U.S. patent application number 11/479768 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for shoe covering for traction and/or sports.
Invention is credited to Johangir S. Rastegar, Thomas Spinelli.
Application Number | 20080000102 11/479768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38875131 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080000102 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rastegar; Johangir S. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2008 |
Shoe covering for traction and/or sports
Abstract
A covering for a shoe, the covering including: a body portion
corresponding to a body portion of the shoe; a bottom portion
corresponding to at least one of a sole and heel of the shoe; and
one or more spikes arranged on the bottom portion, the one or more
spikes being configured for one of football, baseball, soccer and
golf.
Inventors: |
Rastegar; Johangir S.;
(Stony Brook, NY) ; Spinelli; Thomas; (East
Northport, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas Spinelli
2 Sipala Court
East Northport
NY
11731
US
|
Family ID: |
38875131 |
Appl. No.: |
11/479768 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.6 ; 36/62;
36/7.1R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/26 20130101;
A43B 1/0027 20130101; A43B 23/24 20130101; A43B 5/18 20130101; A43C
15/161 20130101; A43C 15/14 20130101; A43B 3/0078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/7.6 ; 36/7.1R;
36/62 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/16 20060101
A43B003/16; A43B 15/00 20060101 A43B015/00; A43C 15/00 20060101
A43C015/00 |
Claims
1. A covering for a shoe, the covering comprising: a body portion
corresponding to a body portion of the shoe; a bottom portion
corresponding to at least one of a sole and heel of the shoe; and
one or more spikes arranged on the bottom portion, the one or more
spikes being configured for one of football, baseball, soccer and
golf.
2. The covering of claim 1, wherein at least the body portion is an
elastomer for stretching over the shoe.
3. The covering of claim 2, wherein the bottom portion is an
elastomer.
4. The covering of claim 1, wherein the one or more spikes are
fixedly secured to the bottom portion.
5. The covering of claim 4, wherein the one or more spikes
comprises a stud disposed in a corresponding hole in the bottom
portion and the stud includes an enlarged portion for fixedly
securing the one or more spikes to the bottom portion.
6. The covering of claim 5, further comprising a washer having a
hole corresponding to the hole in the bottom portion, the washer
and a head portion of the spike sandwiching the bottom portion.
7. The covering of claim 6, wherein the bottom portion comprises a
counter bore for accommodating at least a portion of the enlarged
portion of the stud.
8. The covering of claim 1, wherein the one or more spikes are
removably secured to the bottom portion.
9. The covering of claim 8, wherein the one or more spikes
comprises a threaded stud disposed in a corresponding hole in the
bottom portion and a mating nut for fixedly securing the one or
more spikes to the bottom portion.
10. The covering of claim 9, further comprising a washer having a
hole corresponding to the hole in the bottom portion, the washer
and a head portion of the spike sandwiching the bottom portion.
11. The covering of claim 10, wherein the bottom portion comprises
a counter bore for accommodating at least a portion of the nut.
12. A method for playing a sport, the method comprising: wearing
shoes not specifically configured for the sport; covering the shoes
with a covering having one or more spikes specifically configured
for the sport; and participating in the sport with the covering on
the shoes.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the covering comprises
stretching the covering over the shoes.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising decorating the
covering so as to appear as a sport shoe.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising fixedly securing the
one or more spikes to the covering.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising removably securing
the one or more spikes to the covering.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing at least
one of the one or more spikes and replacing the removed one or more
spikes.
18. A golf covering for a shoe, the golf covering comprising: a
body portion corresponding to a body portion of the shoe; a bottom
portion corresponding to at least one of a sole and heel of the
shoe; and one or more spikes arranged on the bottom portion, the
one or more spikes having a plurality of fingers configured for
golf.
19. The covering of claim 18, wherein at least the body portion is
an elastomer for stretching over the shoe.
