U.S. patent application number 12/875811 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for athletic shoe with integrated aerodynamic components.
This patent application is currently assigned to DASHMERICA, INC. D/B/A PEARL IZUMI USA, INC., DASHMERICA, INC. D/B/A PEARL IZUMI USA, INC.. Invention is credited to Tony L. Torrance.
Application Number | 20110056095 12/875811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43646551 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110056095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Torrance; Tony L. |
March 10, 2011 |
ATHLETIC SHOE WITH INTEGRATED AERODYNAMIC COMPONENTS
Abstract
The invention provides an aerodynamic athletic shoe, more
particularly an aerodynamic shoe with an integrated shoe cover and
an optional aerodynamic heel element.
Inventors: |
Torrance; Tony L.; (Boulder,
CO) |
Assignee: |
DASHMERICA, INC. D/B/A PEARL IZUMI
USA, INC.
Louisville
CO
|
Family ID: |
43646551 |
Appl. No.: |
12/875811 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61240090 |
Sep 4, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/132 ; 36/114;
36/7.1R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/14 20130101; A43B
3/24 20130101; A43B 5/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/132 ; 36/114;
36/7.1R |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00; A43B 3/16 20060101 A43B003/16 |
Claims
1. An aerodynamic shoe, comprising: a shoe having a heel aft
element; and a shoe cover having first and second portions, the
shoe cover positioned about the shoe, wherein the first portion is
removably attached to the heel aft element.
2. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the second portion is
one of removably attached to one of the heel aft element of the
shoe or permanently attached to the shoe.
3. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the first and second
portions are removably attached to one or both of the shoe and the
heel aft element.
4. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe further
comprises a sole attached to an upper to form a toe box, medial and
lateral vamp sides, medial and lateral quarter sides, a heel, a
throat and an interior cavity, wherein some of the second portion
is permanently attached to the shoe at about one or more of the
upper, medial vamp side, lateral vamp side, about the medial vamp
side from about the heel to about the toe box, and the sole by one
or more of stitching, welding, adhesive joining, laminating,
mechanical joining, and molding.
5. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel aft element is
one of permanently or removably attached to the shoe.
6. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 5, wherein the heel aft element is
one of removably attached to the shoe mechanically or permanently
attached to the shoe by one or more of stitching, welding, adhesive
joining, laminating, mechanical joining, and molding.
7. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a
stretchable and/or elastomeric material, wherein the cover has one
or both of a two-way and a four-way stretch.
8. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the cover has
elastomeric and/or stretch properties both within a horizontal
plane defined by the textile material and to a plane vertical to
the textile material.
9. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 7, wherein the cover material is
selected from the group of stretchable and/or elastomeric materials
consisting of polyurethane-polyurea copolymers, polyesters,
aramids, nylons, polyurethanes, spandexes, elastanes, olefins, and
combinations thereof.
10. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an
elastane, and wherein the elastane has a polyurethane coating, and
wherein the polyurethane coating has a substantially smooth
surface.
11. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 10, wherein the cover has a
four-way stretch.
12. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the cover has more
texture in a stretched condition, compared to an un-stretched
condition.
13. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the second portion is
removably joined by a hook and pile system to one or both of the
shoe and the heel aft element.
14. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel aft element
has a shape substantially resembling one of a triangular, a wedge,
a pyramidal, an arcuate, or a bow shape.
15. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 2, wherein the heel aft element
has an apex, wherein the toe box and the heel, respectively, have
apexes, and wherein the heel aft element apex is offset from a line
bisecting the toe box and heel apexes by an angle of from about -45
degrees to about 90 degrees.
16. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 15, wherein the angle is from
about -5 degrees to about 10 degrees.
17. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 14, wherein the heel aft element
is removably attached to the shoe and has a shape resembling a bow,
wherein the first and second portions are removably attached to the
heel aft element.
18. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel aft element
comprises one of a man-made polymeric material, a light-weight
metal, a rigid plastic, a rigid foam, a natural polymeric material,
and a combination thereof.
19. An aerodynamic shoe, comprising: a shoe having a removable heel
aft element having an apex; and a cover comprising a stretchable
and/or elastomeric material, the cover has first and second
portions, wherein the first portion is removably attached to the
shoe about the heel aft element by a hook and pile system.
20. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 19, wherein the second portion is
removably attached to the shoe by a hook and pile system.
21. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 19, wherein the second portion is
permanently attached to the shoe by one or more of stitching,
welding, adhesive joining, laminating, mechanical joining, and
combinations thereof.
22. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 19, wherein the stretchable
and/or elastomeric material has at least one of a two-way or a
four-way stretch and wherein the cover has a substantially smooth
surface devoid of any surface texture.
23. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 19, wherein the cover material is
selected from the group of stretchable and/or elastomeric materials
selected form the group of stretchable and/or elastic materials
consisting of polyurethane-polyurea copolymers, polyesters,
aramids, nylons, polyurethanes, spandexes, elastanes, olefins, and
combinations thereof.
24. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 19, wherein the cover comprises a
polyurethane coated elastane.
25. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 20, wherein the cover has a
four-way stretch.
26. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 20, wherein the heel aft element
has a shape resembling one of a wedge, a pyramid, a triangle, a
arcuate, or a bow shape and has an apex, wherein the shoe further
has a toe box and a heel, wherein the toe box and heel,
respectively, have apexes, and wherein the heel aft element apex is
offset from a line bisecting the toe box and heel apexes by angle
of from about -45 degrees to about 90 degrees.
27. The aerodynamic shoe of claim 26, wherein the angle is about 0
degrees.
28. A method of using an aerodynamic shoe, comprising: inserting a
user's foot into a shoe having a shoe closure system and a heel aft
element; engaging the shoe closure system to secure the shoe to the
user's foot; and positioning a cover having first and second
portions on the shoe, the positioning includes attaching the first
portion to the heel aft element.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the positioning further
includes attaching the second portion about one or both of the shoe
and the heel aft element.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the positioning of the shoe
cover includes applying a stress to the cover to stretch the cover
over the shoe.
31. A heel aft element for an athletic shoe, comprising: a leg
element having an arcuate shape for marrying with a heel element of
the athletic shoe and a heel aft apex extending from the leg
element, and an arm element extending from the leg element, the arm
element having one or engagement elements for attaching the heel
aft element to a sole of the athletic shoe, one or more gaiting
assist components and one or more screw receiving elements.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/240,090, filed Sep. 4, 2009,
entitled "Athletic Shoe with Integrated Aerodynamic Components",
which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a shoe, more particularly to an
aerodynamic shoe with one or more integrated components and methods
of making and using the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a bicycle race and triathlon, athletes compete to finish
a course or series of courses in the shortest period of time. In a
triathlon, the course consists of a series of separate swimming,
bicycling, and running courses. Athletes compete for fastest
overall completion time, including transitions between the
individual courses. Therefore, a need exists for apparel that that
can be quickly donned and/or removed during transition from one
course (such as, the swimming course) to another (such as, the
bicycling course). A further need exists for apparel that has
little aerodynamic drag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One embodiment of the present invention is an aerodynamic
shoe comprising a shoe having a heel aft element and a shoe cover
positioned about the shoe. The shoe has a sole attached to an upper
to form a toe box, medial and lateral vamp sides, medial and later
quarter sides, a heel, a throat and an interior cavity. The toe box
and the heel, respectively, have a toe box apex and a heel apex.
The heel aft element comprises one of a man-made polymeric
material, a light-weight metal, a rigid plastic, a rigid foam, a
natural polymeric material, a combination thereof.
[0005] The shoe cover has first and second portions. The first
portion is removably attached to the heel aft element. The second
portion is one of permanently attached to the shoe or removably
attached to the heel aft element or the shoe. The first portion is
removably attached to the heel aft element by hook and pile
systems.
[0006] The second portion is removably attached to the shoe by a
hook and pile system or is permanently attached to the shoe by one
or more of stitching, welding, adhesive joining, laminating,
mechanical joining, and molding. The second portion is one of
permanently or removably attached to the shoe. The second is
permanently attached to the shoe at about one or more of the upper,
medial vamp side, lateral vamp side, about the medial vamp side
from about the heel to about the toe box, and the sole.
[0007] The heel aft element has a shape substantially resembling
one of a triangular, a wedge, a pyramidal, an arcuate, or a bow
shape. Preferably, the heel aft element has a shape resembling a
bow shape. The heel aft element has an apex that is offset by an
angle of from about -45 degrees to about 90 degrees from a line
bisecting the toe box and heel apexes. Preferably, the heel apex is
offset by an angle of from about -5 degrees to about 10 degrees.
More preferably, the hell apex is offset by an angle of about 0
degrees.
[0008] The heel aft element is one of permanently or removably
attached to the shoe. Preferably, the heel aft element is removably
attachable to the shoe. The heel aft element is one of removably
attached to the shoe mechanically or permanently attached to the
shoe by one or more of stitching, welding, adhesive joining,
laminating, mechanical joining, and molding.
[0009] The shoe cover comprises a stretchable and/or elastomeric
material. Preferably, the stretchable and/or elastomeric material
has elastomeric and/or stretch properties both within a horizontal
plane defined by the textile material and to a plane vertical to
the textile material. The shoe cover material is selected from the
group of stretchable and/or elastomeric materials consisting of
polyurethane-polyurea copolymers, polyesters, aramids, nylons,
polyurethanes, spandexes, elastanes, olefins, and combinations
thereof. Preferably, the shoe cover has one or both of a two-way
and a four-way stretch. Preferably, the shoe cover is substantially
smooth surface devoid of any surface texture. Compared to an
un-stretched condition, the shoe cover may have more texture in the
stretched condition or may have a similar degree of texture in the
stretched and un-stretched conditions.
[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of
using an aerodynamic shoe, comprising: inserting a user's foot into
a shoe having a shoe closure system and a heel aft element;
engaging a shoe closure device to secure the shoe to the user's
foot; and positioning a shoe cover having first and second portions
on a shoe, the positioning includes attaching the first portion to
the heel aft element. The positioning further includes one or both
of attaching the second portion about one or both the shoe and the
heel aft element and applying a stress to the cover to stretch the
cover over the shoe.
[0011] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a heel
aft element, comprising a leg element having an arcuate shape for
marrying with a heel element of an athletic shoe and a heel aft
apex extending from the leg element, and an arm element extending
from the leg element, the arm element having one or engagement
elements for attaching the heel aft element to a sole of the
athletic shoe, one or more gaiting assist components and one or
more screw receiving elements.
[0012] As used herein, the term "a" or "an entity refers to one or
more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), one or more
and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also
to be noted that the terms "including", and "having" can be used
interchangeably.
[0013] The terms "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are
open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in
operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A,
B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and
C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone,
B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, or A, B and C together.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary of the invention to
provide an understanding of some aspects of the invention. This
summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the
invention and its various embodiments. As will be appreciated,
other embodiments of the invention are possible utilizing, alone or
in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or
described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a
part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the
present invention(s). These drawings, together with the
description, explain the principles of the invention(s). The
drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of
how the invention(s) can be made and used and are not to be
construed as limiting the invention(s) to only the illustrated and
described examples.
[0016] Further features and advantages will become apparent from
the following, more detailed, description of the various
embodiments of the invention(s), as illustrated by the drawings
referenced below.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a top view of shoe having a heel aft element
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a bottom-side view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts top view of an aerodynamic shoe and a
removably attachable cover according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 depicts a back-side view of the aerodynamic shoe of
FIG. 3 with removably attached cover positioned on the shoe;
[0021] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom-side view of the aerodynamic shoe of
FIG. 3 with removably attached cover positioned on the shoe;
[0022] FIG. 6 depicts a side view of an aerodynamic shoe according
to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the aerodynamic
shoe in the yet another embodiment having a permanently attached
cover with a portion of the cover removably detached from the
shoe;
[0023] FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation of the aerodynamic shoe of
FIG. 6 with the portion of the cover removably attached to the
shoe;
[0024] FIG. 8 depicts a heel aft element according to still yet
another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 9 depicts a method flow chart for using an aerodynamic
shoe of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIGS. 1-7 depict various embodiments an aerodynamic shoe 95.
The aerodynamic shoe 95 comprises an athletic shoe 100, a shoe
cover 285, an optional heel aft element 390, and at least one
attachment system for attaching the shoe cover 285 to one of the
optional heel aft element 390 or the athletic shoe 100. The shoe
cover 285 and the optional heel aft element 390 may be permanently
or removably attached to the athletic shoe 100. The aerodynamic
shoe 95 may comprise one or more of: the shoe cover 285 being one
or both of permanently and removably attached to the athletic shoe
100; the optional heel aft element 390 being permanently or
removably attached to the athletic shoe 100; and any combination
thereof. That is, the aerodynamic shoe 95 may comprise some portion
of the shoe cover 285 permanently attached and some other portion
of the shoe cover 285 removably attached to the athletic shoe 100.
Furthermore, the attached systems for permanently and removably
attaching the shoe cover 285 and the heel aft element 390,
respectively, can differ.
[0027] As used herein the term "removably attached" refers to two
or more elements that may be attached and detached by an attachment
system without damaging the two or more elements or the attachment
system. As used herein the term "permanently attached" refers to
two or more elements attached by an attachment system and cannot be
detached without damaging at least one of the two or more elements
or the attachment system.
[0028] The one or more attachment systems may comprise any
attachment system known within the art. Preferred attachment
systems comprise a mechanical attachment system, a non-mechanical
attachment system, or a combination thereof. Non-limiting examples
of suitable mechanical attachment systems comprise rivets, buckles,
joints (such as, interlocking joints), screws, stitches, hook and
pile systems, or a combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of
suitable non-mechanical attachment systems comprise molding,
welding, bonding, adhesive joining, or a combination thereof. A
non-limiting example of a combined attachment system is a
combination of mechanical and adhesive joining.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the athletic shoe 100 includes a
sole 105, an upper 110, an optional tongue (not depicted) attached
to the upper 110, a closure system 155, and optional cleat
attachment element(s) 120. The upper 110 is attached to the sole
105 to form a toe box 130 having opposing medial 131 and lateral
133 toe box edges, a vamp 135 having opposing medial 183 and
lateral 182 vamp sides, a quarter 180 having opposing medial 181
and lateral 184 quarter sides, a throat 145, a heel 290 and an
interior cavity 150. The upper 110 is attached to the sole 105 and
the optional tongue by one or both of a mechanical or
non-mechanical attachment system, such as, but not limited to
stitching, welding, forming, molding, and adhesive joining. The
athletic shoe 100 may comprise any type of shoe worn in an athletic
event. Preferably, the athletic shoe 100 comprises one of a bicycle
shoe, a track shoe, a football shoe, a golf shoe, or a baseball
shoe. More preferably, the athletic shoe 100 is a bicycle shoe.
