US20210401124A1

US20210401124A1 - Hiking shoes with anti-slip spikes

Info

Publication number: US20210401124A1
Application number: US17/472,676
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih-Fang Lo
Original assignee: Chih-Fang Lo
Current assignee: Lo Chih Fang
Priority date: 2018-09-07
Filing date: 2021-09-12
Publication date: 2021-12-30

Abstract

A hiking shoe includes multiple anti-slip blocks formed to the bottom face of the outsole of the hiking shoe. The outsole includes a front section and a rear section, a portion of the anti-slip blocks of the front section and the rear section each have a spike received therein. Each spike has an end face with grooves defined therein. When the hiking shoe is under a stationary mode, the spikes do not protrude beyond the anti-slip blocks. When the hiking shoe is operated under an action mode, the end face of each of the spikes protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto so as to provide friction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Fields of the Invention

This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/795,575, filed on Feb. 20, 2020.

2. Descriptions of Related Art

There are many different types of hiking shoes that have different features for different trail conditions. Most of the trails in the forests have pebbles which can make conventional hiking shoes fail to protect the wearers because the pebbles reduce friction between the hiking shoes and the paths of the trails, especially in rainy days. Some hiking shoes have spikes protruding from the outsole such that the spikes bite into the soil and provide better friction. However, theses spikes cannot perform as desired because pebbles rolls and small in size, spikes cannot penetrate through the pebbles to grab the shoes in the trail paths. The pebbles are easily stocked between spikes to affect the effective length of the spikes so that the spikes cannot bite into the soil.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,950,090, 5,960,568, 1,240,680, and US2016/0095383 respectively discloses a shoe with anti-slip blocks at the outsole thereof. However, each of the known prior arts includes a complicated structure and high manufacturing cost.
The present invention is intended to provide a hiking shoe that has anti-slip blocks, and spikes are located in some of the anti-slip blocks. Each spike protrudes beyond the anti-slip block corresponding thereto only when the hiking shoe is operated under action mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hiking shoe and comprises a vamp and an outsole. The outsole includes a front section and a rear section. The outsole has multiple anti-slip blocks formed to the front section and the rear section of the outsole. A portion of the anti-slip blocks of the front section and a portion of anti-slip blocks of the rear section of the outsole each have a spike received therein. Each spike has an end face that includes grooves defined therein.
The hiking shoe is operated under a stationary mode and an action mode. When the hiking shoe is operated under the stationary mode, the front section and the rear section of the outsole are applied by an identical pressing force. Each of the spikes does not protrude beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.
When the hiking shoe is operated under the action mode, the front the outsole is operated by a forward action and a step-down action. The rear section is lifted when the forward action is operated and the front section is pressed downward. The end face of each of the spikes of the front section protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto. The front section is lifted when the step-down action is operated and the rear section is pressed downward. The end face of each of the spikes of the rear section protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.
Preferably, the front section of the outsole includes a first area and a second area. A first bending line is defined between the first and second areas. The first area is located close to the front end of the outsole. The second area is located close to the rear section of the outsole. The anti-slip blocks of the front section with the spikes therein are located along the first bending line. The first bending line is formed when the forward action of the hiking shoe is operated. The first area is pressed downward and the second area is lifted. The end face of each of the spikes located along the first bending line protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.
Preferably, the rear section of the outsole includes a third area and a fourth area. A second bending line is defined between the third and fourth areas. The fourth area is located close to the rear end of the outsole. The third area is located dose to the front section of the outsole. The anti-slip blocks of the rear section with the spikes therein are located along the second bending line. The second bending line is formed when the step-down action of the hiking shoe is operated, the fourth area is pressed downward and the third area is pressed downward following the fourth area is pressed downward. The end face of each of the spikes located along the second betiding; line protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.
Preferably, the rear section of the outsole includes a third area and a fourth area. A second bending line is defined between thee third and fourth areas. The fourth area is located close to the rear end of the outsole. The third area is located close to the second area of the outsole. The anti-slip blocks of the rear section with the spikes therein are located along the second bending The second bending line is formed when the step-down action of the hiking shoe is operated, the fourth area is pressed downward and the third area is pressed downward following the fourth area is pressed downward. The end face of each of the spikes located along the second betiding; line protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.
Preferably, the outsole includes a top face and a bottom face. The anti-slip blocks are formed to the bottom face of the outsole. The vamp is connected to the top face or the outsole. The vamp includes an opening and a trim portion which is located along a portion of the opening. The opening is configured to accept insertion of wearer's foot The outsole includes multiple passages defined through the top face and the bottom face. The passages are respectively defined through the anti-slip blocks that have the spikes therein.
Preferably, each passage includes a large-diameter area and a small-diameter area which communicates with the large-diameter area. The large-diameter area is recessed in the top face. The diameter of the large-diameter area is greater than that of the small-diameter area. The small-diameter area is defined through the bottom face. Each spike includes a head and a shank which is formed to the head. The head of the spike is located within the large-diameter area corresponding thereto. The shank of the spike is located within the small-diameter area corresponding thereto. The end face of each spike includes grooves defined therein.
Preferably, an independent spike is located between the anti-slip blocks of the rear section of the outsole. The independent spike and the spikes of the anti-slip blocks on the second bending line located at three points of an imaginary triangle.
Preferably, the grooves extend radially from a center of the end face of each spike.
Preferably, the spike in each of the anti-slip blocks is not rotatable relative to the anti-slip blocks.
Preferably, the shank of each spike includes a smooth outer surface and an identical diameter.
The advantages of the present invention are that the spikes are arranged in the first, second, third and fourth areas so that the grooves of the spikes contact pebbles on the trail paths and provide sufficient friction.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the hiking shoe with the anti-slip spikes of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view to show the hiking shoe with the anti-slip spikes of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the underside of the outsole of the hiking shoe, where the anti-slip blocks and spikes of the present invention are disclosed;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows that the hiking shoe is under the stationary mode;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view to show that the end face of the spike of the rear section does not protrude beyond the anti-slip block when the hiking shoe is under the stationary mode;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view to show that the end face of the spike of the front section does not protrude beyond the anti-slip block when the hiking shoe is under the stationary mode;

