Abstract:
A kicking shoe attachment for use by the rider of a kick scooter having an elongated core with a flat upper surface with an upper sole thereupon, and an opposing curvilinear lower surface with a wear resistant lower sole disposed thereupon. Optionally a heel cup connected to a heel cup carrier plate is slidably supported in a heel cup carrier plate receiver. A latching mechanism allows securing the heel cup and carrier plate in a desired position along a major axis of the elongated core. The elongated core may be split apart horizontally and two or more springs, a block of a resilient material or a scissor jack mechanism may be placed between the portions. An opening may be placed in the upper surface of the elongated body to receive the protruding heel of typically a woman&#39;s heeled shoe or boot. A removable plug may fill the hole when unneeded.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/140,653 filed Apr. 28, 2016 that is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/578,631 filed Dec. 22, 2014 for Kicking Shoe Attachment for Propelling Kick Scooters and the Like, both being included herein in their entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to footwear attachments and, more particularly, to devices attachable to the sole of a shoe or boot that has a height (i.e., thickness) to allow the “kicking” foot equipped with the device to touch the pavement while requiring little or no bending of the a rider&#39;s non-kicking leg standing on the kick scooter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Kick scooters are well known and widely used. In addition, so-called skate boards have become widely used in recent years. A rider, particularly of a kick scooter places one of his or her feet on the horizontal wheeled platform of the kick scooter and uses his or her other foot to exert pressure against the ground. In accordance with Newton&#39;s Third Law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Consequently the pushing action of a rider&#39;s foot against the ground at an acute angle imparts motion (typically forward motion) to the kick scooter. 
     Once the kick scooter is in motion, the rider may lift his or her “kicking” foot and coast until such time the friction slows the kick scooter and additional pushing is required from the rider. 
     This action requires constant bending of the rider&#39;s leg that stands on the scooter platform while the rider&#39;s other leg pushes the scooter forward by kicking back the ground. Such constant leg bending and the resulting shifting of a rider&#39;s weight upward and downward with each leg bend may be very tiring. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Several attempts are found in the prior art to provide foot wear that embeds some mechanism in the sole or other lower portion of a shoe or boot that might help alleviate the bending of a kick scooter rider&#39;s non-kicking leg. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,531 for SPRING SPACE SHOE issued Feb. 3, 2004 to Brian G. Rennex discloses a shoe having a spring biased, compressible ground engaging surface movable relative to the sole. Push-off is discussed (see FIGS. 5A-5C and Column 7, lines 14-41). 
     United States Published Patent Application No. 2014/0090277 published Apr. 3, 2014 upon application by Michael S. Amos et al. shows a first sole member 28 that can move relative to a second sole member 30 for push off (paragraph 26). The sections 30, 28 are positioned fore and aft. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,583 issued Jan. 14, 2014 to Stephen Perenich shows a shoe with an extensible sole (FIGS. 11, 12, 31 and 32). Perenich also has U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,900,377; 7,905,033; 7,913,422; 7,950,166; and 8,627,582, all generally similar in disclosure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,096 for MOBILE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY issued Jul. 24, 2012 to Jaime Alberto Reyes, Jr., discusses assisting with push-off in a wheeled, body bearing vehicle. 
     United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0193684 for CONVERTIBLE SHOE published Aug. 6, 2009 upon application by Laurence Diamond, shows a “foot bed” 92 which may be stacked on a sole to modify wearer height (paragraph 41). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,984 for WALKING SHOE issued Sep. 7, 2004 to Carmine U. Jackinsky shows a thick sole deck for a shoe (FIG. 1). 
     None of the patents and published patent applications, taken singly, or in any combination are seen to teach or suggest the Kicking Shoe Attachment for Propelling Kick Scooters and the Like of the present invention. 
     It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide an attachment for a shoe or boot to be worn on the kicking foot of a kick scooter rider that would minimize the amount of bending of non-kicking leg of the rider when riding a kick scooter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided an accessory attachable to the shoe of a kick scooter rider. A kick scooter rider has a stationary foot placed on the platform of the kick scooter. The rider&#39;s other foot (i.e., the kicking foot) is used to propel the kick scooter. As the rider “kicks” the ground, the stationary leg must bend with each pushing stroke. As the stationary leg bends, the entire weight of the rider is supported thereupon. The constant flexing of the stationary leg may be very tiring. 
