U.S. patent number 3,641,687 [Application Number 05/046,124] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-15 for bowling shoes with sighting line in tip.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Wisconsin Shoe Company. Invention is credited to William M. Hibbard, Douglas L. Reeder, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,641,687 |
Hibbard , et al. |
February 15, 1972 |
BOWLING SHOES WITH SIGHTING LINE IN TIP
Abstract
Bowling shoes with a built-in sighting line in the tip of the
shoe extending longitudinally centrally of the shoe. The bowler
sights the line on the shoe with a guide and/or a target on the
lane to assist in delivering the bowling ball in the desired
direction.
Inventors: |
Hibbard; William M. (Waupun,
WI), Reeder, Jr.; Douglas L. (Mequon, WI) |
Assignee: |
Wisconsin Shoe Company
(Milwaukee, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
21941755 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/046,124 |
Filed: |
June 15, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/130 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
5/00 (20130101); A43B 5/008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
5/00 (20060101); A43b 000/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/2.5R,2.5AH,2.5T,57 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lawson; Patrick D.
Claims
We claim:
1. A bowling shoe including
a tip portion formed from a layer of material, said layer of
material, prior to being formed into said tip portion, having a
slit extending a predetermined distance from the forward end
thereof with the edges of the slit being turned down; and
a sighting line member consisting of a strip of material, having a
color contrasting with the color of the top surface of said layer
of material and folded along the longitudinal center, fastened
between said turned-down edges.
2. A bowling shoe according to claim 1 wherein said sighting line
member is positioned between said turndown edges so that the outer
surface of said fold is substantially flush with the upper adjacent
surfaces of said tip portion.
3. A bowling shoe according to claim 2 wherein inside surfaces of
said strip are adhesively secured together and said strip is
fastened to said downturned edges by stitching.
4. A bowling shoe according to claim 1 wherein said layer of
material is leather with a dark shaded upper surface and said
sighting member is a strip of light colored leather.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in bowling shoes and
particularly to such shoes that assist the bowler in delivering the
bowling ball in a desired direction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,123 shows an attachment which is glued to the
outsole of a bowling shoe to aid the bowler in correct alignment
each time the bowler is ready to make a delivery. This attachment
extends laterally from the ball joint side of the left shoe (right
shoe for left-handers). It has a straightedge which the bowler
aligns with a crevice between the floorboards of the approach. The
patent directs the bowler how to scribe a line on the attachment
and cut it so that it conforms to the bowler's particular bowling
stance. This attachment is clumsy and often causes the bowls to
trip and stumble. It cannot be readily used to sight a guide or
target in the lane beyond the foul line.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,503,586 shows a golfing shoe with crossed lines.
The longitudinaLly extending line is placed in alignment with the
center of the golf ball. This causes the transversely extending
line to show the intended direction of the ball. These lines may be
formed by suitable stitching or be colored contrasts on the upper
surface of the shoe. Both lines are required to align the players
body and address the ball in the same manner each time the player
putts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The essence of this invention is the permanent application to the
tip of a bowling shoe of a sight line extending longitudinally of
the shoe on the centerline of the tip. Such sight line has a
contrasting color to the color of the tip and is stitched to the
edges of a slit in the material of the tip. This sight line was
used in connection with the guides and targets on a lane aids the
bowler in delivering the bowling ball in the desired direction on
the desired lateral position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the left foot bowling shoe
embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 2--2 of
FIG. 1 showing the folded-over strip stitched to the edges of a
slit in the upper layer of the material of the tip; and
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a pair of bowling shoes embodying the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing by reference numerals FIG. 3 shows a left
foot bowling shoe 10 and a right foot bowling shoe 12 both of
conventional well-known design except for the inclusion of the
strip of material constituting the sighting line. A right-handed
bowler will probably use the right foot sighting line and a
left-handed bowler will probably use the left foot sighting
line.
The tip of each shoe is formed by an outer layer 14 of leather
which is applied to a vamp 16 in a conventional manner. Preferably
this layer 14 has a dark shaded surface, black for example. Before
this layer is applied, it is slit from the forward or toe end to a
point spaced from the rearward or wing tip. The edges 18 and 20 of
the slit are turned down (see FIG. 2) and a sighting line member 22
is placed between the edges 18 and 20 and secured by stitching 24,
or other means. The member 22 is preferably made of a strip of
leather having a white surface. This strip is folded along a
longitudinal centerline with the white surface on the outside of
the fold. The facing sides of the strip may be cemented to keep the
strip in folded shape during handling and stitching.
It is desirable to place the strip 22 so that the outer side of the
fold is substantially flush with the outer side of layer 14. Thus
it will be protected from accidental scratching and surface wear.
It will hold its contrasting color and be easily visible even after
long usage. By so embedding the sighting strip in the leather of
the tip the appearance of the bowling shoe is not marred. In fact
the appearance by its uniqueness is improved without any lessening
of the functionality of the sighting line.
To comprehend the functionality of the slighting line attention is
directed to the construction of the presently approved bowling
lanes. Such lanes are provided with markers called guides and
targets. These are positioned at different distances from the foul
line. The bowler uses them to spot his position on the approach and
determine the line on which the bowling ball will be delivered. By
using the sighting line on the bowling shoe to align with a
selected guide or target, the bowler will determine the exact
lateral position on the approach and such position will be
uniformly the same for the same pin arrangement.
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