Suction Releasing System for Shoes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system integrated or retrofitted to a shoe for preventing a wearer of the shoe from becoming stuck in mud, sand, water, or any other soft terrain while walking. The system includes a pair of tubes positioned on opposing sides of the shoe/boot and a rigid attachment overlapping a portion of the sole of the shoe. A valve having a lengthwise opening can be placed between the rigid attachment and the sole such that each tube of the pair of tubes is attached to opposing ends of the valve using a pair of elbow tubes. Each elbow tube passes through a hole in the rigid attachment to connect to the valve. The valve creates a vacuum when the shoe to which the system is attached is stepped onto the terrain and when the shoe is lifted, the vacuum is released.

Claims

1. A suction relieving boot for prohibiting stuck footwear in surrounding terrain, the suction relieving boot comprising: a boot having a sole and a first tube and a second tube, wherein said first tube and said second tube are positioned on opposing sides of said boot, and further wherein said first tube and said second tube are independent tubes and each tube extends from said sole of said boot to an upper edge of said boot; a valve positioned below said sole; a rigid attachment extending across said sole and over said valve; a first tube elbow connecting said first tube to said valve; and a second tube elbow connecting said second tube to said valve.

2. The suction relieving boot of claim 1, wherein said rigid attachment is a rectangular metal sheet fastened to said sole.

3. The suction relieving boot of claim 2, wherein said first tube elbow passes through a first opening positioned in said rigid attachment for connecting said first tube to said valve.

4. The suction relieving boot of claim 3, wherein said second tube elbow passes through a second opening positioned in said rigid attachment for connecting said second tube to said valve.

5. The suction relieving boot of claim 4, wherein said first opening is adjacent to a first side of said sole and said second opening is adjacent to an opposing second side of said sole.

6. The suction relieving boot of claim 5, wherein said valve having a lengthwise slit from one terminal end to another terminal end.

7. The suction relieving boot of claim 6, wherein said valve having a first diameter, and said first elbow tube and said second elbow tube having a second diameter, wherein said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter.

8. The suction relieving boot of claim 7, wherein said slit extending from said first elbow to said second elbow.

9. The suction relieving boot of claim 8, wherein said valve is closed when a wearer of said boot steps downward onto the terrain with a foot inside said boot.

10. The suction relieving boot of claim 9, wherein said valve is opened when the wearer of said boot lifts the foot inside said boot.

11. The suction relieving boot of claim 10, wherein said first tube and said second tube having a third diameter, wherein said second diameter is smaller than said third diameter.

12. The suction relieving boot of claim 11, wherein said boot is selected from a group consisting of a wading boot, a hiking boot, a garden boot, and a rubber rain boot.

13. A suction relieving boot for prohibiting stuck footwear in surrounding terrain, the suction relieving boot comprising: a boot having a sole and a first tube and a second tube, wherein said first tube and said second tube are positioned on opposing sides of said boot, and further wherein said first tube and said second tube are independent tubes and each tube extends from said sole of said boot to an upper edge of said boot; a valve positioned below said sole, wherein said valve having a lengthwise slit from one terminal end to another terminal end; a rigid attachment extending across said sole and over said valve; a first tube elbow connecting said first tube to said valve at a first end; and a second tube elbow connecting said second tube to said valve at a second end.

14. The suction relieving boot of claim 13, wherein said first tube elbow passes through a first opening positioned in said rigid attachment for connecting said first tube to said valve.

15. The suction relieving boot of claim 14, wherein said second tube elbow passes through a second opening positioned in said rigid attachment for connecting said second tube to said valve.

16. The suction relieving boot of claim 15, wherein said first opening is adjacent to a first side of said sole and said second opening is adjacent to an opposing second side of said sole.

17. The suction relieving boot of claim 16, wherein said valve having a first diameter, and said first elbow tube and said second elbow tube having a second diameter, and further wherein said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter.

