being fitted within the shoe.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to adjustable shoes. More
specifically, my invention is primarily intended as adjustable
bowling shoes capable of being well fitted and providing necessary
side support to feet of different shapes and sizes.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Many activities, particularly bowling, require people to
wear special shoes in the activity area. People usually do not
purchase those special shoes, but rather rent them from the
facilities when they attend those activities. Those facilities
generally provide shoes of all sizes. One problem is that sometimes
people just do not know what size of the shoes can provide a good
fit to their feet. The other problem is that even though people do
know the size of the shoes, the shoes of that size might still not
be capable of providing a perfect fit to their feet due to the
limited number of shoe sizes and the unlimited size variations of
people's feet.
[0005] Various devices have been created in an attempt to solve
these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,687 discloses a
stretchable shoe. The stretchable shoes include a shoe body divided
into a front section and a rear section. The front section includes
a front sole and a front inner sole each of which is formed so as
to rearwardly extend by a predetermined length in a tongue-like
manner and the rear section includes a rear sole which is provided
on a lower surface thereof with a heel having a front edge. The
rear section is provided on a portion of an upper surface thereof
corresponding to the heel with a first velvet-type fastener and
formed with an elongate guide hole elongatedly extending in a
longitudinal direction thereof. The front sole of the front section
is inserted at a rear body portion thereof through the front edge
of the heel into an inside of the heel and mounted thereon with a
pin so as to vertically extend therefrom. The pin is fitted in the
elongate guide hold of the rear sole of the rear section to join
the rear section and front section to each other, resulting in
providing the shoe body. The front inner sole has a second
velvet-type fastener mounted on a lower surface of a rear end
thereof, which second velvet-type fastener is detachably engaged
with the first velvet-type fastener mounted on the upper surface of
the rear sole of the rear section to unite the front section and
rear section to each other. However, the front section of the shoe
body of the stretchable shoes is not capable of being adjusted to
fit shapes and sizes of different midfoot, forefoot and toe. The
rear section of the shoe body of the stretchable shoes is not
capable of fitting shapes and sizes of different heel. Neither the
front section of the shoe body, nor the rear section of the shoe
body, nor the combination of these two, is capable of providing
necessary side support to feet of different sizes.
[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,659,980 and 5,570,523 disclose an
adjustable shoe for an adult and a child. Both shoes contain a
heel, front portion, back portion, toecap and insole where the
front portion has a plurality of positioning protrusions. The
toecap contains an adjustable pad with a plurality of positioning
holes. The protrusions are inserted into the corresponding holes in
order to adjust the length of the shoe size. The sides and the
heels of the shoes contain fastening pads which connect to each
other to hold the different parts of the shoes together. The heel
further contains socket buttons to join with ball buttons to
further adjust the shoe. Again, the front portion of the shoe is
not capable of being adjusted to fit shapes and sizes of different
midfoot, forefoot and toe. Neither the front portion of the shoe,
nor the rear body portion of the shoe, nor the combination of these
two, is capable of providing necessary side support to feet of
different sizes
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,277 discloses an adjustable shoe
particularly designed for women. The shoe contains a first portion,
two side portions, a top portion and a back portion. The top
portion is a shoe flap like member which folds over the tip of the
foot and attaches to the side member by Velcro or a hook and loop
fastener. The back portion is split into two sides which connect to
each other by Velcro or hook and loop fasteners. Thus, the shoe is
worn by opening the shoe flap and back portion and is adjusted to
the foot size. However, the shoe is not capable of being adjusted
in its length.
[0008] What is needed then is shoes capable of being adjusted to
fit different midfoot, forefoot, toe, and heel shapes and sizes,
and also capable of providing necessary side support to the foot at
the same time.
[0009] Accordingly, it is a principal object of my invention to
provide adjustable shoes, which are capable of being adjusted in
length, width, and height to provide a perfect fit to feet of
different shapes and sizes.
[0010] It is a further object of my invention to provide adjustable
shoes, which are capable of providing necessary side support to
feet of different shapes and sizes.
[0011] Other objects of my invention, as well as particular
features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in,
or apparent from, the following description and the accompanying
drawing figures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to my present invention, I have provided an
adjustable shoe capable of being well fitted to feet of different
shapes and sizes. The adjustable shoe includes a two-part sole
structure, comprising a rear sole member and a forward sole member,
a shoe body, comprising a rear body portion and a forward body
portion, a heel, a left-side fastener structure, a right-side
fastener structure, and a top fastener structure.
