Internal split toe with a creased sole for climbing shoes

Abstract

An internal split toe with creased sole for rock-climbing shoes includes an upper portion, internal wall and a creased sole under the toe area attached to the upper portion. An internal wall separates the area for the big toe and the other toes. The internal wall is attached to the sole and the upper portion. The internal wall ensures a creased sole under the toe area. An internal split toe with creased sole for the rock-climbing shoes allows rock-climbers to maximize the rock surface contact with the sole by hooking and wrapping around uneven and protruding rock surfaces preventing the problems of bulging and loss of sensitivity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The invention relates to an internal split toe with a creased sole for climbing shoes that will assist rock-climbers in maintaining a solid foothold on protruding rock surfaces.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] Rock-climbers must be able to maximize the surface contact of their toes with a foothold. Often, the rock surface is uneven and not flat. Often, protruding rocks cover the rock surface. When the rock surface is uneven and protruding, it is difficult for the rock-climber to obtain a solid foothold with a flat sole. When the rock surface is uneven, a creased sole at the toe area is advantageous. A creased sole under the toe part would allow the rock-climber's toes to hook and wrap around an uneven or protruding rock surface and, thus, maximize the surface contact of the rockclimber's toes with a foothold.

[0006] Rock-climbers must also be able to feel the surface of the rock to locate and identify the types of foothold they have available to them. Rock-climbers need shoes that will allow them to determine by touch whether a foothold is suitable depending upon the shape of the foothold and the firmness of the foothold. When a rock-climber is feeling the rock surface with his foot, the ideal rock-climbing shoe would allow the toe part to flex between the toes to permit the rock-climber to probe with his big toe.

[0007] The traditional rock-climbing shoe has no internal separator or wall for the big toe. Like a normal shoe, the traditional rock-climbing shoe provides a common space for all the toes to rest in.

[0008] Unlike a normal shoe, the area for the toes in a traditional rock-climbing shoe is small and the toes are forced in tightly. The sole of the traditional rock climbing shoe is substantially flat and uniform. In a traditional climbing shoe, when a climber puts his feet in tightly, the bottom part of sole bulges out and this bulging causes the shoe to slip. The toes push out on the sole and that causes the sole to bulge out. This is a problem because a sole that is bulging will have less surface contact with the rock surface.

[0009] Traditional climbing shoes often use a stiff mid-sole normally made of a stiff hardboard to prevent the problem of bulging. Consequently, the design of the traditional rock-climbing shoe presents two problems unique to rock-climbers: bulging and loss of sensitivity.

[0010] The stiff mid-sole prevents the rock-climber from maximizing the surface contact of the toes with the rock surface. Although a flat sole is ideal on a flat surface, it is less ideal for uneven surfaces. The lack of surface contact between the sole and the rock surface may cause the rock-climber to slip when his weight is transferred onto the foothold. This situation is the bulging of the sole under the toe part.

[0011] The stiff hardboard used in the mid-sole, also presents a problem to the rock-climber because they prevent the rock-climber in feeling the rock surface with their feet. The rigid sole prevents the climber from probing the rock surface with his toes and prevents the rock climber in identifying a foothold. The rock-climber must be able to feel the rock and determine whether to use edging or smearing depending upon the shape of the foothold. The loss of sensitivity prevents a rock-climber from properly identifying a foothold and prevents the rock-climber from gaining a firm foothold.

[0012] There is a need for an internal split toe with creased sole for rock-climbing shoes to provide the ideal sensitivity and surface contact for the rock-climber's foot. The internal split toe that can create crease on the sole will allow the sole of the toe part to hook and wrap around uneven and protruding rock surfaces. The internal split toe with creased sole will provide the ideal shape to prevent the problem of bulging and loss of sensitivity. The internal split toe with creased sole will give the rock-climber additional safety and confidence in rock-climbing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An internal split toe will cause the rubber sole to be creased. An internal split toe with creased sole for a rock-climbing shoe fulfills the objectives of a rock-climbing shoe that will prevent bulging of the sole under the toe part and provide better sensitivity. An internal split toe with creased sole for a rock-climbing shoe fulfills the objective of a rock-climbing shoe that will prevent bulging of the sole under the toe part. An internal split toe with creased sole for a climbing shoe will assist the rock climber in conforming to uneven and protruding rock surfaces. An internal split toe with creased sole for a climbing shoe fulfills the objective of a rock-climbing shoe that has a thin or no mid-sole to provide sensitivity by permitting rock-climbers to feel the rock surface with their toes.

[0014] An internal split toe with a creased sole for rock-climbing shoe provides greater stability and grip than traditional climbing shoes, which provides greater safety and confidence for the climber.

[0015] The rock-climbing shoe with an internal split toe includes an upper portion, an internal wall separating the big toe, a thin or no mid-sole, and a rubber sole attached to the mid-sole portion.

[0016] The upper portion is made of various materials and conforms to the shape of the foot. The upper portion varies in size according to the size the wearer's foot. The upper portion covers the flash sides of the wearer's foot.

[0017] The internal wall is made of fabric or leather and separates the big toe from the other toes. The internal wall begins at the edge of the front part of the shoe and extends back a certain distance along the length of the big toe. The internal wall is attached to the upper portion and the creased sole.

