KICKING SHOE ATTACHMENT FOR PROPELLING KICK SCOOTERS AND THE LIKE

Abstract

A kicking shoe attachment for use by the rider of a kick scooter or the like having an elongated core with a flat upper surface with a skid resistant upper sole thereupon, and an opposing curvilinear lower surface with a wear resistant lower sole disposed thereupon. The elongated core may be split apart horizontally and two or more springs, a block of a resilient material, or a scissor jack mechanism may be placed between the upper and lower body portions. An opening may be placed in the upper surface of the elongated body to receive the protruding heel of typically a woman's heeled shoe or boot. A harness or quick-release safety binding is provided to retain a rider's foot to the kicking shoe attachment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to footwear attachments and, more particularly, to devices attachable to the sole of a shoe or boot that has a height (i.e., thickness) to allow the “kicking” foot equipped with the device to touch the pavement while requiring little or no bending of the a rider's non-kicking leg standing on the kick scooter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kick scooters are well known and widely used. In addition, so-called skate boards have become widely used in recent years. A rider, particularly of a kick scooter places one of his or her feet on the horizontal wheeled platform of the kick scooter and uses his or her other foot to exert pressure against the ground. In accordance with Newton's Third Law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Consequently the pushing action of a rider's foot against the ground imparts motion (typically forward motion) to the kick scooter.

Once the kick scooter is in motion, the rider may lift his or her “kicking” foot and coast until such time the friction slows the kick scooter and additional pushing is required from the rider.

This action requires constant bending of the rider's leg that stands on the scooter platform while the rider's other leg pushes the scooter forward by kicking back the ground. Such constant leg bending and the resulting shifting of a rider's weight upward and downward with each leg bend may be very tiring.

Discussion of the Related Art

Several attempts are found in the prior art to provide foot wear that embeds some mechanism in the sole or other lower portion of a shoe or boot that might help alleviate the bending of a kick scooter rider's non-kicking leg.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,531 for SPRING SPACE SHOE issued Feb. 3, 2004 to Brian G. Rennex discloses a shoe having a spring biased, compressible ground engaging surface movable relative to the sole. Push-off is discussed (see FIGS. 5A-5C and Column 7, lines 14-41).

United States Published Patent Application No. 2014/0090277 published Apr. 3, 2014 upon application by Michael S. Amos, et al. shows a first sole member 28 that can move relative to a second sole member 30 for push off (paragraph 26). The sections 30, 28 are positioned fore and aft.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,583 issued Jan. 14, 2014 to Stephen Perenich shows a shoe with an extensible sole (FIGS. 11, 12, 31 and 32). Perenich also has U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,900,377; 7,905,033; 7,913,422; 7,950,166; and 8,627,582, all generally similar in disclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,096 for MOBILE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY issued Jul. 24, 2012 to Jaime Alberto Reyes, Jr., discusses assisting with push-off in a wheeled, body bearing vehicle.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0193684 for CONVERTIBLE SHOE published Aug. 6, 2009 upon application by Laurence Diamond, shows a “footbed” 92 which may be stacked on a sole to modify wearer height (paragraph 41).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,984 for WALKING SHOE issued Sep. 7, 2004 to Carmine U. Jackinsky shows a thick sole deck for a shoe (FIG. 1).

None of the patents and published patent applications, taken singly, or in any combination are seen to teach or suggest the Kicking Shoe Attachment for Propelling Kick Scooters and the Like of the present invention.

It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide an attachment for a shoe or boot to be worn on the kicking foot of a kick scooter rider that would minimize the amount of bending of non-kicking leg of the rider when riding a kick scooter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an accessory attachable to the shoe of a kick scooter rider. A kick scooter rider has a stationary foot placed on the platform of the kick scooter. The rider's other foot (i.e., the kicking foot) is used to propel the kick scooter. As the rider “kicks” the ground, the stationary leg must bend with each pushing stroke. As the stationary leg bends, the entire weight of the rider is supported thereupon. The constant flexing of the stationary leg may be very tiring.

Attaching the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention to the shoe of the kicking foot of the rider effectively extends the length of the kicking leg allowing the bottom of the kicking shoe attachment to contact the ground with little or no bending of the rider's stationary leg.

For casual riding, the height of the kicking shoe attachment is typically designed to be approximately equal to the height of the upper surface of the kick scooter's deck above the ground. However, for a “sporting” style of riding, such an approximately 1:1 ratio of heights may not provide desirable power from the kicking strokes. If the height of the kicking shoe attachment is made lower (i.e., the kicking shoe attachment is made thinner), the rider's center of gravity is shifted toward the kicking foot thereby allowing more powerful kicking strokes.

A main body core of the kicking shoe attachment is formed from any lightweight sturdy material (e.g., aluminum, plastic, etc.) and may be made in one, two, or more parts. In a two-part body, the parts are arranged one above the other typically with a resilient structure sandwiched between the upper and lower body portions. The resilient structure may include one or more springs or it may be formed from an elastomeric material. The resilient structure between the upper and lower body portions reduce the shock to the kicking leg.

In yet other embodiments, a height adjusting device may be disposed between an upper and lower body portion to allow the overall height of the kicking shoe attachment to be varied to accommodate different kick scooters and/or rider footwear.

The main body includes a substantially flat upper surface and is adapted to receive the shoe of the rider thereupon. In an alternate embodiment the flat upper surface may include an optional depression to accommodate the heel of a woman's shoe. An upper sole, typically made of rubber or any other suitable non-skid and/or cushioning material is attached to the upper surface of the upper body portion. The upper sole provides a stable surface to support the stationary leg of the kick scooter rider.

The bottom surface of the main body is preferably a convex curve to provide good contact with the ground during the entire duration of the kicking or propelling stroke as the angle of the kicking leg relative to the ground changes. A lower sole also made from rubber or any other suitable durable material is attached to the curved lower surface of the lower body portion. The lower sole provides good traction during the contact with the ground.

For casual riding, the height of main body, including upper and lower soles is ideally chosen to be substantially equal to the height of the scooter's platform above the ground. Such a height ensures minimum bending of a rider's stationary leg with each propelling (i.e., kicking) stroke. As previously mentioned, for a “sporting” style if riding, the kicking show attachment may be made lower than the height of the kick scooter platform.

An adjustable harness may be attached to the upper surface of the upper body portion typically using a quick-release or other safety binding devices. The harness retains the shoe of the kick scooter rider tightly against the upper sole of the upper body portion of the kicking shoe attachment.

A tether or other security device may be included to lock the novel kicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure or to the kick scooter when it is not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a typical kick scooter showing a portion of a rider having a kicking shoe attachment attached in accordance with the invention worn on the kicking foot of a rider;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational, schematic view of a first, solid body embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment with a laminated solid body.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational, schematic view of a second embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with springs within the body in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with resilient material within the body in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational, schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with weight-reducing holes within the body in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational, schematic of the kicking shoe attachment of FIG. 1 but having a tether attached to the main body; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational, schematic view of an embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment having an adjustable height mechanism within the body in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides an attachment for a shoe, boot, etc. of the kicking foot of a rider of a kick scooter to facilitate propelling the kick scooter, skateboard, or similar device while minimizing the bending of the stationary leg of the rider during kicking strokes.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective, schematic view of a typical kick scooter showing a portion of a rider having a kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention attached to his/her kicking foot, generally at reference number 300. A typical kick scooter 302 forms no part of the present invention and is shown only to illustrate the intended operating environment of the kicking shoe attachment of the invention.

Kick scooter 302 has a deck 304 comprising a flat surface for receiving the stationary foot 306 of a rider 308. Rider 308 also forms no part of the present invention.

The upper surface of deck 304 is disposed at a height “h” 310 above the surface of the pavement or other surface 316 upon which the kick scooter 302 is being ridden.

A representative kicking shoe attachment 100 is shown on kicking foot 314 of rider 308. Several embodiments of a kicking shoe attachment are disclosed hereinbelow and any of the disclosed embodiments may be substitutes for kicking shoe attachment 100 shown in FIG. 1.

Kicking shoe attachment 100 has a height (i.e., vertical thickness) h′ 312. Height h′ 312 is either approximately equal to or less than height h 310. When heights h 310 and h′ 312 are equal, bending of the stationary leg of a rider during a kicking stroke is minimized.