[0013] The rear sole member has a bottom guide member, extending
forwardly in a longitudinal direction, a forward sole member having
a bottom guide way, which is sized and shaped for receiving the
bottom guide member for enabling relative movement of the rear sole
member and the forward sole member into a selected adjusted
position corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted
within the shoe.
[0014] The heel is positioning under the two-part sole structure,
and is mounted under the rear sole member.
[0015] The rear body portion having stiffener, mounted on the rear
sole member, has a left guide member on the left side, extending
forwardly in a longitudinal direction, and a right guide member on
the right side, extending forwardly in a longitudinal direction.
The rear body portion has yieldable opposing sides, which are
capable of being relatively movable for matching the heel shape of
the foot being fitted within the shoe.
[0016] The forward body portion is mounted on the forward sole
member. The forward body includes a left shoe flap having a left
guide way, which is sized and shaped for receiving the left guide
member for enabling relative movement of the rear body portion and
the forward body portion into a selected adjusted position
corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted within the
bowling shoe, and a right shoe flap having a right guide way, which
is sized and shaped for receiving the right guide member for
enabling relative movement of the rear body portion and the forward
body portion into a selected adjusted position corresponding to the
length of the foot being fitted within the shoe.
[0017] The left-side fastener structure is selectively adjustable
for matching and holding different foot length to fit the foot
being fitted within the shoe, with one part mounted on the left
shoe flap and the other part mounted on the rear body portion.
[0018] The right-side fastener structure is selectively adjustable
for matching and holding different foot length to fit feet of
different sizes, with one part mounted on the right forward body
member and the other part mounted on the rear body.
[0019] The top fastener structure is selectively adjustable for
matching different shapes and sizes of different midfoot, forefoot
and toe to fit feet of different shapes, with one part mounted on
the left shoe flap and the other part mounted on the right shoe
flap.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Other features of my invention will become more evident from
a consideration of the following detailed description of my patent
drawings, as follows:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of my adjustable shoe capable of being fitted to feet of
different shapes and sizes showing its components in a fully
engaged position;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the adjustable shoe of FIG. 1
showing its components in a fully engaged position;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the adjustable shoe
of FIG. 1 with both left-side fastener structure and right-side
fastener structure engaged, and with arrow illustrating how the top
end of the rear body portion can be yielded to fit the heel shape
of different foot;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the
adjustable shoe of FIG. 1 with parts being broken away and with
arrows illustrating how the shoe sections can be moved for
adjusting the shoe size;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the adjustable
shoes of FIG. 1 with parts being broken away and with both
left-side fastener structure and right-side fastener structure
disengaged;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the adjustable shoe of FIG. 1
with both left-side fastener structure and right-side fastener
structure engaged, and another kind of top fastener structure
partially engaged and partially disengaged.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the
adjustable shoe of FIG. 1 with parts being broken away to show the
stiffener in shoe body.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a rear cross sectional view of the adjustable shoe
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring now to the drawings, my adjustable bowling shoe
according to the present invention will be described hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, a bowling shoe 1 capable of being
fitted to feet of different shapes and sizes includes a two-part
sole structure 2, a heel 3, a shoe body 4, a left-side fastener
structure 5, a right-side fastener structure 6, and a top fastener
structure 7.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the two-part sole
structure 2 includes a rear sole member 8, a forward sole member
10, and a bottom guide member 9. In the preferred embodiment, the
bottom guide member 9 is made of steel, but other hard material,
such as hard metal, hard synthetic plastic, or hard fiber glass,
may also be used. The bottom guide member 9 is positioning in the
rear sole member 8, means connecting the rear sole member 8 in
fixed assembly to the bottom guide member 9. In the preferred
embodiment, the bottom guide member 9 is mounted inside the rear
sole member 8 in fixed assembly to the rear sole member 8. The
bottom guide member 9 is elongated and extends forwardly in a
longitudinal direction. The forward sole member 10 has a bottom
guide way 38, which is sized and shaped for receiving said bottom
guide member 9 for enabling relative movement of said rear sole
member 8 and said forward sole member 10 into a selected adjusted
position corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted
within the bowling shoe 1. In the preferred embodiment, the length
of the rear sole member 8 is between 1/6.sup.th to 1/3.sup.rd of
the length of the forward sole member 10, but a length between
{fraction (1/20)}.sup.th to 1/2.sup.nd of the length of the forward
sole member 10 may also be used.
