U.S. patent application number 14/578631 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for kicking shoe attachment for propelling kick scooters and the like.
The applicant listed for this patent is Boris Khurgin. Invention is credited to Boris Khurgin.
Application Number | 20160174652 14/578631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56127982 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160174652 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khurgin; Boris |
June 23, 2016 |
KICKING SHOE ATTACHMENT FOR PROPELLING KICK SCOOTERS AND THE
LIKE
Abstract
A kicking shoe attachment for use by the rider of a kick scooter
or the like having an elongated body with a flat upper surface with
a skid resistant upper sole thereupon, and an opposing curvilinear
lower surface with a wear resistant lower sole disposed thereupon.
The elongated body may be split apart horizontally and two or more
springs may be placed between the upper and lower body portions.
Alternately, a block of a resilient material may be substituted for
the springs. An opening may be placed in the upper surface of the
elongated body to receive the protruding heel of typically a
woman's heeled shoe or boot. A harness or quick-release safety
binding is provided to retain a riders foot to the kicking shoe
attachment. A tether may be provided for securing the kicking shoe
attachment when not in use.
Inventors: |
Khurgin; Boris; (New York,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Khurgin; Boris |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56127982 |
Appl. No.: |
14/578631 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/16 20130101; A43B
7/38 20130101; A43B 5/18 20130101; A43B 5/145 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/18 20060101
A43B005/18 |
Claims
1. A kicking shoe attachment, comprising: an elongated main body
having a substantially flat upper surface, a spaced apart
curvilinear lower surface, said curvilinear surface forming a
smooth convex curve, and a height; an upper sole covering
substantially the entirety of said substantially flat upper
surface; a lower sole covering substantially the entirety of said
curvilinear lower surface; means for adjustably securing at least a
toe region of footwear of a user of said kicking shoe attachment to
said upper sole; and a heel cup configured for locating and
retaining a heel portion of said footwear of a user of said kicking
shoe attachment, said heel cup being slidably attached to said
upper sole, and moveable along a major axis of said upper sole.
2. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, further
comprising: an opening in said upper sole proximate said means for
locating a heel coincident with an opening in said upper surface of
said elongated main body, said openings accessing a heel-receiving
hollow in said elongated main body.
3. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 2 wherein said
opening in said upper surface of said elongated main body is
relocatable along a major axis of said upper sole.
4. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 3 wherein said
heel receiving hollow has a shape chosen from the group: an
inverted, substantially frustoconical shape, and an elongated
slot.
5. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said
elongated main body portion comprises a solid main body
portion.
6. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 5, wherein said
solid main body portion comprises a plurality of through holes from
side to side disposed in a pattern selected from the group: a
regular pattern and a random pattern.
7. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 5, wherein said
solid main body portion comprises a horizontally laminated main
body portion.
8. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said
main body portion comprises an upper body portion and a lower body
portion separated horizontally in a plane substantially parallel to
said upper surface, said upper body portion and said lower body
portion being spaced apart in a vertical dimension.
9. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 7, wherein said
spaced apart upper body portion and said lower portion are joined
by at least two springs, each having a respective end attached to a
lower surface of said upper body portion and to an upper surface of
said lower body portion.
10. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 9, wherein said
at least two springs comprise at least one selected from the group:
coil springs, leaf springs, and other forms of spring.
11. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 8, wherein said
spaced apart upper body portion and said lower portion are joined
by at least one piece of a resilient material, said at least one
piece of resilient having an upper surface attached to a lower
surface of said upper body portion and an lower surface attached to
an upper surface of said lower body portion.
12. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said
upper sole comprises at least one selected from the group: natural
rubber, artificial rubber, and a polymeric elastomer.
13. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said
lower sole comprises a wear resistant material.
14. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 13, wherein
said lower sole is removably attached to said curvilinear lower
surface to facilitate its replacement.
15. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said
means for securing at least a toe region of footwear of a user of
said kicking shoe attachment to said upper sole comprises one
selected from the group: an adjustable harness attached to said
upper surface of said body portion; and a quick-release safety
binding device.
16. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, further
comprising: a tether attached to said elongated body and adapted
and configured for securely attaching said kicking shoe attachment
to an environmental structure when not in use.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to an attachment for footwear and,
more particularly, to an attachment for a shoe or boot worn by the
"kicking" foot of a rider of a kick scooter or the like to minimize
the bending of a rider's leg standing on the kick scooter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Kick scooters are well known and widely used. In addition,
so-called skate boards have become widely used in recent years. A
rider, particularly of a kick scooter places one of his or her feet
on the horizontal wheeled platform of the kick scooter and uses his
or her other foot to exert pressure against the ground. In
accordance with Newton's Third Law, for every action, there is an
equal and opposite reaction. Consequently the pushing action of a
rider's foot against the ground imparts motion (typically forward
motion) to the kick scooter.
[0003] Once the kick scooter is in motion, the rider may lift his
or her "kicking" foot and coast until such time the friction slows
the kick scooter and additional pushing is required from the
rider.
[0004] This action requires constant bending of the rider's leg
that stands on the scooter platform while the rider's other leg
pushes the scooter forward by kicking back the ground. Such
constant leg bending and the resulting shifting of a rider's weight
upward and downward with each leg bend, may be very tiring.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
[0005] Several attempts are found in the prior art to provide foot
wear that embeds some mechanism in the sole or other lower portion
of a shoe or boot that might help alleviate the bending of a kick
scooter rider's non-kicking leg.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,531 for SPRING SPACE SHOE issued Feb. 3,
2004 to Brian G. Rennex discloses a shoe having a spring biased,
compressible ground engaging surface movable relative to the sole.
Push-off is discussed (see FIGS. 5A -5C and Column 7, lines
14-41).
[0007] United States Published Patent Application No. 2014/0090277
published Apr. 3, 2014 upon application by Michael S. Amos et al.
shows a first sole member 28 that can move relative to a second
sole member 30 for push off (paragraph 26). The sections 30, 28 are
positioned fore and aft.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,583 issued Jan. 14, 2014 to Stephen
Perenich shows a shoe with an extensible sole (FIGS. 11, 12, 31 and
32). Perenich also has U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,900,377; 7905,033;
7,913,422; 7,950,166; and 8,627,582, all generally similar in
disclosure.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,096 for MOBILE PLATFROM ASSEMBLY issued
Jul. 24, 2012 to Jaime Alberto Reyes, Jr., discusses assisting with
push-off in a wheeled, body bearing vehicle.
[0010] United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0193684
for CONVERTIBLE SHOE published Aug. 6, 2009 upon application by
Laurence Diamond, shows a "footbed" 92 which may be stacked on a
sole to modify wearer height (paragraph 41).
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,984 for WALKING SHOE issued Sep. 7, 2004
to Carmine U. Jackinsky shows a thick sole deck for a shoe (FIG.
1).
[0012] None of the patents and published patent applications, taken
singly, or in any combination are seen to teach or suggest the
Kicking Shoe Attachment for Propelling Kick Scooters and the Like
of the present invention.
[0013] It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide an attachment
for a shoe or boot to be worn on the kicking foot of the rider of a
kick scooter that would minimize the amount of leg bending
typically required when riding a kick scooter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with the present invention there is provided
an accessory attachable to the shoe of a kick scooter rider. A kick
scooter rider has a stationary foot placed on the platform of the
kick scooter. The rider's other foot (i.e., the kicking foot) is
used to propel the kick scooter. As the rider "kicks" the ground,
the stationary leg must bend with each pushing stroke. As the
stationary leg bends, the entire weight of the rider is supported
thereupon. The constant flexing of the stationary leg may be very
tiring.
[0015] Attaching the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the
invention to the shoe of the kicking foot of the rider effectively
extends the length of the kicking leg allowing the bottom of the
kicking shoe attachment to contact the ground with little or no
bending of the rider's stationary leg.
[0016] A main body of the kicking shoe attachment is formed from
any lightweight sturdy material (e.g., aluminum, plastic, etc.) and
may be made in one or two parts. In a two-part body, the parts are
arranged one above the other with a resilient structure sandwiched
between the upper and lower body portions. The resilient structure
may include one or more springs or it may be formed from an
elastomeric material. The resilient structure between the upper and
lower body portions reduce the shock to the kicking leg.
[0017] The main body includes a substantially flat upper surface
and is adapted to receive the shoe of the rider thereupon. In an
alternate embodiment the flat upper surface may include an optional
depression to accommodate the hill of a woman's shoe. An upper
sole, typically made of rubber or any other suitable non-skid
and/or cushioning material is attached to the upper surface of the
upper body portion. The upper sole provides a stable surface to
support the kicking leg of the kick scooter rider.
