Temporary Removable Sole with Removable Cleats

Abstract

A temporary sole is designed to be attached to a shoe of any shape, design, or size. The temporary sole has two eyelets, one in front and one in back that slide over the toe and heel of the shoe and hold the sole in place. Optionally, the temporary sole may also include a strap which goes over the top of the shoe and further holds the temporary sole into place. In some designs of the temporary sole, it is designed to accept removable cleats. These cleats can be designed for golf or another sport. By attaching the temporary sole to a shoe and fixing the cleats into place on the temporary sole, any shoe can be transformed into an athletic shoe or a shoe fit to handle a specific surface or terrain.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application 61/258,200.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of the present invention generally relates to temporary enhancements to a shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Attaching cleats or spikes to shoes for various purposes is not a new idea. However, attaching golf cleats to dress or athletic shoes in accordance with aspects of the present invention is new. Attaching cleats to a temporary sole in a manner consistent with present invention is also new.

[0004] Other products which attach cleats or spikes to shoes were discovered during a diligent patent search and are identified and distinguished below. The products identified have significant problems which distinguish each of them from the present invention. None have a utility superior to the present invention.

[0005] The patents cited below which were designed for golf purposes do not use elastic which is designed to stretch over the shoe, nor do these patents use the button and bore recessed area design to attach the golf cleat to the under-mount embodiment. Therefore, the patents designed for golf use are clearly distinguishable.

[0006] The most notable disadvantages to all of the below discussed products are: (1) the cleat or spike requires adhesive, screws, bolts, or other binding product to attach the cleat or spike to the sole of the product; (2) the cleats or spikes are not easily replaceable without the use of a tool or wrench; (3) the product appears bulky and does not provided a stable, comfortable fit onto the shoe; (4) the products are difficult to attach to a shoe, requiring latches, braces, clips or screws; (5) the products are not easily removable from the shoe; (6) the products are not easily mass produced, due primarily to their multiple moving parts; and (7) mass production of these products would not be cost effective.

[0007] The present invention solves all of these problems. Other products which were designed to afford additional traction to a dress shoe and are attached by straps or buckles are exemplified by the following US patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,195,866; 1,428,123; 1,728,469; 1,902,52; 2,718,778; and 3,075,307.

[0008] Other products that use approaches which fit under the shoe sole are exemplified by the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,749,522; 2,006,802; 3,019,533; 3,914,882; and 4,702,021.

[0009] The patents most similar to the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,901 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,334. Both patents are distinguishable and inferior. Both use laces, buckles or zippers. The present invention is not so limited. In an embodiment of the present invention, elastic stretches over the sole and rim of the shoe. The present invention is not limited to employing laces, buckles, zippers or straps. Neither patent noted above discloses the ability to attach a cleat or spike without adhesive, screws, bolts, etc. In an embodiment of the present invention, the "double button" mechanism is used to affix the cleats to the temporary sole. Furthermore, unlike U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,600,901 and 5,950,334, an embodiment of the present invention is comprised of two separable components and is able to be mass produced with low manufacturing costs. Finally, the present invention, unlike all the prior art discussed herein, is aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This summary is provided to introduce (in a simplified form) a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the problems found in the prior art by introducing a temporary sole that can be attached and unattached quickly and easily to a wide variety of shoes. The temporary sole has holes in the front and in the back that allows a user to attach it easily to a shoe. The temporary sole may also include a strap that can be used to further secure the temporary sole to the shoe. The temporary sole also may include removable and replaceable cleats that can be fitted into the sole. In this manner, the present invention allows the wearers of the shoes to quickly take off or put on a temporary sole that may include cleats. This invention is ideal for attaching golf cleats or other athletic cleats to shoes or for providing better traction to the existing sole of a shoe.

[0012] In overcoming the above disadvantages associated with prior art approaches, the present invention discloses a temporary sole with an eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and an eyelet in the back of the temporary sole. The temporary sole is attached to a shoe by fitting the front of the shoe through the eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and by the fitting the back of the shoe through the eyelet in the back of the temporary sole.

[0013] The present invention discloses that the temporary sole also includes a strap that further secures the temporary sole to the shoe.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the temporary sole is elastic.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the temporary sole has cleats attached to the bottom of the sole.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the cleats are golf cleats.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the size of the temporary sole is the same size as the shoe.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the temporary sole is made of rubber.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the temporary sole includes a front portion and a heel portion and are connected to the front eyelet and the back eyelet.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the temporary sole is flexible enough to accommodate shoes of various sizes.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for attaching a flexible temporary sole with an eyelet in the front of the sole and an eyelet in the back of the sole to the existing sole of a shoe includes fitting the front of the shoe through the eyelet in the front of the flexible temporary sole, and fitting the back of the shoe through the eyelet in the back of the flexible temporary sole.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a temporary and removable set of cleats attachable to a shoe includes a temporary sole with an eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and an eyelet in the back of the temporary sole. The temporary sole is attached to the shoe by fitting the front of the shoe through the eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and by the fitting the back of the shoe through the eyelet in the back of the temporary sole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following Figure drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the present invention affixed to a shoe.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the temporary sole unattached to a shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the temporary sole unattached to a shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the temporary sole with a strap unattached to a shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a removable cleat in isolation in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a removable cleat installed in the temporary sole in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the present invention 100 affixed to a shoe 110. The shoe 110 may be a men's or women's shoe. Furthermore, the shoe 110 may be an athletic shoe, dress shoe, boot, or specialty shoe of any size, including children's size. In the present embodiment, a portion of the temporary sole 102 is shown clinging to the side of the shoe 110. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, no portion of the temporary sole clings to the side of the shoe, making the temporary sole hidden from casual observation. In FIG. 1, the temporary sole 102 has cleats 108, 106, and 104 attached to it. As will be discussed later, these cleats may be permanently attached to the temporary sole 102 or they may temporarily attached to the temporary sole 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe may be worn (on a foot 112) when the present invention is affixed to the shoe 110.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the temporary sole 200 unattached to a shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The temporary sole 200 is divided into two sole portions: the front sole 210 and the heel 208. The front sole 210 is separated from the heel 208 by a separation 222. Separations 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 228, 224, and 226 separate the front sole 210 and the heel 208 from the exterior rim 202 of the temporary sole 200. The temporary sole shown in FIG. 2 has two eyelets: a front eyelet 204 and a back eyelet 206. The front eyelet 204 and the back eyelet 206 fit over the front and back of the shoes on which the temporary sole 200 is attached, respectively, and holds the temporary sole 200 in place. In an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior rim 202 may also serve to grab the sides of the shoe and help keep the temporary sole 200 in place during use. The separations may be distributed in any fashion around the temporary sole 200 and may vary in size and number.

[0032] The temporary sole 200 is designed to be mounted to the sole of any type of shoe to provide cleats or an alternative sole to the sole or under portion of the shoe, thereby converting or transforming a dress or athletic shoe into a shoe with cleats or a walking surface specifically designed for use on a golf course, driving range, athletic field, or other surface which calls for a specific type of shoe. In an embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sole 200 is made of a durable and light material which has elastic qualities. The temporary sole 200 is designed to stretch over the bottom of a shoe and mount over the shoe's sole. The durometer of the temporary sole 200 may be adjusted to fit the tension requirements desired for the general size shoe as required. In embodiments of the present invention, a durometer between 20 and 90 is suggested. The thickness of the temporary sole 200 may vary between 1/4'' and 1/2'' thick but the present invention is not so limited. Other thicknesses, either thinner than 1/4'' thick or thicker than 1/2'' may be used as needed or required. In an embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sole 200 is between 43/4'' and 61/4'' wide at its widest point (in the middle of the temporary sole from the top to the bottom). In embodiments of the present invention, the width of the temporary sole 200 may vary depending on the shoe on which it is meant to be attached. For instance, if the temporary sole 200 is designed for a children's shoe, it may be less wide that 43/4''. If the temporary sole 200 is designed for a large men's shoe, it may be more wide than 6 1/4''. In an embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sole 200 may vary between 6'' and 91/2'' long (from the nose or top of the front heel 210 to the back of the heel 208, longitudely).

