SHOE X

Abstract

An article of footwear and method of using the article of footwear is disclosed so a person can temporarily affix a resistance band, exercise tube or other elastic cord (hereinafter, “band”) to the bottom of their article of footwear through retaining channels and use the band in their exercise routine. The channel design is such that the band can be easily inserted, positioned for the exercise routine, and removed while at the same time be secure enough such that while the band is inserted, it does not come off the article of footwear during exercise.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to exercise apparel, and more particularly, to a shoe and shoe sole that will receive one or multiple band(s) such that someone performing exercises with the bands will be able to exercise more effectively and safely.

2. Description of the Related Art

Elastic bands have been shown to be an effective means of resistance training. These bands are frequently incorporated into the exercise routine by the individual stepping on the band (to anchor it or provided a fixed point for the band) and then pulling against the band in various ranges of motion. If the individual's foot loses partial contact with the floor for any reason then the band, especially when the band has increased tension, is at risk of dislodging from under the foot and retracting in a way that could cause damage or injury to the individual or those around them. Active individuals need to be able to use bands with reduced risk of injury, and the present invention satisfies that need.

Numerous shoes and tread patterns exist that allow a band to be received into the grooved pattern, but all of these existing patterns are at an obtuse angle where it is wider at the bottom and narrows towards the top as can be depicted by an inverted “V,” or A, and do not hold a band in place or prevent it from falling out by gravity alone or other minimal force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide shoes an individual can use in their daily activities but primarily the tread of said shoe will serve as a safety, retaining channel/groove when exercising with bands with the feet in a static, fixed position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe tread design that will serve as a safety, retaining channel when exercising with bands with the feet in a dynamic range of motion and not fixed to the ground or solid surface.

The shoe tread or base pattern differs from what exists in the marketplace today in both purpose and function as well as in form and design in that the grooved pattern comprises one or more arcuate or similarly-shaped channels of the same or varying size. The present invention will allow users to exercise with the resistance band in the channels without worrying about the band falling out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TILE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral side elevation view of an article of footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a lateral side view of a user wearing an article of footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present invention using a resistance band.

FIG. 3 is a medial view of the underside of the invention in use with resistance bands inserted in the channels.

FIG. 4 is a medial side elevation view of an article of footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present invention using three resistance bands of different sizes.

FIG. 5 is a closer medial side elevation view of an article of footwear having a shoe tread in accordance with the present invention showing channels of different sizes.

FIG. 6 is a top oblique view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having two channels and showing the sole structure separate from an article of footwear showing a band within one channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a shoe sole 10 having the features of the present invention. The shoe sole 10 comprises at least one channel 1. The shoe sole 10 may be made from any suitably strong, yet flexible, material such as natural or synthetic rubber or a polymer foam material. Additionally, the channels 1 may be made of the same material as the rest of the shoe sole 10, or the channels 1 may be constructed of a different, stronger material than the rest of the shoe sole 10.

Each channel 1 is tube shaped having an interior surface 2, channel opening 3, and two side openings 17, 18. The channel 1 runs perpendicular to the length of the shoe sole 10, extending longitudinally between a medial side opening 17 (shown in FIG. 2 on user's left shoe) and a lateral side opening 18 (shown in FIG. 2 on user's right shoe). In the preferred embodiment, the resistance band 20 exits the channel 1 through both the medial side opening 17 and lateral side opening 18. The channel opening 3 is narrower than the inner diameter 5 of the channel 1 and opens to the bottom surface 6. When the shoe sole 10 is placed on the ground and viewed from the side, the channel surface 2, along with the bottom surface 6, form a flange 4. This combination, as viewed from the side resembles the Greek capital letter “Omega,” depicted by the symbol Ω.

Other structures of channels 1 can be utilized so long as flanges 4 are formed on the shoe sole 10. The purpose of the tubular channel 1 with flange 4 is to secure the band 20 within the channel 1 and not allow the band 20 to fall out as the user moves his or her feet off the ground. The tubular channel 1 allows the band 20 to move laterally within the channel 1 to allow the user to position the band 20 according to where the band 20 is optimally positioned for the user's desired exercise.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment the channels 1 are located approximately in the center of the shoe sole 10 and are oriented perpendicular to the length of the shoe sole 10. Placement in this location generally corresponds to the narrowest portion of the shoe sole 10 so that traction is not substantially interfered with in the broader portions of the shoe sole 10. Other locations of the channel 1 are contemplated, such as near the toe or the heel of the shoe sole 10, but the placement of the channels 1 is not limited to such locations. The channel 1 is not required to have parallel edges so long as the flanges 4 keeping the band 20 secured in the channel 1 are located on the bottom surface 6 of the shoe sole 10.

