Abstract:
An apparatus for use in footwear and the like, the apparatus having a primary body adapted to be mounted on a work object operable to perform a task; and at least two secondary bodies mounted on the primary body and adapted selectively to be moved by the work object in the performance of the task.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in footwear and the like and, more particularly, to such an apparatus which has particular utility when embodied in footwear where it provides a plurality of unique qualities. 
         [0005]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    It is well known that a wide variety of types of footwear and the like are used in everyday wear as well as in other activities. They are available in prolific numbers and in a wide range of types and forms of construction as well as for a multiplicity of activities. 
         [0007]    For example, footwear of lightweight and flexible construction is, for these very qualities and others, unusually comfortable to wear and therefore in wide usage. For these reasons and others, footwear of generally similar characteristics is also widely used in athletic activities. It is self-evident that the lightweight nature of such footwear, or shoes, affords a competitive advantage in many sports. Similarly, the flexibility of such shoes aids, to some degree, in providing a comparatively good traction and other gripping characteristics as well as to rapid adjustment in direction various supporting surfaces. Simply for purposes of illustration, footwear and shoes of this general character are widely used in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer and running sports, track and field events, golf and many other such competitive activities. 
         [0008]    The market for footwear and shoes of this general type has been extensive for the above-noted reasons and others for a significant period of time. However, such conventional shoes have not appreciably been improved over this period. In point of fact, such shoes have been lacking in many respects, particularly in athletic usages. For example, the flexibility, traction and gripping characteristics of such shoes are limited in various respects. This creates not only a limitation on the wearer&#39;s performance, but can be hazardous. Slipping due to a loss of traction interferes with maneuverability in such activities. The ability to achieve a pivoting motion is similarly limited due to insufficient gripping characteristics, traction and the like. This factor proves deleterious in a multitude of usages. In otherwords, overall maneuverability is negatively affected by these limitations. 
         [0009]    This is particularly true in track and field sports, such as sprints, distance events, long jump, standing long jump, high jump and pole vault. Such considerations as flexibility, traction, gripping ability and maneuverability, if lacking or otherwise limited, can mean a substantial difference in overall performance. 
         [0010]    Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have an apparatus for use in footwear and the like which provides enhanced performance; which has particular utility when embodied in a shoe; which has improved capabilities in flexibility, gripping characteristics, traction and maneuverability; which is both comfortable and durable in use; which affords a superior capability for traction on a supporting surface regardless of the composition of the supporting surface; which permits the wearer to have an improved degree of control over the amount and character of the gripping characteristics; and which is otherwise successful in achieving its operational objectives. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for use in footwear and the like which can be used in a multitude of operative environments. 
         [0012]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which has particular utility as applied to the configuration and construction of shoes of a multiplicity of types. 
         [0013]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which substantially improves upon the traction, gripping characteristics and flexibility possible in conventional shoe construction. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which possesses a degree of comfort when worn superior to that which has heretofore been achieved. 
         [0015]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which has particular utility when embodied in athletic shoes, whether worn for everyday use, or in athletic training and competition. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can be used in a wide variety of types of athletic competition such as, but not limited to, track and field sports, football, basketball, soccer, golf and many other such sports. 
         [0017]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can readily be adapted to other uses and activities including, for example, but not limited to, mountain climbing; swimming; underwater usages; water polo; automobile, boat and motorcycle racing; sprint and distance running; and many other usages. 
         [0018]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is capable of such a wide variety of applications with little or no modification for the particular activity, or activities, in which they are to be used. 
         [0019]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can be manufactured and sold at minimal expense while retaining all of the benefits achieved in more expensive forms thereof. 
         [0020]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which employs human anatomy in a manner which substantially enhances the capabilities thereof without negative consequences. 
         [0021]    Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0022]    These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in an apparatus for use in footwear and the like, the apparatus having a primary body adapted to be mounted on a work object operable to perform a task; and at least two secondary bodies mounted on the main body and adapted selectively to be moved by the work object in the performance of the task. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for use in footwear and the like of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation thereof showing the left side thereof. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation thereof. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevation thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus for use in footwear and the like of the present invention in generally indicated by the numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0030]    It will be understood that the specific apparatus of the present invention shown in the drawings and described herein is, for illustrative convenience, footwear and, more particularly, an athletic shoe. More specifically, the athletic shoe shown and described herein is one intended primarily for use in track and field training and competition. However, the apparatus of the present invention can be embodied in a wide variety of different types of footwear, shoes and other objects including, but not limited to, shoes intended for everyday use, golf, mountain and rugged terrain shoes, shoes for racing drivers, shoes for boat and water usages, skin diver&#39;s footwear, swim fins, ski boots, snow boarding boots, shoes to be used by aircraft pilots, shoes for military usage and many other apparatuses, articles and objects. 
