Patent ID: 7234250
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: A43B,A43C

Abstract:
1. A convertible shoe for enhancing traction comprising: a shoe body and a shoe sole, said shoe sole having an inner surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface adapted for engaging a support surface; an air channel formed in said shoe sole and a designated pocket underlying said air channel and defining a flexible wall portion between said air channel and said pocket, and a protrusion coupled to and extended from said flexible wall portion and residing in said pocket; an air source connection to said air channel for introducing and releasing pressurized air to and from said channel, said flexible wall portion responsive to said pressurized air to extend the flexible wall portion into said pocket and to thereby extend said protrusion out of said pocket and into engagement with said support surface, and wherein upon removal of said air, resiliency of the flexible wall portion urges retraction of said protrusion.