[0030] As used herein, the term "shoe", alone or combined
grammatically with an adjective, an adverb or a gerund, refers to
both left and right forms of a shoe. Furthermore, the term "shoe"
refers to a shoe designed to fit one or more of a male, a female, a
child, an adolescent, and an adult. The referred to shoe may be of
any size and width.
[0031] The athletic shoe 100 may include a liner 160 positioned
between at least a portion of the upper 110 (and/or optional
tongue) and the interior cavity 150, preferably the liner 160 is
positioned between at least most of, if not all of, the upper 110
(and/or optional tongue) and the interior cavity 150. The liner 160
may be attached to the upper 110 (and/or optional tongue) by
stitching, welding and/or adhesive joining. Preferably, the liner
160 is a non-irritating material. As used herein the term "a
non-irritating material" refers to a material that is substantially
non-abrasive to a user's foot positioned within the interior cavity
150. Non-limiting examples of substantially non-abrasive liner 160
are: 1) the liner 160 substantially lacks stitching where the
user's foot contacts the liner 160 under a shear-force during use;
2) the liner 160 has stitching in a location where a shear-force
between the user's foot and the stitching is minimal during use; 3)
the stitching is configured to expose little, if any, of the
stitching to the user's foot; and 4) the stitching configuration
and/or material is non-irritating.
[0032] A padding material (not depicted) may be positioned between
the upper 110 (and/or optional tongue) and the liner 160. The
padding material may be adhered to one or both of the liner 160 and
the upper 110 (and/or optional tongue). The padding material may be
adhered to the upper 110 (and/or optional tongue) by one stitching,
welding and/or adhesive joining. Preferably, the padding material
is located at pressure points within the interior cavity 150, such
as, but not limited to points within the interior cavity 150 about
one or more of the heel 290, the throat border 145 and the optional
tongue.
[0033] An optional shoe insole 200 is positioned between the sole
105 and the interior cavity 150. The optional shoe insole 200 may
contain at least one of a non-irritating liner material, a felt
material, a polymeric material, an elastomeric material, and an
insole insert.
[0034] The sole 105 preferably comprises a light-weight material
having substantial rigidity. As used herein the term "substantial
rigidity" refers to a material, an element, or a component that
bends and/or deflects little, if any, when a force, a stress or a
pressure is applied to the material, component or element. The sole
105 preferably comprises carbon fibers. The carbon fibers may be
directionally aligned, preferably aligned in a unidirectional
configuration. Carbon fibers are known for their strength and
light-weight properties. Preferably, the sole 105 comprises
polymeric laminate having unidirectional carbon fibers.
[0035] The athletic shoe 100 may be difficult to walk in due at
least to the rigidity of the sole 105. As such, the shoe 100 may
have one or more gaiting assist components 265. The gaiting assist
components 265 may be formed as part of the sole 105 or may be
attached to or partially embedded in the sole 105. Moreover, the
gaiting assist components 265 may be permanently or removably
attached to the sole 105. The gaiting assist components 265 are
preferably attached to the sole 105 by an adhesive bond, a weld, a
fusion bond, an alloyed bond, a mechanical attachment system (such
as a rivet or screw) or a combination thereof.
[0036] The gaiting assist components 265 may be composed of a
polymeric material, a polymeric mixture, polymeric alloy or
combinations thereof. The gaiting assist components 265 are
preferably located at an anterior (about the toe end of the sole)
and a posterior (about the heel end of the sole) portion of the
sole 105. Preferably, the gaiting assist components 265 include a
substantially non-slipping and/or cushioning material that aids the
user to more easily walk when wearing the athletic shoe 100.
[0037] The sole 105 may have one or more sole venting voids 260.
The sole venting voids 260 extend through the sole 105 to the
interior cavity 150. Any fluid, such as air, water and/or
perspiration contained within the interior cavity 150 can be vented
from the interior cavity 150 by the sole venting voids 260.