         [0031]    As noted, the apparatus  10  of the preferred embodiment shown and described herein is adapted primarily for track and field usage in athletic training and competition. For this reason, in the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is constructed of lightweight, flexible and breathable materials. For illustrative convenience, the apparatus in the preferred embodiment is described in this specification as a primary body or shoe  10 . 
         [0032]    The shoe  10  can generally be viewed as having a primary body or shoe body  20  with a forward portion  21  and an opposite rearward portion  22 . The shoe body has an upper portion  23  and an opposite lower portion  24 . An access opening  25  is provided in the upper portion of the shoe body through which the wearer&#39;s foot, not shown, is inserted into the shoe, or removed therefrom, as will hereinafter be described in greater detail. 
         [0033]    More specifically, the shoe body  20  has a sole  30  on which is mounted an upper  31 . The sole is preferably constructed of a tractable, flexible material. The shoe body has an interior  32  adapted generally to conform to the foot of the wearer. The specific shoe, as shown and described herein, is to be worn on the left foot of the wearer and, of course, be of a size and shape appropriate for the size and shape of the left foot of the wearer. A corresponding shoe, not shown, is adapted to be worn on the right foot of the wearer and otherwise corresponds to the shoe  10  except for the difference in accommodating, or fitting the right foot. 
         [0034]    The sole  30  of the shoe body  20  has a left marginal surface  33  and a laterally opposite right marginal surface  34 . The sole has a bottom surface  38  preferably constructed of a cushioned plastic, or rubberized, material which is tractable so as to provide the desired degree of traction, comfort and performance. The sole has a top surface  39  which can be covered in the interior  32  of the shoe body with a cushioned liner  40  for purposes of comfort and shock absorption. 
         [0035]    The sole  30  has a leading surface  41  and an opposite trailing surface  42 . The sole has a heal portion  43  and an opposite toe portion  44 . 
         [0036]    The upper  31  is mounted on the sole  30  along a boarder  50  extending entirely about the periphery thereof. The upper is mounted on the sole along the boarder by any suitable means, not shown, such as stitching, bonding, or the like or any combination thereof. 
         [0037]    The forward portion  21  of the shoe body  20  together with the toe portion  44  of the sole  30  are bifurcated, as perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , to form a secondary body or forward housing  55  and an adjoining secondary body or forward housing  56 . The interior  32  of the shoe body includes individual compartments or spaces, not shown, defined and bounded by the forward housing  55  and forward housing  56 . The compartment of the forward housing  55  is dimensioned comfortably to contain a forward portion of the human foot and the four (4) smaller toes thereof, other than the big toe of the foot. The compartment of the forward housing  56  is dimensioned comfortably to contain a forward portion of the human foot and the big toe thereof. The forward housing  55  is consequently somewhat wider that the forward housing  56 . The forward housing  55  and the forward housing  56  of the forward portion  21  of the shoe body  20  are separated from each other by a channel  57  which extends into the forward portion  21  to a terminus  58 . The terminus preferably is rounded so as to form an arc like configuration, as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0038]    Thus, when the shoe  10  is worn, as discussed regarding the representative left foot, the four (4) smaller toes are received in the compartment of the forward housing  55  and the big toe of the left foot is received in the compartment of the forward housing  56 . The shoe  10  constructed, in accordance with the subject invention, for the right foot of the wearer is the reverse of that heretofore described; that is the forward housing  55  is on the right relative to the right shoe  10  and the forward housing  56  is on the left relative to the right shoe  10 . The left and the right shoes  10  each have the channel  57  extending between the respective smaller toes and big toe. 
         [0039]    In view of the narrow thickness of the toe portion  44  of the sole  30  and the flexibility of the shoe body, the forward housing  55  and the forward housing  56  of the forward portion  21  of the shoe body  20  are individually movable upwardly and/or downwardly relative to each other. This is achieved by the smaller toes of the wearer within the forward housing  55  and the big toe of the wearer in the forward housing  56  being moved upwardly and/or downwardly relative to each other. Alternatively, the wearer can move both the smaller toes and the big toe together either upwardly or downwardly. 
         [0040]    As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , the upper portion  23  of the shoe body  20  has opposed upper flap portions  65  which bound a channel  66  therebetween. This makes possible the lateral expansion of the shoe body for receiving or removing the foot of the wearer. The shoe body has a tongue  67  beneath the upper flap portions and channel. 
         [0041]    The shoe body  20 , in the embodiment shown and described herein, has three (3) straps  68  which extend across the upper flap portion  65  of the shoe body for the purpose of securing the shoe body in properly fitted relation to the foot of the wearer. The straps are also employed to release the upper flap portions for removal of the wearer&#39;s foot from the shoe body. Each strap has an attached end portion  69  permanently attached to one of the upper flap portions  65  and an opposite securing end portion  70 . “Velcro” fasteners  71  are mounted on the securing end portion of each strap disposed for adjustable engagement with the other portion of the “Velcro” fastener which is composed of two portions. One portion is mounted on the upper portion  23  of the shoe body. The other portion of the “Velcro” fasteners is mounted on the securing end portion  70  of each strap  68 . 
         [0042]    A grasping loop  80  is mounted on the rearward portion  22  of the shoe body  20  for assistance in pulling on, or alternatively pulling off the shoe  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  a plurality of spike assemblies  81  are mounted on the bottom surface  38  of the toe portion  44  of the sole  30 . In the preferred embodiment of the shoe  10 , the spike assemblies are removable and capable of being replaced with different types of spike assemblies, can be left off entirely, or used in any preferred combination. The spike assemblies can be used in any desired pattern extending over the bottom surface of the sole. This is dependent upon the specific use intended for the shoe, the particular sport involved and the preference of the wearer. 
       Operation 
       [0043]    The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. 
         [0044]    As previously discussed, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is embodied in the shoe  10  as shown in the drawings. The shoe, or rather left and right shoes embodying the apparatus, are placed on the respective left and right feet of the wearer. This is achieved, in each case, by releasing the straps  68  from their respective “Velcro” fasteners  71 . This frees the upper flap portions  65  of each shoe to be moved from each other and the tongue  67  to be lifted. This, in turn, opens the interior  32  of each shoe body  20  for the insertion of the left or right foot, as appropriate, of the wearer or, conversely, the removal of each foot from its respective shoe. 
         [0045]    During insertion of each foot in its respective shoe, the big toe of the foot is inserted in the interior of the forward housing  56  and the four (4) smaller toes are inserted in side-by-side relation in the forward housing  55 . Thus, the big toe is separated from the four (4) smaller toes by being an opposite sides of the channel  57  to the point of the terminus  58  thereof. The big toe and the four (4) smaller toes of each foot and the ball of each foot are directly over the spike assemblies  81 , as best shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]    Using the grasping loop  80 , as necessary, the shoe body  20  is pulled fully on to the foot so that the foot is fully received in the interior  32  of its respective shoe. The tongue  67  is lowered into rested engagement with the upper surface of the foot, or sock worn on the foot, so as to be comfortable. The upper flap portions  65  are then drawn toward each other using the straps  68  and the securing end portions fastened in place using the “Velcro” fasteners  71 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5 . The straps are drawn tightly enough for securing by the “Velcro” fasteners for the particular activity to be performed using the shoes such as, for example, track and field training or competition. 
         [0047]    As previously discussed, the forward housings  55  and  56  respectively can be moved up or down together or independently of each other with the forward portion  21  and toe portion  44  of the sole  30  providing sufficient flexibility to accommodate such movement. Because of this flexibility, the forward housings  55  and  56  can be manipulated by the wearer&#39;s toes to grip a surface, or other object therebeneath. This gripping effect permits the wearer to have a significant advantage by superior traction and gripping ability over prior art shoes not having this ability. In addition, the wearer has these capabilities together with the use of the spike assemblies  81  to enhance the gripping ability, traction and rapid maneuverability. 
         [0048]    Still further, the application of this gripping ability can be varied to suit the circumstances entirely under the control of the wearer. Thus, for example, in football and soccer the traction sufficient to achieve a sudden change of direction is entirely under the control of the wearer. Similarly, in track and field training and competition, the degree of application of this gripping ability, for example, may be greater at the start of a race than during the remainder of the race. In high jump and pole vaulting the specific time and degree of such traction can be essential to success. In long jump the degree and timing of traction can be all important. 
         [0049]    There are many other examples and environments where the degree and control of such traction can be sited. Just to identify one such different environment of use, with the removal of the spike assemblies, the shoes can with little or no other modification be used to advantage in basketball. 
         [0050]    Therefore, the apparatus for use in footwear and the like provides enhanced performance; has particular utility when embodied in a shoe; has improved capabilities in flexibility, gripping characteristics, traction and maneuverability; is both comfortable and durable in use; affords a superior capability for traction on a supporting surface regardless of the composition of the supporting surface; permits the wearer to have an improved degree of control over the amount and character of the gripping characteristics; and is otherwise successful in achieving its operational objectives. 
         [0051]    Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.