OUTER SOLE FOR SPIKELESS FOOTWEAR

Abstract

An outer sole for a footwear including a base extending from a heel portion, through a midfoot portion, to a ball portion of the footwear, a plurality of cleats disposed on the base throughout the heel, midfoot, and ball portions of the footwear, and a plurality of interconnecting portions extending from each of the cleats and extending across a portion of the base, at least one of the interconnecting portions being connected to an adjacent cleat, where the cleats and the interconnecting portions include soft curves configured to avoid debris from accumulating on the sole.

Claims

1. An outer sole for a footwear comprising: a base extending from a heel portion, through a midfoot portion, to a ball portion of the footwear. a plurality of cleats disposed on the base throughout the heel, midfoot, and ball portions of the footwear; and a plurality of interconnecting portions extending from each of the cleats and extending across a portion of the base, at least one of the interconnecting portions being connected to an adjacent cleat; wherein the cleats and the interconnecting portions include soft curves configured to avoid debris from accumulating on the sole.

2. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the number of cleats on the outer sole is less than 65.

3. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the outer sole is constructed from a material comprising plastic, polyurethane, or rubber or any combination thereof.

4. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein a distance between the cleats is at least about 15 millimeters.

5. The outer sole of claim 4, wherein the at least 15 millimeters delimits areas absent of cleats configured to increase traction and to said avoid debris from accumulating on the sole.

6. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cleats and the interconnecting portions has a base portion and a top portion and wherein the cleats and the interconnecting portions taper from the base portions towards the top portions.

7. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the cleats and the interconnecting portions further having smooth surfaces to said avoid debris from accumulating on the sole.

8. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein space between the cleats is sufficient to improve grip and thereby to avoid an aquaplaning effect.

9. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the outer sole pattern has no sharp edges.

10. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the soft curves comprise curved surface areas without straight edges and without planar surfaces, and wherein the curved surface areas are smooth and uninterrupted.

11. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the soft curves comprise curved surface areas without acute, right, or obtuse angles, wherein the curved surface areas are smooth and uninterrupted.

12. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the soft curves comprise a radius of curvature of about two to three millimeters.

13. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein the cleats and the interconnecting portions form a pattern that resembles an organic structure of a tree leaf or animal membrane.

14. The outer sole of claim 1, wherein two to seven of the interconnecting portions extend generally radially from each of the cleats and wherein the two to seven interconnecting portions are generally evenly spaced about the respective cleat.

15. A cleat for an outer sole of a footwear, comprising: a base portion configured to be disposed on the outer sole; a top portion disposed opposite from the base potion and configured to extend from the outer sole and to contact a surface during use of the footwear; and a plurality of elongated interconnecting potions each having a first end affixed to the base portion and a second end extending away from the base portion; wherein the base portion has a width larger than a width of the top portion such that the cleat generally tapers in a direction toward the top portion: wherein the second end of at least one of the interconnecting portions is affixed to an adjacent cleat; and wherein the cleats and the interconnecting portions include soft curves configured to avoid debris from accumulating on the sole.

16. The cleat of claim 15, wherein the soft curves comprise smooth and uninterrupted curved surface areas without acute, right, or obtuse angles.

17. The cleat of claim 16, wherein the soft curves comprise a radius of curvature of about two to three millimeters.

18. The cleat of claim 15, wherein the cleat, the interconnecting portions, and the adjacent cleat form a pattern that resembles an organic structure of a tree leaf or animal membrane.

19. The cleat of claim 15, the base portion has a diameter of about five to seven millimeters and wherein the interconnecting portion affixed to the adjacent cleat is at least fifteen millimeters long.

20. A method of increasing traction and wear resistance of an outer sole of a footwear, comprising: providing a plurality of cleats on the outer sole; spacing each cleat at least fifteen millimeters from an adjacent cleat; connecting each cleat to a plurality of adjacent cleats with interconnecting portions; forming the cleats and interconnecting portions with soft curves comprising smooth and uninterrupted curved surface areas without acute, right, or obtuse angles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a spikeless footwear showing an outer sole pattern and arrangement of cleats, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom plan view thereof;

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view thereof;

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view thereof, opposite to that shown in FIG. 3;

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view thereof;

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view thereof;

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the outer sole of FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged perspective view thereof;

[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of FIG. 7;

[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of FIG. 8; and

[0044] FIG. 11 shows another enlarged perspective view of the outer sole of FIG. 1.

