SHOE SOLE HAVING ROTATABLE DISCS

Abstract

Presently provided are a rotatable disc and a shoe sole. The rotatable disc is configured to be attached to the shoe sole. The shoe sole has at least two of rotatable discs in the shoe sole, wherein each of the rotatable discs are configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about the shoe sole.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoes having a sole with rotatable discs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Specialized shoes are worn by people for specific tasks. For example, sports shoes are often made and worn for specific activities. Some shoes are made with treads and/or cleats that are designed to meet the needs of the wearer when worn during athletic activities. For example, many shoes designed for outdoor activities may have cleats to provide traction to the ground. Shoes having treads and/or cleats may provide a desired traction for a desired activity, but may also provide undesired traction in particular instances. For example, cleats or treads may resist rotation with the surface in instances where the rotational resistance is not desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a shoe sole comprising a hind foot or heel portion, a midfoot or arch portion, and a forefoot or toe portion. At least two rotatable discs are in the toe portion, wherein each of the rotatable discs are configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about the shoe sole.

In at least one more aspect, one of the rotatable discs is configured and disposed to rotate about a ball of a wearer's foot.

In at least one other aspect, one of the rotatable discs is configured and disposed to rotate about an outer portion of the forefoot or toe portion.

In at least one additional aspect, the shoe sole has at least one rotatable disc in the hind foot or heel portion, wherein the at least one rotatable disc in the hind foot or heel portion is configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about the shoe sole.

In at least one further aspect, the shoe sole has at least two rotatable discs in the hind foot or heel portion, wherein each of the at least two rotatable discs in the hind foot or heel portion are configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about the shoe sole.

In at least one embodiment, a shoe comprises a shoe sole having a hind foot or heel portion, a midfoot or arch portion, and a forefoot or toe portion. At least two rotatable discs are disposed on the shoe sole. Each of the at least two rotatable discs are positioned on the shoe sole to provide engagement of the rotatable discs with a ground surface, or other surface, at selected instances of a physical activity.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

The following figures, which are idealized, are not to scale and are intended to be merely illustrative of aspects of the present disclosure and non-limiting. In the drawings, like elements may be depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 shows illustrative example of a shoe sole having at least two rotatable discs in the toe portion, wherein each of the rotatable discs is configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about the shoe sole;

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative example of treads or cleats that may be disposed on a rotatable disc and other portions of the shoe sole;

FIG. 3 shows another illustrative example of treads or cleats that may be disposed on a rotatable disc and other portions of the shoe sole;

FIG. 4 shows illustrative example of a cross-section of a rotatable disc that may be disposed on a shoe sole;

FIG. 5 shows another illustrative example of a cross-section of a rotatable disc that may be disposed on a shoe sole;

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative example of a quantity, size, and spatial disposition of rotatable discs on a shoe sole;

FIG. 7 shows another illustrative example of a quantity, size, and spatial disposition of rotatable discs on a shoe sole;

FIGS. 8 and 8 a show an illustrative example of the rotatable disc having cleats or treads and being configured to be removable or replaceable with a shoe sole: and

FIGS. 9, 9 a, and 9b show an illustrative example of the rotatable disc having cleats or treads and being configured to rotate in a single direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a shoe sole that allows for rotation via discs built into the soles of at least one shoe in a pair of shoes. Rotating discs are provided in the soles which may be advantageous for a wearer when participating in a sport or walking. In at least one embodiment, the presently disclosed shoe sole may counteract the lack of sole rotation, or resistance to rotation, at a particular instance or ground contact orientation. For example, at a point in a golf swing.

A main feature of the present disclosure may be the spin function of the discs built into the sole of the shoe. The discs may spin 0-360 degrees about their center and the sole of the shoe. The sole of the shoe may be built with 2 or more discs and up to as many as 25, or more. The discs may be of varying sizes or may be the same size. For example, a plurality of little spinning discs may be incorporated in the sole of a shoe. The discs can be free flowing or made with a tension tighten mechanism to allow the person to adjust the spin rate or ease of spinning.