If height h′ 312 of the kicking shoe attachment 100 is less than deck height h 310, more bending of the knee of the rider's stationary leg will be required during kicking strokes. However, more powerful kicking strokes may possibly be produced when the rider is in “sporting” riding mode.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of first embodiment of a kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention, generally at reference number 100.

A solid main body core 102 has a substantially flat upper surface 104, and a convex lower surface 106. In this embodiment, main body core 102 is formed from a solid piece of sturdy, lightweight material. Such lightweight, sturdy materials include lightweight metals such as aluminum and polymers such as ABS. It will be recognized that numerous other lightweight, sturdy materials may be known to those of skill in the art and, consequently, the invention is not limited by the material examples chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable main body core 102 material.

An upper sole 108 is fastened to the upper surface 104 of main body core 102. Upper sole 108 is typically formed from rubber, either natural or artificial, or from another polymeric elastomer. Upper sole 108 is ideally formed from a non-slip material upon which the shoe of a rider of the device being used with kicking attachment 100 rests. Further, the invention is not intended to be limited to the upper sole 108 material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable upper sole 108 material.

A lower sole 110 is fastened to a lower, convex, curvilinear surface 106 of main body core 102. Lower sole 110 is formed from a wear resistant material designed to wear well as lower sole 110 is kicked against the horizontal surface on which the kick scooter, etc. is being propelled by a rider thereof. Further, the invention is not intended to be limited to the lower sole 110 material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable lower sole 110 material.

It will be further recognized by those of skill in the art that lower sole 110 may be attached to lower, convex, curvilinear surface 106 in a manner that facilitates its replacement when worn or damaged. Device and/or methods for replaceably fastening lower sole 110 to lower surface 106 are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and, consequently such devices and/or methods are not further discussed herein.

A front retaining strap 114 or similar structure is disposed forward on upper sole 108. Front retaining strap 114 is adapted to adjustably and securely retain the toe region of the rider's shoe against upper sole 108. A hook-and-loop fastening system is typically utilized to provide the adjustability required for the application. The hook-and-loop fastening system has a first portion 120 of either hook or loop material and second portion 122 formed from the opposite one of hook or loop material, disposed on surfaces of front retaining strap 114 in ways believed to be well known to those of skill in the art.

A heel cup 118 is disposed on upper sole 108 proximate a rear edge thereof. Heel cup 118 positions and retains the heel portion of a rider's shoe. Heel cup 118 may be movably attached to upper sole 108 using mechanism and methods believed to be well known to those of skill in the art to accommodate footwear of different lengths.

A substantially circular opening in upper sole 108 provides access to a hollow heel receiver 112 formed in solid body core 102. Heel receiver 112 is provided to accept a protruding heel attached to the sole of footwear, typically women's footwear. Heel receiver 112 typically has an inverted frustoconical form. If heel cup 118 is movably attached to upper sole 108, substantially circular opening 112 may be replaced with an elongated slot, not shown.

The combination of elongated main body core 102, upper sole 108, and lower sole 110 has a height 124 corresponding to height h′ 312 of FIG. 1.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, there is shown a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment of FIG. 2. As may be seen, main body core 102 has an elongated, ovulate shape corresponding roughly to the outline of a shoe or boot.

Front retaining strap 114 or similar structure disposed forward on upper sole 108, may be replaced with numerous other footwear retention mechanisms believed to be well known to those of skill in the art. One such well-known, useful replacement could be a quick release binding mechanism, not shown, commonly used on skis, skateboards, etc.

Additionally, heel cup 118 may be made adjustable along the major axis 126 of elongated main body as shown by arrow 128. Mechanisms allowing such adjustment are also believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and any suitable mechanism may be used to provide such adjustability.

It will be further recognized that main body core 102 may alternatively be formed by laminated layers. Referring now also to FIG. 4, there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a kicking shoe attachment having such an elongated main body core construction. Main body core 102 as shown in FIG. 2 is replaced by a laminated body core 130 comprising a plurality of layers 132a, 132b . . . 132n. Layers 132a, 132b . . . 132n may be formed from a single material such as wood, plastic, rubber, etc. In alternated embodiments, layers 132a, 132b . . . 132n may be formed from two or more different materials. In one possible construction, layers of cork may be interspersed among layers of wood, rubber, or plastic, etc. to provide a cushioning effect for the kicking foot, not shown.