[0045] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0047] The outer sole 100 construction for a spikeless footwear 102 is referenced in FIGS. 1-11. The outer sole 100 construction of the footwear 102 uses a pattern which has integrated cleats 104 with soft curves 106 and the cleats 104 are interconnected to each other by interconnecting portions 108 throughout the length of the outer sole 100 resembling an organic structure such as tree leaf or animal membrane. As used herein, soft curve is intended to mean an area of the cleats 104 and arms 108 where the surface includes curvature. That is, soft curves are areas without straight edges, without planar surfaces, and/or without acute or obtuse angles and without vertices therebetween. Further there is a relatively larger space between the cleats 104 that facilitates in minimizing dirt accumulation and improving the grip and traction, thereby reducing an aquaplaning effect during a golf swing or similar activities. Additionally the shoe 102 can be used not just on, for example, golf course putting green, but also on smooth and hard surfaces peripheral to the playing area. The spikeless footwear 102 with the organic structure sole 100 pattern also provides sufficient grip and traction during playing soccer, football, golf, running, jogging and other similar sports.

[0048] As mentioned, the integrated cleats 104 are interconnected to each other by interconnecting portions 108 throughout the length of the outer sole 100 resembling an organic structure like a tree leaf or an animal membrane. This unique structure is configured to facilitate detachment of dirt, soil, and other debris from a corresponding shoe during normal use. With less debris affixed to the outsole 100, the corresponding shoe gains traction and is less likely to experience aquaplaning. The outer sole 100 has a relatively large space between the cleats 104, in other words, there are less cleats 104 on the sole 100 thus creating more gaps in order to further avoid an aquaplaning effect. There are less than 65 cleats 104 on the outer sole 100 and the distance between the cleats 104 is at least about 15 mm. More particularly, there are about 40 to 65 cleats on the outer sole 100. Further, the larger space between the cleats 104 contributes to the minimization of dirt accumulation and thus improves the grip and traction, thereby reducing a slipping effect during a golf swing or similar activities.

[0049] The cleats 104 extend vertically from a base of the outsole about five to six millimeters. This dimension is shown by way of example at A in FIG. 3. The interconnecting portions 108 extend about two to three millimeters from the outsole base. This dimension can be seen at B in FIG. 3. The base itself is about three to four millimeters in thickness and it is affixed to the upper and/or a midsole or other interlayer. This dimension can be seen at P in FIG. 3. Thus, the total thickness of the outsole is about eight to ten millimeters. The cleats 104 include a diameter D of about five to seven millimeters. See FIG. 2. The soft curves used to form the cleats 104 arms 108 and other aspects of the outsole 100 have a radius of curvature of about two to three millimeters. Of course, these dimensions and measurements are merely exemplary and may be varied as desired to attain the desire degree of traction and wear resistance.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the cleats 104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of cleats 104 is located on and extends from a surface 110 of the sole 100 facing away from the footwear 102 and each of the plurality of cleats 104 and the interconnecting portions 108 has a base portion 112 and a top portion 114. The cleats 104 and the interconnecting portions 108 taper from the base portions 112 towards the top portion 114. Additionally the cleats 104 and the interconnecting portions 108 further have smooth surfaces 116 and soft curves 106 to prevent dirt from sticking on the sole 100.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the spikeless footwear 102, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The front view shows a ball area 118 of the footwear 102, which is slightly lifted upward.

[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the spikeless footwear 102, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The back view shows a heel area 120 of the footwear 102, which is substantially flat or parallel to the ground.

[0053] Turning now to FIG. 3, a side view of the spikeless footwear 102 is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The side view clearly shows the base and top portions 112 and 114 of the cleats 104. Further it shows that the cleats 104 at the heel area 120 and a fore foot area 122 are continuously engaged to ground, while the cleats 104 at the ball area are upwardly inclined in correspondence with the pitch of this portion of the outer sole 100. As can be seen in FIG. 3 and particularly in FIG. 2, the cleats 104 and interconnecting portions 108 extend substantially continuously from the heel area 120 through the fore foot area 122 and to the ball area 118, terminating at a forward most portion of the outer sole 100.

[0054] The outer sole 100 for the spikeless footwear 102 is constructed from a material comprising at least one of plastic, polyurethane, rubber or any combination thereof. In the drawings, an upper is illustrated in phantom. This upper may correspond to any type of athletic or fashion shoe, boot, sandal, or the like. For example, the upper may be that of a golf shoe and may be formed of any desired material which is secured to the outer sole 100 in any desired means, for example, by adhesion, welding, stitching, etc. Additionally and/or alternatively, a midsole and/or another interlayer may be disposed between the upper and outer sole 100.

