Boots – shoes – and leggings – Antislipping devices – Detachable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-05
2001-02-06
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Antislipping devices
Detachable
C036S065000, C036S06700D, C036S05900D, C036S127000, C036S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182379
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to athletic shoes, and more particularly relates to traction devices for athletic shoes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Athletic shoes currently employ a number of different soles to provide various degrees of traction depending upon the surface being used. With outdoor activities, for example golf, a plurality of spikes have traditionally been provided on the base or sole of the shoe to allow for the shoe to puncture the surface of the ground and thereby provide traction in the relatively soft turf. The spikes have typically been manufactured from metal which serve well to provide the traction, but do become worn especially when used to traverse harder surfaces such as pavement and sidewalks which thereby requires the user to change the spikes periodically. As a result, the spikes are often threadably attached to the sole of the shoe.
One recent development in the golfing community has been the banning of such elongated metal spikes on many courses. It has been found that the metal spikes damage the turf of the course to a degree which is unsatisfactory to the proprietors of such golf courses. As a result, many courses now require that a smaller depth spike, typically manufactured from plastic or rubber, be used on the sole of the shoe. Rather than provide a single elongated metal spike, the newer plastic or rubberized traction devices typically include a number of different protrusions each of which is shorter in length than the typical elongated metal spike. While the shorter depth of such a plastic or rubberized traction device does alleviate many of the turf damage problems associated with elongated metal spikes, many players still wish to use the elongated metal spike. This is especially true with courses which are especially wet or which have terrain wherein the elongated metal spikes would be most advantageous.
In addition, while many courses have banned the use of such elongated metal spikes, many courses still allow their usage and since it is a preference of many players to still use the elongated metal spikes, both traction devices continue to be used today. The fact that two different types of traction devices are currently allowable on many courses has placed additional burdens on the players. For example, many players maintain two separate pairs of shoes, depending on the course being played. Alternatively, the process of changing one type of traction device for another results in a relatively time-consuming and frustrating process. It would therefore be advantageous if an athletic shoe were to be provided which would allow various types and depths of traction devices to be used and to be interchanged efficiently and quickly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary aim of the present invention to provide an adjustable depth traction device for an athletic shoe which allows the traction device to alter its depth of penetration easily and efficiently.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable depth traction device for an athletic shoe which can provide an elongated spike for use in soft terrains, and a shorter depth traction device for harder terrains and courses wherein elongated spikes are not allowed.
It is another object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide an adjustable depth traction device for an athletic shoe and means for preventing entry of debris into the traction device when the shorter depth spike is being employed.
It is a still further object to provide an adjustable depth traction device with interchangeable components.
In accordance with these aims and objectives, it is a feature of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a traction device for an athletic shoe comprised of a base adapted to be attached to the sole of an athletic shoe. The base has a plurality of protrusions therefrom which can serve to provide traction for the shoe when an elongated spike portion is not being used. However, the elongated spike portion is provided so that it can be attached to the base portion when additional traction is required and allowed.
It is another feature of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a two-piece traction device wherein the base portion and spike or insert can be manufactured from metal or plastic.
It is a still further feature of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a biasing means within the base portion with a cap attached to the biasing means such that when the metal insert is attached to the base, the biasing means is compressed, and when the metal insert is removed, the biasing means forces the cap outward and thereby substantially prevents intrusion of any debris into the base portion.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is a feature to provide an adjustable traction device for an athletic shoe comprising a base portion and an insert removably attached to the base. The base portion includes protrusions therefrom and is attached to the sole of an athletic shoe. The insert has a length substantially greater than the length of the base protrusions.
In another embodiment of the present invention it is a feature to provide an athletic shoe comprising a sole, a plurality of spike bases attached to the sole, and a plurality of spike inserts removably attached to the plurality of spike bases. The spike bases each have extensions of a first length, while the spike inserts have a second length greater than the first length.
These and other aims, objectives and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1827514 (1931-01-01), Golden
patent: 2292238 (1942-08-01), Pierce et al.
patent: 2506801 (1950-05-01), MacNeil
patent: 3328901 (1967-07-01), Strickland
patent: 3623244 (1971-11-01), Williams
patent: 4299038 (1981-11-01), Epple
patent: 4783913 (1988-11-01), Aoyama
patent: 5029405 (1991-07-01), DeHaitre
patent: 5284386 (1994-02-01), Rubel
patent: 5293701 (1994-03-01), Sullivan
patent: 5709042 (1998-01-01), Houdroge
patent: 5836090 (1998-11-01), Smith
patent: 5906059 (1999-05-01), Singer et al.
patent: 1589 (1910-01-01), None
patent: 1263960 (1972-02-01), None
patent: 91/03179 (1991-03-01), None
Leydig , Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Sewell Paul T.
Stashick Anthony
LandOfFree
Adjustable depth traction device for an athletic shoe does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Adjustable depth traction device for an athletic shoe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustable depth traction device for an athletic shoe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2606746