20. The covering of claim 18, wherein the one or more spikes are
removably secured to the bottom portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to shoes and
coverings therefore, and more particularly to shoe coverings for
traction and/or sports.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Shoes that are worn by most people are prone to slippage on
ice, snow, grass and other slippery surfaces. Shoe manufacturers
have attempted to make the bottom surface of the shoes such that
they better grip the ground surface. Shoes with protruding surfaces
of various geometry are fabricated that increase resistance to
slippage by digging into the snow and other surfaces that allow
certain level of penetration by these protruding elements. However,
for highly slippery surfaces, particularly those surfaces that are
relatively hard and slippery and therefore resistant to penetration
at relatively low pressure levels such as ice or hard snow, the
aforementioned protruding surfaces cannot produce an adequate
amount of traction. This is particularly the case since such
protruding surfaces are commonly made of synthetic polymers that
are relatively soft and used to make the shoe bottom and heel. As a
result, the wearer can still slip on ice and the like.
[0005] To increase pressure between the aforementioned protruding
elements and the ground surface, such elements have to be made with
small surface area, i.e., to distribute the supporting weight over
a small surface area to achieve a high contact pressure. To support
the resulting pressure, the protruding elements, have to be
constructed with relatively rigid and high strength materials such
as steel or high stiffness and strong synthetic materials as
relatively sharp "spikes". During the walking over ice or other
similar hard and slippery surfaces, the sharp spikes "dig" into the
surface of the ice or hard snow, and provides for a significant
traction between the shoe and the ice surface, thereby allowing the
wearer to walk without slipping. Hereinafter, all protruding
elements that are provided to increase traction between the shoe
and the ground surface by "digging" into the surface such as ice or
hard snow, are referred to as "spikes", irrespective of whether
they are integral part of a base plate, etc., or not.
[0006] A user wearing a shoe with the bottom surface covered with
the aforementioned relatively sharp spikes can walk over ice, hard
snow or the like with relative safety with little possibility of
slippage. However, the user can wear the shoe only when on ice or
the like. Wearing such spiked shoes can easily damage rugs, scar
hard wood floors or other coverings indoors and would actually be
unsafe over concrete and other similar hard surfaces since they
would have a significantly lower friction than their aforementioned
(softer) protruding elements. In addition, the spikes can damage
asphalt and loose its sharpness. It is therefore desirable to wear
such spiked shoes while walking over ice, hard snow or other
similar surfaces and not indoors or over other outdoor
surfaces.
[0007] A need therefore exist for methods and devices that would
enable a person to wear shoes that are equipped with the
aforementioned spikes to provide traction on ice, hard snow and the
like, and returning the shoes to a no-spike wearing condition for
use on other surfaces where such spikes are no longer needed for
safe walking.
[0008] Such methods and devices may also be used in sports such as
golf to allow the wearer to walk freely off the course, such as in
the clubhouse and have appropriately spiked shoes for walking on
grass. As a result, a wearer does not to carry an extra shoe and
does not have to exchange shoes before going into the grass covered
field.
[0009] Such methods and devices may also be used to provide
traction for devices such as walkers, canes, crutches, and the
like, where the user can use then to reduce the chances of slipping
over ice, hard snow and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, a covering for a shoe is provided. The covering
comprising: a body portion corresponding to a body portion of the
shoe; a bottom portion corresponding to at least one of a sole and
heel of the shoe; and one or more spikes arranged on the bottom
portion, the one or more spikes being configured for one of
football, baseball, soccer and golf.
[0011] At least the body portion can be an elastomer for stretching
over the shoe. The bottom portion can also be an elastomer.
[0012] The one or more spikes can be fixedly secured to the bottom
portion. The one or more spikes can comprise a stud disposed in a
corresponding hole in the bottom portion and the stud includes an
enlarged portion for fixedly securing the one or more spikes to the
bottom portion. The covering can further comprise a washer having a
hole corresponding to the hole in the bottom portion, the washer
and a head portion of the spike sandwiching the bottom portion. The
bottom portion can comprise a counter bore for accommodating at
least a portion of the enlarged portion of the stud.
[0013] The one or more spikes can be removably secured to the
bottom portion. The one or more spikes can comprise a threaded stud
disposed in a corresponding hole in the bottom portion and a mating
nut for fixedly securing the one or more spikes to the bottom
portion. The covering can further comprise a washer having a hole
corresponding to the hole in the bottom portion, the washer and a
head portion of the spike sandwiching the bottom portion. The
bottom portion can comprise a counter bore for accommodating at
least a portion of the nut.
