WO1997009228A2 - Dispositif de maintien du pied selon un angle determine - Google Patents

Dispositif de maintien du pied selon un angle determine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997009228A2
WO1997009228A2 PCT/US1996/014601 US9614601W WO9709228A2 WO 1997009228 A2 WO1997009228 A2 WO 1997009228A2 US 9614601 W US9614601 W US 9614601W WO 9709228 A2 WO9709228 A2 WO 9709228A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
foot
ball
plane
canting
power
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/014601
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1997009228A3 (fr
Inventor
Keith Code
David Gordon
Original Assignee
A Gear Higher, L.L.C.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/603,309 external-priority patent/US5860330A/en
Application filed by A Gear Higher, L.L.C. filed Critical A Gear Higher, L.L.C.
Priority to AU11147/97A priority Critical patent/AU1114797A/en
Publication of WO1997009228A2 publication Critical patent/WO1997009228A2/fr
Publication of WO1997009228A3 publication Critical patent/WO1997009228A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
    • B62M3/00—Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
    • B62M3/08—Pedals
    • B62M3/086—Attachments between shoe and pedal other than toe clips, e.g. cleats
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/14—Shoes for cyclists

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of devices for physical body alignment, and in particular, devices which provide a physical body alignment of the feet when the feet are used to provide power, such as in bicycling.
  • the foot in its most naturally relaxed position, is not flat footed. For example, if a person takes the weight off of the foot, it has been found that it cants up fo various degrees on the inside. It is well known that flat-footed people can develop knee problems since the leg becomes out of alignment when the ankle is unnaturally twisted and the knee has to twist to compensate for this situation.
  • Bicycling requires that the foot be attached to some apparatus, such as a pedal on the bicycle, that is used in the translation of human energy (i.e., muscle power) into forward motion.
  • some apparatus such as a pedal on the bicycle
  • human energy i.e., muscle power
  • the leg is forced into an unnatural position.
  • An observation of the foot in its natural state reveals that it prefers to be in an angled position with the inside of the foot higher than the outside.
  • the foot is forced to be flat it causes a misalignment of the entire leg, from the ankle, through the knee to the hip joint.
  • each cleat typically having holes therethrough to allow the cleat to be attached to the shoe, such as by screws which engage a series of threaded holes which are formed into the sole of the shoe.
  • Each of the various styles of cleats do exactly the same thing, namely, they clamp onto the pedal coupling device arrangement, as basically a spring trap-like mechanism that holds the shoe in place so that the bicyclist does not lose his footing on the pedal.
  • mi ⁇ alignment inherently occurs, essentially rendering the bicyclist's relationship to the pedals a flat-footed one.
  • Orthotic devices have been developed to attempt to remedy problems of foot misalignment and custom made and production orthotic devices have been developed for use in the field of bicycling.
  • such orthotic devices are limited to the alignment of the bicyclist's foot from the instep rearward to the heel in a neutral position.
  • Orthotic devices do not affect the forefoot and indeed only extend from the bicyclist's heel forward to just past the arch of the foot. While these devices do place the foot from the ball to the heel in its natural position, they do not affect the position of the forefoot. It is, however, through the forefoot (i.e., the ball of the foot) that the bicyclist delivers his power. In fact, the attachment of a bicycling shoe to a pedal is standardly made under the ball of the foot.
  • a discontinued commercially available device made by Marresi shoes of Italy is a shoe wedge built into the extreme forward position on the sole. It was to be used in conjunction with the old toe clip and toe strap systems. The wedge was non adjustable and angled the foot such that the inside of the foot was forced to be in a lower position than the outside of the foot. However, when the foot was placed on the pedal of the era, the ball of the foot was ultimately in a flat position.
  • Custom foot bed designs placed inside the bicyclist's shoe have also been made in an attempt to improve foot pedaling efficiency. While these custom foot bed designs are intended to improve the bicyclist's power delivery to the pedals and increase comfort, they are not intended to change the angular position of the forefoot. Their effect is limited to changing angular positions of the heel and ankle relative to the sole of the foot.
  • Some commercially available devices are the DIADORA POWER BED (trademark) and SUPERFEET (trademark) both of which are custom molded footbeds for users. The latter is intended for use in skiing and bicycling while the former is for bicycling only.
  • BIO-CLEAT II (trademark) pedal system and the TIME (trademark) BIOPERFORMANCE pedal systems give the shoe/cleat a certain amount of rotation on the pedal to compensate for misalignment of the ankle, knee and hip when forced into the unnatural situation of the foot/shoe being attached to the pedal.
  • these "floating" pedal systems are merely an attempt to cure the symptom rather than the cause in that these systems merely allow the hip, knee, ankle and foot to oscillate while the bicyclist completes each 360° rotation of the pedals following the abnormal positioning and ensuing movement of the foot.
