Patent Publication Number: US-2018035746-A1

Title: Adaptable footwear for playing football

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to footwear worn when playing football. The invention is suitable for all codes including soccer, rugby, and Australian, American, and Gaelic football but is especially useful when playing what is known in most countries as football and distinguished in others as soccer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There have been a number of proposals over time for football shoes or boots with uppers to enhance the outcome of kicking a ball. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,936 discloses a football shoe having an upper with an instep defined by a pair of longitudinally extending spaced-apart ridges laterally of a transversally concave surface for substantially cupping a ball that contacts the instep. The upper further has a toe region and the ridges have, at their front ends behind the toe region, front surfaces with respective upper peaks. 
     The broad concept of a concave ball contacting surface is also disclosed in European patent 359081, in which a pair of ridges are disposed along the sides of the lace region, and in European patent 496931 in which the concave surface extends from a planar shoe tip almost to the ankle opening. International patent publication WO1996/022712 describes a soccer shoe in which a mix of external leather patches and ribs in the toe region are thought to give the player a more accurate control of the ball during kicking. 
     With the configuration of U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,936, objective tests have established that the modified upper increases the departure velocity of the ball when all other factors are substantially equal, and subjective player experience is that the configuration increases kicking accuracy. Both these benefits are clearly valuable when kicking for goal in soccer and other football codes. However, player experience is that football shoes with modified uppers of the kinds disclosed in the aforementioned patents can be less comfortable than unmodified shoes, especially when running down the ground, because of reduced flexibility in the upper. This was a reason why the modified region is set back behind the toe region in embodiments described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,936, and in a commercial shoe made pursuant to that patent and marketed under the brand Concave™. 
     Another modified football shoe is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,943. This shoe includes a ball control insert containing one or more protruding ball control surfaces that are mounted within a flap portion which overlies the tongue. Whilst this modified shoe may enhance ball kicking ability, the location and extent of the ball control insert may be uncomfortable for the wearer, particularly when running. 
     To address the need to provide a more comfortable football shoe with enhanced ball kicking, the applicant developed a shoe, disclosed in International patent publication WO2014/183170, in which the generally rigid ball control region is located substantially rearwardly of the toe region within a flap that overlies the tongue. Due to its substantially rearward position, the rigid ball control region of this football shoe does not impose or impress upon the bridge or toes of the wearer&#39;s foot, thereby providing a more comfortable fit. 
     While these shoes have been found beneficial for their improved kicking accuracy and ball speed, players have suggested that comfort might further be improved during running, and have also expressed some concern about the additional weight of the shoe arising from the inserted material to achieve the modified upper configuration. 
     Additionally, some wearers have experienced difficulty in lacing-up shoes which contain the modified upper configuration, or find such shoes to be aesthetically unappealing due to their bulkier size. 
     It is an object of the invention to at least in part address these concerns. 
     Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been realised, in accordance with the invention, that it is possible to address concerns about comfort, weight, ease of use, and aesthetics, and still achieve enhanced ball kicking by supplementing the tongue of the shoe, rather than by modifying the upper, for example, by including a flap on the upper which overlies the tongue (as in prior designs). 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a football shoe or football boot including a sole, an upper, a fastening means to fasten the shoe or boot in place, and a layer of material that in situ is disposed between the fastening means and an underlying foot or hose, wherein the layer of material includes a ball control region with an outer ball control surface contactable with a football during kicking, and wherein said ball control surface lies rearwardly of a foremost region of the layer of material. 
     In an embodiment, the layer of material may be a tongue that is attached to the upper or integral with the upper at its forward end. In an alternative embodiment, the layer of material may be attached to or integral with the upper laterally of the ball control region to each side thereof. In this embodiment, the layer of material may extend rearwardly into a collar portion, which collar portion extends about an ankle or lower leg of a wearer when the shoe or boot is worn. In various embodiments, the layer of material may comprise a soft flexible fabric, or may be of a material similar to the upper. 
     The fastening means preferably comprises lacing, but may also comprise any other known fastening means typical in the art. For example, the fastening means may comprise clasps, clips, straps, bands that may include Velcro, or the like. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a football shoe or football boot including a sole, an upper, and a tongue, wherein the tongue includes a ball control region with an outer ball control surface contactable with a football during kicking, and wherein said ball control surface lies rearwardly of a foremost region of the tongue. 
     The football shoe or football boot according to first and second aspects of the invention may also include one or more of the additional features described below. 
     In an embodiment, the ball control region is integral with the layer of material or tongue, or formed with the layer of material or tongue. In an alternative embodiment, the ball control region is provided by a separate element that overlies a region of the layer of material or tongue. In this embodiment, the separate overlying element may be secured or adapted to be secured to the layer of material or tongue. The overlying element may include a portion that contacts an outer surface of the layer of material or tongue, which portion includes the ball control region. 
     Preferably, the portion of the overlying element that contacts the outer surface of the layer of material or tongue is a first portion, and the overlying element includes a second portion, wherein said second portion of the overlying element is secured or adapted to be secured to the layer of material or tongue. Preferably, the second portion is a relatively thin elongate portion which is located generally forward of, or extending from, the first portion. 
     In an embodiment, said second portion of the overlying element is adapted to be secured to the layer of material or tongue by being adapted to be received within a slit, or within a slit defining a pocket, in the outer surface of the layer of material or tongue. Advantageously, by being adapted to be secured to the layer of material or tongue, the overlying element may be a separate interchangeable piece. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the overlying element, for example by way of the second portion thereof, may be secured to the layer of material or tongue by being stitched, welded, or otherwise fastened to the tongue. 
     According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the ball control region is preferably dimensioned such that it lies generally within a region defined by plural eyes, apertures, or inner sleeves in the upper, said plural eyes, apertures, or inner sleeves being adapted to receive the fastening means to fasten the shoe or boot in place. In an embodiment having an overlying element, the element may be dimensioned such that, when secured to the layer of material, the element is generally received within the region defined by the plural eyes, apertures, or inner sleeves. 
     According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the ball control region is preferably dimensioned such that it lies generally within an opening in the upper defined by opposing lateral edges of the upper. In an embodiment having an overlying element, this element may be dimensioned such that, when secured to the tongue, it is received generally within the opening in the upper defined by the opposing lateral edges of the upper. Typically, said opposing lateral edges of the upper include plural eyes, apertures, or inner sleeves for receiving lacing, said lacing adapted to secure the shoe to a wearer&#39;s foot by closing the opening in the upper to the appropriate extent. 
     Preferably, said overlying element also includes plural eyes or apertures for receiving lacing, such that, when the football shoe or football boot is worn, the position of the overlying element relative to the layer of material or within the opening in the upper may be controlled. 
     Advantageously, the ball control region comprises a transversely curved outer ball control surface between respective lateral ridge portions. Preferably, said transversely curved outer ball control surface presents a concave surface, at least when contacted with a football during kicking. 
     Preferably, said lateral ridge portions of said ball control region are inwardly tapered rear to front. Furthermore, said lateral ridge portions are preferably curved inwardly and downwardly when viewed from a transverse cross-section and define, at their edges, outwardly extending shoulders which include the plural eyes or apertures for receiving lacing. 
     According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the tongue preferably extends further rearwardly than a rearmost edge of the overlying element and in addition advantageously provides cushioning between the rearmost edge of the overlying element and the wearer&#39;s ankle. 
     Preferably the upper comprises a flexible material for the wearer&#39;s optimum comfort, whereas the ball control region may typically include relatively more rigid material for defining the ridge portions and the transversely curved outer ball control surface, thereby imparting a greater velocity to a ball kicked by contact with the upper including the ball control region. 
     As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised”, are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front outer side perspective view of a left football shoe according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an overlying element that is adapted to be secured to the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear top-down perspective view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a front top-down perspective view of the shoe shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT 
     The illustrated embodiment of a football shoe  10  is designed especially for playing the form of football also known in some countries as soccer. It includes a sole  12 , an upper  14 , and a tongue  16 . The upper  14  and tongue  16  are fashioned in a suitable highly flexible leather or polymer material as is typical in the art. The upper  14  includes opposing lateral edges  18  which define a longitudinally extending lace-up opening  20  in the upper  14 . The sole is provided with an array of studs  22 . Typically, the studs  22  include interchangeable aluminium tips (not shown). The sole  12 , the upper  14 , the tongue  16 , and studs  22  are made and assembled by known techniques. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the tongue  16  includes an overlying element in the form of a generally elongate insert  24  that is secured to the tongue  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the insert  24  includes a first, or upper, portion  26  having a ball control region  28  of substantially rigid material. Ball control region  28  exhibits an outer transversely curved or concave ball control surface  30  between respective lateral ridge portions  32 . Outer ball control surface  30  is contactable with a football during kicking. At the outside of the insert upper portion  26 , lateral ridge portions  32  curve generally downwardly and then inwardly to form an inverted U in transverse cross-section, and then turn outwardly to terminate in lengthwise extending edge portions  44  (see  FIG. 3 ). Edge portions  44  are sloped generally transversely downwardly and include plural eyes or apertures  46  for receiving shoe lacing, as described below. 
     Both concave surface  30  and lateral ridge portions  32  are inclined generally downwardly from a rear edge  56  of insert  24  to a transversely curved shoulder  34  located generally midway along the insert  24 . Ridge portions  32  merge smoothly into shoulder  34 , which defines a generally U-shaped formation joining the ridge portions  32 . The curved shoulder  34  provides a downwardly sloped transition from the ball control region  28  to a second, or forward, portion of the insert  24  in the form of a relatively thin elongate tab portion  36 . The thin elongate tab portion  36  also exhibits a transversely concave surface  38  between respective lateral edges  40 , albeit the concave surface  38  is substantially shallower in profile as compared to the concave surface  30  of the ball control region  28 . The lateral edges  40  of the elongate tab portion  36  taper inwardly, and the tab portion  36  terminates at a generally semi-circular forward end  42  that joins the lateral edges  40 . The lateral edges  40  of the tab portion  36  also merge with lateral edges  58  of the outwardly extending edge portions  44  at or about the transversely curved shoulder  34 . 
     Advantageously, concave surface  30  also includes spaced shallow transverse grooves or channels  48  that assist in contacting a football during kicking. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the insert  24  is secured to the tongue  16  by stitching (not shown). During manufacturing of the shoe  10 , the insert  24  is slidably received in a transverse slit or opening  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) in the outer surface of the tongue  16 . The slit or opening  50  in the tongue  16  is located generally near a longitudinal midpoint of the opening  20  that separates the opposing lateral edges  18  of the upper  14 . The insert is pushed down into the slit  50  until the transversely curved shoulder  34  of the insert  24  is generally located at or near the slit  50 . Once received through the slit  50 , the insert  24  is stitched to the tongue  16  by suitable stitching located generally forward of the slit in the tongue. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the insert may be adapted to be secured to the tongue by being slidably received in a pocket defined by the slit or opening  50 . In this embodiment, the wearer can easily secure the insert  24  to the tongue  16  by simply grasping the insert  24  about its upper portion  26 , and thereafter, sliding the elongate tab portion  36  of the insert  24  down the outer surface of the tongue  16  and into the pocket defined by the opening  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the insert  24  is properly received in the opening  50 , the first or upper portion  26  of the insert  24  contacts the outer surface of the tongue  16 , and the ball control surface  30  lies rearwardly of a foremost region of the tongue  16 . Also, in this position, the tongue  16  extends further rearwardly than the rear edge  56  of the insert  24 . Advantageously, this arrangement provides cushioning between a rearmost edge of the outwardly extending edge portions  44  of the insert  24  and the wearer&#39;s ankle. 
     It is contemplated that a variety of inserts  24  may be used with shoe  10 . The inserts may differ in overall shape, including the length of the elongate tab portion  36 , the profile of the transversely curved ball control surface  30 , and the number and profile of the transverse grooves or channels  48 . Advantageously, a particularly shaped insert  24  may be selected depending upon the requirements of the day, for example, for wet weather conditions or otherwise. Furthermore, the insert  24  is adapted to be secured to the tongue  16  whilst the shoe  10  is being worn, or prior to being worn. 
     A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the ball control region  28  comprising the outer ball control surface  30  may be integral with the tongue  16 , or may be formed from the tongue. In this arrangement, a separate insert  24  is not required to be secured or adapted to be secured to the tongue  16 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the insert  24  is such that, when secured to the outer surface of the tongue  16  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), the insert  24  is generally received within the longitudinally extending opening  20  in the upper  14 . In this position, the curved lateral ridge portions  32  of the insert  24  are substantially adjacent the respective lateral edges  18  of the upper  14 , and the outwardly extending edge portions  44  of the insert  24  are generally aligned with plural eyes or apertures  52  in the upper  14 . Advantageously, lacing  54  can then be received through the aligned apertures  52 ,  46  of the upper  14  and insert  24  respectively (see  FIG. 1 ). Thereafter, the insert  24  is securely fastened to the tongue  16 , by being received in the opening  50  and by lacing  54 . 
     In an alternative non-illustrated embodiment of the invention, another football shoe or football boot is provided. This shoe or boot is similar to that illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , but includes a continuous upper comprising a soft flexible material. The shoe further includes a layer of material integral with the upper laterally of the ball control region to each side thereof. The layer of material is disposed between a fastening means comprising lacing and an underlying foot or hose. The layer of material extends rearwardly into a collar portion that extends about an ankle or lower leg of a wearer when the shoe is worn. This shoe is of the sort marketed commercially under the name Nike Magista. 
     The football shoe or boot further includes an overlying element in the form of a generally elongate insert that is secured to the layer of material in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 . The insert is of the sort illustrated in  FIG. 2  and includes a ball control region with an outer ball control surface contactable with a football during kicking. The ball control surface lies rearwardly of a foremost region of the layer of material. 
     The elongate insert is slidably received in a transverse slit or opening in an outer surface of the layer of material. Once received through the slit, the insert is stitched to the layer of material by suitable stitching located generally forward of the slit in the layer of material. In an alternative non-illustrated embodiment, the insert may be adapted to be secured to the layer of material by being slidably received in a pocket defined by the slit or opening. 
     In a further alternative non-illustrated embodiment of this invention, the layer of material may be a tongue that is attached to the upper or integral with the upper at its forward end. 
     The shoe configurations described above retain the advantageous feature of a ball control surface  30  that substantially cups a ball as it is kicked to thereby improve the accuracy and velocity of the kick, whilst maintaining a flexible and comfortable upper, especially when the wearer is running. At the same time, the described shoes are substantially easier to lace-up as compared to prior shoes with modified uppers. Furthermore, by eliminating the need to modify the upper, the described shoes are generally lighter and aesthetically pleasing. 
     It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.