[0038] The sole 105 further includes the optional cleat attachment
element(s) 120. The cleat attachment elements 260 may comprise any
attachment element suitable for attaching a standard bicycle cleat,
such as a cleat manufactured by one of the following manufacturers:
SHIMANO.TM., CAMPANGOLO.TM., LOOK.TM., WELLGO.TM., PYRAMID.TM.,
TIME.TM., FORZA.TM., MAVIC.TM., CRANK BROTHERS.TM., and BEBOP.TM..
Preferably, the cleat attachment elements 120 are configured for
attaching a cleat manufactured by SHIMANO.TM.. The cleat attachment
elements 120 are situated on the sole 105 corresponding to a
position at about where the ball (that is, proximal phalax or
superior metatarsal) of the user's foot is positioned within the
athletic shoe 100.
[0039] The upper 110 may comprise a durable material or a
combination of two or more durable materials. Preferred durable
materials include without limitation natural or synthetic leathers,
polymeric materials, polymeric mixtures, polymeric alloys,
laminates, natural or synthetic textile materials, mesh materials,
or combinations thereof. Preferably, the durable material is a
flexible and/or an elastic material. That is, the durable material
has substantial flexibility and/or elasticity to provide tightening
and/or securing of the upper 110 about the user's foot by the
closure system 155. The upper 110 (including the optional tongue)
may comprise a single material or two or more materials. For
example, the toe box 130 may comprise one material (such as, a mesh
material) and the reminder of the upper 110 may comprise another
material (such as, a non-mesh material or one or more materials
differing form the mesh material).
[0040] The upper 110 may contain one or more venting voids 255.
Preferably, the upper venting voids 255 are positioned about one or
more of the optional tongue, toe box 130, vamp 135 and quarter 180.
More preferably, the one or more venting voids 225 are positioned
about the vamp 135. The upper venting voids 255 provide for fluid
flow out of the interior cavity 150. The fluid may comprise air,
water, perspiration, or a combination thereof.
[0041] The closure system 155 may comprise any closure system known
within the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable closure systems
are: laces; straps (such as, without limitation, straps having one
or more of a buckle, a loop, and a hook and pile system); a
self-securing lashing system, for example as described in U.S.
Publication No. 2010/0139057, published Jun. 10, 2010 to Soderberg
et al. and U.S. Publication No. 2006/0179685, published Aug. 17,
2006 to Borel et al., each of which are incorporated in their
entirety by this reference.
[0042] The athletic shoe 100 is secured to the user's foot by
engaging the closure system 155. When the closure system 155
comprises straps having a hook and pile system, the athletic shoe
100 is secured to the user's foot by drawing the strap across the
top of the upper 110, through a loop, back over the upper 110,
before contacting the strap hook material with the strap pile
material. The interlocking of the hook and pile system is at least
strong enough to secure the athletic shoe 100 to the user's foot.
Preferably, the strap closure system 155 includes an arch strap 245
and a toe box strap 250 and corresponding loops.
[0043] The quarter 180 may include a heel strap (not depicted). The
heel strap is attached to the upper 110 about the heel 290 and the
lateral 184 and medial 181 quarter sides. Furthermore, the heel
strap may be attached to the sole 105. Moreover, the heel strap may
be positioned to wrap about a user's heel position within the
athletic shoe 100. The heel strap may comprise a material
containing carbon fibers. The carbon fibers may or be aligned in a
unidirectional manner. Furthermore, the heel strap may comprise a
polymeric material. Preferably, the heel strap comprises both the
polymeric material and the carbon fibers.
[0044] Embodiments of the aerodynamic shoe 95 comprising the
optional heel aft element 390 positioned about the heel 290, are
depicted in FIGS. 1-8. The heel aft element 390 may have any shape.
Preferably, the heel aft element 390 has a shape resembling one of
a triangular, a pyramidal, an arcuate, or a bow shape. The heel aft
element 390 may comprise any lightweight material, such as, but not
limited to a polymeric foam (including high and low density foams),
a low-density metal or metal alloy (such as, but not limited to
magnesium, aluminum, or titanium), or a polymeric material. The
heel aft element 390 comprises a solid material. The solid material
may: substantially lack a void; have one (such as, a hollow
structure) or more (such as a honeycomb structure) internal voids;
or comprise a foam having a plurality of voids.
[0045] Preferably, the heel aft element 390 has at least one shoe
cover engagement element 391. The at least one shoe cover
engagement element 391 may be located anywhere on the heel aft
element 390 and may engage the shoe cover 285 in any manner. More
preferably, the at least one shoe cover engagement element 391 has
one of a hook or a pile material.
[0046] The heel aft element 390 may include one or both of gaiting
assist components 265 and one or more engagement elements 395, as
depicted in FIG. 8. The one or more engagement elements 395 are
configured to engage the sole 105. Preferably, the heel aft element
390 is mechanically attached to the athletic shoe 100 by one or
more screws, more preferably by the one or more screws and the one
or more engagement elements 395. The one or more screws
mechanically interconnect with one or more screw receiving elements
355 optionally contained within the heel aft element 390. More
preferably, the one or more screws are positioned within the
interior cavity 150 about the heel 290 and traverse the sole 105.
