Abstract
A bowling shoe sole fastening system of structures that allows a variety of outsoles to be attached to and detached from the midsole that improve the consistency of the flex of the show throughout a bowler's stride, which allow the bowling shoe to be adjusted to achieve consistent stopping and sliding characteristics over a variety of bowling lane conditions and maintain consistent performance in the flex of the shoe across cycles of attachment, detachment, and reattachment.
Claims
1. A sole of a shoe, comprising: a midsole comprising a midsole forepart region and a midsole toe region; a remove-ably attachable outsole comprising an outsole forepart region and an outsole toe region; wherein said midsole further comprises a midsole bottom surface; wherein said midsole forepart region bottom surface includes at least one midsole fastener area; wherein said midsole toe region bottom surface and said at least one midsole fastener area have different physical characteristics; wherein said remove-ably attachable outsole further comprises an outsole contact surface which contacts said midsole bottom surface when said remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe; wherein said outsole forepart region contact surface includes at least one outsole fastener area that mates with said at least one midsole fastener area; wherein said outsole toe region contact surface and said at least one outsole fastener area have different physical characteristics.
2. The sole of claim 1 wherein said midsole forepart region bottom surface further includes at least a first and second section; wherein said first midsole forepart region bottom surface section comprises said at least one midsole fastener area; wherein said first and second midsole forepart region bottom surface sections have different physical characteristics.
3. The sole of claim 1 wherein said outsole forepart region contact surface section further includes at least a first and second section; wherein said first outsole forepart region contact surface section comprises said at least one outsole fastener area; wherein said first and second outsole forepart region contact surface sections have different physical characteristics.
4. The sole of claim 1 wherein said midsole further comprises a midsole toe edge; wherein said midsole toe edge further comprises a midsole toe recess located above said midsole bottom surface; wherein said midsole toe recess extends along at least a part of said midsole toe edge.
5. The sole of claim 4 wherein said outsole toe region further comprises a first outsole toe projection and wherein said first outsole projection further comprises a second outsole projection which projects from said first outsole toe projection.
6. The sole of claim 5 wherein said second outsole toe projection terminates inside of said midsole toe recess when said remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe.
7. The sole of claim 6 wherein said termination of said second outsole toe projection inside of said midsole toe recess when said remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe restricts movement between said remove-ably attachable outsole and said midsole in at least one direction.
8. The sole of claim 6 wherein said second outsole toe projection and said midsole toe recess each further comprise mating chamfered edges which mate when said second outsole toe projection terminates inside said midsole toe recess when said remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe.
9. The sole of claim 1 wherein at least one of the groups consisting of said at least one midsole fastener area and said at least one outsole fastener area further comprises at least one gap.
10. A sole of a shoe, comprising: a midsole further comprising a midsole toe region, a midsole forepart region, and a midsole heel region; a first and second remove-ably attachable outsole; wherein said first and said second remove-ably attachable outsoles are separate; wherein said first remove-ably attachable outsole has a size and shape which generally matches the size and shape of both said midsole toe and said midsole forepart regions; wherein said second remove-ably attachable outsole has a size and shape which generally matches the size and shape of said midsole heel region.
11. The sole of claim 10 wherein said midsole further comprises at least one midsole fastener area and wherein said first remove-ably attachable outsole further comprises at least one outsole fastener area which mates with said at least one midsole fastener area when said at first remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe.
12. The sole of claim 11: wherein said at least one midsole fastener area further comprises at least one groove; wherein said first remove-ably attachable outsole further comprises at least one bump; and wherein said at least one bump terminates inside of said at least one groove when said first remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe.
13. The sole of claim 10 further comprising at least one finger channel in said midsole.
14. A sole of a shoe, comprising: a midsole comprising a midsole forepart region and a midsole toe region; a first remove-ably attachable outsole comprising an outsole forepart region and an outsole toe region; wherein said midsole further comprises a midsole bottom surface; wherein said midsole forepart region bottom surface includes at least two midsole fastener areas separated by at least one midsole forepart gap; wherein said midsole forepart gap has different physical characteristics from said midsole fastener areas; wherein said first remove-ably attachable outsole further comprises an outsole contact surface which contacts said midsole bottom surface when said first remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe; wherein said outsole forepart region contact surface includes at least two outsole fastener areas that mate with said midsole fastener areas when said first remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe; wherein said at least two outsole fastener areas are separated by at least one outsole forepart gap; wherein said outsole forepart gap has different physical characteristics from said outsole fastener areas.