[0018] The rock-climbing shoe with an internal split toe is further described with detail in the appended figures, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a cutaway side view of the climbing shoe.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of the climbing shoe with a foot superimposed for reference.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cutaway top view of the climbing shoe showing the internal wall and the placement of the big toe and the other toes.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cutaway front view of the climbing shoe along the 6-6 line as shown in FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a cutaway front view of the climbing shoe along the 6-6 line as shown in FIG. 2 showing the placement of the big toes and the other toes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, a climbing shoe 10 includes an upper portion 11 and a creased sole 12 attached to the upper portion 11. Above the front part of the creased sole 12 and inside the climbing shoe 10, there is an internal wall 13. The internal wall 13 is attached to the creased sole 12 and the upper portion 11. The internal wall 13 separates the space for the big toe 14 and the other toes 15.

[0025] Referring to the cutaway side view of FIG. 1, the upper portion 11 can include any material commonly used for shoes, such as leather, nylon and cotton fabrics. There is an opening at the top for a foot to enter. The heel of the foot would rest in the rear part of the shoe 10, and the toes in the front part of the shoes 10. The bottom of the shoe 10 is covered by a creased sole 12. The creased sole 12 can be made of rubber polymer. The internal wall 13 is attached to the creased sole 12 and the upper portion 11. The internal wall 13 can be made of rubber, fabric, leather, or other strong material.

[0026] Referring to the cutaway side view of FIG. 2, with a foot superimposed for reference, the heel of the foot rests in the rear of the shoe 10 and the toes rest in the front of the shoe 10. The internal wall 13 extends from the front of the shoe 10 to the rear a certain length ‘l’ along the space between the big toe and the other toes. The length ‘l’ of the internal wall 13 varies depending on the shoe size. In one manifestation, the length ‘l’ of the internal wall 13 is one inch.

[0027] Referring to the cutaway top view of FIG. 3, the internal wall 13 is between the area for the big toe 14 and the other toes 15.

[0028] Referring to the cutaway front view of FIG. 4, along the 6-6 line as shown in FIG. 3, the internal wall 13 is attached to the creased sole 12 and the upper portion 11. The internal wall 13 rises vertically and has a thickness ‘t’ that is substantially uniform. In one manifestation, the thickness ‘t’ of the internal wall 13 is one-eighth of an inch. The creased sole 12 has a crease 16 below the internal wall 13.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 5 is a cutaway front view of FIG. 5, along the 6-6 line, showing the placement of the big toe 14 and the other toes 15. The internal wall 13 separates the big toe 14 and the other toes 15. The creased sole 12 has a crease 16 between the big toes 14 and the other toes 15.

Reference Numerals in Drawings

[0030] 10 climbing shoe

[0031] 11 upper portion

[0032] 12 creased sole

[0033] 13 internal wall

[0034] 14 placement of the big toe

[0035] 15 placement of the other toes

[0036] 16 crease

Claims

1. A climbing shoe comprising: a) an upper portion; and b) a creased sole attached to the upper portion, wherein the sole having a crease between big toe and the other toes under the toe part, and wherein the toe part has an internal wall attached to it.

2. The climbing shoe of claim 1, wherein the internal wall has a width ‘w’, wherein the width ‘w’ is about one-sixteenth of an inch.

3. The climbing shoe of claim 2, wherein the internal wall is connected to the sole and the upper portion.

4. The climbing shoe in claim 3, wherein the internal wall is located between the area for the big toe and the other toes.

5. The climbing shoe in claim 4, wherein the internal wall is made of a fabric.

6. A climbing shoe comprising: a) an upper portion; and b) a sole attached to the upper portion, wherein the sole having a crease between big toe and the other toes under the toe area, and wherein the toe part has an internal wall attached to it.

7. The climbing shoe of claim 6, wherein the internal wall has a width ‘w’, wherein the width ‘w’ is about one-sixteenth of an inch.

8. The climbing shoe of claim 7, wherein the internal wall is connected to the sole.

9. The climbing shoe in claim 8, wherein the internal wall is located between the area for the big toe and the other toes.

10. The climbing shoe in claim 9, wherein the internal wall is made of leather material.

11. The climbing shoe in claim 10, wherein a crease is located on the sole between the area for the big toe and the other toes.

12. A climbing shoe comprising: a) an upper portion; and b) a sole attached to the upper portion, wherein the sole having a crease between big toe and the other toes under the toe area, and wherein the toe part has an internal wall attached to it.

13. The climbing shoe of claim 12, wherein the internal wall has a width ‘w’, wherein the width ‘w’ is about one-sixteenth of an inch.

14. The climbing shoe of claim 13, wherein the internal wall is connected to the sole and the upper portion.

15. The climbing shoe in claim 16, wherein the internal wall is located between the area for the big toe and the other toes.

16. The climbing shoe in claim 15, wherein the internal wall is made of a rubber polymer.

17. A climbing shoe comprising: a) an upper portion; and b) a sole attached to the upper portion, wherein the sole having a crease between big toe and the other toes under the toe area, and wherein the toe part has an internal wall attached to it.

18. The climbing shoe of claim 17, wherein the internal wall is connected to the sole and the upper portion.

19. The climbing shoe of claim 18, wherein the internal wall has a hole for a shoe lace to loop through.

20. The climbing shoe in claim 19, wherein the internal wall is located between the area for the big toe and the other toes.

21. The climbing shoe in claim 20, wherein the internal wall is made of a strong and flexible material.

22. The climbing shoe in claim 21, wherein the internal wall pulls up the sole when the shoe laces are tightened to ensure a creased sole under the toe part.