Patent Application
20150320142
The present invention relates to bowling shoes and kits therefore.
Each sports shoe (e.g., running, golf, etc.) has its own unique set of characteristics and performance criteria. For bowling, unlike other sports such as golf, the slide and braking characteristics of the shoe are particularly important, especially for professionals and serious amateurs. (Golf obviously has its own unique set of concerns, including grip and stability.) In general, the sole of the non-sliding foot of a bowling shoe is made of rubber to provide traction, while the sliding foot's sole is made of a smooth and flat material that allows a bowler to slide into the release, with a rubber heel to allow for braking. Various heel, sole and outsole configurations have been proposed to enable bowlers to optimize slide and braking performance.
For example, interchangeable attachments to the forefoot/sole (slide pads) and to the heel (braking pads) of bowling shoes have been proposed. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,542,198, 7,246,453 and 8,458,927. Each pad, or portions thereof (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,027,661, 3,672077 and 6,651,360), can be designed with different surface characteristics, enabling the frictional interaction between the shoe and bowling lane to he altered to suit the individual bowler's style and idiosyncrasies, or to suit different lane conditions (e.g., oily lanes). Typically a hook and loop attachment (e.g., Velcro®) between the pad and the tread has been provided although, alternatively, mating surface topographies on the shoe and pad have also been used (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,453 to Kim). it is also known to provide symmetrical, interchangeable forefoot/sole attachments for each bowling shoe in a pair, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,927, which is incorporated by reference herein. Symmetrical forefoot/sole attachments are primarily an inventory aid, however, as only about 5% of bowlers are lefties.
While advantages provided by interchangeable sole and heel attachments have become accepted by serious and professional bowlers, problems persist. One problem presented by known interchangeable heel pads is the tendency of the attachable/removable heel attachment/pad to slightly slide or “give” during wear, relative to the heel. Another problem presented by known interchangeable sole pads has been the tendency for the front edge of the slide pad to begin peeling away during wear, especially for bowlers who exhibit a relatively steep toe angle of attack on the lane.
It would also be advantageous to design a bowling shoe using a material that has performance characteristics that are superior to rubber or EVA. New shoes, for example, may require a “break-in” period before the outsole has been flexed and has become sufficiently resilient to comfortably play. For example, an outsole made of TPU is more resilient than an outsole made of EVA, which means that the EVA outsole will break down quicker than the TPU outsole. In addition, TPU can be made both visually appealing and visually differentiating. For example, when rubber is made translucent (it will always look milky, not transparent), it has a substantially lowered abrasion resistance. In contrast, TPU can he made to look clear and transparent, like glass, without losing its abrasion resistance.
These and other problems are solved by the present invention.
The terms used in the claims of the patent as filed are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.
The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior bowling shoes, while providing new advantages not previously obtainable with such shoes.
The present invention not only greatly reduces the risk of sole slide pad peeling, but also reduces the possibility of the interchangeable heel pad sliding relative to the heel. The invention also introduces a new material, TPU, for use with the outsole of bowling shoes.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bowling shoe kit may he provided, including: a forefoot, a heel and an outsole; and one or more forefoot slide pads removably attachable to the forefoot, to adjust the sliding characteristics of the forefoot. The outsole may include TPU, such as a clear and transparent TPU material. One or more heel pads removably attachable to the heel may also he provided, for adjusting the braking characteristics of the heel portion.
In another embodiment of the invention, a bowling shoe kit may be provided, which may include: a forefoot, a heel and an outsole; and one or more forefoot slide pads removably attachable to the forefoot, to adjust the sliding characteristics of the forefoot. The outsole may be made of TPU, and may include a lip extending down to at least partially cover a front-most toe portion of the forefoot slide pad, thereby helping to prevent the toe portion of the forefoot slide pad from detaching from the forefoot during play.
In still another alternative embodiment of the invention, a bowling shoe kit may be provided, which may include: a forefoot, a heel and an outsole; and one or more heel pads removably attachable to the heel, for adjusting the braking characteristics of the heel portion. At least one manually-graspable groove may also be provided, and located in a rear portion of the outsole, facilitating the player's ability to remove the heel pad from the heel. A bottom surface of the heel may include one or more depressions having a first topography, and the one or more heel pads may have a top surface with one or more corresponding projections having a second topography designed to mate with the first topography of the depressions.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a bowling shoe kit may be provided, including: a forefoot, a heel and an outsole; and one or more heel pads removably attachable to the heel, for adjusting the braking characteristics of the heel portion. A bottom surface of the heel may include a first topography, and the one or more heel pads may have a top surface with a second topography designed to mate tongue-and-groove with the first topography. The second topography may include a sloping projection whose base is wider than its top. The outsole may be made of TPU.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a bowling footwear kit is provided, and may include: a left shoe and a right shoe, with each shoe having a forefoot, a heel and outsole. Either or each of the shoes may also have at least one of the following: (a) one or more forefoot slide pads removably attachable to the forefoot, for adjusting the sliding characteristics of the forefoot; and (b) heel brake pads removably attachable to the heel, for adjusting the braking characteristics of the heel. The outsole may be made of TPU. The forefoot of one of the shoes may have a peripheral shape which is asymmetrical compared to the forefoot of the other shoe. Alternatively, the forefoot of each shoe may be symmetrical.
The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, will he best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.
Referring first to
To prevent heel pad 30 from slightly moving laterally or longitudinally relative to shoe 10, heel pad 30 may include projections or bars 32a, 32b, while the bottom of heel 13 may include corresponding indentations 13a, 13b designed to mate, tongue-and-groove, with projections 32a, 32b, as best seen at
Referring to
Referring now to
Those of ordinary skill will also appreciate that bowling shoes according to aspects of the present invention can be provided with symmetrical, interchangeable sole attachments for each bowling shoe in a pair, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,927. Conversely, asymmetrical, interchangeable sole attachments may be provided.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a kit may be provided for sale, which may include one or more of the following: left and right shoes of a pair; removably attachable forefoot slide pads as described above; and removably attached heel brake pads as described above.
The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. For example, while various preferred and less preferred embodiments have been described above, persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. It is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.