Elongated main body core 102 lends itself well to formation by traditional laminating processes wherein successive vertical layers are adhesively bonded to one another

Referring now also to FIG. 5, there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a second embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with springs within the elongated main body, generally at reference number 150.

In the kicking shoe attachment 150 elongated main body core 102 of kicking shoe attachment 100 is split into two portions; and upper body portion 152 and a lower body portion 154. Each of upper body portion 152 and lower body portion 154 is thinner than solid main body core 102.

Coil springs 156 are interposed between a lower surface of upper body portion 152 and an upper surface of lower body portion 154. Springs 156 are typically coil springs having sufficient stiffness to maintain connective integrity between upper body portion 152 and lower body portion 154 while providing a kicking assist to the rider of a kick scooter.

While coil springs 156 are shown for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that springs of other types, for example, leaf springs, may readily be substituted for coil springs 156. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the coil springs chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all other suitable forms of springs.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with resilient material within the body generally at reference number 200.

In kicking shoe attachment 200, springs 156 (FIG. 5) are replaced by a block of a resilient material 202. Materials such as polyurethanes, latex, or polyether urethanes (EU) elastomeric foam have been found suitable for the application. It will be recognized by those of skill in that art that suitable other material may be available. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the materials chosen for purposes of disclosure. It is anticipated that kicking shoe attachment 200 is less expensive to manufacture while still providing the kicking assist benefits of kicking shoe attachment 150. Resilient material 202 may readily be adhesively attached to a lower surface of upper body portion 152 and an upper surface of lower body portion 154.

Referring now also to FIG. 7, there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with a one piece body generally at reference number 250.

Kicking shoe attachment 250 is nearly the same as kicking shoe attachment 100 with the exception that solid main body core 102 is replaced with a main body 252 that has a plurality of through holes 254 from side to side. Through holes 254 are provided to reduce the weight of kicking shoe attachment 150 while maintaining the necessary height and structural integrity.

While through holes 254 are shown in a regular pattern for purposes of disclosure, it may be desirable to arrange through holes 254 in a more random pattern for structural purposes.

Referring now also to FIG. 8, there is shown the kicking shoe attachment of FIG. 2 with an attached tether 260. Tether 260 is securely anchored in elongated main body core 102 and extends outwardly therefrom. A locking apparatus, not shown, may be used to attach tether 160 to elongated main body core 102.

A locking device useful for securing kicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure is shown schematically at reference number 262 at a distal end, not specifically identified, of tether 260. Locking device 262 may alternately be attached to securing kicking shoe attachment 100 to the kick scooter to prevent dangling of teacher 260 when the kick scooter is being ridden.

Referring now also to FIG. 9, there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of yet another embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment, generally at reference number 280.

Kicking shoe attachment 280 incorporates a height adjusting mechanism 282 that allows a user to adapt kicking shoe attachment 280 for use with multiple kick scooters having varying deck heights h 310 (FIG. 1). In addition, as the soles of footwear to which kicking shoe attachment 280 may be attached may vary significantly, height adjustment mechanism 282 may be used to “tweak” the height h′ 312 of FIG. 1 for optimum kicking performance, especially minimum bending of the stationary leg of the rider.

Height adjusting mechanism 282 is a scissor jack mechanism wherein a lead screw 288 may be rotated by applying a crank or the like to eye 290. Lead screw passes through a pair of captive nuts, not shown at each end of a pair of scissor arms, not specifically identified. Scissor jack mechanisms are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art. Consequently, the more exact details on height adjusting mechanism 282 are not provided herein. It will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that any variation of scissor jack mechanism may be adapted for use with kicking shoe attachment 280. It will be further apparent to one of skill in the art that other styles of similar devices may be substituted for scissor jack 282. Consequently, the novel kicking shoe attachment is not considered limited to the scissor jack used for purposes of disclosure. Rather, any suitable height-adjusting mechanism may be substituted.

