US20020084600A1

US20020084600A1 - Shoes with ball wheels

Info

Publication number: US20020084600A1
Application number: US09/749,851
Authority: US
Inventors: Filmore Bouldes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-28
Filing date: 2000-12-28
Publication date: 2002-07-04

Abstract

A shoe with ball wheels (10) having a shoe (12) securely attached to a sole (14) with a plurality of wheels (16) rotatably mounted in a bottom of the sole (14) partially extending outwardly therefrom. Each wheel (16) has a wheel ball (16A) rotatably mounted within a round cup-shaped wheel shroud (16B) which is securely mounted within the bottom of the sole (14).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to shoes with a plurality of rotating balls extending beyond the sole for omnidirectional skating purposes.

1. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous innovations for a shoe with wheels have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,214, titled, Skate with in-line wheels, invented by Roman, et. al., an in-line skate having a shoe connected with a frame having lateral wing pairs rotatably supporting wide tread in-line wheels structured such that when the skate is supported on a planar support surface and the skate is tilted from a vertical position in an inner direction an inner maximum laterally protruding point of an inner lateral surface of the skate shoe will make contact with the planar support surface before contact will be made with the planar support surface by the inner lateral wings, and such that when the skate is supported on the planar support surface and the skate is tilted from a vertical position in an outer direction an outer maximum laterally protruding point of an outer lateral surface of the shoe will make contact with the planar support surface before contact will be made with the planar support surface by the outer lateral wings.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,729, titled, Shoe particularly for skating, invented by Di Filippo, et. al., a shoe, particularly for skating, includes a soft upper below which a sole for walking is rigidly coupled. The shoe has, at the lower surface of the sole and longitudinally thereto, a seat for a rigid plate having temporary engagement member for a grip member associated with a supporting frame for in-line wheels. A rigid cuff is associated with the upper, oscillates transversely and longitudinally with respect to the upper, and cooperates with an element for limiting and controlling the oscillation which is associated with the supporting frame for the in-line wheels. It is thus possible to use the shoe both for ordinary walking and for skating.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,327, titled, Skates having retractable rollers, invented by Gallant, a skate having simultaneously retracted front and rear wheels. A retraction mechanism mounted below the show includes a linkage member yoked to all wheels. The retraction member includes cams or ramps which guide the wheels to move in an inclined direction, thereby retracting into the housing of the retraction mechanism and extending below the housing. When retracted, only the flat bottom surface of the housing is exposed below the housing. A linkage member rotated by a key disposed at the heel of the shoe moves the wheels along the ramps in tandem.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,870, titled, Adjustable inline skate storage and walking shoe, invented by Riley, an adjustable shoe for inline skates has a front shoe portion and a rear shoe portion which are connected by a track that permits the front and rear portions to be moved relative to one another. A cavity in the front and rear shoe portions is sized and shaped to receive the chassis and wheels of an inline skate. Adjustable side plates and straps are provided to secure the shoe to an inline skate.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,890, titled, Roller skate, invented by Rosso, et. al., an improved roller skate includes a shoe portion, front and rear wheels, and a bracket coupling the wheels to the shoe portion. The have a “generally” spherical shape which allows the skater to maintain a rolling surface of each wheel on the floor or ground, while leaning the skate by a relatively large degree with respect to a line extending perpendicular to the floor or ground. Each wheel has a rigid inner core and a softer outer cover. The inner core includes an axle housing connected to a hollow, “generally” spherical, rigid shell by a plurality of radially extending spokes. The bracket coupling the wheels to the shoe portion includes arms coupled to the wheel axles. The shape of the bracket and bracket arms are designed for strength as well as to allow for a high degree of skate inclination (lean or angle) with respect to the ground or floor without contacting and scraping the ground or floor.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,970, titled, Shoes for walking and roller skating, invented by Tucky, a shoe with skate wheels which can be alternatively used as a walking shoe or a skating shoe. The shoe is constructed so that the skate wheels are quickly, easily, and securely locked into either a retracted walking position or an extended roller skating position.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,937, titled, Non-slip insole base, invented by Misevich, et. al, an insole base member in planar form for providing a mechanical interlock with a shoe insole is disclosed. The insole base provides a low volume, low profile molded pattern which contacts the underside of the insole material and prevents shearing shifts of the insole. In one embodiment, the insole base has a smooth upper surface in the region adjacent the metatarsal heads of the foot, with a plurality of raised ridges extending transversely across the smooth upper surface, and with the upper surface of the insole base having a cross hatch pattern extending over the remainder of the base anterior and posterior to the smooth upper surface portion. The raised ridges may be positioned so as to lie parallel to the transverse and oblique metatarsal axes of the foot. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of raised ridges are positioned adjacent to the heel or the ball of the foot, with such raised ridges being located outwardly of a central reference point in a pattern corresponding to the spokes of a wheel.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,251, titled, Articulated shoe sole with universal supportive wheel, invented by Miano, a first body for attachment to the undersole portion of a shoe is provided and includes front and rear marginal portions. A second body for underlying the heel portion of a shoe is disposed to the rear of and swingably supported from the rear marginal portion of the first body for swinging relative thereto about a horizontal transverse axis. A spring is operably connected between the first and second bodies and functions to yieldingly upwardly swing the second body relative to the first body and the first body includes a downwardly facing bearing member journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis as well as an upstanding axis. With the first body suitably attached to the forward undersole portion of a shoe, the wearer of the shoe may propel himself with his other shoe and, upon transferring his weight to the shoe from which the first body is supported, roll across a suitable supporting surface. The second body, upon upward flexing of the heel portion of the associated shoe, is swung upwardly out of engagement with the supporting surface, but may be downwardly displaced by the heel of the associated shoe into engagement with the supporting surface for braking action.

The aforementioned patents differ from the present invention because the patented inventions do not describe and/or claim the following: conventional high top gym shoe configuration or sneaker and a plurality of rotating round wheels positioned on an underside of the shoe sole allowing the skater to move omnidirectional.

Numerous innovations for a shoe with wheels have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The types of problems encountered in the prior art are shoes with wheels are only unidirectional in movement.

In the prior art, unsuccessful attempts to solve this problem were attempted namely: utilizing a plurality of wheels. However, the problem was solved by the present invention because it utilizes rotating balls in place of traditional wheels.

Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited quick, easy and inexpensive transportation

The present invention went contrary to the teaching of the art which describes and claims the use of traditional wheels in various configurations.

The present invention solved a long felt need for an omnidirectional skate.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe with ball wheels.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe with ball wheels having a shoe with a sole.

In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the sole having a plurality of wheels.

When the wheels are designed in accordance with the present invention, they have a wheel ball rotatably mounted within a wheel shroud.

The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

10'shoes with ball wheels (10)

12—shoe (12)

14—sole (14)

16—wheel (16)

16A—wheel ball (16A)

16B—wheel shroud (16B)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe with ball wheels ([0032] 10).
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a shoe with ball wheels ([0033] 10).
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along LINE [0034] 3-3 of FIG. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which are side and bottom views of a shoe with ball wheels ([0035] 10), respectively. The shoe with ball wheels (10) comprises a shoe (12) securely attached to a sole (14). The shoe (12) is a preferably a sneaker. The sole (14) is preferably manufactured from rubber or rubber composite.
Now referring to FIG. 3 which is a cross sectional view along LINE [0036] 3-3 of FIG. 1 The shoe with ball wheels (10) further comprises a plurality of wheels (16) rotatably mounted in a bottom of the sole (14) partially extending outwardly therefrom. Each wheel (16) comprises a wheel ball (16A) rotatably mounted within a round cup-shaped wheel shroud (16B) which is securely mounted within the bottom of the sole (14). The wheel ball (16A) is preferably manufactured from a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, rubber composite, polyurethane and poly ethylene. The wheel ball (16A) has a sold core functioning to maintain rigidity under the weight of the user. The wheel ball (16A) is manufactured from metal or metal composite.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above. [0037]
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a shoe with wheels, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. [0038]
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. [0039]
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. [0040]

Claims

what is claimed is:

1. A shoe with ball wheels (10) comprising:

A) a shoe (12) securely attached to a sole (14); and

B) a plurality of wheels (16) rotatably mounted in a bottom of the sole (14) partially extending outwardly therefrom, each wheel (16) comprises a wheel ball (16A) rotatably mounted within a round cup-shaped wheel shroud (16B) which is securely mounted within the bottom of the sole (14).

2. The shoe with ball wheels (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the shoe (12) is a sneaker.

3. The shoe with ball wheels (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the sole (14) is manufactured from rubber or rubber composite.

4. The shoe with ball wheels (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the wheel ball (16A) is manufactured from a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, rubber composite, polyurethane and poly ethylene.

5. The shoe with ball wheels (10) as described in claim 4, wherein the wheel ball (16A) has a sold core functioning to maintain rigidity under the weight of the user.

6. The shoe with ball wheels (10) as described in claim 5, wherein the wheel ball (16A) is manufactured from metal or metal composite.