     Attaching the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention to the shoe of the kicking foot of the rider effectively extends the length of the kicking leg allowing the bottom of the kicking shoe attachment to contact the ground with little or no bending of the rider&#39;s stationary leg. 
     For casual riding, the height of the kicking shoe attachment is typically designed to be approximately equal to the height of the upper surface of the kick scooter&#39;s deck above the ground. However, for a “sporting” style of riding, such an approximately 1:1 ratio of heights may not provide desirable power from the kicking strokes. If the height of the kicking shoe attachment is made lower (i.e., the kicking shoe attachment is made thinner), the rider&#39;s center of gravity is shifted toward the kicking foot thereby allowing more powerful kicking strokes. 
     A main body core of the kicking shoe attachment is formed from any lightweight sturdy material (e.g., aluminum, plastic, etc.) and may be made in one, two, or more parts. In a two-part body, the parts are arranged one above the other typically with a resilient structure sandwiched between the upper and lower body portions. The resilient structure may include one or more springs or it may be formed from an elastomeric material. The resilient structure between the upper and lower body portions reduce the shock to the kicking leg. 
     In yet other embodiments, a height adjusting device may be disposed between an upper and lower body portion to allow the overall height of the kicking shoe attachment to be varied to accommodate different kick scooters, riding styles (e.g., relaxed, sporty, etc.), and/or rider footwear. 
     The main body includes a substantially flat upper surface and is adapted to receive the shoe of the rider thereupon. In a first embodiment, only a toe strap is used to secure a kick scooter&#39;s rider&#39;s footwear to the top surface of the main body. An elongated opening in the top surface of the main body and the upper sole accepts the heel of typically a woman&#39;s shoe. 
     In a second embodiment, a heel retaining cup is adjustably attached to the substantially flat upper surface by a flat heel cup retainer plate. The heel cup retainer plate may be moved forward and backward along the major axis of the main body. A retaining mechanism is used to secure the position of the heel cup and the heel cup retainer plate along the major axis. Adjustability of the heel retaining cup helps secure the Kicking Shoe Attachment in accordance with the invention more securely to shoes of different sizes and/or styles. 
     A hole in the heel cup retainer plate allows a downwardly-protruding heel portion of a shoe to be accommodated in a heel receiver groove or trough in the upper surface of the main body. 
     When not used, a removable plug is provided to fill the unused hole. 
     An upper sole, typically made of rubber or any other suitable non-skid and/or cushioning material is attached to the upper surface of the upper body portion. The upper sole provides a stable surface to support the stationary leg of the kick scooter rider. 
     The bottom surface of the main body is preferably has a convex shape to provide good contact with the ground during the entire duration of the kicking or propelling stroke as the angle of the kicking leg relative to the ground changes. A lower sole also made from rubber or any other suitable durable material is attached to the curved lower surface of the lower body portion. The lower sole provides good traction during the contact with the ground. 
     For casual riding, the height of the main body, including upper and lower soles is ideally chosen to be substantially equal to the height of the scooter&#39;s platform above the ground. Such a height ensures minimum bending of a rider&#39;s stationary leg with each propelling (i.e., kicking) stroke. As previously mentioned, for a “sporting” style of riding, the kicking shoe attachment may be made lower than the height of the kick scooter platform. 
     An adjustable harness may be attached to the upper surface of the upper body portion typically using a quick-release or other safety binding devices. The harness retains the shoe of the kick scooter rider tightly against the upper sole of the upper body portion of the kicking shoe attachment. 
     A tether or other security device may be included to lock the novel kicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure or to the kick scooter when it is not in use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective, schematic view of a typical kick scooter showing a portion of a rider having a kicking shoe attachment attached in accordance with the invention worn on the kicking foot of a rider; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side elevational, schematic view of a first, solid body embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side elevational, schematic view of a second, solid body embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment as shown in  FIG. 2A  with no heel cup carrier; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment as shown in  FIG. 2B  with a heel cup carrier secured in the rear most orientation; 
         FIG. 3C  is a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment as shown in  FIG. 2B  with a heel cup carrier secured in the foremost orientation; 
         FIG. 3D  is front cross-sectional view along section A-A as shown in  FIG. 3C  and providing a detailed view of a securing mechanism; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a top plan and side elevational, schematic view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a plug; 
         FIGS. 4C, 4D, and 4E  show a top plan and two side elevational, schematic views, respectively, of a second embodiment of a plug; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment with a laminated solid body. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational, schematic view of a second embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with springs within the body in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with resilient material within the body in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational, schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with weight-reducing holes within the body in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment of  FIG. 2  but having a tether attached to the main body; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational, schematic view of an embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment having an adjustable height mechanism within the body in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides an attachment for a shoe, boot, etc. of the kicking foot of a rider of a kick scooter to facilitate propelling the kick scooter, skateboard, or similar device while minimizing the bending of the stationary leg of the rider during kicking strokes. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective, schematic view of a typical kick scooter showing a portion of a rider having a kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention attached to his/her kicking foot, generally at reference number  300 . A typical kick scooter  302  forms no part of the present invention and is shown only to illustrate the intended operating environment of the kicking shoe attachment of the invention. 
     Kick scooter  302  has a deck  304  comprising a flat surface for receiving the stationary foot  306  of a rider  308 . Rider  308  also forms no part of the present invention. 
     The upper surface of deck  304  is disposed at a height “h”  310  above the surface of the pavement or other surface  316  upon which the kick scooter  302  is being ridden. 
     A representative kicking shoe attachment  100   b  is shown on kicking foot  314  of rider  308 . Several embodiments of a kicking shoe attachment are disclosed hereinbelow and any of the disclosed embodiments may be substitutes for kicking shoe attachment  100   b  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Kicking shoe attachment  100   b  has a height (i.e., vertical thickness) h′  312 . Height h′  312  is either approximately equal to or less than height h  310 . When heights h  310  and h′  312  are equal, bending of the stationary leg of a rider during a kicking stroke is minimized. 
     If height h′  312  of the kicking shoe attachment  100   b  is less than deck height h  310 , more bending of the knee of the rider&#39;s stationary leg will be required during kicking strokes. However, more powerful kicking strokes may possibly be produced when the rider is in “sporting” riding mode where such more powerful strokes are probably beneficial. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 2A, and 3A  there are shown side elevational and top plan schematic views, respectively, of first embodiment of a kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention, generally at reference number  100   a.    
     A solid main body core  102  has a substantially flat upper surface  104 , and a convex lower surface  106 . In this embodiment, main body core  102  is formed from a solid piece of sturdy, lightweight material. Such lightweight, sturdy materials include lightweight metals such as aluminum and polymers such as ABS. It will be recognized that numerous other lightweight, sturdy materials may be known to those of skill in the art and, consequently, the invention is not limited by the material examples chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable main body core  102  material. 
     An upper sole  108  is fastened to the upper surface  104  of main body core  102 . Upper sole  108  is typically formed from rubber, either natural or artificial, or from another polymeric elastomer. Upper sole  108  is ideally formed from a non-slip material upon which the shoe of a rider of the device being used with kicking attachment  100   a  rests. Further, the invention is not intended to be limited to the upper sole  108  material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable upper sole  108  material. 
     A lower sole  110  is fastened to a lower, convex, curvilinear surface  106  of main body core  102 . Lower sole  110  is formed from a wear resistant material designed to wear well as lower sole  110  is kicked against the horizontal surface on which the kick scooter, etc. is being propelled by a rider thereof. Further, the invention is not intended to be limited to the lower sole  110  material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable lower sole  110  material. 