[0014] Also provided is a method for playing a sport. The method
comprising: wearing shoes not specifically configured for the
sport; covering the shoes with a covering having one or more spikes
specifically configured for the sport; and participating in the
sport with the covering on the shoes.
[0015] The covering can comprise stretching the covering over the
shoes.
[0016] The method can further comprise decorating the covering so
as to appear as a sport shoe.
[0017] The method can further comprise fixedly securing the one or
more spikes to the covering.
[0018] The method can further comprise removably securing the one
or more spikes to the covering. The method can further comprise
removing at least one of the one or more spikes and replacing the
removed one or more spikes.
[0019] Still further provided is a golf covering for a shoe. The
golf covering comprising: a body portion corresponding to a body
portion of the shoe; a bottom portion corresponding to at least one
of a sole and heel of the shoe; and one or more spikes arranged on
the bottom portion, the one or more spikes having a plurality of
fingers configured for golf.
[0020] At least the body portion can be an elastomer for stretching
over the shoe.
[0021] The one or more spikes can be removably secured to the
bottom portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
apparatus of the present invention will become better understood
with regard to the following description, appended claims, and
accompanying drawings where:
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of a
traction surface element shown on a front portion of a shoe.
[0024] FIGS. 2a-2e illustrate different configurations for a spike
used with the traction surface element of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of a
traction surface element shown on a front portion of a shoe.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view as taken along line 4-4
of FIG. 3.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of a
traction surface element shown on a front portion of a shoe.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view as taken along line 6-6
of FIG. 5.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a fourth embodiment of a
traction surface element shown on a rear portion of a shoe.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a fifth embodiment of a
traction surface element shown covering a shoe.
[0031] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate variations of a sectional view of
a spike fastened to a lower portion of the traction surface element
of FIG. 8.
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a partial side view of a deployable spike
shown deployable from a heel of the shoe and in a retracted
position.
[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates the deployable spike of FIG. 9 shown in
a deployed position.
[0034] FIGS. 11a-11c illustrate variations of the deployable spike
of FIGS. 9 and 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Although the present invention is applicable to numerous
types of shoes, it is particularly useful in the environment of
shoes for providing traction during walking on snow and ice.
Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the present
invention to shoes and attachments for providing traction on shoe
and ice, it will be described in such environment. Those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the shoes and attachments of the
present invention can be utilized for general uses and for
providing traction for sports, such as on golf shoes and baseball,
soccer and football cleats.
[0036] The present invention provides spikes of various sizes and
shapes that are distributed with some pattern and density over the
bottom of shoes. The wearer is, however, able to remove or
otherwise retract the spikes at will and with minimal effort. As a
result, the user is provided with shoes with high traction over
slippery surfaces such as ice, hard snow and the like, and is able
to turn the shoe into a regular shoe that could be worn on any
other surface where traction is not needed.
[0037] One embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, at
least one spike covered "sheet" of appropriate geometry is attached
to the bottom of the shoe by certain quick on-off means such as a
strap, elostomeric element(s), string(s), or any one or combination
of elements using shoelaces, buttons, Velcro.RTM. and/or buckles
and the like. Hereinafter, any such spike covered sections are
referred to as "traction surface elements." The aforementioned
attachment means are preferably designed to easily and quickly
apply the traction surfaces to the shoe and take them off.
[0038] In the schematic of FIG. 1, a traction surface element 10 is
shown to consist of a base element 11, to which at least one spike
12 (shown separately in FIG. 2) with relatively sharp tips is
fixed. The base element 11 is preferably strong enough to resist
the forces applied to the spikes during walking, particularly in
compression and bending and may be made from a variety of
materials, such as thin plastics, metals and leather. In most
situations, the maximum load that the spikes 12 experience is in
bending by moments that tend to bend them to their flat position
under the shoe. For these reasons, the spike 12 can be designed
with a large enough "head" 13 (e.g., as a large circular disc,
since the direction of maximum applied bending moment to the spikes
is relatively random) to resist the aforementioned bending action,
and a stem portion 14 to minimize its contact surface with the
ground. A large surface area for the spike head 13 can also
distribute the axial load over the surface of the base element 11.
