U.S. patent application number 12/837205 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-20 for athletic shoe.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ringstar, Inc.. Invention is credited to Timothy P. McCabe, STEVEN H. SHEPHERD.
Application Number | 20110010965 12/837205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43450211 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110010965 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHEPHERD; STEVEN H. ; et
al. |
January 20, 2011 |
ATHLETIC SHOE
Abstract
An athletic shoe is disclosed that is lightweight and padded for
use in mixed martial arts and other related activities. The shoe
includes a soft, flexible sole, and a shoe upper adjoined to the
flexible sole. Padding is attached to the shoe upper and the sole
such that the padding extends substantially completely around the
foot of a wearer. At least two resilient sole pads are attached to
the flexible sole, the resilient sole pads being positioned at
least under the heel and ball of the foot of a wearer, wherein no
resilient sole pad is provided under the toes of a wearer.
Inventors: |
SHEPHERD; STEVEN H.; (West
Palm Beach, FL) ; McCabe; Timothy P.; (Lake Worth,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKERMAN SENTERFITT
P.O. BOX 3188
WEST PALM BEACH
FL
33402-3188
US
|
Assignee: |
Ringstar, Inc.
Boynton Beach
FL
|
Family ID: |
43450211 |
Appl. No.: |
12/837205 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61225786 |
Jul 15, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/114 ; 36/28;
36/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/047 20130101;
A43C 11/1493 20130101; A43B 13/26 20130101; A43B 5/00 20130101;
A43B 7/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/114 ; 36/28;
36/54 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00; A43B 13/18 20060101 A43B013/18; A43B 23/26 20060101
A43B023/26 |
Claims
1. An athletic shoe, comprising: a soft, flexible sole; a shoe
upper adjoined to the flexible sole; padding attached to the shoe
upper and the sole such that the padding extends substantially
completely around the foot of a wearer; and at least two resilient
sole pads attached to the flexible sole, the resilient sole pads
being positioned at least under the heel and ball of the foot of a
wearer, wherein no resilient sole pad is provided under the toes of
a wearer.
2. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein the resilient sole pads do
not extend across the full width of the flexible sole.
3. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein the resilient sole pad
positioned under the heel of the foot of a wearer does not extend
to a rear heel edge of the flexible sole.
4. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein the padding in the shoe
upper comprises closed cell foam padding extending around a heel
area of the wearer.
5. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein the padding in the shoe
upper is thicker over forward lateral areas of the dorsum of the
foot of a wearer.
6. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe upper has a
throat, with elastic material provided across the throat.
7. The athletic shoe of claim 6, further comprising a padded tongue
disposed under the throat.
8. The athletic shoe of claim 6, wherein the padded tongue has
closed-cell padding disposed therein.
9. The athletic shoe of claim 6, further comprising an outer flap
extending over the elastic material, the outer flap substantially
covering the elastic material.
10. The athletic shoe of claim 9, wherein the outer flap includes a
thin layer of closed-cell foam padding.
11. The athletic shoe of claim 10, wherein the thin layer of
padding in the outer flap has a thickness of less than
approximately 0.5 cm.
12. The athletic shoe of claim 9, wherein the outer flap and the
shoe upper include complementary hook and loop fastener material
such that the outer flap can be secured to the shoe upper.
13. The athletic shoe of claim 1, where the resilient sole pads are
formed from a material having a shore durometer reading between
about 40 and about 50.
14. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein at least some of the
padding in the shoe upper has a durometer of approximately
0.253.
15. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein at least some of the
padding in the shoe upper has a density of between approximately
1.5 pcf and approximately 4.5 pcf.
16. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein at least some of the
padding in the shoe upper has a compression strength of between
approximately 3 psi and approximately 23 psi at approximately 25%
deflection and a compression strength of between approximately 9
psi and approximately 42 psi at approximately 50% deflection.
17. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein the padding in the shoe
upper extending over the sides of the dorsum of the wearer's foot
has a thickness between approximately 1 cm and approximately 2.5
cm.
18. The athletic shoe of claim 1, wherein the padding around a heel
area of the shoe upper has a thickness between approximately 1 cm
and approximately 2 cm.
19. The athletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising an elastic
wrapping strap designed to be wrapped around the shoe.