     It will be further recognized by those of skill in the art that lower sole  110  may be attached to lower, convex, curvilinear surface  106  in a manner that facilitates its replacement when worn or damaged. Device and/or methods for replaceably fastening lower sole  110  to lower surface  106  are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and, consequently such devices and/or methods are not further discussed herein. 
     A front retaining strap  114  or similar structure is disposed forward on upper sole  108 . Front retaining strap  114  is adapted to adjustably and securely retain the toe region of the rider&#39;s shoe against upper sole  108 . A hook-and-loop fastening system is typically utilized to provide the adjustability required for the application. The hook-and-loop fastening system has a first portion  120  of either hook or loop material and second portion  122  formed from the opposite one of hook or loop material, disposed on surfaces of front retaining strap  114  in ways believed to be well known to those of skill in the art. 
     A heel receiving space  112  is provided to accept a protruding heel attached to the sole of footwear, typically women&#39;s footwear. Heel receiving space  112  typically is configured as an elongated groove. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2B , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of first embodiment of a kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention, generally at reference number  100   b.    
     Kicking shoe attachment  102   b  has a solid main body core  102  having a substantially flat upper surface  104 , and a convex lower surface  106  identical to kicking shoe attachment  100   a  of  FIG. 2A . 
     An upper sole  108  is fastened to the upper surface  104  of main body core  102 . Upper sole  108  is typically formed from rubber, either natural or artificial, or from another polymeric elastomer. Upper sole  108  is ideally formed from a non-slip material upon which the stationary shoe of a rider of the device being used with kicking attachment  100   b  rests. Further, the invention is not intended to be limited to the upper sole  108  material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable upper sole  108  material. 
     A lower sole  110  is fastened to a lower, convex, curvilinear surface  106  of main body core  102 . Lower sole  110  is formed from a wear resistant material designed to wear well as lower sole  110  is kicked against the horizontal surface on which the kick scooter, etc. is being propelled by a rider thereof. Further, the invention is not intended to be limited to the lower sole  110  material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable lower sole  110  material. 
     It will be further recognized by those of skill in the art that lower sole  110  may be attached to lower, convex, curvilinear surface  106  in a manner that facilitates its replacement when worn or damaged. Device and/or methods for replaceably fastening lower sole  110  to lower surface  106  are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and, consequently such devices and/or methods are not further discussed herein. 
     A front retaining strap  114  or similar structure is disposed forward on upper sole  108 . Front retaining strap  114  is adapted to adjustably and securely retain the toe region of the rider&#39;s shoe against upper sole  108 . A hook-and-loop fastening system is typically utilized to provide the adjustability required for the application. The hook-and-loop fastening system has a first portion  120  of either hook or loop material and second portion  122  formed from the opposite one of hook or loop material, disposed on surfaces of front retaining strap  114  in ways believed to be well known to those of skill in the art. 
     In alternate embodiments, one or more snap fasteners  116  may be used to secure front retaining strap  114 . 
     A heel retaining cup  118  is attached at its lower edge to an upper surface, not specifically identified, of a heel cup carrier plate  134 . Heel cup carrier plate  134  is slidably retained on upper sole  108  by heel cup carrier plate receiver  136 , best seen on  FIG. 3D , proximate a rear edge thereof. 
     Heel cup carrier plate  134  is slidably secured to heel cup carrier plate receiver  136  that is, in turn, secures to upper sole  108  and/or upper surface  104  of main body  102 . 
     The sliding attachment of heel cup carrier plate  134  to heel cup carrier plate receiver  136  allows forward and backward movement of heel cup  118 , thereby accommodating shoes of different sizes to be securely attached to the Kicking Shoe Attachment. 
     In alternate embodiments, the function of heel cup carrier plate receiver  136  may be replaced by horizontal grooves, not shown, in main body  102 . These grooves are disposed in opposing sides of main body  102  proximate upper surface  104 . The grooves are disposed and configured to receive and retain heel cup carrier plate  134  as seen in  FIG. 3D . 
     A substantially circular opening in heel cup carrier plate  134  and an elongated opening in upper sole  108  provide access to a hollow heel receiving space  112  formed in solid body core  102 . Heel receiving space  112  is provided to accept a protruding heel attached to the sole of footwear, typically women&#39;s footwear. Heel receiving space  112  typically is an elongated groove. 
