AU2007202064A1 - Shoe and shoe attachment - Google Patents

Description

00

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Justin Morriss ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 INVENTION TITLE: Shoe and shoe attachment The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5102 P \WPD0' S LNNN pc\ 9DI Mo, A 01 r 1p r dOriU15(17 -1- SHOE AND SHOE ATTACHMENT 00 Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to shoes and shoe attachments, in particular those Sshoes and attachments which are suitable for facilitating walking on mangrove mud and like unstable territory.

Background to the Invention Known shoes for facilitating walking on upper surfaces of unstable territory are complex, difficult to use and do not facilitate a normal walking gait.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a shoe suitable for facilitating walking over an upper surface of mangrove mud, the shoe including: a main support body for supporting a user's foot or shoe on the upper surface of the mangrove mud; a foot or shoe attachment means for attaching the foot or shoe to the main support body; the main support body including a forward support plate for supporting at least a forefoot portion of the user's foot, and a rearward support plate for supporting at least a hindfoot region of the user's foot, the respective support plates including a surface area larger than that of the user's foot for increased support on the upper surface of the mangrove mud; wherein the forward and rearward support plates are integral with or operatively connected with one another and relatively movable between a support and a release position wherein in the support position the forward and rearward support plates P XWK)OCSVNKNPSjIccI' lQOO I Mor,,< AUC JCOCnpCIC IN -7105i2007 S-2- Care disposed generally coplanar so as to present an optimum surface area to support the user's foot or shoe on the upper surface of the mangrove mud, while in the release position 00 0 the forward and rearward support plates are disposed in planes which generally lie at selected angles relative to one another to facilitate removal of the support plates from the surface of the mangrove mud.

SPreferably the forward support plate is flexible to facilitate a peeling movement between the support and release positions. Preferably the rearward support plate is flexible to Sfacilitate a peeling movement between the support and release positions.

Preferably the arrangement is such that the forward support plate generally increases in surface area as it extends along a longitudinal axis from a heel region of the user's foot so as to facilitate support of the foot when the user's bodyweight is shifted onto the toes, such as for example when taking a step. Preferably the forward support plate in plan view includes tapered side edges so that it is generally in the form of a triangular support plate, wherein a first apex is disposed under the user's heel, while at least two remote apex regions are disposed forward of and on either side of the foot attachment means.

Preferably the forward support plate includes bights in positions where the remote apex regions are disposed, so as to inhibit tripping when in use. Preferably an inner periphery of the bights is generally right-angled so as to improve sloughing of mangrove mud from the forward support plate.

Preferably the forward support plate includes a base support face which is concave so as to retain at least some air in a pocket or channel which facilitates release of the forward support plate from the upper surface of the mangrove mud.

Preferably the forward support plate includes strengthening ribs so as to facilitate support of the user on the upper surface of the mangrove mud and to inhibit release of the air to side regions of the forward support plate.

11 1WP[XXS\:..NNM6T- I 99019 I8 M. ll- A H p dI c )71V2117 -3 Preferably the forward support plate is constructed from low-friction material, or material with a low surface energy to inhibit adhesion and facilitate sloughing of mud from the base 0 support face.

Preferably the rearward support plate extends rearwardly and sidewardly of the hindfoot region of the user. In one preferred embodiment the plate is generally circular. In one Salternative arrangement the plate is rectangular.

Preferably the rearward support plate includes a concavity to retain at least some air in a io pocket or channel which facilitates release of the rearward support plate from the upper surface of the mangrove mud.

Preferably the forward and rearward support plates are integral with one another to form a unified base support face. Preferably the concavities in the forward and rearward support Is channels are in fluid communication with one another so that air may be transferred between the two plates.

Preferably the rearward support plate is constructed from low-friction material, or material with a low surface energy to inhibit adhesion and facilitate sloughing of mud from the base support face.

Preferably at least one hinge region is provided so as to facilitate relative movement of the two plates. Preferably a first hinge region is provided at a waist region adjacent a mid-foot region so as to generally correspond with the movement of the foot of the user.

Preferably the foot or shoe attachment means includes a connector to facilitate peeling of the rearward plate from the upper surface of the mud. Preferably the connector is a strap or boot which connects a lower region of the user's shin or upper region of the user's foot to facilitate strengthening of the shoe and lifting of the rearward support plate from the upper surface of the mangrove mud.

P \WP DOC S\LN\k;pcC\/l(l19 M in- -plcIc d IO51U207 -4- Preferably the foot or shoe attachment means includes buckled straps or a boot or other foot or shoe dock.

00 Brief Description of the Drawings SIn order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating an example embodiment are attached, and in those drawings: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shoe attachment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a shoe attachment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a shoe attachment in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a plan view of a shoe attachment in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings there is shown a shoe generally indicated at 10 suitable for facilitating walking on an upper surface of mangrove mud or other unstable material, the shoe 10 including a main support body 12 for supporting the foot of a user above the upper surface of the mangrove mud. The main support body 12 includes a forward support plate 14 for supporting at least a forefoot region of the user and a rearward support plate 16 for supporting at least the hindfoot region of the user. The forward 14 and rearward 16 P \LWrr)C(SkLN\SPC C0 IQQR!' M-I WLL c- pICC doc ?J(IflhlC)7 support plates are integral and include a unified base support face 18 which has a larger surface area than that of the foot of the user to facilitate support on an unstable surface 00 such as that associated with mangrove mud.

The forward and rearward support plates 14 and 16 are configured to move relative to one Sanother, in a broad sense, about at least one hinge area 20 disposed at a waist 22 between a Ssupport position where the plates are coplanar and a release position wherein the plates are disposed in planes which are at angles to one another so as to facilitate removal of the support plates from the upper surface of the mangrove mud. So, the release position is, generally speaking, where the plates 14 and 16 form a generally downwardly-extending Vshape (in side elevation view) in the base support face 18. In the preferred embodiments shown, the support plates 14 and 16 are flexible, so as to facilitate a peeling movement between the support position and the release position.

The base support face 18 includes a concavity 42 so as to retain at least some air in a pocket 43 which facilitates release of the forward support plate 14 from the upper surface of the mangrove mud.

The forward support plate 14 generally increases in surface area (in plan view) with increasing length along a longitudinal axis 24. This is to facilitate support of the foot when the user takes a step and shifts their bodyweight onto their toes, so the shoe 10 is inhibited from sinking in to the mangrove mud during walking. The forward support plate 14 includes outwardly tapering side edges 26 and 27 to form a generally triangular plate 28 which has a first apex 29 at the heel region 30 and two outer apex regions 31 and 32 at positions forward of and laterally of a foot attachment means Bights 36 are provided in the forward support plate 14 to reduce trip hazards or trip points generally associated with wide footwear. The bights 36 include an inner periphery 37 which is square so as to encourage mud sloughing off the plate 14.

The forward support plate 14 also includes strengthening ribs 46 extending longitudinally so as to inhibit lateral release of the air from pocket 43.

P xWPLLOCMlLNK1Spc,1-l8l) I Mn-s Al l :c pIcic dn 7105110017 -6- The rearward support plate 16 extends rearwardly and laterally from the heel region 30 for 00 increased support of the heel region 30 and the plate 16 further includes a concavity 48 so as to retain a pocket 49 of air adjacent the base support face 18 which facilitates release of the rear support plate 16 from the upper surface of the mangrove mud. The rearward support plate 16 is a circular or lobe shape and includes longitudinal strengthening ribs 51 Sso as to facilitate peeling and/or lifting of the rearward support plate 16 from the upper surface of the mangrove mud.

i0 The forward and rearward support plates 14 and 16 are integral, and the concavities 42 and 48 are in fluid communication so that the air in the pockets 43 and 49 may be transferred between plates 14 and 16.

The foot attachment means 40 includes a foot or shoe dock 50 for receiving a shoe or foot.

Straps are provided, either buckled 52 or hook-and-loop, or resilient bands 54 to retain the shoe or foot within the attachment means 40. A connector 56 is also provided in order to facilitate peeling or lifting of the rearward plate 16 from the upper surface of the mud. The connector 56 is in the form of a strap 58 which loops over the user's lower shin or upper foot so as to strengthen the shoe and lift the rearward support plate 16 from the upper surface of the mud when the user takes a forward step. The peeling action may also be initiated by a boot into which the foot fits.

The support plates 14 and 16 are constructed from low friction material to facilitate removal or sliding or sloughing of mud from the plates 14, 16, and the foot attachment means 40 is constructed from rubber for user comfort.

In use the preferred embodiments facilitate a natural walking gait on an upper surface of mangrove mud because the shoes are not too wide or too long for natural walking. It is believed that the preferred arrangement described, including the concavities and the flexible nature of the support plates 14 and 16, and their relative pivoting movement while walking, and the peel initiating connecting strap 56, inhibits surface mud from forming a P \WPD CS\-NM\SrccQFI 99O8 1 AlI J lplclc d- 7/05n'DO7 S-7c bond with the base support surface 18 so that release of the support plates 14 and 16 is facilitated.

00 Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

(N- O^

Claims (24)

1. A shoe suitable for facilitating walking over an upper surface of mangrove mud, the shoe including: a main support body for supporting a user's foot or shoe on the upper surface of the mangrove mud; a foot or shoe attachment means for attaching the foot or shoe to the main support body; the main support body including a forward support plate for supporting at least a forefoot portion of the user's foot, and a rearward support plate for supporting at least a hindfoot region of the user's foot, the respective support plates including a surface area larger than that of the user's foot for increased support on the upper surface of the mangrove mud; wherein the forward and rearward support plates are integral with or operatively connected with one another and relatively movable between a support and a release position wherein in the support position the forward and rearward support plates are disposed generally coplanar so as to present an optimum surface area to support the user's foot or shoe on the upper surface of the mangrove mud, while in the release position the forward and rearward support plates are disposed in planes which generally lie at selected angles relative to one another to facilitate removal of the support plates from the surface of the mangrove mud.

2. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the forward support plate is flexible to facilitate a peeling movement between the support and release positions.

3. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the rearward support plate is flexible to facilitate a peeling movement between the support and release positions.

4. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the forward support plate generally increases in surface area as it extends along a longitudinal axis from a heel region of the user's foot so as to facilitate support of the foot when the user's bodyweight is shifted onto the toes, such as for example when taking a step.

I 'A'P'DOC.MLNN1tMSpccV!0 IUXII l II 1705t,'007 -9- A shoe in accordance with claim I wherein the forward support plate in plan view includes tapered side edges. 00 0

6. A shoe in accordance with claim 5 wherein the forward support plate is generally in the form of a triangular support plate, wherein a first apex is disposed under the Suser's heel, while at least two remote apex regions are disposed forward of and on Seither side of the foot attachment means.

7. A shoe in accordance with claim 6 wherein the forward support plate includes bights in positions where the remote apex regions are disposed, so as to inhibit tripping when in use.

8. A shoe in accordance with claim 7 wherein an inner periphery of the bights is generally right-angled so as to improve sloughing of mangrove mud from the forward support plate.

9. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the forward support plate includes a base support face which is concave so as to retain at least some air in a pocket or channel which facilitates release of the forward support plate from the upper surface of the mangrove mud.

A shoe in accordance with claim I wherein the forward support plate includes strengthening ribs so as to facilitate support of the user on the upper surface of the mangrove mud and to inhibit release of the air to side regions of the forward support plate.

11. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the forward support plate is constructed from low-friction material, or material with a low surface energy to inhibit adhesion and facilitate sloughing of mud from the base support face.

12. A shoe in accordance with claim I wherein the rearward support plate extends rearwardly and sidewardly of the hindfoot region of the user. I. P \WPLOUCSLNWMh p cc O 0QHOI MI ss AJ c ci l mplcII 7S210~,iH -1o-

13. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rearward support plate is generally 00 circular.

14. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rearward support plate includes a concavity to retain at least some air in a pocket or channel which facilitates release Sof the rearward support plate from the upper surface of the mangrove mud. C(

15. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the forward and rearward support plates are integral with one another to form a unified base support face.

16. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the concavities in the forward and rearward support channels are in fluid communication with one another so that air may be transferred between the two plates.

17. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rearward support plate is constructed from low-friction material, or material with a low surface energy to inhibit adhesion and facilitate sloughing of mud from the base support face.

18. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one hinge region is provided so as to facilitate relative movement of the two plates.

19. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein a first hinge region is provided at a waist region adjacent a mid-foot region so as to generally correspond with the movement of the foot of the user.

A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the foot or shoe attachment means includes a connector to facilitate peeling of the rearward plate from the upper surface of the mud.

21. A shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein the connector is a strap or boot which connects a lower region of the user's shin or upper region of the user's foot to P I XKMLNW 0 12 99W0 M A( JcI cr-pIC 7/05)00? V-II- Sfacilitate strengthening of the shoe and lifting of the rearward support plate from the upper surface of the mangrove mud. 00 0

22. A shoe in accordance with claim I wherein the foot or shoe attachment means includes buckled straps or a boot or other foot or shoe dock.

IN S23. A shoe substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

24. A shoe attachment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.