U.S. patent application number 10/943487 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for split-soled golf shoe.
Invention is credited to Campolo, Danielle.
Application Number | 20050097784 10/943487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34555717 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050097784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campolo, Danielle |
May 12, 2005 |
Split-soled golf shoe
Abstract
A split-soled golf shoe is disclosed, including an upper housing
having a front sole and a rear sole attached to its bottom portion,
wherein the front sole and rear sole are spaced apart from one
another at a mid-sole area. The mid sole may be reinforced using a
reinforcing strap or reinforcing material.
Inventors: |
Campolo, Danielle; (Fort
Mill, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FACTOR & LAKE, LTD
1327 W. WASHINGTON BLVD.
SUITE 5G/H
CHICAGO
IL
60607
US
|
Family ID: |
34555717 |
Appl. No.: |
10/943487 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60504121 |
Sep 19, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/127 ;
36/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/001 20130101;
A43B 13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/127 ;
036/134 |
International
Class: |
A43B 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A split-soled golf shoe, comprising: an upper housing,
configured for retaining a human foot therein, the upper housing
comprising an opening for insertion of the human foot; an outer
sole affixed to a bottom portion of the upper housing, the sole
comprising: a front outer sole affixed proximate a toe box of the
upper housing; and a rear outer sole affixed proximate a heel area
of the upper housing, at least one of the front sole and rear sole
comprising one or more gripping members; wherein the front sole and
rear sole are spaced apart from one another along the bottom
portion at a mid-sole portion of the bottom portion so as to give
the bottom portion additional flexibility.
2. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the gripping members
comprise golf spikes.
3. The golf shoe according to claim 2, wherein the golf spikes
comprise a spike socket and a threaded spike, such that the
threaded spike is removable from the spike socket.
4. The golf shoe according to claim 2, wherein the golf spikes
comprise a rigid material.
5. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the mid-sole portion
comprises a reinforcing material.
6. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the mid-sole portion
comprises a reinforcing strap, wherein the strap extends from an
outer vamp of the upper housing, across the mid-sole portion, and
to an inner vamp of the upper housing.
7. The golf shoe according to claim 6, wherein the outer vamp and
inner vamp are associated with eyelets in the upper housing, which
eyelets are configured to accept laces.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates in general to the field of athletic
sporting wear, and specifically to the field of athletic shoes for
use in golf.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Athletic shoe apparel comes in all shapes and sizes, and is
used in a wide range of activities, from walking to vigorous
running and jumping activities. In some of these activities, it is
beneficial for the participant to have a high degree of flexibility
and comfort from their shoes, due to the need for particularized
physical movements, or due to extended wear and tear on the feet
over a period of time.
[0005] One particular activity where this flexibility and comfort
would be advantageous is in golf. The movements in the golf swing
are intricate and require specific precision from the player, such
that foot movement and flexibility during the swing, in addition to
sure footing, are paramount. Further, most golfers spend a great
deal of time and distance walking during a round, making comfort
important as well.
[0006] Significant time and effort has been spent in the industry
in an attempt to develop a comfortable, reliable and stable shoe
for golfing activities. Various shoe styles have been adapted for
use in golf, from golf boots to golf saddle shoes to golf sandals,
and numerous features have been added to those shoes to achieve
these goals.
[0007] As of yet, however, there is still room for improvement. It
is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel,
flexible, and comfortable golf shoe design.
[0008] This and other objects will become apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art in reviewing the enclosed specification,
drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 comprises a side view of the split-soled golf shoe,
including a reinforcing strap;
[0010] FIG. 2 comprises a side view of the split-soled golf shoe,
including a reinforcing material;
[0011] FIG. 3 comprises a bottom view of the split-soled golf shoe;
and
[0012] FIG. 4 comprises a partial perspective view of the bottom of
the split-soled golf shoe, having removable threaded spikes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention comprises an improved golf shoe having
a split sole. The golf shoe includes an upper housing, and two
soles attached to the bottom portion of the housing. The two soles
include a front sole near the toe box of the upper housing, and a
rear sole near the heel area of the housing. The front sole and
rear sole preferably include gripping members, such as golf spikes,
or molded plastic nubs. The front sole and rear sole are spaced
apart from one another so that the upper housing can flex during
the movement of the player's foot. In one preferred embodiment, the
golf spikes are removable, such as threaded golf spikes.
[0014] Preferably, the area between the front sole and rear sole,
called the mid-sole, is reinforced using a reinforcing material or
reinforcing strap. If a reinforcing strap is used, it is preferably
attached on one end to an inner vamp, and on the other end to an
outer vamp on the upper housing. The inner and outer vamps
preferably are connected with eyelets on the upper housing adjacent
to a tongue area of the golf shoe, so that laces can be used to
secure the shoe to a foot, and reinforce the mid-sole at the same
time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be
described in detail, several specific embodiments with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[0016] The present invention is shown herein in FIG. 1 as
comprising a split-soled golf shoe 10, having an upper housing 20
configured for retaining a human foot therein, and an outer sole 60
attached to a bottom portion 24 of the upper housing 20. The outer
sole 60 comprises a front sole 62, and a rear sole 64, which are
spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the
bottom portion 24. The upper housing 20, front sole 62 and rear
sole 64 work together to increase the flexibility of the golf shoe
10 during use.