Even more preferably, the one or more screws are substantially
positioned between the optional shoe insole 200 and the heel aft
element 390.
[0047] The heel aft element 390 has a heel aft apex 365. The heel
aft apex 365 is positioned at an angle 400 relative to a line 410.
The line 410 bisects apexes defined by respective apexes 101 and
102 of the toe box 130 and the heel 290. The angle 400 may be from
about -45.degree. to about 90.degree.. Negative angles 400 are
lateral to the line 410 and positive angles 400 are medial of line
410. Preferably, the angle 400 is from about -10.degree. to about
45.degree., is from about -5.degree. to about 10.degree., or is
from about -5.degree. to about 5.degree.. More preferably, the
angle 400 is about 0.degree..
[0048] The heel aerodynamic shoe 95 having the aft element 390
provides at least some aerodynamic advantage compared to a shoe
lacking the heel aft element 390. Furthermore, the angle 400 is
preferably chosen to enhance, that is, reduce the drag of the
aerodynamic shoe 95 compared to a shoe lacking the heel aft element
390.
[0049] The heel aft element 390 may be permanently or removably
attached to the athletic shoe 100. The heel aft element 390 may be
attached to the athletic shoe 100 by any attachment method and/or
process known within the art. The heel aft element 390 may be
permanently attached to the other shoe 100 by one or more of
stitching, welding, adhesive joining, laminating, mechanical
joining and combinations thereof. Preferably, the heel aft element
390 is permanently attached to the upper 110 about the heel 290.
The heel aft element 390 may be removably attached to the athletic
shoe 100 mechanically. Preferably, one or more screws removably
attach the heel aft element 390 to the athletic shoe 100.
[0050] FIG. 8 depicts a preferred embodiment of a removably
attachable heel aft element 390. The removable heel aft element
comprises a leg 350 and an arm 351, the arm 351 extending from one
end of the leg 350. The heel aft element has a shape resembling the
letter "L". The leg 350 of the heel aft element 390 has an arcuate
shape for marrying with the heel 290. The heel aft apex 365 extends
from the leg 350. The arm 351 of the heel aft element 390 contains
the one or more engagement elements 395, the gaiting assist
components 265, and the one or more screw receiving elements
355.
[0051] The shoe cover 285 can comprise any material. The shoe cover
material is preferably a light material. Suitable shoe cover 285
materials include, without limitation, natural materials (such as
animal, plant or mineral materials, leathers and plant-fibers being
examples), synthetic materials, or combinations thereof. The
synthetic materials may be, without limitation,
polyurethane-polyurea copolymers, polyesters, aramids, nylons,
polyurethanes, spandexes, elastanes, olefins, ingeos, lurexes, and
combinations thereof. Furthermore, the shoe cover material may
comprise a material available under one of the following trade
names of LYCRA.TM. by Invista and DARLEXX.TM. by Shawmut
Corporation. The shoe cover material may comprise one or more of a
knitted, a woven or a non-woven textile material. The textile
materials may have a one-way, a two-way, and/or a four-way stretch.
That is, the textile material may have elastomeric and/or stretch
properties both within a horizontal plane defined by the textile
material and to a plane vertical to the textile material. The
textile material may be coated, uncoated, and/or laminated. The
coating may have hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic properties. That
is, the textile coating may have one of water replant, waterproof,
or water adsorbent properties. Preferably, the coating material is
a hydrophobic material. A preferred textile coating comprises a
polyurethane coated material. The textile material may be coated on
one or both sides of the textile material. Preferably, the textile
material is coated on one side. More preferably, the shoe cover 285
material is coated on the side opposing the athletic shoe 100, that
is, the preferred coated side is the side exposed to the
environment.
[0052] Preferably, the shoe cover 285 is smaller than the athletic
shoe 100. That is, the shoe cover 285 is stretched at least
somewhat when positioned on the athletic shoe 100. Preferred shoe
cover 285 materials have a relatively smooth surface prior to being
stretched. Some preferred shoe cover 285 materials maintain a
relatively smooth surface when stretched, while other preferred
materials develop a surface texture when stretched. Preferred shoe
cover materials comprise a polyurethane coated elastane or
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer.
[0053] The shoe cover 285 has heel 300 and forefoot 305 cover
elements. The heel 300 and forefoot 305 cover elements may comprise
differing materials. The heel cover 300 element preferably includes
at least one cover attachment system 322 for operatively engaging
the at least one cover engagement element 391. Preferably, the at
least one cover attachment system 322 and the at least one cover
engagement element 391 form a removable attachment system. More
preferably, the at least one cover attachment system 322 and the at
least one cover engagement element 391 form a hook and pile
attachment system. That is, the cover engagement element 391
comprises one of a hook or pile and the cover attachment system
comprises the other of a hook and pile.
[0054] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the
aerodynamic shoe 95 has at least some, but not all, of the shoe
cover 285 permanently attached to at least some, but not all, of
the athletic shoe 100 by the one or more attachment systems. The
shoe cover 285 may be permanently attached to the athletic shoe 100
at about the upper 110 at least about one or more of: a) some of
the heel 290; b) some of the medial vamp side 183; and c) some of
the lateral 133 and medial 131 toe box. Furthermore, the shoe cover
285 may be permanently joined to the upper 110 about the medial
vamp side 183 extending from about the throat compartment 175 to
the medial the toe box 131 and terminating at about one of the
lateral toe box 133 or the lateral vamp side 182. Moreover, the
forefoot cover element 305 may include a throat element 370,
opposing medial 311 and lateral 312 vamp elements, a toe element
310, and at least one opposing lateral 325 and medial 315 quarter
elements. Preferably, the toe element 310 may be positioned between
about the lateral 312 and medial 311 vamp elements and opposing the
throat element 370. The toe element 310 may be permanently joined
about the toe box 130. The throat element 370 may be positioned
between about the lateral 312 and medial 311 vamp elements and the
at least one lateral 325 and medial 315 quarter elements. The
throat element 370 may include an elastic and/or stretchable throat
band (not depicted). Preferably, the medial vamp element 311 is
joined to the upper 110 about the medial vamp 183. The lateral vamp
element 312 is preferably positioned between the lateral quarter
element 325 and toe element 310. The lateral vamp element 312
preferably has one or both of an optional lateral vamp attachment
element 380 and an optional lateral elastic band (not depicted).
The optional lateral elastic band may be positioned about some, if
not most, of the lateral quarter side 181. One of the lateral vamp
attachment element 380 is configured to operatively engage and an
optional shoe attachment element 383 positioned about the lateral
vamp 182. The optional shoe attachment element 383 is permanently
attached to the sole 105 and/or the upper 110. Preferably, the
optional shoe attachment element 383 comprises one of a hook and a
pile and the optional lateral vamp attachment element 380 comprises
the other of a hook and a pile.
[0055] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the
aerodynamic shoe 95 lacks and/or is devoid of a permanent joining
of the shoe cover 285 to athletic shoe 100. In the second
embodiment, the shoe cover 285 may further comprise a toe box
stirrup 286, a vamp stirrup 287, and one or more optional shoe
cover venting voids 283. Furthermore in the second embodiment, the
at least one cover attachment system 322 comprises first 322a and
second 322b cover attachment systems and the at least one cover
engagement element 391 comprises first 391a and second 391b cover
engagement elements. The toe stirrup 286 is joined to the toe
element 310 and may be joined to some of the lateral 312 and medial
311 elements. The vamp stirrup 287 is joined to the lateral 312 and
medial 311 vamp elements to form a shoe cover void 279. The
optional shoe cover venting voids 283 may be positioned on one or
more of the toe box element 310, the lateral vamp element 312, and
the medial vamp element 311. When the shoe cover 285 is positioned
on the athletic shoe, the forefoot element 305 is positioned about
the toe box 130 (including the medial 131 and lateral 133 toe
boxes) and the vamp 135 (including the medial 183 and lateral 182
vamps). The heel cover element 300 is positioned about the quarter
180 (including the medial 181 and lateral 184 quarters) and the
heel aft element 390. The toe box stirrup 286 is configured to fit
about the toe box 130. The positioning of the toe box stirrup about
the toe box 130 substantially secures the forefoot element 305
about the toe box 130 and the athletic shoe 100. The vamp stirrup
287 is configured to fit about the sole 105 about the vamp 135. The
shoe cover void 279 is configured to fit about the optional cleat
attachment elements 120. Preferably, the optional one or more shoe
cover venting voids 286 are positioned on the shoe 285 to
correspond with the optional one or more upper venting voids
255.
[0056] Furthermore, the shoe cover 285 of the first and second
embodiments may further comprise and an optional shoe cover arm
284. The optional shoe cover arm 284 is preferably attached to at
least one of the lateral 325 and medial 315 quarter elements. The
optional shoe cover arm 284 aids engaging the at least one cover
attachment system 322 with the at least one cover engagement
element 391.
[0057] FIG. 9 depicts a method 1000 for using the aerodynamic shoe
95 (as described herein): step 1010 includes inserting a user's
foot into a shoe 100 (as described herein) having a shoe closure
system 155 (as described herein) and a heel aft element 390 (as
described herein); step 1015 includes engaging the shoe closure
system 155 to secure the shoe to the user's foot; and step 1020
includes positioning a shoe cover 285 (as described herein) having
first and second portions on the shoe 100.