[0018] The bottom surface of the main body is preferable a convex
curve to provide good contact with the ground during the entire
duration of the kicking or propelling stroke as the angle of the
kicking leg relative to the ground changes. A lower sole also made
from rubber or any other suitable durable material is attached to
the curved lower surface of the lower body portion. The lower sole
provides good traction during the contact with the ground.
[0019] The height of main body, including upper and lower soles is
ideally chosen to be substantially equal to the height of the
scooter's platform above the ground. Such a height ensures the
rider's legs are always level with one another.
[0020] An adjustable harness is attached to the upper surface of
the upper body portion typically using a quick-release or other
safety binding devices. The harness retains the shoe of the kick
scooter rider tightly against the upper sole of the upper body
portion of the kicking shoe attachment.
[0021] A tether or other security device may be included to lock
the novel kicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure
when it is not in use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the
present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side elevational, schematic view of a first,
solid body embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment in accordance
with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe
attachment as shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side elevational, schematic view of the kicking
shoe attachment with a laminated solid body.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side elevational, schematic view of a second
embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with springs within the
body in accordance with the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side elevational, schematic view of a third
embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with resilient material
within the body in accordance with the invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side elevational, schematic view of a fourth
embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with weight-reducing
holes within the body in accordance with the invention; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side elevational, schematic of the kicking shoe
attachment of FIG. 1 but having a tether attached to the main
body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] The present invention provides an attachment for a shoe to
facilitate propelling a kick scooter, skateboard, or similar planar
device.
[0031] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a side
elevational, schematic view of first embodiment of a kicking shoe
attachment in accordance with the invention, generally at reference
number 100.
[0032] A solid main body 102 has a substantially flat upper surface
104, and a convex lower surface 106. In this embodiment, main body
102 is formed from a solid piece of sturdy, lightweight material.
Such lightweight, sturdy materials include lightweight metals such
as aluminum and polymers such as ABS. It will be recognized that
numerous other lightweight, sturdy materials may be known to those
of skill in the art and, consequently, the invention is not limited
by the material examples chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather,
the invention is intended to include any suitable material.
[0033] An upper sole 108 is fastened to the upper surface 104 of
main body 102. Upper sole 108 is typically formed from rubber,
either natural or artificial, or from another polymeric elastomer.
Upper sole 108 is ideally formed from a non-slip material upon
which the shoe of a rider of the device being used with kicking
attachment 100 rests. Further, the invention is not intended to be
limited to the material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather,
the invention is intended to include any suitable materials.
[0034] A lower sole 110 is fastened to a lower, convex, curvilinear
surface 106 of main body 102. Lower sole 110 is formed from a wear
resistant material designed to wear well as lower sole 110 is
kicked against the horizontal surface on which the kick scooter,
etc. is being propelled by a rider thereof. It will be recognized
by those of skill in the art that lower sole 110 may be attached to
lower, convex, curvilinear surface 106 in a manner that facilitates
its replacement when worn or damaged. Device and/or methods for
replaceably fastening lower sole 110 to lower surface 106 are
believed to be well known to those of skill in the area and,
consequently such devices and/or methods are not further discussed
herein.
[0035] A front retaining strap 114 or similar structure is disposed
forward on upper sole 108. Front retaining strap 114 is adapted to
adjustably and securely retain the toe region of the rider's shoe
against upper sole 108. A hook-and-loop fastening system is
typically utilized to provide the adjustability required for the
application. The hook-and-loop fastening system has a first portion
120 of either hook or loop material and second portion 122 formed
from the opposite one of hook or loop material, disposed on
surfaces of front retaining strap 114 in ways believed to be well
known to those of skill in the art.
[0036] A heel cup 118 is disposed on upper sole 108 proximate a
rear edge thereof. Heel cup 118 positions and retains the heel
portion of a rider's shoe. Heel cup 118 may be movably attached to
upper sole 108 using mechanism and methods believed to be well
known to those of skill in the art to accommodate footwear of
different lengths.
[0037] A substantially circular opening in upper sole 108 provides
access to a hollow heel receiver 112 formed in solid body 102. Heel
receiver 112 is provided to accept a protruding heel attached to
the sole of footwear, typically women's footwear. Heel receiver 112
typically has and inverted frustoconical form. If heel cup 118 is
movably attached to upper sole 108, substantially circular opening
112 may be replaced with an elongated slot, not shown.
[0038] The combination of elongated main body 102, upper sole 108,
and lower sole 110 has a height 124.
[0039] Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a top plan,
elevational view of the kicking shoe attachment of FIG. 1. As may
be seen, main body 102 has an elongated, ovulate shape
corresponding roughly to the outline of a shoe or boot.
[0040] Front retaining strap 114 or similar structure disposed
forward on upper sole 108, may be replaced with numerous other
footwear retention mechanisms believed to be well known to those of
skill in the art. One such well-known, useful replacement could be
a quick release binding mechanism, not shown, commonly used on
skis, skateboards, etc.
[0041] Additionally, heel cup 118 may be made adjustable along the
major axis 126 of elongated main body as shown by arrow 128.
Mechanisms allowing such adjustment are also believed to be well
known to those of skill in the art and any suitable mechanism may
be used to provide such adjustability.
[0042] It will be further recognized that main body 102 may
alternatively be formed by laminated layers. Referring now also to
FIG. 3, there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a
kicking shoe attachment having such an elongated main body
construction. Main body 102 as shown in FIG. 1 is replaced by a
laminated body 130 comprising a plurality of layers 132a, 132b . .
. 132n. Layers 132a, 132b . . . 132n may be formed from a single
material such as wood, plastic, etc. In alternated embodiments,
layers 132a, 132b . . . 132n may be formed from two or more
different materials. In one possible construction, layers of cork
may be interspersed among layers of wood or plastic to provide a
cushioning effect for the kicking foot, not shown.
[0043] Elongated main body 102 lends itself well to formation by
the process of solid printing. As solid printing technically
produces a layered structure, a solid printed elongated main body
would be crudely represented as elongated main body 130.
[0044] Referring now also to FIG. 4, there is shown a side
elevational, schematic view of a second embodiment of the kicking
shoe attachment with springs within the elongated main body,
generally at reference number 150.
[0045] In the kicking shoe attachment 150 elongated main body 102
of kicking shoe attachment 100 is split into two portions; and
upper body portion 152 and a lower body portion 154. Each of upper
body portion 152 and lower body portion 154 is thinner than solid
main body 102.
[0046] Coil springs 156 are interposed between a lower surface of
upper body portion 152 and an upper surface of lower body portion
154. Springs 156 are typically coil springs having sufficient
stiffness to maintain connective integrity between upper body
portion 152 and lower body portion 154 while providing a kicking
assist to the rider of a kick scooter.
[0047] While coil springs 156 are shown for purposes of disclosure,
it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that springs of
other types, for example, leaf springs, may readily be substituted
for coil springs 156. Consequently, the invention is not considered
limited to the coil springs chosen for purposes of disclosure.
Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all other
suitable forms of springs.
[0048] Referring now also to FIG. 5, there is shown a side
elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment of the kicking
shoe attachment with springs within the body generally at reference
number 200.
[0049] In kicking shoe attachment 200, springs 156 are replaced by
a block of a resilient material 202. Materials such as
polyurethanes, latex, or polyether urethanes (EU) elastomeric foam
have been found suitable for the application. It will be recognized
by those of skill in that art that suitable other material may be
available. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to
the materials chosen for purposes of disclosure. It is anticipated
that kicking shoe attachment 200 is less expensive to manufacture
while still providing the kicking assist benefits of kicking shoe
attachment 150. Resilient material 202 may readily be adhesively
attached to a lower surface of upper body portion 152 and an upper
surface of lower body portion 154.
[0050] Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is shown a side
elevational, schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the kicking
shoe attachment with a one piece body generally at reference number
250.
[0051] Kicking shoe attachment 250 is nearly the same as kicking
shoe attachment 100 with the exception that solid main body 102 is
replaced with a main body 252 that has a plurality of through holes
254 from side to side. Through holes 254 are provided to reduce the
weight of kicking shoe attachment 150 while maintaining the
necessary height and structural integrity.
[0052] While through holes 254 are shown in a regular pattern for
purposes of disclosure, it may be desirable to arrange through
holes 254 in a more random pattern for structural purposes.
[0053] Referring now also to FIG. 7, there is shown the kicking
shoe attachment of FIG. 1 with an attached tether 260. Tether 260
is securely anchored in elongated main body 102 and extends
outwardly therefrom. A locking apparatus, not shown, may be used to
attach tether 160 to elongated main body 102.
[0054] A locking device useful for securing kicking shoe attachment
to an environmental structure is shown schematically at reference
number 262 at a distal end, not specifically identified, of tether
260.
[0055] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit
particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered
limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and
covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute
departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *