Abstract:
A shoe is disclosed for use in playing soccer or other activities. The shoe is designed to offer greater power and protection for a wearer&#39;s foot and ankle. The shoe is formed with a flexible outsole and an adjusted straight last. The upper is designed with a wide toebox and short lacing system. The shoe uses a unique cleat system. These features decrease the chances of injury and also give a player, such as a soccer player, enhanced ball control and power. This shoe can be modified for use, for example as a running shoe, or a casual shoe.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/407,557, filed Oct. 28, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally pertains to footwear and, more particularly, to athletic shoes. Some example athletic shoes according to the present disclosure may be worn by individuals participating in athletic activities, such as individuals participating in a soccer game. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Athletic shoes are generally disclosed. Some example embodiments may include methods, apparatus, and/or systems associated with athletic shoes. 
         [0004]    Some example athletic shoes according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may include a substantially straight last, a wide forefoot, and/or one or more cleats which may provide even distribution and optimal surface area for the foot. In an exemplary embodiment, the shoe system may be adapted to a soccer shoe. However, the shoe can be adapted to any type of shoe. 
         [0005]    Example shoes may include a sole with an outsole and cleats extending from the outsole. An upper may be affixed to the sole to at least partially define an interior and to house a wearer&#39;s foot. The forefoot portion and the heel portion may be substantially linearly arranged to provide a straight last. 
         [0006]    In some example embodiments, an interior length may include a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The forefoot portion maximum width may be at least about 1.5. times the heel portion maximum width. In an alternate embodiment, the forefoot portion maximum width may be at least about 1.7 times the heel portion maximum width. In an alternate embodiment, the forefoot portion maximum width may be at least about 1.9 times the heel portion maximum width. 
         [0007]    In some example embodiments, the upper may include a lacing system which may be generally aligned with the interior length. The lacing system length may be less than about 0.35 times the interior length. In an alternate embodiment, the lacing system length may be less than about 0.3 times the interior length. In an alternate embodiment, the lacing system length may be less than about 0.25 times the interior length. 
         [0008]    The lacing system can be any type of lacing system, including a plurality of eyelets and a cord threaded through the plurality of eyelets, a plurality of loops and the cord threaded through the plurality of loops, and a plurality of hooks and the cord threaded through the plurality of hooks. 
         [0009]    The cleats may have a generally trapezoidal cross section comprising two bases and two legs, where one of the bases has a concave curvature. The cleats may be substantially the same downwardly extending height. The sole may include an insole surface facing the interior of the shoe. The individual cleats may include respective distal tips, and the cleats and the sole may be arranged such that distances from individual distal tips to respective portions of the insole surface are substantially the same. 
         [0010]    The plurality of cleats may be arranged in a first cluster on a forefoot portion of the outsole and a second cluster on a heel portion of the outsole. A portion of the outsole between the forefoot portion and the heel portion may be substantially devoid of cleats. 
         [0011]    The first cluster of cleats may comprise three longitudinal rows of cleats, each row comprising three cleats. The second cluster of cleats may comprise two longitudinal rows of cleats, each row comprising three cleats. The first cluster of cleats may form a first longitudinal row of cleats along a first side portion of the outsole, a corresponding second longitudinal row of cleats on a generally laterally opposite second side portion of the outsole, and a third longitudinal row of cleats between the first longitudinal row and the second longitudinal row. The individual cleats of the first longitudinal row and individual cleats of the second longitudinal row may be oriented such that long axes of the individual cleats are generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the sole Individual cleats of the third longitudinal row may be oriented such that long axes of the individual cleats are generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the sole. 
         [0012]    The shoe system can be adapted for any type of shoe, such as athletic footwear. Example embodiments include a soccer shoe and a running shoe. 
         [0013]    The features disclosed may provide advantages to a soccer shoe. To provide the highest level of safety and performance, all features may be included; however, they may also be used individually or in combination. When worn during activity, the shoe design may provide greater safety and increasing athletic power and accuracy to a wearer. 
         [0014]    The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0016]    In the drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an example shoe; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an example shoe; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an example shoe; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of an example sole of a shoe; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of an alternate example embodiment of a shoe; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of an alternate example sole; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of an example cleat; all arranged is accordance with at least some aspects of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. 
         [0025]    The present disclosure pertains, inter alia, to footwear, such as athletic shoes. Some example embodiments according to the present disclosure may comprise soccer shoes, which may include a substantially straight last, a wide forefoot, and/or one or more cleats which may provide generally even force distribution for the foot. 