The number of discs, size of discs, and placement of discs may be tailored to provide a desired degree of rotation, or resistance to rotation, at a desired time. For example, when a golfer swings a golf club it may be desired to provide a lesser resistance of the foot on the ground at the end of the swing, or after the golf ball has been hit with the golf club. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a shoe sole comprises a hind foot or heel portion, a midfoot or arch portion, and a forefoot or toe portion. At least two rotatable discs are in the toe portion, wherein each of the rotatable discs is configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about the shoe sole. This embodiment may provide a desired lessening of resistance to rotation at a desired time. For example, upon hitting a golf ball, a golfer may have a sole contacting a forefoot or toe portion with the ground and it may be desirous for that shoe to rotate with lesser resistance as compared to a sole not having the rotating discs. This may relieve a rotational force on the wearer's knee or ankle.

One or both shoes, in a pair of shoes, may have rotatable discs. Rotatable discs may be positioned and sized to provide desired degree of rotation. Rotatable discs may be removable or configured to be positioned, or repositioned, at desired locations.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a spin disc mechanism provides for rotation of the discs from 0-360 degrees, counterclockwise or clockwise. The shoe sole of the present disclosure may help reduce knee twisting damage for athletes and non athlete persons using the presently disclosed spin technology sole in the shoes.

The rotating disc in the soles may be built with all kinds of different materials like metal, plastic PU, EVA foam, petroleum rubber, synthetics, rubber, foam, or other materials. The rotatable disc may be configured to be attached to a sole with some hard mechanism to withstand the twisting and rotation of the disc, as there may be a lot of torque in the twisting of the sole disc mechanism.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments and aspects of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers may be used throughout the figures to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 shows illustrative example of a shoe sole 100 having at least two rotatable discs, 102 and 104, in the forefoot or toe portion c of shoe sole 100, wherein each of the rotatable discs, 102 and 104, is configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about shoe sole 100. For example, FIG. 1 shows a shoe sole 100 comprising: a hind foot or heel portion, a, a midfoot or arch portion, b, and a forefoot or toe portion, c. At least two rotatable discs 102 and 104 are disposed in the toe or forefoot portion c, wherein each of the rotatable discs are configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about shoe sole 100 at central vertical axis 106.

Shoe sole 100 and/or the rotatable discs, 102 and 104, may have treads or cleats 108 configured and disposed to provide a desired traction with the surface or ground on which a wearer is standing or moving. Rotatable discs 102 and 104 may be sized and positioned on shoe sole 100 to provide a desired decrease in rotational resistance upon a contact orientation with the ground or surface. For example, one of the rotatable discs 104 may be configured and disposed to rotate about a ball of a wearer's foot. In another example, one of the rotatable discs 102 may be configured and disposed to rotate about an outer portion of the forefoot or toe portion.

In at least one embodiment, a shoe has shoe sole 100 has a hind foot or heel portion, a, a midfoot or arch portion, b, and a forefoot or toe portion, c. At least two rotatable discs 102 and 104 are disposed on shoe sole 100. Each of the at least two rotatable discs, 102 and 104 , are positioned on shoe sole 100 to provide engagement of rotatable discs 102 and 104 with a ground surface, or other surface, at selected instances of a physical activity. Each of the at least two rotatable discs 102 and 104 are configured to spin 360° about its central axis 106. Each of the at least two rotatable discs 102 and 104 may be configured to spin in a clockwise and in a counter clockwise direction, or in the alternative, one or both rotatable discs 102 and 104 may be configured to spin solely in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Shoe sole 100 may have at least two of the rotatable discs, 102 and 104 disposed on the forefoot or toe portion c of shoe sole 100. Each of the rotatable discs 102 and 104 may have treads or cleats 108 disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative example of treads or cleats 112 and 114 that may be disposed on a rotatable disc 110 and other portions of the shoe sole 101. Shoe sole 101 may have at least one rotatable disc 110 in the hind foot or heel portion a, wherein the at least one rotatable disc 110 in the hind foot or heel portion a is configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about shoe sole 101.

