DEVICE FOR SHOES

Abstract

A device for a shoe that allows converting a utility of a shoe from a normal sports shoe to a specialized shoe having high traction on ground, such as the shoes for golf, soccer, baseball, softball, football, tracking, and hiking. The device includes a front member and a rear member, both include spaced apart spikes. The front member and the rear member can be applied to an exposed surface of a sole of a shoe.

Claims

1. A device for a shoe comprising: a front member comprising: a first base of a substantially U-shape, an outer periphery of the first base configured to align with a periphery of a front portion of a sole, the front portion of the sole corresponds to a toe and a ball of a foot, and a plurality of first rows of spikes spaced apart from each other and runs along the outer periphery of the first base, the plurality of first rows disposed on a front side of the first base, wherein a rear side of the first base is configured to couple to the front portion of the sole.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first rows comprises two first rows.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises: a rear member comprising: a second base of a substantially U-shape, an outer periphery of the second base configured to align with a periphery of a rear portion of the sole, the rear portion of the sole corresponds to a heel of the foot, and a plurality of second rows of spikes spaced apart from each other and runs along the outer periphery of the second base, the plurality of second rows disposed on a front side of the second base, wherein a rear side of the first base is configured to couple to the rear portion of the sole.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of second rows comprises two second rows.

5. A method for converting a utility of a tennis shoe or any flat soled shoe to that of a specialized shoe having enhanced traction on ground, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device comprising: a front member comprising: a first base of a substantially U-shape, an outer periphery of the first base configured to align with a periphery of a front portion of a sole, the front portion of the sole corresponds to a toe and a ball of a foot, and a plurality of first rows of spikes spaced apart from each other and runs along the outer periphery of the first base, the plurality of first rows disposed on a front side of the first base, wherein a rear side of the first base is configured to couple to the front portion of the sole; and applying the front member to the sole of the sports shoe.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the device further comprises a rear member, the rear member comprising: a second base of a substantially U-shape, an outer periphery of the second base configured to align with a periphery of a rear portion of the sole, the rear portion of the sole corresponds to a heel of the foot, and a plurality of second rows of spikes spaced apart from each other and runs along the outer periphery of the second base, the plurality of second rows disposed on a front side of the second base, wherein a rear side of the first base is configured to couple to the rear portion of the sole, wherein the method further comprises the steps of applying the rear member to the sole of the sports shoe.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the specialized shoe is for a sports selected from a group consisting of golf, soccer, baseball, softball, football, tracking, and hiking.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device including a front member and a rear member, both shown applied to a flat sole of a shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0018] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0020] The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.

[0021] Disclosed is a device for converting a utility of tennis shoes or any flat soled shoe to that of a specialized shoe. The specialized shoe offers enhanced traction on ground for sports such as golf, soccer, baseball, softball, football, tracking, hiking, and the like sports. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 which show a perspective view of the device 100, FIG. 1 shows the device applied to a flat sole of a shoe 200. The device 100 includes a front member 110 and a rear member 120. Optionally the device 100 can also include a middle member.

[0022] The front member 110 can be applied to a front portion of a sports shoe or an athletic shoe that has a flat outer sole. For example, the tennis shoes typically have a flat sole but are quite comfortable. The front member 110 can be applied to a front portion of the sole as shown in FIG. 1. The front portion can correspond to a toe and ball of a foot. The front member 110 can be of a substantially U-shape. An outer periphery of the front member 110 can substantially align with an outer periphery of the front portion of the sole. The front member can extend over a portion of the front of the sole that corresponds to the toe and the ball of the foot. The front member can be continuous throughout the front portion of the sole. Alternatively, the front member can have a void at the center. FIG. 1 shows a U-shape void in the front member.

[0023] A top side of the front member 110 can be provided with spikes 130, that are projected outwards. The construction and geometry of the spikes can be similar to the spikes in specialized shoes, such as the shoes for golf and football. However, other geometries of the spikes for use in shoes that can prevent slipping on ground are within the scope of the present invention. The geometry and material of spikes may vary with the type of sports, and thus the spiked can be designed according to the intended sports. For example, the spikes can be made of rubber material. The spikes 130 are arranged in U-shape rows that are spaced apart from each other and along with the U-shape profile of the front member 110. While FIG. 1 shows two rows of the spikes, it is obvious to a person reading this disclosure that more than two rows are within the scope of the present invention. Each row has several spikes at spaced intervals, the spacing between adjacent spikes can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. A skilled person will however appreciate that the spacings between the adjacent spikes can be optimized.

[0024] The front member can have a base 140 and the rows of spikes are provided on the front side of base 140. The other side i.e., a bottom side of the base can have a layer of adhesive that may allow affixing the front member to the sole of the shoe. FIG. 2 shows the base 210 having spikes 220 on its top side and a layer of adhesive 230 on its bottom side. The base and the rows of spikes can be integral. Alternatively, the rows of spikes can be bonded to the base. The adhesive can be applied to the front member just before the application of the front member to the sole. Alternatively, a layer of adhesive can be applied to the base at the time of manufacturing. The layer of adhesive can be protected by a liner that can be peeled off just before the application of the front member.

[0025] Again, referring to FIG. 1, the rear member 120 can be applied to a rear portion of the sole of the shoe 200. The rear member 120 can be applied to the rear portion of the sole as shown in FIG. 1. The rear member can also be of a U-shape geometry. An outer periphery of the rear member 120 can be aligned with an outer periphery of the rear portion of the sole. The rear portion of the sole corresponds to the heel of the foot. The rear member 120 can extend over a portion of the sole that corresponds to the heal of the foot. The rear member can be continuous throughout the rear portion of the sole. Alternatively, the rear member can have a void at the center. FIG. 1 shows a U shape void in the rear member 120.

[0026] A top side of the rear member 120 can be provided with spikes 150, that are projected outwards. The construction and geometry of the spikes can be similar to the spikes in the front member. The spikes are arranged in U-shape rows that are spaced apart from each other and extend along with the U-shape profile of the front member. While FIG. 1 shows two rows of the spikes in the rear member 120, it is obvious to a person reading this disclosure that more than two rows are within the scope of the present invention. Each row has several spikes at spaced intervals, the spacings between adjacent spikes can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. A skilled person will however appreciate that the spacings between the adjacent spikes can be optimized.

[0027] The rear member 120 can have a base 160, and on the front side of the base 160 are the rows of spikes 150. The other side i.e., a bottom side of the base 160 can have a layer of adhesive that may allow affixing the rear member 120 to the sole of the shoe. The base and the rows of spikes can be integral and form a single unit. Alternatively, the rows of spikes can be bonded to the base. The adhesive can be applied to the rear member just before the application to the sole. Alternatively, a layer of adhesive can be applied to the base at the time of manufacturing. The layer of adhesive can be protected by a liner that can be peeled off just before the application of the rear member. It is however, understood that adhesive layer can be optional, and the disclosed base can be attached to the sole using super glue and the like. Preferably, the base has a plain side, and the user can use super glue to the attach the base to the sole of the shoe.

[0028] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.