Abstract:
A skating warmup system includes a shoe having a sole and a recess running parallel with the bottom of the sole, the recess having a rail; and a spine composed of a semi-rigid material, the spine having a notch for slidingly engaging with the rail of the recess and securing the spine into the recess.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment systems, and more specifically, to a skating system for warming up without requiring a skating rink. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Skating systems are well known in the art and are effective means of athletic performance and recreation. For example,  FIG. 1  depicts a conventional ice skating system  101  having an ice skater  102  wearing ice skates  103  on an ice rink  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ice skates  103  comprise a shoe portion  201  in communication with a blade  202 . During use, the ice skater  102  glides across the ice  104  due to the low coefficient of friction between the blades  202  of the ice skates  103  and the ice  104 . 
     One of the problems commonly associated with system  101  is the limitation of suitable surfaces. For example, the ice skater  102  must have access to ice  104  in order to warm up. This is understood to be a particular disadvantage for competitive skaters whose access to ice before their performance/competition is limited. 
     Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of skating systems, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a common skating system; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the ice skate from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a skating warm up system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; and 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are back views of a skating warm up system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional skating systems. Specifically, the present application provides a method for skaters to warm up without access to a skating rink. In addition, the present application provides a means to reduce unnecessary damage to conventional ice skates. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIG. 3  depicts a side view of a skating warm up system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  301  overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional skating systems. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  301  includes a shoe  303  with a spine  305  secured to the base of the shoe sole  307 , wherein the spine is composed of a semi-rigid material. During use, a user wears system  301  to warm up before putting on conventional ice skates or roller blades. 
     It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the semi-rigid spine  305 . It is understood that composing the spine  305  from a semi-rigid material, such as rubber and/or flexible plastic, allows a user to effectively warm up off the skating surface while reducing damage to the user&#39;s conventional skates. It should further be appreciated that the spine  305  provides an analogous feature to a blade or wheels on conventional skates, allowing for the user to effectively warm up joints and muscles appropriate for skating. 
     In  FIGS. 4A and 4B  back views of a contemplated embodiment of system  301  are shown wherein the spine  305  is secured to the sole  307  and removed from the sole  307  respectively. In the contemplated embodiment, the spine  305  is secured to the sole  307  via a recess  401 , wherein the spine  305  includes one or more notches  403 ,  405  in sliding communication with one or more rails  407 ,  409  of the sole  307 . It should be appreciated that any means for removably securing the spine  305  to the shoe sole  307  is contemplated, thereby allowing the user to remove and attach the spine  305  as needed for warm up. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the shoe  303  is composed of material ridged enough to provide moderate ankle support. However, it is contemplated that the shoe  303  can vary size, height, material, and style as functional, aesthetic, or manufacturing purposes require and have laces, clasps, hook and loop fasteners, or any other means of closure. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.