Patent Application
20090249653
a. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to golf overshoe devices for elimination of the need to own golf shoes. Thus, the present invention golf overshoes are beneficial to any golfer, adult or child. More particularly, the present invention is a set of interchangeable slip-on golf overshoes wherein the left foot and right foot are interchangeable and the overshoes preferably have one overshoe with front or anchoring patterns on its sole and the other overshoe with back or pivoting patterns on its sole.
b. Description of Related Art
The following patents are representative of a golf shoe, cleat and spike designs:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,344 B2 to Blackwell describes a “RED e” cleat that is a disposable, self-adhesive, all-surface footwear cleat having a non-skid gripping surface, designed to address all sport, game, play and work foot-traction requirements. The “RED e” cleat replaces the need for specialty footwear, which incorporates permanently implanted or attached devices for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. The cleats attach simply and quickly to the sole and heel area of any footwear. Removal of the cleat is also simple. By sliding a flat-edged tool between the cleat and the surface of the footwear to break the seal, the cleat will peal away leaving the footwear ready for other uses.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,117 B1 to Campbell describes an outsole for an athletic shoe, in particular a golf shoe, having a plurality of traction elements of resisting rotational movement parallel to a plane surface of the ground. Traction elements in a forefoot region of the outsole are oriented with resist surfaces facing a lateral edge and traction elements in a rearfoot region of the outsole are oriented with resist surfaces a medial direction. The resist surfaces of the traction elements are substantially perpendicular to a base surface of the outsole and other surfaces of the traction element can be connected to the base surface by concave curvatures. The traction elements may have an indented surface. A plurality of the traction elements may be arranged along longitudinal and radial arrays in a forefoot region.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,139 B2 to Pitts et al. describes a slip-on, moccasin-style golfing shoe that has a shoe sole having a bottom surface with contours for gripping a golfing surface during striking of a golf ball; an upper, with the shoe sole, defining a volume for receiving a wearer's foot and defining an opening for insertion of a wearer's foot into the volume, the upper including resilient closure assembly fixedly extending across a forward portion of the opening; and, disposed within the volume, a heel cup of extended length, reduced width, and increased stiffness, for resisting lateral movement of a heel region of the wearer's foot during striking of a golf ball. The shoe sole defines a depressed footbed surface for a lower center of gravity and increased stability during golfing play. The closure assembly, in a first, wearing condition, resiliently engages across the wearer's foot to provide a secure fit during golfing play, and, in a second, donning or doffing condition, resiliently expands to facilitate passage of the wearer's foot into and out of the volume. The closure element includes a tongue having side edges attached to the upper, and the tongue has a upper end portion defining a surface positioned to resiliently engage upon an ankle surface above the wearer's foot.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,101 B1 to Jansen et al. describes the present invention, which provides new softspike overshoes for wearing over an existing shoe. The new softspike overshoes are suited for use in playing sports and are particularly suited for playing golf. The softspike overshoes are flexible yet sufficiently form retentive to securely hold their proper position on the shoe while playing golf. The softspike overshoe is a one-piece overshoe with soft spikes integrally molded into the bottom of the sole of the overshoe.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,022 B2 to Gelsomini describes an improved golf shoe and sole. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of golf shoes comprising a right shoe and a left shoe, the right shoe having a different arrangement of traction elements on the sole thereof than the left shoe. For right-handed golfers, the sole of the right shoe has a greater number of axial traction members which are aligned with an edge of the sole than transverse traction members which are positioned transverse to the edge of the sole. The right shoe accordingly resists pivotal motion. The left shoe has a greater number of transverse traction members than axial traction members so as to allow pivotal motion. The golf shoes accordingly allow the golfer to make a fuller back swing and to follow through more completely on the power stroke. The relative number of axial and transverse traction members on the left and right shoes may be reversed for left-handed golfers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,794 to Gelsomini describes an improved golf shoe and sole. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of golf shoes comprising a right shoe and a left shoe, the right shoe having a different arrangement of traction elements on the sole thereof than the left shoe. For right-handed golfers, the sole of the right shoe has a greater number of axial traction members which are aligned with an edge of the sole than transverse traction members which are positioned transverse to the edge of the sole. The right shoe accordingly resists pivotal motion. The left shoe has a greater number of transverse traction members than axial traction members so as to allow pivotal motion. The golf shoes accordingly allow the golfer to make a fuller back swing and to follow through more completely on the power stroke. The relative number of axial and transverse traction members on the left and right shoes may be reversed for left-handed golfers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,484 to Grutza et al. describes a shoe cleat for an athletic shoe. The shoe cleat comprises a first end which removably attaches to the underside of a shoe; a second end which is connected to the first end of the shoe cleat and which includes a surface which engages with a ground surface when the shoe cleat is attached to a shoe; and wherein the ground-engaging surface of the second end of the shoe cleat includes an anti-slip surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,094 