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sole 200 attaches to the shoe by tension achieved through its elastic quality. The majority of the temporary sole 200 rests under the shoe once it is affixed to the shoe. In other words, the majority of the temporary sole 200 impacts the ground. In embodiments of the present invention, the portions of temporary sole 200 which do not impact the ground are the outer or exterior rim 202 and the front and rear portions of temporary sole 200 surrounding the front eyelet 204 and the back eyelet 206. This exterior rim 202 of the temporary sole 200 may also be referred to as the "Gripping Edge".

[0034] As disclosed in FIG. 2, the temporary sole 200 is divided into two platforms, one in the front of the temporary sole 200 (the front sole 210) and one towards the rear of the temporary sole 200 (the heel 208). In an embodiment of the present invention, the front sole 210 measures between 3'' and 41/2'' laterally (front the left to right as shown in FIG. 2) and between 3'' and 5'' longitudinally (from the top to the bottom as shown in FIG. 2). In an embodiment of the present invention, the heel 208 measures between 3'' and 41/2'' laterally (front the left to right as shown in FIG. 2) and between 11/2'' and 31/2'' longitudinally (from the top to the bottom as shown in FIG. 2). The present invention is by no means limited to these ranges. The size of the front sole 210 and the heel 208 may vary according to the size of the shoe to which the temporary sole 200 is designed to be attached and the requirements of the terrain on which the temporary sole 200 is meant to be used. The shapes of both the front sole 210 and the heal 208 may also be altered to achieve the purposes of the temporary sole 200. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the front sole 210 and the heel 208 may be designed to cover the entirety of the bottom of the shoe or that part of the sole of the shoe which would normally touch the ground. In other embodiments, they may not. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, either the front sole 210 or the heel 208 or both may be larger (that is wider or longer) than the sole of the shoe on which the temporary sole 200 is affixed. In FIG. 2, the temporary sole 200 is shown as having a front sole 210 and a heel 208 that is separated from the each other by a separation 222 but the present invention is by no means limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the front sole 210 and the heel 208 may be directly connected to each other (in other words, there is no separation 222). In other embodiments, the separation 222 is not actually a hole but made of other material different from the remainder of the temporary sole 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sole 200 may have number of holes totaling, for instance, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 holes (and thus bores with recessed circular areas around the holes) through which to accept removable cleats via the "double button" attachment mechanism (discussed at length below).

[0035] The temporary sole 200 may be made of a variety of materials. For instance, the temporary sole 200 may be made of rubber. The temporary sole 200 may be designed in such a way that a single design may accommodate shoes of various sizes and designs (in other words, one size fits all). In other embodiments, the temporary sole 200 may be designed for shoes of specific designs and sizes. The present invention is designed to work for both adult and children's shoes. Furthermore, the temporary sole may be designed so that a minimum amount of the temporary sole 200 is visible when the temporary sole 200 is attached to a shoe that is being worn. In an embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sole may be designed to be visually pleasing to the wearer by including decorations of some sort or coloration of some kind.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the temporary sole 300 unattached to a shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The temporary sole 300 is divided into two sole portions: the front sole 308 and the heel 310. The front sole 308 is separated from the heel 310 by a separation 328. Separations such as 326, 330, 332, 334, 336, and 338, separate the front sole 308 and the heel 310 from the exterior rim 302 of the temporary sole 300. The temporary sole 300 shown in FIG. 3 has two eyelets: a front eyelet 304 and a back eyelet 306. The front eyelet 304 and the back eyelet 306 fit over the front and back of the shoes on which the temporary sole 300 is attached, respectively, and holds the temporary sole 300 in place. In an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior rim 302 may also serve to grab the sides of the shoe and help keep the temporary sole 300 in place during use. The temporary sole 300 also includes cleats 312, 314, 318, 316, 324, 320, and 322. These cleats may be of any kind. They may be sports or athletic cleats like golf cleats or baseball cleats. These cleats may also be adapted to give better traction to the wearer. For example, these cleats may be adapted to help the wearer walk in inclement weather or on dangerous surfaces like those of ice, water, or snow, or any mix thereof. There may be any number of cleats present on the bottom of the temporary sole 300. They may be distributed between the front sole 308 and the heel 310 in any fashion. In the present embodiment, there are five cleats 312, 314, 316, 318, and 320 on the front sole 308 and two cleats 324 and 322 on the heel 310. In other embodiments, there may be an equal number of cleats on the front sole 308 and heel 310 or the heel 310 may have more cleats than the front sole 308. The cleats may be arranged along the front sole 308 in a three-cleat triangle shape, four-cleat diamond shape or square shape, or five-cleat arrangement with four of the five cleats in a square orientation and the fifth cleat towards the front of the temporary sole 300 arranged proximately between the either side laterally. The cleats may be arranged along the heel 310 in an arrangement of two cleats on the same lateral axis, or three-cleat triangle shape, or four-cleat diamond shape or in a square shape.