In one embodiment, the spikes 12 can be an integral part of the
base element 11 of the traction surface element 10. Alternatively,
the spikes 12 may be removably or fixedly disposed on the base
element 11, such as by any number of methods known in the art,
including a threaded stud arrangement similar to that shown in FIG.
8a below. The stem 14 can be configured in any way known in the
art, such as being long and somewhat sharp for snow as is shown in
FIG. 2a, such as being short and relatively sharp for ice as is
shown in FIG. 2b, such as being rounded as is known in the art of
football and soccer cleats as is shown in FIG. 2c, such as being
plate-like as is known in the art of baseball spikes as is shown in
FIG. 2d, or have a number of prongs as is known in the art of golf
shoes as is shown in FIG. 2e. In addition, the surface of the base
element that is in contact with the shoe can be rough and/or made
out of high friction material to minimize the chances of
slippage.
[0039] In the schematic of FIG. 1, one traction surface element 10
is shown to be attached to the shoe 20 with two straps 15 using
buckles 16 to firmly hold the straps onto the shoe. It is
appreciated by those familiar with the art that as was previously
mentioned, other means and methods of attachment known in the art
may also be employed that could hold the traction surface element
10 to the shoe. As an example, one of the straps 15 may be replaced
with an elastic element that may or may not require a buckle 16. It
is noted that in general, the primary force (moment or torque) that
tends to separate the traction surface element 10 from the bottom
surface of the shoe is the shearing and peeling forces. In
addition, more than one such traction surface element 10 may be
applied to each shoe. The traction surface elements 10 may cover
any portion of the bottom surface of the shoe, including the heel
surface, and may even be sized to cover the entire bottom surface
of the shoe (including the heel).
[0040] In another embodiment, the traction surface elements are
designed to snap onto the shoe. One such embodiment is shown in the
schematic side view of FIG. 3 and the cross-sectional view of FIG.
4 as taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the
traction surface element 30 is designed to snap onto mating
surfaces provided on the shoe 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
3 and 4, the traction surface element is provided with male
elements 32 that snap into recesses 31 provided on the shoe. It is
noted that the provision of elements for snap on parts to achieve
assembly are very well known in the art, and the elements 31 and 32
shown in the schematics of FIGS. 3 and 4 are shown by way of
example only. Such male elements 32 can be made of a resilient
material, such as plastic, that allows for plastic deformation such
that the elements can be disposed in the recesses 31. Although the
recesses 31 are shown as being specially provided on the shoe, they
can also be naturally occurring recesses, such as the recess that
occurs between the heel and body of the shoe and can also be
provided on other surfaces of the shoe, such as the heel and/or
sole of the shoe. Furthermore, the male elements 32 can be made
integral with the base element 11. It should therefore be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that any other available
method of constructing the snapping components may be used instead
of those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Furthermore, the shoe 20 can be
provided with a male element and the traction surface element can
be provided with a mating female element. In addition, snapping
element designs allow for easy and quick assembly and disassembly
of the traction surface element on and off the shoe by the user.
For example, the user can "step into" the traction surface element
and use his or her weight to deform the male elements 32 until they
mate with the corresponding recesses 31 (or vice versa). In a
variation of the present embodiment, the snap on traction surface
element 30 may also be equipped with straps 15 and buckles 16 shown
in the schematic of FIG. 1 (or any other aforementioned type of
strapping elements) to better secure it to the shoe. As discussed
above with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the traction surface
element 30 can be provided on other or all bottom surfaces of the
shoe and the spikes 12 may take on other forms, such as those
discussed above with regard to FIGS. 2a-2e.
[0041] In yet another embodiment, the traction surface element 40,
as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is designed to snap on most shoes. In
the side view schematic of FIG. 5 and the cross sectional view of
FIG. 6 as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, at least one pair of
elastic side grips 41 are provided to nearly conform to the shape
of the shoe. The contacting surfaces of the grips are preferably
coated with relatively non-slip material. The grips are formed with
bias inward such that upon attachment of the traction surface
element 40 to the shoe, the grips provide a certain level of
pressure on the shoe surface and thereby reduce the chances that
the traction surface element 40 coming off the shoe during walking.