[0032] The heel 3 is positioning under the two-part sole structure
2, means connecting the rear sole member 8 in fixed assembly to the
heel 3. In the preferred embodiment, the heel 3 is glued to the
rear sole member 8. In the preferred embodiment, the heel 3 is made
of non-slip rubber, but other non-slip material, such as synthetic
plastic, may also be used. The forward sole member 10 is
positioning on top of the heel 3 and freely movable back and forth
in a longitudinal direction 55 or 56 relative to the rear sole
member 8 and the heel 3 to a selected adjusted position.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the shoe body 1 includes a
forward body portion 11 and a rear body portion 12. The rear body
portion 12 is positioning on the rear sole member 8, means
connecting rear sole member 8 in fixed assembly to the rear body
portion 12. In the preferred embodiment, a stitching means 13 is
utilized to connect the rear sole member 8 to the rear body portion
12. The forward body portion 11 is positioning on the forward sole
member 10, means connecting the forward sole member 10 in fixed
assembly to the forward body portion 11. In the preferred
embodiment, a stitching means 14 is utilized to connect the forward
sole member 10 to the forward body portion 11. The rear body
portion 12 is freely movable in a longitudinal direction 57
relative to the forward body portion 11 from position 43 to
position 44 for matching the length of the foot being fitted within
the bowling shoe 1. The rear body portion 12 is also freely movable
in a longitudinal direction 58 relative to the forward body portion
11 from position 44 to position 43 for matching the length of the
foot being fitted within the bowling shoe 1.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear body portion 12
includes a left-side guide member 15 and a right-side guide member
16. In the preferred embodiment, both the left-side guide member 15
and the right-side guide member 16 are made of synthetic plastic,
but other material, such as fiber glass, may also be used. The
left-side guide member 15 and the right-side guide member 16 are
positioning on the opposing sides 36 of the rear body portion 12,
means connecting the rear body portion 12 to both the left-side
guide member 15 and the right-side guide member 16. In the
preferred embodiment, a stitching means 17 and 18 is utilized to
connect the rear body portion 12 to both the left-side guide member
15 and the right-side guide member 16.
[0035] The forward body portion 11 includes a left shoe flap 19 and
a right shoe flap 20. The left shoe flap 19 has a left guide way
21, which is sized and shaped for receiving the left guide member
15 for enabling relative movement of the forward body portion 11
and the rear body portion 12 into a selected adjusted position
corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted within the
bowling shoe 1. The right shoe flap 20 has a right guide way 22,
which is sized and shaped for receiving the right guide member 16
for enabling relative movement of the forward body portion 11 and
said rear body portion 12 into a selected adjusted position
corresponding to the length of the foot being fitted within the
bowling shoe 1.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 5, the left-side hook and loop
fastener structure 5 includes a first part 23 and a second part 24.
The first part 23 of the left-side hook and loop fastener structure
5 is positioning on the outer side 49 of the left shoe flap 19,
means connecting the left shoe flap 19 in fixed assembly to the
first part 23 of the left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5.
In the preferred embodiment, a stitching means 25 is utilized to
connect the left shoe flap 19 in fixed assembly to the first part
23 of the left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5. The second
part 24 of the left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5 is
positioning on the outer side 51 of the rear body portion 12 of the
shoe body 1, means connecting the rear body portion 12 of the shoe
body 1 in fixed assembly to the second part 24 of the left-side
hook and loop fastener structure 5. In the preferred embodiment, a
stitching means 26 is utilized to connect the rear body portion 12
of the shoe body 1 in fixed assembly to the second part 24 of the
left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5. The first part 23 of
the left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5 is selectively
adjustable relatively to inner side 53 of the second part 24 of
said left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5 for engaging and
holding the first part 23 of the left-side hook and loop fastener
structure 5 to the second part 24 of the left-side hook and loop
fastener structure 5, and capable of holding the front portion 11
of the shoe body 4 in a selected adjusted position relatively to
the rear body portion 1 of the shoe body 4 with the second part 24
of the left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5 corresponding
to the length of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe
1.
