GB2481369A - Athletic shoe with adjustable spikes - Google Patents

Abstract

An athletic shoe 1 comprises an upper 2, an outsole 3 an insole 5 and a midsole 8 made from a resiliently deformable foam material interposed between the insole 5 and the outsole 8. Spikes 10 are mounted to the insole 5 to extend through apertures in the midsole 8 and the outsole 3, respectively. The spikes 10 are movable along the apertures between a retracted position, in which they do not project from the outsole 3 and in which the midsole 8 is expanded (uncompressed), and an extended position, in which the midsole 8 is compressed and the spikes 10 move through the apertures projecting outside the outsole 3. An adjustment means is provided in the form of a strap 12 connecting the outsole 3 and the upper 2 and adjustment of which regulates the compression force applied to the midsole 8, and thus the extension or otherwise of the spikes 10.

Description

A SHOE

The present invention relates generally to an athletic shoe, more particularly, to an athletic shoe adapted for running, jumping and walking.

Most of currently available trainer shoes are designed for distance running and, although some shoes suitable for walking, this design does not facilitate the correct foot action required for high performance sprinting and jumping. Many trainer shoes are used in conjunction with spikes provided on their outsoles in order to prevent slippage at high speed and manoeuvres. Spiked shoes are not suitable for walking and therefore multiple shoe changes are often required during a training session. Athletes put up with this situation in order to have suitable footwear during each section of the training session. In some shoes, spikes can be removed from the outsole altogether using a special driving tool in order to enable walking. The operation of removing spikes is time consuming and thus is off putting for athletes and is often ignored. Spikes get damaged easily when walking on hard surfaces and gravel which surround many athletics tracks and sports grounds.

The object of the present invention is to mitigate the above disadvantages and to provide an improved athletic shoe adapted for high performance training and for walking.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an athletic shoe comprising an upper an outsole defining a plurality of through apertures; an insole comprising a bearing surface facing outwardly with respect to the interior of the shoe; a midsole made from a resiliently deformable material; the midsole being interposed between the insole and the outsole and the midsole defining a plurality of through apertures aligned with the through apertures in the outsole; a plurality of spikes mounted to the bearing surface of the insole at locations aligned with the respective through apertures of the midsole and the outsole, the spikes being movable along the through apertures of the midsole and the outsole; wherein the spikes are movable between a retracted position, in which the spikes are confined within external boundaries of the outsole and the midsole is an expanded mode in the absence of a pre-determined compression force acting on the midsole from the insole and the outsole, and an extended position, in which a force equal or greater than the pre-determined compression force is applied at least to portions of the midsole material surrounding one or more of the through apertures in the midsole causes those portions of the midsole material to compress thereby forcing the respective spikes to move through the respective through apertures of the midsole and of the outsole so that portions of the respective spikes extend beyond the external boundaries of the outsole; and wherein an adjustment mechanism is arranged between the upper and the outsole, the adjustment mechanism being operable to alter the compression force acting on the midsole thereby altering the value of an additional force required to be applied to the midsole in order to force the spikes to extend beyond the external boundaries of the outsole.

The shoe of the present invention allows athletes to perform through various sections of a training session with only one pair of footwear. When walking, jogging or stretching, the adjustment mechanism can be loosened so that the midsole is relatively uncompressed (expanded) and the spikes do not extend outside the outsole. This function also allows athletes to walk across relatively short stretches of concrete and gravel found around most running tracks or sports grounds. When the athlete needs to accelerate and run or manoeuvre at high speed, the adjustment mechanism can be tightened to increase static pressure on the midsole and to partially compress the midsole thus reducing the additional force required to be applied by the foot to the midsole making it easier for the spikes to emerge.

The athletic shoe of the present invention is suitable for sprints and horizontal jumps but not limited thereto. Indeed, the shoe is suitable for any kind of sport which involves a combination of high speed manoeuvres or running where increased forces act on the insole, the midsole and the outsole from the foot and from the ground surface and low speed actions, such as walking, jogging or stretching, where the forces are relatively low.

