U.S. patent application number 10/628351 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for removable walking sole for an athletic shoe.
Invention is credited to Palahnuk, Florence.
Application Number | 20040068890 10/628351 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30774573 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040068890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Palahnuk, Florence |
April 15, 2004 |
Removable walking sole for an athletic shoe
Abstract
The present invention relates to a walking sole for converting
any athletic shoe into a walking shoe. The sole includes an outer
sole for conforming generally to the sole of an athletic shoe to
provide traction for the wearer, and an elasticized upper for
securing the outer sole to the lower exterior portion of the shoe.
The outer sole is defined by a bottom layer of a durable material
suitable for the sole of a walking shoe, and an upper layer
sufficiently resilient to absorb the impression caused by a cleat
when the walking sole is worn on a shoe with cleats and to return
substantially to its original shape when the walking sole is
removed from the shoe. The sole is used to convert any athletic
shoe into a walking shoe so that athletic shoes can be worn
throughout the day rather than requiring the wearer to carry a
second pair of shoes when the wearing of athletic shoes will be
required.
Inventors: |
Palahnuk, Florence;
(Ardrossan, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
George A. Seaby
Seaby & Associates
603 - 880 Wellington Street
Ottawa
ON
K1R 6K7
CA
|
Family ID: |
30774573 |
Appl. No.: |
10/628351 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.1R ; 36/7.3;
36/7.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B
5/18 20130101; A43B 13/36 20130101; A43B 3/246 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/007.10R ;
036/007.3; 036/007.6 |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/16; A43B
001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 30, 2002 |
CA |
2,395,994 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A removable walking sole for a shoe, comprising: a) an outer
sole corresponding generally to a sole of a shoe to provide
traction for the wearer; and b) an elasticized upper for securing
the outer sole to the lower exterior portion of a shoe.
2. The walking sole of claim 1, wherein the upper is capable of
stretching to provide a snug fit between the outer sole and a shoe
and allowing the walking sole to be easily slipped onto and off of
a shoe.
3. The walking sole of claim 2, wherein the upper is made of
stretchable fabric.
4. The walking sole of claim 1, wherein the outer sole is made of
resilient material suitable for the sole of a walking shoe.
5. The walking sole of claim 4, wherein the outer sole is made of
rubber.
6. The walking sole of claim 4, wherein the upper layer of the
outer sole is sufficiently resilient to absorb the impression
caused by a cleat when the walking sole is worn on a cleated shoe,
and to substantially return to its former shape when the walking
sole is removed from the shoe.
7. The walking sole of claim 4, wherein the outer sole includes a
bottom layer and an upper layer.
8. A removable walking sole for a shoe, comprising: a) an outer
sole corresponding generally to a sole of a shoe to provide
traction for the wearer, the outer sole including a bottom layer
made of a resilient material suitable for the sole of a walking
shoe, and an upper layer that is sufficiently resilient to absorb
the impression caused by a cleat when the walking sole is worn on a
cleated shoe and to substantially return to its original shape when
the walking sole is removed from the shoe; and b) a stretchable
upper for securing the outer sole to the lower exterior portion of
a shoe, the upper capable of stretching to provide a snug fit
between the outer sole and a shoe and allowing the walking sole to
be easily slipped onto and off of a shoe.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a removable walking sole for shoes
and in particular athletic shoes.
[0003] Many sports require specialized footwear to be worn by the
participants on the playing surface where the sport takes place.
Some sports, such as curling or bowling, require a smooth-soled
shoe designed specifically for sliding on the playing surface.
Other sports, such as golf or soccer, require a shoe with cleats to
give the wearer added stability or traction on the playing
surface.
[0004] In some of these sports, the wearing of the specialized
footwear is often restricted to the playing surface and other
footwear, such as street shoes, is prohibited from being worn on
the playing surface. This necessitates the need for the wearer to
have an additional pair of shoes when stepping onto or off of the
playing surface.
[0005] In curling, for example, only curling shoes are allowed on
the curling rink surface and wearing the curling shoes off the rink
into the clubhouse area is usually prohibited to prevent the
tracking of dirt and debris back on to the rink's surface. This
requires the curler to constantly change footwear when stepping
onto or off of the curling rink ice surface.
