Heeling apparatus and method

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6450509
  • Patent Number
    6,450,509
  • Date Filed
    Friday, March 31, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 17, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
A heeling apparatus includes a shoe with a unique feature in the heel that allows one to walk, run, or roll seamlessly. The appearance is that of normal footwear because of the covert wheel assembly. The stealth wheel in the heel gives one the ability to roll or slide in areas you could only walk. Heeling is a new activity that employs a unique method of rolling and requires a newly learned skill set of balance, positioning, and coordination.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates in general to the field of footwear and active sports and more particularly to a heeling apparatus and method.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Action or extreme sports include various sports such as, for example, skateboarding, snow boarding, in-line skating, rock climbing, and skydiving. Most action or extreme sports require expensive and cumbersome equipment that can only be used in select and, often, limited areas. Because these select and limited areas are not convenient to most people, these activities can only be enjoyed at select times. This results in a substantial investment in equipment that is only used sporadically, when large blocks of time are available to travel to such select and limited areas available for the activity. Because of these limitations and inconveniences, many times interest in the activity wanes.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention presents the rare opportunity to create an entirely new sport and activity with mass appeal that does not suffer from the disadvantages, limitations, and problems mentioned above. From the foregoing it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for a heeling apparatus and related methods to create the foundation for a new action or extreme sport that can be pursued in many locations and conditions without the need for a large investment in equipment.




According to one aspect of the present invention, a heeling apparatus is provided that includes a footwear having an opening in a sole, such as the heel portion of the sole, to receive a wheel assembly, and a wheel assembly positioned in the opening of the sole of the footwear. The wheel assembly may include an axle, a wheel mounted on the axle, and a mounting structure operable to support the axle. In alternative embodiments, the wheel assembly includes only the wheel mounted on the axle without the need for the mounting structure. In other embodiments, the mounting structure is integrated or included as part of the opening in the sole of the footwear.




According to another aspect of the present invention a wheel/axle assembly for use in a wheel assembly of a heeling apparatus is provided that includes a wheel, a first bearing, a second bearing, and an axle. The wheel has an axle opening, a first annular recess on a first side of the wheel that surrounds the axle opening on the first side, and a second annular recess on a second side of the wheel that surrounds the axle opening on the second side. The first bearing is positioned in the first annular recess on the first side of the wheel, and the second bearing is positioned in the second annular recess on the second side of the wheel. The axle is positioned within the axle opening of the wheel such that the wheel is rotatably coupled to the axle through the first bearing and the second bearing.




According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for using a heeling apparatus on a surface is provided that includes running on a surface by using a forefoot portion of a sole of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface, and rolling on the surface with a wheel of the heeling apparatus extended below the bottom of the sole through an opening in the sole by using a wheel of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface.




According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a method for making a heeling apparatus is provided that includes providing a footwear that includes a sole, forming an opening in the sole of the footwear that extends to a bottom surface of the sole, and positioning a wheel assembly in the opening of the sole of the footwear.




The present invention provides a profusion of technical advantages that include the capability of the heeling apparatus to function as normal, comfortable footwear for walking, and even running, and to function as rolling footwear, which may be referred to only herein as “heeling.”




Another technical advantage of the present invention includes the capability to implement the invention using virtually any available footwear such as, for example, conventional shoes, boots, dress shoes, loafers, sandals, slippers, bindings, and the like. Conventional footwear may be incorporated into a heeling apparatus by, preferably, forming or cutting an opening in the heel portion of the sole of such conventional footwear. Thus, the present invention may be implemented using conventional footwear that appears externally, during normal use, as conventional footwear. This allows the present invention to be practiced as a “stealth” or “covert” activity because, from external appearances, it is being performed using conventional footwear. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sole of conventional athletic shoes may be used in the present invention without the need to design awkward looking thick soled shoes to house the wheel.




A further technical advantage of the present invention includes the capability to implement the present invention with other active sport accessories such as in a grind show, such as the grind show made by SOAP, which also provides grinding or sliding functionality.




Yet another technical advantage includes the capability to use the present invention to enjoyably obtain an overall aerobic workout.




Still yet another technical advantage of the present invention includes the capability of enhanced control for turning and maneuvering, while still providing durability, reliability, and mechanical strength. The present invention provides this durability and reliability in harsh environments and with heavy and demanding use, including the capability to withstand the forces of jumps, spins and maneuvers of all kinds.




Another technical advantage includes capability of removable wheels and axles so that bearings may be easily changed and maintained and so that different types of wheels, bearings, and axles may be used as desired by the user and as dictated by the conditions.




In yet a further technical advantage of the present invention includes a wheel/axle assembly that can be easily inserted or removed from a wheel assembly or mounting structure, such as by using a friction fit. In other embodiments, the wheel assembly, or heeling apparatus, includes the capability of a retractable wheel. This allows a user to quickly and conveniently convert from using the heeling apparatus as normal footwear into using the heeling apparatus for “heeling.” The wheel is moved from a retracted position in the sole or heel of the heeling apparatus to an extended position where at least a portion of the wheel is exposed below the sole for rolling. The retractable wheel may be implemented using any number of designs and/or configurations such as a king pin arrangement, a dual position arrangement using a collapsible axle, a hinged arrangement, or even a spring arrangement.




Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which:





FIG. 1

is a side view that illustrates a heeling apparatus implemented using an athletic shoe according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIGS. 2A and 2B

are bottom views that illustrate two embodiments of a sole of the heeling apparatus with openings in the sole;





FIGS. 3A and 3B

are bottom views of the two embodiments of the sole as shown in

FIGS. 2A and 2B

and illustrate a wheel in each of the openings of the soles;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle, which also may be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly, for use in a wheel assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view that illustrates a mounting structure for use with a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle, as illustrated in

FIG. 4

, to form a wheel assembly;





FIG. 6

is a bottom view that illustrates a wheel assembly that includes the wheel rotatably mounted on the axle as shown in FIG.


4


and the mounting structure of

FIG. 5

;





FIG. 7

is a side view that illustrates the wheel assembly positioned above and through the opening in a footwear to form a heeling apparatus;





FIGS. 8A

,


8


B,


8


C, and


8


D are profile views of various wheels that illustrate the surface profile of these wheels that may used in various embodiments of the present invention;





FIG. 9

is a perspective view that illustrates a mounting structure of another embodiment for use in a wheel assembly of a heeling apparatus;





FIG. 10

is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel assembly that uses yet another embodiment for use in a heeling apparatus;





FIG. 11

is a side, partial cutaway view that illustrates one embodiment of a heeling apparatus that illustrates the wheel assembly provided in the sole of the heeling apparatus and the opening in the sole not extending completely through the sole;





FIG. 12

is a side view of another embodiment that illustrates the heeling apparatus of the present invention with a removable wheel cover positioned to cover the wheel and the opening in the sole;





FIG. 13

is a bottom view that illustrates another embodiment of the present invention with a spherical ball serving as a wheel and positioned in a mounting structure in an opening in the heel portion of the sole;





FIG. 14

is a perspective view that illustrates a “heeler” using the present invention to “heel”;





FIG. 15

is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle, which also may be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly, similar to

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 16

is a cutaway view that illustrates a collapsible axle of the wheel/axle assembly of

FIG. 15

implemented as a spring loaded collapsible axle;





FIG. 17

is a perspective view that illustrates another mounting structure for use with the wheel/axle assembly and the collapsible axle, as illustrated in FIG.


15


and

FIG. 16

, to form a wheel assembly;





FIG. 18

is a side, cutaway view that illustrates a wheel assembly positioned through an opening in a sole that illustrates one embodiment of an axle that couples to the mounting structure to provide a retractable wheel using an assembly that may be referred to as a king pin arrangement;





FIG. 19

is a bottom view that illustrates the wheel assembly of

FIG. 18

that further illustrates the dual king pin arrangement;





FIG. 20

is a side view that illustrates one member of the mounting structure that further illustrates the coupling of the axle to the mounting structure using the dual king pin arrangement; and





FIG. 21

is a breakaway and perspective view that illustrates a two piece wheel that includes an inner core and an outer tire and that may be used in the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of the present invention is illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, materials, designs, and configurations whether currently known or in existence. The present invention should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and described herein.




It should be understood at the outset that although exemplary implementations of the present invention are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of mechanisms, arrangements, structures, and/or techniques. Thus, the present invention should in no way be construed to be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated and described herein.





FIG. 1

is a side view of a heeling apparatus


10


implemented using an athletic shoe


12


according to one embodiment of the present invention. The heeling apparatus


10


preferably includes a wheel assembly provided in an opening in the heel portion of the sole of a footwear. For example the athletic shoe


12


includes an opening in the bottom of a heel portion


18


of a sole


14


with a wheel assembly provided in the hole such that a wheel


16


extends below the bottom of the sole


14


. The wheel assembly preferably includes at least one wheel, such as the wheel


16


, rotatably mounted on an axle (not illustrated in FIG.


1


). The wheel


16


mounted on the axle is preferably positioned in the opening of the sole


14


through a mounting structure (not illustrated in

FIG. 1

) that is operable to support the axle such that a portion of the wheel


16


extends below the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


.




The amount or length of the portion of the wheel


16


that extends below the bottom of the sole


14


, as defined by a distance


24


, will preferably be less than the diameter of the wheel


16


. The distance


24


, however, may be greater than, less than, or equal to the diameter of the wheel


16


.




The athletic shoe


12


, as is true of most footwear, may be generally described as having the sole


14


and an upper part


26


. The upper part


26


may be constructed of virtually any material such as, for example, leather, plastic, or canvas. The sole


14


may include three parts: (


1


) an inner sole or insole (not illustrated in FIG.


