The present invention relates generally to sports equipment, more specifically but not by way of limitation a sports shoe worn for sports such as but not limited to bowling, wherein the shoe includes a first portion and a second portion both having a sole and wherein the second portion is operable to protect the sole of the first portion.
Millions of individuals regularly participate in sports both indoors and outdoors. There are numerous indoor sports and one of the most popular indoor sports is bowling. The bowling industry in the United States is approximately a six billion dollar per year industry. Bowling centers across the United States have implemented new technology and broadened their customer focus over the last several year, which has resulted in bowling being the number one sport in the United States based on participation rate. Over 70 million people per year in the United States played at least one game in the last twelve months. From that group, millions regularly participate in leagues and other similar organizations that engage in frequent play. Currently there are almost 5,000 bowling centers across the country having a combined 100,000 lanes for bowling.
While bowling is easy to begin and appeals to a broad demographic, there is some equipment that is used by the players. Apart from the bowling ball, players must wear specialized shoes having soles that are designed to accommodate the correct bowling throw. Bowling lanes are manufactured from a hardwood and during the bowling throw, a player will typically approach the head of the lane and release the bowling ball. During the release of the bowling ball it is typical that the player will slide at least partially with one of their feet. The sole of the bowling shoe is manufactured from a material that is designed to produce the desired effect and provide sufficient traction for the player during the throwing process.
One problem with existing bowling shoes is that they do not include any means to protect the specialized sole of the shoe. Players often engage in bowling for many hours. During the course of play most players will take a break and walk around the bowling center either to a restaurant or a bathroom. Currently most players remove their shoe when they venture to other areas of the bowling center as materials such as but not limited to liquids, waste and/or other debris have a negative impact on the bowling shoe's sole performance. The removal of the shoes and then donning them upon return is a significant inconvenience for the players and many choose not to do so. This often results in the compromising of the performance of the sole of the bowling shoe upon their return.
Accordingly, there is a need for a bowling shoe that includes a second portion that is releasably secured to the first portion of the bowling shoe that is operable to protect the sole of the bowling shoe and the performance thereof.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion that is operable to receive a foot therein wherein the first portion has a sole and an upper and further includes a second portion that is operable to be releasably secured to the first portion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion further includes a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is superposed the upper surface of the second portion.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge and wherein the first side edge and the second side edge are substantially straight.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is configured to receive a foot therein and the second portion further includes a first strap and a second strap operable to surroundably mount a section of the first portion.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion and a second portion wherein the upper surface of the second portion is manufactured from a material that promotes a slidable engagement with the sole of the first portion.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion is lightweight and includes a sole that is relatively thin in construction.
Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide a bowling shoe having a first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion is operable to protect the sole of the first portion wherein at least one of the first strap and/or second strap includes a pocket.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a bowling shoe 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
As particularly shown in
Referring in particular to
The upper surface 57 of the sole 50 is manufactured from a durable material that has a reduced coefficient of friction with the sole 12 of the first portion 10. As a user engages and disengages the first portion 10 with the second portion 20 as needed, the upper surface 57 facilitates the slidable connection therebetween. This slidable connection between the upper surface 57 and the sole 12 allows a user to easily position the first portion 10 in the desired position in relation to the second portion 20 during releasable securing of the first portion 10 and the second portion 20. Additionally, the slidable properties of the upper surface 57 further facilitate the easier removal of the first portion 10 from the second portion 20. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the upper surface 57 could be manufactured from numerous different materials having a reduced coefficient of friction being operable to perform the desired functionality as described herein. The sole 50 further includes a first lateral edge 60 and a second lateral edge 70. The first lateral edge 60 and second lateral edge extend the length of the sole 50 intermediate the first end 51 and second end 52. The first lateral edge 60 and second lateral edge 70 are straight and substantially parallel. The design of the first lateral edge 60 and second lateral edge 70 are essential so as to accommodate a first portion 10 that is designed for either a left footed or a right footed style first portion 10.
The second portion 20 further includes the first flap 30 and the second flap 40. The first flap 30 includes end 31 that is secured to the sole 50 utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to stitching or chemical adhesion. The second end 32 of the first flap 30 is generally rounded in shape and is further tapered in width. Secured to the sole 50 opposite of the first flap 30 is the second flap 40. The second flap 40 includes a first end 41 that is secured to the sole 50 similarly to the first flap 30. The first slap 30 and second flap 40 are flexible and operable to overlap as shown in the drawings herein. While not particularly illustrated herein it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first flap 30 and the second flap 40 are releasably secured to each other superposed to the first portion 10 utilizing a conventional fastening material such as but not limited to hook and loop fastening material. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous types of materials and/or fasteners could be utilized to releasably secure the first flap 30 to the second flap 40.
As illustrated in particular in
Referring to the drawings herein, a description of the operation of the bowling shoe 100 is as follows. In use, a user will don the first portion 10 of the bowling shoe 100 on their left and right foot. Subsequent to donning the first portion 10, the user will releasably secure the second portion 20 to the first portion 10 wherein the sole 50 of the second portion 20 substantially covers the sole 12 of the first portion 10. During use of the bowling shoe 100 in a game of bowling, the user will remove the second portion 20 from the first portion 10. When a user walks on surfaces other than a conventional bowling lane, the user will secure the second portion 20 to the first portion 10 as described herein so as to provide protection for the sole 12. While a bowling shoe 100 has been described herein having a first portion 10 and a second portion 20, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the second portion 20 could be configured to adapt to a conventional bowling shoe so as to provide protection of the sole.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.