U.S. patent application number 13/594982 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for resistance training footwear.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thomas Casto. Invention is credited to Thomas Casto.
Application Number | 20130067767 13/594982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47879262 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130067767 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Casto; Thomas |
March 21, 2013 |
Resistance Training Footwear
Abstract
A resistance training footwear comprises a tension bearing
connector to removably couple with an elastic resistance band. The
resistance training footwear may be a resistance training shoe
having a tension bearing connector fixed to an outsole of the shoe,
a resistance training shoe having a tension bearing connector fixed
to an upper of the shoe, a resistance training sandal having a
tension bearing connector fixed to an outsole of the sandal, or a
resistance training sandal having a tension bearing connector fixed
to straps of the sandal, for example.
Inventors: |
Casto; Thomas; (Mead,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Casto; Thomas |
Mead |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47879262 |
Appl. No.: |
13/594982 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61535533 |
Sep 16, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/85 ; 36/103;
36/132; 36/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20130101;
A43B 7/00 20130101; A43B 3/00 20130101; A43B 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/85 ; 36/103;
36/132; 36/84 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00; A43B 1/02 20060101 A43B001/02; A43B 1/08 20060101
A43B001/08; A43B 13/14 20060101 A43B013/14; A43B 1/10 20060101
A43B001/10 |
Claims
1. A resistance training shoe for removably coupling with an
elastic resistance band, the resistance training shoe comprising:
an outsole; and a tension bearing connector fixed to the
outsole.
2. The resistance training shoe of claim 1, wherein the outsole
comprises an outside wall arranged around a perimeter of the
outsole, and wherein the tension bearing connector is fixed to the
outside wall.
3. The resistance training shoe of claim 2, wherein the outsole is
formed of a polymer and the tension bearing connector comprises
loop members protruding from the outside wall.
4. The resistance training shoe of claim 3, wherein the outsole is
formed of the polymer and the loop members are formed of a
textile.
5. The resistance training shoe of claim 3, wherein the outsole and
the loop members are formed of a single unit of polymer.
6. The resistance training shoe of claim 3, wherein the outsole is
formed of the polymer and the loop members are formed of another
polymer different from the polymer.
7. The resistance training shoe of claim 3, wherein the outsole is
formed of the polymer and the loop members are formed of a leather,
a canvas, a nylon, or a metal.
8. A resistance training shoe for removably coupling with an
elastic resistance band, the resistance training shoe comprising:
an upper fixed above an outsole; and a tension bearing connector
fixed to the upper.
9. The resistance training shoe of claim 8, wherein the upper is
formed of a supple material and the outsole is formed of a polymer
and the tension bearing connector comprises loop members protruding
from the upper.
10. The resistance training shoe of claim 9, wherein the loop
members are formed of the supple material.
11. The resistance training shoe of claim 10, wherein the supple
material comprises a textile or a polymer.
12. The resistance training shoe of claim 9, wherein the loop
members are formed of a inflexible material.
13. The resistance training shoe of claim 12, wherein the
inflexible material comprises a plastic, a composite, or a
metal.
14. A resistance training sandal for removably coupling with an
elastic resistance band, the resistance training sandal comprising:
straps fixed above an outsole; and a tension bearing connector
fixed to the outsole.
15. The resistance training sandal of claim 14, wherein the outsole
comprises an outside wall arranged around a perimeter of the
outsole, and wherein the tension bearing connector is fixed to the
outside wall.
16. The resistance training sandal of claim 15, wherein the outsole
is formed of a polymer and the tension bearing connector comprises
loop members protruding from the outside wall.
17. The resistance training sandal of claim 16, wherein the outsole
is formed of the polymer and the loop members are formed of a
textile.
18. The resistance training sandal of claim 16, wherein the outsole
and the loop members are formed of a single unit of the
polymer.
19. The resistance training sandal of claim 16, wherein the outsole
is formed of the polymer and the loop members are formed of another
polymer different from the polymer.
20. The resistance training sandal of claim 16, wherein the outsole
is formed of the polymer and the loop members are formed of a
leather, a plastic, or a metal.
21. A resistance training sandal for removably coupling with an
elastic resistance band, the resistance training sandal comprising:
straps fixed above an outsole; and a tension bearing connector
fixed to the straps.
22. The resistance training sandal of claim 21, wherein the straps
are formed of a supple material and the outsole is formed of a
polymer and the tension bearing connector comprises loop members
protruding from each of the straps.
23. The resistance training sandal of claim 22, wherein the loop
members are formed of the supple material.
24. The resistance training sandal of claim 23, wherein the loop
members and the straps are formed as a single unit of the supple
material.
25. The resistance training sandal of claim 23, wherein the supple
material comprises a textile or a polymer.
26. The resistance training sandal of claim 22, wherein the loop
members are formed of an inflexible material.
27. The resistance training sandal of claim 26, wherein the
inflexible material comprises a plastic, a composite, or a
metal.
28. A resistance training footwear for removably coupling with an
elastic resistance band, the resistance training footwear
comprising: a lateral portion adjacent to a medial portion; and a
tension bearing connector fixed to the lateral and medial
portions.
29. The resistance training footwear of claim 28, further
comprising a toe portion opposite a heel portion, and wherein the
tension bearing connector is further fixed to the toe and heel
portions.
30. The resistance training footwear of claim 29, further
comprising an outsole having an outside wall, and wherein the
tension bearing connector is fixed to the lateral and medial
portions of the outside wall of the outsole and fixed to the toe
and heel portions of the outside wall of the outsole.
31. The resistance training footwear of claim 29, further
comprising an upper fixed above an outsole, and wherein the tension
bearing connector is fixed to the lateral and medial portions of
the upper and fixed to the toe and heel portions of the upper.
32. The resistance training footwear of claim 28 wherein, the
tension bearing connector comprises a plurality of loops formed of
a textile.
33. The resistance training footwear of claim 28 wherein, the
tension bearing connector comprises a plurality of rings formed of
a plastic, a rubber, or a metal.
34. A resistance training footwear for removably coupling with an
elastic resistance band, the resistance training footwear
comprising: a tension bearing connector fixed to a portion of the
resistance training footwear, the tension bearing connector to
removably couple with the elastic resistance band.
35. The resistance training footwear of claim 34, further
comprising an outsole having an outside wall, and wherein the
tension bearing connector is fixedly arranged around the outside
wall of the outsole.
36. The resistance training footwear of claim 34, further
comprising an upper fixed above an outsole, and wherein the tension
bearing connector is fixed to the upper.
37. The resistance training footwear of claim 34 wherein, the
tension bearing connector comprises a plurality of loops formed of
a textile.
38. The resistance training footwear of claim 34 wherein, the
tension bearing connector comprises a plurality of rings formed of
a plastic, a rubber, or a metal.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/535,533 filed on Sep. 16, 2011, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exercise equipment exists that use resistance systems to
strength train a musculoskeletal system of a user. Resistance
systems exist that use elastic bands and a variety of accessories.
The accessories endeavor to provide a user with ergonomic strength
training motions. For example, resistance systems exist that
include handles and/or ankle straps which are attached to an
elastic band. The handle provides for a more ergonomic strength
training motion than gripping an end of an elastic band. The ankle
strap provides for a more ergonomic strength training motion than
tying an elastic band to an ankle. While these accessories may
provide for more ergonomic strength training motions, they are
still very coarse and do not provide precise ergonomic strength
training motions. For example, an ankle of a user attached to an
ankle strap attached to an elastic band may simply provide a coarse
motion usable to generally strength train the muscles of the thigh
but may fail to provide a more precise motion usable to
specifically strength train a particular muscle of the muscles of
the thigh. For example, the ankle strap may fail to provide a user
with a precise motion usable to specifically target one of the four
quadriceps muscles.
[0003] Accordingly there remains a need in the art for improved
exercise equipment using resistance systems that provide a more
precise motion usable to specifically strength train a particular
muscle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates an example resistance training system
comprising resistance training footwear removably coupled with
elastic resistance bands.
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of a resistance
training shoe comprising a tension bearing connector fixed to an
outsole of the resistance training shoe.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of the
resistance training shoe of FIG. 1 having the tension bearing
connector fixed to the upper.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation of a resistance
training sandal comprising the tension bearing connector fixed to
the outsole of the resistance training sandal.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an example implementation of the
resistance training sandal of FIG. 4 having the tension bearing
connector fixed to the straps of the resistance training
sandal.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an outsole assembly
comprising an outsole and a tension bearing connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0011] This disclosure is directed to resistance training footwear
comprising a tension bearing connector fixed to a portion of the
resistance training footwear. The resistance training footwear to
removably coupled with an elastic resistance band. For example, the
tension bearing connector may provide for a user to selectively and
removably connect an elastic resistance band to the tension bearing
connector. A user may selectively and removably connect an elastic
resistance band to the tension bearing connector based at least in
part on the user's desire to specifically strength train a
particular muscle and/or muscle group.
[0012] In one embodiment, the resistance training footwear may
comprise a resistance training shoe. The resistance training shoe
may comprise an outsole and the tension bearing connector may be
fixed to the outsole. The tension bearing connector may comprise
loop members protruding from an outside wall of the outsole. The
protruding loop members may be fixed to a lateral portion and a
medial portion of the outsole. Further, the protruding loop members
may be fixed to a toe portion and a heel portion of the outsole. A
user may selectively and removably connect an elastic resistance
band to at least one protruding loop member based at least in part
on the user's desire to specifically strength train a particular
muscle and/or muscle group.
[0013] In another embodiment, the resistance training shoe may
comprise an upper fixed above an outsole and the tension bearing
connector may be fixed to the upper. The tension bearing connector
may comprise loop members. The loop members may be fixed to a
lateral portion and a medial portion of the upper. Further, the
loop members may be fixed to a toe portion and a heel portion of
the upper.
[0014] In another embodiment, the resistance training footwear may
comprise a resistance training sandal. The resistance training
sandal may comprise an outsole and the tension bearing connector
may be fixed to the outsole. In yet another embodiment, the
resistance training sandal may comprise straps fixed to an outsole
and the tension bearing connectors may be fixed to the straps.
[0015] While shown in four locations (i.e., medial, lateral, toe,
and heel), the tension bearing connectors may additionally or
alternatively be located at other locations on a shoe, sandal, or
other footwear. For example, the tension bearing connectors may be
located on the right toe, left toe, right heel, left heel, bridge
of foot, tongue of footwear, etc. While the foregoing embodiments
of resistance bearing connectors have been described, these are
merely examples of resistance bearing connectors that can be used
and other resistance bearing connectors may also be used. For
example the resistance bearing connectors may comprise a plurality
of rings, loops, eye bolts, o-rings, quick release snaps, quick
release snap hooks, buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.
[0016] Because the resistance training footwear provide for
selectively and removably connecting with resistance bands of
resistance systems, the resistance training footwear provide
precise ergonomic strength training motions usable to specifically
strength train a particular muscle. For example, a user may simply
select a tension bearing connector fixed to a toe portion, a heel
portion, a lateral portion, or a medial portion of the resistance
training footwear and removably couple with the selected tension
bearing connector to strength train a specific muscle and/or muscle
group. As such, a user may properly perform more ergonomic strength
training resistance exercises.
[0017] While the illustrated embodiments show tension bearing
connectors fixed to a portion of footwear, the tension bearing
connectors may be a cooperating unit removably couplable with
cooperating footwear. For example, the footwear may be a first
cooperating portion and the tension bearing connectors may be a
second cooperating portion, each portion having cooperating
fasteners (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener, a quick-disconnect
fastener, press-fit fastener, a snap-fit fastener, an interference
fit fastener, a twist lock fastener, or the like). A user may
simply put the footwear on the foot and step onto the cooperating
tension bearing connectors. The user may then subsequently start
resistance training. Further, the tension bearing connectors may be
a unit that provides for removably coupling with a commercial off
the shelf (COTS) shoe.
Example Resistance Training Footwear
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an example resistance training system 102
comprising resistance training footwear 104 removably coupled with
elastic resistance bands 106(A) and 106(B). The resistance bands
106(A) and 106(B) may be commercial off the shelf (COTS) resistance
bands which are available in a variety sizes and stiffness (e.g.,
tension weights). For example the resistance bands 106(A) and
106(B) may be a type 30 orange, a type 23 black, a type 19 red, a
type 13 green, a type 7 yellow, a type 5 blue, etc. The resistance
training system 102 may further comprise a resistance anchor system
108. The resistance anchor system 108 may comprise anchors 110(1),
110(2), 110(3), 110(4), 110(5), and 110(N) fixed to the resistance
anchor system 108. The anchors 110(1)-110(N) may be fixed to the
resistance anchor system 108 to provide for an array 112 of
locations based at least in part on ergonomic strength training
motions usable to specifically strength train a particular muscle
and/or a muscle group. For example, the anchors 110(1)-110(N) may
comprise an array 112 comprising first, second, and third pairs of
anchors 110(1) and 110(4), 110(2) and 110(5), and 110(3) and
110(N), respectively, fixed to the resistance anchor system 108.
The first, second, and third pairs of anchors 110(1) and 110(4),
110(2) and 110(5), and 110(3) and 110(N) may be fixed to a bottom
portion 114(A), a middle portion 114(B), and a top portion 114(C),
respectively of the resistance anchor system 108. For example, the
bottom first pair of anchors 110(1) and 110(4) may be located at
least about 6 inches (15 centimeters) from a bottom 116 of the
resistance anchor system 108. The second pair of anchors 110(2) and
110(5) may be fixed above the first pair of anchors by at least
about 12 inches (30 centimeters). The third pair of anchors 110(3)
and 110(N) may be fixed above the second pair of anchors by at
least about 12 inches (30 centimeters). Each of the first, second,
and third pairs of anchors 110(1) and 110(4), 110(2) and 110(5),
and 110(3) and 110(N), respectively, may be separated by a distance
118 of at least about 18 inches (46 centimeters). While the
illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 shows the array 112 comprising
pairs of anchors, this is merely an example of one potential array
of anchors 110(1)-110(N). For example, the anchors 110(1)-110(N)
may be arranged in an array having any number of groupings and/or
geometries suitable to provide a user with a variety of anchor
locations for ergonomic strength training motions. Further, while
FIG. 1 illustrates the resistance anchor system 108 as generally
comprising a wall, the resistance anchor system 108 may be a
resistance anchor floor, a resistance chair, a resistance frame, a
portion of a structure (e.g., a door of a house), or the like
suitable for a user to perform resistance exercises.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a user 120 having removably coupled the
resistance training footwear 104 with the resistance bands 106(A)
and 106(B) via a tension bearing connector 122. The tension bearing
connector 122 may be fixed to a portion of the resistance training
footwear 104.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of a resistance
training shoe 202 comprising tension bearing connectors 204(1),
204(2), 204(3), and 204(N) fixed to an outsole 206 of the
resistance training shoe 202. The tension bearing connectors
204(1), 204(2), 204(3), and 204(N) may be loops, hooks, rings, or
the like. The plurality of tension bearing connectors 204(1)-204(N)
collectively defining a tension bearing connector 204. The
resistance training shoe 202 may comprise an upper 208 for
receiving a foot of a user. The resistance training shoe 202 may
comprise a lateral portion 210 adjacent to a medial portion 212.
The lateral portion 210 being on the outside of the resistance
training shoe 202 and the medial portion 212 being on the inside of
the resistance training shoe 202. The resistance training shoe 202
may also comprise a toe portion 214 opposite a heel portion 216.
The toe portion 214 being on the front of the resistance training
shoe 202 and the heel portion 216 being on the back of the
resistance training shoe 202.
[0021] The outsole 206 may comprise an outside wall 218 arranged
around a perimeter 220 of the outsole 206. The tension bearing
connector 204 may be fixed to the outside wall 218. The outsole 206
may be the portion of the resistance training shoe 202 in direct
contact with the ground. The outsole 206 may be formed of a polymer
(e.g., a rubber, an ethylene-vinyl acetate, a nylon, etc.). While
four loop members 204(1)-204(N) are shown as protruding from the
outside wall 218 generally at the heel portion 216, the medial
portion 212, the toe portion 214, and the lateral portion 210,
respectively, any number of loop members 204(1)-204(N) may protrude
from any portion of the outside wall 218. For example, two, three,
four, etc., loop members 204(1)-204(N) may protrude from either or
both the lateral portion 210 and the medial portion 212.
[0022] The loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed of the same
material as the upper 208. For example, the loop members
204(1)-204(N) may be formed of a textile (e.g., synthetic
textiles), a polymer (e.g., a nylon, a Kevlar, a polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), etc.), a composite,
or the like. Further, the loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed
of the same material as the outsole 206. For example, the loop
members may be formed of a polymer (e.g., a rubber, an
ethylene-vinyl acetate, a nylon, etc.). Further, the outsole 206
and the loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed of a single unit
of polymer. For example, the outsole 206 and the loop members
204(1)-204(N) may be injection molded as a single unit. Further,
the outsole 206 may be formed of one polymer and the loop members
204(1)-204(N) may be formed of another polymer different from the
first polymer. For example, the outsole 206 may be injection
over-molded or co-molded together with the loop members
204(1)-204(N). Still further, the outsole 206 may be formed of a
polymer and the loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed of a
leather, natural fibers (e.g., canvas, burlap, etc.), or a
metal.
[0023] While FIG. 2 illustrates the upper 208 fixed above the
outsole 206, any number of different layers may be fixed above the
outsole 206. For example, a midsole, an insole, a welt, a lining, a
vamp, a tongue, or the like may be fixed above the outsole 206.
Further, the tension bearing connector 204 may be fixed to any
other portion of the resistance training shoe 202. For example, the
tension bearing connector 204 may be fixed to the welt and/or fixed
to any other additional layer of the resistance training shoe
202.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of the
resistance training shoe 202 of FIG. 2 having the tension bearing
connector 204 fixed to the upper 208. The upper 208 may comprise a
supple material for receiving a foot of a user and may be fixed
above the outsole 206. For example, the upper 208 may be formed of
a textile, a polymer, a composite (e.g., a textile and a polymer or
multiple polymers) or the like fixed above the outsole 206. The
loop members 204(1)-204(N) may protrude from the upper 208 and may
be formed of a supple material (e.g., textile or a polymer), or the
loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed of an inflexible material
(e.g., a plastic, a composite, or a metal). For example, the upper
208 and the loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed of the same
supple textile or polymer. Alternatively, the upper 208 may be
formed of a supple textile and the loop members 204(1)-204(N) may
be formed of a rigid plastic.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation of a resistance
training sandal 402 comprising the tension bearing connector 204
fixed to the outsole 206 of the resistance training sandal 402. The
resistance training sandal 402 comprising straps 404(A) and 404(B)
fixed above the outsole 206. While FIG. 4 illustrates the
resistance training sandal 402 comprising a heel strap 404(A) and a
toe strap 404(B), the resistance training sandal 402 may comprise
any size, shape, and configuration of straps. For example, the
resistance training sandal 402 may further comprise lateral and/or
medial straps connected with the toe strap 404(A) and the heel
strap 404(B).
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an example implementation of the
resistance training sandal 402 of FIG. 4 having the tension bearing
connector 204 fixed to the straps 404(A) and 404(B) of the
resistance training sandal 402. The straps 404(A) and 404(B) may be
formed of a supple material for receiving a foot of a user. For
example, the straps 404(A) and 404(B) may be formed of a textile, a
polymer, a composite (e.g., a textile and a polymer or multiple
polymers) or the like fixed above the outsole 206. The loop members
204(1)-204(N) may protrude from the straps 404(A) and 404(B) and
may be formed of a supple material (e.g., textile or a polymer).
Further, the loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed of an
inflexible material (e.g., a plastic, a composite, or a metal). For
example, the straps 404(A) and 404(B) and the loop members
204(1)-204(N) may be formed of the same supple textile or polymer.
Alternatively, the straps 404(A) and 404(B) may be formed of a
supple textile and the loop members 204(1)-204(N) may be formed of
a rigid plastic.
[0027] While six loop members 204(1)-204(N) are shown as protruding
from the straps 404(A) and 404(B), any number of loop members
204(1)-204(N) may protrude from any portion of the straps 404(A)
and 404(B). For example, the resistance training sandal 402 may
further comprise lateral and/or medial straps connected with the
toe strap 404(A) and the heel strap 404(B), and loop members may
protrude from the lateral and/or medial straps.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a construction of an
outsole assembly 602 comprising an outsole 604 and tension bearing
connectors 606(1), 606(2), 606(3), and 606(N). The plurality of
tension bearing connectors 606(1)-606(N) collectively defining a
tension bearing connector 606. The outsole 604 may comprise an
outside wall 608 arranged around a perimeter 610 of the outsole
604. The outsole 604 may be formed of a polymer capable of being
molded about the tension bearing connector 606. For example, the
tension bearing connector 606 may be formed of a polymer which is
capable of maintaining its shape during an injection over-molding
manufacturing process. Specifically, the tension bearing connector
606 is capable of maintaining its shape when the outsole 604 is
injection over-molded about the tension bearing connector 606.
Further, the tension bearing connector 606 may be formed of a
textile or a metal and the outsole 604 may be formed of a polymer
capable of being molded about the tension bearing connector 606.
Further, the outsole 604 and the tension bearing connector 606 may
be formed of a polymer as a single unit. For example, the outsole
604 and the tension bearing connector 606 may be a single unit
formed by an injection molding manufacturing process. The tension
bearing connector 606 may protrude from the outside wall 608 of the
outsole 604 to provide for removably coupling with elastic
resistance bands.
CONCLUSION
[0029] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as
example forms of implementing the claims.
* * * * *