18. A suction relieving boot for prohibiting stuck footwear in surrounding terrain comprising: a boot having a sole and a first tube and a second tube, wherein said first tube and said second tube are positioned on opposing sides of said boot, and further wherein said first tube and said second tube are independent tubes and each tube extends from said sole of said boot to an upper edge of said boot; a valve positioned below said sole, wherein said valve having a lengthwise slit from one terminal end to another terminal end; a rigid attachment extending across said sole and over said valve; a first tube elbow connecting said first tube to said valve at a first end; a second tube elbow connecting said second tube to said valve at a second end; wherein said valve is closed when a wearer of said boot steps downward onto the terrain with a foot inside said boot; and further wherein said valve is opened when the wearer of said boot lifts the foot inside said boot.

19. The suction relieving boot of claim 18, wherein said valve having a first diameter, and said first elbow tube and said second elbow tube having a second diameter, wherein said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter.

20. The suction relieving boot of claim 19, wherein said first tube and said second tube having a third diameter, wherein said second diameter is smaller than said third diameter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an improved shoe/boot of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one potential embodiment of the suction relieving boot of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing a user wearing one potential embodiment of the boot of the present invention on each leg for easily walking in mud in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the valve used in one potential embodiment of the boot of the present invention in an open state in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0019] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0020] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pair of boots that enables the users to comfortably walk through muddy, sandy, and waterlogged streets. There is also a long-felt need in the art for shoes/boots that prevents the users from becoming stuck in the middle of the muddy streets/trails and prevents them from taking off their boots to walk through the muddy roads. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for boots that do not create suction when it comes in contact with muddy, sandy, or waterlogged areas. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for shoes/boots that prevents the users from walking bare foot in muddy streets/trails and prevents them from being exhausted. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for shoes/boots that enables the users to quickly walk-through muddy streets/trails without wasting their time. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for shoes/boots that enables the users to reach their desired destination expeditiously and with desired attire. There is a long-felt need in the art for shoes/boots that prevents the clothes of the users from becoming dirty after walking through muddy streets/trails. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for shoes/boots that maintain traction when walking in mud, sand, water, or other sticky surfaces.

[0021] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a multifunctional system for wading and hiking shoes. The system can be releasably or integrally attached to any shoes/boots for alleviating excessive pressure while walking in mud, sand, water or other terrains. The system has tubing on each side of a boot, a metal or rigid attachment overlapping a portion of the sole and fastened to the side of the sole, the metal attachment having a pair of opposite openings, a valve having a lengthwise cut positioned between the metal plate and the sole, a first tube of the tubing connected to the valve using a first elbow tube wherein the first elbow tube passes through a first opening of the pair of opposite openings and extends between the first tube and the valve, a second tube of the tubing connected to the valve using a second elbow tube wherein the second elbow tube passes through a second opening of the pair of opposite openings and extends between the second tube and the valve, the lengthwise cut is configured to close the valve for creating a vacuum when the shoe/boot on which the system is attached is stepped onto a terrain and is configured to release the vacuum when the shoe is lifted.

[0022] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a suction relieving boot of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The suction relieving boot 100 of the present embodiment is designed to help a wearer of the boot 100 walking in water, sand, or mud without getting stuck in the mud or other terrain. The boot 100 can be designed in different sizes and can be used by farmers, ranchers, anglers, hunters, and more for alleviating excessive pressure when walking in water, sand, or mud. More specifically, the boot 100 can be in the shape of a wading boot, hiking boot, garden boot, rubber rain boot, and the like and includes a pair of tubes 102, 104 positioned on opposite sides 106, 108 of the tongue 110 of the shoe 100. The suction relieving boot 100 may be comprised of metal, leather, rubber or any other suitable material.