  • the concerns of a skier are not those of a bicyclist, tennis player, walker or other shoe user.
  • the positioning of the body and legs with respect to a bicycle pedal when riding differ significantly from the positioning of the body and legs with respect to a ski when skiing. The same can be said for a runner, tennis player, and walker.
  • different muscles are used in different ways and are affected by different equipment used in the sport and the base or terrain on which the equipment is used.
  • a device that maximizes one's power and control in one sport does not necessarily do so in another.
  • the bicyclist is largely interested in affecting the ball of the foot as opposed to the entire length of the foot. With a skier, effecting primarily the ball of the foot to the exclusion of the remainder of the foot could worsen one's ability to practice the sport.
  • an adjustable pedal that can be lifted; pivoted about a radial axis perpendicular to the axis of the shaft to provide toe-in, toe-out positions; tilted about that same axis to provide inverted and everted foot positions; and set in a fixed position with respect to the shaft.
  • the device is best adjusted after consultation with a podiatrist or other specialist to attend to the specific needs of the user.
  • a method and apparatus that permits the front part of the foot to be in its natural position namely a method and apparatus that ensures that the foot and leg will be properly aligned when muscle power is applied by a bicyclist through his legs into the pedal, thereby improving the efficiency of his power delivery.
  • One aspect of the invention is an apparatus for exclusively angling the foot such that the inner portion of the foot is canted to a higher level than the outer portion.
  • a method and apparatus for physical body alignment of a foot applying muscle power by the foot in a desired direction perpendicular to a plane at the ball of the foot to a means for receiving applied muscle power.
  • Means for canting the plane at the ball of the foot through an angle upward and to the inside of the foot from a plane through the means for receiving applied muscle power is inserted between the ball of the foot applying the power and the means for receiving applied muscle power.
  • a cant plate in the form of an angled cant plate spacer is inserted between a shoe and a cleat.
  • the cant plate spacer is affixed to the sole of the shoe and is specifically designed to affect the forward position of the foot, from the arch to the toes, thus creating the desired angle between the bicyclist's foot and the pedal.
  • the cant plate spacer thickness is tapered such that the thicker part of the taper is toward the instep side of the shoe while the thinner part of the taper is toward the outer side of the shoe.
  • the use of a cant plate spacer is believed to allow the bicyclist to apply maximized muscle power without the losses associated with oscillation of the hip, knee and ankle that accompany bicycling with the forefoot placed in a flat position, this flat position being the standard in all present-day bicycle shoe, bicycle cleat and bicycle pedal systems.
  • the cant plate spacer as described in this invention in its simplest form is wedge-shaped and is designed to be located in a fixed position under the bicyclist's shoe between the shoe sole and the shoe cleat. The degree of canting angle is made variable and can be changed to fit the individual bicyclist's leg requirements.
  • the cant plate spacer can be made of any suitably rigid material which can bear the forces exerted during bicycling without excessive distortion.
  • the desired canting angle can be established by means of a fixed cant plate spacer attachment to the sole of the bicycle shoe or it can form an integral part of the bicycle shoe cleat or shoe sole or can form an integral part of the pedal surface that supports the bicycle shoe or can be established by a bicycle shoe insole insert.
  • Embodiments of the present invention can include numerous devices which change the angle of the bicyclist's foot relative to the bicycle pedal bar axis thus placing the bicyclist's foot in an optimum position for the application of force to the pedal during bicycling.
  • the key advantage of these embodiments is that of providing a means for the bicyclist to apply maximum force through corrected and natural alignment of his legs and feet to the bicycle pedals.
  • a bicyclist can preselect the angle between his foot sole and the pedal surface and, if necessary, adjust it in small increments of angle, including, in particular, selecting cant plate spacers of various small incremental angles and stacking the selected cant plate spacers so that the rider can tailor the total cant plate spacer thickness to achieve a desired angle which is believed to maximize his own body dynamic and reduce power loss and fatigue in his legs during the action of bicycling that normally occurs when the bicyclist's foot is positioned flat on the bicycle pedal as in a standard bicycle shoe, shoe cleat and pedal designs;
  • an alternate embodiment of the present invention can be easily integrated into a bicycle shoe cleat such that the desired canting angle is part of the cleat design;
  • an alternate embodiment of the present invention can be easily integrated into a bicycle pedal such that the desired canting angle adjustment is an integral and adjustable part of the pedal design;
  • an alternate embodiment of the present invention can be easily integrated into the sole of a shoe where the desired or adjustable canting angle is part of the shoe sole design;
  • an alternate embodiment of the present invention can be easily integrated into the inside of a shoe by an inserted wedge which lies primarily in the area of the ball of the foot;
  • an alternate embodiment of the present invention can be easily integrated with boots and skis used in cross-country skiing, with boots used in speed skating and roller-blading, and in all other sporting activities which normally require a fixed foot position which is flat and unnatural;
  • a bicyclist can utilize cant plate spacer shapes which match profiles commonly used in bicycling shoes, cleats and pedal designs.