[0058] The step 1010 may further include substeps of: a) providing
the aerodynamic shoe 95 with the closure system 155 unengaged; b)
providing the aerodynamic shoe 95 with both of an arch strap 245
(as described herein) and a toe box strap 250 (as described herein)
unengaged; and c) inserting the user's foot into the aerodynamic
shoe 95 by positioning the user's foot within the interior cavity
150 (as described herein). The substeps of step 1010 may further
include: i) the closure system 155 comprises a hook and pile
closure system and/or ii) both of the arch strap 245 and the toe
box strap 250 comprise hook and pile closure systems.
[0059] The step 1015 may further include one or more substeps of:
c) engaging the closure system 155; and d) engaging the arch 245
and toe box 250 straps.
[0060] The step 1020 may further include one of more of the
substeps of: e) engaging the first portion of the shoe cover 285 to
the heel aft element 390; and f) engaging the second portion of the
shoe cover 285 with one or both of the shoe 100 and/or the heel aft
element 390. The substeps of step 1020 may further include: i)
engaging one of a hook or pile element of the first portion of the
shoe cover 285 with the other of a hook or a pile element of the
heel aft element 390; and ii) engaging one of a hook or a pile of
the second portion of the shoe cover 285 with one or both of the
other of a hook or a pile of element of the shoe 100 and/or the
heel aft element 390.
[0061] The aerodynamic shoe 95 and the method 1000 substantially
decrease the time required to put on bicycling shoes and shoe
covers and the time for completing the bicycling portion of a race
or triathlon or duathlon. Having the shoe and shoe cover integrated
into an aerodynamic shoe substantially decreases the transition
time in a triatholon/duathlon or similar event, compared to the
process of putting on bicycling shoes and shoe covers separately.
The decrease in transition time to don an aerodynamic shoe with
integrated shoe cover of the present invention, compared to
separately putting on shoes and shoe covers, can be from about 0.5
seconds to about 20 seconds. In some cases, the decrease in time
can be from about 2 seconds to about 10 seconds, and in other cases
the time decrease can be from about 3 seconds to about 8 seconds.
In competitions where the time difference between competitors can
be seconds, and in some instances, fractions of seconds, a
reduction of the transition time from about 0.5 seconds to about 20
seconds is significant.
[0062] The aerodynamic shoe 95 and the method 1000 substantially
decreases the time to complete the bicycling portion of a race. The
decrease in the bicycling time with the aerodynamic shoe 95,
compared to shoes with conventional shoe covers, can be from at
least about 1 second to about 100 seconds over a distance of about
40 kilometers. In some cases the decrease in time can be from about
3 seconds to about 66 seconds, other cases the time decrease can be
from about 7 seconds to about 45 seconds, and in yet other cases
the time decrease can be from about 10 seconds to about 35 seconds,
all over a distance of about 40 kilometers. In competitions where
the time difference between competitors can be seconds, and in some
instances fractions of seconds, a reduction of the bicycling
transition time from about 0.5 seconds to about 20 seconds is
significant.
[0063] The aerodynamic shoe having an integrated cover and/or an
aft heel element substantially reduces the aerodynamic drag on the
bicyclist while actively bicycling. The reduction in drag compared
to a conventional bicycling shoe is believed to be about 0.2% to
about 15%. In some cases, the reduction of drag is believed to be
about 1% to about 10%, in other cases from about 2% to about 7%,
and in yet other cases from about 3% to about 5%. This reduction in
drag reduces the energy the bicyclist expends to propel the bicycle
forward.
[0064] Other embodiments of the present invention include the
aerodynamic shoe 95 as described above in the first and second
embodiments lacking the optional aft heel element and the at least
one cover engagement element 391 positioned, instead of about the
aft heel element, about the heel 209.
[0065] A number of variations and modifications of the invention
can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of
the invention without providing others. For example, one embodiment
of the present invention is a removably attachable heel aft element
390 for an athletic shoe 100 as described herein.
[0066] The present invention, in various embodiments,
configurations, or aspects, includes components, methods,
processes, materials, systems and/or apparatus substantially as
depicted and described herein, including various embodiments,
configurations, aspects, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof.
Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the
present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The
present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and
aspects, includes providing devices, materials, and processes in
the absence of items and/or materials not depicted and/or described
herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects
hereof, including in the absence of such items and/or materials as
may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for
improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of
implementation.
[0067] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not
intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed
herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various
features of the invention are grouped together in one or more
embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments,
configurations, or aspects of the invention may be combined in
alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those
discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted
as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more
features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the
following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all
features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration,
or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into
this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a
separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0068] Moreover, though the description of the invention has
included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or
aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations,
combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the
invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those
in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is
intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments,
configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including
alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,
ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *