Patent Application
20220175081
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of stationary bicycles, and more specifically to a stationary bicycle shoe with a breathable upper.
Indoor cycling, or “spinning,” is a sporting, exercise, and/or leisure activity in which users pedal in place on a stationary bicycle. To improve the effectiveness of users' time spent on a stationary bicycle, it is common for users to wear specialized cycling shoes which are capable of securely attaching to the pedals of the stationary bicycle. By attaching their shoes directly to the pedals, users are able to push and pull on the pedals during their exercise regimen, thereby maximizing their time spent on the stationary bicycle and providing a better workout.
However, existing stationary bicycle shoes are not very breathable, due to being covered with a rigid, non-breathable top layer, such as leather or plastic. Because of this, they are not comfortable for prolonged periods of use, and can easily cause a cyclist's feet to become uncomfortably warm and sweaty.
Therefore, what is needed is a breathable stationary bicycle shoe with a breathable top layer that is optimally designed for use with an indoor stationary bicycle, which allows users to keep their feet cool and well-ventilated while exercising on a stationary bicycle.
To minimize the limitations in the cited references, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present disclosure relates to a breathable stationary bicycle shoe.
In one embodiment, the breathable stationary bicycle shoe of the present disclosure may be sufficiently breathable to reduce the likelihood of a stationary cyclist's feet becoming uncomfortably warm and sweaty during exercise. At the same time, the breathable stationary bicycle shoe may also be rigid enough to be supportive and able to protect a user's feet from the pedals.
In one embodiment, the breathable stationary bicycle shoe may be compatible with a variety of cleat/pedal conformations or pairings.
One embodiment may be a stationary bicycle shoe comprising a bottom portion and an upper. Preferably, the upper may be comprised of a breathable top layer, which may be made of a mesh material, or any other light and breathable material. The breathable top layer may be air and water-permeable, allowing a cyclist's feet to breathe more comfortably than if conventional cycling shoes were used instead.
In one embodiment, the upper may alternatively comprise one or more straps, wherein the one or more straps may secure a user's foot to the stationary bicycle shoe while cycling, while also providing open ventilation for the user.
One embodiment may be a breathable stationary bicycle shoe, comprising a bottom portion and an upper; wherein said bottom portion may comprise a sole, a cleat, one or more gel cushions, and one or more strap slots; wherein said upper may comprise one or more straps; wherein said cleat may be configured to engage with a pedal of a stationary bicycle, such that a wearer of said breathable stationary bicycle shoe may be able to push and pull on said pedal while pedaling on said stationary bicycle without said cleat coming disengaged from said pedal; wherein said sole may comprise a recessed portion; wherein said cleat may be attached to said sole at said recessed portion by means of one or more attachment bolts; wherein said cleat may be a clipless bicycle pedal cleat, such as an SPD® cleat; wherein said sole may be made of rubber; wherein said one or more straps may be attached to said bottom portion at said one or more strap slots; wherein said one or more straps may comprise a first end and a second end; wherein said bottom portion may comprise a left side and a right side; wherein said first end and said second end of said one or more straps may be transversely attached to said left side and said right side of said bottom portion at said one or more strap slots; such that said one or more straps may cross a width of said bottom portion; wherein said one or more straps may be made of leather or rubber.
Other features and advantages inherent in the disclosed in the breathable stationary bicycle shoe of the present disclosure, besides those which are claimed and disclosed, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps, which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.
In the following detailed description of various embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the embodiments. However, these embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still others will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the graphs, figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about,” may refer to a deviance of between 0.0001-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are signify both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.
Disclosed are components that may be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all embodiments of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that may be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps may be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.
The present methods and systems may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.
Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that the various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate describing these embodiments. It is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “stationary bicycle” generally refers to a bicycling exercise machine which allows a user to pedal in place, with adjustable levels of resistance depending on the level of difficulty desired by the user. While stationary bicycles are generally used indoors, it is to be understood that a stationary bicycle may be used indoors or outdoors (such as in an outdoor patio area).
“Bicycle shoe(s)” refer to any form of footwear designed to be used while cycling, and particularly with a stationary bicycle.
“Cleat(s)” refer to any protrusion installed on the sole of a bicycle shoe which enables the bicycle shoe to attach to the pedals of a stationary bicycle.
A “clipless bicycle pedal cleat” refers to a cleat that is the same or similar to a Shimano Pedaling Dynamics™ or SPD® cleat.
The term “lightweight mesh” refers to a type of fabric that has a lightweight heft and a permeable texture. Lightweight mesh is woven loosely, which results in thousands of tiny holes or perforations being present in the mesh fabric or garment. Typically, light weight mesh is made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon.
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of stationary bicycle shoes. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a stationary bicycle shoe that provides enhanced breathability and comfort to its users.
The bottom portion 120 may comprise a sole 130, a cleat 140, and a gel cushion 150. Preferably, the bottom portion 120 may be thick enough to support the cleat 140, such that the breathable stationary bicycle shoe 100 may be securely connected to, or “clipped to”, a pedal stationary bicycle. The gel cushion 150 may provide protection and comfort to the user by cushioning the user's feet during exercise. The sole 130 may be made of rubber, helping to prevent slippage and keeping a user's feet and ankles secure while pedaling.
The cleat 140 may be either permanently installed into the sole 130, or be removably attached. Preferably, the cleat 140 may be securely attached to one or more slots on the pedals of a stationary bicycle, so that a user may freely pedal without fear of their shoes slipping off the pedals. Once a user has secured their cleats 140 to the pedals of a stationary bicycle, users may push and pull on the pedals while cycling. When a user presses down on a pedal, a downward force is exerted on the bottom portion 120. In like manner, when a user pulls up on a pedal (such as when completing a full pedaling revolution), an upward force is exerted on the upper 110. The secure attachment of the cleats 140 to the pedals prevents the breathable stationary bicycle shoe 100 from coming free of the pedals when a user pulls upward against the upper 110.
The upper 110 may preferably be lightweight and breathable mesh. The breathable stationary bicycle shoe 100 may be well-ventilated and comfortable even for prolonged periods of use. The upper 110 may include a variety of colors, logos, or designs, as desired. In some embodiments, the upper 110 may cover the entire surface area of the top of a user's foot (such as, for example, with a mesh screen). However, the upper 110 need only cover a sufficient portion of the top of a user's foot to securely keep a user's foot in position while pedaling; specifically, the upper 110 need only provide enough contact with the top of a user's foot to prevent the breathable stationary bicycle shoe 100 from slipping out of position when a user exerts upward pressure when pulling the pedals upward through a cycling motion. As a result, in some embodiments, the upper 110 may cover less than the entire surface area, by comprising, for example, one or more straps which leave part of the user's feet uncovered.
In some embodiments, the cleat 140 used may be, for example, a clipless bicycle pedal cleat, such as an SPD® cleat, or a Delta cleat.
It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that various geometries and numerical combinations of straps 211 and strap slots 212 may be used to create the upper 210—there is no fixed number of straps 211 or strap slots 212 required, or a specific spatial arrangement thereof. Any arrangement of one or more straps 211 and one or more strap slots 212 may be used, so long as the resulting upper 210 is sufficiently durable and rigid to support a cyclist's feet while pedaling and to keep the upper 210 securely connected to the bottom portion 220, particularly when the cyclist pulls upward while pedaling.
The straps 211 are preferably made from lightweight mesh and are preferably breathable and lightweight, but may be made of any appropriately durable and rigid material, such as, for example, leather, fabric, nylon, or rubber.
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications, which set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range, which is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes the illustrative embodiments. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more additional embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
Except as stated immediately above, nothing which has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.