1


); (


2


) a midsole


28


; and (


3


) an outer sole or outsole


30


. The insole may provide added cushion and may or may not be removable. In some embodiments, the insole may include a removable portion, such as a DR. SCHOLL'S insole, and a portion that remains attached to the athletic shoe


12


. The outsole


30


will preferably be made of a durable material, such as rubber, and may have a textured surface, such as with knobbies, to provide added traction. The midsole


28


will generally be constructed of a soft or “cushiony” material and will generally be thicker than the insole and the outsole


30


. In some embodiments, however, the sole


14


will comprise only one part, such as the leather sole of a loafer. In other embodiments, the sole


14


may include a separate heel block or object that elevates the footwear, such as the heel of a leather wingtip dress shoe. This heel block or object may be considered to be part of the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


. It should be understood that the present invention may be implemented in virtually any footwear, irrespective of the design or the make-up of the sole


14


. Various styles of footwear and methods of making footwear are known in the art and are known by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,245,406, 5,319,869, 5,384,973, 5,396,675, 5,572,804, 5,595,004, and 5,885,500, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes, provide various background information regarding various footwear and methods of making footwear.




In most footwear, including the athletic shoe


12


, the sole


14


may also be divided into three portions or regions: (


1


) the heel portion


18


, (


2


) an arch portion


20


, and (


3


) a forefoot portion


22


, as illustrated in FIG.


1


. It should be understood that the heel portion


18


, the arch portion


20


, and the forefoot portion


22


of the sole


14


are incapable of being exactly defined and located, and that such portions vary from one footwear type to another. Thus, the location, the boundaries between, and the size of the heel portion


18


, the arch portion


20


, and the forefoot portion


22


of the sole


14


are only rough approximations.




It should also be understood that although the position of the opening in the bottom of the sole


14


, and hence also the wheel


16


, is preferably located in the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


, such an opening may also be located at the boundary of the heel portion


18


and the arch portion


20


, at the arch portion


20


, or at virtually any other location on the sole


14


. The opening in the bottom of the sole


14


may extend entirely through the sole


14


, e.g., through the outsole, the midsole and the insole, or only partially through the sole


14


, e.g., through the outsole, and a portion or all of the midsole.




The wheel


16


may be constructed or made of virtually any known or available material such as, for example, a urethane, a plastic, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, a wood, a rubber, a composite material, and the like. This may include, for example, aluminum, titanium, steel, and a resin. Preferably, the material will be durable, provide quiet performance, and will provide a “soft” or “cushioning” feel. In one embodiment, the wheel


16


may be implemented as one or more precision bearings such that the precision bearing serves as the wheel


16


itself. In yet another embodiment, the wheel assembly may include a spring or suspension such as, for example, a leaf spring, to provide additional cushion or suspension when the wheel


16


contacts a surface and a force is applied to the athletic shoe


12


in the direction of the surface, such as when a someone is wearing and walking in the heeling apparatus


10


. The spring is preferably provided as part of the mounting structure of the wheel assembly. In still another embodiment, the wheel


16


is provided as a two piece wheel with an inner core, such as a hard inner core, such as a hard inner core, surrounded by an outer tire, such as a urethane tire.




Depending on the desired implementation, the wheel


16


and the axle may be removable from the wheel assembly. In such a case, a removable cover may be provided in the opening in the sole


14


to cover the opening so that debris and dirt does not enter the opening. The removable cover may be provided in virtually any available configuration readily ascertainable by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment of the removable cover, an axle portion of the removable cover fits and/or couples to the mounting structure in the same or similar manner that the axle in which the wheel


16


is mounted fits and/or couples to the mounting structure of the wheel assembly. A tool may also be provided to facilitate the removal of the axle and wheel


16


. This tool will, preferably, be small and multifunctional to provide any other possible adjustments to the heeling apparatus


10


, such as a screw driver, a wrench, and the like. In other embodiments of the heeling apparatus


10


, the wheel


16


may be retractable into the opening in the sole


14


. In this manner, the wheel


16


may be retracted into the sole


14


and, thus, will not extend below the bottom of the sole


14


. This allows the heeling apparatus


10


to function just like ordinary footwear, such as the athletic shoe


12


.




In one embodiment of the present invention, the wheel assembly does not include an axle, and, arguably, not a mounting structure, and the wheel


16


is provided as a sphere, such as a stainless steel ball bearing, that is rotatably positioned in the opening in the bottom of the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


, one embodiment of which is shown in FIG.


13


. In another embodiment, the wheel assembly comprises an axle positioned completely through or partially through the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


such that the sole


14


supports the axle and the wheel is rotatably mounted on the axle in the opening of the sole


14


. In this manner, the need for the mounting structure is eliminated.




In operation, a person wearing the heeling apparatus


10


may either walk normally or roll on the wheel


16


by lifting or raising the sole


14


so that only or almost only the wheel


16


contacts a surface. This action may be referred to as “HEELING” or to “HEEL.” The wheel


16


, depending on the desired implementation of the present invention, may be removed or retracted to a position such that the wheel


16


does not extend below the bottom of the sole


14


. This, generally, will result in the heeling apparatus


10


performing like an associated footwear. When the wheel


16


is removed or retracted, a removable cover may be placed over the opening in the bottom of the sole


14


to prevent debris from entering the opening and potentially damaging the wheel assembly. In still other embodiments, a removable cover may be placed over the wheel


16


while a portion of the wheel


16


remains extended below the bottom of the sole


14


to assist with walking, an example of this is illustrated in FIG.


12


.




It should be understood, however, that even if the wheel


16


is not removed or retracted as just described, the user may still comfortably walk and run, even with the wheel


16


extended. This generally occurs because the distance


24


can be minimal, which provides a unique “stealth” or “covert” aspect to heeling. This also results in the wheel rolling the opening or hole in the sole


14


of the heeling apparatus


10


. In one embodiment, the distance


24


is less than the radius of the wheel


16


, which results in most of the wheel residing within the opening of the sole


14


.





FIGS. 2A and 2B

are bottom views of two embodiments of the sole


14


of the heeling apparatus


10


. In particular, the outsole


30


or bottom of the sole


14


is illustrated in

FIG. 2A

with an opening


40


in the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


. In the embodiment illustrated, the opening


40


is provided in a square or rectangular configuration. The opening


40


, however, may be provided in virtually any configuration, such as, for example, a circular or an elliptical configuration.




As mentioned previously, the opening


40


may extend partially or completely through the sole


14


. The opening


40


may be provided through a heel block or object. Further, the opening


40


be positioned in, near, or in a combination of the heel portion


18


, the arch portion


20


, and the forefoot portion


22


.





FIG. 2B

illustrates a second embodiment as to the placement and configuration of the opening


40


. The outsole


30


is illustrated with an opening


40


A and an opening


40


B in the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


. In this manner, one or more wheels, including one or more axles, may be positioned in both the opening


40


A and


40


B.





FIGS. 3A and 3B

are bottom views of the two embodiments of the sole


14


as shown in

FIGS. 2A and 2B

and illustrate a wheel in each of the openings of the soles. This includes a wheel


42


positioned in the opening


40


in

FIG. 3A and a

wheel


42


A and a wheel


42


B in the openings


40


A and


40


B, respectively, of FIG.


3


B.




The wheel


42


and the wheels


42


A and


42


B are illustrated as cylindrical wheels. These wheels, however, may be provided in virtually any available configuration. Further, one or more wheels may be positioned in each opening.





FIG. 3A

further illustrates other elements of the wheel assembly that include a first member


48


and a second member


54


of a mounting structure that is used to removably couple with an axle


50


. The axle


50


extends through the wheel


42


such that the wheel


42


is rotatably coupled or mounted to the axle


50


. This preferably involves the use of precision bearings, such as high performance precision bearings, provided in a recess, such as an annular recess, on either side of the wheel


42


. A first precision bearing


56


and a second precision bearing


58


may be ABEC grade precision bearings and are illustrated with hidden lines and positioned in the first recess and second recess of the wheel


42


. In alternative embodiment, loose ball bearings may be used.




The axle


50


may be made of any material that provides suitable physical characteristics, such as strength and weight, to name a few. The axle


50


is preferably made of hardened steel, is cylindrical in shape, each end is rounded, and is removably coupled with a first member


48


and a second member


54


, respectively, of the mounting structure. The removable coupling between each end of the axle


50


and the first member


48


and the second member


54


may be achieved by any known or available mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, a sphere or a ball bearing, preferably using a moveable spring and/or a screw bias, is used to contact and exert a side wall force between one or members of the mounting structure and the axle


50


.




It should also be noted that because the weight of the user of the heeling apparatus


10


will exert a significant downward force and the ground or surface will exert an equal force upward, the axle


50


, and, hence, the wheel


42


will generally be forced into place. Only when the heel is raised from a surface will any force or friction be required to keep the axle


50


in place. Thus, the present invention does not require a large side force to keep the axle


50


and the wheel


42


in place. The recognition of this fact may be considered an aspect of the present invention for the embodiment as showm. This recognition allows the removable coupling between each end of the axle


50


and the first member


48


and the second member


54


to be optimally designed.





FIG. 3A

also illustrates a grind plate


44


(which also may be referred to as a slide plate


44


) that may be used in conjunction with the heeling apparatus


10


of the present invention. The grind plate


44


provides a smooth or relatively smooth surface to allow a user to “grind” or “slide” on various surfaces such as hand rails, curbs, steps, corners, and the like. The grind plate


44


is preferably somewhat thin and made of a plastic or polymer material. In a preferred embodiment, the grind plate


44


is removably attached to the arch portion


20


of the outsole


30


of the sole


14


. The grind plate


44


may be attached using any known or available fastener, such as, for example, a fastener


46


shown in various locations around the periphery of the grind plate


44


.





FIG. 3B

further illustrates an axle


52


in which the wheel


42


A and the wheel


42


B are coupled to either end in the opening


40


A and the opening


40


B, respectively. The axle


52


extends through both the wheels


42


A and


42


B and through a portion of sole


14


, not visible in FIG.


3


B. This serves to support the axle


52


and illustrates the situation where the sole


14


serves as the mounting structure of the wheel assembly. This reduces the overall number of parts. In an alternative embodiment, a metal or some other suitable material may be used within the heel portion


18


of the sole


14


where the axle


52


is positioned to provide additional support and stability. This is an example where the mounting structure is, in effect, integrated into the sole


14


. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be implemented in any number of ways.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of a wheel


60


rotatably mounted on an axle


62


, which also may be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly, for use in a wheel assembly, or in a heeling apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wheel


60


and the axle


62


may also be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly


400


. In this embodiment, the axle


62


extends through the wheel


60


and includes two ends that are rounded or bullet shaped. A precision bearing


64


is shown positioned in a recess, which is shown as an annular recess, of the wheel


60


to facilitate the rotation of the wheel


60


around the axle


62


. Preferably a second precision bearing is positioned in a second recess, not shown in

FIG. 4

, to further facilitate such rotation.




A slip clip, slip ring, or ring clip


66


is shown positioned around, or nearly around, the axle


62


near the precision bearing


64


. This serves to ensure that the precision bearing


64


remains in place in the recess of the wheel


60


. The slip clip or ring clip


66


will preferably be positioned on the axle


62


through a groove, such as a radial groove or radial indentation, in the axle


62


. It should be understood, however, that one of ordinary skill in the art may use any of a variety of other arrangements to ensure that the precision bearing


64


stays in position. In alternative embodiments, the precision bearing


64


may be eliminated or loose bearings may be used.




The wheel


60


rotatably mounted on the axle


62


may, in alternative embodiments, serve as the wheel assembly of the present invention. In such a case, the axle


62


may be mounted to the sole, such as the midsole and heel portion, at its ends while the wheel


60


is rotatably provided in the opening of the sole. In this manner, the need for a mounting structure may be thought of as eliminated or, alternatively, the mounting structure may be thought of as integrated into the sole of the footwear.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of a mounting structure


70


for use with a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle, such as is illustrated in

FIG. 4

, to form a wheel assembly. The mounting structure


70


generally includes a heel control plate


72


, a first member


74


, and a second member


76


. In alternative embodiments, a spring, such as a leaf spring, could be provided where the two members contact the heel control plate


72


. This would provide the added benefit of greater cushion and suspension. The two members include an opening, such as the opening


78


of the first member


74


to receive an end of an axle. It should be mentioned that the opening may be provided in virtually any configuration, including extending through the member, or placed at different positions, or even multiple positions for mounting the wheel/axle assembly


400


at a retractable position and an extended position, on the member.




The axle that is to be positioned in the openings of the first member


74


and the second member


76


will preferably be removably coupled. This may be achieved by any number of arrangements and configurations, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention. One such arrangement is the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement


80


provided in first member


74


. This arrangement provides an adjustable bias or force that can be exerted against the axle when it is inserted into the opening


78


. The screw is accessible and adjustable by the user. The turning of the screw affects the compression of a spring which, in turn, provides a force on a ball bearing that extends out into the opening


78


. When the axle is inserted into the opening


78


, the ball bearing may be displaced an amount and the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement


80


will provide a side force to allow the axle to be secure, yet removable. A similar arrangement may also be provided in the second member


76


to provide a friction fit or coupling on the other end of the axle


62


.




Although the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement


80


of

FIG. 5

is shown being implemented through a horizontal opening in the first member


74


, it may be implemented in using an opening aligned in virtually in manner in the member. For example, the adjustment of the tension or pressure on the screw/spring/ball arrangement


80


may be achieved through a diagonal opening such that the exposed end of the screw/spring/ball arrangement


80


, normally a screw head end, is provided where the reference line for numeral


74


in

FIG. 5

contacts the first member


74


. This provides easier access to adjust the tension and friction fit on the axle


62


when the wheel assembly, such as wheel assembly


100


of

FIG. 6

, is engaged or positioned within the opening of a sole to form a heeling apparatus. Of course, any of a variety of other arrangements, configurations, and opening alignments may be contemplated and implemented under the present invention.




The mounting structure


70


can be made or constructed of virtually any material, generally depending on the desired mechanical characteristics such as, for example, rigidity and strength. These materials may include, for example, a plastic, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, a wood, a rubber, a composite material, and the like. This may include aluminum, titanium, steel, and a resin. In one embodiment, the mounting structure


70


is made of a metal, such as aluminum, that has been anodized such that the mounting structure


70


presents a black color or hue.





FIG. 6

is a bottom view of a wheel assembly


100


that includes the wheel


60


rotatably mounted to the axle


62


, as shown in

FIG. 4

, and the mounting structure


70


of FIG.


5


. The first member


74


and the second member


76


each removably couple with the ends of the axle


62


through a bias mechanism implemented using a bias mechanism, such as the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement


80


. A ball bearing


102


is shown contacting one end of the axle


62


in the opening


78


. Further slip clips or ring clips (which may also be referred to as snap rings or slip rings), such as ring clip


66


, are provided to ensure that the precision bearings positioned in the recesses of the wheel remain in position.




The heel control plate


72


allows the user of the heeling apparatus to gain greater control and to obtain greater performance out of the heeling apparatus.





FIG. 7

is a side view of the wheel assembly


100


positioned above and through the opening to form a heeling apparatus


120


. The heel control plate


72


resides inside the shoe so that the heel of the user may apply pressure to the heel control plate as desired to provide better handling and performance of the heeling apparatus


120


.