FIG. 8 shows that the hiking shoe is operated by a forward action under the action mode;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view to show that the end face of the spike of the front section protrudes beyond the anti-slip block;

FIG. 10 shows that the hiking shoe is operated by a step-down action under the action mode;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross sectional view to show that the end face of the spike of the rear section protrudes beyond the anti-slip block;

FIG. 12 shows the independent spike of the rear section of the hiking shoe, and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view to show the independent spike the rear section of the hiking shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the hiking shoe 1 of the present invention comprises a vamp 11 and an outsole 12, wherein the vamp 11 is located above the top of the outsole 12 and connected along the periphery of the outsole 12. The outsole 12 includes a front section 14 and a rear section 15, wherein the front section 14 is located corresponding to the use's sole, and the rear section 14 is located corresponding to the user's heel. The outsole 12 has multiple anti-slip blocks 13 formed to the front section 14 and the rear section 15 of the outsole 12, and the anti-slip blocks 13 are located at a distance from each other. The anti-slip blocks 13 each are a polygonal block. A portion of the anti-slip blocks 13 of the front section 14 and a portion of the anti-slip blocks 13 of the rear section 15 of the outsole 12 each have a spike 2 received therein. Each spike 2 has an end face 21 that is formed on the first end thereof. The end face 21 of each spike 2 has grooves 22 defined therein. The grooves 22 extend radially from a center of the end face 21 of each spike 2. The spikes 2 are made of cold work tool steel and has a hardness of HRC60 to 62. The hiking shoe 1 is operated under a stationary mode and an action mode. When the hiking shoe 1 is operated under the stationary, mode, the front section 14 and the rear section 15 of the outsole 12 are applied by an identical pressing force, and each of the spikes 2 does not protrude beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block 13 corresponding thereto as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. When the hiking shoe 1 is operated tinder the action mode, the front the outsole 12 is operated by a forward action and a step-down action. The rear section 15 is lifted when the forward action is operated and the front section 14 is pressed downward as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The end face 21 of each of the spikes 13 of the front section 14 protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block 13 corresponding thereto. The grooves 22 on the end face 21 of each spike 13 contact the ground to provide friction so that the hiking shoe 1 does not slip on the ground with pebbles and moss. When the step-down action is operated, the front section 14 is lifted and the rear section 15 is pressed downward. The end face 21 of each of the spikes 13 of the rear section 15 protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block. 13 corresponding thereto.
Specifically, when the hiking shoe 1 is operated the forward action, the sole of the foot applies the spikes 2 of the front section 14 a downward force as shown by the hollow arrow head in 8. Because the outsole 2 is made by rubber which is softer than the spikes 2 so that the outsole 2 is deformed upward as shown in the arrow heads in FIG. 9. The grooves 22 of the end face 21 of the spike 2 directly contact the ground to provide friction. When the hiking shoe 1 is lifted and moves forward, the spikes 2 prevent from slipping. Similarly, as shown by the arrow heads shown in FIG. 10, when the rear section is applied by a downward force, the spikes 2 of the rear section 15 contact the ground to provide friction. As shown in FIG. 11, the outsole 2 around the spike 2 is deformed upward so that the grooves 22 of the end face 21 of the spike 2 contact the ground. The spikes 2 are hard and tough so that the grooves 22 do not worn out quickly to ensure the desired friction is generated.
As shown in FIGS. 3, and 6 to 11, the front section 14 of the outsole 12 includes a first area 141 and a second area 142, and a first bending line “A” is defined between the first and second areas 141, 142. The first area 141 is located close to a front end of the outsole 12, the second area 142 is located close to the rear section 15 of the outsole 12. The anti-slip blocks 13 of the front section 14 with the spikes 2 therein are located along the first bending line “A”. The first bending line “A” is formed when the forward action of the hiking shoe is operated. When the user wearing the hiking shoes 1 walk forward, the first area 141 is pressed downward and the second area 124 is lifted, the end face 21 of each of the spikes 2 located along the first bending line “A” is pressed and protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block 13 corresponding thereto. The spikes 2 located along the first bending line “A” contact the ground while the first and second areas 141, 142 of the outsole 12 are deformed upward as shown in FIG. 9 so that the grooves 22 of each of the spikes 2 located along the first bending line “A” contact the ground with the largest contact area to provide friction.
The rear section 15 of the outsole 12 includes a third area 151 and a fourth area. 152, and a second bending line “B” is defined between the third and fourth areas 151, 152. The fourth area 152 is located close to the rear end of the outsole 12. The third area 151 is located close to the second section 142 of the outsole 12. The anti-slip blocks 13 of the rear section 15 with the spikes 2 therein are located along the second bending line “B. The second bending line “B” is formed when the step-down action of the hiking shoe 1 is operated. When the hiking shoe 1 is operated with the step-down action, the fourth area 152 is pressed downward and the third area 151 is pressed downward following the fourth area 152 is pressed downward. The end face 21 of each of the spikes 2 located along the second bending line “B” is pressed and protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block 13 corresponding thereto. The third and third areas 151, 152 of the outsole 12 are deformed upward so that the grooves 22 of each of the spikes 2 located along the second bending line “B” contact the ground with the largest contact area to provide friction.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, each passage 123 includes a large-diameter area 123A and a small-diameter area 123B which communicates with the large-diameter area 123A. The large-diameter area 123A is recessed in the top face 121. The diameter of the large-diameter area 123A is greater than that of the small-diameter area 123B. The small-diameter area 123B is defined through the bottom face 122. Each spike 2 includes a head 23 and a shank 24 which is formed to the head 23. The head 23 of the spike 2 is located within the large-diameter area 123A corresponding thereto, and the shank 24 of the spike 2 is located within the small-diameter area 123B corresponding thereto, so that the spike 2 does not drop from the passage 123. In this embodiment, the spike 2 in each of the anti-slip blocks 13 is not rotatable and not axially movable relative to the anti-slip blocks 13, and the shank 24 of each spike 2 includes a smooth outer surface and an identical diameter.
It is noted that because the user's weight center will be located at the butt when walking or climbing, in order to provide a thither friction to keep balance, an independent spike 20 is located between the anti-slip blocks 13 of the rear section 15 of the outsole 12. The independent spike 20 and the spikes 2 of the anti-slip blocks 13 on the second bending line “B” located at three points of an imaginary triangle. One of the spikes 2 and the independent spike 20 is ensured to contact the ground to provide better friction.
While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hiking shoe comprising:

