U.S. patent application number 14/217194 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for shoe x.
The applicant listed for this patent is GERARDO GARZA, JR., JOHN PAUL GUTIERREZ. Invention is credited to GERARDO GARZA, JR., JOHN PAUL GUTIERREZ.
Application Number | 20150342297 14/217194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54700318 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150342297 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GARZA, JR.; GERARDO ; et
al. |
December 3, 2015 |
SHOE X
Abstract
An article of footwear and method of using the article of
footwear is disclosed so a person can temporarily affix a
resistance band, exercise tube or other elastic cord (hereinafter,
"band") to the bottom of their article of footwear through
retaining channels and use the band in their exercise routine. The
channel design is such that the band can be easily inserted,
positioned for the exercise routine, and removed while at the same
time be secure enough such that while the band is inserted, it does
not come off the article of footwear during exercise.
Inventors: |
GARZA, JR.; GERARDO;
(HOUSTON, TX) ; GUTIERREZ; JOHN PAUL; (SUGAR LAND,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GARZA, JR.; GERARDO
GUTIERREZ; JOHN PAUL |
HOUSTON
SUGAR LAND |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54700318 |
Appl. No.: |
14/217194 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61785205 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/122 ; 36/103;
36/25R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4015 20151001;
A63B 23/03541 20130101; A43B 5/00 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 21/0442
20130101; A63B 21/4025 20151001; A43B 13/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14; A63B 21/055 20060101 A63B021/055; A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00 |
Claims
1. A sole for exercising with at least one resistance band, the
sole comprising: at least one channel extending substantially
horizontally through the sole, said at least one channel providing
an at least one channel opening for removably receiving said at
least one resistance band; and at least one flange extending to
define said at least one channel opening, wherein said at least one
flange is positioned between a bottom sole surface and said at
least one channel surface to substantially retain said at least one
resistance band within said channel.
2. The sole of claim 1 wherein: said at least one channel has an
inner diameter greater than said at least one channel opening; and
said inner diameter is sized to retain said at least one resistance
band within said channel.
3. The sole of claim 2 wherein said inner diameter of said at least
one channel is differently sized from another said at least one
channel.
4. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one flange is
substantially pliable to allow inserting of said at least one
resistance band within said channel.
5. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel is
positioned substantially near the center of the sole.
6. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel surface is
substantially cylindrical.
7. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel extends
between a medial side opening and a lateral side opening.
8. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one resistance band
can move laterally within said at least one channel.
9. An article of footwear for exercising with at least one
resistance band, the article of footwear comprising an upper and a
sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure comprising:
at least one channel extending substantially horizontally through
said sole, said at least one channel providing an at least one
channel opening for removably receiving said at least one
resistance band; at least one flange extending to define said at
least one channel opening, wherein said at least one flange is
positioned between said bottom surface and said at least one
channel surface to substantially retain said at least one
resistance band within said channel; and a top sole surface
opposing a bottom sole surface, said top sole surface affixed to an
upper of said article of footwear.
10. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein: said at least one
channel has an inner diameter greater than said at least one
channel opening; and said inner diameter is sized to retain said at
least one resistance band within said channel.
11. The article of footwear of claim 8 wherein: said inner diameter
of said at least one channel is differently sized from another said
at least one channel.
12. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one
flange is substantially pliable to allow inserting of said at least
one resistance band within said channel.
13. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one
channel surface is substantially cylindrical.
14. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one
channel extends between a medial side opening and a lateral side
opening.
15. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one
resistance band can move laterally within said at least one
channel.
16. A method of using at least one resistance band with an article
of footwear having a sole structure comprising at least one channel
with at least one channel opening, the method comprising steps of:
positioning said at least one resistance band directly below said
at least one channel opening; forcing said at least one resistance
band through said at least one channel opening past an at least one
flange until said at least one flange deforms to retain said at
least one resistance band within said at least one channel, with
said at least one resistance band exiting a medial side opening and
a lateral side opening, and then returns to a resting position of
said at least one flange; moving said at least one resistance band
laterally to position said at least one resistance band in a proper
position for an exercise; repeating each of the above steps again
if there is another at least one resistance band needing insertion
into at least one channel; completing said exercise; forcing said
at least one resistance band out of said at least one channel
through said at least one channel opening past an at least one
flange until said at least one resistance band is completely
removed out of said at least one channel; and repeating the above
step until each of the at least one channels is devoid of all at
least one resistance bands.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/785,205 filed Mar. 14, 2013 entitled Shoe
X, which is incorporated by reference herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to exercise apparel, and more
particularly, to a shoe and shoe sole that will receive one or
multiple band(s) such that someone performing exercises with the
bands will be able to exercise more effectively and safely.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Elastic bands have been shown to be an effective means of
resistance training. These bands are frequently incorporated into
the exercise routine by the individual stepping on the band (to
anchor it or provided a fixed point for the band) and then pulling
against the band in various ranges of motion. If the individual's
foot loses partial contact with the floor for any reason then the
band, especially when the band has increased tension, is at risk of
dislodging from under the foot and retracting in a way that could
cause damage or injury to the individual or those around them.
Active individuals need to be able to use bands with reduced risk
of injury, and the present invention satisfies that need.
[0007] Numerous shoes and tread patterns exist that allow a band to
be received into the grooved pattern, but all of these existing
patterns are at an obtuse angle where it is wider at the bottom and
narrows towards the top as can be depicted by an inverted "V," or
A, and do not hold a band in place or prevent it from falling out
by gravity alone or other minimal force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide shoes an
individual can use in their daily activities but primarily the
tread of said shoe will serve as a safety, retaining channel/groove
when exercising with bands with the feet in a static, fixed
position.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
shoe tread design that will serve as a safety, retaining channel
when exercising with bands with the feet in a dynamic range of
motion and not fixed to the ground or solid surface.
[0010] The shoe tread or base pattern differs from what exists in
the marketplace today in both purpose and function as well as in
form and design in that the grooved pattern comprises one or more
arcuate or similarly-shaped channels of the same or varying size.
The present invention will allow users to exercise with the
resistance band in the channels without worrying about the band
falling out.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TILE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a lateral side elevation view of an article of
footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a lateral side view of a user wearing an article
of footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present
invention using a resistance band.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a medial view of the underside of the invention in
use with resistance bands inserted in the channels.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a medial side elevation view of an article of
footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present
invention using three resistance bands of different sizes.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a closer medial side elevation view of an article
of footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present
invention showing channels of different sizes.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top oblique view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention having two channels and showing the sole
structure separate from an article of footwear showing a band
within one channel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a
shoe sole 10 having the features of the present invention. The shoe
sole 10 comprises at least one channel 1. The shoe sole 10 may be
made from any suitably strong, yet flexible, material such as
natural or synthetic rubber or a polymer foam material.
Additionally, the channels 1 may be made of the same material as
the rest of the shoe sole 10, or the channels 1 may be constructed
of a different, stronger material than the rest of the shoe sole
10.
[0018] Each channel 1 is tube shaped having an interior surface 2,
channel opening 3, and two side openings 17, 18. The channel 1 runs
perpendicular to the length of the shoe sole 10, extending
longitudinally between a medial side opening 17 (shown in FIG. 2 on
user's left shoe) and a lateral side opening 18 (shown in FIG. 2 on
user's right shoe). In the preferred embodiment, the resistance
band 20 exits the channel 1 through both the medial side opening 17
and lateral side opening 18. The channel opening 3 is narrower than
the inner diameter 5 of the channel 1 and opens to the bottom
surface 6. When the shoe sole 10 is placed on the ground and viewed
from the side, the channel surface 2, along with the bottom surface
6, form a flange 4. This combination, as viewed from the side
resembles the Greek capital letter "Omega," depicted by the symbol
.OMEGA..
[0019] Other structures of channels 1 can be utilized so long as
flanges 4 are formed on the shoe sole 10. The purpose of the
tubular channel 1 with flange 4 is to secure the band 20 within the
channel 1 and not allow the band 20 to fall out as the user moves
his or her feet off the ground. The tubular channel 1 allows the
band 20 to move laterally within the channel 1 to allow the user to
position the band 20 according to where the band 20 is optimally
positioned for the user's desired exercise.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment the
channels 1 are located approximately in the center of the shoe sole
10 and are oriented perpendicular to the length of the shoe sole
10. Placement in this location generally corresponds to the
narrowest portion of the shoe sole 10 so that traction is not
substantially interfered with in the broader portions of the shoe
sole 10. Other locations of the channel 1 are contemplated, such as
near the toe or the heel of the shoe sole 10, but the placement of
the channels 1 is not limited to such locations. The channel 1 is
not required to have parallel edges so long as the flanges 4
keeping the band 20 secured in the channel 1 are located on the
bottom surface 6 of the shoe sole 10.
[0021] As the band 20 is used, the elongated band 20 has a smaller
circumference than a band 20 at rest. This elongation allows the
band 20 to more easily pass through the channel opening 3, past the
flange 4 and into the retaining channel 1, at which time it will be
free to expand. The size and shape of the arcuate or similarly
shaped channel 1 allows retention of the band whether at rest or
when elongated during the range of motion of both the band 20 and
the user's foot. Alternatively, a user may push the band 20 into
the channel 1 due to the pliability of the band 20.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, the medial side 7 of the shoe and
the lateral side 8 of the shoe are both correlative to the medial
and lateral sides of the user's respective feet. In this view,
there are three resistance bands 20 used simultaneously.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 5, the channels 1 are differently
sized to accommodate bands 20 of different thicknesses. For
example, if there are three channels 1 in the shoe sole 10, there
would be one "small" channel 1, one "medium" channel 1, and one
"large" channel 1. Any conceivable combination of channel 1 sizes
for any number of channels 1 may be used in the present
invention.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 6, a band 20 is shown inserted into a
channel 1 of a shoe sole 10. The band 20 is depicted within the
channel 1 by dashed lines. As shown in the preferred embodiment,
the channel 1 is a cylindrical tube with parallel edges. This
allows a user the maximum number of band 20 positions available for
the various range-of-motion movements and exercises possible. The
adjacent, unoccupied channel 1 is also parallel to the channel 1
occupied by a band 20 so that when occupied, the combined
resistance of the bands 20 is cumulative of both bands 20, rather
than having one band 20 not be used to its maximum resistance.
Additionally, the top surface 9 of the shoe sole 10 can be seen.
Top surface 9 is affixed to the shoe's upper (not shown).
[0025] The present invention is described above in terms of a
preferred illustrative embodiment of a specifically-described shoe
tread. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative
constructions of such an apparatus can be used in carrying out the
present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure
and the drawings, along with the appended claims.
* * * * *