WO2000008962A1

WO2000008962A1 - Shoes

Info

Publication number: WO2000008962A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002436
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul James Smith
Original assignee: Paul James Smith
Priority date: 1998-08-13
Filing date: 1998-08-13
Publication date: 2000-02-24
Also published as: AU8741098A

Abstract

The application describes a multipurpose shoe which is quickly and readily adjustable for field use or for indoor use, without having to attach or detach any sports shoe accessories, or change into a different set of shoes. To do so, the shoe (10) comprises at least one rectractable means for interaction between base of the shoe and the ground. The means for interaction may comprise a spike or a stud, or a set of spikes or studs (16). It ideally extends substantially vertically downwards from a plate or plates (18), said plate(s) being capable of adjustment in their vertical position. This adjustment can thereby expose the means outside of the shoe or retain the means within the shoe. In a preferred embodiment the plate(s) is/are biased so as to retain the means within the shoe. A suitable biasing means may be a spring or a plurality of springs (20). In another preferred embodiment, a user can extend the means for interaction by inflating a collapsible bag or bags (22) positioned above said plate(s) and thereby pushing the plate(s) downwards.

Description

SHOES

This invention relates to shoes. It seeks to provide a shoe which is adjustable for wearing on a variety of indoor or outdoor surfaces.

One of the major inconveniences of many outdoor activities such as football, hockey, rugby, golf and hiking is the need to change into and out of shoes which are specially adapted for the field and which are not suitable for indoor use. Field shoes may have spikes or studs on their underside in order to provide a better grip with the playing field or other surface. However, if worn indoors such as inside the club house, such spikes or studs cause damage to interior flooring and are difficult to walk in, with the potential of causing an accident and harm to the wearer and others.

In the past, certain sports shoes have been manufactured so that spikes and studs may be attached and detached as desired. Such shoes are adapted to receive individual spikes or studs which can be screwed into the sole of the sports shoe. However, to attach or remove these every time a player wants to enter or leave the club house is time consuming, inconvenient and may be a messy procedure if the spikes or studs are wet or dirty from the field. Many people would avoid this inconvenience and change their footwear instead.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose shoe which is quickly and readily adjustable for field use or for indoor use, without having to attach or detach any sports shoe accessories, or change into a different set of shoes. Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a shoe comprising at least one retractable means for interaction between base of the shoe and the ground.

The means for interaction may comprise a spike or a stud, or a set of spikes or studs.

Preferably, the means for interaction extends substantially vertically downwards from a plate or plates, said plate(s) being capable of adjustment in their vertical position. This adjustment can thereby expose the means outside of the shoe or retain the means within the shoe.

In a preferred embodiment the plate(s) is/are biased so as to retain the means within the shoe. A suitable biasing means may be a spring or a plurality of springs.

In yet another preferred embodiment, a user can extend the means for interaction by inflating a collapsible bag or bags positioned above said plate(s) and thereby pushing the plate(s) downwards; for example, each and every means for interaction may extend from an individual plate whose vertical position is adjusted by an individual collapsible bag. The bag(s) is/are preferably inflated and/or collapsed by a means comprising a pump and release valve.

The shoe may comprise a means to drain excess water from its interior. The means preferably comprises at least one outlet situated near shoe base. The outlet is preferably a one-way valve.

In another aspect, the invention provides an accessory for attaching to the base of a shoe, comprising at least one retractable means for interaction between base of the accessory and the ground. The shoe accessory may be attachable to a standard sports shoe or a shoe specially adapted to receive said accessory.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings of illustrative examples of the invention. It will be understood that these drawings by no means limit the scope of the invention:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the base of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of the side elevation of a sports shoe which embodies one aspect of the present invention. A shoe 10 sits on a steel base unit 1 2 comprising a plurality of openings 1 4. Steel spikes or studs 1 6, are attached to a plate 1 8.

In order to retain the spikes or studs within the base unit 1 2, the plate 1 8 is biased upwardly by stainless steel springs 20. In order to expose the spikes or studs 1 6 through the openings 1 4 in the base unit 1 2, a bag 22 is inflated by pressing a control fixture 24 which operates a pump 26. As the bag inflates, the plate 1 8 is pushed downwards, compressing the springs 20 and forcing the spikes or studs below the level of the base of the shoe.

In order to redraw the spikes or studs back into the base unit 12, pressure is applied to the control fixture 24, the bag 22 deflates and the springs uncoil to push the plate 1 8 upwards drawing the spikes or studs with it.

At least one one-way valve 28, may be sited in the base unit, to drain off any water which collects there. A typical arrangement of openings 14 is illustrated in figure 2 which shows a plan view from the underneath of the shoe.

In another embodiment of the invention, an accessory comprising all the features described herein maybe clipped to a standard shoe or a shoe specially adapted to receive the accessory. Any form of standard clip device may be used.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of an embodiment of the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 . A shoe comprising at least one retractable means for interaction between base of the shoe and the ground.

2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for interaction comprises a spike or a stud, or a plurality of spikes or studs.

3. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for interaction extend substantially vertically downwards from a plate or plates, said plate(s) being capable of adjustment in their vertical position.

4. A shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plate(s) is/are biased so as to retain the means within the shoe.

5. A shoe as claimed in claim 4 wherein a suitable biasing means comprises a spring or a plurality of springs.

6. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for interaction may be extended by inflating a collapsible bag or bags, positioned above said plate(s) and thereby pushing the plate(s) downwards.

7. A shoe as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bag(s) is/are inflated and/or collapsed by a means comprising a pump and release valve.

8. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises a means to drain excess water from shoe interior.

9. A shoe according to claim 8 wherein the means to drain excess water from shoe interior comprises at least one outlet situated near shoe base.

10. A shoe according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the means to drain excess water from shoe interior comprises a one-way valve.

1 1 . An accessory for attaching to the base of a shoe, comprising at least one retractable means for interaction between base of the accessory and the ground.

1 2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 1 which is attachable to a standard sports shoe or a shoe specially adapted to receive said accessory.

1 3. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 1 2, wherein the means for interaction comprises a spike or a stud, or a plurality of spikes or studs.

14. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 1 to 1 3, wherein the means for interaction extend substantially vertically downwards from a plate or plates, said plate(s) being capable of adjustment in their vertical position.

1 5. An accessory as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plate(s) is/are biased so as to retain the means within the shoe.

1 6. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 5, wherein a suitable biasing means comprises a spring or a plurality of springs.

1 7. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 1 6, wherein the means for interaction may be extended by inflating a collapsible bag or bags, positioned above said plate(s) and thereby pushing the plate(s) downwards.

1 8. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 7, wherein the bag(s) is/are inflated and/or collapsed by a means comprising a pump and release valve.

1 9. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 18, which comprises a means to drain excess water from shoe interior.

20. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 9, wherein the means to drain excess water from shoe interior comprises at least one outlet situated near shoe base.

21 . An accessory as claimed in claim 1 9 or claim 20 wherein the means to drain excess water from shoe interior comprises a one-way valve.

22. A shoe substantially as described herein and/or illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

23. An accessory substantially as described herein and/or illustrated in figures 1 and 2.