FIGS. 8A

,


8


B,


8


C, and


8


D are profile views of various wheels


200


that illustrates the surface profile of these wheels that may used in various embodiments of the present invention. In

FIG. 8A

, a wheel


202


is shown with a flat or square surface or exterior profile


204


. In

FIG. 8B

, a wheel


206


is shown with an inverted surface profile


208


. In

FIG. 8



c


, a wheel


210


is shown with round surface profile


212


. Finally, in

FIG. 8D

, a wheel


214


is shown with a steep surface profile


216


. The present invention may incorporate virtually any available surface profile of a wheel.





FIG. 9

is a perspective view that illustrates a mounting structure


500


of another embodiment for use in a wheel assembly of a heeling apparatus. The mounting structure


500


includes an axle


502


, which may be considered one axle that extends through and is mounted through a member


50


or as an axle


502


that couples with the member


506


along with an axle


504


that couples with the member


506


opposite axle


502


. The mounting structure


500


also includes a heel control plate


508


coupled with the member


506


.




The mounting structure


500


allows for two wheels to be mounted to form a wheel assembly. A wheel may be rotatably mounted on the axle


502


, preferably using a precision bearing, and a wheel may be rotatably mounted on the axle


504


, also preferably through a precision bearing as illustrated previously herein.




The axle


502


and the axle


504


include a threaded portion such that a nut, such as a lock nut


510


may be included to secure a wheel to each axle. In other embodiments, the end of the axles may include internal threads, as opposed to external threads as shown, so that a screw, such as the hex screw as shown in FIG.


10


. It should be understood that virtually any available coupling may be provided between the axle and the member.





FIG. 10

is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel assembly


520


that uses yet another embodiment for use in a heeling apparatus and includes a wheel


522


rotatably mounted to an axle


524


using a precision bearing


526


, and a first member


528


and a second member


530


coupled to each end of the axle


524


through a screw, such as hex screw


532


. The wheel assembly


520


is similar to wheel assembly


100


, which was described above in connection with

FIG. 6

, except that the wheel/axle assembly cannot be as easily inserted and removed.





FIG. 11

is a side, partial cutaway view that illustrates one embodiment of a heeling apparatus


600


that illustrates a wheel assembly


602


provided in a sole


604


and an opening


606


in the sole


602


that does not extend completely through the sole


602


. As such, the mounting structure


608


may be provided or integrated into the sole


602


and may not be readily or easily removed. A wheel


610


is also shown extending partially below the bottom of the sole


602


, which provides the advantage of stealth heeling.





FIG. 12

is a side view of another embodiment that illustrates a heeling apparatus


620


of the present invention with a removable wheel cover


622


positioned to cover a wheel


624


and an opening


626


in a sole


628


. The removable wheel cover


622


allows for the wheel to be provided in an extended position, i.e., below the bottom surface of the sole


628


, yet not engage a surface to roll. Although the heeling apparatus


620


of the present invention allows a user to walk and run, even with the wheel in an engaged position, the removable wheel cover


622


provides protection from dirt and debris and provides greater stability.




In an alternative embodiment, a wheel stop, not expressly shown in

FIG. 12

, may be provided, in lieu of or in conjunction with the removable wheel cover


622


, to stop the rotation of the wheel


624


. In one embodiment, the wheel stop is made of virtually any material, such as a sponge or flexible material, that can be wedged between the wheel


624


and the opening


626


to stop or prevent the rotation of the wheel


624


and to stay in place through friction.




In other embodiments of the wheel cover


622


, a wheel cover is provided when the wheel


624


has been removed from the heeling apparatus


620


. In a preferred embodiment, this wheel cover is generally flush with the remainder of the bottom of the sole


608


, and, hence, provides the function of a regular shoe when desired and protects the opening. This wheel cover may couple in any available manner, but preferably will couple to the wheel assembly in the same or similar manner that the wheel/axle assembly couples to the mounting structure. The removable wheel cover could clip or attach to the wheel assembly in many different ways.





FIG. 13

is a bottom view that illustrates another embodiment of a heeling apparatus


700


with a spherical ball


702


serving as a wheel and positioned in a mounting structure


704


in an opening in the heel portion of the sole


706


.





FIG. 14

is a perspective view that illustrates a “heeler”


800


using the present invention to “heel.” Heeling can be achieved using various techniques and, generally, requires a skill set of balance, positioning, flexibility, and coordination.




An illustrative method for using a heeling apparatus on a surface may include running on a surface by using a forefoot portion of a sole of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface, and then rolling on the surface with a wheel of the heeling apparatus extended below the bottom of the sole through an opening in the sole by using a wheel of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface. Before running on a surface, the method may include walking on the surface while wearing the heeling apparatus with a wheel of the heeling apparatus extended below the bottom of a sole portion of the heeling apparatus before running on the surface. Heeling may also be performed on a hill or a surface that includes a decline.




The method of heeling may also include engaging the wheel of the heeling apparatus to extend below the bottom of the sole portion of the heeling apparatus before walking on the surface. The method may also include walking on the surface while wearing the heeling apparatus before engaging the wheel of the heeling apparatus and with the wheel of the heeling apparatus retracted. Other variations on the method may include transitioning from rolling on the surface to either running, walking, or stopping on the surface by running on the surface through using the forefoot portion of the sole of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface just after rolling on the surface.