[0037] The right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6 includes a
first part 27 and a second part 28. The first part 27 of said
right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6 is positioning on the
outer side 50 of the right shoe flap 20, means connecting the right
shoe flap 20 in fixed assembly to the first part 27 of the
right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6. In the preferred
embodiment, a stitching means 29 is utilized to connect the right
shoe flap 20 in fixed assembly to the first part 27 of the
right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6. The second part 28
of the right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6 is positioning
on the outer side 52 of the rear body portion 12 of the shoe body
1, means connecting the rear body portion 12 of the shoe body 1 in
fixed assembly to the second part 28 of the right-side hook and
loop fastener structure 6. In the preferred embodiment, a stitching
means 30 is utilized to connect the rear body portion 12 of the
shoe body 1 in fixed assembly to the second part 28 of the
right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6. The first part 27 of
the right-side hook and fastener structure 6 is selectively
adjustable relatively to the outer side 54 of the second part 28 of
the right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6 for engaging and
holding the first part 27 of the right-side hook and loop fastener
structure 6 to the second part 28 of the right-side hook and loop
fastener structure 6, and capable of holding the front portion 11
of the shoe body 4 in a selected adjusted position relatively to
the rear body portion 11 of the shoe body 4 with the second part 28
of the right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6 corresponding
to the length of the foot being fitted within the bowling shoe
1.
[0038] The second part 24 of the left-side hook and loop fastener
structure 5 has a first part of hook and loop fastener 45 on the
outer side 47 of the second part 24 of the left-side hook and loop
fastener structure 5, which is capable of engaging with the inner
side 54 of the second part 28 of the right-side hook and loop
fastener structure 6. The second part 28 of the right-side hook and
loop fastener structure 6 has a first part of hook and loop
fastener 46 on the outer side 48 of second part 28 of the
right-side hook and loop fastener structure 6, which is capable of
engaging with the inner side 54 of the second part 24 of the
left-side hook and loop fastener structure 5.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 6, the top fastener structure 7
includes a first part 31 and a second part 32. The first part 31 of
the top fastener structure 7 is positioning on the left shoe flap
19, means connecting the left shoe flap 19 in fixed assembly to the
first part 31 of the top fastener structure 7. In the preferred
embodiment, a stitching means 33 is utilized to connect the left
shoe flap 19 in fixed assembly to the first part 31 of the top
fastener structure 7. The second part 32 of the top fastener
structure 7 is positioning on the right shoe flap 20, means
connecting the right shoe flap 20 in fixed assembly to the second
part 32 of the top fastener structure 7. In the preferred
embodiment, a stitching means 34 is utilized to connect the right
shoe flap 20 in fixed assembly to the second part 32 of the top
fastener structure 7. The first part 31 of the top fastener
structure 7 is selectively adjustable relatively to the second part
32 of the top fastener structure 7 for engaging and holding the
left shoe flap 19 to the right shoe flap 20, and capable of holding
the forward body portion 11 of the shoe body 4 to accommodate
variations in foot width and foot height of the foot being fitted
within the bowling shoe 1. In the preferred embodiment, a hook and
loop fastener structure is utilized as the top fastener structure,
but other kind of fastener structure, such as conventional shoelace
fastener structure, may also be used. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2,
and 7, the top fastener structure 7 is a conventional shoelace
fastener structure. The top fastener structure 7 includes several
pairs of holds 39 on both the left shoe flap 19 and the right shoe
flap 20. A shoe lace 40 is engaging and holding the left shoe flap
19 and right shoe flap 20 together through holes 39, and capable of
holding the forward body portion 11 of the shoe body 4 to
accommodate variations in foot width and foot height of the foot
being fitted within the bowling shoe 1.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 7, both the forward body portion 11 of
the show body 4 and the rear body portion 12 of the shoe body 4
have stiffener to provide necessary side support to the foot being
fitted within the bowling shoe 1. In the preferred embodiment, the
stiffener is made of synthetic plastic, but material, such as fiber
glass, may also be used.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 8, the rear body portion 12 of the
shoe body 4 has yieldable opposing sides collectively defining an
open end 37. The yieldable opposing sides 36 are relatively movable
for matching the heel shape of the foot being fitted within the
bowling shoe 1.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 3, the rear body portion 12 of the
shoe body 4 has a yieldable top end 40. The yieldable top 40 of the
rear body portion 12 is movable from position 41 to position 42 for
matching the heel shape of the foot being fitted within the bowling
shoe 1 even under the circumstance that both left-side hook and
loop fastener structure 5 and right-side hook and loop fastener
structure 6 are engaged.
[0043] As various possible embodiments may be made in the above
invention for use for different purposes and as various changes
might be made in the embodiments and methods above set forth, it is
understood that all of the above matters here set forth or shown in
the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and
not in a limiting sense.
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