15. The sole of claim 14, wherein said outsole toe region further comprises an outsole toe projection.
16. The sole of claim 15 further comprising: wherein said midsole further comprises a midsole toe edge; wherein said midsole toe edge further comprises a midsole toe recess located above said midsole bottom surface; wherein said outsole toe projection further comprises an outsole toe shelf which terminates inside of said midsole toe recess when said remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe.
17. The sole of claim 14, wherein said midsole toe region bottom surface has different physical characteristics from said midsole fastener areas.
18. The sole of claim 14, wherein said outsole toe region contact surface has different physical characteristics from said outsole fastener areas.
19. The sole of claim 14, further comprising: wherein said midsole further comprises a midsole heel region; wherein said midsole heel region bottom surface further comprises a midsole heel fastener area; a second remove-ably attachable outsole; wherein said second remove-ably attachable outsole further comprises an out sole heel fastener area which contacts and mates with said midsole heel fastener area when said second remove-ably attachable outsole is attached to said shoe; wherein said first and said second remove-ably attachable outsoles are separate.
20. The sole of claim 19 wherein at least one of the groups consisting of said midsole heel fastener area and said outsole heel fastener area further comprises at least one gap.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1A is a view of a bowling shoe sole, showing the midsole and the outsole in an attached state, with the outsole configured to be attachable and detachable to the midsole.
[0039] FIG. 1B is a cross section view of the toe of the bowling shoe sole, showing the outsole and the midsole in an attached state, depicting an outsole toe ridge and a outsole shelf, and depicting a midsole toe edge and a midsole recess.
[0040] FIG. 1C is a cross section view of the toe of the bowling shoe sole, showing the outsole and the midsole in a detached state, depicting an outsole toe ridge and a outsole shelf, and depicting a midsole toe edge and a midsole recess.
[0041] FIG. 2A is a view of the bowling shoe sole, showing the midsole of the shoe and the outsole forepart and the outsole heel in a detached state, with the outsole configured to be attachable and detachable to the midsole.
[0042] FIG. 2B is a cross section view of a part of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart, depicting the midsole fastener area and the outsole fastener area with a midsole fastener gap and an outsole fastener gap. The midsole fastener gap is depicted with a midsole groove, the outsole fastener gap is depicted with an outsole protrusion, and the outsole protrusion is depicted as a flexible joint.
[0043] FIG. 3A is a view of the bowling shoe sole, showing the midsole of the shoe and the outsole of the shoe, where the forepart of the outsole is in a detached state and the heel of the outsole is in an attached state, with the outsole configured to be attachable and detachable to the midsole.
[0044] FIG. 3B is a cross section view of the toe of a bowling shoe sole, showing a cross section of the outsole and the midsole in an attached state, where the toe ridge is depicted without a shelf and the midsole toe edge is depicted with a notched edge.
[0045] FIG. 3C is a cross section view of the toe of the bowling shoe sole, showing the outsole and the midsole in a detached state, depicting an outsole toe ridge, and depicting a midsole toe edge with a notched edge.
[0046] FIG. 4A is a view of the bowling shoe sole, showing the midsole of the shoe and the outsole of the shoe, where the forepart of the outsole is in a detached state and the heel of the outsole is in an attached state, with the outsole configured to be attachable and detachable to the midsole.
[0047] FIG. 4B is a cross section view of a part of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart, depicting the midsole fastener area and the outsole fastener area with a midsole fastener gap and an outsole fastener gap.
[0048] FIG. 4C is a cross section view of the toe of the bowling shoe sole, showing the outsole and the midsole in a detached state, depicting an outsole toe ridge, and depicting a midsole toe edge.
[0049] FIG. 5A is a view of the bowling shoe sole, showing the midsole of the shoe and the outsole of the shoe, where the forepart of the outsole is in a detached state and the heel of the outsole is in an attached state, with the outsole configured to be attachable and detachable to the midsole.
[0050] FIG. 5B is a cross section view of a part of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart, depicting the midsole fastener area and the outsole fastener area with a midsole fastener gap and an outsole fastener gap. The midsole fastener gap is depicted with a midsole groove group, the outsole fastener gap is depicted with an outsole protrusion group, and each outsole protrusion is depicted as a flexible joint.
[0051] FIG. 6A is a view of the bowling shoe sole, showing the midsole of the shoe and the outsole of the shoe, where the forepart of the outsole is in a detached state and the heel of the outsole is in an attached state, with the outsole configured to be attachable and detachable to the midsole.
[0052] FIG. 6B is a cross section view of a part of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart, depicting the midsole fastener area and the outsole fastener area with a midsole fastener gap and an outsole fastener gap. The midsole fastener gap is depicted with a midsole groove, and the outsole fastener gap is depicted with an outsole protrusion.