  • Figure l shows a bicyclist riding a bicycle in accordance with the prior art.
  • Figure 2 shows a bicyclist riding a bicycle in a manner which implements the present invention.
  • Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c show three views of a typical cleat.
  • Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the attachment of the cleat of Figure 3a to a shoe.
  • Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the attachment of the cant plate spacer of the present invention between a cleat and a shoe.
  • Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show three views of a cant plate spacer embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 7a, 7b and 7c show three views of an alternate cant plate spacer embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 8a, 8b, and 8c show three views of an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein a cleat implements a canting angle.
  • Figure 9a is an exploded perspective view of a shoe, shoe insole, and shoe outer sole, where the bottom of the shoe outer sole has a hinged portion for canting the foot.
  • Figure 9b is a top view of the shoe outer sole of Figure 9a.
  • Figure 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein a bicycle pedal implements a canting angle.
  • Figure lla is a diagrammatic side view of a modified foot pedal wherein the upper surface thereof is adjustably mounted.
  • Figure lib is a bottom view of the pedal of Figure lla.
  • Figure 12 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein a plurality of cant plate spacers are stacked to implement an accumulated canting angle.
  • Figures 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c, 15a, 15b, 15c are diagrammatic views of the invention with specific measurements written therein to enable the manufacture of one example of the invention. Other dimensions are within the contemplation of this invention.
  • Figure 16a is a top view of an inflatable inner sole.
  • Figure 16b is a cross section taken along line b-b of Figure 16a.
  • Figures 16c and 16d are modified embodiments of Figure 16a.
  • Figure 16e is a cross section taken along line e-e of Figures 16c and 16d.
  • Figure 17 is an exploded view of a top view of a further embodiment of an inner sole which can offer canting.
  • Figure 18a is a perspective view of a shoe with a canting strap incorporated therein.
  • Figure 18b is a front view of a canting strap and adjustment means connected to an inner sole.
  • Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of a pedal with a canting mechanism.
  • Figure 20a is a front view of a snap-on canting mechanism.
  • Figure 20b is a side view of a snap-on canting mechanism attached to a spindle.
  • Figure 21 is an exploded front view of a snap-on canting mechanism and pedal.
  • bicyclist 10 is shown riding bicycle 12.
  • Bicycle 12 has pedals 14 which are propelled in the common manner by bicyclist 10 wearing shoes 16. While shoes 16 can contact pedals 14 directly, many bicyclists utilize cleat 18 to help engage and remain in contact with the pedals.
  • pedals 14 are typically situated with respect to the frame of bicycle 12 such that a force applied by the feet to the pedal 14 is in a desired direction 32 and is perpendicular to a plane 34 of pedal 14 at the ball of the foot.
  • the sole of the feet i.e., a plane at the ball of the feet perpendicular to the desired direction of power being applied by the foot
  • the sole of the feet i.e., a plane at the ball of the feet perpendicular to the desired direction of power being applied by the foot
  • the sole of the feet i.e., a plane at the ball of the feet perpendicular to the desired direction of power being applied by the foot
  • the sole of the feet i.e., a plane at the ball of the feet perpendicular to the desired direction of power being applied by the foot
  • the sole of the feet i.e., a plane at the ball of the feet perpendicular to the desired direction of power being applied by the foot
  • the sole of the feet i.e., a plane at the ball of the feet perpendicular to the desired direction of power being applied by the foot
  • the sole of the feet i.e., a plane at the ball of the feet perpendicular to the desired direction of power being applied
  • shoe 16 has threaded holes 20 located in the shoe sole 22.
  • Cleat 18 is affixed to shoe sole 22 using screws 24 and washers 26 which seat in recesses 28 of shoe sole 22.
  • Cleat 18 typically has a generally uniform thickness 30. This is apparent from the cross sections taken along lines B-B and A-A of Figure 3a and shown in Figures 3b and 3c, respectively.
  • the cleat 18, shoe 16 and means of attachment 20, 24, 26 shown in Figure 1 are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • cant plate spacer 42 having holes 44, is affixed between cleat 18 and sole 22 of shoe 16. Cleat 18 and cant plate spacer 42 are affixed to shoe sole 22 using screws 24 and washers 26. These seat in recesses 28 of shoe sole 22 by passing through holes 28 and 44 of the cleat 18 and cant plate spacer 42, respectively.
  • cant plate spacer 42 has the same general exterior shape and size as that of cleat 18. However, as can be seen in Figure 6b, which is taken along line B-B of Figure 6a, the thickness of cant plate spacer 42 tapers from a small dimension 46 to a larger dimension 48, the taper producing a canting angle 50.
