Soccer Shoe Component or Insert Made of One Material and/or a Composite and/or Laminate of One or More Materials for Enhancing the Performance of the Soccer Shoe

Abstract

A soccer shoe absorbs and stores energy from the foot at foot-strike and return some of this energy to the object being struck. The shoe may also cushion the foot, leg and body; provide foot stability and motion control; reduce fatigue; extend the float time of a runner and increase the jump height of the wearer. The shoe is intended to absorb, store and return energy to the object struck, which would otherwise be lost using the existing shoe components and inserts. The shoe has a vertical component that extends around the periphery of the front of the shoe and another component (horizontal) that extends longitudinally from the front of the shoe towards the back of the shoe, at least to about the middle of the shoe, and preferably proximate the heel of the shoe.

Claims

1-48. (canceled)

49. An athletic shoe, comprising: a) a shoe body having a shoe upper and a sole secured to the upper so that a wearer's foot can be positioned within the upper and above the sole, the sole having a lower surface with cleats and an upper surface, the shoe having a front with a toe box and a periphery that extends at the front around the toe box, a middle, a back, and a heel; b) a horizontal component located within the sole in between the cleats and the sole upper surface, said horizontal component extending longitudinally all or part of the distance between the front and the heel, wherein said horizontal component is at least partially constructed of a material from the group consisting of graphite, carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass, titanium, metal, metal alloy, composite, laminate, 1, 2-polybutadiene, 1, 4-polybutadiene, synthetic isoprene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, ethylenepropylene diene modified rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, and plastics such as polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof; and c) wherein the horizontal component stiffens the shoe and stabilizes the foot within the shoe.

50. The shoe of claim 49, wherein the component is made of only one type of material.

51. The shoe of claim 49, wherein the component is made of a composite of one or more types of material.

52. The shoe of claim 49, wherein the component is made of a laminate of one or more types of material.

53. The shoe of claim 49 wherein the component is made primarily of carbon fiber material.

54. The shoe of claim 49, wherein the component is made primarily of a natural or synthetic rubber material.

55. An athletic shoe, comprising: a) a shoe body having a shoe upper and a sole secured to the upper so that a wearer's foot can be positioned within the upper and above the sole, the sole having a lower surface with cleats and an upper surface, the shoe having a front with a toe box and a periphery that extends at the front around the toe box, a middle, a back, and a heel; b) a horizontal component embedded in the sole and that extends longitudinally all or part of the distance between the front and the heel and is at least partially constructed of a material from the group consisting of graphite, carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass, titanium, metal, metal alloy, composite, laminate, 1, 2-polybutadiene, 1, 4-polybutadiene, synthetic isoprene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, ethylenepropylene diene modified rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, and plastics such as polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof; c) a vertical component connected to and extending up from the horizontal component; d) the horizontal and vertical components stiffening the shoe and stabilizing the foot within the shoe.

56. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the horizontal component is made of only one type of material.

57. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the horizontal component is made of a composite of one or more types of material.

58. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the horizontal component is made of a laminate of one or more types of material.

59. The shoe of claim 55 wherein the horizontal component is made primarily of carbon fiber material.

60. The shoe of claim 55 further comprising a vertical component made primarily of a material from a natural or synthetic rubber compound.

61. An athletic shoe, comprising: a) a shoe body having a shoe upper and a sole secured to the upper so that a wearer's foot can be positioned within the upper and above the sole, the sole having a lower surface with cleats and an upper surface, the shoe having a front with a toe box, a middle, and a heel; b) a horizontal component contained within the sole, said horizontal component extending longitudinally all or part of the distance between the front and the heel of the shoe body; c) a vertical component that is connected to and that extends up from the horizontal component, said vertical component extending to the toe box; and d) the horizontal and vertical components stiffening the shoe and stabilizing the foot within the shoe.

62. The shoe of claim 61, wherein the horizontal component is made of only one type of material.

63. The shoe of claim 61, wherein the horizontal component is made of a composite of one or more types of material.

64. The shoe of claim 61, wherein the horizontal component is made of a laminate of one or more types of material.

65. The shoe of claim 61, wherein the horizontal component is at least partially constructed of a material from the group consisting of graphite, carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass, titanium, metal, metal alloy, composite, laminate, 1, 2-polybutadiene, 1, 4-polybutadiene, synthetic isoprene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, ethylenepropylene diene modified rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, and plastics such as polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.

66. The shoe of claim 61 wherein the horizontal component is made primarily of carbon fiber material.

67. The shoe of claim 61 wherein the sole has an outsole and a midsole and the horizontal component is embedded in the midsole.