a vamp and an outsole, the vamp located above a top of the outsole and connected along a periphery of the outsole, the outsole including a front section and a rear section, the outsole having multiple anti-slip blocks formed to the front section and the rear section of the outsole, the anti-slip blocks located at a distance from each other;

a portion of the anti-slip blocks of the front section and a portion of the anti-slip blocks of the rear section of the outsole each have a spike received therein, each spike having an end face that is formed on a first end thereof, the end face of each spike having grooves defined therein, and the hiking shoe being operated under a stationary mode and an action mode, when the hiking shoe is operated under the stationary mode, the front section and the rear section of the outsole are applied by an identical pressing force, and each of the spikes does not protrude beyond a distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto; when the hiking shoe is operated under the action mode, the front the outsole is operated by a forward action and a step-down action, the rear section is lifted when the forward action is operated and the front section is pressed downward, the end face of each of the spikes of the front section protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto; the front section is lifted when the step-down action is operated and the rear section is pressed downward, the end the of each of the spikes of the rear section protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.

2. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front section of the outsole includes a first area and a second area, a first bending line is defined between the first and second areas, the first area is located close to a front end of the outsole, the second area is located close to the rear section of the outsole, the anti-slip blocks of the front section with the spikes therein are located along the first bending line, the first bending line is formed when the forward action of the hiking shoe is operated, the first area is pressed downward and the second area is lifted, the end face of each of the spikes located along the first bending line protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.

3. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear section of the outsole includes a third area and a fourth area, a second bending line is defined between the third and fourth areas, the fourth area is located close to a rear end of the outsole, the third area is located close to the front section of the outsole, the anti-slip blocks of the rear section with the spikes therein are located along the second bending line, the second bending line is formed when the step-down action of the hiking, shoe is operated, the fourth area is pressed downward and the third area is pressed downward following the fourth area is pressed downward, the end face of each of the spikes located along the second bending line protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.

4. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rear section of the outsole includes a third area and a fourth area, a second bending line is defined between the third and fourth areas, the fourth area is located close to a rear end of the outsole, the third area is located close to the second section of the outsole, the anti-slip blocks of the rear section with the spikes therein are located along the second bending line, the second bending line is formed when the step-down action of the hiking shoe is operated, the fourth area is pressed downward and the third area is pressed downward following the fourth area is pressed downward, the end face of each of the spikes located along the second bending line protrudes beyond the distal end of the anti-slip block corresponding thereto.

15. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outsole includes a top face and a bottom face, the anti-slip blocks are formed to the bottom face of the outsole, the vamp is connected to the top face of the outsole, the vamp including an opening and a trim portion, the trim portion is located along a portion of the opening, the opening is configured to accept insertion of wearer's foot, the outsole includes multiple passages defined through the top face and the bottom face, the passages are respectively defined through the anti-slip blocks that have the spikes therein.

6. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim. 5, wherein each passage. includes a large-diameter area and a small-diameter area which communicates with the large-diameter area, the large-diameter area is recessed in the top face, a diameter of the large-diameter area is greater than. that of the small-diameter area, the small-diameter area is defined through. the bottom face, each spike includes a head and a shank which is formed to the head, the head of the spike is located within the large-diameter area. corresponding thereto, the shank of the spike is located within the small-diameter area corresponding thereto, the end face of each spike includes grooves defined therein.

7. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim. 3 further comprising an. independent spike located between the anti-slip blocks of the rear section of the outsole, the independent spike and the spikes of the anti-slip blocks on the second bending line located at three points of an imaginary triangle.

8. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooves extend radially from a center of the end face of each spike.

9. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spike in each of the anti-slip blocks is not rotatable relative to the anti-slip blocks.

10. The hiking shoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shank of each spike includes a smooth outer surface and an identical diameter.