It is appreciated by those familiar with the art that numerous
other gripping devices may also be utilized in the present
embodiment. In a variation of the present embodiment, the snap on
traction surface element 40 may also be equipped with straps 15 and
buckles 16 shown in the schematic of FIG. 1 (or any other
aforementioned type of strapping elements) to better secure it to
the shoe. The elastic side grips 41 can be made of resilient
materials such as plastic or spring steel and may further be coated
with the non-slip material which may also serve to protect the
elastic side grips 41 from damaging the shoe. The elastic side
grips 41 may also be made integral with the base element 11.
Although the elastic side grips 41 are shown engaging the body of
the shoe, they may also engage other portions of the shoe, such as
the sides of the sole and/or heel. As discussed above with regard
to the previous embodiments, the traction surface element 30 can be
provided on other or all bottom surfaces of the shoe and the spikes
12 may take on other forms, such as those discussed above with
regard to FIGS. 2a-2e.
[0042] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a traction
surface element 50 is held tightly to the shoe 56 by a pair of side
straps 51 (the opposite side strap not shown in FIG. 7 but being
substantially similar to the one shown) that extend past the shoe
and are held tightly around the leg 57 (or if a boot is worn in
place of a shoe, the top of the boot) by a strap 52. The strap 52
is shown to be held in position with the buckle 53. The spikes 54
are attached to the base plate 55 of the traction surface element
50. The strap 52 may be an integral part of the side straps 51. It
should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other means
such as Velcro may be used instead of the buckle 53. The side
straps 51 may be any number of materials known in the art, such as
leather or fabric and may cover most or all of the bottom surface
of the shoe as shown in FIG. 7 or only portions thereof.
Furthermore, the spikes 54 may take on other forms, such as those
discussed above with regard to FIGS. 2a-2e.
[0043] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the spikes 60 can
be fixed to the bottom portion 61 (base element) of a shoe cover,
such as an elastomer shoe cover, such as rubber galoshes 62 worn
over the shoe 63 (boot). Such galoshes are well known in the art,
such as those bearing the trade name Totes.RTM.. The galoshes
stretch over the bottom of the shoe and protect the shoe surfaces
from wear, moisture and/or debris (such as fresh grass clippings).
The shoe cover can be other materials such as cloth or canvas. As
shown in FIG. 8a, the spikes 60 can be removably fastened to the
galoshes (or any of the other base elements disclosed herein) by
providing a counter bore 67 in the upper surface of the bottom
portion 61 of the galoshes. The spike head 13 has a threaded stud
64 which is inserted through a hole 69 in the bottom portion 61. A
washer 65 and a thin nut 66 which matingly engages the threaded
stud 64 secures the spike 60 to the galoshes. The thin nut 66 can
be flush with the upper surface of the bottom portion 61. The spike
60 can also be fixedly secured to the bottom portion 61 of the
galoshes (or any of the other base elements disclosed herein) with
a crimped fastening means as shown in FIG. 8b wherein an end of the
stud 68 is peaned or otherwise enlarged to provide a holding means.
In such a configuration, the spikes can be permanently fixed to the
galoshes by providing a stud and crimping or other enlargement of
the head of the stud over the washer such that it becomes larger
than the hole in the washer. The spikes can also be adhered to the
bottom surface 61 of the galoshes without any fastener, such as
with an adhesive, as is well known in the art. The spikes 60 can
also be integrally formed with the bottom portion 61 of the
galoshes. As discussed above with regard to the previous
embodiments, the traction surface element 30 can be provided on
other or all bottom surfaces of the shoe and the spikes 12 may take
on other forms, such as those discussed above, namely, configured
for snow, ice, soccer, football, baseball or golf, as those
discussed above with regard to FIGS. 2a-2e. Although the bottom
portion 61 is shown with a heel and spikes 60 on portions other
than the heel, the spikes 60 can also be provided on the heel
portion or only on the heel portion. Furthermore, the bottom
portion 61 can be substantially flat without a heel portion. The
covering can be a single color such as black, white or any other
color or can be ornamented so as to appear as a sport shoe, such as
having sport logos and/or other indicia. The indicia can make the
covering appear to be an actual sport shoe, such as mimicking the
stitching and shoelaces that appear on sports shoes. The covering
can be multi-colored so as to also appear as the sport shoe, such
as a black sole and white upper body, or white and brown upper
body.