20. The athletic shoe of claim 19, wherein the elastic wrapping
strap is secured to the shoe at the heel thereof
21. The athletic shoe of claim 19, wherein the elastic wrapping
strap is dimensioned to pass between the sole pads when it is
wrapped around the shoe.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/225,786, filed Jul. 15, 2009, the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to footwear, and more
particularly to a padded athletic shoe designed for use in athletic
activities such as kickboxing and other martial arts.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The foot can be subjected to stresses during athletic
activities. Existing athletic shoes in the art are primarily
constructed to provide support for the arch and ankles of the
wearer while running or jumping. However, in addition to running
and jumping, some sports and fitness activities require the
participant to engage in kicking maneuvers, such as martial arts
and soccer. The top, sides, sole, and heel of the feet can sustain
severe blows during such activities. Additionally, injury can
result from kicks landed against another person during certain
activities, either inadvertently or, in the case of the martial
arts, while sparring. It is therefore desirable to provide a shoe
which protects both the wearer and the sparring partner or opponent
from such injuries during activities such as martial arts and
kickboxing. It is particularly desirable to provide such a shoe for
use by adults, and particularly by children, who are learning
martial arts.
[0006] Prior art shoes adapted to prevent injury from kicking to
both the wearer and an opponent are generally those designed
specifically for use in the martial arts. Shepherd, U.S. Pat. No.
6,971,192, discloses a padded shoe for use in kickboxing. This shoe
is constructed of padded durable materials, including a resilient
sole, and is suitable for both training and everyday wear. However,
this shoe has limited flexibility due to the resilient sole
covering the bottom of the shoe.
[0007] In order to provide flexibility for the foot, a thinner shoe
or a shoe with a thinner sole, or a split sole can be employed. For
example, ballerina or gymnastics shoes provide great flexibility to
the foot of a wearer by using thinner materials, less durable
materials, or simply using less material to cover the foot. In the
martial arts, flexible shoes are available, but tend to fail to
secure to the foot properly, provide little or no support or to the
foot and ankles, and have only thin fragile soles. Such shoes do
not provide protection to the foot from injury during martial arts
training or fighting, nor can they be worn outside, for example,
while traveling to and from the gym.
[0008] Therefore, what is needed is a shoe which is adapted for
kicking activities, which can protect a wearer of the shoe, and can
also protect other participants from injury. However, there is also
a need that such shoes still provide adequate foot and ankle
support to the wearer and be durable enough for everyday use. There
is also a need that such a shoe permit the wearer as much
flexibility as possible in the movement of the foot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to an arrangement of the present invention, an
athletic shoe includes a soft, flexible sole; a shoe upper adjoined
to the flexible sole; padding attached to the shoe upper and the
sole such that the padding extends substantially completely around
the foot of a wearer; and at least two resilient sole pads attached
to the flexible sole, the resilient sole pads being positioned at
least under the heel and ball of the foot of a wearer, wherein no
resilient sole pad is provided under the toes of a wearer.
[0010] In some arrangements, the resilient sole pads do not extend
across the full width of the flexible sole. In addition, the
resilient sole pad positioned under the heel of the foot of a
wearer may not extend to a rear heel edge of the flexible sole.
[0011] In some arrangements, the padding in the shoe upper can
include closed cell foam padding extending around a heel area of
the wearer. In some arrangements, the padding in the shoe upper can
be thicker over forward lateral areas of the dorsum of the foot of
a wearer. In yet other arrangements, the shoe upper has a throat,
with elastic material provided across the throat to retain the shoe
on the foot of a wearer. A padded tongue can be disposed under the
throat. The padded tongue may have closed-cell padding disposed
therein. An outer protective flap can extend over the elastic
material, the outer flap substantially covering the elastic
material, and the outer flap can include a thin layer of
closed-cell foam padding. The thin layer of foam padding in the
outer flap can have a thickness of less than approximately 0.5 cm.
The outer flap and the shoe upper include complementary hook and
loop fastener material such that the outer flap can be secured to
the shoe upper.
[0012] In some arrangements, the resilient sole pads can be formed
from a material having a shore durometer reading between about 40
and about 50. In other arrangements, at least some of the padding
in the shoe upper has a durometer of approximately 0.253. In yet
further arrangements, at least some of the padding in the shoe
upper has a density of between approximately 1.5 pcf and
approximately 4.5 pcf. In some arrangements, at least some of the
padding in the shoe upper has a compression strength of between
approximately 3 psi and approximately 23 psi at approximately 25%
deflection and a compression strength of between approximately 9
psi and approximately 42 psi at approximately 50% deflection.
[0013] In some arrangements, the padding in the shoe upper
extending over the sides of the dorsum of the wearer's foot has a
thickness between approximately 1 cm and approximately 2.5 cm. In
some arrangements, the padding around a heel area of the shoe upper
has a thickness between approximately 1 cm and approximately 2
cm.
[0014] In some arrangements, an elastic wrapping strap is provided,
which is designed to be wrapped around the shoe. The elastic
wrapping strap can be secured to the shoe at the heel thereof. The
elastic wrapping strap can be dimensioned to pass between the sole
pads when it is wrapped around the shoe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are
presently discussed, it being understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an athletic shoe according
to an arrangement of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 1
showing the sole.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 1
showing the sole.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 1
with an outer flap open.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 1
with the securing strap wrapped around the shoe.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 1
with the securing strap wrapped around the shoe.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 1
with the securing strap wrapped around the shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The present invention is directed to an athletic shoe, such
as, but not limited to, a padded martial arts shoe that provides
protection to the foot of the wearer and to a sparring partner, yet
still provides flexibility for the foot of the wearer. The
arrangements of padded shoe described herein disclose training or
sparring shoes for sports such as a boxing or kickboxing, but this
is a mere example of one of many possible applications for the
invention.
[0024] An arrangement of the athletic shoe of the present invention
is shown in FIGS. 1-7. The shoe 10 can be formed of materials which
are lightweight yet strong and durable. The shoe 10 includes a
flexible sole 12 adjoined to a shoe upper 14. In the illustrated
arrangement, the sole 12 is further provided with two sole pads 16,
18.
[0025] The shoe upper 14 can be manufactured from any conventional
material such as leather, synthetic leather, or plastic. In the
various arrangements, the shoe upper 14 can extend to just below
the ankle of the wearer; however, the invention is not limited in
this regard. For example, the shoe upper 14 can cover either the
internal malleolus, the external malleolus, or both ankles, the
shoe upper 14 can extend significantly beyond the ankle of the
wearer to cover all or a portion of the shin, or not extend to the
ankle of the wearer.
[0026] In the illustrated arrangement in FIGS. 1-7, the flexible
sole 12 can be formed from any conventional material such as
leather, synthetic leather, or plastic. In a preferred arrangement,
the flexible sole can be formed of suede or a sueded material such
as microsuede. The sole pads 16, 18 can be formed of any suitable
resilient material, such as a foam material (for example, EVA),
plastic, crepe rubber or similar material. Advantageously, the sole
pads 16, 18 are soft enough to reduce the likelihood of scraping or
otherwise injuring a human opponent or partner who comes into
contact with the sole, yet durable enough to allow the shoe to be
worn on the street, as opposed to primarily on a gym floor. In
presently preferred arrangements, the sole pads 16, 18 can have a
gripping pattern embossed or otherwise provided thereon.
[0027] The sole pads 16, 18 do not extend across the full width or
length of the flexible sole 12. This means that the sole pads 16,
18 effectively have a border of the softer, flexible sole 12 around
them. This enables a wearer to walk on the sole pads during normal
walking, such as to and from the gym or practice area, but allows
the flexible sole 12 to contact the floor during movements such as
pivoting. Notably, the foot pad 16 is dimensioned so that it does
not extend under the toes of a wearer of the shoe. This enables the
wearer to smoothly turn the foot, pivoting on the area of flexible
sole 12 that extends under their toes, without the sole pads 16, 18
causing the shoe to grip the floor by friction. This allows for a
smoother pivoting action, as the flexible sole 12 slides on the
floor more easily than the sole pads 16, 18. Additionally, the
flexible sole 12 that extends around the sole pads 16, 18 can act
as a chamfer or softened edge around the harder sole pads 16, 18 of
the sole. This helps to reduce injuries to an opponent from being
kicked with the shoe, as there is less of a hard edge to the sole
as with known athletic shoes.
[0028] In the illustrated arrangement, the sole pads can extend to
between approximately 0.5 cm and approximately 3 cm from the side
and heel (rear) edges of the flexible sole 12. In a presently
preferred arrangement, the sole pads can extend to approximately
1.5 cm from the side and heel edges of the flexible sole 12. The
sole pads can extend to between approximately 2 cm and
approximately 8 cm from the forward-most portion of the toe edge of
the flexible sole. In a presently preferred arrangement, the sole
pads 16, 18 can extend to approximately 5 cm from the forward-most
portion of the toe edge of the flexible sole 12. It will be
appreciated that the measurements given are variable, depending at
least in part on the size of the shoe. A child's shoe may have
smaller distances, whereas a large adult's shoe may have larger
distances, including distances that are outside the ranges
given.
[0029] The flexible sole 12 and the shoe upper 14 can be attached
to one another by any means known in the art, such as gluing,
stitching, or heat sealing. Preferably, the shoe upper 14 is formed
using a Strobel construction, and the flexible sole 12 is then
attached to the shoe upper 14. The Strobel construction involves
stitching the shoe upper 14 to a flexible sole liner. In some
arrangements, the sole liner may include padding disposed therein,
or a padded sole liner may be added to the shoe after construction.
In the Strobel construction, an insole board or other reinforcing
material is absent from the shoe upper 14. The flexible sole 12 may
then be attached to the flexible lining and the shoe upper 14 by
any suitable means. Preferably the flexible sole 12 is attached to
the shoe upper 14 by stitching, but cementing, gluing, bonding or
any other suitable means is also acceptable.
[0030] The sole pads 16, 18 are preferably formed of low density
foam made of EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) resin with a durometer
between 0.20 and 0.23. The sole can thus have resiliency to the
touch, and can absorb some of the force of an impact. The sole pads
16, 18 may be attached to the flexible sole 12 by any suitable
means such as by stitching, cementing, gluing, bonding and the
like. In a presently preferred arrangement, the sole pads 16, 18
are each provided with a flange (not shown) that extends around the
sole pad. The sole pads 16, 18 can be positioned within apertures
cut into the flexible sole 12, with the flange arranged between the
flexible sole and the flexible sole liner such that it forms a lip
that prevents the sole pads 16, 18 from falling through the
apertures in the flexible sole 12. The flexible sole 12 can be
stitched to the flanges to securely attach the sole pads 16, 18.
Adhesive may be used in addition to the stitching to further
strengthen the bond of the sole pads 16, 18 to the shoe.
[0031] In the various arrangements, the shoe upper 14 can include
padding material disposed therein. The padding material can be any
suitable material, for example, foam rubber, cotton, open-cell foam
or closed-cell foam. The padding material preferably has a high
degree of resiliency and excellent shock absorption properties. In
some arrangements, the padding material includes a closed-cell
chemically cross-linked polyethylene or polyolefin foam, such as
the Minicel.RTM. products manufactured by the Voltek Division of
the Sekisui America Corporation. The closed-cell foams that can be
used in the various arrangements and produced under the Minicel
trademark include the L200, L300, L200F, L380, LS200, LS300, LS380,
M200, M300, M380, MS200, MS300, MS380, T200, T300, TS200, TS300 and
TS380 foams, which have excellent strength and shock absorption
properties. In addition, these foams have a low degree of water
absorption. Although not limited in this regard, closed-cell foam
padding suitable for use in the shoe upper 14 preferably has a
durometer of around 0.253. These foams also have a density of
between approximately 1.5 and 4.5 pcf, a compression strength of
between approximately 3 and 23 psi at approximately 25% deflection
and between approximately 9 and 42 psi at approximately 50%
deflection, and a tensile strength of between 28 and 145 psi.
[0032] In the various arrangements, the padding material can be
located throughout the shoe upper 14 or only in certain areas of
the shoe upper 14. Furthermore, the padding material can have an
increased thickness or density on those points of the shoe upper 14
which cover portions of the foot that are more likely to be injured
during athletic activities involving kicking, such as kickboxing
and martial arts. Additionally, or in the alternative, different
densities of padding, and/or different types of padding (such as
closed cell foam vs. open cell foam) can be used in different areas
of the shoe upper 14.