  • the larger dimension is placed near the inside of the foot to cant the inside portion of the foot upwardly.
  • the dimensions 46 and 48 are sized such that canting angle 50 is comparable or generally equal to angle 40 as shown in Figure 4 when cleat 18 is engaged with pedal 14.
  • the thickness of cant plate spacer 42 is generally constant in the longitudinal, lengthwise direction of the foot.
  • the cant plate spacer 42 would be made of a relatively solid material capable of maintaining the canting angle while having a high enough coefficient of friction so that it will not slip or move once positioned between cleat 18 and shoe 16.
  • One material of which cant plate spacer 42 might be made is a urethane type of sticky plastic.
  • the material from which the cant plate spacer 42 is made would consist of polyurethane 80 durameter, with a serrated or uneven finish to provide a good mating surface.
  • the rise producing the canting would typically be greater than 0 millimeters. The preferred range appears to be, but is not necessarily, between about .3 to about 7 millimeters.
  • surfaces 51 and 53 may be roughened or applied with suitable adhesive to facilitate it firmly gripping the sole 22 of the bicycle shoe and the surface of the cleat.
  • cant plate spacer 42 When cant plate spacer 42 is inserted between the cleat 18 and shoe 16 in this manner, shoe 16, when engaged to pedal 14, allows the foot to be in a more natural position which is believed to thereby allow the bicyclist to apply maximum force through his legs and feet to the bicycle pedals.
  • bicycle pedaling becomes easier, faster and with less strain as compared with current pedal/cleat/shoe systems.
  • the cant plate spacer 42 is specifically affixed such that the provided canting angle is at the point where power is applied by the foot to the pedal 14, namely at the ball of the foot.
  • knee wobble is reduced to either nothing or practically nothing which indicates that the alignment has occurred.
  • cant plate spacer 52 has a more rectangular form. It includes four elongated holes 54.
  • the cross sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 7a tapers to establish canting angle 56.
  • the cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of cant plate spacer 52 is taken in the direction of the latitudinal axis, or width of cant plate spacer 52.
  • FIG. 7a The cross sectional view of Figure 7a, shown in Figure 7c, and taken along line P-A is taken along the longitudinal, or lengthwise axis of cant plate spacer 52.
  • the thickness of the cant plate spacer 52 is generally constant.
  • Cant plate spacer 52 is also to be inserted between a cleat 18 and a shoe sole 22 in a similar manner as that shown in Figure 5.
  • the canting angle 56 provides the comparable angle 40 when the cleat 18 is engaged with the pedal 14.
  • Figures 8a, 8b, and 8c illustrate a top and two sectional views, respectively, of a further embodiment for a cleat 58.
  • the canting angle 60 is established by surfaces 62 and 64.
  • Cleat 58 is attached to the bicycle shoe sole 22 by screws and washers which are inserted through the three slots 66.
  • the cant plate spacer 42, 52 of the earlier embodiments is built into the cleat 58 such that canting angle 60 provides the comparable angle 40 as discussed above, when the cleat 58 is attached directly to the shoe 18 and the cleat 58 is engaged with the pedal 16.
  • slots 66 there may be placed a rubber insert which protrudes out from the cleat base surface and will lie distal of the shoe sole 22. This is to avoid slippage of the shoe 16 during normal walking.
  • the cleat 18, 58, and spacers 42, 52 have all been shown in size and placement for the ball of the foot. It is also possible that these could extend generally along the entire length of the foot. In such a case, the longitudinal, or lengthwise and major axis of the device in cross section, would be generally constant in thickness. The latitudinal cross section of the device, that is the minor axis or width, would be tapered. This would cause the inside portion of the foot to be urged upwardly. This taper would be generally constant along the length of the device.
  • the openings for receipt of the screws are seen to be generally elongated to enable the adjustable positioning of the cleats 18, 58 and spacers 42, 52 with respect to each other and/or with respect to shoe sole 22.
  • threaded attachment of parts is shown, other means of engagement are contemplated.
  • sole 22, cleat 18 and spacers 42, 52 might slidably engage one another and either might also slidably engage shoe sole 22. Alternatively, these elements might clip together.
  • canting devices which may be attached to the sole 22 of a bicycle shoe 16. It is also possible to have canting plates which attach to the sole of a normal shoe. Further, while the foregoing embodiments have discussed canting devices 42, 52, 58 which may be attached to the sole 22 of the shoe 16, it is also possible to have a canting device for insertion into the shoe. This device would be inserted in the ball of the foot area. Alternatively, the canting device could ultimately extend flexibly along the entire foot length. If the canting device is inserted inside the shoe, the device would be more of a prosthetic device and would be made of typical prosthetic materials. These are usually plastics, leather, rubber and other known materials. Along these lines, it is also possible to include a shoe that has a tapered thicknesses under the footpad or built into the sole 22 to produce the canting angle.