     The combination of elongated main body core  102 , upper sole  108 , and lower sole  110  has a height  124  corresponding to height h′  312  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 3A , there are shown top plan, schematic views of the kicking shoe attachment of  FIG. 2A . No heel cup  118  ( FIGS. 3B-3D ) is present in this embodiment. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 3B and 3C , there are shown top plan, schematic views of the kicking shoe attachment of  FIG. 2B . In  FIG. 3B , heel cup  118  is shown in its rear-most position while in  FIG. 3C , heel cup  118  is shown in its most forward position. As may readily be seen, main body core  102  has an elongated, ovulate shape corresponding roughly to the outline of a shoe or boot. 
     Front retaining strap  114  or similar structure disposed forward on upper sole  108 , may be replaced with numerous other footwear retention mechanisms believed to be well known to those of skill in the art. One such well-known, useful replacement could be a quick release binding mechanism, not shown, commonly used on skis, skateboards, etc. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 3D , there is shown a front enlarged cross-sectional view A-A. Heel cup  118 , heel cup carrier plate  134  and heel cup carrier plate receiver  136  may readily be seen. In addition, a latching mechanism that maintains heel cup  118  and heel cup carrier plate  134  in a desired position. The latching mechanism consists of a depressible button  144  having a button lip  138  in a button well  148 . A spring  146  maintains upward pressure on a lower surface, not specifically identified, of button lip  139  and the button  144  so as to hold button  144  in a selected one of openings  142 , best seen in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there are shown top plan and side elevational, schematic drawings of a first embodiment of a plug  150   a  for insertion in substantially circular hole  138  of heel cup carrier plate  134 . 
     Plug  150   a  has a substantially circular cross-section and a substantially flat upper surface  151 . A pair of finger recesses  152  is formed in upper surface  151  on either side of central region  153 . 
     Plug  150   a  has at least one side vertical wall having a taper  154 . 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 4C, 4D and 4E , there are shown a top plan, a first vertical cross-sectional and a second vertical cross-sectional, schematic view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a plug, generally at reference number  150   b.    
     Plug  150   b  has a substantially flat upper surface  151  with a single finger recess  158  and a pivotable handle  156  disposed therein. Pivotable handle  156  is movable from a flat, stored orientation as shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D . In its flat, stored orientation, pivotable handle  156  lies substantially flush with upper surface  151 . 
     Pivotable handle  156  may be raised to a vertical, operable orientation as shown in  FIG. 4E . When in its vertical, operable orientation, handle  156  may be used to facilitate extraction of plug  150   b  from substantially circular opening  138   138  in heel cup carrier plate  134 . 
     It will be further recognized that main body core  102  may alternatively be formed by laminated layers. Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a kicking shoe attachment having such an elongated main body core construction. Main body core  102  as shown in  FIG. 2  is replaced by a laminated body core  130  comprising a plurality of layers  132   a ,  132   b  . . .  132   n . Layers  132   a ,  132   b  . . .  132   n  may be formed from a single material such as wood, plastic, rubber, etc. In alternate embodiments, layers  132   a ,  132   b  . . .  132   n  may be formed from two or more different materials. In one possible construction, layers of cork may be interspersed among layers of wood, rubber, or plastic, etc. to provide a cushioning (e.g., damping or shock absorbing) effect for the kicking foot, not shown. 
     Elongated main body core  102  lends itself well to formation by traditional laminating processes wherein successive vertical layers are adhesively bonded to one another 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a second embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with springs within the elongated main body, generally at reference number  180 . 
     In the kicking shoe attachment  180  elongated main body core  102  of kicking shoe attachment  100   b  is split into two portions; an upper body portion  182  and a lower body portion  184 . The combined thickness of upper body portion  182  and lower body portion  184  is smaller than the thickness of solid main body core  102 . 