[0023] The tubes 102, 104 are independent tubes and each tube extend till the sole 112 of the shoe 100 such that the tubes 102, 104 are connected to a valve 114 positioned below the sole 112. A metal or rigid attachment 116 extending across the sole 112 is integrated or removably attached to the shoe 100. The metal attachment 116 is preferably a rectangular metal sheet and is fastened to the shoe 100 using a pair of mechanical fasteners such as screws, nuts, and bolts. The first tube 102 is attached to the valve 114 using a first tube elbow 118 and the second tube 104 is attached to the valve 114 from the opposite side using a second tube elbow 120. The first tube elbow 116 passes through a first opening 122 positioned in the metal attachment 116 to connect the first tube 102 to the valve 114. Similarly, the second tube elbow 118 extends through an opposite opening 124 of the metal attachment 116 to connect the second tube 104 to the valve 114.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the tube diameter of the valve 114 is smaller than diameter of the elbow tubes 118, 120 and is cut in half lengthwise to form a continuous slit 126 between the elbows 116, 118. The continuous slit 126 of the valve 114 is designed to be closed when a wearer of the shoe 100 steps down with the foot in which the shoe 100 is worn and when the foot is lifted, the valve is opened to relieve the vacuum, thereby preventing the foot from becoming stuck in mud or other terrain. When the foot is lifted, the mud/air passes through the elbow tubes 118, 120 to the tubes 102, 104 respectively, and is released through the top opening 128 of first tube 102 and top opening 130 of the second tube 104.

[0025] The diameters and lengths of the pipes 102, 104 are equal and the diameters of the elbow pipes 118, 120 are smaller than the diameters of the pipes 102, 104 thereby enabling the elbow pipes 118, 120 to easily insert inside the pipes 102, 104, respectively. Also, the valve 114 has a smaller diameter than the diameters of the elbow pipes 118, 120, thereby enabling the valve to easily couple with the elbow pipes 118, 120.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the metal attachment 116 along with the pipes 102, 104, elbow pipes 118, 120 and the valve 114 are integrated to the boot 100. Alternatively, the said components can be retrofitted to any conventional boot.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the suction relieving boot 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the metal plate 116 has a horizontal portion 202 positioned under the sole 112 such that the horizontal portion 202 forms an arch 208 for accommodating the valve 114. The metal plate 116 also has vertically extending portions 204, 206 extending perpendicularly from the ends of the horizontal portion 202. The vertically extending portions 204, 206 are integrally molded into the boot 100 for secure positioning of the metal plate 116.

[0028] The elbow tube 118 passes through the opening 122 to connect to the valve 114 via the hole 210. It should be noted that the second elbow tube 120 passes through the opening 124 to connect to the valve 114 via the hole 212 such that the valve 114 is coupled to both the elbow tubes 118, 120.

[0029] The metal plate 116 is made of a durable and lightweight metal such as iron or aluminum and extends across the sole 112 forming an arch. When a wearer of the shoe 100 places a step, the cut along the length of the valve 114 is closed to create a vacuum in the valve 114. Then, when the foot is lifted, the vacuum is released by automatic opening of the valve 114.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing a user wearing the boot of the present invention on each leg for easily walking in mud in accordance with the disclosed architecture. A user can wear the boot 100 on each foot 302, 304 so that the user can easily walk in mud 306 or in any other terrain without getting stuck. The left foot 302 is placed in the mud 306 and therefore, the valve 114 creates a vacuum in the arch of the metal plate as the lengthwise cut 126 remains closed. As the right foot 304 is lifted, the closed valve 114 is opened and the vacuum is released, thereby preventing the user from becoming stuck in the mud 306.

[0031] The boot 100 is designed to alleviate excessive pressure when walking in water, sand, or mud and is especially useful for farmers, ranchers, anglers, hunters, gardeners, and more. Some of the mud positioned inside the valve 114 can also be released through the pipes 102, 104 wherein the mud passes through the elbow tubes of the boot 100.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the valve used in the boot 100 of the present invention in an open state in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The valve 114 is configured to automatically open and close for preventing the foot of a user from becoming stuck in mud, sand, or other terrain. As illustrated, the valve 114 having the lengthwise cut 126 is in the open state with the cut 126 being opened automatically to release the vacuum upon lifting the boot 100 from the mud, sand, or terrain. The cut 126 becomes closed with the edges 402, 404 touching each other when the boot 100 is placed in mud, sand, or other terrain.

[0033] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “suction relieving boot”, “suction relieving boot”, “boot”, and “sherlock style boot” are interchangeable and refer to the suction relieving boot 100 of the present invention.

[0034] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the suction relieving boot 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the suction relieving boot 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the suction relieving boot 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the suction relieving boot 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the suction relieving boot 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’s needs and/or preferences.

[0035] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0036] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.