  • the sole 22 of shoe 16 can be manufactured with a plate 23 which adjustably angles away from sole 22 to wedge or cant the inside of the foot upwardly.
  • a plate 23 which adjustably angles away from sole 22 to wedge or cant the inside of the foot upwardly.
  • upper portion 15 carries inner sole 17 which lies atop top surface 22a of shoe outer sole 22.
  • the bottom surface 22b of outer sole 22, distal from inner sole 17, has defined therein a plate 23 for adjustably canting shoe 16.
  • Plate 23 is hingedly or pivotally connected within outer sole
  • hinge 27 connecting hinge plate 23 to outer sole 22 is shown in dashed lines in both Figures 9a and 9b and extends along the length of one end of plate 23. It is not visible from top surface
  • Plate 23 is defined in the area where threaded holes 22 are or could be placed for attachment to a cleat 18.
  • top surface 22a of outer sole 22 is comprised of a solid piece of material into which are fitted biasing devices 25 for biasing plate 23 into a wedged or canted position with respect to bottom surface 22b.
  • the biasing devices are plate screws 25 having a length "A" that is generally equivalent to the thickness "A" of outer sole 22. A longer screw could be used for greater canting. This would, of course, preclude adjusting plate 23 to a position that is flush with bottom surface 22b as discussed further.
  • Plate screws 25 cooperate with threaded openings in top surface 22a to push against that end of plate 23 which is opposite hinge 27.
  • plate screws 25 are flush with top surface 22a.
  • plate screws 25 must be turned to lie recessed from top surface 22a. This cants the inside side of shoe 16 upwardly. Adjustment of the canting angle is accomplished by turning plate screws 25 so that plate 23 is angled to a greater or lesser degree from bottom surface 22b.
  • Plate 23 may include additional biasing devices to cause it to be biased toward the bottom of outer sole 22 when plate screws 25 are turned to a position that is flush with the top surface 22a. Or, it may include threaded plate screw 25 receiving portions so that turning plate screws 25 either clockwise or counter clockwise will affect the movement of plate 23 with respect to bottom surface 22b. To the extent that pivoting plate 23 away from the bottom surface 22b of outer sole 22, might leave an open gap where debris could gather, side walls, stiff or foldable, would be included on plate 23 to prevent such. In use, one would lift inner sole 17, adjust plate 23 by turning plate screws 25, and achieve a canting of shoe 16.
  • Figure 10 is a sectional view of a standard bicycle pedal 14 taken along the longitudinal or major axis of spindle 68 for connecting the pedal 14 to the bicycle crank.
  • Support bearings 70 are positioned at canting angle 72 to the plane of the pedal 14 through spindle 68 by machining the bearing support surfaces 74 in pedal 14 at the desired angle.
  • the bearing support surfaces 74 can be machined at any desired angle to suit individual bicyclist's canting requirements.
  • the bearing support surface 74 may be left uncanted but instead additional room may be left in the spindle bearing cavity 76 such that wedges, such as shims, could be inserted to variably alter the cant angle 72.
  • each support bearing 70 there may be an adjustment screw connected to a surface.
  • the screw would be accessible to the outside of pedal 14 for elevating certain support bearings 70 to change the cant angle 72 at which the spindle 68 is positioned in pedal 14.
  • the goal here is to adjust the cant angle 72 of the pedal 14 rather than or in addition to any adjustment already made to shoe 16.
  • other means of making that adjustment are possible as long as the ultimate result is to cause the bicycler's foot to cant and lie in a natural position, with the inside of the foot being higher than the outside.
  • a further example of such means could be a canted pedal 14, which may be used in lieu of a standard pedal.
  • the pedal 14 would be angled to position the inside of the foot higher than the outside. This could be done by manufacturing the pedal 14 surface with a thickened or wedged section. Alternatively, attachable wedges that are hollow or solid, could be made for connection to or in lieu of standard pedals 14.
  • FIG. lla offers a further alternative.
  • a side view of a pedal 14 which surrounds in part a spindle 68 and includes mating surface 80.
  • mating surface 80 is pivotally attached by pivot 82 to the outside end of the jacket 65, distal from the sprocket of a bicycle, (not shown) . It is threadably attached by a screw 84 to the inside end of the jacket 65, proximal to the sprocket. By turning screw 84, mating surface 80 may be raised or lowered with respect to the upper surface of jacket 65. Since mating surface 80 is pivotally attached to the outside end of jacket 65, adjustment of screw 84 will affect the cant angle of the foot placed on mating surface 80.
  • two screws 84 are used to further facilitate the fine tuning of the cant angle of mating surface 80 with respect to jacket 65.
  • These screws 84 attach to jacket 65 by means of support surface 67.
  • pivot 82 is seen to extend beyond the width of jacket 65 to provide good support for the mating surface 80.