In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 2, the rotatable discs of the present disclosure, such as rotatable disc 110, may have tread pattern 114 and portions of shoe sole 101 may have a tread pattern 112. The tread patterns 114 on the rotating disc 110 may be the same, similar, or different than the tread 112 on the sole of the shoe. Rotatable disc 110 may have treads or cleats 114 disposed to cooperate with a ground surface, or other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

FIG. 3 shows another illustrative example of treads or cleats 118 that may be disposed on a rotatable disc 116 and other portions of the shoe sole 103. In this illustrative example, the rotatable discs 116 may have cheats 118 and portions of shoe sole 103 may have a tread pattern 113. Each of the rotatable discs 116 may have treads or cleats disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

FIG. 4 shows illustrative example of a cross-section of rotatable disc 116 that may be disposed on a shoe sole 103. The presently disclosed rotatable discs 116 may be removably or nonremovably held to the sole of the shoe at its center, for example with fastener 111 extending through a center axis of rotatable disc 116. For example, fastener 111 such as a rivet or other fastener may extend from the center of the disc to the sole 103 of the shoe. A base plate 120 or disc may be positioned in sole 103 to receive fastener 111 and to provide for the secure holding of rotatable disc 116, and optionally base 120, to shoe sole 103. The base or base plate 120 may be configured to provide a surface for a desired resistance or frictional force for rotatable disc 116 to rotate on or against. Cleats or threads 118 may be disposed on rotatable discs 116 as shown in FIG. 4. One or both shoes, in a pair of shoes, may have rotatable discs 116 with treads or cleats 118 disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

FIG. 5 shows fastener 111 such as a rivet or other fastener which may extend from the center of rotatable disc 122 to the sole 103 of the shoe. A base plate 120 or disc may be positioned in sole 103 to receive fastener 111 and to provide for the secure holding of rotatable disc 122, and optionally base 120, to shoe sole 103. The base or base plate 120 may be configured to provide a surface for a desired resistance or frictional force for rotatable disc 122 to rotate on or against. Cleats or threads may extend from rotatable discs 122 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative example of a quantity, size, and spatial disposition of rotatable discs 124 on shoe sole 105. For example, a plurality of rotatable discs 124 may be sized and positioned on the sole of one or both shoes, in a pair of shoes. In at least one embodiment, at least two rotatable discs 124 are disposed in the hind foot or heel portion a, wherein each of the at least two rotatable discs 124 in the hind foot or heel portion a are configured and disposed to independently rotate 360° about the shoe sole. A desired number of rotatable discs may be sized and positioned on the sole of shoe 105 to provide for a desired lessening of resistance to rotation of shoe sole 105 on a surface, upon a contact arrangement being made between sole 105 and the surface or ground. Treads or cleats may be on the rotatable discs 124 and on shoe sole 105.

In at least one embodiment, a pair of shoes, a right shoe and a left shoe, have at least two rotatable discs 124 disposed with shoe sole 105. Each of rotatable discs 124 may have treads or cleats disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity. Shoe sole 105 may have least two rotatable discs 124 disposed on the forefoot or toe portion c of shoe sole 105 and/or at least one rotatable discs 124 disposed on the heel portion a of shoe sole 105.

FIG. 7 shows another illustrative example of a quantity, size, and spatial disposition of rotatable discs on shoe sole 107. FIG. 7 also shows that a variety of treads or cleats may be disposed on the rotatable discs and on the shoe sole. For example, the treads or cleats on the rotatable cleats may be the same or different than the treads or cleats on other rotatable discs or on the sole. A tread pattern on the sole may surround one or more rotatable discs to provide a desired gripping force to a surface. Rotatable discs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, and 102f may have a desired cleat or tread pattern and may be disposed at desired locations on shoe sole 107 to provide a desired rotatability at the selected instances of the physical activity. For example, shoe sole 107 may have at least at least three of rotatable discs disposed therewith, wherein each of the rotatable discs has treads or cleats disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity. In at least one embodiment, shoe sole 107 has at least two of the rotatable discs disposed on the forefoot or toe portion, 102a, 102b, and/or 102c, and at least one of the rotatable discs disposed on the heel portion 102d, 102e, and/or 102f, of shoe sole 107. The rotatable discs may be replaceable. For example, rotatable disc 102g may be rotatably held with shoe sole 107, upon the removal of another rotatable disc from shoe sole 107.

FIGS. 8 and 8 a shows an illustrative example of the rotatable disc 130 having cleats 138 and being configured to be removable or replaceable with a shoe sole. Rotatable disc 130 may have a tension tighten mechanism configured and disposed to adjust the ease of spinning of rotatable disc 130.

In at least one embodiment, a tighten mechanism has fastener 134 extending through a central vertical axis of rotatable disc 130. Fastener 134 is configured to tighten the rotatable disc portion 132 to the shoe sole and increase a resistance to rotation of rotatable disc portion 132. Rotatable disc 130 has may have a base 136 configured and disposed to removably hold the rotatable disc to a shoe sole. Rotatable disc 130 has treads or cleats 138 disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

In at least one embodiment, rotatable disc 130 has a fastener 130 extending through a rotatable portion 132 (disposing cleats 138) and into a base 136. The tightening of fastener 134 to base 136 provides for an increase in frictional forces between rotatable portion 132 and base 136, which decreases the rotatability of rotatable portion 132. Base 136 is configured to be secured with a shoe sole. For example, base 136 may have a fastener 138 extending therefrom, wherein fastener 138 is configured to fasten base 138 to a shoe sole.

FIGS. 9, 9 a, and 9b show an illustrative example of the rotatable disc having cleats and being configured to rotate in a single direction. Rotatable disc 140 is configured to spin in only a clockwise direction or in only in a counter-clockwise direction. Base 146 may have a contour or features 147 disposed to cooperate with a surface 149 of rotatable portion 150, wherein features 147 and surface 149 are configured to stop a rotation of the disc in the clockwise or in the counter clockwise direction.

In at least one embodiment, a tighten mechanism has fastener 134 extending through a central vertical axis of rotatable disc 140, fastener 134 is configured to tighten the rotatable disc portion 150 to the shoe sole and increase a resistance to rotation of the rotatable disc. Rotatable disc 140 has a base 146 configured and disposed to removably hold the rotatable disc to a shoe sole, with extension or fastener 138 for example. Rotatable disc 140 has treads or cleats 148 disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

The presently disclosed shoe sole may have a different tread on rotating discs than the sole on which they are disposed. The shoe sole and rotating discs may have, tread, spikes, metal or plastic tread or spikes. The discs may comprise metal or polymeric materials, or a combination thereof, such as plastic, for example urethane. The rotatable discs may be configured and disposed to provide for 0-360 degree rotation in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, or orbiting functionality. The rotatable discs may be configured and disposed to provide for 0-360 degree rotation in only one of a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The rotatable discs may be configured and disposed on the sole to allow for a wearer's feet to rotate with little or no ground friction. The presently disclosed shoe sole may limit or reduce an undesired turning of the knee or ankle, for example when swinging a golf club. At least two and up to 20 discs, or more, may be attached to a midsole. Metal spikes with built in spin may be attached to a shoe sole or a rotatable disc.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a shoe that nay be worn during activities. At least two rotatable discs may be disposed on a forefoot or toe portion of a shoe sole and positioned on the sole so that the sole engages the ground or surface during the activities to enhance traction when desired. The rotatable discs may have treads or cleats which are rotatably coupled to the sole and are rotatable about a vertical axis extending through the sole and each of the forefoot rotatable discs. Thus, the rotatable discs may be sized and position on the forefoot of the sole to inhibit rotational forces placed on the knee or ankle which may reduce injuries during the activity.

The presently disclosed shoe sole may be incorporated in athletic shoes. For example, the presently disclosed configuration of rotatable discs may be incorporated with a golf shoe, a football shoe, a baseball shoe, and any other athletic shoe.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patent applications, and other documents which are included below in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present application . . . ” may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more embodiments of the application. These references, or portions thereof, are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The purpose of incorporating U.S. patents, foreign patents, publications, etc. is solely to provide additional information relating to technical features of one or more embodiments, which information may not be completely disclosed in the wording in the pages of this application. Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author and not directly relating to the technical details of the description of the embodiments therein are not incorporated by reference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or more embodiments, are not considered to be incorporated by reference herein.

