EP0894446A1

EP0894446A1 - Sandal sole for cycling shoes

Info

Publication number: EP0894446A1
Application number: EP98500175A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fernando Javier Eguileor Ituarte
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-30
Filing date: 1998-07-22
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Also published as: ES1037983Y; ES1037983U

Abstract

A recess (2) is provided on the upper surface of the actual sole, its shape matching that of the studs or projections with which the undersurface of the soles of cycling shoes are fitted to be automatically fixed to the bicycle pedal, allowing the cycling shoe sole to be arranged on the upper surface of the sandal, the shoe being held by the fastening straps in the sandal to allow the user to walk comfortably.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sandal sole which, whatever its shape, material and other characteristics, is provided with a recess on its upper surface within which the part serving as a stud externally provided in cycling shoes on the undersurface of the actual sole of said shoes can be housed and snugly adapted, which allows the actual cyclist to walk comfortably without any difficulty whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cycling shoes are known to be fitted with a part fixed by any conventional means, such as screws for instance, on their respective sole, located at an area lying approximately at the centre of the sole of the shoes, constituting what is taken to be a projection or stud of said shoes for these to be adapted to the automatic fixing mechanism or system with which the pedal is fitted.
Now then, people using this type of cycling shoes and trying to walk find it awkward and uncomfortable, which is due to two main reasons. Firstly because the subject shoes have no heel and the stud or projection provided on the sole, because it stands out, causes said front area of the shoes to be higher than the heel area, which is naturally awkward when it comes to walking.
Secondly, said parts or studs fixed to the sole of the cycling shoes are usually made of plastic material and hence tend to slip, which means that a user risks falling.
In conclusion, walking with cycling shoes on results in a number of problems and drawbacks among which the following may be noted:

