Patent Application
20050252042
This U.S. non-provisional patent application is based upon and claims the filing date of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/320,191, filed May 18, 2003.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to removable shoe weights to be used with any laced shoe to provide increased resistance to the user to enhance muscle toning and caloric expenditure. The invention more particularly relates to a removable shoe weight having a flexible weighted mass secured by at least three attachment points to the laced shoe laces wherein the user can variably position the weights to be selectively worn throughout many alternative and sustained daily activities.
2. Description of the Related Art
A search of the prior art located the following United States patents which are believed to be representative of the present state of the prior art: U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,498 B1, issued Jun. 4, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,223, issued Apr. 13, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,709, issued May 27, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,927, issued Dec. 7, 1993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,776, issued Aug. 3, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,183, issued Mar. 5, 1991.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,498 B1, issued Jun. 4, 2002, discloses sports shoes for physical strength training with layered soles in which metal tubes are inserted.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,223, issued Apr. 13, 1999, discloses removable stretch fabric footwear garments with pockets containing weights. The garments overlay various portions of the perimeter of the shoe and the garments and weights contained therein are contoured to match the shape of that portion of the shoe they overlay and are secured using VELCRO®.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,709, issued May 27, 1997, features removable polished metal shoe weights which slip under the shoelaces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,927, issued Dec. 7, 1993, discloses an exercise shoe comprising nested weight modules along the shoe bottom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,776, issued Aug. 3, 1993, discloses a weighted athletic shoe with the weight elements being small metal spheres arranged in a lattice grid matrix molded to the shoe sole and sandwiched between the inner and outer shoe soles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,183, issued Mar. 5, 1991, discloses an ankle weight device.
The present invention relates to removable shoe weights to be used with any laced shoe to provide increased resistance to the user to enhance muscle toning and caloric expenditure. The invention more particularly relates to a removable shoe weight having a flexible weighted mass secured by at least three attachment points to the laced shoe laces wherein the user can wear the weights throughout many varied and sustained daily activities.
The apparatus of the present invention is formed of a packet made from resilient, flexible material and includes an internal volume to completely enclose and secure a predetermined weighted mass. The packet includes a securing VELCRO® type closure centered along the packet longitudinal axis which communicates with laced shoelaces to secure the packet bottom. The packet top provides a stitched, flattened portion with eyelets to communicate with shoelace ends and which serve to secure the packet to the shoe lace-box once the laces are tied.
The weighted mass of the present invention is similarly flexible and can include steel shot which due to its density and uniformly small particle size readily conforms to the packet configuration on the lace-box of the user's shoe.
The packet also provides a hidden and secure pocket on the packet bottom side to allow the user to insert a key or money while using the shoe weights. When the shoe weights are securely attached to the laced shoes, the storage pockets are undetectable. The pocket is also secured using a VELCRO® type closure at its top.
It is an object of the present invention to provide removable shoe weights which easily can be secured to any pair of laced shoes, or alternately with at least one weight on one shoe only, and worn while the user either performs a wide range predetermined exercise regimens or routine activities to increase strength and muscle tone and burn additional calories.
It is another object of the present invention to provide removable shoe weights which fit snugly to the lace-box of laced shoes without movement during use.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide removable shoe weights which conform to the individual user's foot arch characteristics.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide removable shoe weights which offer weight resistance without undue stress on body tissue, joints, or structure.
It is still further an object of the present invention to provide removable shoe weights which increase the user's caloric consumption during use.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
With reference to the drawings, and in particular to
The flexible packet 10 of the present invention further comprises a stitched top side 20, a stitched bottom side 30, a rounded stitched bottom 40, a flattened rectangle stitched top 50, and uniformly parallel stitched sides 60,
The removable shoe weight of the present invention further comprises a method for securing the flexible packet 10 to at least three separate securing points on the lace-box of the shoe. This method and apparatus for securing the packet 10 allows adjustable positioning of flexible packet and weighted mass along the shoe lace-box,
Shoelace attachment at the packet rounded bottom 40 further comprises a loop 70 of predetermined length having two ends, wherein one loop end 72 is fixedly attached to the packet bottom side at a point on the packet longitudinal centerline such that the length of the loop extends around the packet rounded bottom under a predetermined tied shoelace and securely attaches the other loop end 74 to a point on the packet top side longitudinal centerline,
Shoelace attachment at the packet flattened rectangle top 50 of the present invention further comprises a stitched boundary and an unbounded edge and two reinforced eyelets 52,
The predetermined weighted mass 35 of the present invention further comprises spheres,
The secure and hidden storage of small personal property items by the present invention is achieved by a pocket 80 having a single open top end 82 and three closed sides 84,
The loop side which securely attaches one loop end to a point on the packet top side longitudinal centerline, the attaching point on the packet top side, and the secure closure of the pocket open top end of the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprise attaching members with hook and loop self-gripping fastening devices of the type sold under the registered mark VELCRO®.
The flexible packet 10 material consists of heavy nylon, heavy cotton, heavy poly-vinyl, canvas, durable nylon canvas, neoprene, and durable, heavy synthetic fabric. Any of these materials may be treated to be water resistant or water repellant. The packet material of the present invention further comprises any solid colors of the art including, but not limited to, royal blue, red, yellow, navy, fuchsia, and black. The packet materials can also comprise a plurality of multi-color combinations according to user preference. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a solid colored, flexible packet made from a durable nylon canvas.
As depicted in
The packet rounded bottom 40 further comprises a loop 70 of predetermined length having two sides and two ends, 72 and 74. One loop end 72 is fixedly attached to the packet bottom side 30 at a point on the packet longitudinal centerline such that the length of the loop extends around the packet rounded bottom 40 and under a predetermined tied shoelace,
The packet flattened rectangle top 50 further comprises two reinforced eyelets 52, each eyelet 52 spaced an equal distance between the stitched boundary and an unbounded edge of the flattened rectangle top 50 and from the packet longitudinal centerline. Each eyelet 52 receives a shoelace end directed from the packet bottom side 30 towards the packet top side 20 through the eyelet 52 allowing for the shoelace to be securely tied in a finished bowknot at the packet top side 20. Once the bowknot is tied the packet bottom side 30 is securely positioned against the tied shoelaces and contoured against the tied shoelaces along the top of the lace-box of the shoe which, when tied, conforms to the user's foot arch. In this manner, each user is assured a secure fit customized to the user's unique foot arch dimensions.
The packet bottom side 30 further comprises a pocket 80 having a single open top end 82 and three closed sides 84. The pocket closed sides are sewn to the packet bottom side 30 wherein the pocket open top 82 is directionally aligned towards and parallel to the stitched boundary and an unbounded edge of the flattened rectangle top 50 defining a predetermined volume sufficient to receive small personal property items,
The removable shoe weights of the present invention can be formed in various sizes and weights. For maximum use and enjoyment, the preferred embodiment has outside dimensions of approximately 4 inches in longitudinal length, approximately 2.5 inches in width, an approximate filled thickness of 1-1⅛ inches, and a one pound weight per packet.
The present invention can be used by wearing even weight on each shoe, or by wearing uneven weights, or only one weight, depending on the user's specific training or exercise needs.
For shoe lace-boxes with extended lacing, more than one shoe weight of the present invention can be secured on the lace box consistent with the three point securing means as may be necessary to achieve the user's specific training or exercise needs. In such fashion, the eyelets 52 of any weights not secured at the top of the lace box become extensions of the lace-box eyelets or lace guides, and the laces are fed through the eyelets 52 and continue through the lace guides of the lace-box to the top where they are secured by a finished bowknot.
The accessability to the shoe-box and shoe laces provided by the present invention permits the user to combine lace held pedometers or lighting devices known in the art with the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention designed for the youth market include accessories for motion or impact initiated or generated audible frequencies or a light having a visible wavelength known in the art.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be considered broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.