[0053] FIG. 7A is a partial view of a midsole bottom, depicting the midsole toe region and a portion of the midsole forepart region.
[0054] FIG. 7B is a partial view of a midsole bottom, depicting the midsole toe region and a portion of the midsole forepart region.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] Referring now to the figures in which identical elements are referenced identically throughout, a description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be provided.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1A, a view of a bowling shoe sole is depicted, with a sole toe region, a sole forepart region, and a sole heel region. The midsole and an outsole are depicted in an attached state, with the outsole configured to be attachable and detachable to the midsole. The outsole is provided in two pieces, a first outsole portion 100 that comprises the outsole heel portion and a second outsole portion 200A that includes the outsole forepart region and the outsole toe region. Portions of two midsole finger channels are depicted, a first finger channel 301 extending through a portion of the midsole heel region, and a second finger channel 302 extending to a depth below an edge of the midsole fastener area. A first flexible joint 401 and a second flexible joint 402 are depicted, the joints extending laterally across the sole. An angled seam 1000 between one end of the outsole toe ridge 510A and the midsole outer edge 600 is also depicted. A portion of the toe region of the sole is identified as area 1B, and depicted in FIG. 1B.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 1B, a cross sectional area of the toe region of the sole is depicted with the midsole attached to the outsole. The outsole toe edge 500A is depicted, with the outsole toe ridge 510A, and an outsole shelf 520A. The midsole toe edge 610A is depicted, with a midsole recess. The outsole shelf is depicted as terminating within the midsole recess.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 1C, a cross sectional area of the toe region of the sole is depicted, with the outsole detached from the midsole. The outsole toe ridge 511A is depicted. The midsole is depicted as having a midsole recess 620 above the midsole toe edge 610A. Although the midsole recess walls 621A and 622A are depicted as parallel, in some embodiments one or both of the midsole recess walls are slanted slightly, such that the distance between the midsole recess sidewalls is less as the two sidewalls approach the midsole recess end wall 623A. In such an embodiment, the outsole shelf 520A may also comprise a similar slant. Advantageously, the outsole shelf may be made from a material that is slightly compressible, and fitting the outsole shelf into the midsole recess results in a compression fit to further secure the outsole shelf within the midsole recess.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 2A, a view of a bowling shoe sole is depicted, with an outsole provided in two parts, a first outsole part 100 comprising an outsole heel portion and a second outsole part 200A comprising an outsole forepart portion and an outsole toe portion. Two midsole finger channels are depicted, a first finger channel 301 extending through a portion of the midsole heel region, and a second finger channel 302 extending to a depth below an edge of the midsole fastener area. In the forepart region of the second outsole part, an outsole attachment area 450A is depicted with a first outsole gap 401 and a second outsole gap 402, shown as flexible joints that extend laterally across the outsole. In the forepart region of the midsole, a midsole attachment area 650A is depicted with a first midsole attachment gap 601 and a second midsole attachment gap 602, shown as semi-circular grooves that extend laterally across the midsole. The outsole toe region is depicted as having an outsole toe edge 500B, and an outsole toe ridge 510B with an outsole shelf 520B. The outsole shelf is depicted with a slanted underside 522A that corresponds to a slanted midsole recess wall. The outsole toe ridge is depicted with sloped toe ridge ends 561A and 562A that correspond to sloping portions of the midsole outer edge 661A and 662A. The midsole toe region is depicted as having a reduced midsole outer edge 630A. The midsole toe edge further comprises a midsole recess.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 2B, a cross sectional area of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart is depicted, further comprising a hook fastener area 650A of the midsole, a pile fastener area 450A of the outsole. Each fastener area is depicted with a gap. The midsole fastener area gap 601 is depicted as a semi-circular groove, which provides enhanced flexibility and limits shear stress on the fastener areas caused by bending of the shoe. The outsole fastener gap 401 is depicted with a flexible joint. The flexible joint is formed in the shape of an arch, which provides enhanced flexibility and limits stress on the fastener areas caused by bending of the shoe. Advantageously, the semi-circular groove of the midsole and the flexible joint of the outsole are shaped to complement each other when the outsole is attached to the midsole. As depicted, the groove and flexible joint are allowed to flex independently as the shoe bends, and these areas are not secured directly to each other by the hook and pile fastener system.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 3A, a view of a bowling shoe sole is depicted, with an outsole provided in two parts, a first outsole part 100 comprising an outsole heel portion and a second outsole part 200B comprising an outsole forepart portion and an outsole toe portion. The first outsole part is depicted as attached to the midsole of the shoe. Two midsole finger channels are also depicted. The first finger channel 301 is shown as extending through a portion of the midsole heel region, underneath a portion of the first outsole part. The second finger channel 302 is shown as extending to a depth below an edge of the midsole fastener area. In the forepart region of the second outsole part, an outsole attachment area 450A is depicted with a first outsole gap 401 and a second outsole gap 402 depicted as flexible joints that extend laterally across the outsole. In the forepart region of the midsole, a midsole attachment area 650A is depicted with a first midsole attachment gap 601 and a second midsole attachment gap 602, shown as semi-circular grooves that extend laterally across the midsole. The outsole toe region is depicted as having an outsole toe edge 500C with an outsole toe ridge 510C. The outsole toe ridge is depicted with sloped toe ridge ends 561B and 562B that correspond to sloping portions of the midsole outer edge 661B and 662B. The midsole toe region is depicted as having a reduced midsole outer edge 630B.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, a cross sectional area of the toe region of the sole is depicted. In FIG. 3B the outsole is depicted as attached to the midsole and in FIG. 3C the outsole is depicted as detached from the midsole. The outsole toe edge 500C is depicted, with the outsole toe ridge 510C. The outsole toe ridge has an outsole toe ridge thickness 512A and an outsole toe ridge height 511B. The midsole toe edge is depicted, with a midsole notch 615. The midsole notch has a midsole notch depth 612A that is measured as a distance from the midsole edge. The midsole notch has a midsole notch height 611A that is measured as a distance from the midsole bottom. As depicted the midsole notch and outsole toe ridge are configured such that the outsole toe ridge extends to the midsole notch height, and the outsole toe ridge has a thickness greater than the midsole notch depth, such that the top of the outsole toe ridge seats against the top of the midsole notch but the outer edge of the outsole toe ridge extends beyond the midsole toe edge.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 4A, a view of a bowling shoe sole is depicted, with an outsole provided in two parts, a first outsole part 100 comprising an outsole heel portion and a second outsole part 200C comprising an outsole forepart portion and an outsole toe portion. The first outsole part is depicted as attached to the midsole of the shoe. Two midsole finger channels are also depicted. The first finger channel 301 is shown as extending through a portion of the midsole heel region, underneath a portion of the first outsole part. The second finger channel 302 is shown as extending to a depth below an edge of the midsole fastener area. In the forepart region of the second outsole part, an outsole attachment area 450B is depicted with a flat outsole gap 400. In the forepart region of the midsole, the midsole attachment area 650B is depicted with a flat midsole gap. The outsole toe region is depicted as having an outsole toe edge 500D with an outsole toe ridge 510D. The outsole toe ridge 510D is depicted with sloped toe ridge ends 561C and 562C that correspond to sloping portions of the midsole outer edge 661C and 662C. The midsole toe region is depicted as having a reduced midsole outer edge 630C.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 4B, a cross sectional area of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart is depicted, further comprising a hook fastener area of the midsole 650B, and a pile fastener area of the outsole 450B. Each fastener area is depicted with a flat gap. The midsole fastener area gap 603 is allowed to flex independently from the outsole fastener area gap 400, which provides enhanced flexibility for the shoe as a whole, and limits shear stress on the fastener areas caused by bending of the shoe.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 4C, a cross sectional area of the toe region of the sole is depicted. The outsole is depicted as detached from the midsole. The outsole toe edge 500D is depicted, with the outsole toe ridge 510D having an outsole toe ridge height 511C. The midsole toe edge 610B is depicted as flat, and the outsole toe ridge fits against the midsole toe edge when the outsole is attached to the midsole.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 5A, a view of a bowling shoe sole is depicted, with an outsole provided in two parts, a first outsole part 100 comprising an outsole heel portion and a second outsole part 200E comprising an outsole forepart portion and an outsole toe portion. Two midsole finger channels are depicted, a first finger channel 301 extending through a portion of the midsole heel region, and a second finger channel 302 extending to a depth below an edge of the midsole fastener area. In the forepart region of the second outsole part, an outsole fastener area is depicted with an outsole fastener area gap. The outsole fastener area gap comprises an outsole protrusion group 403, comprising three flexible joints that extend laterally across the outsole, each separated by a small flat gap. In the forepart region of the midsole, a midsole attachment area is depicted with a midsole attachment area gap. The midsole attachment area gap further comprises a midsole groove group 604, comprising three semi-circular grooves that extend laterally across the midsole, each separated by a small flat gap. The outsole toe region is depicted as having an outsole toe edge 500E, and outsole toe ridge 510E with an outsole shelf 520C. The outsole shelf 520C is depicted with a slanted underside 522B that corresponds to a slanted midsole recess sidewall. The outsole toe ridge 510E is depicted with sloped toe ridge ends that correspond to sloping portions of the midsole outer edge. The midsole toe region is depicted as having a reduced midsole outer edge 630D. The midsole toe edge further comprises a midsole recess.