Sporting system

Abstract

A sporting system is described, having a sport board that can be attached to a shoe construction using Velcro®.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a sporting system, according to one embodiment of the invention, including a board construction and a wake-skating sheet construction;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sporting system of FIG. 1 in a different configuration, including the board construction, an intermediate sheet construction, and a shoe construction;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating hook-type Velcro® forming part of the sporting system of FIGS. 1 and 2 in enlarged detail;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the sporting system in the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the sporting system in the configuration of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating hook backing material with attachment members thereon, components of a sole portion, and an inner sole of the shoe construction of the sporting system in the configuration of FIG. 2, illustrating the components thereof in exploded form;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of the components after some of the components are attached to one another;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the components shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a shoe system that includes the shoe construction of FIG. 2, and further illustrates a replaceable sole member;

FIG. 10 is a side view of two hook-type attachment pieces forming part of a kit for converting a conventional wake-board to a sporting system, having a Velcro®-type attachment between board and rider;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the attachment pieces of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a center pad construction and two intermediate sheet constructions forming part of the kit;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the center pad construction and the two intermediate sheet constructions of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a bag that forms part of the kit;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a sporting system that includes a conventional wake-board and components of the kit of FIGS. 10 to 13;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the sporting system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating a strap that can optionally be used in the sporting system of FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a sporting system, according to a further embodiment of the invention, including a surfboard and replaceable traction pads;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of the sporting system of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating a shoe system, according to a further embodiment of the invention, including a shoe construction and replaceable sole constructions for purposes of providing traction on different types of surfaces.

Claims

1. A sporting system, comprising: a board, having upper and lower major surfaces; anda first attachment device in the form of a plurality of attachment members having lower ends attached to the upper major surface of the board, and upper ends that are hook-shaped for purposes of removable attachment to a second attachment device in the form of loop material.

2. The sporting system of claim 1, wherein the board is at least partially made of a buoyant material to keep the board at least partially above water.

3. The sporting system of claim 1, further comprising: a hook backing material, the lower ends of the attachment members being attached to the hook backing material, the hook backing material being attached to the upper major surface of the board.

4. The sporting system of claim 3, further comprising: a first adhesive between the hook backing material and the upper major surface of the board.

5. The sporting system of claim 1, further comprising: an intermediate sheet having upper and lower major sides;a second attachment device in the form of loop material on the lower major surface of the intermediate sheet for removable attachment to the first attachment device;a third attachment device in the form of loop material on the upper major surface of the intermediate sheet;a footpiece to be worn on a foot of a person; anda fourth attachment device in the form of a plurality of attachment members having upper ends attached to a sole portion of the footpiece, and lower ends that are hook-shaped for purposes of removable attachment to the loop material of the second attachment device.

6. The sporting system of claim 5, wherein the intermediate sheet has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of the sole portion of the footpiece.

7. The sporting system of claim 5, wherein the intermediate sheet is a first intermediate sheet and the loop material of the second attachment device is attached to the first intermediate sheet, further comprising a second intermediate sheet, the loop material of the third attachment device being attached to the second intermediate sheet, a lower major surface of the second intermediate sheet being attached to an upper major surface of the first intermediate sheet.

8. The sporting system of claim 5, wherein the footpiece, in addition to the sole portion, includes: a shoe upper that is peripherally attached to the sole portion and defining a foot opening for inserting the foot, and a plurality of eyelets;a tongue attached to the shoe upper; anda lace that is threaded through the eyelets in a zig-zag pattern across the tongue.

9. The sporting system of claim 5, wherein the sole portion has a vertical and a horizontal drain opening to allow for removal of water from within the footpiece.

10. The sporting system of claim 5, further comprising hook backing material, the upper ends of the attachment members of the fourth attachment device being attached to the hook backing material, an upper major surface of the hook backing material being attached to the sole portion of the footpiece.

11. The sporting system of claim 5, further comprising: a sole member, having upper and lower major surfaces; anda fifth attachment device in the form of loop material on the upper major surface of the sole member for purposes of removable attachment to the fourth attachment device, after removal of the fourth attachment device from the second attachment device.

12. The sporting system of claim 11, wherein the lower major surface of the sole member is substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from the footpiece under gravity.

13. The sporting system of claim 1, further comprising: a wake-skating sheet, having upper and lower major surfaces; anda second attachment device in the form of loop material on a lower major surface of the wake-skating sheet, for removable attachment to the first attachment device.

14. The sporting system of claim 13, wherein the upper major surface of the wake-skating sheet is exposed and substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from a footpiece under gravity.

15. The sporting system of claim 14, further comprising: loop backing material, the loop material of the second attachment device being secured to the loop backing material, an upper major surface of the loop backing material being attached to a lower major surface of the wake-skating sheet.

16. A sporting system, comprising: a board, having upper and lower major surfaces;a first attachment device attached to the upper major surface of the board;a footpiece to be worn on a foot of a person;a second attachment device on the footpiece for removable attachment to the first attachment device;a wake-skating sheet of material having upper and lower major surfaces; anda third attachment device on the lower major surface of the wake-skating sheet for removable attachment to the first attachment device after detachment of the second attachment device from the first attachment device.

17. The sporting system of claim 16, wherein the upper major surface of the wake-skating sheet is exposed and substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from a footpiece under gravity.

18. A sporting system, comprising: a board, having upper and lower major surfaces;a first attachment device attached to the upper major surface of the board;a footpiece to be worn on a foot of a person;a second attachment device on a sole portion of the footpiece, for removable attachment to the first attachment device, wherein the first attachment device has a surface area that is larger than the surface area of the sole portion of the footpiece.

19. A sporting conversion kit, comprising: a first attachment device, permanently attachable to an upper major surface of a board;an intermediate sheet, having upper and lower major surfaces;a second attachment device on the lower major surface of the intermediate sheet for removable attachment to the first attachment device;a third attachment device on the upper major surface of the intermediate sheet for removable attachment to a fourth attachment device on a footpiece worn on a foot of a person; anda container holding the first attachment device and the intermediate sheet with the second and third attachments devices therein.

20. The sporting conversion kit of claim 19, further comprising: a hook backing sheet, the first attachment device being a plurality of attachment members, each having a lower end attached to the hook backing sheet, and an upper end that is hook-shaped, the second attachment device being loop material.

21. The sporting conversion kit of claim 19, wherein the third attachment device is loop material.

22. The sporting conversion kit of claim 20, further comprising: an adhesive on a lower major surface of the hook backing sheet; anda cover sheet adhering to the adhesive and being removable from the adhesive to allow for attachment of the adhesive to a board.

23. A sporting system, comprising: a board, having upper and lower major surfaces;a first attachment device attached to the upper major surface of the board;first and second outside intermediate sheets, each having upper and lower major sides;a second attachment device on the lower major surface of each outer intermediate sheet for removable attachment to the first attachment device;a third attachment device on the upper major surface of each outer intermediate sheet for removable attachment to a fourth attachment device on a respective footpiece worn on a foot of a person;an inner attachment sheet, having upper and lower major sides; anda fourth attachment device, which is the same as the second attachment device, on the lower side major surface of the inner intermediate sheet for removable attachment to the first attachment device, so that the inner intermediate sheet is located between the first and second outside intermediate sheets, and the upper major surface of the inner intermediate sheet is exposed and substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from a footpiece under gravity.

24. The sporting system of claim 23, further comprising: a hook backing material, the lower ends of the attachment members being attached to the hook backing material, the hook backing material being attached to the upper major surface of the board.

25. The sporting system of claim 24, further comprising: a first adhesive between the hook backing material and the upper major surface of the board.

26. The sporting system of claim 23, wherein the second attachment device is loop material, and the third attachment device is loop material.

27. The sporting system of claim 23, further comprising: a footpiece to be worn on a foot of a person; anda fifth attachment device attached to a sole portion of the footpiece for purposes of removable attachment to the third attachment device.

28. The sporting system of claim 27, wherein the intermediate sheet has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of the sole portion of the footpiece.

29. The sporting system of claim 27, wherein the footpiece, in addition to the sole portion, includes: a shoe upper that is peripherally attached to the sole portion and defining a foot opening for inserting the foot, and a plurality of eyelets;a tongue attached to the shoe upper; anda lace that is threaded through the eyelets in a zig-zag pattern across the tongue.

30. The sporting system of claim 27, wherein the sole portion has a vertical and a horizontal drain opening to allow for removal of water from within the footpiece.

31. The sporting system of claim 27, further comprising hook backing material, the upper ends of the attachment members of the fourth attachment device being attached to the hook backing material, an upper major surface of the hook backing material being attached to the sole portion of the footpiece.

32. The sporting system of claim 31, further comprising: a sole member, having upper and lower major surfaces; anda fifth attachment device in the form of loop material on the upper major surface of the sole member for purposes of removable attachment to the fourth attachment device, after removal of the fourth attachment device from the second attachment device.

33. The sporting system of claim 32, wherein the lower major surface of the sole member is substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from the footpiece under gravity.

34. A sporting system, comprising: a board, having upper and lower major surfaces, and having threaded openings into the upper major surface;a first attachment device attached to the upper major surface of the board, the first attachment device leaving the threaded openings exposed;an intermediate sheet, having upper and lower major surfaces;a second attachment device on the lower major surface of the intermediate sheet for removable attachment to the first attachment device; anda third attachment device on the upper major surface of the intermediate sheet for removable attachment to a fourth attachment device on a footpiece worn on a foot of a person.

35. The sporting system of claim 34, wherein the intermediate sheet has at least one hole therein, that leaves at least one of the threaded openings exposed.