     Coil springs  186  are interposed between a lower surface of upper body portion  182  and an upper surface of lower body portion  184 . Springs  186  are typically coil springs having sufficient stiffness to maintain connective integrity between upper body portion  182  and lower body portion  184  while providing a kicking assist to the rider of a kick scooter. 
     While coil springs  186  are shown for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that springs of other types, for example, leaf springs, may readily be substituted for coil springs  186 . Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the coil springs chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all other suitable forms of springs. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with resilient material within the body generally at reference number  200 . 
     In kicking shoe attachment  200 , springs  186  ( FIG. 6 ) are replaced by a block of a resilient material  202 . Materials such as polyurethanes, latex, or polyether urethanes (EU) elastomeric foam have been found suitable for the application. It will be recognized by those of skill in that art that suitable other material may be available. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the materials chosen for purposes of disclosure. It is anticipated that kicking shoe attachment  200  is less expensive to manufacture while still providing the kicking assist benefits of kicking shoe attachment  180 . Resilient material  202  may readily be adhesively attached to a lower surface of upper body portion  182  and an upper surface of lower body portion  184 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with a one piece body generally at reference number  250 . 
     Kicking shoe attachment  250  is nearly the same as kicking shoe attachment  100   b  with the exception that solid main body core  102  is replaced with a main body  252  that has a plurality of through holes  254  from side to side. Through holes  254  are provided to reduce the weight of kicking shoe attachment  250  and enhance cushioning to body  252  in cases where body  252  is formed from an elastic material while maintaining the necessary height and structural integrity. 
     While through holes  254  are shown in a regular pattern for purposes of disclosure, it may be desirable to arrange through holes  254  in a more random pattern for structural purposes. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 9 , there is shown the kicking shoe attachment of  FIG. 2  with an attached tether  260 . Tether  260  is securely anchored in elongated main body core  102  and extends outwardly therefrom. A locking apparatus, not shown, may be used to attach tether  260  to elongated main body core  102 . 
     A locking device useful for securing kicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure is shown schematically at reference number  262  at a distal end, not specifically identified, of tether  260 . Locking device  262  may alternately be attached to kicking shoe attachment  100   a ,  100   b  to prevent dangling of teacher  260  when the kick scooter is being ridden. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of yet another embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment, generally at reference number  300 . 
     Kicking shoe attachment  300  incorporates a height adjusting mechanism  282  that allows a user to adapt kicking shoe attachment  300  for use with multiple kick scooters having varying deck heights h  310  ( FIG. 1 ). In addition, as the soles of footwear to which kicking shoe attachment  300  may be attached may vary significantly, height adjustment mechanism  282  may be used to “tweak” the height h′  312  of  FIG. 1  for optimum kicking performance, especially minimum bending of the stationary leg of the rider. 
     Height adjusting mechanism  282  is a scissor jack mechanism wherein a lead screw  288  may be rotated by applying a crank or the like to eye  290 . Lead screw passes through a pair of captive nuts, not shown at each end of a pair of scissor arms, not specifically identified. Scissor jack mechanisms are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art. Consequently, the more exact details on height adjusting mechanism  282  are not provided herein. It will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that any variation of scissor jack mechanism may be adapted for use with kicking shoe attachment  300 . It will be further apparent to one of skill in the art that other styles of similar devices may be substituted for scissor jack  282 . Consequently, the novel kicking shoe attachment is not considered limited to the scissor jack used for purposes of disclosure. Rather, any suitable height-adjusting mechanism may be substituted. 
     Height-adjusting mechanism readily allows a rider to adjust his/her kicking shoe attachment to an optimum height for the style of riding (i.e., casual or “sporting”) the rider anticipates. 
     One or more stabilizing structures may be added, if required, to maintain vertical alignment of core portions  182  and  184 . 
     It will be recognized that alternate embodiments of kicking shoe attachment may be configured for attachment only to the toe end of a rider&#39;s footwear. One possible way to retain such an embodiment of a kicking shoe attachment is using an adjustable-width toe clamp similar to such clamps used on clamp-on roller skates. Such clamps are typically fastened in place by a so-called skate key that tightens or loosens the toe clamps. 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.