The preferred position while heeling is illustrated by the heeler


800


in

FIG. 14

where one heeling apparatus


802


is placed in front of the other heeling apparatus


804


while rolling on a surface. As can be seen from a back heel portion


806


of the heeling apparatus


804


, sometimes the clearance between the back heel portion


806


and the surface is small. As a result, in a preferred embodiment, the back heel portion


806


is made of a wear resistant material.




The method of heeling may also implement any number of techniques for slowing or stopping. For example, rolling may be slowed by contacting the forefoot portion of the sole of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface to create friction and to remove the wheel from the surface. Another example includes slowing by contacting a heel portion of the sole of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface.





FIG. 15

is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel


902


rotatably mounted to a collapsible axle


904


, which also may be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly


900


, similar to FIG.


4


. The collapsible axle


904


may be implemented in any number of ways, such as an adjustable axle that is spring loaded, similar to what is shown in

FIG. 16

, or as a screw collapsible axle. This allows the wheel/axle assembly


900


to be more easily removable and/or retractable to a position where the wheel would not engage the ground if the wheel/axle assembly


900


where implemented in a heeling apparatus.





FIG. 16

is a cutaway view that illustrates a collapsible axle


904


of the wheel/axle assembly


900


of

FIG. 15

implemented as a spring loaded collapsible axle. As can be seen, the collapsible axle


904


may be adjusted or shortened by inwardly compressing both ends of the collapsible axle


904


to overcome the internal spring force.





FIG. 17

is a perspective view that illustrates another mounting structure


920


for use with the wheel/axle assembly


900


and the collapsible axle


904


, as illustrated in FIG.


15


and

FIG. 16

, respectively, to form a wheel assembly. The collapsible axle


904


may couple to a first member


922


and a second member


924


at a first position


926


at the first member


922


and the second member


924


so that the wheel is in a retracted position. The collapsible axle


904


may also couple to the first member


922


and the second member


924


at a second position


928


so that the wheel is in an extended position.





FIG. 18

is a side, cutaway view that illustrates a wheel assembly


940


positioned through an opening in a sole


942


that illustrates one embodiment of an axle


944


that couples to a mounting structure


946


to provide a retractable wheel


948


using an assembly that may be referred to as a king pin arrangement or dual king pin arrangement. This allows the retractable wheel


948


to be adjusted up or down, as desired, and from a retractable position to an extended position. A king pin


950


(which may be implemented as a threaded screw or bolt) is shown threadingly engaged in a threaded opening in a member of the mounting structure


946


. As the king pin


950


is screwed further into the opening in the member, the axle


944


is further retracted. A king pin


950


will also be provided at the other member to raise the other side of the axle


944


. In other embodiments, such as the mounting structure


500


in

FIG. 9

, a single king pin could be provided through the single member to provide retractable wheels through the coupling of the members and the axle.




An example of a king pin type assembly is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,655, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued to David L. Landay, et al., was filed on Jul. 18, 1979, was issued Oct. 20, 1981. This patent illustrates a king pin type assembly that could be implemented in an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 19

is a bottom view that illustrates the wheel assembly


940


of FIG.


18


and further illustrates the dual king pin arrangement and the king pins


950


through the members of the mounting structure


946


.





FIG. 20

is a side view that illustrates one member of the mounting structure


946


and further illustrates the coupling of the axle


944


to the mounting structure


946


using the dual king pin arrangement similar to FIG.


18


. As discussed above, this allows the axle


944


, and hence the attached wheel, to be transitioned to any of a desired levels, and from a retracted position to an extended position.




It should be understood that the axle may couple to a member of a mounting structure using any available technique and in virtually an unlimited number of ways. For example, an axle may couple to the first member and the second member of a mounting structure to move from a retracted position to an extended position through a spring arrangement. Similarly, an axle may couple to the first member and the second member of a mounting structure to move from a retracted position to an extended position through a hinged arrangement.




Many other examples are possible, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,643, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued to Walter Schreyer, et al., was filed on May 23, 1975, was issued Oct. 5, 1976 illustrates a retractable mechanism that may implemented in one embodiment of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,327, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued to Raymond J. Gallant, was filed on Jun. 20, 1997, issued on Jul. 28, 1998 illustrates simultaneously retractable wheels.





FIG. 21

is a breakaway and perspective view that illustrates a two piece wheel


970


that includes an inner core


972


, an outer tire


974


, such as a urethane wheel, an axle


976


(which may not be shown to skill), and a bearing


978


that may be used in the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing


978


is small in comparison to the two piece wheel


970


, for example, the bearing


978


may have an outer diameter that is less than half the outer diameter of the outer tire


974


. This can provide significant advantages, that include a softer ride, better control, and are longer lasting. This is because the outer tire


974


can be larger and thicker. In other embodiments, the bearing


978


is larger and has an outer diameter that is more than half the outer diameter of the outer tire


974


. In a preferred embodiment, the inner core portion of the two piece wheel is made of a harder material that provides rigidity for enhanced bearing support, while the outer tire portion is made of a softer material, such as a soft urethane, for improved performance and a quieter ride. These types of wheels may be referred to as a “dual durometer” type wheel.




Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a heeling apparatus and method that defines a new activity and sport that satisfies one or more of the advantages set forth above. Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention, even if all of the advantages identified above are not present. For example, the various embodiments shown in the drawings herein illustrate that the present invention may be implemented and embodied in a variety of different ways that still fall within the scope of the present invention. Also, the techniques, designs, elements, and methods described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other techniques, designs, elements, or methods without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the wheel assembly may be removable or integrated into the sole of the footwear. Although the present invention has been primarily described with only one wheel positioned in the opening of the heel, the present invention certainly contemplates and covers multiple wheels positioned in the opening of the heel. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for use on a surface, the apparatus operable to wear on one's foot to transition from a walking state or a running state to a heel rolling state, and then to a heel braking state, the apparatus comprising:a footwear having a front, a back, an upper part, and a sole, the sole includes: a forefoot portion to engage the surface while in the walking state and the running state, the forefoot portion inoperable for rolling, an arch portion, a bottom surface, and a heel portion with an opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole; an axle having a first segment and a second segment; and at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle between the first segment of the axle and the second segment of the axle, the axle frictionally retained at the first segment of the axle and the second segment of axle to prevent rotation of the axle, wherein the at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle includes a first portion, a second portion, and is positioned such that the first portion of the wheel resides within the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear and such that the second portion of the wheel resides below the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear and below a lowest point of the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear, wherein the at least one wheel is located only in the heel portion and the at least one wheel is the only wheel on the bottom surface of the sole, and whereby the apparatus is operable to allow one to transition from the walking state or the running state to the heel rolling state where the at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle contacts the surface to roll, and then to the heel braking state where a portion of the heel portion of the sole contacts the surface.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forefoot portion of the sole of the footwear is flexible to bend with one's foot when in the walking state or the running state.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle is positioned in the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole such that the first portion of the wheel that resides within the opening is larger than the second portion of the wheel that resides below the opening.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a first precision bearing; and a second precision bearing, and wherein the at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle has a first side with a first recess and a second side with a second recess, and the first precision bearing is positioned in the first recess between the wheel and the axle and the second precision bearing is positioned in the second recess between the wheel and the axle.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first precision bearing is positioned using a first ring clip on the axle, and the second precision bearing is positioned using a second ring clip on the axle.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a heel control plate operable to allow one to gain greater control while in the heel rolling state.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel has an outer diameter and the second portion of the wheel resides below the lowest point of the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear by an amount equal to or less than half of the outer diameter of the wheel.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole extends from the bottom surface of the sole to a top of the sole.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole extends from the bottom surface of the sole to a top of the sole, but does not extend to the top of the sole.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole is closed on all sides except for the bottom of the sole and a top of the sole.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole is also formed in the bottom surface of the arch portion of the sole.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a grind plate positioned under the bottom surface of the arch portion of the sole.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle between the first segment of the axle and the second segment of the axle is the only wheel that resides at the bottom surface of the sole of the footwear.
  • 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear that contacts the surface in the heel braking state is positioned adjacent the back of the footwear.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear that contacts the surface in the heel braking state is positioned between the back of the footwear and the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the portion of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear that contacts the surface in the heel braking state is made of a wear resistant material.
  • 17. An apparatus for use on a surface, the apparatus operable to wear on one's foot to transition from a walking state or a running state to a heel rolling state, and then to a heel braking state, the apparatus comprising:a footwear having a front, a back, an upper part, and a sole, the sole includes: a forefoot portion to engage the surface while in the walking state and the running state, the forefoot portion inoperable for rolling, an arch portion, a bottom surface, and a heel portion with an opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole; an axle having at least a first engagable segment; a heel brake disposed adjacent the opening formed in the heel portion of the sole of the footwear; and at least one wheel attached to the axle adjacent the at least first engagable segment, the axle frictionally coupled at the at least first engagable segment of the axle to retain the axle, wherein the at least one wheel attached to the axle includes a first portion, a second portion, and is positioned such that the first portion of the wheel resides within the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear and such that the second portion of the wheel resides below the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear and below a lowest point of the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear, wherein the at least one wheel is located only in the heel portion and the at least one wheel is the only wheel on the bottom surface of the sole, and whereby the apparatus is operable to allow one to transition from the walking state or the running state to the heel rolling state where the at least one wheel attached to the axle contacts the surface and rolls, and then to the heel braking state where the heel brake of the apparatus contacts the surface.
  • 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wheel has an outer diameter and the second portion of the wheel resides below the lowest point of the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear by an amount equal to or less than half of the outer diameter of the wheel.
  • 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle is positioned in the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole such that the first portion of the wheel that resides within the opening is larger than the second portion of the wheel that resides below the opening.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), this application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/127,459, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, filed Apr. 1, 1999, and named Roger R. Adams as inventor, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/127459 Apr 1999 US