[0006] Similarly, in golf, the wearing of cleated golf shoes i.e.
shoes with cleats into the clubhouse is often prohibited to prevent
cleats from damaging floor surfaces inside the clubhouse. This
requires golfers to either carry an extra pair of shoes without
cleats if they wish to enter the clubhouse before or after their
round of golf or to return to their vehicle and change their shoes
in the parking lot. This can be a time-consuming, awkward,
frustrating and inconvenient experience for golfers.
[0007] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,631 issued on Dec. 10, 1991 discloses a
cleat cover specifically for golf shoes with metal spikes. As metal
spikes are no longer allowed on most golf courses, the cleat cover
does not address its use with the newer soft spikes that are now in
use on golf shoes. In addition, this cover does not teach a
solution for smooth-soled athletic shoes. This patent does not
teach the concept of converting an athletic shoe into a walking
shoe.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,910, issued Aug. 26, 1996 describes a
spike guard specifically for golf shoes that is secured to the shoe
by toe and heel covers. The elastomeric body of the spike guard
includes a plurality of elastomeric projections extending upwardly
from the body. The disadvantages of the guard are that the
projections are unstable when the guard is used with metal spikes,
and the guard cannot be used to convert an athletic shoe into a
walking shoe.
[0010] The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the
prior art and provides a simplified solution for converting an
athletic shoe into a walking shoe that eliminates the need for the
wearer to carry a second pair of shoes when stepping onto or off of
a sport playing surface, or, alternatively, eliminates the need for
the wearer to have or carry a second pair of shoes when he/she
leaves home, intending to go to a location where appropriate
athletic shoes would need to be worn, such as golfing and
curling.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to a removable walking sole
that can be easily slipped onto and off of an athletic shoe. The
walking sole consists of an outer sole made of a resilient material
that is suitable for the sole of a walking shoe. The outer sole
preferably has a tread on the bottom surface to provide traction
for the wearer.
[0012] The outer sole is preferably made of a resilient material
and is of sufficient thickness to provide comfort to the wearer
when the walking sole is attached to the athletic shoe. Preferably,
the outer sole includes two layers, which are formed into a unitary
piece using techniques that are common in the art in the
manufacturing of athletic shoes.
[0013] The first layer is a bottom layer made of hard-wearing
material, such as rubber, that is durable, flexible and suitable
for the tread of an athletic shoe. The second layer is an upper
layer, positioned above the bottom layer, that is preferably a
resilient material, such as foam rubber, that can absorb the
indentation caused by a cleat, and provide cushioning
characteristics that further provide comfort to the wearer when
walking, as well as providing better traction and grip when wearing
smooth-soled shoes.
[0014] The upper layer obviates the need for a separate insole in
the walking sole. The use of an insole in the walking sole, in
fact, is not recommended, because cleated athletic shoes will tend
to tear the insole and to pull the insole out of the walking sole
after repeated insertion and removal of the cleated shoe.
[0015] The bottom layer of the outer sole can be made of rubber,
while the upper layer of the outer sole can be made from foam
rubber or a combination of foam rubber and rubber. They can also be
made from a composite of materials as are commonly used in the
manufacture of athletic shoes.
[0016] The type and quality of materials used for the outer sole
are chosen so as to provide a walking sole that is comfortable to
wear yet remains lightweight and easy to fold, store away and
transport or carry until it is required.
[0017] Attached to the perimeter of the outer sole is an elastic
upper that secures the outer sole to a shoe. The upper stretches to
conform to the lower exterior portion of the shoe. The upper is
preferably made of a stretchable material, such as spandex, that
provides a snug fit between the outer sole and the shoe but still
allows for easy insertion and removal of the shoe from the walking
sole. The upper is preferably sewn and/or glued to the outer
sole.
[0018] In practice, slipping the walking sole onto an athletic shoe
converts the athletic shoe into a walking shoe thereby permitting
the wearer to walk on surfaces away from the sport playing surface.