The shoe of the present invention can be used on running tracks at normal ambient temperatures. The shoe is also suitable for use in sand pits and for short walks on tarmac and concrete.

The present invention provides the following advantages: -reduction of the amount of necessary shoe changes in a track session -athletes need only bring one pair of shoes to the track -ten to twelve minutes can be saved by not having to change shoes during training time (assuming up to four shoe changes and up to three minutes for each) -the distraction of worrying about damaging spikes on concrete paths is removed -more efficient and more enjoyable training may ead to improved performance for athletes Preferably, the insole comprises a spike bearing pane' which includes the bearing surface.

The spike bearing pane' can be made from a thermoplastic polyurethane.

Preferably, pressure plate members depend from the bearing surface and the spikes are attached to the bearing surface via the pressure plate members for locaising the compressive force so that it is applied primarily to regions of the midsole aligned with the pressure plate members.

Ideally, recesses are formed in the surface of the midsole facing the bearing surface, the recesses being configured for accommodating the pressure plate members.

The resiliently deformable midsole material is preferably a foam and more preferably a synthetic plastic foam, such as for example ethylene-vinyl acetate foam.

Preferably, the adjustment mechanism comprises one or more straps engaged with one or more anchor elements provided on each of the outsole and the upper. The one or more straps are preferably fixed to either the outsole or the upper at at least one anchor element and the one or more straps are movable with respect to the remaining anchor elements so that the tension of the strap can be increased or decreased.

Reinforcement elements are preferably provided at regions of the upper and the outsole where the one or more straps are anchored to the upper and to the outsole. One preferred material for the reinforcement sections is synthetic or natural leather.

The adjustment mechanism ideally inc'udes a locking member for immovably fixing the adjustment mechanism.

In a preferred embochment the anchor elements for the one or more straps are provided at a pair of opposed anchor locations on the outsole, one at each lateral side of the outsole in the forefoot region; and at a pair of opposed anchor locations on the upper, one at each lateral side of the upper in the ankle or top of foot region.

The strap is preferably made from an elastic material, and more preferably from nylon webbing.

The strap arrangement of the adjustment mechanism provides for quick and easy adjustment of the level of compression of the midsole.

The upper preferably comprises a continuous elastic section across the top of the foot.

This eliminates the need for a join where the tongue of a shoe usually is. The continuous elastic section can be made from stretchy acrylic/nylon blend.

The shoe of the invention also includes a continuous elastic cuff, which can also be made form stretchy acrylic/nylon blend. The elastic cuff is provided at a region of the upper surrounding the ankle, the elastic cuff being configured to fit snugly around the ankle thereby preventing fine particles, such as sand from entering the shoe when worn.

Accordingly, the distraction of having sand inside the shoes is eliminated. Furthermore, time is saved by not having to remove sand from the shoes. Additionally, sandy shoes do not need to be transported in the athlete's gear bag thus also eliminating sand build-up in the bag.

Appropriate materials, forming and construction methods will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Standard athletic footwear materials and construction methods are preferred.

The ankle cuff and mid section of the shoe are a stretchy acrylic/nylon blend (similar to that used in ankle supports.

Ideally, the outsole comprises grip plates for adequate traction.

The invention wifi now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of an example an embochment of an athletic shoe of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an athletic shoe of the invention along the line A-A in Figure 2; Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a top view and a front elevation of the shoe of Figure Figures 4 and 5 are schematic sectional views of a sole of a shoe of the invention showing a midsole in expanded and compressed modes, respectively; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a midsole of a shoe of the invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of a spike bearing panel; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a sole assembly of a shoe of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a sole assembly of a shoe of the invention; and Figures 10 and ii are side elevations of a shoe of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to lithe athletic shoe of the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The shoe 1 comprises an upper 2, an outsole 3 defining a plurality of through apertures 4 (see Figure 9), and an insole 5 comprising a spike bearing panel 6 having a bearing surface 7 facing outwardly with respect to the interior of the shoe 1. The shoe further comprises a midsole 8 made from a resiliently deformable synthetic foam, such as for example ethylene-vinyl acetate foam, and interposed between the insole 5 and the outsole 3. The midsole 8 defines a plurality of through apertures 9 (see Figure 6) aligned with the through apertures 4 in the outsole 3.