68. The shoe of claim 61 wherein the sole has an outsole and a midsole and the horizontal component is embedded in the outsole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0053] FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0055] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 4 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 5 is a top or bottom view of a midsole or inserted insole illustrating an embodiment of the present invention as the entire outsole midsole or insole;

[0058] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are top views of the outsole/midsole/insole insert illustrating alternative embodiments of the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 11 is a cross section of a toe of a soccer shoe showing the shoe and an embodiment of the present invention located within the shoe outsole;

[0060] FIG. 12 is a cross section of the heel of a shoe and an embodiment of the present invention located within the outsole;

[0061] FIG. 13 is a cross section of a toe of a shoe showing an embodiment of the present invention of the present invention located within the midsole of the shoe;

[0062] FIG. 14 is a cross section of the heel of a shoe showing an embodiment of the present invention located within the midsole of the shoe;

[0063] FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are top views of the outsole/midsole/insole insert illustrating alternative embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] The athletic shoe shown for illustrative purposes is a soccer shoe even though the present invention may be used in other types of athletic or any other type of shoe. The soccer shoe shown in FIG. 1 is of generally conventional form. The shoe 1 has an upper 2 made of leather or similar material, with a tongue 3 and laces 4. The shoe FIG. 1 has an outsole 5 and a midsole 6 either or both of which may incorporate the horizontal component of an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical component of an embodiment of the present invention will preferably be resting upon, or be immediately above, the horizontal component, regardless of whether the horizontal component is located in the midsole 6 or outsole 5. The outsole 5 also incorporates molded or screw threaded studs or cleats 8 which come in contact with the ground when the shoe 1 is worn.

[0065] FIG. 2 is a top view of a shoe midsole 6 with an illustration of the horizontal component 17 illustrated by the striped lines, and the vertical component 76 illustrated by the cross hatched lines, of an embodiment of the present invention. This midsole 6 is worn between the foot and the outsole. The material 10 surrounding the shoe midsole of an embodiment of the present invention may consist of air, gas, foam rubber or other cushioning material.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a shoe outsole 5 illustrating the horizontal component 17 of an embodiment of the present invention embedded in the outsole 5 (outsole 5 can be made of the same material typically for soccer shoe outsoles).

[0067] FIG. 4 is a top view of a shoe insole insert 9 including the vertical component 27, illustrated by the cross hatched lines, of an embodiment of the present invention resting directly upon or immediately above the horizontal component 37 of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated by the striped lines. Insert 9 can be inserted in an otherwise standard soccer shoe after the shoe is manufactured and purchased.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a top view of an outsole 15, a midsole 16, or an inserted insole 19 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention where the entire outsole 15, midsole 16 or insole 19 is the horizontal component 39 and is illustrated by the striped lines, and the vertical component 29, is illustrated by the cross hatched lines.

[0069] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 are top views of the outsole/midsole/insole insert illustrating the horizontal component 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 79, 80 and 81 of alternative embodiments of the present invention, which are illustrated by the striped lines. The vertical component 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 82, 83 and 84 of embodiments of the present invention will preferably rest upon or directly above the toe end of the horizontal components. The vertical components of embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the cross-hatched lines. In FIG. 16 the vertical component 83 of alternative embodiments of the present invention forms a partial cap over the top of the fore foot within the shoe. In FIG. 17 the vertical component 84 of alternative embodiments of the present invention forms a full cap over the fore foot and toes within the shoe.

[0070] FIG. 11 is a cross section of the toe of shoe 1 showing the shoe upper 2 and the vertical component 87 of an embodiment of the present invention located at the extreme end of the toe of the shoe and located directly above the shoe outsole 5, which contains the horizontal component 7 of the shoe.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a cross section of the heel of the shoe 1 and component 7 of an embodiment of the present invention (or any other component shown in FIGS. 2-10) located within the shoe outsole 5.

[0072] FIG. 13 is a cross section of the toe of a shoe 1 showing the vertical component 97 of an embodiment of the present invention located at the extreme end of the toe of the shoe and resting upon the midsole 6 of the shoe, which contains the horizontal component 7.

[0073] FIG. 14 is a cross section of the heel of the shoe 1 showing component 7 of an embodiment of the present invention (or any other component shown in FIGS. 2-10) within the midsole 6 of the shoe.

[0074] FIGS. 13 and 14 may also be used to illustrate a cross section of an embodiment of the present invention located within an insole inserted into the shoe.

[0075] FIG. 15 is a top view of the outsole/midsole/insole insert illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a channel 99 located within the outsole/midsole/insole insert. This channel may be rectangular, as shown, or circular, semi-circular, round, triangular or oval. The number of these channels and their placement or alignment may vary. The purpose of this channel is to allow the wearer of the shoe to customize the performance characteristics of the horizontal component. Shaped bars or rods, etc. of material or materials in composite and/or laminate construction with varying flex, resilience and rebound characteristics may be put into these channels and easily removed or replaced. These materials may be chosen from those used to make the horizontal components of the present invention, though in a given shoe may be made of a different material from the horizontal components used in that shoe.

[0076] In the drawings the horizontal component of the shoe sole/insert of the present invention is shown in striped lines and the vertical component of the shoe/sole/insert of the present invention is shown in cross hatched lines, whether located in the outsole, midsole, or as part of an inserted insole. The horizontal and/or the vertical components of the present invention can be manufactured into the outsole and/or the midsole. If the component is manufactured into the outsole, the material may be a color different from the outsole. This different color would be desirable to distinguish the shoe from shoes without the components of the present invention in the outsole. The insert of an embodiment of the present invention may also be incorporated into an innersole, which is inserted into the shoe at some point after the manufacture of the other components of the shoe.

[0077] The shoe sole/insert of an embodiment of the present invention can be made of one material, or of a combination of natural and/or man-made materials. The choice of material or combination of materials, the shape of the materials, and the location of the component within the shoe can be determined by the wearer's desire to optimize specific performance enhancing characteristics of the shoe. The primary specific characteristic of the shoe sole/insert of the present invention is to efficiently return energy that would be wasted without the shoe sole/insert of the present invention. In response to an applied load, such as kicking a ball or striking the ground, the shoe sole/insert of the present invention will temporarily deform. Upon removal of the applied load, or a progressive reduction of the applied load, the shoe sole/insert of the present invention will return to its original shape. This absorption of energy and the return of otherwise wasted energy to the wearer and/or to the object struck by the shoe of the wearer is the essential performance enhancing characteristic of the present invention. Other applications of the present invention may include lighter weight, more comfort, less fatigue, more stability, less injury risk, better foot control, better foot support, or even better outward appearance of the shoe.

[0078] The shoe sole/insert of an embodiment of the present invention should have a relatively high tensile strength. The material or materials should also be elastic and have a strong tendency to return to an unstressed state once it is free from the stress of impact. The material or materials should also possess good fatigue resistance so that it will withstand repeated cycles of deforming when stressed and rebounding when the stress is removed. The material or materials may be a composite or be laminated in order to achieve desired combinations of the specific applications of the shoe. The material should have a modulus of elasticity of at least 250,000 psi. Typical materials are high modulus plastics such as polycarbonate materials (modulus of 300,000), ABS injected molded plastic, fiberglass composites (modulus of 3,000,000), graphite composites (modulus of 9,000,000), carbon composites, and various types of steel. The material or materials in the vertical component may have entirely different characteristics than the material or materials used in the horizontal components of embodiments of the present invention.

[0079] The shoe sole/insert of the present invention should be lightweight and thin. The thickness may be constant or may vary depending upon the desires and the intended use of the wearer. The cross sectional thickness of the present invention will vary, dependent upon the material used and the wearer's desires, but the thickness of the horizontal component is preferably in the range of 0.10-1.0 cm. The thickness of the vertical component is preferably in the range of 0.25 cm-0.80 cm. The shoe sole/insert of the present invention may also be hollow. The horizontal component of the shoe sole/insert of the present invention may extend the length of the foot, it may be shorter or longer than the foot, or extend beyond or over the heel and/or toes of the foot. The vertical component of the shoe/sole/insert of the present invention will rest upon or be placed directly above the horizontal component and will be located beyond and over the toes of the foot. The components of the shoe sole/insert of the present invention may be flat or round and/or any shape or combination of shapes, the surface may be flat, curved, grooved or corrugated. The shoe sole/insert of the present invention may consist of one or more parts, which may be connected or function independent of each other.

[0080] The shoe sole/insert of an embodiment of the present invention may be incorporated into the outsole and/or midsole and/or insole during the manufacturing process. The manufacturer may also leave a pocket or space in the outsole and/or midsole and/or insole for a separately manufactured component of the present invention. This would allow individual choice of a variety of materials or shapes in the wearer's discretion. The same shoe may then be able to accommodate a broad range of stiffer or more flexible shapes so that the wearer can snap the desired component into the pocket or space, then remove it at will, and snap in another variant of the component as desired.

[0081] While the foregoing description has referred particularly to soles for soccer shoes (and is preferably used with soccer shoes), the invention is also applicable to articles of footwear, whether athletic footwear or not, and both with and without studs. For example, the invention can be applied to casual or dress shoes, to tennis shoes and training shoes.

[0082] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used, or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0083] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.