         [0026]    The present disclosure contemplates that the term “last” may refer to the shape of a shoe and/or to a form, or mold, around which a shoe may be constructed. Shoes may be described as having a “straight last,” “semi-curved last,” or a “curved last.” Generally, these terms relate to the shape of an imaginary line that extends through the center of the heel of the shoe and through the center of the toe area of the shoe. For example, in a straight lasted shoe, this imaginary line may be substantially straight. In a curved last shoe, this imaginary line may be substantially curved, such as inwardly curved. 
         [0027]    The present disclosure contemplates that some conventional soccer shoes may include a curved or semi-curved last and a generally narrow forefoot. Such conventional soccer shoes may compress the wearer&#39;s forefoot into the toe box, which may cause an unnatural fit in the shoe. 
         [0028]    The present disclosure contemplates that gross foot motion may be based upon pronation and supination. During pronation, the foot may be collapsed to absorb shock and may act as a mobile adaptor to the terrain to which it is moving upon. During the transition from pronation to supination, the foot may become a propulsive and rigid lever for the body to move efficiently. 
         [0029]    The present disclosure contemplates that characteristics of pronation may include forefoot dorsiflexion, rear foot plantar flexion, ankle dorsiflexion in the sagittal plane, forefoot inversion and rear foot eversion in the frontal plane, and forefoot abduction and rear foot adduction in the transverse plane. 
         [0030]    The present disclosure contemplates that characteristics of supination may include forefoot plantar flexion, rear foot dorsiflexion, ankle plantar flexion in the sagittal plane, forefoot eversion and rear foot inversion in the frontal plane, and forefoot adduction and rear foot abduction in the transverse plane. 
         [0031]    The present disclosure contemplates that transformation from pronation to supination may be necessary and timing of the transition may play a major role. If any joint is forced into a position prematurely by an ill-fitting shoe, the foot cannot go through its natural motion because timing is thrown off and undue stress is placed on the foot but also effects motion and dissipation of forces all the way through the head. For example, the toes are forced too tight into the toe box causing the fourth and fifth phalanges and metatarsals to become adducted. When the forefoot should be abducted during pronation, it is supinated and thus throws off timing. This may result in undue stress to the fifth metatarsal and cause a stress fracture, a common injury in soccer. 
         [0032]    The present disclosure contemplates that inversion sprains of the ankle make up a high percentage of injuries in soccer. A forefoot is forced into adduction when it should be abducted encourages a player to compensate upon landing because they cannot land with a collapsed and mobile foot. Exacerbating the problem, the forefoot last of some soccer shoes may be more narrow than the foot itself. This may cause a problem for when the player is weight bearing, and even more so when a player lands from a high jump. Because the last is not proportional to the foot, the forefoot is not allowed to splay out and properly absorb shock. This provides for an increased possibility of injury. Furthermore, it stops the foot from producing optimal force due to lack of contact with the ground. Overall, the shape of some soccer shoes may allow for a lack of overall performance and increased risk of injury. 
         [0033]    Some example shoe systems according to the present disclosure may include several features assembled together to provide a high-performance and safe soccer cleat. The wide forefoot, straight last, unique cleat design and/or short lacing system may work together to minimize injury and maximize performance. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an example shoe  10 . The upper  15  is attached to the sole  60 . The upper comprises a lacing system  40  having a lacing system length  40 A generally aligned with the interior length  10 A of the shoe  10 . The lacing system length  40 A may extend less than about 0.35 times the interior length  10 A. The lacing system may extend from a cuff  20  of the shoe into a portion of the upper  15 . The short lace system may deepen the toe box  50  (also referred to as the forefoot portion), increasing the surface area on the upper  15 . This may improve a player&#39;s contact with a soccer ball. This lacing design may also help provide optimal power when the foot pushes off the ground from any angle. It may prevent the shoe material from bunching up and causing the toe box  50  to tighten, thus maintaining the foot in its proper shape. In some example embodiments, the lacing system length  40 A may extend less than about 0.3 times the interior length  10 A. In some example embodiments, the lacing system length  40 A may extend less than about 0.25 times the interior length  10 A. 
         [0035]    The shoe  10  may include a sole  60  comprising an outsole  60 A (see  FIG. 3 ). The outsole  60 A may comprise a plurality of cleats  65 A- 65 C and  65 J- 65 K. The upper  15  and the sole  60  may at least partially define an interior  10 B (see  FIG. 2 ), which may be configured to house a wearer&#39;s foot. Sole  60  may extend substantially from a heel portion  55  to the forefoot portion  50 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows the top view of an example shoe  10 . The cuff  20  provides an opening allowing the wearer to place a foot in the shoe. The relation between the lacing system  40  and the forefoot portion  50  is depicted. The ample width  50 A of the forefoot  50 , or toebox, is also discernable. 
         [0037]    Heel portion  55  may have a heel portion maximum width  55 A. The forefoot portion  50  maximum width  50 A may be at least about 1.5. times the heel portion  55  maximum width  55 A. The toe box  50  is in the mid-front portion of the forefoot. The shoe system may incorporate a wide toe box  50  which may allow the foot to lie naturally in the shoe. The wide toe box  50  may provide a large surface area to contact a ball and increase its force off the ground. The wide toe box  50  may offer increased surface area for a player to contact a soccer ball for a more accurate ball strike. In some example embodiments, the forefoot portion  50  maximum width  50 A may be at least about 1.7 times the heel portion  55  maximum width  55 A. In some example embodiments, the forefoot portion  50  maximum width  50 A may be at least about 1.9 times the heel portion  55  maximum width  55 A. 
         [0038]    The lacing system  40  may include any known type of lacing system, including a plurality of eyelets and a cord threaded through the plurality of eyelets, a plurality of loops and the cord threaded through the plurality of loops, and a plurality of hooks and the cord threaded through the plurality of hooks. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of an example shoe  10 . Outsole  60 A may include one or more cleats  65 A,  65 B,  65 C,  65 D,  65 E,  65 F,  65 G,  65 H,  65 I,  65 J,  65 K,  65 L,  65 M,  65 N,  650 . This embodiment could be used for soccer play. An even cleat design may allow for the foot to lay at an even distance from the ground from toe to heel, allowing a greater push-off force from the ground in any direction. Referring to  FIG. 7 , an individual cleat  65  may be generally trapezoid shaped, with two legs  65 ( 1 A),  65 ( 1 B) of about the same length, a generally long base  65 ( 2 ), and a generally short base  65 ( 3 ). Short base  65 ( 3 ) may be concave towards the long base  65 ( 2 ). 
         [0040]    Referring back to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment may include two clusters of cleats  65 A- 65 O. A first cluster of cleats  65 A- 65 I may be disposed on a forefoot portion  50 B of the outsole  60 A and a second cluster of cleats  65 J- 65 O may be disposed on a heel portion  55 B of the outsole  60 A. A portion of the outsole  60 A between the forefoot portion  50 B and the heel portion  55 B may be substantially devoid of cleats. Both clusters of cleats  65 A- 65 O may be arranged so the cleats  65 D- 65 F,  65 N- 65 O on the outer side of the shoe  10  correspond to the cleats  65 A- 65 C,  65 J-K on the inner side of the shoe  10  in number and are mirrored in orientation. Two rows of cleats  65 D- 65 F,  65 N- 65 O and  65 A- 65 C,  65 J-K may be placed near the edge of the shoe  10  and may be oriented so their respective straight bases  65 ( 2 ) ( FIG. 7 ) are turned toward the edge of the shoe  10 , and the concave bases  65 ( 3 ) face towards the center of the shoe  10 . A third row of cleats  65 G- 65 I, and  65 N may be arranged perpendicularly crossing a longitudinal portion of the shoe, with respective concave bases  65 ( 3 ) facing the mid-sole of the shoe  10 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows an example sole  60  of a shoe  10 . The forefoot portion  50 B and the heel portion  55 B may be substantially linearly arranged to provide a generally straight last. The generally straight last is depicted by providing an imaginary line  70  down the center of the sole  60 . The straight last gives general symmetry to the shoe relative from the line  70 , generally from the center of the heel and the center of the toes. The shoe contemplates a generally straight, neutral last which does not attempt to add curvatures in a foot which may not be present in a particular foot. The straight last may increase safety because may allow the foot lay in its natural position. 
         [0042]    The characteristics and features of the example shoes described herein can be adapted to create other types of shoes.  FIG. 5  shows an alternate example shoe  11 , in a bottom view. For example, by replacing the smaller cleats discussed above with generally evenly distributed and generally flat, pad-like cleats  165 A,  165 B,  165 C,  165 D,  165 E,  165 F,  165 G,  165 H,  165 I,  165 J,  165 K,  165 L,  165 M,  165 N on sole  160 , this embodiment can be used as a running shoe  11 . Padding  75 A and  75 B can be added for this embodiment. The padding  75 A,  75 B may extend beyond the rest of the sole  60  by no more than a few millimeters. Similar adaptation methods may be used for all types of sports shoes and casual shoes. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows sole  160  of the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in a bottom view, and without the padding  75 A,  75 B. 
         [0044]    Example shoes according to the present disclosure may be made through a combination of molding and fabrication. The shoe outsole  60  and cleats  65 A- 65 O can be molded. The shoe upper  15  and lacing system  40  can be fabricated. The molded cleats and sole  60  may be connected to the other components by any known cobbling methods, such as by sewing, gluing, or other methods. A person uses example shoes  10  by placing their foot in the shoe and tightening the laces to their desired comfort level. 
         [0045]    While example embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.