A plurality of spikes 10 are mounted to the bearing surface 7 of the insole 5 at locations aligned with the respective through apertures 9 of the midsole 8 and through apertures 4 the outsole 3. The spikes 10 are movable along the through apertures 4 and 9.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the spikes 10 are movable between a retracted position, in which the spikes 10 are confined within external boundaries of the outsole 3 and the midsole 8 is an expanded mode (this occurs in the absence of a pre-determined compression force acting on the midsole 8 from the insole 5 and the outsole 3); and an extended position, in which a force equal or greater than the pre-determined compression force is apped at least to portions of the midsole material surrounding one or more of the through apertures in the midsole 8 causes those portions of the midsole material to compress thereby forcing the respective spikes 10 to move through the respective through apertures 9, 4 of the midsole 8 and of the outsole 3 so that portions of the respective spikes 10 extend beyond the external boundaries of the outsole 3.

An adjustment mechanism in the form of an elastic strap 12 is arranged between the upper 2 and the outsole 3. The strap 12 serves alter the compression force acting on the midsole 8 thereby altering the value of an additional force required to be applied to the midsole 8 in order to force the spikes 10 to extend beyond the external boundaries of the outsole 3.

When walking, jogging or stretching, the strap 12 can be loosened so that the midsole 8, is relatively uncompressed (expanded), as shown in Figures 1 and 4, and the spikes 10 do not extend outside the outsole 3. This function also allows athletes to walk across relatively short stretches of concrete and gravel found around most running tracks or sports grounds. When the athlete needs to accelerate and run or manoeuvre at high speed, the strap 12 can be tightened to increase static pressure on the midsole 8 and to partially compress the midsole 8 thus reducing the additional force required to be applied by the foot to the midsole 8 making it easier for the spikes 10 to emerge. Thus the shoe I of the present invention allows athletes to perform through various sections of a training session with only one pair of footwear.

As shown in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 8, pressure plate members 15 depend from the bearing surface 7 and the spikes 10 are attached to the bearing surface 7 via the pressure plate members 15 for localising the compressive force so that it is applied primarily to regions of the midsole 8 aligned with the pressure plate members 15.

Recesses 16 are formed in the surface of the midsole 8 facing the bearing surface 7 for accommodating the pressure plate members 15.

The strap 12 is engaged with anchor elements in the form of loops 17 provided on each of the outsole 3 and the upper 2. A pair of opposed loops is provided on the outsole 3, one at each lateral side 21 of the outsole 3 in the forefoot region. And a pair of opposed oppose loops is provided on the upper 2, one at each lateral side 22 of the upper 2 in the ankle region or top of foot region.

The strap 12 is fixed to the outsole 3 at one anchor element 17 as shown by line 18 in Figures 2 and 11. The strap 12 is movable with respect to the remaining anchor elements 17 so that the tension of the strap 12 can be increased or decreased. The strap 12 includes a grip portion 5 a locking member in the form of, for example, a Velcro TM pair 19 for immovably fixing the strap 12 in place.

Reinforcement elements in the form of wrap portions 20 are provided at regions of the upper 2 and the outsole 3 where the strap 12 is engaged with the loops 17.

The upper 2 preferably comprises a continuous elastic section 23 across the top of the foot. This eliminates the need for a join where the tongue of a shoe usually is. The continuous elastic section can be made from stretchy acrylic/nylon blend.

The shoe I also includes a continuous elastic cuff 25, made form stretchy acrylic/nylon blend. The elastic cuff 25 is provided at a region of the upper 2 surrounding the ankle, and is configured to fit snugly around the ankle thereby preventing fine particles, such as sand from entering the shoe I when worn.

The outsole 3 comprises grip plates 27 for adequate traction.

The present invention is defined in the appended claims, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments being provided merely for the purpose of illustration of the disclosure. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications of the above-described embodiments not explicitly described herein are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS: 1. An athletic shoe compnsing an upper, an outsole defining a plurality of through apertures; an insole comprising a bearing surface facing outwardly with respect to the intenor of the shoe; a mdsole made from a resiliently deformable material; the midsole being interposed between the insole and the outsole and the midsole defining a plurality of through apertures aligned with the through apertures in the outsole; a plurality of spikes mounted to the bearing surface of the insole at locations aligned with the respective through apertures of the midsole and the outsole, the spikes being movable along the through apertures of the midsole and the outsole; wherein the spikes are movable between a retracted position, in which the spikes are confined within external boundaries of the outsole and the midsole is an expanded mode in the absence of a pre-determined compression force acting on the midsole from the insole and the outsole, and an extended position, in which a force equal or greater than the pre-determined compression force s applied at least to portions of the midsole matenal surrounding one or more of the through apertures in the mdsole causes those portions of the midsole material to compress thereby forcing the respective spikes to move through the respective through apertures of the midsole and of the outsole so that portions of the respective spikes extend beyond the external boundaries of the outsole; and wherein an adjustment mechanism is arranged between the upper and the outsole, the adjustment mechanism being operable to alter the compression force acting on the midsole thereby altering the value of an additional force required to be applied to the midsole in order to force the spikes to extend beyond the external boundaries of the outsole.
2. 2. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the insole comprises a spike bearing panel which includes the bearing surface.
3. 3. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein pressure plate members depend from the bearing surface and the spikes are attached to the bearing surface via the pressure plate members for locasing the compressive force so that it is apped primary to regions of the midsole agned with the pressure plate members.
4. 4. A shoe as claimed in Claim 3, wherein recesses are formed in the surface of the midsole facing the bearing surface, the recesses being configured for accommodating the pressure plate members.
5. 5. A shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resiliently deformable midsole material is a plastic foam.
6. 6. A shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises one or more straps engaged with one or more anchor elements provided on each of the outsole and the upper.
7. 7. A shoe as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the one or more straps are fixed to either the outsole or the upper at at least one anchor element and the one or more straps are movable with respect to the remaining anchor elements so that the tension of the strap can be increased or decreased.
8. 8. A shoe as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein reinforcement elements are provided at regions of the upper and the outsole where the one or more straps are anchored to the upper and to the outsole.
9. 9. A shoe as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the anchor elements for the one or more straps are provided at a pair of opposed anchor locations on the outsole, one at each lateral side of the outsole in the forefoot region; and at a pair of opposed anchor locations on the upper, one at each lateral side of the upper in the ankle or top of foot region.
10. 10. A shoe as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 9, wherein the one or more straps are made from an elastic material, such as, for example, nylon webbing.
11. 11. A shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment mechanism ideally includes a locking member for immovably fixing the adjustment mechanism.
12. 12. A shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper comprises a continuous e'astic section across the top of the foot, thereby eliminating the need for a join where the tongue of a shoe usuaHy is.
13. 13. A shoe as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the continuous elastic section is made from stretchy acrylic!nylon blend.
14. 14. A shoe as claimed in any preceding daim, wherein the shoe of the invention includes a continuous elastic cuff provided at a region of the upper surrounding the ankle, the elastic cuff being configured to fit snugly around the ankle thereby preventing fine particles, such as sand, from entering the shoe when worn.
15. 15. A shoe as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the elastic cuff is made form stretchy acrylic/nylon blend.
16. 16. An athletic shoe substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.t!V.' INTELLECTUAL 11 . ...* PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB1009818.4 Examiner: Mr Philip J. Roe Claims searched: 1-16 Date of search: 7 October 2010 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims A -US4715133A (HARTJES et al) see whole document, especially col 2 lines 14-57, and figure 2.A -US4271608A (TOMURU) see whole document, especially col 1 lines 25-45, and figure 5.Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC A43B; A43C The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report EPODOC, WPI International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From A43B 0005/06 01/01/2006 A43B 0005/00 01/01/2006 A43C 0015/00 01/01/2006 A43C 0015/14 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk