WO2006050540A1

WO2006050540A1 - Running heel

Info

Publication number: WO2006050540A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2004/000135
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sean George
Original assignee: Sean George
Priority date: 2004-11-03
Filing date: 2004-11-03
Publication date: 2006-05-11

Abstract

A running heel has a layer 3 which is made of hard wearing, shock absorbing water repellent material and raises the runner's heel by about 1.5 cm. The layer 3 makes contact with the running surface and is held in position by waterproof uppers 1 which wrap around the rear part of the foot and the heel leaving the forefoot free. A fastening system 4 completes the attachment of the running heel to the back of the foot. Tightened elastic cuffs 5 and 6 reduce flow of water and sand into the floor of the running heel. Preferably the running heel is designed to have a minimal surface area and presents a sleek hydrodynamic shape.

Description

RUNNING HEEL

Technical Field

This invention relates to footwear and in particular to running footwear which will be useful for running on a beach, through shallow water and on grass, synthetic tracks or other suitable surfaces.

In particular the invention is aimed at footwear consisting of a shaped and cushioned, waterproof heel that is attached to the heel and ankle via a system of straps or uppers and yet leaves the forefoot, arch and toes uncovered. This enables the runner to run in substances or on surfaces offering resistance such as on a beach, calf- deep water, grass surfaces or synthetic tracks without risking injury.

Background Art

Runners are always keen to run and train on surfaces offering resistance such as on beaches and grassy areas. The health benefits of training outside and doing resistance training are well known. Running on surfaces offering resistance such as on a beach, calf-deep water, grass surfaces or synthetic tracks wearing current running footwear can lead to the following problems.

1. Running footwear when used on alternative surfaces such as sand, for example the beach, quickly become heavy and sodden with, for example, water or wet sand. This makes them heavy and uncomfortable.

2. Shoe uppers quickly deteriorate after several exposures to salt water or any kind of moisture.

3. When removing their shoes and going running, runners find themselves with painful Achilles tendons and calf muscles because of the shortened calf muscle and Achilles tendon systems. This is due to over-exposure of heeled footwear and lack of barefoot walking.

4. If the all-terrain sandal type footwear is used the following problems occur: 4.1 Sand is caught between foot and floor of footwear. 4.2 The footwear will splash and slew to one side of the foot risking injury when entering ankle-deep water.

4.3 The footwear creates excess drag through the water by bringing unnecessary water out with the sole as the runner proceeds through the motion of running.

4.4 The footwear will eventually deteriorate as per point 2 above.

It is an object of the invention to develop footwear which at least in part overcomes some of these disadvantages.

Disclosure of Invention

Running footwear according to the invention comprises a heel adapted for attachment to the back of a runner's foot, the heel being made of water repellent material and having a hydrodynamic shape and being provided with a hard wearing layer of shock absorbing material which in use comes into contact with a running surface, and the arrangement being such that the footwear cushions and raises the runner's heel but leaves the fore foot and toes uncovered.

Preferably the heel is moulded to snugly fit the shape of the runner's heel.

Further the heel is raised by one to two and a half centimetres. Further the moulded heel has uppers which wrap around the heel and upper foot.

The edges of the uppers are provided with stretchable cuffs adapted to prevent water and sand from entering the inside of the footwear.

In one embodiment the footwear is attached by means of a system of straps. In another form Velcro fasteners are used to secure the footwear to the foot.

The invention also covers a method of training which includes running on sand or grass or through shallow water while wearing a running heel as described in the preceding paragraphs

The invention also covers a method of training which includes running along a beach on the sand or in the water while wearing a running heel as described in the preceding paragraphs Brief Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a running heel according to the invention in position on a runner's foot.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the running heel and foot of Figure 1.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

In Figure 1 can be seen a side perspective of one example of the invention. The lower part of the running heel is a layer 3 which is made of hard wearing, shock absorbing water repellent material and raises the runner's heel by about 1.5 cm. as shown at 2. The layer 3 makes contact with the running surface and is held in position by waterproof uppers 1 which wrap around the rear part of the foot and the heel leaving the forefoot free. A fastening system 4 completes the attachment of the running heel to the back of the foot. Also shown are the tightened cuffs 5 and 6 that reduce flow of water and sand into the floor of the running heel.

Preferably the running heel is designed to have a minimal surface area and presents a sleek hydrodynamic shape. This and the use of water repellent material mean that the foot offers minimal resistance to water but at the same time offers support to the runner's heel. The material used for footwear according to the invention will also be resistant to corrosion by sea and fresh water.

In another form of the invention, the uppers 1 will be replaced by a suitable system of straps. This invention has application where a runner wishes to train in the outdoors such as at the water's edge of a beach or on a sandy shore or on grass. In use the running heel will provide support and protection to the runner's heel and lower leg and at the same time allow the runner to move through shallow water with greater ease than with conventional footwear. The front of the foot is left bare and enables the natural grasping motion of the toes to help propel the runner forward.

Industrial Application

The invention will find good application as a training accessory for sports people and others and will have application in the footwear industry.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Running footwear comprising a heel adapted for attachment to the back of a runner's foot, the heel being made of water repellent material and having a hydrodynamic shape and being provided with a hard wearing layer of shock absorbing material which in use comes into contact with a running surface, and the arrangement being such that the footwear cushions and raises the runner's heel but leaves the fore foot and toes uncovered.

2. Running footwear as claimed in claim 1 in which the heel is moulded to snugly fit the shape of the runner's heel.

3. Running footwear as claimed in claim 2 in which the heel is raised by one to two and a half centimetres.

4. Running footwear as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3 in which the moulded heel has uppers which wrap around the heel and upper foot.

5. Running footwear as claimed in claim 4 in which the edges of the uppers are provided with stretchable cuffs adapted to prevent water and sand from entering the inside of the footwear.

6. Running footwear as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3 in which the footwear is^' attached by means of a system of straps.

7. Running footwear as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which

Velcro fasteners are used to secure the footwear to the foot.

8. A method of training which includes running on sand or grass or through shallow water while wearing a running heel as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

9. A method of training which includes running along a beach on the sand or in the water while wearing a running heel as claimed in any of the preceding claims.