[0044] Another method of providing traction surface elements is
provided where the spikes are retractable into a housing, such as
the sole and/or heel of the shoe, or on a surface of the shoe, and
are deployed by the user. The spikes may be those discussed above,
such as being configured for snow, ice, football, baseball, soccer
and golf. The deployment (and retraction) mechanism may require
certain manual action or an action of the leg (foot). The
deployment (retraction) action can be simple and easy to perform,
particularly considering the harsh environment in which they have
to be operated. In addition, since water, snow, ice, dirt, sand,
etc., are almost always present, the mechanism can be capable of
operating without hindrance in all such environments. The primary
objective is to eliminate the need to change shoes and/or the need
of putting the traction surface elements on when needed and taking
them off when they are not needed (and possibly the need to carry
around the traction surface elements in case they are needed).
[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the spikes are
assembled into the shoe and are deployed or retracted at will by
the user. In one such embodiment, the assembly is an integral part
of the shoe. A side view of one embodiment is shown schematically
in FIG. 9. This embodiment of the deployable and retractable
surface traction device 70 consists of two main components 71 and
72, which are attached together with a hinge 79. The member 71 can
be a plate that is attached to the side of the heel 73 of the shoe
74, e.g., by at least one nail, screw or other fastener 75. At
least one spike 80 is attached to the member 72, shown in its
retracted position in FIG. 9. The spike 80 can be any material
known in the art and can be fixedly or removably secured to the
member 72 or integrally formed therewith. To deploy the surface
traction device 70, the member 72 is rotated in the direction of
the arrow 81 brought to rest on the bottom surface of the heel 73
as shown in FIG. 10. The device 70 is preferably equipped with
spring locking elements 79a to bias the member 72 to stay in either
a deployed (FIG. 10) or a retracted position (FIG. 10). Such spring
locks for hinged elements are well known in the art and are
attached to the hinge with springs that are biased to hold the
moving member in one or more positions.
[0046] The member 71 can be made as an angle 76 as shown in the
side view of FIG. 11a, and is attached to the heel 73 by two set of
nails (screws) 77 to more firmly attach the component 76 to the
heel 73. However, the heel 73 can also have a recess 82 to receive
the angle 76 as shown in FIG. 11b or the device 70 of FIG. 9. This
is usually the case if the shoes are also worn on surfaces such as
wood floors where there is a chance that such exposed (usually
metallic or hard plastic) components and nails to damage the
surface of the flooring. Alternatively, the member 71 (indicated as
83) is embedded in the heel 73 of the shoe as shown in the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 11c and may be removable for
replacement thereof.
[0047] Alternatively, attachment housing with the retractable
spikes can be attached to the shoe by the user using, for example,
one of the attachment methods described in the embodiments of FIGS.
1-8. Furthermore, the spikes can be deployed from the sides of the
shoe/boot and not just from the heel. The spikes can also deploy
outward from one or all sides of the shoe, so as to act as a snow
shoe thereby allowing a person to walk better out of the snow
without having to take off or put on snow shoes. Deployment of the
spikes can be by kicking the front of the shoe, kicking the back of
the shoe or by a twisting action, such as by twisting the
front-most portion of the sole or the rear-most portion of the
heel.
[0048] Although the spikes shown in the figures are shown in
two-dimensional rows, they can be disposed in any pattern on the
base elements, such as patterns that are used in golf, baseball,
football, and soccer shoes. The spikes can also be proved in a
variety of sizes, such as being very small for ice and longer for
snow.
[0049] While there has been shown and described what is considered
to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course,
be understood that various modifications and changes in form or
detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of
the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not
limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be
constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *