GB2294627A

GB2294627A - Non-slip sports shoe

Info

Publication number: GB2294627A
Application number: GB9421975A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Maximillian Griggs
Original assignee: R Griggs and Co Ltd
Current assignee: R Griggs and Co Ltd
Priority date: 1994-11-01
Filing date: 1994-11-01
Publication date: 1996-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-01
Also published as: GB9421975D0; GB2294627B

Abstract

Rows (3) of inclined projections (4) are formed on the sole portion (1) and/or the heel portion (2) of a sports shoe. In order to be able to dispense with the use of spikes, the rows (3) of inclined projections (4) have a saw-tooth cross section. Furthermore, each inclined projection (4) has a base end (5) and an opposed curved projecting end (6), and preferably parallel sides (7). <IMAGE>

Description

SOLE AND/OR HEEL FOR A SHOE The present invention relates to a sole and/or heel for a shoe, particularly a sports shoe such as a golf shoe, and also to a shoe provided with such a sole and/or heel.

It is common practice to provide the soles and heels of sports shoes with studs or spikes to enhance grip and to prevent slippage, particularly on wet turf. Golf shoes are frequently provided with studs or spikes for this purpose.

A disadvantage of studs or spikes is that it is usually necessary for the shoes to be changed as soon as the wearer reaches the edge of the turf, since the studs or spikes will suffer considerable wear if the shoes are used on pavements or road surfaces.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sole and/or heel for a shoe in which the use of studs or spikes may be dispensed with.

The present invention provides a sole and/or heel for a shoe as claimed in claim 1.

The invention also provides a shoe, particularly a golf shoe, provided with such a sole and/or heel.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sole and heel in accordance with the invention for a left sports shoe, FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II - II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line III - III of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1 a through-sole for a sports shoe has a sole portion 1 and a heel portion 2. Both the sole portion 1 and the heel portion 2 are provided with parallel rows 3 of inclined projections 4.

Each inclined projection 4 has a base end 5 substantially in the plane of the through-sole, and an opposed curved (here convex) projecting end 6 spaced from the surface of the through-sole. Each inclined projection 4 has parallel sides 7 extending from the base end 5 to the curved projecting end 6, and the surface of each inclined projection 4 is planar.

It can be seen from the drawing that the inclined projections 4 are arranged end to end in each row 3, with the curved projecting end 6 of each inclined projection 4 being immediately followed by the base end 5 of the subsequent inclined projection 4.

It is also apparent from FIG. 1 that the rows 3 are staggered, so that the curved projecting ends 6 of the inclined projections 4 of any row 3 lie substantially midway between the base end 5 and curved projecting end 6 of the inclined projections 4 of adjacent rows 3.

Thus the resulting pattern is somewhat similar to a curved roof-tile pattern, or a fish-scale arrangement.

As is apparent from FIG. 2 each row 3 of inclined projections 4 has a substantially saw-tooth cross section. The angle of inclination of each inclined portion 4 to the surface of the through-sole is from 10 to 60 , and is preferably substantially 20-.

If the through-sole is used for a golf shoe, it has been found that the best surface grip providing stability during golf swing is provided if the rows 3 of inclined projections 4 extend both along and across the longitudinal extent of the through-sole as shown in FIG.

1, and the inclined projections 4 of the heel portion 2 extend substantially across the heel portion 2. The rows 3 of the inclined projections 4 may be at any suitable angle to the rows 3 of the heel portion 2, but are preferably at an angle of approximately 33-.

Although FIG. 1 is the through-sole for a left sports shoe, the curved projecting ends 6 of the inclined projections 4 of each row 3 for both left and right shoes face the outside of the through-sole, whereas the base ends 5 face the inside of the through-sole, ie they have mirror-image arrangements of the inclined projections 4.

A projecting portion 8 (see also FIG. 3) may be provided in the centre of the through-sole, eg in the form of part of a golf ball to facilitate identification of a shoe to which the through-sole is fitted.

The through-sole may be made from any suitable material such as PVC, and the rows 3 of inclined projections 4 may be formed thereon in a single moulding operation.

Alternatively, a sole or heel portion carrying the rows 3 of inclined projections 4 could be attached in a separate operation, eg by adhesive, to the sole and/or heel. If desired, the rows 3 of inclined projections 4 may be provided with a different colour from that of the sole and/or heel.

It will be seen that both the sole portion 1 and heel portion 2 are provided with screw-threaded sockets 9 to receive standard threaded spikes (not shown). Normally, spikes should not be necessary, but can be attached if desired, eg if the ground is particularly slippy, or the wearer requires the assurance of spikes.

Claims

1. A sole and/or heel for a shoe having a plurality of parallel rows of inclined projections with a substantially saw-tooth cross section, wherein each inclined projection has a base end substantially in the plane of the sole and/or heel and an opposed curved projecting end.

2. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inclined projections are planar.

3. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the curved projecting end is convex.

4. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rows of inclined projections are staggered so that the curved projecting end of each inclined projection is substantially midway between the base and curved projecting end of the adjacent inclined projections of adjacent rows.

5. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curved projecting end of each inclined projection is immediately adjacent the base end of the following inclined projection of that row of inclined projections.

6. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined projections are at an angle of between 10 and 60 to the surface of the sole and/or heel.

7. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said angle is substantially 20'.

8. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rows of inclined projections extend substantially transversely across the heel.

9. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rows of inclined projections of the sole extend in a direction along and across the sole.

10. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rows of inclined projections of the sole extend at an angle of substantially 33 to the rows of inclined projections of the heel.

11. A sole and/or heel for a shoe substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

12. A golf shoe as claimed in claim 11, wherein a raised portion patterned as a golf ball is provided between the sole and heel.

12. A shoe provided with a sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A golf shoe provided with a sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A golf shoe as claimed in claim 13, wherein a raised portion patterned as a golf ball is provided between the sole and heel.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A sole and/or heel for a shoe having a plurality of parallel rows of inclined planar projections with a substantially saw-tooth cross section, the projections of the sole and/or heel facing in the same direction, wherein each inclined projection has a base end substantially in the plane of the sole and/or heel, an opposed convex projecting end, and a rectangular portion therebetween.

2. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rows of inclined projections are staggered so that the convex projecting end of each inclined projection is substantially midway between the base and convex projecting end of the adjacent inclined projections of adjacent rows.

3. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the convex projecting end of each inclined projection is immediately adjacent the base end of the following inclined projection of that row of inclined projections.

4. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined projections are at an angle of between 10 and 60 to the surface of the sole and/or heel.

5. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said angle is substantially 20g.

6. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rows of inclined projections extend substantially transversely across the heel.

7. A sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rows of inclined projections of the sole extend in a direction along and across the sole.

8. A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rows of inclined projections of the sole extend at an angle of substantially 33 to the rows of inclined projections of the heel.

9. A sole and/or heel for a shoe substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

10. A shoe provided with a sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

11. A golf shoe provided with a sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.