Boots – shoes – and leggings – Antislipping devices – String type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-23
2001-10-02
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Antislipping devices
String type
C036S05900D
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295742
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to footwear and more specifically to the sole of a sandal containing resilient claw-shaped cleats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sandals constitute one of the earliest footwear known to man. Typically, sandals incorporate either a leather or rubberized sole which can be attached to the human foot by straps extending across the Achilles heel, and toes of the user. Early sandals were designed for walking. Sandals however, have been recently developed for more demanding sports-related activities. More force and stress is applied to the sole, during the running, stopping and twisting moves during sports activities such as golf, hiking, climbing, etc.
In order to increase traction, manufacturers of sandals used in sports activities have added lugs, spikes and cleats of both hard materials such as metal and plastic and soft, resilient materials such elastomers. Hard spikes and cleats can be dangerous to the user or to other involved in the sports activity, especially rough, contact sports. Another problem with spikes is that individually they sharply penetrate the turf and can rotate. They cannot be used on hard surfaces such as wood, blacktop or concrete and provide no cushioning on any surface. Some hard cleats prevent rotation but can still have pointed protrusions that can be dangerous.
Softer spikes have recently been introduced that are less punishing to fairways, greens and hard indoor surfaces. However, these spikes do not adequately prevent rotation and allow the sole to slide.
Resilient lugs and cleats for sandals have been adapted from athletic shoes such as basketball and tennis shoes to be used with sandals. The lugs and cleats are primarily designed to grip smooth surfaces such as wood floors or tennis courts. The cleats and lugs are positioned within the perimeter of the sole and usually are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sole. Cleats that are positioned at the perimeter usually face downwardly or outwardly from the portion of the upper adjacent the sole.
List of Prior References
U.S. Pat. No.
Patentee
1,070,951
Elliott
2,932,096
Tavormina
4,335,529
Badalamenti
4,404,759
Dassler
4,546,559
Dassler
4,635,383
Free
4,641,438
Laird, et al.
4,642,917
Ungar
4,741,114
Stubblefield
5,918,385
Sessa
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR REFERENCES
Roof climbing overshoes with triangular spikes slanted outwardly along the periphery are disclosed by Elliot. Tavormina discloses serrated teeth on perimeter edge of the sole and heel portions of an anti-slip ice overshoe. Side mounted conical cleats for sportshoes are illustrated by Badalamenti. Elastic cleats at rim of a jogging shoe have pairs of blades—one pair oriented inwardly—one pair oriented outwardly past the rim are disclosed by Dassler ('759) in jogging shoe. Dassler's ('559) running shoe has an elastic sole with reinforcing ridges and profile projections. A roofing cleat with outwardly and downwardly projecting metal spikes is shown by Free. The running shoe disclosed by Laird et al has prism-shaped lugs on the bottom and sides of the sole. Ungar's athletic shoe has triangular cleats, some of which are disposed at the per-meter of the sole. A shoe having a concave middle sole and an outersole with tread members at and beyond periphery of sole is shown by Stubblefield. An outsole with rectangular inclined lugs arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sole with an undercut permitting the lugs to collapse into the outsole is disclosed by Sessa. Ridges
36
and
52
are disposed at the side perimeter of the sole.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
A sandal sole that provides comfort, resistance and stability is provided by this invention. The sole contains a plurality of claw-shaped lugs mounted on the perimeter of the sole formed of resilient material. The lugs have a downwardly facing base portion continuing to a curved, portion extending past and overhanging the base portion. The curved portion is undercut to form a pointed end. The lugs are mounted on the perimeter of the sole with all the curved portions facing inwardly. The lugs are preferably disposed with their base portions parallel to a tangent to the perimeter.
When the sole is placed on a surface, the pointed ends of the curved portions will first contact and grip the surface. As the lugs compress under the weight of the wearer of the sandal, the curved portions will depress into the open space in front of the base of the lug until the curved portions contact the sole. The compression of the curved portions provides a soft planting of the sole-reducing shock to the limbs and joints of the wearer. The lugs compress slowly providing a spring-like feel during running or walking. As the sole raised, the lugs slowly return to their original position. This allows rotation of the sole as a golfer progresses through his club swing and follow through.
The simultaneous contact of all or most of the claw-like lugs with the surface provides a stable planting which prevents sliding or twisting of the sole. Lugs that face the same direction and/or are not mounted at the perimeter facing a greater degree of sliding and twisting of a sole planted on the surface.
These and other features and attendant advantages of the invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1070951 (1913-08-01), Elliott
patent: 2932096 (1960-04-01), Tavormina
patent: 3005272 (1961-10-01), Shelare et al.
patent: 4335529 (1982-06-01), Badalamenti
patent: 4404759 (1983-09-01), Dassler
patent: 4546559 (1985-10-01), Dassler
patent: 4550510 (1985-11-01), Stubblefield
patent: 4635383 (1987-01-01), Free
patent: 4641438 (1987-02-01), Laird et al.
patent: 4642917 (1987-02-01), Ungar
patent: 4741114 (1988-05-01), Stubblefield
patent: 5918385 (1999-07-01), Sessa
Bite, LLC
Jacobs Marvin E.
Patterson M. D.
LandOfFree
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