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 5B, a cross sectional area of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart is depicted, further comprising a hook fastener area of the midsole, a pile fastener area of the outsole. Each fastener area is depicted with a gap. The midsole fastener area gap is depicted as comprising a midsole groove group 604, with three semi-circular grooves that are each separated by a small flat gap. The outsole fastener gap is depicted with an outsole protrusion group 403, comprising three flexible joints. Each flexible joint is formed in the shape of an arch and is separated by a small flat gap. The outsole protrusion group 403 and the midsole groove group 604 provide enhanced flexibility and limits stress on the fastener areas caused by bending of the shoe. Advantageously, the semi-circular grooves of the midsole group and the flexible joints of the outsole protrusion group are shaped to complement each other when the outsole is attached to the midsole. As depicted, the midsole groove group 604 and outsole protrusion group 403 are allowed to flex independently as the shoe bends, and these areas are not secured directly to each other by the hook and pile fastener system.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 6A, a view of a bowling shoe sole is depicted, with an outsole provided in two parts, a first outsole part 100 comprising an outsole heel portion and a second outsole part 200 comprising an outsole forepart portion and an outsole toe portion. The first outsole part is depicted as attached to the midsole of the shoe. Two midsole finger channels are also depicted. The first finger channel 301 is shown as extending through a portion of the midsole heel region, underneath a portion of the first outsole part. The second finger channel 302 is shown as extending to a depth below an edge of the midsole fastener area. In the forepart region of the second outsole part, an outsole attachment area 450C is depicted with a first outsole gap 404 and a second outsole gap 405 that are depicted as solid protrusions that extend laterally across the outsole. In the forepart region of the midsole, a midsole attachment area 650C is depicted with a first midsole attachment gap 605 and a second midsole attachment gap 606, shown as semi-circular grooves that extend laterally across the midsole. The outsole toe region is depicted as having an outsole toe edge and an outsole toe ridge. The outsole toe ridge is depicted with sloped toe ridge ends that correspond to sloping portions of the midsole outer edge. The midsole toe region is depicted as having a reduced midsole outer edge
[0069] Referring to FIG. 6B, a cross sectional area of the midsole forepart and the outsole forepart is depicted, further comprising a hook fastener area of the midsole, a pile fastener area of the outsole. Each fastener area is depicted with a gap. The midsole fastener area gap 605 is depicted as a semi-circular groove, which provides enhanced flexibility and limits shear stress on the fastener areas caused by bending of the shoe. The outsole fastener gap is depicted as an outsole protrusion 405. The outsole protrusion is formed in a shape that complements the midsole groove when the outsole is attached to the midsole. The gaps limit stress on the fastener areas caused by bending of the shoe. As depicted, the midsole groove and outsole protrusion are allowed to flex independently as the shoe bends, and these areas are not secured directly to each other by the hook and pile fastener system.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the toe region of the midsole is depicted with a portion of the forepart region of the midsole. Bottom surface 617 is shown. The reduced midsole outer edge 630E is visible, and the outer edge of the forepart region is depicted with sloped ends 661D and 662D.
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 3A, 4A, 6A, and 7B, in some embodiments, a securing apparatus is used to fasten upper surface 517 of outsole toe region to bottom surface 617 of midsole toe region. Securing apparatus is any fastener or attachment mechanism. In one embodiment, the securing apparatus is a hook and pile system. In another embodiment, the securing apparatus is a rivet mechanism. In yet another embodiment, the securing apparatus is an adhesive such as tape. In yet another embodiment, the securing apparatus is a snap fastener. In yet another embodiment, the securing apparatus is a button fastener. In yet another embodiment, the securing apparatus is a latching mechanism. In yet another embodiment, the securing apparatus is a clamping mechanism. In preferred embodiments, the securing apparatus allows upper surface 517 of outsole toe region to be removably attached to button surface 617 of midsole toe region.
[0072] Although the invention has been described with reference to several embodiments with certain structures and configurations, these are not intended to exhaust all possible combinations or arrangements of features that are contemplated that are contemplated by the scope of the invention, and many other combinations or arrangements of features will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art after reviewing the invention disclosure.