Height-adjusting mechanism readily allows a rider to adjust his/her kicking show attachment to an optimum height for the style of riding (i.e., casual or “sporting”) the rider anticipates.

One or more stabilizing structures may be added, if required, to maintain vertical alignment of core portions 152, 154.

It will be recognized that alternate embodiments of kicking shoe attachment may be configure for attachment only to the toe end of a rider's footwear. One possible way to retain such an embodiment of a kicking shoe attachment is using an adjustable-width toe clamp similar to such clamps used on clamp-on roller skates. Such clamps are typically fastened in place by a so-called skate key that tightens or loosens the toe clamps.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Claims

1. A kicking shoe attachment, comprising: a) a multi-layer elongated main body comprising at least: a central core having a flat upper surface and a spaced apart convex, curvilinear lower surface;an upper sole covering disposed on said flat upper surface; and a lower sole covering disposed on said spaced apart convex curvilinear lower surface, said multi-layer elongated main body having a predetermined height H, said predetermined height H being approximately the same as the height above a pavement of an upper surface of a kick scooter with which said kicking shoe attachment is utilized by a rider thereof;b) a device for adjustably securing at least a toe region of footwear of a wearer of said kicking shoe attachment to said upper sole; andc) a heel locating device for locating and retaining a heel portion of said footwear of a wearer of said kicking shoe attachment disposed on said upper sole.

2. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said central core disposed between said upper sole covering and said lower sole covering and comprising at least one of the group: a solid object of a single material, a solid object of a single material having at least one horizontal circular openings therethrough; a solid object laminated from multiple horizontal layers; a two-part solid object having a resilient material disposed intermediate said two parts, two-part solid object having at least one mechanical spring disposed intermediate said two parts, and a two-part solid objects having a height-adjusting mechanism disposed intermediate said two parts.

3. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper sole covers the entirety of said flat upper surface.

4. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim wherein said lower sole covers the entirety of said convex, curvilinear lower surface.

5. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, further comprising: d) an opening in said upper sole proximate said heel locating device coincident with an opening in said upper surface of said central core, said openings accessing a heel-receiving hollow in said central core.

6. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 5 wherein said opening in said upper surface of said central body comprises an elongated slot aligned parallel a major axis of said upper sole.

7. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 3 wherein said heel receiving hollow has a shape chosen from the group: an inverted frustoconical-like shape, and an elongated slot.

8. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said central core comprises an upper core portion and a lower core portion separated horizontally in a plane substantially parallel to said flat upper surface, said upper core portion and said lower core portion being spaced apart in a vertical dimension.

9. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 8, wherein said spaced apart upper core portion and said lower core portion are joined by at least one spring, each of said at least one spring having a respective end attached to a lower surface of said upper core portion and another end attached to an upper surface of said lower core portion.

10. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 9, wherein said at least one spring comprises at least one selected from the group: coil springs, leaf springs, and other forms of spring.

11. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 8, wherein said spaced apart upper core portion and said lower core portion are joined by at least one piece of a resilient material, said at least one piece of resilient having an upper surface attached to a lower surface of said upper core portion and an lower surface attached to an upper surface of said lower core portion.

12. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 8, wherein said spaced apart upper core portion and said lower core portion are joined by a scissor jack mechanism or other suitable jack mechanism whereby the vertical space between said upper core portion and said lower core portion may be selectively varied.

13. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper sole comprises at least one selected from the group: natural rubber, artificial rubber, and a polymeric elastomer.

14. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said lower sole comprises a wear resistant material.

15. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 14, wherein said lower sole is removably attached to said curvilinear, convex lower surface to facilitate its replacement.

16. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for securing at least a toe region of footwear of a user of said kicking shoe attachment to said upper sole comprises one selected from the group: an adjustable harness attached to said upper surface of said body portion; and a quick-release safety binding device.

17. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, further comprising: d) a tether attached to said elongated body and adapted and configured for securely attaching said kicking shoe attachment to one selected from the group: an environmental structure, and the kick scooter when said kicking shoe attachment is not being worn.

18. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 17, further comprising: e) a mechanism disposed at said distal end of a tether adapted and configured to attach said distal end to said kick scooter to prevent dangling of said tether when said kicking shoe attachment is in use during a ride.