36. The sporting system of claim 34, further comprising: a hook backing material, the lower ends of the attachment members being attached to the hook backing material, the hook backing material being attached to the upper major surface of the board.

37. The sporting system of claim 36, further comprising: a first adhesive between the hook backing material and the upper major surface of the board.

38. The sporting system of claim 34, wherein the second attachment device is loop material, and the third attachment device is loop material.

39. The sporting system of claim 34, further comprising: a footpiece to be worn on a foot of a person; anda fifth attachment device attached to a sole portion of the footpiece for purposes of removable attachment to the third attachment device.

40. The sporting system of claim 39, wherein the intermediate sheet has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of the sole portion of the footpiece.

41. The sporting system of claim 39, wherein the footpiece, in addition to the sole portion, includes: a shoe upper that is peripherally attached to the sole portion and defining a foot opening for inserting the foot, and a plurality of eyelets;a tongue attached to the shoe upper; anda lace that is threaded through the eyelets in a zig-zag pattern across the tongue.

42. The sporting system of claim 39, wherein the sole portion has a vertical and a horizontal drain opening to allow for removal of water from within the footpiece.

43. The sporting system of claim 39, further comprising hook backing material, the upper ends of the attachment members of the fourth attachment device being attached to the hook backing material, an upper major surface of the hook backing material being attached to the sole portion of the footpiece.

44. The sporting system of claim 43, further comprising: a sole member, having upper and lower major surfaces; anda fifth attachment device in the form of loop material on the upper major surface of the sole member for purposes of removable attachment to the fourth attachment device, after removal of the fourth attachment device from the second attachment device.

45. The sporting system of claim 44, wherein the lower major surface of the sole member is substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from the footpiece under gravity.

46. A sporting system, comprising: a board, having upper and lower major surfaces;a first attachment device attached to the upper major surface of the board;at least a first upper traction pad having upper and lower major surfaces; anda second attachment device on the lower major surface of the upper traction pad, for removable attachment to the first attachment device, the upper major surface of the first upper traction pad being exposed and substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from a shoe under gravity.

47. The sporting system of claim 46, wherein the upper major surface of the first upper traction pad is a non-slip surface.

48. The sporting system of claim 46, further comprising: at least a second upper traction pad, having upper and lower major surfaces;a third attachment device on the lower major surface of the upper traction pad for removable attachment to the first attachment device, the upper major surface of the second upper traction pad being exposed and substantially free of attachment devices that will prevent the board from separating from a shoe under gravity.

49. The sporting system of claim 48, wherein the upper major surfaces of the first and second upper traction pads have different profiles.

50. The sporting system of claim 49, wherein the first and second upper traction pads are simultaneously attached to the first attachment device at different locations on the upper major surface of the board.

51. The sporting system of claim 46, wherein the board is at least partially made of a buoyant material to keep the board at least partially above water.

52. The sporting system of claim 46, further comprising: a hook backing material, the first attachment device being a plurality of attachment members, each having a lower end attached to the hook backing material, and an upper end that is hook-shaped, the second attachment device being loop material.

53. The sporting system of claim 52, further comprising: a first adhesive between the hook backing material and the upper major surface of the board.

54. A shoe system, comprising: a footpiece worn on a foot of a person;a first attachment device on the footpiece;a first sole member, having upper and lower major surfaces;a second attachment device on the first sole member, for removable attachment to the first attachment device;a second sole member, having upper and lower major surfaces; anda third attachment device on the second sole member, for removable attachment to the first attachment device, the lower major surface of the first sole member providing better traction on a first select surface than the lower major surface of the second sole member.

55. The shoe system of claim 54, wherein the lower major surface of the second sole member provides better traction on a second select surface than the first sole member.

56. The shoe system of claim 54, wherein the lower major surface of the first sole member includes a plurality of protrusions, and the lower major surface of the second sole member does not include a plurality of protrusions.

57. The shoe system of claim 54, wherein the footpiece includes: a sole portion;a shoe upper that is peripherally attached to the sole portion and defining a foot opening for inserting the foot, and a plurality of eyelets;a tongue attached to the shoe upper; anda lace that is threaded through the eyelets in a zig-zag pattern across the tongue.

58. The shoe system of claim 54, wherein at least one of the first attachment device, the second attachment device, and the third attachment device includes a loop material, and one of the first attachment device, the second attachment device, and the third attachment device includes hook material.

59. A shoe system, comprising: a footpiece worn on a foot of a person;a first attachment device on the footpiece;a sole member, including a lower portion having upper and lower major surfaces and a sole portion extending upwardly from the lower portion, past at least a portion of the footpiece; anda second attachment device on the first sole member, for removable attachment to the first attachment device.

60. The shoe system of claim 59, wherein the footpiece includes: a sole portion;a shoe upper that is peripherally attached to the sole portion and defining a foot opening for inserting the foot, and a plurality of eyelets;a tongue attached to the shoe upper; anda lace that is threaded through the eyelets in a zig-zag pattern across the tongue.