Walking is uncomfortable and may result in the cyclist's feet and legs being injured.
The shoes do not provide a proper hold on the ground, and there is hence a risk of stumbling, slipping and falling.
The actual stud provided on the shoes is damaged, and it is hence difficult to fit the stud in the automatic fixing mechanism with which the bicycle pedal is purposely provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to prevent the aforesaid drawbacks, a sandal has been devised with special features that allow the undersurface of the sole of a cycling shoe to be adapted to the surface standing as its sole and thus form a single body enabling a cyclist to walk comfortably without any of the above-mentioned risks or problems ensuing.
More specifically, the object of the invention is a sandal sole of sufficient thickness, made of any material whatsoever and fitted with similarly conventional fastening means, most particularly suited for holding a cycling shoe when the latter is adapted to such sandal, the sole being provided at a suitable area of its upper surface with a recess or gap matching the projection constituting the stud with which cycling shoes are provided in shape and thickness, in order that when one such shoe is arranged on the upper surface of the sandal sole, both surfaces, to wit the undersurface of the shoe and the upper surface of the sandal, may be adapted to one another, with the undersurface projection or stud housed within the recess of the sandal sole, in order thereby to allow a user to walk comfortably, the cycling shoes being appropriately held by means with which the sandal is purposed provided, namely for instance fastening straps.
The studs existing in the market and with which cycling shoes are provided have a different peripheral shape and thickness, and it has therefore been conceived that a recess or gap be provided to match and snugly house said studs. A matching insole has also been provided which is optionally arranged on the upper surface of the sandal sole, provided with a gap capable of housing a stud or projection of a thicker kind, the stud fitting in said insole gap and in the recess of the sandal sole.
In order to fix the insole to the sole, the undersurface of the insole has been provided to have a conventional adhesive means.
In conclusion, with the object of the invention, the sole can fully support a cycling shoe in order that a person or user can walk on foot with a number of advantages, most outstanding amongst which are the following:
a). It makes it possible to walk on foot wearing cycling shoes fitted with a pedal fixing system, i.e. with a stud or projection matching the automatic fixing mechanism with which bicycle pedals are fitted.
b). It reduces the risk of foot muscle and tendon, hamstring, Achilles' tendon and ankle injuries because the walking position of the foot is more normal and suitable.
c). It prevents falling and tripping which may potentially and usually annoyingly occur with cycling shoes in which the front is raised and the rear or heel lies on a lower level.
d). It protects the projection or stud on cycling shoes from being worn and deformed, which occur when walking treading on the ground directly with said stud or projection, preventing it from being damaged and thus losing its being perfectly fixed to the automatic pedal mechanism.
As explained hereinbefore, the sandal in which the sole of the invention is provided will not only have a recess as an essential feature thereof but will moreover be fitted with well-known shoe fastening means, either around the instep area, around the instep and at the rear area of the heel and ankle, etc.
The gap provided or made in the sandal sole can be filled with an appendage of like material having its same shape and size, thereby for coupling thereof to be perfect, and may be fixed by means of a suitable adhesive for the sandal to be used separately without the cycling shoes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to provide a fuller description and contribute to the complete understanding of the characteristics of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification as an integral part thereof which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the following:
Figure 1.- Is a plan view of the optional insole, provided with a gap at its front portion.
Figure 2.- Is a profile cross-sectional view of the optional insole.
Figure 3.- Is a plan view of the sandal sole, showing the recess or gap provided at its front, designed for studs or projections fitted on the undersurface of a cycling shoe sole to be fitted.
Figure 4.- Is a profile cross-sectional view of the sole of said sandal.
Figure 5.- Is a profile cross-sectional view of the sole and the optional insole overlying one another.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the above figures, the cycling shoe sandal sole (1), which may have any albeit suitable thickness and be made of any material or howsoever, is particular in that the upper surface of a sole area is provided with a recess (2) the depth and shape of which will match those of the studs or projections with which cycling shoe soles are purposely provided, the foregoing such that said sole (1) fitted with the different conventional fastening straps, may allow the cycling shoe sole to be arranged on the upper surface of the sandal, with the studs or projections fitted within the recess (2), whereupon, after said cycling shoe is held with conventional fastening straps with which the actual sandal is provided, the user may walk comfortably without any risks, without the stud or projection bearing directly on the ground and without the shoe having to be taken off immediately upon getting off the bicycle in order to be able to walk comfortably.
The sandal may be used on its own, i.e. separately from the cycling shoe, by merely inserting an appendage within the recess (2) which has the same peripheral shape and thickness to fill said recess (2), which appendage can be made of either the same material, i.e. the material removed to provide the recess, or any other material or purposely obtained part.
A matching insole (3) has optionally been provided which may be arranged on the upper sandal sole (1) surface, fixed to the latter by any conventional means, namely self-adhesive, glue, etc., which insole is provided with a gap (4) at the front, the foregoing in case a cycling shoe should have been fitted with a stud or projection with a peripheral shape and particularly a thickness differing from those expected to fit in said sandal sole (1), and should require a thicker and deeper recess. Now, therefore, between the gap provided in the insole (3) to match that of the recess (2) provided in the sandal sole (1), a double sinuous shape and a greater depth or thickness is provided, in order that a stud or projection of such characteristics may be fitted.

Claims

A sandal sole for cycling shoes, designed to allow the user of cycling shoes to walk comfortably and without any problems, in which the sole at issue may be made of any material whatsoever with a suitable thickness, and be provided with conventional fastening means, such as straps or the like, essentially characterised in that a recess is provided on the upper surface of the actual sole, its shape matching that of the studs or projections with which the undersurface of the soles of cycling shoes are fitted to be automatically fixed to the bicycle pedal, allowing the cycling shoe sole to be arranged on the upper surface of the sandal sole, the shoe being held by the fastening straps in the sandal to allow the user to walk comfortably.
A sandal sole for cycling shoes, as in claim 1, characterised in that the sole is optionally provided with a matching insole having a peripheral shape similar to that of the sole and with a gap or hole of sinuous contour fixed to the sole, corresponding with part of the shape of another stud or projection arranged on the soles of cycling shoes, the stud or projection being thicker and having a different peripheral shape, this double sole allowing this particular stud to be suitably fitted and positioned, the soles and cycling shoe being altogether held by fastening straps.
A sandal sole for cycling shoes, as in claim 1, characterised in that the recess in the sandal sole can be filled with an appendage of a different or identical sole material to allow the sandal to be used as such, separately from the cycling shoe.