[0037] The temporary sole 300 of FIG. 3 is shown with cleats but the present invention is by no means so limited. The cleats may be permanently attached to the temporary sole 300. As an alternative to or in addition to cleats, the bottom of the temporary sole 300 may be designed in such a way as to give additional traction to the wearer. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the temporary sole 300 may be designed in such a way as to not harm the walking surface. For instance, the bottom of the temporary sole 300 may be suited for a bowling alley or designed not to scuff certain flooring like gymnasium flooring.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the temporary sole 400 unattached to a shoe with a strap in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The temporary sole 400 is divided into two sole portions: the front sole 408 and the heel 410. The front sole 408 is separated from the heel 410 by a separation 426. Separations 416, 418, 420, 422, 424, and 428 separate the front sole 408 and the heel 410 from the exterior rim 402 of the temporary sole 400. The temporary sole 400 shown in FIG. 4 has two eyelets: a front eyelet 404 and a back eyelet 406. The front eyelet 404 and the back eyelet 406 fit over the front and back of the shoes on which the temporary sole 400 is attached, respectively, and holds the temporary sole 400 in place. In an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior rim 402 may also serve to grab the sides of the shoe and help keep the temporary sole 400 in place during use. Furthermore, the temporary sole 400 found in FIG. 4 includes a strap 412 to also help hold the temporary sole 400 in place during use. When the temporary sole 400 is being used, the strap 412 extends over the top of the shoe and is secured into place on the other side of the temporary sole 400 by connecting with the vent 414. In an embodiment of the present invention, the strap 412 contains Velcro and fits through the vent 414 and then folds back on itself, the Velcro keeping the strap 412 secured and, with it, the temporary sole 400 to the shoe. The present invention is not so limited, however. The strap may snap into the vent or the vent may be substituted with a Velcro or some other connecting device. Furthermore, the strap-and-vent system may be replaced by laces or some other approach that further fastens the temporary sole to the shoe.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a removable cleat 500 in isolation in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The removable cleat 500 uses a new mechanism for attaching to the temporary sole. The removable cleat 500 attaches to the temporary sole without use of adhesives, screws, bolts, clips, or any other material. In an embodiment of the present invention, the manner of attachment involves the same principals of physics as a button. The mechanism of attachment is referred to as "double button". The term Double-Button is appropriate because the cleat head 502 and the cleat base 506 of the cleat body 500 are pushed through holes smaller than their surface area to form a binding configuration; much like a button holds together two sides of a dress shirt. The temporary sole, discussed more below, has a bore on both sides with a recessed circular rim to accept the cleat head 502 and cleat base 506 of the cleat 500. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cleat 500 has an hour glass shape when viewed from the side. The cleat head 502 and the cleat base 506 are connected by a shank referred to as the cleat neck 504. The cleat neck 504 is narrower than the cleat base 506 and cleat head 502 of the cleat 500. The cleat head 502 and cleat base 506 may be different sizes or may be the same size. The cleat head 502 and cleat base 506 may be circular in design or they may be square or triangular. They may be any geometrical shape and size. Attached to the cleat base 506 are teeth 512, 514, 508, 510, 518, and 516. In an embodiment of the present invention, the height of the cleat teeth is between 1/8'' to 3/8'' but the invention is not so limited. In the present invention, four cleat teeth are shown. In alternative embodiments, there may be any number of cleat teeth. The cleat teeth may be any shape and size and their shape and size depend on the function or purpose of the cleat 500.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a removable cleat 600 installed in the temporary sole 608 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The removable cleat 600 is attached to temporary sole 608 by pushing the cleat base 606 and cleat neck 604 through a hole in temporary sole 608. In an embodiment of the present invention, there will be as many holes in temporary sole 608 as removable cleats. The temporary cleat 600 has cleat teeth 610, 612, 614, and 616 attached to the cleat base 606. In FIG. 6, four teeth cleats are shown. In alternative embodiments, there may be any number of cleat teeth. The cleat teeth may be any shape and size and their shape and size depend on the function or purpose of the cleat 600. In an embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sole 608 has multiple holes which are of similar diameter to the cleat neck 604.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cleat base 606 and cleat head 602 sit inside a bore and recessed area in a temporary sole 608, each hole being surrounded by a bore and recessed area. The holes may be between 1/8'' and 1/2'' wide with the cleat neck 604 will be the same size in diameter as the width of the holes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cleat base 606 is attached to temporary sole 608 and the cleat head 602 is flush with the top temporary sole 608 and the cleat base 606 will be flush to the bottom of the temporary sole 608. In an embodiment, cleat neck 604 may be 1/16'' to 1/4'' in length. This attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 6 allows for each cleat 600 to be replaced with ease. Because the double-button mechanism allows for attachment without adhesion or another material or device, separation of each cleat 600 from the temporary sole 608 is simple. Cleats may be replaced when a new type of cleat is desired or needed due to wear and tear.

[0042] While several embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by any disclosed embodiment. Instead, the scope of the invention should be determined from the appended claims that follow.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a temporary sole with an eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and an eyelet in the back of the temporary sole; wherein said temporary sole is attachable to a shoe by fitting the front of the shoe through the eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and by the fitting the back of the shoe through the eyelet in the back of the temporary sole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temporary sole also includes a strap that further secures the temporary sole to the shoe.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temporary sole is elastic.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temporary sole has cleats attached to the bottom of the sole.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cleats are golf cleats.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the size of the temporary sole is the same size as the shoe.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temporary sole is made of rubber.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temporary sole includes a front portion and a heel portion and are connected to the front eyelet and the back eyelet respectively.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temporary sole is flexible enough to accommodate shoes of various sizes.

10. A method for attaching a flexible temporary sole with an eyelet in the front of the sole and an eyelet in the back of the sole to the existing sole of a shoe comprising: fitting the front of the shoe through the eyelet in the front of the flexible temporary sole; and fitting the back of the shoe through the eyelet in the back of the flexible temporary sole.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising attaching a strap from one side of the flexible temporary sole over the top of the shoe and to the other side of the temporary sole.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the temporary sole is elastic.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the temporary sole has cleats attached to the bottom of the sole.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cleats are golf cleats.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the size of the temporary sole is the same size as the shoe.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the temporary sole is made of rubber.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the temporary sole includes a front portion and a heel portion and are connected to the front eyelet and the back eyelet respectively.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the temporary sole is flexible enough to accommodate shoes of various sizes.

19. A temporary and removable set of cleats attachable to a shoe comprising: a temporary sole with an eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and an eyelet in the back of the temporary sole; wherein said temporary sole is attachable to the shoe by fitting the front of the shoe through the eyelet in the front of the temporary sole and by the fitting the back of the shoe through the eyelet in the back of the temporary sole.

20. The set of cleats of claim 19, wherein the temporary sole also includes a strap that further secures the temporary sole to the shoe.