Grip enhancer for footwear

A cap for capping an upper surface of a shoe a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer has an outer surface that has a coefficient of friction that is greater than that of the upper surface of the shoe that that the cap caps. The second layer is an adhesive layer. Third layer is a release layer that can be peeled off the adhesive layer to expose it, thereby enabling said adhesive layer to stick to said shoe.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to footwear, and in particular, to accessories to enhance the function of footwear.

BACKGROUND

It is known to enhance the ability of footwear to grip a surface. Doing so promotes safety and also enhances one's ability to change direction rapidly.

For example, many athletic shoes have surfaces that grip the floor. Examples include rubber surfaces on sneakers for gripping hard surfaces and cleats, such as those on soccer shoes, for gripping turf.

In some cases, the ability to grip relies on a removable accessory. For example, in mountaineering, it is customary to wear removable crampons that assist in gripping ice.

Known gripping structures on footwear have in common the idea that there exists a two-dimensional generally planar surface upon which the shoe is intended to maintain a good grip and that the sole of the shoe should be modified in order to promote the ability to grip on this surface.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on the recognition that there exist surfaces other than two-dimensional planar surfaces that are to be gripped and that the sole is not the only portion of the shoe that can grip.

In one aspect, the invention features a cap for covering an upper surface of a shoe. The cap comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer has an outer surface that has a coefficient of friction that is greater than the upper surface of a shoe to be capped by the cap. The second layer is an adhesive layer. The third layer is a release layer that can be peeled off the adhesive layer to expose the adhesive layer, thereby enabling the adhesive layer to stick to the shoe.

In some embodiments, the cap comprises a midline and lobes. In these embodiments, the midline covers laces of the shoe and the lobes fold over to engage sides of the shoe.

In other embodiments, the outer surface of the first layer comprises a fiducial marking to promote alignment of the cap with a feature on the shoe.

In yet other embodiments, there exists a midline, lobes extending laterally from side midline, and hinges between the lobes and the midlines.

Also among the amendments are those that include a second set of layers that are disposed on the first layer. This second set of layers comprising a gripping layer and an adhesive layer, with the adhesive layer being between the first layer and the gripping layer.

Also among the embodiments are those in which the first layer includes neoprene, those in which the first layer includes a thermoplastic urethane, those in which the first layer includes a thermoplastic elastomer, and those in which the first layer includes silicone.

These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a cap10attached to a shoe12. The cap10has a midline14that covers the shoe's laces. Extending laterally from the midline14on either side are lobes16. The lobes16extend far enough so that, when folded over as shown inFIG.1, the lobes16cover the shoe's vamp18and its side20. As is apparent fromFIG.3, the cap10has essentially bilateral symmetry, with minor variations to accommodate the shape of the shoe12.

The cap10is a multilayer structure having flexible first, second, and third layers22,24,26, as shown inFIG.2.

The first layer22is a gripping layer having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the first layer22is made of a material having a first friction coefficient. The shoe itself has a second friction coefficient. The first friction coefficient exceeds the second friction coefficient. The inner surface of the first layer22faces the second layer24. Suitable materials for use as a first layer22include neoprene, silicone, and mixtures thereof, including high-gloss silicone. Other suitable materials include thermoplastic urethane and thermoplastic elastomer.

In some embodiments, the first layer22has a thickness of about 0.038 inches. In other embodiments, the first layer22has a thickness in the range between N*10−2inches and (N+1)*10−2inches where N is an integer between 1 and 5 inclusive.

In some embodiments, the coefficient of friction of the first layer22is 2.0 when dry and 1.4 when wet. In other embodiments, the coefficient of friction of the first layer22is 1.3 when dry and 1.1 when wet. Yet other embodiments include those in which the coefficient of friction, whether wet or dry, is between N and N+1 where N is an integer between 1 and 3 inclusive.

Yet other embodiments include those in which the hardness of the first layer22, as measured by a Shore A durometer, is between 13 and 73. In still other embodiments, the hardness of the first layer22as measured by a Shore A durometer is in one of the ranges defined by a value between N*10 and (N+1)*10 where N is an integer between 1 and 7 inclusive.

The second layer24is an adhesive layer having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the second layer24adheres to the inner surface of the first layer22. The inner surface of the second layer24adheres to the third layer26. This third layer26is a release layer that is peeled off to expose the adhesive on the second layer24so that the cap10can be attached to the shoe12.

Prior to being placed on the shoe10, the player lays out the cap10so that it is flat as shown inFIG.3. The release layer26is then peeled off, thus exposing the adhesive second layer24. The player then places the cap10over the shoe as shown inFIG.3and folds the lobes16into position as shown inFIG.1. In some embodiments, a fiducial marking imprinted on the first layer22promotes the player's ability to align the cap10with the laces. In some embodiments, hinges17promote the ability to fold the lobes16into position. In other embodiments, the cap10covers the laces.

Once the cap10has been correctly positioned, the player proceeds to enjoy the higher coefficient of friction associated with the first layer22. The grip provided by this additional friction promotes easier ball handling and promotes exploitation of the Magnus effect.

As time goes on, the player will soon discover a decline in ball-handling ability as a result of wear on the first layer22. When this happens, the player has the option of replacing the cap10with a fresh cap.

An alternative embodiment, shown inFIG.4, permits the user to peel off the used layer to reveal a fresh new layer of the same type. The illustrated embodiments includes layers in series.

A first first-layer22is in series with a second set of layers. In particular, the cap10shown inFIG.4has a first second-layer24in series with a second first-layer30and a second second-layer32.

In this embodiment, the player relies on the first first-layer22until it has become worn. At this point, the player simply peels off the first first-layer22and the first second-layer24so as to expose the second first layer30. This series connection of layers can continue, with the constraint being that as the number of layers increases, the cap10becomes unwieldy.

In some embodiments, the friction layer22includes various surface features or textures. These include raised features, such as bosses, ridges, and bumps. These also include concave or depressed features, such as grooves, sipes or dimples. In some embodiments, the first layer includes perforations, apertures, or through-holes. In yet other embodiments, the first layer22includes dimples having a depth equal to the thickness of the first layer.