As the band 20 is used, the elongated band 20 has a smaller circumference than a band 20 at rest. This elongation allows the band 20 to more easily pass through the channel opening 3, past the flange 4 and into the retaining channel 1, at which time it will be free to expand. The size and shape of the arcuate or similarly shaped channel 1 allows retention of the band whether at rest or when elongated during the range of motion of both the band 20 and the user's foot. Alternatively, a user may push the band 20 into the channel 1 due to the pliability of the band 20.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the medial side 7 of the shoe and the lateral side 8 of the shoe are both correlative to the medial and lateral sides of the user's respective feet. In this view, there are three resistance bands 20 used simultaneously.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the channels 1 are differently sized to accommodate bands 20 of different thicknesses. For example, if there are three channels 1 in the shoe sole 10, there would be one “small” channel 1, one “medium” channel 1, and one “large” channel 1. Any conceivable combination of channel 1 sizes for any number of channels 1 may be used in the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a band 20 is shown inserted into a channel 1 of a shoe sole 10. The band 20 is depicted within the channel 1 by dashed lines. As shown in the preferred embodiment, the channel 1 is a cylindrical tube with parallel edges. This allows a user the maximum number of band 20 positions available for the various range-of-motion movements and exercises possible. The adjacent, unoccupied channel 1 is also parallel to the channel 1 occupied by a band 20 so that when occupied, the combined resistance of the bands 20 is cumulative of both bands 20, rather than having one band 20 not be used to its maximum resistance. Additionally, the top surface 9 of the shoe sole 10 can be seen. Top surface 9 is affixed to the shoe's upper (not shown).

The present invention is described above in terms of a preferred illustrative embodiment of a specifically-described shoe tread. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such an apparatus can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sole for exercising with at least one resistance band, the sole comprising: at least one channel extending substantially horizontally through the sole, said at least one channel providing an at least one channel opening for removably receiving said at least one resistance band; andat least one flange extending to define said at least one channel opening, wherein said at least one flange is positioned between a bottom sole surface and said at least one channel surface to substantially retain said at least one resistance band within said channel.

2. The sole of claim 1 wherein: said at least one channel has an inner diameter greater than said at least one channel opening; andsaid inner diameter is sized to retain said at least one resistance band within said channel.

3. The sole of claim 2 wherein said inner diameter of said at least one channel is differently sized from another said at least one channel.

4. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one flange is substantially pliable to allow inserting of said at least one resistance band within said channel.

5. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel is positioned substantially near the center of the sole.

6. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel surface is substantially cylindrical.

7. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel extends between a medial side opening and a lateral side opening.

8. The sole of claim 1 wherein said at least one resistance band can move laterally within said at least one channel.

9. An article of footwear for exercising with at least one resistance band, the article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure comprising: at least one channel extending substantially horizontally through said sole, said at least one channel providing an at least one channel opening for removably receiving said at least one resistance band;at least one flange extending to define said at least one channel opening, wherein said at least one flange is positioned between said bottom surface and said at least one channel surface to substantially retain said at least one resistance band within said channel; anda top sole surface opposing a bottom sole surface, said top sole surface affixed to an upper of said article of footwear.

10. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein: said at least one channel has an inner diameter greater than said at least one channel opening; andsaid inner diameter is sized to retain said at least one resistance band within said channel.

11. The article of footwear of claim 8 wherein: said inner diameter of said at least one channel is differently sized from another said at least one channel.

12. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one flange is substantially pliable to allow inserting of said at least one resistance band within said channel.

13. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one channel surface is substantially cylindrical.

14. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one channel extends between a medial side opening and a lateral side opening.

15. The article of footwear of claim 7 wherein said at least one resistance band can move laterally within said at least one channel.

16. A method of using at least one resistance band with an article of footwear having a sole structure comprising at least one channel with at least one channel opening, the method comprising steps of: positioning said at least one resistance band directly below said at least one channel opening;forcing said at least one resistance band through said at least one channel opening past an at least one flange until said at least one flange deforms to retain said at least one resistance band within said at least one channel, with said at least one resistance band exiting a medial side opening and a lateral side opening, and then returns to a resting position of said at least one flange;moving said at least one resistance band laterally to position said at least one resistance band in a proper position for an exercise;repeating each of the above steps again if there is another at least one resistance band needing insertion into at least one channel;completing said exercise;forcing said at least one resistance band out of said at least one channel through said at least one channel opening past an at least one flange until said at least one resistance band is completely removed out of said at least one channel; andrepeating the above step until each of the at least one channels is devoid of all at least one resistance bands.