[0017] Upper housing 20, as noted, is configured for retaining a
human foot therein. Generally, upper housing 20 could comprise any
number of conventional shapes for a golf shoe, including
traditional style, boots, or sandals. The following discussion will
utilize the preferred traditional style of golf shoe, but the
teachings may be applied to any conventional type.
[0018] To accommodate insertion of a human foot, upper housing 20,
including opening 22 on top, configured for insertion of a foot
therein. Opening 22 is connected to tongue area 26, consisting of
the shoe tongue 28, inner vamp 30, outer vamp 32, and eyelets 34.
Tongue area 26 connects opening 22 to toe box 36, shaped
appropriately for the toe portion of the human foot. Opposite from
the tongue area 26 on the opening is back portion 38 of upper
housing 20. Together, toe box 36, inner vamp 30, outer vamp 32, and
back portion 38 create a cavity 40 therein, for retaining the foot.
At the bottom of cavity 40 is the insole 42, upon which the foot
rests. Upper housing 20 may comprise a single piece of material, or
several different pieces of material sewn together. For example,
the inner vamp 30, outer vamp 32, toe box 36 and back portion 38
can all be sewn to the insole 42 to form the cavity 40.
Alternatively, they could all comprise the same piece of material,
or have portions constructed from the same material, as needed.
[0019] Upper housing 20 is preferably manufactured from flexible,
durable materials such as leather or fabric. Such materials are
well known in the shoe industry, and any conventional material can
be used with the present invention. Using such materials enables
laces 50 to be threaded through eyelets 34, over the tongue area 26
so that the upper housing 20 can be securely fastened to a
foot.
[0020] Bottom portion 24 of upper housing 20 has a front area 44
near the toe box 36, a heel area 46 near the back portion 38, and a
mid-sole 48 there between. Preferably, the mid-sole 48 corresponds
to the space between the front sole 62 and the rear sole 64. Bottom
portion 24 is flexible, to allow the wearer of the shoe flexibility
to move the front area 44 and heel area 46 as needed during
use.
[0021] Front sole 62 and rear sole 64 comprise a thickness of
hearty material such as leather, plastic or other conventional
material. Preferably, front sole 62 and rear sole 64 are at least
one-half inch in thickness. Traditionally, rear sole 64 has an
additional thickness relative to the front sole 62, to accommodate
a more comfortable walking position.
[0022] Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 3, at least one of the
front sole 62 and the rear sole 64 includes one or more gripping
members 66. These gripping members 66 provide stability and
traction to a golfer during swinging, walking and other athletic
movements. Typical gripping members include golf spikes 68 (shown
in FIG. 3), such as metal and plastic spikes, and formed plastic
nubs of all shapes, which are actually formed into the bottom of
the sole portions. Preferably, front sole 62 includes at least
seven golf spikes 68, and rear sole 64 includes at least four.
Other conventional gripping members, and other amounts of gripping
members can be used as well.
[0023] In one preferred embodiment (shown in FIG. 4), golf spikes
68 are removable from the sole of the shoe. Such removable spikes
are well known, and generally require that the golf spike be
threaded, such as threaded spike 68, which is configured to
cooperate with spike socket 70 on the sole of the shoe.
[0024] As noted above, front sole 62 and rear sole 64 are spaced
apart from one another at the mid-sole portion of the upper housing
20. The distance between the front sole 62 and the rear sole 64
enables the bottom portion 24 of the upper housing 20 to be flexed
during movement. That distance can be varied as needed. Front sole
62, however, should be wide enough and long enough to provide
support for the ball of a foot, while rear sole 64 should provide
similar support for a heel of a foot.
[0025] Because upper housing 20 is formed from flexible materials,
it is preferable to include a reinforcing structure underneath the
mid-sole 48. For example, and as shown in FIG. 1, mid-sole 48 can
additionally include a reinforcing strap 52. Reinforcing strap 52
comprises a thicker piece of material (i.e. leather or fabric),
which is connected to the inner vamp 30 on one end, passes under
and covers the mid-sole 48, and then connects to the outer vamp 30
on the other end. Reinforcing strap 52 provides strength and arch
support to the mid-sole. Additionally, and preferably, reinforcing
strap 52 is connected to eyelets 34, either directly or through the
inner 30 and outer 32 vamps, so that when the eyelets 34 are
tightened together using laces, it provides an additional
structural support for the mid-sole 48.
[0026] Alternatively, the reinforcing structure could comprise a
simple piece of thickened material, such as reinforcing material
54. The reinforcing material 54 is thinner than the front 62 and
rear 64 soles, but provides some additional support to the
mid-sole. To do so, the reinforcing material 54 should be thicker,
but still flexible like the upper housing 20. The reinforcing
material 54 may be connected to the outside of the mid sole, or may
be included inside of the cavity as well.
[0027] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates
the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except
insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in
the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make
modifications without departing from the scope of the
invention.
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