AU2014101403A4 - Footwear gripping system for poles - Google Patents

Abstract

A footwear gripping system for poles comprising a vamp of the footwear having one portion of the outer surface of the vamp and shaft having a relatively low coefficient of friction when in contact with the pole and another portion of the outer surface of the vamp having a relatively high coefficient of friction when in contact with the pole compared to the one portion. Fg3 Fig. 1

Description

1 FOOTWEAR GRIPPING SYSTEM FOR POLES FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a footwear gripping system for poles that has particular application for pole dancing, gymnastics, acrobatics, climbing and other activities that may involve ascending, descending, rotating or hanging upon a pole. [0002] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [0003] Throughout the specification the following terms are intended to have the indicated meanings: 'upper' or 'vamp' is intended to mean that part of the footwear that surrounds and protects the foot from the sole up and in its broadest context when used alone in defining the invention in the claims, also includes the 'shaft' of a boot, 'shaft' is intended to mean that part of a boot that covers the leg, and when used conjointly with the term 'upper' or 'vamp' extends from the top our outer end of the upper or vamp to a distal to terminate above the ankle. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0004] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the 2 discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. [0005] Fixed poles have been used in a variety of activities such as sliding down different storeys of a building such as the traditional fireman's pole, for performing gymnastic and acrobatic routines in the sports and entertainment fields, and in more recent times with pole dancing for exercise and entertainment purposes. [0006] Using a pole adeptly in any of the aforementioned activities requires training, which is generally performed in informal attire, whereas actual performances before spectators for entertainment or work is undertaken in more formal attire suiting the type of activity involved. Due to the athletic ability required to use and perform with a pole, it is often desirable to not use footwear so that the performer can use their bare feet to aid in gripping and/or releasing of/from the pole. Depending upon the situation, however, whether it be involved with a formal performance or simply in a colder environment, it is necessary or desirable for the user to wear footwear that mitigates against use of the foot on the pole for additional gripping and releasing. In fact, it has become common practice in pole dancing classes in particular that are not for competition or live performance purposes, to wear footwear, and in particular ugg boots, not only for comfort but also for fashion purposes. [0007] A problem with ugg boots and similar types of footwear is that the leather or skin upper has a relatively low coefficient of friction when brought into contact with a smooth metal pole, mitigating against their use when using or performing on the pole. [0008] As many of the routines or performances on the pole require gripping or releasing at different times with different parts of the body coming into contact with the pole to effect same, including the feet, it is becoming apparent that there 3 is a need to be fulfilled that may allow for footwear to be worn when using or performing on the pole, and which allows for different levels of kinetic friction to be applied to the pole to facilitate or enhance the use or performance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear system that addresses or provides a viable opportunity for footwear to be worn by adept users of a pole for exercise, performance or working upon the pole using their feet for gripping and/or releasing of the pole. [0010] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a footwear gripping system for poles, the system comprising a vamp of the footwear having: i) one portion of the outer surface of the vamp having a relatively low coefficient of friction when in contact with the pole; and ii) another portion of the outer surface of the vamp having a relatively high coefficient of friction when in contact with the pole compared to the one portion. [0011] Preferably, at least part of the other portion is disposed anteriorly of the vamp and extends from or near the toe of the vamp to or near the front outer end [0012] Preferably, the at least part of the other portion extends transversely across the footwear from one side of the vamp to the other side of the vamp. [0013] Preferably at least part of the other portion is disposed posteriorly of the footwear from or near the heel of the vamp to or near the rear distal end of the vamp.

4 [0014] Preferably, the other portion comprises a strip having a relatively high coefficient of friction compared to the remaining one portion of the vamp. [0015] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided footwear for poles comprising a footwear gripping system as defined in either one of the preceding aspects of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description of a preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig 1 is a front perspective view of the ugg boot footwear of the preferred embodiment with the outer end of the shaft folded over; Fig 2 is a rear perspective view of the ugg boot footwear of Fig1; Fig 3a is a front view of the ugg boot footwear of Fig 1; Fig 3b is a rear view of the ugg boot footwear of Fig 1; Fig 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the footwear in use and gripping a pole; Fig 5 is a perspective view of a user shown in silhouette performing a pole dancing routine wearing the footwear and gripping the pole. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 5 [0017] The preferred embodiment is directed towards a footwear gripping system in the form of adapted ugg boot footwear that has particular utility for wearing by a user for performing gymnastic and/or artistic movements upon a fixed metal pole. [0018] As shown in the drawings, the ugg boot footwear 11 comprises a pair of adapted ugg boots 11 each having a sole 13, an upper or vamp 15, a shaft 17, gripping strips 21 and 23, and an outer heel counter 25. The outer end of the shaft 17 is folded over to reveal the inner wool lining or shearling of the ugg boot to form a decorative cuff 19. [0019] The vamp 15 and shaft 17 are contiguous being formed of the same material, which in the case of an ugg boot in the present embodiment is sheep skin, where the shearling wool is disposed on the inner side of the footwear and the shearling skin is disposed on the outer side. In other embodiments, the footwear may comprise a leather outer surface forming the vamp and shaft, and a shearling liner is disposed inside the boot to provide a similar fur lined effect to an ugg boot. [0020] In the classic ugg boot design, the entire outer surface of the vamp 15 and shaft 17, being in the nature of sheep or lambs' skin, has a relatively low coefficient of friction when brought into contact with the smooth metal of a pole 29 used by a user 31 in pole entertainment or sports, making the footwear impractical to wear whilst performing. In the present embodiment, however, the strips 21 and 23 are applied to the vamp 15 and shaft 17 so that: i) an anterior strip 21 is stitched to the anterior of the ugg boot 11 in a manner so that the anterior strip 21 extends anteriorly from a position 21a at the toe of the vamp to a position 21b near to the front distal end of the shaft 17; and 6 ii) a posterior strip 23 is stitched to the posterior of the ugg boot 11 in a manner so that the posterior strip extends posteriorly from a position 23a near the heel 25 to a position 23b near the rear distal end of the shaft. [0021] The strips 21 and 23 are formed of a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction when contacting the metal pole compared to the remaining outer surface 27 of the vamp 15 and shaft 17, which material has a relatively low coefficient of friction when contacting the metal pole. [0022] The remaining outer surface 27 of the vamp 15 and shaft 17 covers a major part of the outer surface of the footwear and so provides a contrast in the frictional or gripping effect of the footwear when brought into contact with the pole 29 Thus, depending upon which part of the footwear is brought into contact with the pole 29 by the user 31, complex dextrous movements can still be performed on the pole by way of the user 31 being able to vary the degree of friction or grip applied to the pole to a greater or lesser extent. [0023] The material of the strips 21 and 23 in the present embodiment is leather, but in other embodiments it is patent leather, PVC, vinyl, or other gripping material having a relatively high coefficient of friction. [0024] In another embodiment, additional strips are applied to the outer surface of the footwear laterally of the vamp, making for a total surface area having a relatively high coefficient of friction that is proximate to or major to the remaining surface area having a low coefficient of friction. [0025] In a further embodiment, the footwear gripping system is substantially the same as in the preceding embodiments, except it is in the form of a slipper or shoe that includes a sole, an upper or vamp, gripping strips and an outer heel counter, but does not include a shaft as in a typical boot.

7 [0026] In this embodiment the gripping strips are similarly applied as an anterior strip to the anterior of the vamp, and a posterior strip to the posterior of the vamp, but in a manner where the strips extend anteriorly and posteriorly respectively to a position near to the front distal end of the vamp and to a position near to the rear distal end of the vamp, rather than the shaft. [0027] Figs 6 to 10 show additional embodiments of the footwear gripping system applied to more fashionable designs of ugg boots, and include different variations of how the gripping strips are applied to the boot. [0028] Figs 6a and 6b show a high shaft boot 33, with a front strip 21 and posterior strip 23 applied to the boot in a similar manner as to the preceding embodiments. [0029] Figs 7a, 7b and 7c show a high shaft boot 35 with an upper front strip 21a and lower front strip applied to the anterior shaft and vamp respectively, where the front strips extend across the boot with the upper front strip disposed obliquely to optimise grip on the pole. [0030] Figs 8a, 8b and 8c show a low shaft boot 37 with the front strips 21 and posterior strip 23 applied similar to the preceding embodiment. [0031] Figs 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d show a low shaft boot 39 with the front strip 21 applied to anterior of the vamp to cover the entire front surface of the boot. [0032] It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described, but extends to other embodiments that may vary by including or omitting other features of the system, without departing from the spririt of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. A footwear gripping system for poles comprising a vamp of the footwear having: (i) one portion of the outer surface of the vamp and shaft having a relatively low coefficient of friction when in contact with the pole; and (ii) another portion of the outer surface of the vamp having a relatively high coefficient of friction when in contact with the pole compared to the one portion.

2. A footwear gripping system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least part of the other portion is disposed anteriorly of the vamp and extends from or near the toe of the vamp to or near the front outer end of the vamp.

3. A footwear gripping system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least part of the other portion extends transversely across the footwear from one side of the vamp to the other side of the vamp.

4. A footwear gripping system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least part of the other portion is disposed posteriorly of the footwear from or near the heel of the vamp to or near the rear distal end of the vamp.

5. A footwear gripping system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the other portion comprises a strip having a relatively high coefficient of friction compared to the remaining one portion of the vamp.

6. Footwear for poles comprising a footwear gripping system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.