Some examples of shoe soles having features which may possibly be utilizable by at least one possible embodiment may possibly be found in the following: U.S. Pat. No. 10,477,913, filed 2017 Jun. 29, titled Outward rotating golf shoes, by Gilkey, Scott Lawrence; U.S. Pat. No. 10,667,575, filed 2016 May 11, titled Rotatable sole assembly, by Smith, David Roger et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 10,722,001, filed 2018 Mar. 13, titled Athletic shoe assembly, by Malo, Jimmy; U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,126, filed 1994 Aug. 17, titled Athletic shoe with improved sole, by Meschan, David F. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,497, filed 1993 Aug. 17, titled Athletic shoe with improved sole, by Meschan, David F.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,689, filed 1995 Jan. 9, titled Rotating cleats for athletic shoes, by Walker, Andrew S. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,352, filed 1996 Sep. 30, titled Athletic shoe with improved sole, by Meschan, David F. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,948, filed 1994 Apr. 4, titled Shoe sole structures, by Ellis III, Frampton E.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,829,848, filed 2002 Sep. 20, titled Rotating pivot for shoe, by Gallegos, Alvaro.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a shoe sole having a hind foot or heel portion, a midfoot or arch portion, and a forefoot or toe portion;at least two rotatable discs disposed on the shoe sole;wherein each of the at least two rotatable discs are positioned on the shoe sole to provide engagement of the rotatable discs with a ground surface, or other surface, at selected instances of a physical activity.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two rotatable discs are configured to spin 360° about its central axis.

3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein each of the at least two rotatable discs are configured to spin in a clockwise and in a counter clockwise direction.

4. The shoe of claim 2, wherein each of the at least two rotatable discs are configured to spin in only a clockwise direction or in only in a counter-clockwise direction.

5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two rotatable discs have a tension tighten mechanism configured and disposed to adjust the ease of spinning of the rotatable discs.

6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the tension tighten mechanism has a fastener extending through a central vertical axis of the rotatable disc, the fastener being configured to tighten the rotatable disc to the shoe sole and increase a resistance to rotation of the rotatable disc.

7. The shoe of claim 1 having at least two of the rotatable discs disposed on the forefoot or toe portion of the shoe sole.

8. The shoe of claim 1 having at least three of the rotatable discs disposed on the shoe sole.

9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the rotatable discs has a base configured and disposed to hold the rotatable disc to the shoe sole.

10. The shoe of claim 4, wherein each of the rotatable discs has a base configured and disposed to hold the rotatable disc to the shoe sole, the base and the rotatable have mating surfaces configured to stop a rotation of the disc in the clockwise or in the counter clockwise direction.

11. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the rotatable discs has treads or cleats disposed to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

12. The shoe of claim 1 comprising a pair of shoes with a right shoe and a left shoe, both shoes having the at least two rotatable discs disposed on its shoe sole.

13. The shoe of claim 8 having at least two of the rotatable discs disposed on the forefoot or toe portion of the shoe sole and at least one of the rotatable discs disposed on the heel portion of the shoe sole.

14. A rotatable disc configured to be attached to a shoe sole comprising: a base configured to attach and hold a rotatable portion of the rotatable disc to the shoe sole;the base and the rotatable portion having mating surfaces configured and disposed to provide for a desired rotation of the rotatable portion on the base;a fastener extending through a central vertical axis of the rotatable disc, rotatably fastening the rotatable portion to the base;the fastener being configured to tighten the rotatable disc to the shoe sole and increase a resistance to rotation of the rotatable portion.

15. The rotatable disc of claim 14 configured to spin 360° about its central axis.

16. The rotatable disc of claim 14 configured to spin in a clockwise and in a counter clockwise direction.

17. The rotatable disc of claim 14 configured to spin in only a clockwise direction or in only in a counter-clockwise direction.

18. The rotatable disc of claim 14 having treads or cleats disposed on the rotatable portion and configured to cooperate with the ground surface, or the other surface, at the selected instances of the physical activity.

19. The rotatable disc of claim 14, wherein the rotatable portion is configured to be removed from the base.

20. The rotatable disc of claim 14, wherein the base is configured to be removed from the shoe sole.