[0055] The integrated cleats 104 on the outer sole 100 have a larger space between them than conventional cleated shoes. That is, there are less cleats 104 on the sole 100 which thus creates more gaps in the cleat structure. Due to the increased spacing of the cleats, each individual cleat bears a larger proportion of the downward force during use. This increases traction and avoids aquaplaning. There are between 40 and 65 number of cleats 104 on the outer sole 100 and the distance between the cleats 104 is at least about 15 mm. Further, the larger space between the cleats 104 facilitates minimization of dirt accumulation. This leads to grip and traction improvement, thereby reducing aquaplaning and slipping effect during the golf swing or similar activities. Additionally, as described herein, the cleats 104 have a streamlined shape. That is, the cleats 104 are smooth and there is minimal unevenness on the surfaces thereof. This streamlined shape prevents accumulation of debris and encourages the removal thereof during use of the shoe and when manually cleaned by the user. Also as described, the cleats 104 and interconnecting portions 108 extend over the outer sole 100 in a pattern that resembles an organic structure such as a tree leaf or an animal membrane. This unique pattern resists the accumulation of debris, thus resulting in increased traction and reduced aquaplaning. As can be seen for example in FIG. 2, the cleats 104 have the appearance of nodes distributed across the various sectors of the outer sole 102, longitudinally from the heel to the toe, and laterally from the medial side edge to the lateral side edge. The interconnecting portions 108 have the appearance of branches or webs or veins which extend between and connect the various cleats 104. Many of the cleats 104 have five interconnecting portions 108 extending radially or near-radially therefrom. Other cleats 104 have as many as six or seven interconnecting portions 108 extending therefrom. Still other cleats 104, particularly those positioned along the outermost edges of the outer sole 102, have four, three, or two interconnecting portions 108 extending therefrom. The interconnecting portions 108 extend generally radially from the respective cleats 104 and, in many instances, are generally equally spaced about the respective cleat 104. For example, where a cleat 104 includes six interconnecting portions 108, the portions 108 are spaced angularly at about 60 degrees around the cleat 104. It is this unique construction which gives the outer sole 102 the appearance of an organic structure, such as a tree leaf or animal membrane. Of course, the specific numbers of cleats 104 and the number of interconnecting portions 108 extending from each cleat 104 and the relative angles of extension are merely illustrative. These exemplary numbers may vary depending upon a particular application. Under the broad scope of this disclosure, a cleat 104 may include zero to eight or more interconnecting portions 108 extending therefrom equally and/or non-equally spaced.

[0056] An interconnecting portion 108 includes a first end affixed to a particular cleat 104 and an opposite second end extending therefrom. This second end may or may not be affixed to another adjacent cleat 104. The interconnecting portions 108 extending around a particular cleat 104 may be of equal or unequal length.

[0057] The unique attributes of the outer sole 100 allows the footwear 102 to be used not just over greens on a golf course, but also over smooth and hard surfaces peripheral to the playing area without damaging the surfaces and preventing quick wear and tear of the cleats 104 when used over the hard surfaces. The outer sole 102 does not include the protruding hard or metal spikes nor any sharp corners or edges associated with conventional cleated shoes. These traditional features of cleated shoes form primary ground contacting surfaces which, on the one hand, provide a degree of traction to the conventional cleated shoes but which, on the other hand, can damage playing and non-playing surfaces and can subject the traditional soles to rapid wearing and degradation. Instead, the cleats 104 and interconnecting portions 108 include soft curves 106 and streamlined surfaces which reduce damage to surfaces on and off the playing grounds. Also, the soft curves 106 of the cleats 104 and interconnecting portions 108 resist wearing as compared to the spikes and sharp edges of traditional cleated footwear.

[0058] As mentioned, the cleats 104 and the interconnecting portions 108 taper from the base portions 112 towards the top portion 114. This construction contributes to the increased traction provided by the outer sole 102.

[0059] As described, the various cleats 104 of the outer sole 102 are connected by interconnecting portions 108. These interconnecting portions 108 extend across the outer sole 102 as seen in FIG. 2 to form a support frame which increases the stability of the outer sole 102. In addition, as can also be seen in FIG. 2, each of the various cleats 104 generally includes two to seven or more interconnecting portions 108 extending therefrom. This increases the relative stability of each of the cleats 104. Thus, even though the outer sole 104 includes less cleats than a traditional cleated shoe, the outer sole 104 and the individual cleats 104 remain stable. The outer sole 102 relies on the unique network of interconnecting portions for its stability, thus permitting the sole 102 to be thinner than in a conventional cleated shoe. As noted above, the sole base P is only about three to four millimeters. Yet, the outer sole 102 provides sufficient stability due to the support structure formed by the interconnecting portions 108 and cleats 104.

[0060] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.