Abstract:
A method of adapting a shoe configured for a first physical activity into a modified shoe suitable for a second physical activity on a floor comprises: providing a traction adjustment band, the traction adjustment band including an upper band and a sole band; placing the traction adjustment band around the shoe such that the upper band is disposed on an upper portion of the shoe and the sole band is disposed across a sole of the shoe; and removably securing the traction adjustment band to one of the shoe or to a wearer&#39;s foot using a retaining strap.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present Application is a Continuation-in-Part of Patent Application entitled “Traction adjustment band for shoe” filed 31 Dec. 2010 and assigned filing Ser. No. 12/983,052 and is related to Provisional Patent Application entitled “Traction adjustment strap with retaining band,” filed 1 Jul. 2012 and assigned filing 61/666,909, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates broadly to footwear accessories, and more specifically to a traction adjustment band for use on a shoe, the traction adjustment band secured by means of a retaining strap. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The ability of a dancer or a participant in an exercise routine to control the amount of traction in his or her shoes has with the floor is important for safety considerations. It may be desirable to increase traction under some circumstances to prevent falls, for example, but under other circumstances, it may be desirable to allow less traction to prevent the occurrence of twisting knee and ankle injuries. Dance moves often involve pivoting on the ball of the foot. 
         [0004]    When a dancer or exerciser attempts to dance while wearing standard shoes with rubber soles and treads, commonly known as aerobics, running shoes or cross-trainers, she may find that certain dance moves are difficult to execute due to the rubber sole of the shoe gripping the floor surface. As a consequence, the dancer may incur knee injuries because the rubberized surface or treads on her shoes, which are designed to minimize slipping between the shoe and the floor surface, are not suitable for performing the dance moves. 
         [0005]    Thus, when the dancer or exercise participant twists her hips, the tread on her shoes may resist the pivoting motion, her knee may be inadvertently torqued, and an injury may result. There has been a rise in these types of injuries as dance/aerobics programs gain popularity in mainstream gyms and in video games. Often, a casual participant in the dance/aerobic program owns a pair of shoes designed for aerobic movements but does not wish to incur the additional cost of purchasing a second pair of shoes designed for dance movements. For some activities, “everyday” shoes may be adequate for the activity contemplated, but often the surface of the activity floor has a relatively high coefficient of friction, such as, for example, carpeted floors or rubber mats. 
         [0006]    The present invention addresses the above problems by providing to the user a traction adjustment band for adjusting the aggregate coefficient of friction between the user&#39;s shoes and a surface used for physical movements and activities. The traction band includes a retaining strap that prevents the traction adjustment band from changing position on the user&#39;s shoes during physical activity. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect of the present invention, a method of adapting a shoe configured for a first physical activity into a modified shoe suitable for a second physical activity on a floor comprises: providing a traction adjustment band, the traction adjustment band including an upper band and a sole band; placing the traction adjustment band around the shoe such that the upper band is disposed on an upper portion of the shoe and the sole band is disposed across a sole of the shoe; and removably securing the traction adjustment band to one of the shoe or to a wearer&#39;s foot using a retaining strap. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the present invention, a traction adjustment band suitable for emplacement on a shoe comprises: an upper band including a first upper segment, a second upper segment, and a fastener pair, the fastener pair removably securing the first upper segment to the second upper segment; a sole band having one end connected to the first upper segment and a second end connected to the second upper segment; and a retaining strap removable securing the upper band to one of the shoe or a wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0009]    The additional features and advantage of the disclosed invention is set forth in the detailed description which follows, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the invention as described, together with the claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a retaining strap with a traction adjustment band positioned on a shoe, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of the retaining strap of  FIG. 1  engaging the laces of the shoe to prevent movement of the traction adjustment band along the shoe surface; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a retaining strap configured to engage a traction adjustment band; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a removable retaining strap comprising the traction adjustment band of  FIG. 1  with a looped retaining strap; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a removable retaining strap comprising the traction adjustment band of  FIG. 1  and a tab-like strap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
         [0016]    The present invention relates generally to a traction adjustment band functioning to selectively reduce the traction, or coefficient of friction, between a wearer&#39;s shoe as used on a particular damp or dry floor or surface, with a retaining strap functioning to keep the traction adjustment band in place on the wearer&#39;s shoe. 
         [0017]    In an exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a retaining strap  10  positioned under a composite traction adjustment band  12  and secured to a shoe  14 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The composite traction adjustment band  12  may comprise an upper band portion  16  secured to a sole band portion  18  to form a unitary traction adjustment band  12  assembly. 
         [0018]    The total circumference of the composite traction adjustment band  12 , that is, the individual lengths of the upper band portion  16  and the sole band portion  18 , may be varied according to the particular shoe size for which the traction adjustment band  12  is fabricated. The width of the upper band portion  16  and the width of the sole band portion  18  may range from about 0.25 inches to about four inches. It should be understood that the width of the upper band portion  16  need not be the same as the width of the sole band portion  18 . 