  • the pivot 82 could contain a central ball joint so that one side of the mating surface 80 could be adjusted higher than the other.
  • the pivot 32 could be centrally located as to the end of mating surface 80 and the end of jacket 65 and not extend beyond the width of jacket 65. This would facilitate varied adjustments between the two screws 84.
  • the adjustments of screws 84 are linked so that adjustment of one results in adjustment of the other. In this situation, both sides of mating surface 80 would be held equidistant from jacket 65 at all times.
  • Figures 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c, 15a, 15b, 15c Measurements are in inches.
  • the letter “R” or “rad” indicates radius angles.
  • the description "places” or “pl” indicates how many times a particular measurement is used in that drawing.
  • Figures 16a through 16d disclose an inner sole air bladder combination. The idea of an inflatable shoe portion is well known in the art particularly for basketball shoes for inflation around the ankle area and for ski boots. The reader is directed to U.S. Patent No.
  • FIG 16a a top view of an inner sole 17 formed as an air bladder B is seen.
  • One half of the inner sole 17 is non inflatable, the other half marked as B is inflatable.
  • Line 90 shows this division.
  • the line T indicates that the half B could be further portioned into a toe, ball-of-the- foot area and an arch heel area so that should the user desire, only the toe, ball-of-the-foot area could be inflated as desired. For a biker, this may be the only portion that would be inflated to cant the inside toe, ball-of-the-foot portion of the foot upwardly.
  • At least one bladder valve 92 would be in the inner sole 17 and accessible to the user for controlling the inflation of all or a portion of B.
  • FIG 16b a cross section taken along line b-b of one embodiment of the Figure 16a bladder is shown.
  • the topmost portion 94 may be made of cushioned inner sole material.
  • the section or sections which lie below it in area B, are shown numbered as 96, 98 and 100.
  • the number of pockets which may be used is optional. One large pocket or a plurality of stacked pockets may be used to make available to the user the desired canting angle.
  • Figures 16c through 16e depict modifications of this base idea.
  • the bladder area B is comprised of a plurality of separated pockets or chambers 200 which lie at an angle with respect to the length of the foot.
  • the means of inflation is by a valve following the principles of the above-noted NIKE patents.
  • the cross-section of Figure 16c and Figure 16d is seen in Figure I6e taken along line e-e, which shows that the inner sole 17 is one half inflatable bladder B and one half standard inner sole 17. Line e-e is shown in the heel area but could as well be in the toe area. Were it desired, a stacked situation could occur as earlier seen in Figure 16b.
  • the bladder B is intended to inflate to cant the inside of the foot upwardly.
  • the top view of the inner sole 17 shows that the bladder portion B is comprised of a plurality of longitudinally arranged pockets 200 that run along the length of the foot.
  • the pockets diminish in capacity as they approach the division 90 so that each pocket that is further from the inside edge of the foot is narrower in width than the preceding one.
  • the use of bleed valves 202 is introduced.
  • Each pocket 200 is interconnected to the next by a bleed valve so that once a pocket reaches a certain pressure, the air is directed to the next pocket.
  • the pockets 200 fill from the inside out so that the canting increases as more and more pockets 200 are filled. While the pockets 200 are shown along the length of the inner sole, they instead, could be confined to the toe area T or any other area for specific canting in that area.
  • Figure 17 is another embodiment of a means to cant the inside portion of the foot upwardly.
  • an inner sole 17 with a pocket P on the inner side of the foot is presented.
  • This pocket P is designed to receive one or more insertable wedge strips 102.
  • the strips 102 may be inserted one upon another to increase canting.
  • the strips are wedge-shaped but may be flat.
  • the pocket P may be just in the toe portion marked by the letter T, or may extend the length of the foot.
  • the wedge strip 102 which is greater in thickness on its outside edge than its inside edge, may be wedged along its entire length or just in a specific area, such as the toe area, with the remainder of the wedge making a gradual transition therefrom.
  • the wedge strip 102 would be wedge-shaped along its entire length.
  • the inside edge of the wedge strip 102, or strips 102 if a number are used in a stacked relationship, would lie below line 90.
  • a canting strap 104 is formed as a part of a shoe 16. Its adjustment mechanism 106 would extend from the top 15 of the shoe. The strap 104 connects to the sole 22 and/or inner sole 17. By turning mechanism 106 it shortens the strap length on the inner side of the foot to pull the inner sole 17 or sole 22 in the ball-of-the-foot area upwardly. The amount of adjustment affects the cant angle.
  • the use of mechanism 106 is known in the art in the
  • SIDI (trademark) fitting system.
  • the mechanism 106 is used to evenly tighten a shoe around a foot.
  • the mechanism would be modified in an obvious fashion such that only the inner portion of the foot would be tilted or canted upwardly into an abnormal position.
  • Figures 19, 20a, 20b, and 21 disclose further means to affect the cant angle of the foot by adjusting the pedal of a riding device such as a bicycle.
  • wedges are directly applied to the pedal 14.
  • the bottom wedge 110a is adhered on its base by securement means such as a glue sheet, adhesive, or other securing means 114 to the top of pedal 14. If wedge 110a is adequate in the cant it offers, no further wedges need to be added. But, if further canting is desired, the top of wedge 110a has connecting means such as snap holes, adhesive receptive surface, or other devices 116 which lock connect with fitting devices 118 on the bottom of wedge 110b.
  • the top of wedge 110b has connecting devices 116 which will securely receive fitting devices 118 on the bottom of wedge 110c such that one can readily appreciate that one wedge or more may be placed atop of a pedal by placing one wedge atop another.
  • only one wedge 112 is used to attach to pedal 14 by means of detachable side clips 116.
  • These clips are well known in the art having a somewhat "s" shape. They elastically clip to a support, here pedal 14, along the sides of the pedal 14. If a greater cant is needed, the wedge may be detached from clips 116 and a wedge of greater cant attached. The wedge and clips 116 are then fitted onto pedal 14.
  • the cant plate spacer 42, 52 can be made of other strong, lightweight materials, such a ⁇ aluminum, titanium, ⁇ teel, fiber reinforced compo ⁇ ite ⁇ or plastics which minimize the weight of the cant plate spacer.
  • the material should be a suitable light weight rigid material that can carry the loads generated on it during cycling without unacceptable distortion.
  • Mating grooves on the surface ⁇ of the cant plate ⁇ pacer 42, 52 and ⁇ hoe ⁇ ole 22 and/or cleat 18, 58 can be provided to prevent ⁇ lippage.
  • Multiple cant plate ⁇ pacer ⁇ could be stacked together to obtain a preferred canting angle. This may be seen in Figure 12.
  • cant plate spacer ⁇ 42a, 42b and 42c form an accumulative canting angle 48a.
  • the embodiment of the cleat 58 with a built-in surface angle could be an adjustable cleat such that the canting angle is adjusted by, for example, an adjustment screw to raise and lower the canting angle to get the optimum angle for that individual. This could apply to any of the other embodiments as well. Any of the foregoing cant angle adjustment devices can be used separately or in combination with each other.
  • canting of the foot in ⁇ ummary, can be achieved in numerou ⁇ way ⁇ .
  • Some of those considered ways include varying the wedge angle through the use of individual ⁇ latted in ⁇ ert ⁇ attached to a ⁇ hoe sole 22 or used in connection with a bicycle pedal 16.
  • the angle of the foot may be varied by adjustment means that may be selectively adju ⁇ ted to define different angles with relation to the ⁇ hoe ⁇ ole 22 or pedal 16.
  • the de ⁇ ired angle of the foot may also be adjusted by the insertion of a bicycle shoe insert into or attached to the shoe sole, the insert covering the shoe sole 22 of the cyclist and made of a ⁇ uitable ⁇ tiff material to maintain the de ⁇ ired wedge angle during cycling.
  • attachment and connecting device ⁇ are de ⁇ cribed, ⁇ uch as screws, hinges, pivot ⁇ , bia ⁇ es, etc. other equally effective parts may be used without departing from the invention.
  • the canting devices have generally been described a ⁇ ⁇ olid. Hollow devices are also pos ⁇ ible a ⁇ long a ⁇ they are con ⁇ tructed to with ⁇ tand the load ⁇ placed upon them.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif formant un angle saillant de façon à régler l'angle d'inclinaison d'une chaussure et/ou d'une pédale vers le haut ou vers l'intérieur, donnant ainsi au pied d'un cycliste une position lui faisant appliquer du pied une force musculaire maximale. Le dispositif, de structure conique en épaisseur, s'insère entre la semelle de la chaussure et une cale de cramponnage, la plus grande épaisseur de la structure conique étant tournée vers l'intérieur du pied.
PCT/US1996/014601 1995-08-28 1996-08-27 Dispositif de maintien du pied selon un angle determine WO1997009228A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU11147/97A AU1114797A (en) 1995-08-28 1996-08-27 A device for holding one's foot at an angle

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US319795P 1995-08-28 1995-08-28
US60/003,197 1995-08-28
US08/603,309 1996-02-20
US08/603,309 US5860330A (en) 1995-08-28 1996-02-20 Device for holding one's foot at an angle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997009228A2 true WO1997009228A2 (fr) 1997-03-13
WO1997009228A3 WO1997009228A3 (fr) 1997-05-09

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WO (1) WO1997009228A2 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001078541A2 (fr) * 2000-04-18 2001-10-25 Specialized Bicycle Components Chaussure cycliste
WO2007057626A1 (fr) * 2005-11-18 2007-05-24 Clifton Bradeley Plaque a puissance intrinseque
CN110996719A (zh) * 2017-04-04 2020-04-10 迈克尔.克雷格.福奇 骑行防滑钉和骑行踏板
DE102019123639A1 (de) * 2019-09-04 2021-03-04 Dieter Schillinger Kupplungselement und sportschuh mit einem solchen kupplungselement
US11291266B2 (en) 2012-07-06 2022-04-05 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Cycling shoe
USD974005S1 (en) 2020-12-23 2023-01-03 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe
USD975969S1 (en) 2020-10-27 2023-01-24 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe
USD975970S1 (en) 2020-12-23 2023-01-24 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe
USD980609S1 (en) 2020-07-31 2023-03-14 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Bicycle shoe
USD1030260S1 (en) 2021-09-27 2024-06-11 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD975405S1 (en) 2021-01-14 2023-01-17 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe

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US610175A (en) * 1898-09-06 Velocipede pedal-crank
US4377952A (en) * 1979-09-10 1983-03-29 Sarragan S.A. Pedal block for a cycle shoe
US4407079A (en) * 1981-06-04 1983-10-04 Chiroff Lee M Golf aid device
US4488453A (en) * 1981-02-13 1984-12-18 Drugeon Jean Francois Bicycle pedal for coupling a shoe in preset position, and a cyclist's shoe fitted to said pedal
US4599915A (en) * 1984-01-06 1986-07-15 Harry F. Hlavac Adjustable pedal
US4704809A (en) * 1986-05-27 1987-11-10 Ballard Paul S Golf shoe
US4875683A (en) * 1988-07-12 1989-10-24 Wellman Edward F Golf club swing improvement apparatus
US4899618A (en) * 1987-09-10 1990-02-13 Societe Manoel Bouchet, S.A. Pedaling unit for a bicycle
US4945659A (en) * 1987-09-28 1990-08-07 Salomon S.A. Ski boot having an interchangeable sole portion for controlling global wedging angle of the boot

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US610175A (en) * 1898-09-06 Velocipede pedal-crank
US4377952A (en) * 1979-09-10 1983-03-29 Sarragan S.A. Pedal block for a cycle shoe
US4488453A (en) * 1981-02-13 1984-12-18 Drugeon Jean Francois Bicycle pedal for coupling a shoe in preset position, and a cyclist's shoe fitted to said pedal
US4407079A (en) * 1981-06-04 1983-10-04 Chiroff Lee M Golf aid device
US4599915A (en) * 1984-01-06 1986-07-15 Harry F. Hlavac Adjustable pedal
US4704809A (en) * 1986-05-27 1987-11-10 Ballard Paul S Golf shoe
US4899618A (en) * 1987-09-10 1990-02-13 Societe Manoel Bouchet, S.A. Pedaling unit for a bicycle
US4945659A (en) * 1987-09-28 1990-08-07 Salomon S.A. Ski boot having an interchangeable sole portion for controlling global wedging angle of the boot
US4875683A (en) * 1988-07-12 1989-10-24 Wellman Edward F Golf club swing improvement apparatus

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001078541A3 (fr) * 2000-04-18 2002-07-04 Specialized Bicycle Components Chaussure cycliste
WO2001078541A2 (fr) * 2000-04-18 2001-10-25 Specialized Bicycle Components Chaussure cycliste
WO2007057626A1 (fr) * 2005-11-18 2007-05-24 Clifton Bradeley Plaque a puissance intrinseque
US11291266B2 (en) 2012-07-06 2022-04-05 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Cycling shoe
CN110996719A (zh) * 2017-04-04 2020-04-10 迈克尔.克雷格.福奇 骑行防滑钉和骑行踏板
US20220153383A1 (en) * 2017-04-04 2022-05-19 Michael Craig FOUCHE Cycling cleat and a cycling pedal
US11724770B2 (en) * 2017-04-04 2023-08-15 Kf Cycling Pty Ltd Cycling cleat and a cycling pedal
WO2021043367A1 (fr) 2019-09-04 2021-03-11 Dieter Schillinger Élément de couplage et chaussure de sport munie d'un tel élément de couplage
DE102019123639A1 (de) * 2019-09-04 2021-03-04 Dieter Schillinger Kupplungselement und sportschuh mit einem solchen kupplungselement
USD980609S1 (en) 2020-07-31 2023-03-14 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Bicycle shoe
USD975969S1 (en) 2020-10-27 2023-01-24 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe
USD974005S1 (en) 2020-12-23 2023-01-03 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe
USD975970S1 (en) 2020-12-23 2023-01-24 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe
USD1030260S1 (en) 2021-09-27 2024-06-11 Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Shoe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1997009228A3 (fr) 1997-05-09
AU1114797A (en) 1997-03-27

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