to Grossman describes a pair of shoes for use by golfers that includes a first shoe to be worn on a golfer's rear foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball which is provided with a sole and a heel and a plurality of spikes which extend downwardly from the sole and the heel. A second shoe is provided to be worn on a golfer's front foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball, and the second shoe is provided with a smooth, spikeless sole and a smooth, spikeless heel for enabling the golfer to make a proper turn to face the target during the golf swing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,901 to Leonor describes an attachment for converting a non-spiked dress or sport shoe to a spiked shoe for golfing or other walking or running activities that includes two clam-shell like attachment halves which are pivotable so as to mountable against the sides and bottom of an underlying shoe. The attachment has a longitudinally-extending slitted upper and vertically-extending slitted heel both of which mount suitable fastener elements such as hoops and loops (Velcro®-type) elements or snap-on buttons or a lacing and eyelet fastener or a zipper fastener. After the attachment is pivotally opened up in the manner of a clam shell, the attachment is placed about the bottom and sides of the non-spiked dress or sports shoe on the user's foot and the fastener(s) cinched up to securely hold the attachment on the underlying shoe so that there is essentially no relative movement therebetween, when the user is walking or engaging in his or her golf swings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,793 to Deacon et al. describes a replaceable golf shoe cleat or spike 10 for use in place of a standard metal spike 4. Winter golf shoe spike 10 preferably has a main cleat body 11 molded from a durable plastic type material in single unitary fashion. A threaded stud 13 is formed on the upper surface of generally concave-convex flange 12 and protrudes axially therefrom. A plurality of traction ribs 15 is formed on the bottom traction surface of concave-convex flange 12. While the ribs 15 may be present in a variety of configurations, they are preferably triangular ridges arranged in a radial fashion emanating from the center of concave-convex flange 12.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,345 to Lopez describes a pair of soles for sport shoes having a dividing line between the heel and toe dividing the soles into inner and outer portions. The inner portion of the first sole along with the outer portion of the second sole having shallow recesses in a substantially smooth surface, while the outer portion of the first shoe and the inner portion of the second shoe having a plurality of stud-like projections.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,531 to VanDeripe describes a pair of golf shoes, the bottom of the sole of each shoe having relatively wide flat beveled surfaces inclined inwardly and downwardly from the inner edge of the sole. These beveled surfaces allow the shoe to roll inwardly about the central longitudinal axis of the shoe when the weight of the person wearing the shoe shifts to the inner side of the foot, as during the address and backstroke stages of the golf swing. The engagement of the beveled surfaces with the ground during the swing provides the golfer with added stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,565 to Haley describes a non-slip overshoe having at least one thin metal plate operably attached to its lower surface. The plate is provided with a series of sharp projections to provide gripping on slippery surfaces. Fixed and removable plate attachment means are disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,518 to Watanabe describes a sport shoe in which the shoe sole is bonded to an insert layer during the formation of the shoe sole by injection-molding and the assembly of the shoe sole and the insert layer is secured to the shoe upper by an adhesive applied between the insert layer and the shoe upper.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,600 to Cross, III et al. describes a golf shoe having improved transverse ground traction provided by a novel spike pattern which differs between the right-foot and the left-foot shoes in which the spikes are affixed to the lowermost surface of a specially designed sole and heel assembly. Improved comfort and foot stability can also be provided by use of a cushion pad insert of special configuration having a lateral arch support associated therewith. A first set of ground engaging spikes are arranged adjacent to the leading edges of both the right and the left shoe and at least two spikes in the set are positioned in the instep region of the shoes. A second set of spikes is also provided on the trailing edge of the shoes as defined by the direction of a golf club swing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,174 to Artle, Jr. et al. describes a device for use in removably attaching cleats or the like to the sole of an ordinary shoe. Ground engaging cleats are attached to a plate that is of a design and shape to fit under the sole of an ordinary shoe and is provided with means for removably attaching itself to the sole. These attachment means have a sole engaging portion adjacent the toe of the device and a heel engaging portion which attaches to the heel of the shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,352 to Adair describes the specification that discloses an overshoe for use in playing golf and other sports. The overshoe is of the flexible resilient kind that is stretched over an ordinary shoe and it has a plurality of cleats to give good footing. The cleats are located within holes in the outer sole of the shoe and have threaded stems that are engaged within threaded openings in washers located on the inside of the overshoe. The washers are overlain by separate heel and sole pads that are in turn overlain by a complete insole.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,389 to G. Adams describes a non-slipping boot attachment, which comprises a metal heel plate having a plurality of laterally disposed depending ground gripping spikes, several longer spikes on the sides thereof disposed in a lengthwise knife edge manner, and an upturned forward heel supporting flange, said supporting flange being notched laterally with an upstanding intermediate hook; a flexible member attached to the heel plate and adapted to completely surround the boot heel and boot heel upper; means for detachable securing the flexible member across the boot instep; a metal sole plate having a plurality of laterally disposed depending ground gripping spikes and several lengthwise knife edge manner; longer spikes on the sides thereof disposed in a flexible boot toe surrounding member attached to the sole plate; and a plural apertured strap secured to the sole plate and adjustably attached to the heel plate by slideable connection through said lateral slot and hook on the heel supporting forward flange.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,025,615 to J. K. Patton describes an adjustable golf sole covering for shoes comprising separable sole and heel members; means for adjustably connecting the members together; cleats on the said members; toe clasps at opposite sides of the sole member and adapted to engage the outer edge portions of the shoe; and adjustable heel clamp assembly at the rear end of the heel member adapted to engage the shoe heel to shift the covering rearwardly with respect to the shoe; said heel clamp assembly comprising an arcuate plate having a bead at its inner edge adapted to be embedded in the heel member, the outer edge of the plate extending rearwardly of the heel of the shoe and being flanged upwardly so as to conform with the shape of the rear of the shoe heel and to be spaced therefrom; a curved plate adapted to engage the rear end of the shoe heel and adjustably carried by the upturned flange; and means on the flange for shifting the curved plate towards the shoe heel.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,189,489 to J. J. Fritz describes an antislipping overshoe comprising an inner sole member, the rear portion of the member being provided with an elastic loop to engage over and around the heel portion of a shoe, a toe receiving strap carried by the forward portion of the member, a lamination of antislipping material secured to and disposed over the under face of the forward portion of the sole member, said sole member having a rear portion to underlie the heel of the shoe, a strap connecting the rear portion of the heel portion of the sole member and the loop for holding said heel portion in position upon the shoe when said loop is disposed over and around the heel, and an antislipping lamination overlying and secured to the under face of said heel portion.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 380,076 to McMullin describes a curved ridge golf shoe spike.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 378,013 to McMullin describes a waffle bottom golf shoe spike.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 336,973 to Fritcher describes an ornamental design for a slip-on golf shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 335,947 to Shelley describes an ornamental design for a shoe slip on golf accessory.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 310,294 to Peterson describes an golf shoe bottom.
U.S. Pat. No. 299,691 to W. K. Smith describes an india-rubber sole carpet-stretcher, to be operated by the feet, as set forth.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 278,382 to Chen describes an ornamental design for a golf shoe sole.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 275,147 to Phillpott describes an ornamental design for a sole for a sports shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 160,561 to A. A. Steinhilber describes an ornamental design for a shoe sole.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 61,473 to H. T. Mason describes an ornamental design for a sole.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
The present invention relates generally to interchangeable slip-on golf overshoes. These include: (a) a first golf overshoe being sufficiently symmetrical from a top view to be interchangeably worn over a shoe on a left foot and over a shoe on a right foot of a golfer, the first golf overshoe having at least a sole, a toe component and a heel component and having a portion of the first golf overshoe being stretchable; and the first golf overshoe having a predetermined pattern of spikes on the bottom of its sole; and, (b) a second golf overshoe being sufficiently symmetrical from a top view to be interchangeably worn over a shoe on a left foot and over a shoe on a right foot of a golfer, the second golf overshoe having at least a sole, a toe component and a heel component and having a portion of the second golf overshoe being stretchable; and the second golf overshoe having a predetermined pattern of spikes on the bottom of its sole. Preferably, the predetermined pattern of spikes on the bottom of its sole is a dual set of spikes on independent forward areas and heel areas separated by a bottom space, but connected to one another indirectly via the overshoe top.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe, each of the first golf overshoe and second golf overshoe each includes at least one strap component connecting the heel component to the toe component.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe, predetermined pattern on the first golf overshoe is different from the predetermined pattern on the second golf overshoe.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe the predetermined pattern on the first golf overshoe is a front golf foot predetermined pattern.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe the predetermined pattern on the second golf overshoe is a back golf foot predetermined pattern.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe the predetermined pattern of the first golf overshoe includes at least one spike selected from the group consisting of a V-shaped spikes, X-shaped spikes, a plurality of herringbone spikes, a plurality of parallel spikes and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe the predetermined pattern of the second golf overshoe includes at least one curved spike selected from the group consisting of a circular spike, a plurality of concentric circular spikes an arc, a plurality of arcs and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe the first golf overshoe and the second golf overshoe include a central component that includes fastening means selected from the group consisting of laces, straps, buckles, hook and loop fasteners, integral tension members and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe each of the first golf overshoe and the second golf overshoe have asymmetric arrangements of spikes when viewed as two halves created by an imaginary center line running from toe to heel.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe each of the first golf overshoe and the second golf overshoe include a heel strap separate from the heel components.
