Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Occupational or athletic shoe
Patent
1998-10-16
2000-01-04
Dayoan, B.
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Occupational or athletic shoe
36 31, 36107, A43B 500, A43B 1314, A43B 2300
Patent
active
060096411
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to cycling shoes, in particular to cycling shoes, which allow an axial rotation between the heel portion and the forefoot portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cycling shoes having an upper mounted on a bottom plate are well-known. The bottom plate is provided to permit rigid attachment of the shoe to lugs on the pedal, and to provide the shoe with the required vertical and lateral stiffness for efficient riding. In particular, during the rotation of the pedals, the rider transmits numerous forces to the pedals through the shoes. Readily apparent are the vertical forces which drive the pedals. Less apparent are lateral and torsional forces which result from the natural motion of alternately driving the right pedal and then the left pedal downwardly. In so doing, the rider's upper leg is repeatedly forced out of plane (in a vertical direction) relative to each pedal, and therefore relative to the foot, which is rididly attached to the pedal. The vertical misalignment between the rider's upper leg and the pedal is largely absorbed by the knee. The bending moment applied to the knee as a result of the rider's out of plane motion tires and wears on the knee.
While different cycling shoe designs are known, the prior art includes no shoe which effectively relieves the bending moment on the knee, while still providing the rigidity and strength required by the rider.
A need therefore remains for a cycling shoe which is strong and rigid in the lateral and vertical directions, and which at the same time provides the rider a measure of torsional flexibility to relieve the bending moment on the rider's knees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in a cycling shoe having an upper supported in an external frame. The upper may include one or more encircling straps which can be adjusted to accommodate the rider's preferences. The frame includes a forefoot portion, a heel portion, an elongate bottom member connecting the forefoot and heel portions, a medial side member and a lateral side member. The bottom of the frame includes openings into which sole elements are inserted. The bottom plate is also torsionally flexible so that the heel can axially rotate relative to the forefoot responsive to vertical out of plane movement of a cyclist's leg. The medial and lateral side members accommodate the axial rotation, and at the same time provide vertical and lateral support for the frame and the rider's foot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawing shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In detail:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cycling shoe according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of only the frame of the cycling shoe shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan of the frame shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.
Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cycling shoe 10 according to the present invention includes an upper 12 which may be formed from any suitable natural or polymeric woven materials. Straps 16a-c are provided, which encircle upper 12 to secure the shoe onto the rider's foot, and may include an adjustable buckle 18 or other means such as hook and loop fastening material to provide adjustment of the strap according to the rider's preference. Upper 12 is preferably made to be as light as possible, and as a result, is very flexible. Owing to its flexibility, upper 12 provides very little support for a rider's foot.
Upper 12 is therefore supported within frame 26 which includes a bottom plate 28, a heel portion 30, a forefoot portion 31, a lateral member 32 and a medial member 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4).
Frame 26 is preferably made of a polymeric material to achieve the desired combination of low weight and high strength.
Abrasion resistant sole elements 36, 38 and 40 are inserted into corresponding openings in bottom plate 28, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Holes
REFERENCES:
patent: 4922631 (1990-05-01), Anderie 36 76 R
Adidas International B.V.
Dayoan B.
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