Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention relate to footwear, such as boots, shoes, specialty field shoes, woman&#39;s shoes, etc, and, more particularly, to a retractable members and retractable member systems adapted to control extension and retraction of the retractable members relative to the bottom of the footwear.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 61/103,519, filed Oct. 7, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/768,062, filed Jun. 25, 2007, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/053,590, filed Feb. 7, 2005, entitled “Convertible Traction Shoes,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/943,418, filed on Nov. 20, 2007, which is a continuation in part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/053,590, filed Feb. 7, 2005, entitled “Convertible Traction Shoes,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to footwear, such as boots, shoes, specialty field shoes, woman&#39;s shoes, etc, and, more particularly, to a retractable members and retractable member systems adapted to control extension and retraction of the retractable members relative to the bottom of the footwear. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Specialty footwear is currently available for a variety of sports and other activities. For example, shoes used in some sports include cleats protruding from the bottom of the soles to improve traction and balance. Roller skates include wheels affixed to the sole of a shoe, allowing the user to glide along a flat surface such as pavement. While mobility, balance and traction may be enhanced by the specialty footwear currently available, the utility of such footwear is extremely limited. Non-specialty footwear is much more versatile but is less than optimal for users on slick surfaces or for users who wish to alter their traction, mode of transport, height, etc. While footwear users have the option of bringing specialty footwear for use as needed, a better option is to increase the versatility of footwear. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate views of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate views of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate views of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 8A-8F  illustrate views of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 9A-9E  illustrate views of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 10A-10F  illustrate views of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 11A-11D  illustrate views of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scopes of embodiments, in accordance with the present disclosure, are defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0017]    Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. 
         [0018]    The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0019]    The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. 
         [0020]    For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A/B” or in the form “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element. 
         [0021]    The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present invention, are synonymous. 
         [0022]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to retractable members for use on shoes, boots and other footwear. The various embodiments include retractable members that may be separate or molded as part of the tread face or tread block material of the footwear, and adapted for engaging a desired surface, such as turf, track, grass, etc. In various embodiments a top layer or cover layer may be bonded to an upper surface of the tread material, and in so coupling forming channels and fluid chamber adapted for passage and collection of fluid to help control extension and retraction of retractable members. In various embodiments, the channels and/or chambers may be formed in the tread material, and the top layer may be coupled to provide a more inflexible or rigid support. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a section of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, an upper or first layer  10  may be coupled to the footwear. The first layer  10  may be a rubber material having, for example, a specified first durometer. A second layer  12  may be coupled to first layer  10 . In various embodiments, the second layer may be a tread block made of a rubber having, for example, a specified second durometer. In various embodiments, the first durometer may be greater than the second durometer, such that the material is less compressible and/or flexible than the second layer. In various embodiments, the first layer  10  may be a variety of materials (e.g. leather, metal, carbon fiber, etc.), and which has a stiffness, compressibility, and/or inflexibility which is greater than that of the second layer. 
         [0024]    In various embodiments, a fluid channel  14  may be molded in the second layer  12  and/or in combination with the first layer  10 . A chamber  16  may also be disposed at least partially within the second layer  12  and/or formed in conjunction with the first layer  10 . Chamber  16  may be adapted to contain a desired volume of fluid, and may expand and contract with an influx and removal of fluid from the chamber. A retractable member  20  may be coupled to the second layer and generally extend away from the chamber  16 . A first channel  22  may be disposed in the second layer  12 , extending from the chamber  16  into the second layer a desired distance. In various embodiments, the top of first channel  22  may be exposed to the interior of the chamber, and in other embodiments, a membrane may be separating the two. A desired amount of second layer material may be left disposed between the bottom of the first channel  22  and a bottom of the second surface  12 , thereby creating a hinge point  24 . 
         [0025]    In various embodiments, a second channel  26  may extend from a bottom surface of second layer  12  into layer  12  generally toward chamber  16 . The amount of second layer material disposed between the top of the channel  26  and the chamber  16  may be such that it creates a diaphragm or flexible membrane region  28 . Upon fluid being forced through channel  14  into chamber  16 , the resulting pressure may act on the bottom of chamber  16  thereby causing a portion of the retractable member  20  to extend by pivoting about hinge point  24 . Such movement is illustrated in  FIG. 2  with the retractable member extended in dashed lines. Evacuation of some or all of the fluid and/or reduction of the pressure in the chamber may cause the retractable member to pivot back towards the chamber about hinge point  24 . 
         [0026]    In various embodiments, the characteristics (e.g. thickness, position, material, etc.) of the hinge point  24  and/or the flex region  28  may be modified in order to control the degree of pivoting as well as the resistance tendency for the retractable member to retract towards its neutral or home position. In various embodiments, the diaphragm or flex region  28  may be a cavity or other formation that does not necessarily extend to a bottom surface of layer  12 . In various embodiments, all or a portion of the retractable member may be augmented or modified with a variety of materials that can improve functionality of the retractable member  20 . In one embodiment, a metal or hardened edge may be secured to the retractable member to act as a cleat. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a retraction resistant member or retractable member stop  30  may be disposed with in the chamber  16  and positioned to resist movement of the retractable member  20  up into the chamber beyond a desired point. In one embodiment, stop  30  may be formed as part of the upper layer  10  and protrude down into the chamber to a position that is slightly above or touching the bottom of the chamber  16 . Due to the higher durometer of this material and/or the greater inflexibility of the first layer  10 , stop  30  may resist upward movement of the retractable member  20  into the chamber  16 . In various embodiments, the stop member may be molded as part of the chamber of the second layer  12  and adapted to engage the first surface  10 . In other embodiments, a separate stop may be disposed within the chamber. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate another embodiment of a retractable member control system in accordance with embodiments in the present invention.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate upper exploded views and lower exploded views respectively of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate upper exploded views and lower exploded views respectively of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, and including a retractable member stop. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8A-8F  illustrates a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, the system includes an upper or first surface  10  having a first stiffness, durometer, or flexibility and a second surface  12  having a second stiffness, durometer or flexibility. In various embodiments, the first surface  10  is stiffer, more inflexible, and/or less compressible than bottom or second surface  12 . A channel  14  may be formed between the upper surface  10  and lower surface  12  and adapted to transport fluid to a chamber  16 . The lower part of chamber  16  may include a flexible diaphragm  28  and have a retractable member  20  coupled thereto, such that as fluid is forced into chamber  16 , the chamber  16  may expand thereby forcing the retractable member  20  to extend beyond a neutral or home position. 