         [0019]    In an alternative embodiment, the upper band portion  16  and the sole band portion  18  may comprise a single band portion with a slot or opening in the single band portion sized and positioned to accommodate insertion of the retaining strap  10 . In yet another alternative embodiment, a one-piece traction adjustment band  30 , such as shown in  FIG. 3  below, may be used in place of the composite traction adjustment band  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, as no slot or opening need be provided in the one-piece traction adjustment band  30 , the retaining strap  10  may encircle the width of the upper part of the single-piece adjustment band  30 , so as to pass around and secure the single-piece adjustment band  30  to shoe laces  22 . 
         [0020]    The retaining strap  10  may be secured to the composite traction adjustment band  12  by an adhesive, or by stitching. Alternatively, the retaining strap  10  may be a separate piece free to move between the traction adjustment band  12  and the shoe  14 , as shown in the illustration. The retaining strap  10  may be fabricated from a flexible material, such as cloth, vinyl, or plastic, or may comprise a decorative chain, for example. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining strap  10  may comprise a continuous loop of elastic silicone material (not shown) such that the user could: (i) slip the retaining strap  10  (i.e., configured as a continuous loop of elastic silicone material) over the shoe  14  and (ii) weave the shoe laces  22  through the retaining strap  10  to secure the traction adjustment band  12 . In embodiment shown, the retaining strap  10  may be approximately two to eight inches in length, and approximately one eighth to one inch in width. 
         [0022]    This configuration allows the retaining strap  10  to engage the traction adjustment band  12 , substantially as shown, and may then pass under laces  22  of the shoe  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The retaining strap  10  preferably comprises a hook-and-pile attachment pair to secure the retaining strap  10  into a loop configuration when secured to the laces  22 . The forward portion of the retaining strap  10  includes the hook  24  part of the hook-and-pile attachment pair, and the rearward portion of the retaining strap  10  includes the pile  26  part of the hook-and-pile attachment pair. The hook-and-pile attachment pair also serves to secure the ends of the retaining strap  10  to one another, for storage, or for securing to the user&#39;s gym bag or purse. 
         [0023]    It can be appreciated that, while the use of hook and pile fasteners on the retaining strap  10  is advantageous, it is not required for use of the traction adjustment band  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , the retaining strap  10  may be attached to the shoe  14  by routing around the upper band portion  16 , through the wearer&#39;s laces  22 , and secured by tying a knot (not shown) in the retaining strap  10 . It should be understood that, as used herein, “shoe laces” include conventional shoe laces, shoe straps, or hook-and-loop closures. 
         [0024]    Although the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2  may not be visually appealing, routing the retaining strap  10  through the upper band portion  16  may afford the wearer the advantage of traction adjustment, and the retaining strap  10  thus functions to keep in place the traction adjustment band  12  (i.e., encircling the ball of the foot). In addition, the retaining strap  10  can be used to secure the traction adjustment band  12  to the user&#39;s gym bag or purse to prevent the loss of the bands, whether the traction adjustment band  12  has hook and pile fasteners, or is tied in a knot. Alternatively, a loop of fabric, plastic, or elastic material may be provided through which the laces  22  may be drawn and tied. 
         [0025]    In yet another alternative exemplary embodiment (not shown), a retaining strap of an approximate length of twelve to sixteen inches may be used to pass through the laces  22  of the shoe  14 , and around the ankle of the wearer of the shoe. The hook-and-pile fastener pair may be used to form a loop that encompasses the ankle of the wearer. The retaining strap  10  may, alternatively, be positioned against the back of the wearer&#39;s foot, if desired. 
         [0026]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , a traction adjustment band  30  may encircle the shoe heel  32 , such that the traction adjustment band  30  is retained in place by means of a strap  20  that is routed around the shoe heel  32 , substantially parallel with the shoe sole  34 . Alternatively, the traction adjustment band  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be used on the shoe  14  in place of the traction adjustment band  30 . 
         [0027]    As shown in the example, the strap  20  comprises a first lateral strap section  28 , a strap heel portion  23 , a second lateral strap section  29 , a first strap loop  26 , and a second strap loop  27 . The strap  20  may encircle the heel of the shoe  14  so as to prevent the traction adjustment band  30  from moving along the surface of the shoe  14 . The strap  20  may be attached to the traction adjustment band  30  either by being sewn to the traction adjustment band  30  (not shown), or by encircling the traction adjustment band  30 , using the strap loops  26  and  27 . The strap  20  may, alternatively, encircle the back of the wearer&#39;s foot, instead of the back of the shoe  14 , if desired. 