In doing so, the wearer eliminates the need for carrying an extra
pair of walking shoes and also prevents the soles of the athletic
shoes from becoming contaminated with dirt and debris which may not
be permitted on the playing surface, and also serves to protect the
walking surface from damage caused by the athletic shoe. When the
wearer returns to the playing surface, the walking soles are simply
removed from the athletic shoes and put away until they are needed
again.
[0019] An object of the present invention is to provide removable
walking soles for smooth-soled and cleated athletic shoes which are
easy to slip onto and off of athletic shoes.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide for a
means for removing or eliminating the need to carry a second pair
of shoes from home to a location where the wearer of athletic shoes
will be required.
[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide removable
walking soles for athletic shoes which are lightweight and
comfortable to wear.
[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide
removable walking soles for athletic shoes which are flexible, and
easy to fold, store and transport.
[0023] Broadly stated, the present invention is a removable walking
sole for a shoe comprising an outer sole corresponding generally to
the sole of a shoe to provide traction for the wearer, and an
elasticized upper for securing the outer sole to the lower exterior
portion of a shoe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sole in accordance with
the present invention as seen from one side and above;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sole of FIG. 1 as seen
from the bottom and one side;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross section taken generally along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2; and
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sole of FIGS. 1 to 3 on
an athletic shoe.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] The present invention is concerned with a removable walking
sole that can be easily slipped onto and off of an athletic shoe.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the walking sole indicated generally
at 10 consists of an outer sole 12, made of a resilient material
that is suitable for the sole of a walking shoe, and an elastic
upper 14 that secures the outer sole to an athletic shoe 22 (FIG.
4). A loop 16 is attached at the heel of the walking sole 10. The
loop 16 is made from a durable material such as fabric or leather
and aids the wearer in slipping on and removing the walking sole 10
from the athletic shoe 22.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the outer sole 12 includes a bottom
layer 18, and an upper layer 20 positioned above the bottom layer
18. The bottom layer 18 and the upper layer 20 are formed as one
piece during manufacture to create the outer sole 12. The bottom
layer 18 is preferably made from durable and flexible rubber, and
includes a tread design 24 to provide traction for the wearer.
[0030] The upper layer 20 is made from a durable and flexible
material, such as foam rubber, which is sufficiently resilient to
absorb indentations caused by cleats (not shown) on the bottom of
the athletic shoe 22, but still returns substantially to its
original form and shape when the walking sole 10 is removed from
the athletic shoe 22. The upper layer 20 is preferably shaped to
conform to the bottom of the athletic shoe 22 and provides
cushioning for the wearer. The upper layer 20 also prevents the
athletic shoe from slipping inside the walking sole 10.
[0031] The upper 14 is formed of a stretchable material, such as
spandex. In the preferred embodiment, the upper 14 is glued to the
outer sole 12 but could be attached by stitching the upper 14 and
the outer sole 12 together, or by a combination of the two methods.
The upper 14 is capable of stretching to the shape of the athletic
shoe 22 and providing a snug fit between the walking sole 10 and
the athletic shoe 22. The upper 14 is shaped to cover the heel,
sides and toe of the upper of the athletic shoe 22, but still
allows the walking sole 10 to be easily slipped onto and removed
from the athletic shoe 22.
[0032] The walking sole 10 is preferably shaped to conform to the
shape of the athletic shoe 22 and to cover the entire bottom of the
athletic shoe 22. This prevents the athletic shoe 22 from slipping
out of the walking sole 10 and creates a snug fit between the two.
It is contemplated that the walking sole 10 may be manufactured in
a range of standard shoe sizes as a universal walking sole capable
of being fitted to any brand, model and size of athletic shoe 22.
It is also contemplated that the walking sole 10 may be
manufactured to custom fit a specific brand, model and size of
athletic shoe 22.
[0033] While the present invention is intended for use with
smooth-soled and cleated athletic shoes, it is also contemplated
that the present invention may also be used with non-athletic
shoes, such as dress shoes or dance shoes, to convert them into
comfortable walking shoes and to prevent the soles from becoming
soiled with dirt and debris.
[0034] The terms and expressions in the preceding specification
have been used therein as terms of description and not of
limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and
expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and
described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope
of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that
follow.
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