[0033] In an exemplary arrangement the padding material may have an
increased thickness or density at portions of the shoe upper 14 as
follows. In the area of the shoe upper 14 that covers the posterior
aspect of the heel, and the areas immediately inferior, and
inferior and posterior to the internal and external malleolus, a
thick (for example, approximately 1.5 cm) closed cell foam padding
may be used. In the area of the shoe upper 14 that covers the
forward dorsal region of the foot (the vamp), the left and right
forward lateral aspects of the foot, the sides of the throat 26,
and the areas inferior and distal to the internal and external
malleolus may have a thick (for example, approximately 2 cm) open
cell foam padding. In the area of the shoe upper 14 that covers the
inferior lateral aspects of the foot, a thinner (for example,
approximately 0.5 to approximately 1 cm) open cell foam padding may
be employed. A padded tongue 20 with a protective flap 22 may be
employed, which will be further described hereafter. The padded
tongue 20 may include generally thinner (for example, approximately
0.5 to approximately 1 cm) closed cell foam padding along most of
its length, with thicker (for example, approximately 1 cm to
approximately 1.5 cm) closed cell foam padding positioned above the
instep of the foot. The protective flap 22 may include thin (up to
approximately 0.5 cm) closed cell foam padding. The open cell foam
padding is softer for increased comfort, but the closed-cell foam
padding can offer more injury protection and a certain degree of
rigidity to the shoe upper 14. It will be appreciated that the
padding thicknesses and types given herein are exemplary only, and
may be varied to suit the application.
[0034] In certain arrangements, the padded tongue 20 may comprise
of one or more segments separated by a flexible joint (not shown).
In some arrangements, a flexible joint may be naturally formed when
the padding material in the padded tongue 20 comprises two separate
padding regions. In other arrangements, a stitched seam through the
padding may be used to define the flexible joint, which can act as
a hinge without the need to provide two separate padding regions.
The present disclosure contemplates other structures and techniques
being used to provide a hinge along flexible joint including
decreasing the thickness of continuous padding material along the
flexible joint region. The use of such a joint may be advantageous
to provide a more secure and comfortable fit, especially in
embodiments where the padded tongue 20 is extended to cover at
least a portion of the lower leg.
[0035] An elastic strap 24 can extend between free edges of the
throat 26 to help maintain the shoe on the foot of a wearer. The
protective flap 22 can extend widthwise (or in some arrangements,
lengthwise) across the shoe, to cover the elastic strap 24, the
throat and the padded tongue 20. The outer protective flap 74 can
be attached to the shoe upper 14 at the medial side of the throat
26. The shoe 10 can also includes an engagement structure 28 to
secure the protective flap 22 to the shoe upper 14. The engagement
structure can be formed of, for example, a hook and loop type
fastener such as Velcro.RTM..
[0036] An elongated elastic wrapping strap 30 can be secured, such
as by stitching, to the back of the heel of the shoe upper 14. An
engagement structure, such as complementary hook and loop type
fasteners may be provided, for example with a hook material 32
provided on the free end of the strap 30 and a loop material 34
provided on the back of the heel of the shoe upper 14, adjacent to
the attachment point of the elastic strap 30. The elastic strap 30
can be of a size suitable to wrap entirely around the shoe--for
example, 65-70 cm long and approximately 5 cm wide. The strap 30
can be wrapped over the protective flap 22, underneath the sole of
the shoe so that it extends between the two sole pads 16 and 18,
back over the protective flap 22, and can be secured on the loop
material 34 at the back of the heel. The elastic strap 30 can help
to securely retain the shoe on the foot of the wearer, and helps
the wearer to feel more like they are using traditional sparring
hand or foot wrapping, thus allowing for a faster acceptance of the
shoe 10 in use.
[0037] As previously indicated, the shoe 10 provides advantages to
the wearer when the wearer is engaged in activities which involve
kicking, as the shoe 10 can have a limited number of protruding
exterior features or sharp edges that could possibly injure an
opponent. The flexible sole 12 provides a softer area around the
foot which helps to prevent injuries to an opponent from kicking
The padded tongue 20 provides protection to the top of the wearer's
foot when this area is impacted, such as by kicking a bag or an
opponent.
[0038] It should be understood that the examples and arrangements
described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that
various modifications or changes in light thereof will be obvious
to persons skilled in the art, and that such modifications or
changes are to be included within the spirit and purview of this
application. Moreover, the invention can take other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
thereof.
* * * * *