Patent ID: 8776402
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An athletic shoe to be worn on a foot of an athlete during an athletic activity, the athletic shoe comprising: a shoe bottom defining a sole of the athletic shoe having a bottom surface for contacting the ground; an upper foot support secured to the shoe bottom and extending above the shoe bottom; a shoe brace connected to the athletic shoe along a heel region, a top portion of shoe brace contacting the upper foot support and an angled portion of the shoe brace extending away from the athletic shoe so that a lower surface of the shoe brace is positioned external to the athletic shoe such that the lower surface is spaced apart from the shoe bottom and positioned a distance above the ground when the bottom surface of the athletic shoe contacts the ground evenly; and an anti-slip material positioned along the lower surface of the shoe brace, the anti-slip material preventing the shoe brace from sliding or skidding while the athlete is regaining his or her balance, wherein the shoe brace is essentially rigid to provide lateral support to the athlete when the bottom surface of the shoe bottom contacts the ground unevenly such that the lower surface of the shoe brace contacts the ground, the shoe brace thereby providing the athlete time to regain his or her balance, thereby minimizing any ankle spraining, rolling, or turning.