         [0030]    In various embodiments, a retraction resisting stop  30  may be disposed such that it can engage either the first surface or the second surface to prevent movement of the retractable member up in towards the chamber  16  beyond a neutral or home position. In various embodiments, one or more rib members  32  may be coupled to the retractable member  20  and the second layer  12 . Rib members  32  may be configured to provide resistance to movement of the retractable member as a result of bending, torsional and other forces. In various embodiments, a variety of rib configurations and quantities may be used so as to help resist unwanted lateral movement of the retractable member. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9A-9E  illustrate a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments. The system may include an upper or first layer  10  and a second layer  12  coupled thereto, and which may be a more flexible, compressible, or movable layer than first layer  10 . A chamber  16  may be disposed at least partially in the second layer  12  and adapted to have a bottom portion that expands and retracts with fluid being forced into and out of the chamber  16 . A retractable member  20  may be coupled to the bottom of a flexible member or membrane  28  and adapted to extend and retract with introduction and removal of fluid. 
         [0032]    In various embodiments, a generally rigid flange or seal member  34  may be disposed about the retractable member and coupled to the second layer  12 . The retractable member  20  may be adapted to move axially with respect to the seal member  34 , and wherein the seal member  34  may help prevent or resist material debris and other foreign objects from gaining access to the diaphragm  28  and/or chamber  16 . In various embodiments the seal member  34  may be made of a variety of materials including but not limited to metals, carbon fibers, polymers and/or other rigid and/or semi-rigid materials. In various embodiments, a stop  30  may be used to resist retraction of the retractable member beyond a desired distance. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 10A-10F  illustrate a retractable member system in accordance with various embodiments, similar in general design to those previously disclosed embodiments. In various embodiments, a movable cup  36  may be coupled to the second layer  12  and disposed generally about the retractable member. The movable cup  36  may be material having a two or more position spring component form therein, such that as the diaphragm pushes against the upper portion of the cup  36  and a first force is overcome, the cup  36  plate at least partially inverts to a desired position. In such a configuration the retractable member  20  would be in the extended state. When some fluid is removed or pressure is reduced within the chamber, the spring action of the movable cup  34  may cause the cup  34  to go back to its non-deformed or non-inverted position, thereby helping to urge the retractable member to its neutral position. Movable cups in accordance with various embodiments may be made of a variety materials including metals, plastics, poly carbonates, carbon fibers and other formable materials. In various embodiments the cup plate may act as a seal and debris protector. In various embodiments the retractable member may be directly coupled to the cup plate, or a separate component that is adapted to pass through the cup plate. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 11A-11D  illustrate a retractable member in accordance with various embodiments. The retractable member  20  may include an outer member  52  that is coupled to a portion of a retractable member control system in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the outer member may be coupled to a diaphragm  28  and movable in response to movement of the diaphragm  28 . The outer member  52  may include a flange  58  adapted to bond with the diaphragm or other moving surface in response to pressurization and depressurization of, for example, a chamber  16 . A second or inner retractable member  54  may be disposed within the outer member  52  and adapted to move axially with respect to the outer member  52 . The inner retractable member  54  may be positioned such that it can extend beyond an extended position of the outer member  52 , thereby allowing enhanced or further controllable extension of the retractable member  20 . 
         [0035]    In various embodiments, a biasing member  56  may be at least partially disposed between the inner retractable member  54  and the outer retractable member  52 . The biasing member  56  may be adapted to resist axial movement of the inner retractable member beyond the outer member  52 . The resistance of the biasing member  56  may be overcome by pressure exerted from the fluid chamber acting on the inner member  54 , such that the inner member  54  may move axially beyond the outer retractable member  52 , thus extending the overall length of the retractable member  20 . The biasing member  56  may further help retract the inner retractable member  54  from extension beyond the outer retractable member  52 . 
         [0036]    In various embodiments, the biasing member  56  may be a compression member having bellowed grooves and hollows, such that the compression member may compress a certain desired distance. In other embodiments a spring, elastomer or other compressable member may be used. In various embodiments the compressable member used may be selected as desired in order to permit a desired extension of the inner retractable member  54  with the respect to the outer retractable member  52 . 
         [0037]    Retractable members in accordance with various embodiments may include the outer retractable member which under a first pressure will extend a first distance. As the pressure is increased to a second pressure, the inner retractable member will overcome the resistance of a biasing member and extend axially beyond the outer retractable member, thereby increasing the overall extension length of the retractable member. In various embodiments, as the second pressure is reduced or eliminated, the resilience/response of the biasing member may help urge the inner retractable member to retract axially. As the first pressure is reduced or eliminated, the outer retractable member may then retract, for example, as described with respect to previous embodiments. In various embodiments, multiple inner members and compression members may be used to increase the extended length potential of the retractable members. 
         [0038]    The term “fluid” used herein is used in the broadest sense, and includes, but is not limited to, liquids, such as hydraulic fluids and self sealing liquids, and gasses, such as air. 
         [0039]    Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments in accordance with the present invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.