U.S. patent application number 13/178721 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-19 for device attachable to item of clothing for dispensing material for enhancing gripping properties of shoe sole.
Invention is credited to Timothy Edward Banach, Mark French, Lucas James Tucker.
Application Number | 20120011749 13/178721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45465777 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120011749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
French; Mark ; et
al. |
January 19, 2012 |
DEVICE ATTACHABLE TO ITEM OF CLOTHING FOR DISPENSING MATERIAL FOR
ENHANCING GRIPPING PROPERTIES OF SHOE SOLE
Abstract
A wiping device may be a friable layer or an absorbent pad made
of a material that can absorb and retain a fluid composition and
can be attached or is attached to an item of clothing, such as a
sock, shoe, compression sleeve, etc. The device is impregnated with
an adhesive-type tacky substance that is released when a shoe sole
is wiped against it to clean the shoe sole and allow surface dust
and debris to be removed from the shoe sole. The deposited
substance also forms a film or coating that remains adhered to the
surface of the shoe sole to improve traction by imparting tackiness
to the shoe sole.
Inventors: |
French; Mark; (Larchmont,
NY) ; Tucker; Lucas James; (Waterford, NY) ;
Banach; Timothy Edward; (Scotia, NY) |
Family ID: |
45465777 |
Appl. No.: |
13/178721 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61363713 |
Jul 13, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/59R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/22 20130101;
A43C 15/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/59.R |
International
Class: |
A43C 15/02 20060101
A43C015/02 |
Claims
1. A device for enhancing the gripping properties of shoe sole
comprising: a patch having front and rear surfaces; attachment
means for attaching said patch to a surface if an item of clothing
such that said rear surface of said patch abuts against said
surface of said item of clothing and exposes said front surface of
said patch, said front surface of said patch being arranged to
allow wiping or rubbing same against the bottom surface of a shoe
sole and application of a thin film or coating of a material that
enhances the tackiness between the shoe sole and a hard playing
surface.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said patch is in the
form of an absorbent pad.
3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment means
comprises stitching.
4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment means
comprises adhesive.
5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said adhesive is a
central adhesive layer within the periphery of said patch.
6. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said adhesive is a strip
of adhesive extending about said periphery of said patch.
7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said patch comprises a
layer of friable material.
8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said patch is formed of
a semi-solid material to enhance friability.
9. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a release
liner removably attached to said front surface of said patch to
protect said front surface prior to use.
10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said patch includes a
layer for containing a material that is fluid and can be
selectively released through said front surface.
11. A device as defined in claim 10, further comprising control
means for controlling the degree to which said material can be
dispensed through said front surface when an object such as a shoe
sole is brushed or wiped against said front surface.
12. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein said control means
comprises a semi-permeable membrane.
13. A device as defined in claim 12, further comprising a removable
pull out strip of non-permeable material between said front surface
and said semi-permeable membrane to prevent disposal of said fluid
material through said semi-permeable membrane prior to use.
14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said strip includes at
least one tab that extends beyond the periphery of said patch that
can be gripped and pulled out to allow said fluid material to be
dispensed through said semi-permeable membrane.
15. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said patch layer
comprises an absorbent layer.
16. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said patch layer
comprises a compartment for receiving and retaining said fluid
material.
17. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said coating material
dispensed by said patch comprises: a film former; an adhesive; a
tackifier; and a solvent for separating said film former, adhesive
and tackifier prior to application to the shoe sole surface and
causing same to bond into a tacky film after application and
evaporation of said solvent.
18. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein said coating material
further comprises nano-sized particles comprising organic emulsion
polymerized cross-linked polymer.
19. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein said adhesive is a
pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).
20. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein said film former
comprises a melting rosin having a melting point selected to be
within a temperature range of 65-125.degree. F.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to Provisional Patent
application Ser. No. 61/363,713 filed on Jul. 13, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention generally relates to sport shoe accessories or
devices and, more specifically, to a device attachable to item of
clothing for dispensing material for enhancing gripping properties
of shoe sole.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Many sports are played on smooth, hard surfaces, such as
basketball, handball, squash, racquetball and volleyball. The
floors on which these sports are played are typically imparted a
high gloss finish such as polyurethane, that renders the floors
extremely smooth and tends to reduce the traction between the shoe
soles of the players and the floor. Additionally, although such
floors are cleaned in efforts to make the floors dust free, dust
and other debris nevertheless accumulates on such floors and these
contaminants tend to adhere to the bottom of shoe soles which are
typically made of rubber products. These contaminants tend to coat
the soles filling all of the pores and decreasing the coefficient
or friction between the shoes soles and the surfaces of court,
reducing the ability of players, such as basketball players, to
safely make quick stops, turns or change directions. To increase
traction, players frequently wipe their shoes on the damp towel to
loosen the dirt and to try to physically dislodge these
contaminants in order to restore some of the tackiness of the
rubber soles. It is also common, when players cannot leave the
court during play and wipe their shoes on the damp towel, they use
their saliva to moisten the surfaces of their shoe soles.
Perspiration has also been used to wipe the bottoms of the soles
with the player's hands to clean the soles of their shoes and
thereby improve traction.
[0006] Devices have been used by athletes to wipe the soles of
their shoes, typically in the form of fabric pads attached to the
upper portions of their socks. Although such devices can absorb and
retain moisture needed for cleaning shoe soles, they are primarily
used to absorb sweat rather than provide damp wiping surface for
court shoes. Any attempts to add moisture to these structures to
create a shoe wiping surface would cause the moisture to soak into
the socks causing the socks to become uncomfortably damp.
[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,426 a shoe sole cleaning device is
disclosed that includes a pad assembly having an inner cushion pad
enclosed in the fabric out cover that can be attached around the
footwear laces or other item worn by a user, such as a wrist band,
to enable brisk rubbing of the footwear soles or other surfaces
across the pad assembly of the device to remove foreign matter from
such surfaces. The device does not depend on moisture and simply
relies on the abrasive properties of the outer surface of the pad
assembly.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,106 discloses a shoe sole wiping pad
that is attachable to an athletic shoe, as a removable shoe string
cover, provided with an upwardly facing wiping surface of suede or
other suitable material. The patent suggests that the wiping
surface to be made of an absorbent material although it does not
indicate what type of material is intended to be absorbed, possibly
moisture from the shoe sole that needs to be removed to render the
sole less slippery.
[0009] It is also known to use sweat-band-type garments that are
worn around a wearer's lower leg or ankle to absorb excess moisture
before it can soak into athlete's sock and create a moist, warm
environment inside the athlete's shoes. For example, an article of
wearing apparel has been proposed to be used as a
moisture-absorbing pad provided with moisture absorbent outer
sleeve and a moisture barrier provided in the form of a
non-moisture absorbent inner sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves
are worn directly against the skin of the lower leg or ankle. The
inner sleeve does not isolate the outer sleeve from the wearer's
leg. Instead, the outer sleeve extends upwardly beyond the upper
edge of the inner sleeve so that it makes contact with the wearer's
skin and intercepts and absorbs sweat as it comes down from the
wearer's leg.
[0010] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,564 an apparatus is disclosed for
cleaning a shoe sole and a method for making such apparatus. The
patent discloses a shoe sole wiping pad that is sewn into the outer
surface of athlete's sock's upper tube portion. The wiping pad is
described as absorbing and retaining moisture presumably in the
form of water. It has a moisture-wiping surface that is intended to
remove dust and debris from the sole of an athletic shoe when the
wearer wipes the sole across the pad. A moisture barrier isolates
the wiping pad from the upper tube portion of the sock to prevent
moisture from soaking into the sock from the wiping pad. To use the
device in accordance to the disclosure in the patent the moisture
retaining wiping pad is first attached to the upper tube portion of
the sock. The player can then contact the sole of the shoe on one
foot against the moisture retaining wiping pad on the other foot to
remove the dirt and debris and improve traction between the shoe
and hard playing surface. The patent also suggests removal of
residual moisture from the sole of the athletic shoe, after
cleaning, by wiping the sole across the dry portion of the sock,
requiring a two-step procedure to avoid slipping as a result of
moisture that remains on a shoe sole after brushing against the
moist wiping pad. However, unless the second step of the procedure
is implemented, the initial step of applying moisture to the shoe
sole may actually make the soles more slippery rather than enhance
the traction on a smooth hard floor surface.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,801 discloses a shoe sole cleaner for
removing debris from the sole of the shoe that includes a base
member and a closure strap extending from the base member. The
construction allows the device to be secured to the shoe by means
of the shoe laces to provide an exposed surface on the base member
that bears a shoe sole cleaning surface. Alternatively, the shoe
sole cleaner is integral to the shoe and conforms to the profile of
the shoe. The patent indicates that the outer covering sheet is
water absorbent and evidently contemplates that water be injected
into the device for moistening it to essentially wash off or wipe
the residue on a shoe sole by having the water soften and loosen
the debris.
[0012] None of the above prior art teaches or suggests the use of a
device that can be attached to a shoe or other item of apparel that
can not only mechanically wipe off debris by applying moisture but
also impart to the shoe sole a layer or coating of a substance that
provides the shoe sole surface with a requisite or desired
tackiness to provide better grip on a smooth hard surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a device attachable to an item of clothing for cleaning of
the soles of shoes that does not have the disadvantages inherent in
prior art devices of this type.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a device in the form of a pad that is impregnated with a
releasable agent that both softens the bottom surfaces of shoe
soles when wiped against the pad and also applies a tacky layer to
the surface of the shoe sole.
[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a pad as in the previous object that is impregnated with
adhesive and can be conveniently attached, for example, to the
upper tubes of socks of a player, to shoe laces and/or compression
sleeves and can release a cleaning and tacky substance when wiped
against the soles of shoes.
[0016] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an adhesive impregnated pad that enhances the gripping
properties of shoe soles that are wiped against the pads without
the need of any further steps to remove or eliminate a residual
liquid layer or coating from the shoe soles.
[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an adhesive impregnated pad of the type under the discussion that
is inexpensive to manufacture and is efficient and effective for
cleaning bottoms of shoe soles and enhancing their gripping
properties.
[0018] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide an adhesive impregnated pad that is easy and convenient to
use.
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an adhesive impregnated pad that can prolong the tackiness and
gripping properties of shoe soles without the need of the player to
leave the court and can be used during play.
[0020] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide an adhesive impregnated pad as in the previous objects that
can be applied to any garment worn during play, including socks,
the uppers of the shoes, compression sleeves, sweat bands or the
like.
[0021] It is still an additional object of the present invention to
provide an adhesive impregnated pad that uses a mechanical as well
as a chemical approach to increasing tackiness while enhancing the
gripping properties of shoe soles instead of merely using a
moisturizer, such as water, to physically moisten and wipe off
dirt, dust or debris.
[0022] It is a further additional object of the invention to
provide a pad that includes a reservoir for receiving a composition
that, when applied to a shoe sole, creates a film coating that
prolongs the tackiness of a shoe sole on a smooth hard surface by
controlled activation of a composition by means of
pressure-sensitive nano-particles or controlled release of the
composition through a semi-permeable membrane.
[0023] It is yet an additional object to provide a device that
includes a detachable semi-solid layer that can be attached to an
item worn by an athlete and that provides an outer surface that can
transfer a film to a shoe sole that enhances the tackiness of the
sole when it contacts a hard playing surface.
[0024] In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others
that will become apparent herein, and after, device in accordance
with the present invention may be made of a material that can
absorb and retain a grip enhancing composition and can be attached
or is attached to an item of clothing, such as a sock, shoe,
sleeve, etc. The pad is impregnated with an adhesive-type tacky
substance that is released when a shoe sole is wiped against the
pad so that the impregnated substance is transferred to the shoe
sole to apply a coating or thin film layer of the grip enhancing
composition to the shoe sole while allowing surface dust and debris
to be removed from the shoe sole. The substance, however, remains
adhered to the surface of the shoe sole to improve traction by
imparting tackiness to the shoe sole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the improvements
and advantages that derive from the present invention upon reading
the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, in
which:
[0026] The FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a player wearing socks
with a plurality of grip enhancing pads in accordance with the
invention provided on each of the player's socks;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a
grip enhancing device in the form of a friable semi-solid layer of
material for transferring a film or coating to a shoe sole for
enhancing its tackiness on a smooth hard surface; and
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a
grip enhancing device in the form of a pad that includes a
reservoir of tackiness enhancing composition, which may be sponge
or other absorbent material and a semi-permeable membrane for
controlled release of the composition when brushed or swiped
against a shoe sole.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, a sock 10 is provided
with a plurality of grip enhancing devices in the form of absorbent
pads 12a-12c on the upper tube of each of the socks worn by the
player. The socks may be made of any suitable material, such as
wool or a synthetic fiber. One or more of the pads may be attached
to other items worn by the player including, nut not limited to a
sock, shoe, sweat bands and tight spandex compression sleeves
commonly used to help keep muscles warm and prevent injuries. The
pads 12a-12c are secured to the outside of the sock upper sleeves
and positioned so that athlete can raise his/her foot to make
contact between the sneaker sole and the pad or pads 12a-12c in
order to effectively wipe the shoe sole against the impregnated
pads. The sizes and/or shapes of the pads 12a-12c and the specific
method of applying or attaching the pads to the sock 10 is not
critical and any suitable approach may be used, including the one
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,564. Other examples of known
methods for applying accessory layers to items of clothing are
disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,810,534; 6,401,256;
6,385,778; 6,128,801; 6,115,838; 5,950,269; 5,784,721; 5,771,495;
5,603,332; 5,555,564; 5,421,106; 5,421,034; 5,307,522; 4,675,915;
1,225,354 and British Patent No. 508,478.
[0030] An important feature of the present invention is that the
pads 12a-12c in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,
for example, are impregnated with a material that has the ability
to clean and physically remove surface contaminants, such as dust
and debris from the bottom of shoe soles but also to impart a
tackiness by leaving a thin layer or coating of a material
substance on the bottom of a shoe sole after wiping. The tackiness
enhances the gripping properties of the shoe sole. Any composition
can be used for this purpose. For example, a suitable composition
is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/162,026, which is incorporated into this application as if fully
set forth herein. Thus, a coating material dispensed by a patch in
accordance with the present invention may comprise a film former;
an adhesive; a tackifier; and a solvent for separating the film
former, adhesive and tackifier prior to application to the shoe
sole surface and causing same to bond into a tacky film after
application and evaporation of the solvent. The coating material
may further include nano-sized particles comprising organic
emulsion polymerized cross-linked polymer. The. adhesive is
preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) and a film former
preferably comprises a melting rosin having a melting point
selected to be within a temperature range of 65-125.degree. F.
[0031] Examples of other substances suitable for impregnating the
pads 12a-12c are set forth in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,322,876,; 5,571,617; 5,709,340; 5,508,313; 5,495,801; 5,502,108;
4,994,322; 4,080,348; 3,519,585 and 3,400,421. Other materials that
may be used include the following products made available from
Slipp-Nott Corp. located in Los Angeles, Calif.: S-N Grip.TM. and
H2Off.TM..
[0032] The use of the chemical substance that enhances tackiness
not only physically dislodges and removes dirt off the bottom of
the shoe but leaves a residual layer or coating of the substance
that continues to exhibit enhanced tackiness and griping properties
on the shoe soles with continued play. The pads in accordance with
the invention can be attached to a sweat band that wraps around the
shin, is attached and secured to the garment such as a sock by any
suitable means, such as VELCRO.RTM. fasteners. Preferably, the pads
are refillable or replaceable, so once the pad dries up or becomes
depleted, it can be replaced or the liquid or semi-liquid substance
can be injected or applied to the pad so to re-impregnate the pad
and restore to its original youthfulness.
[0033] While the pad in accordance with the present invention has
been described as being applied or attached to the upper tubes of
socks, it will be evident that the pads can also be made
conveniently available to players or users in numerous other ways
including, but not limited to, by attaching the pads to laces,
compression sleeves and even to the uppers of both shoes so that
the pad on one shoe can be used for wiping the other shoe.
[0034] As suggested above, the presently preferred embodiment has
been described in relation to as an absorbent pad that can
releasably retain a composition that, when rubbed or applied to the
bottom of the shoe sole can leave a deposit film or coating that
can enhance tackiness on a smooth hard surface. However, the
present invention also contemplates the use of other delivery
systems, with different degrees of advantage. Importantly, however,
with each delivery system the net effect should be that the user
can swipe the sole of a shoe that he or she is wearing against the
pad to remove at least part of the debris or contaminants from the
bottom of the shoe sole and additionally to leave a thin film or
coating that can be effective for providing enhanced and prolonged
grip or tackiness with continued play.
[0035] In one embodiment an absorbent patch or pad applied to an
item of clothing has an adhesive around its perimeter or outside
edges to allow it to be attached to an item of clothing. An
absorbent material in the center is impregnated with the desired
composition, of the type, for example, disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/162,026, or similar material. These
materials are dissolved in a low volatility solvent so that the
composition can be dispensed over extended period of time without
drying up. The absorbent material may be covered with a
semi-permeable membrane that prevents the material in the patch
from being dispensed when not in use but allows the composition to
be dispensed when swiped or rubbed against the shoe sole.
Application of alcohol that can also swell the rubber in the shoe
to increase tackiness. Application of alcohol to a tacky/adhesive
mixture, in addition to its own properties, could also provide
desired enhanced gripping properties and, in some cases, activate
the composition when first used.
[0036] As understood in the art and for purposes of this
application and the disclosure therein, the term "moisture" is
defined as involving or containing water in solution. Thus, a pad
activated with acetone, alcohol or a solvent would not have
"moisture". Such liquid materials would not need a "moisture"
barrier to protect the wearer. The use of alcohol and other
solvents, however, when applied to a rubber sole will, as
indicated, swell the rubber and this would, additionally, provide
enhanced grip.
[0037] A feature of the invention is that the material absorbed in
the pad does not contain water, which would normally moisten the
dirt and debris and remove some of that by mechanically cleaning
the bottom of the shoe. However, the present invention contemplates
application of a coating or film that creates or enhances grip
beyond simply cleaning off the bottom surface of the shoe sole,
without the need to be moistened. Materials suitable for this
purpose are compositions that stick better to the shoe sole rather
than to itself, thus materials that are adhesive rather then
cohesive.
[0038] While absorbent pads 12a-12c are shown in a presently
preferred embodiment, it will be clear to those skilled in the art
that other delivery systems may be used, with different degrees of
advantage, as to be described below.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 2, a device in a form of a patch 14 in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in cross-section. Here, the garment 16 is depicted as
providing a surface to which the patch 14 may be attached. Any
suitable and conventional method of attachment can be used, such as
stitching or adhesive. An adhesive layer is shown that may be used
to attach the patch 14 to a garment 16, such as a central adhesive
layer 18, or in the alternative, a peripheral adhesive layer 20 may
be used that extends about the periphery of the patch 14. A solid
or semi-solid layer 22 is supported by the adhesive layer(s). The
adhesive layers are initially protected by removable release liner
24 that can be removed by pulling it from the layer 22 prior to
play, as suggested by arrow 26. Once the liner 24 is removed, with
this embodiment, each time when the patch 14 is used to rub against
the bottom of the shoe sole some of the friable solid or semi-solid
layer 22 is depleted and the pad 14 can be used until the layer 22
is completely depleted, at which time it needs to be replaced.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, a further embodiment of the device in
accordance with the invention is shown and designated by the
reference numeral 28. The device 28 is, again, intended to be
secured to the surface of a garment 16 by means of a central
adhesive layer 30 or a peripheral adhesive layer 32. Secured to the
adhesive layer 32 is tackiness-enhancing composition containing
layer or compartment 34 that is filled with suitable tackiness
enhancing material of the type under discussion and disclosed, for
example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/162,026. The end
remote from the adhesive layers 30, 32 may be open or generally
perforated to allow the material to flow in a direction generally
away from the adhesive layer. In accordance with the embodiment
shown, a semi-permeable membrane 38 controls or limits excessive
flow of the material 36, and a removable release liner 24 may be
used with the device shown in FIG. 2. If desired, an optional pull
out tab or strip 40 may be provided that can be easily removed by
pulling at one end or the other as suggested by arrows 42a or 42b.
The device shown in FIG. 3, therefore, bears some similarities to
trans-dermal patches that permit controlled and limited dispensing
of a liquid material. After the removable release liner 24 is
peeled off as suggested by the arrow 26, the semi-permeable
membrane 38 can dispense fluid when rubbed against the bottom
surface of the shoe sole. If the removable release liner 24 is
initially used with the device 28, the pull out tab or strip 40 may
not be necessary as both of these perform substantially the same or
similar function, namely preventing inadvertent and/or excessive
flow of the fluid onto the shoe sole surface against which the
device 28 is swiped or rubbed.
[0041] In all of the embodiments in accordance with the present
invention, the objective is the same, namely to provide at least
some physical removal of debris or contaminants by means of a
mechanical or rubbing operation followed by the deposition of a
layer, film or coating of a composition suitable for enhanced
tackiness and, therefore, the gripping properties of the shoe sole.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *