Patent Application
20140325877
Standardization of bowling shoes for a mass market results in bowling shoes with no difference in traction characteristics between different pairs, or in many cases even between left and right shoes, although the two feet are performing different functions. Improvements in bowling performance may be realized by adjusting the traction characteristics of the shoes based on the different functions of the two feet in bowling.
The typical bowler will approach the foul line with the leading foot stopping just short of the foul line, and in many cases it is desirable to have a shoe for the leading foot having lower traction than the shoe for the trailing foot. For marketing, this requires providing pairs of shoes having different traction characteristics on the left shoe and the right shoe, and also requires different pairs for left handed bowlers and right hand bowlers. The shoes are frequently referred to as having either a “traction sole” or a “sliding sole”, and a bowler will typically use a traction sole on the strong or trailing foot and a sliding sole on the weak or leading foot. The condition of the lane and the speed, height, weight, and shoe size of the bowler are just a few of the many factors which determine how much traction the bowler will need—a taller, heavier bowler with small foot and fast approach on a slick lane will require more traction than a shorter, lighter bowler with large feet and a slow approach on a rougher lane. This may require each bowler to provide a number of different left and right shoes having ground contact surfaces with different traction characteristics to more closely tailor the traction characteristics of the shoes to the lane condition. This may also require a dealer in bowling shoes to stock an inventory of left and right shoes in every size, each having soles with differing ground contact surfaces having different traction characteristics, and each suitable to only a small percentage of the bowling population. In the extreme, it can be imagined that the perfect shoe for a single bowler on a particular lane may be unlike the perfect shoe for any other single bowler and less suitable for the same bowler on any other lane. Compromises are usually sought between tailoring the shoe for individual performance and providing a possibly less suitable shoe which can be used by, and sold to, a larger segment of the bowling population.
It can also be appreciated that different portions of the same foot are in contact with the ground during different parts of the approach, and that a further improvement in performance may be realized by varying the traction characteristics in discrete portions of the same shoe, or by incorporating sections of ground contact surface in which a traction characteristic varies across the section. However, due to the individual nature of each person's approach to the line, an even wider selection of shoes must be maintained, each suitable to an even smaller number of people, to accommodate individual tread pattern preferences. Furthermore, each individual would need to invest in a sizable number of different pairs of shoes to find the individual tread pattern most suited to his or her bowling style, and in additional pairs of shoes to match the different lane surface conditions.
Several approaches have been taken to match the traction characteristics of the shoe to different bowlers and different lanes without increasing the inventory of shoes required. Many of these involve ground contact surfaces that can be altered without requiring the construction of a new shoe. For example, Kim (U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,453) and McCord (U.S. Pat. No. 3,027,661) appear to provide shoes with interchangeable slide pads fitting into recesses in the forepart of the shoe. However, these recesses do not extend to the periphery of the shoe, and some portion of the ground contact surface of the shoe remains unchanged when replacing the slide pad, resulting in an uneven ground contact surface. Weidman et al (US publication 2013/0000153A1) and Tsuji (U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,324B1) appears to show a bowling shoes with different shaped elements and a multitude of inserts for both the sliding and traction sole. Although these designs may reduce the number of different shoes required in stock, that reduction is offset by the increasing number and complexity both of size and shape of the different ground contact surfaces required. An individual would need to stock a large number of small pieces, each easily lost, misplaced, or confused with similar pieces. Welco (U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,040) appears to show a single slide surface which extends to the periphery of the shoe, but makes no provision for providing different ground contact surfaces for different conditions. Other methods for providing interchangeable foreparts have been disclosed, but the challenge of providing shoes suitable for both right and left handed bowlers with traction characteristics that can be adjusted by each bowler for different lane conditions typically leads to the necessity for stocking a wide variety of foreparts having differing ground contact surfaces in both left and right handed styles and in sizes to fit every foot.
The sale of a pair of customized bowling shoes is typically a complicated process involving the selection of the shoes, followed by the selection of a slide pad in a size and handedness to match the sliding sole and a traction pad in a size and handedness to match the traction sole, and possibly the selection of additional slide and traction pads in the appropriate size and handedness to alter the shoes to fit differing lane conditions. The ability of the manufacturer to provide and the retailer to stock a variety of foreparts having differing traction characteristics is limited by the necessity to stock each forepart in left and right handed configurations and in a multitude of shoe sizes. To reduce the complexity of the transaction and provide a single pair of shoes to be used by either a right or left handed bowler, a footwear kit may be provided including both a left and right slide pad and both a left and right traction pad, but this results in the waste of at least two inserts. As so few bowlers are ambidextrous, it is extremely rare that any bowler would ever use both slide pads or both traction pads.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a single forepart which is modified to fit a left or right shoe in any size, and is removably attached and easily replaced. To provide further options for customizing the ground contact surface of the slide pad to include directional or positional differences in traction characteristics, it is desirable that the forepart be easily indexed to orient the traction characteristics of the forepart to the shoe each time it is attached. This would permit a manufacturer to supply one sliding forepart and one traction forepart with each pair of shoes, and the shoes would be suitable for either a left or right handed bowler. This would also permit a retailer to stock each forepart in only a single configuration, to be adjusted to size and handedness after sale, permitting the stocking of a larger variety of ground contact surfaces rather than a larger variety of sizes and handedness.
Accordingly, there is a need for a footwear kit that can be marketed to both left and right handed bowlers with a forepart adapted to fit either a left or right shoe in any size and indexed to orient the traction characteristics of the forepart to the shoe. It is also desirable to provide a bowling shoe kit suitable for both a left handed and right handed bowler with foreparts that are individually shaped by the consumer or retailer to provide a pair of shoes including a left and right shoe having different traction characteristics, the resulting pair of shoes being suitable for either a left handed or right handed bowler but not both.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bowling footwear kit including a removable forepart that can be fitted to either a left or right shoe of any marketed size, that will cover the entire ground contact surface area in front of the arch of the shoe, and that is indexed to orient the forepart to the shoe.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a bowling footwear kit with removable foreparts having different traction characteristics, wherein the foreparts provided are larger than the surface they are intended to cover.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a footwear kit with removable foreparts, each forepart having a plurality of traction characteristics in a preselected pattern and orientation across the forepart, such that cutting the forepart in different orientations to fit the surface of the shoe it is intended to cover will provide varying patterns of traction characteristics across the forepart.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bowling shoe that can be used either as a traction shoe or a sliding shoe.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pair of bowling shoes that are suitable for either a left or right handed bowler, one shoe of the pair having a sliding sole and the other having a traction sole.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for rapid customization of a pair of bowling shoes by the user for differing surfaces.
It is another object of the present invention to provide foreparts for customizing the ground contact surfaces of shoes that are adaptable for use on either a right or left shoe of any size.
These and other objects are achieved by providing a footwear kit including a forepart that is larger in length and width than the length and width of a forepart receiving area of the shoe, thus allowing the same forepart to be cut to fit either the left shoe or the right shoe and to completely cover the forepart receiving area of only the shoe which it is cut to fit. In some embodiments, the forepart has a margin which matches the distal margin of the forepart receiving area of the shoe. The distal margin of the forepart receiving area of the shoe extends laterally across the shoe at the rear of the forepart receiving area. In some embodiments the distal margin is a single feature extending laterally across the entire sole of the shoe. In other embodiments, the distal margin is established by a series of features disposed laterally across the sole of the shoe.
In some embodiments, the forepart has a ground contact surface displaying a plurality of traction characteristics. In some embodiments, these traction characteristics are directional in nature, such that a force applied parallel to the ground contact surface from one direction will result in one traction characteristic, while the same magnitude force applied parallel to the ground contact surface from a second direction will result in a different traction characteristic. In some embodiments, aligning the margin of the forepart to the distal margin of the forepart receiving area of the shoe establishes the directionality of the traction characteristic of the ground contact surface with respect to the shoe.
In some embodiments, the traction characteristic of the forepart varies with respect to its location on the ground contact surface of the forepart, with some areas of the forepart displaying higher traction than others in response to the same magnitude and direction of force applied parallel to the ground contact surface. In some embodiments, aligning the margin of the forepart to the distal margin of the forepart receiving area of the shoe establishes the geometry and distribution of the traction characteristics of the ground contact surface with respect to the shoe.
In some embodiments, the forepart further comprises a series of size guides. In some embodiments, the size guides are printed on a surface of the forepart. In other embodiments, the size guides are molded or cut into a surface of the forepart. In still other embodiments, the size guides are perforations in the forepart. In still other embodiments, the size guides are formed from a combination of these treatments.
In some embodiments, the forepart further comprises a ground contact surface and a fastener surface. The fastener surface of the forepart further comprises one part of a two part fastener system, the second part of the system being disposed on the forepart receiving area of the shoe. Sizing the forepart to fit a left shoe when the fastener surface of the forepart is attached to the forepart receiving area of the shoe will result in a forepart periphery that is different than the periphery of a forepart sized to fit the forepart receiving area of a right shoe of the same size, at least in their being roughly mirror images.
In some embodiments, the invention comprises a shoe having a forepart receiving area extending longitudinally from a toe end of the shoe distally to an arch portion of the shoe and extending laterally across an entire width of the sole, the forepart receiving area further comprising a distal margin. In these embodiments, the invention further comprises a forepart having at least one margin matching the distal margin of the forepart receiving area, and a length and width exceeding the length and width of the forepart receiving area, such that before fitting, the forepart when attached to the forepart receiving area of the shoe will completely cover the forepart receiving area and extend beyond the sole of the shoe. In some embodiments, the invention further comprises a fastener for removably attaching the forepart to the forepart receiving area. In some embodiments, the fastener is an interlocking hook and pile two part fastening system.
In some embodiments, the extent of the forepart receiving area is defined by the extent to which the sole of the shoe is covered by one part of the two part fastening system, the distal margin of the forepart receiving area being defined by the distal edge of the fastener. In other embodiments, the sole of the shoe further comprises a protrusion defining the distal margin of the forepart receiving area. In some embodiments, the protrusion is a continuous ridge extending laterally from a medial edge of the sole to a lateral edge of the sole. In other embodiments, the distal margin is a series of protrusions disposed laterally across the width of the sole. In some embodiments, the forepart receiving area is recessed into the sole, and the distal margin is defined by the rear edge of the recess.
In some embodiments, the invention comprises a pair of shoes including a left and right shoe, each shoe having a sole with a forepart receiving area extending longitudinally from a toe end of the shoe rearward to an arch portion of a shoe and extending laterally across an entire width of the shoe, the forepart receiving area further comprising a distal margin and a fastener for securing the forepart to the shoe. In some of these embodiments, the invention further comprises a forepart longer than the longitudinal length of the forepart receiving area, and wider than the lateral width of the forepart receiving area of either shoe, such that when attached to either the left shoe or the right shoe, the forepart extends beyond the sole of the shoe. The forepart further comprises a margin shaped to fit the distal margin of both the left and right shoe. In some embodiments, the invention further comprises a second forepart having a different traction characteristic of the first forepart.
In some embodiments, the foreparts have a second margin shaped to fit the distal margin of the forepart receiving area, such that the forepart can be sized either using the first margin or the second margin aligned to the distal margin of the forepart receiving area. In some embodiments the margin of the forepart and the distal margin of the forepart receiving area include at least one angle such that an angle between edges on the margin of the forepart fits an angle between edges of the distal margin of the forepart receiving area to align the forepart to the forepart receiving area.
a and 4b depict a side view and bottom view respectively of a shoe of the footwear kit shown in
a and 5b depict a side view and bottom perspective view of a shoe of the footwear kit shown in
a and 6b depict a side view and bottom perspective view of a shoe of the footwear kit shown in
a and 7b depict a side view and bottom perspective view of a shoe of the footwear kit shown in
a,
8
b, and 8c depict a forepart of the footwear kit shown in
For the purposes of this application, shoe soles will be described as having a toe edge (10) at the front of the shoe sole and a heel edge (20) at the back of the shoe sole, marking the furthest extents of the longest dimension (30) of the shoe sole as shown in
The term “traction characteristic” encompasses any quality of the ground contact surface of the shoe that affects the amount of traction between the shoe and the surface on which it is placed. The ground contact surfaces are those surfaces of the shoe which come into contact with the ground during use. Traction refers to the friction between the ground contact surface and the surface upon which it is placed. Traction characteristics can be varied by changing the material of the ground contact surface. For example, a ground contact surface made of rubber typically has a higher coefficient of friction than a ground contact surface made of leather, leading to higher traction, and soft, spongy rubber typically has higher traction than hard, smooth rubber. Traction characteristics are also varied by surface treatments such as waxing, or oiling to reduce traction, or adding resins or adhesives to increase traction. Traction characteristics are further varied and can be varied in a directional manner by varying the surface texture of the ground contact surface by scratching, abrading, or sandblasting the surface, or by adding, for example, grooves, ridges, protrusions, or cavities. Although the valleys of the ridges and grooves, and the bases of cavities in the ground contact surface do not strictly speaking contact the ground, they are included as part of the description of ground contact surface in that they change the total surface area in contact with the ground and thus the gross traction characteristic of the surface.
In some embodiments, the traction characteristics of the ground contact surface of a shoe are substantially uniform at all points along the ground contact surface. In other embodiments, a traction characteristic of a ground contact surface of a shoe varies with respect to position along the ground contact surface. For example, a ground contact surface may incorporate a smooth surface in one location and a rougher surface in another location. This results in a positionally variable traction characteristic, wherein the traction characteristic varies with respect to location with respect to the ground contact surface, and the amount of weight centered over each portion of the ground contact surface and shifts in weight caused by rolling the foot or leaning the body will result in changes in the friction between the ground contact surface of the shoe and the lane surface.
In some embodiments, a traction characteristic of a ground contact surface of a shoe varies depending on the direction force is applied to the shoe parallel to the ground contact surface. For example, a series of parallel grooves covering the ground contact surface will result in one traction characteristic in response to a force directed parallel to the ground contact surface and perpendicular to the grooves, and a different traction characteristic in response to the same magnitude force directed parallel to the ground contact surface and parallel to the grooves. This results in a directionally variable traction characteristic, wherein the traction characteristic changes with respect to the direction force is,applied parallel to the ground contact surface.
The exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in
Each shoe further incorporates a forepart receiving area (170). The forepart receiving area (170) has a distal margin (180) located rearward of the forward ground contact section of the sole, in some embodiments extending laterally across the width of the sole. In some embodiments, the distal margin (180) extends in a straight line from a point on the medial edge of the sole to a point on the lateral edge of the sole. In other embodiments the distal margin (180) describes a curve between a point on the medial edge of the sole and a point on the lateral edge of the sole. In still other embodiments as exemplified by
In some embodiments, the footwear kit further comprises a fastener (220) for attaching the forepart to the forepart receiving area. In some embodiments, the fastener is a two part fastening system, one part disposed on the forepart receiving area and the other disposed on the forepart. In one embodiment, the two-part fastener is an interlocking hook and pile fastener, such as that commonly sold under the tradename VELCRO®. In one embodiment, the two part fastener comprises one or more snaps.
In some embodiments, the fastener is in the form of protrusions on one part configured to engage openings in the other. In some embodiments, the protrusions are rigid or semi-rigid tongues which engage corresponding grooves. In some embodiments, the protrusions are cylindrical studs which engage corresponding holes. In some embodiments, the studs have oversized heads which force the holes to open as the two parts are pressed together, the hole then closing again on the shaft of the stud to make a more secure fastening. In some embodiments, the protrusions are b disposed on the forepart with corresponding openings in the forepart receiving area, while in other embodiments, the protrusions are disposed on the forepart receiving area with corresponding openings in the forepart. In still other embodiments, studs are provided on both the forepart and the forepart receiving area, with corresponding openings on the forepart receiving area and forepart.
In some embodiments, one part of a two part fastening system is disposed on the forepart receiving area (170) and the heel receiving area (230), and the other part of the two part fastening system is disposed on the heel fastener surface (160) and the forepart fastener surface (140). In one embodiment, the pile portion of an interlocking hook and pile fastener system is disposed on the forepart receiving area and the heel receiving area, and the hook portion of the interlocking hook and pile fastener system is disposed on the heel fastener surface and the forepart fastener surface. In other embodiments, the hook portion is disposed on the receiving areas, and the pile portion is disposed on the fastener surfaces of the forepart and heel.
In many embodiments as shown in
In most embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, a margin (210) of the forepart is shaped to match the distal margin (180) of the forepart receiving area (170). Alignment of the forepart margin (210) with the distal margin (180) of the forepart receiving area when the forepart is attached to the forepart receiving area (170) allows the forepart to be rapidly and consistently attached in the proper orientation and position with respect to the shoe. This is advantageous for a bowler who frequently changes foreparts to match differing lane conditions, or for foreparts having directional or locational variations in traction characteristics. To enable rapid and consistent alignment, the match between the forepart margin (210) and the distal margin (180) does not need to be exact. For example, if the distal margin (180) incorporates two edges meeting at an angle as shown in
In some embodiments, the foreparts are marked with size guides (200) as shown in
In further embodiments, a separate size guide is provided incorporating one part of the two part fastening system complementary to that disposed on the fastener surface of the forepart. In this embodiment, the size guide is attached to the forepart by means of the fastening system, the excess forepart material is removed, the size guide is detached, and the forepart is then attached to the forepart receiving area of the shoe.
In some embodiments, the forepart incorporates a second margin (250) which also matches the distal margin (180) of both the left and right shoe, as exemplified in
In one example having a positionally variable traction characteristic, a forepart intended to provide a lower traction characteristic under the big toe and ball of the sliding sole and a higher traction characteristic across the rest of the forward ground contact surface of the shoe is formed as shown in
In another example, a forepart having a directionally variable traction characteristic intended to have its highest traction in response to a force extending diagonally from the center of the ball of the foot to the tip of the big toe is prepared as shown in
Additionally, some bowlers prefer a forepart having a positionally variable traction characteristic having a higher traction characteristic at the rear portion of the forward ground contact surface and a lower traction characteristic at the forward portion of the forward ground contact surface, while other bowlers prefer a higher traction characteristic at the forward portion and a lower traction characteristic at the rear portion of the forward ground contact surface. In one embodiment, the forepart exemplified in
In one embodiment, the distal margin (180) of the forepart receiving area is in the shape of an arc of a circle, and the forepart periphery includes an edge defining a larger arc of a circle of the same radius, so that any portion along the arc of the forepart periphery forms a forepart margin (210) suitable for matching the shape of the distal margin (180). This embodiment is advantageous for allowing the bowler to customize the orientation of a forepart having directionally variable traction characteristics to match his or her bowling style. The exact orientation of the directionally variable traction characteristic can be selected by rotating the forepart margin against the distal margin, and when the desired orientation is achieved, the excess forepart material is marked and removed. The resulting forepart is easily removed and reattached without altering the orientation of the directionally variable traction characteristic relative to the shoe by indexing the margin (210) with the distal margin (180) and the side of the forepart with the periphery of the sole.
In some embodiments, a plurality of foreparts is provided, each forepart having a ground contact surface with a different traction characteristic, advantageously allowing the bowler to select and interchange the forward ground contact surface of the shoes to complement the style of the bowler and the surface of the lane. The indexing achieved by providing a margin of the forepart matching the distal margin of the forepart receiving area allows a forepart with a multiplicity of traction characteristics varying positionally and directionally to be rapidly and easily interchanged with the traction characteristics of the forepart consistently aligned to the shoe on attachment.
While the present invention has been particularly described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications, and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/819,249, filed on May 3, 2013, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61819249 | May 2013 | US |