In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention interchangeable slip-on golf overshoes, there is:
(a) a first golf overshoe being symmetrical with respect to an imaginary center line running from toe to heel from a top view to be interchangeably worn over a shoe on a left foot and over a shoe on a right foot of a golfer, the first golf overshoe having at least a sole, a toe component and a heel component and having a portion of the first golf overshoe being stretchable; and the first golf overshoe having a predetermined pattern of spikes on the bottom of its sole, at least the sole being at least partially made of a semi-flexible material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, elastomer and combinations thereof; and,
(b) a second golf overshoe being sufficiently symmetrical with respect to an imaginary center line running from toe to heel from a top view to be interchangeably worn over a shoe on a left foot and over a shoe on a right foot of a golfer, the second golf overshoe having at least a sole, a toe component and a heel component and having a portion of the second golf overshoe being stretchable; and the second golf overshoe having a predetermined pattern of spikes on the bottom of its sole, at least the sole being at least partially made of a semi-flexible material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, elastomer and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] each of the first golf overshoe and second golf overshoe each includes at least one strap component connecting the heel component to the toe component.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] predetermined pattern on the first golf overshoe is different from the predetermined pattern on the second golf overshoe.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] the predetermined pattern on the first golf overshoe is a front golf foot predetermined pattern.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] the predetermined pattern on the second golf overshoe is a back golf foot predetermined pattern.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] the predetermined pattern of the first golf overshoe includes at least one spike selected from the group consisting of a V-shaped spikes, X-shaped spikes, a plurality of herringbone spikes, a plurality of parallel spikes and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] the predetermined pattern of the second golf overshoe includes at least one curved spike selected from the group consisting of a circular spike, a plurality of concentric circular spikes an arc, a plurality of arcs and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] the first golf overshoe and the second golf overshoe include a central component that includes fastening means selected from the group consisting of laces, straps, buckles, hook and loop fasteners, integral tension members and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] each of the first golf overshoe and the second golf overshoe have asymmetric arrangements of spikes when viewed as two halves created by an imaginary center line running from toe to heel.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe of paragraph [00044] each of the first golf overshoe and the second golf overshoe include a heel strap separate from the heel components.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
The present invention interchangeable slip-on golf overshoe 1 is shown in
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Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As examples, the toe area of the overshoe sole and the heel area of the overshoe sole may be open-spaced between one another, may be connected by a small section, or by a full width section, and the connecting section may be stretchable or non-stretchable; the overshoe sole may be split laterally and/or horizontally in one or more places and may be connected by stretchable material. The overshoe top may include a mesh, fabric, synthetic or rubber component to enclose any open space to enclose the user shoe completely, or any of these may be used on or over stretchable material to enhance wearablity and/or design. The overshoe top toe component or heel component may be closed, partially open, or open. The sole piece or pieces of the overshoe may be reinforced with bracing material, e.g., at the heel area or the toe area to increase walking and other functional stability. The overshoe sole interior may have a grid or other traction enhancement features to assist the grip of the user shoe within the overshoe. The overshoe sole may include energy absorbing layer(s) and/or materials in the overall structure. The overshoe may have a pull tab or pull loop at the top of the heel to assist in putting the overshoe on and removing it.