         [0028]    The strap loops  26 ,  27  can be sewn to the traction adjustment band  30  (or  12 ), held in place by means of a hook and loop fastener, snaps, sewing or bonding at strap terminations  24  and  25 . Lateral strap section  28  (shown as a dashed line) and lateral strap section  29  are routed along opposite sides of the shoe  14 , in directions substantially parallel to the sole of the shoe  14 , and continue to the back of the shoe  14 , forming the strap heel portion  23 . The lateral strap sections  29  and  28  may comprise a single length of material with the strap heel portion  23 , and the strap loops  26 ,  27  to form the strap  20 . The strap  20  may be fabricated using a plastic strap, cloth material, decorative chain, or elastic material. It should be understood that strap loops  27 ,  26  can extend around the traction adjustment band  30  such that the strap loops  27 ,  26  may be disposed on opposite sides of the shoe  14 , or may be disposed such that the strap loop  26  may be in contact with the strap loop  27 . 
         [0029]    In an alternative embodiment, the strap  20  may pass through the traction adjustment band  30  so as to encircle the traction adjustment band  30 . With the traction adjustment band on the shoe, the strap  20  can thus be placed around the shoe heel  32 , around the tongue  36  of the shoe  14 , or pass through the shoe laces  22 . This configuration results from connecting the first strap loop  26  and to the second strap loop  27 . 
         [0030]    In an alternative embodiment, the lateral strap sections  29  and  28  may comprise two separate pieces attaching to the traction adjustment band  30 , similar to the arrangement described above, but with an adjustment point in place of the strap heel portion  23  at the back of the shoe  14 . At the adjustment point, the two lateral strap sections  29  and  28  can be physically attached to one another, and the user can control the length of the overall strap  20  by means of, for example: a tied knot, snaps, a sliding fastener, a cord lock fastener, a clasp, a clip, or a hook and loop attachment, where the user can adjust the overlap between the two lateral strap sections  29  and  28  as desired. 
         [0031]    On dry surfaces, use of the disclosed traction adjustment band may reduce the shoe-to-floor traction so that a wearer of standard walking or running shoes may be able to execute dance moves with a reduced risk of injury to the knees, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/983,052. Moreover, the amount of traction is adjustable such that the proper amount of traction required for standard workouts movements, such as squats and lunges, can be provided. The position of the traction adjustment band  12 ,  30  leaves the sole of the shoe in the toe and the heel exposed and uncovered by the traction adjustment band  12 ,  30 . 
         [0032]    The traction adjustment band  12 ,  30  may be worn comfortably without shifting during vigorous physical activity by means of the retaining strap  10 ,  20 . During use, the retaining strap  10 ,  20  is adjusted to prevent the traction adjustment band from moving in response to the wearer engaging in a dance routine, for example, or performing similar physical activities. If the wearer&#39;s shoes are narrow or have little or no tread, the traction adjustment band  12 ,  30  may move around unless the retaining strap  10 ,  20  is in place. Use of the retaining strap  10 ,  20  is recommended if the sole of the narrow, or treadles, shoe is constructed to be flexible. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment of a removable retaining strap  40  comprising the traction adjustment band  12 ,  30  and a looped retaining strap  42 . The looped retaining band  42  may comprise an elastic material, a silicone strip, a ribbon, or a decorative chain.  FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of a removable retaining strap  44  comprising the traction adjustment band  12 ,  30  and a tab-like strap  46 . One end of the tab-like strap  46  may be passed under the shoe laces  22 , or may form a looped portion  48  around the shoe laces  22 . The second end of the tab-like strap  46  may be secured around the ankle of a wearer. 
         [0034]    It can be appreciated that the combination of the traction adjustment band  12 ,  30  and the retaining strap  10 ,  20 ,  42 ,  46  may function to selectively increase the traction between a wearer&#39;s dance or exercise shoes on a surface such that the wearer may be able to perform aerobic and similar exercise movements without danger of slippage. Advantageously, the traction adjustment band  12 ,  30  allows the wearer to control the amount of traction, or the coefficient of friction, provided between the shoe and the floor surface. The amount of “grip” obtainable is thus a function of the traction adjustment band properties and the surface attributes of the particular floor. 
         [0035]    Under some circumstances, the user may need to execute energetic physical movements on relatively damp or wet surfaces, such as in a commercial establishment (e.g., a restaurant kitchen). The traction band  12 ,  30  may function to increase the coefficient of friction between the traction band  12 ,  30  (on the shoe  14 ) and the floor surface. The bottom of the traction band  12 ,  30  may absorb some of the floor moisture to prevent slippage. The traction band  12 ,  30  might thus offer an additional advantage, for example, in humid environments where moisture in a room condenses in a traffic area of the floor. 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that the description herein is only exemplary of the invention, and is intended to provide an overview for the understanding of the nature and character of the disclosed band and retaining strap combination. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of various features and embodiments of the method and components of the invention which, together with their description and claims serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.