Abstract:
A kicking shoe attachment for use by the rider of a kick scooter or the like having an elongated body with a flat upper surface with a skid resistant upper sole thereupon, and an opposing curvilinear lower surface with a wear resistant lower sole disposed thereupon. The elongated body may be split apart horizontally and two or more springs may be placed between the upper and lower body portions. Alternately, a block of a resilient material may be substituted for the springs. 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 harness or quick-release safety binding is provided to retain a riders foot to the kicking shoe attachment. A tether may be provided for securing the kicking shoe attachment when not in use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention pertains to an attachment for footwear and, more particularly, to an attachment for a shoe or boot worn by the “kicking” foot of a rider of a kick scooter or the like to minimize the bending of a rider&#39;s leg standing on the kick scooter. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    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 imparts motion (typically forward motion) to the kick scooter. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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 
       [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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). 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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; 7905,033; 7,913,422; 7,950,166; and 8,627,582, all generally similar in disclosure. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,096 for MOBILE PLATFROM ASSEMBLY issued Jul. 24, 2012 to Jaime Alberto Reyes, Jr., discusses assisting with push-off in a wheeled, body bearing vehicle. 
         [0010]    United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0193684 for CONVERTIBLE SHOE published Aug. 6, 2009 upon application by Laurence Diamond, shows a “footbed” 92 which may be stacked on a sole to modify wearer height (paragraph 41). 
         [0011]    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 ). 
         [0012]    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. 
         [0013]    It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide an attachment for a shoe or boot to be worn on the kicking foot of the rider of a kick scooter that would minimize the amount of leg bending typically required when riding a kick scooter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    A main body of the kicking shoe attachment is formed from any lightweight sturdy material (e.g., aluminum, plastic, etc.) and may be made in one or two parts. In a two-part body, the parts are arranged one above the other 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. 
         [0017]    The main body includes a substantially flat upper surface and is adapted to receive the shoe of the rider thereupon. In an alternate embodiment the flat upper surface may include an optional depression to accommodate the hill of a woman&#39;s shoe. 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 kicking leg of the kick scooter rider. 
         [0018]    The bottom surface of the main body is preferable a convex curve 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. 
         [0019]    The height of 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 the rider&#39;s legs are always level with one another. 
         [0020]    An adjustable harness is 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. 
         [0021]    A tether or other security device may be included to lock the novel kicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure when it is not in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    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: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational, schematic view of a first, solid body embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment with a laminated solid body. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  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; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  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; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  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; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational, schematic of the kicking shoe attachment of  FIG. 1  but having a tether attached to the main body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    The present invention provides an attachment for a shoe to facilitate propelling a kick scooter, skateboard, or similar planar device. 
         [0031]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , 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 . 
         [0032]    A solid main body  102  has a substantially flat upper surface  104 , and a convex lower surface  106 . In this embodiment, main body  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 material. 
         [0033]    An upper sole  108  is fastened to the upper surface  104  of main body  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  rests. Further, the invention is not intended to be limited to the material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable materials. 
         [0034]    A lower sole  110  is fastened to a lower, convex, curvilinear surface  106  of main body  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. It will be 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 area and, consequently such devices and/or methods are not further discussed herein. 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    A heel cup  118  is disposed on upper sole  108  proximate a rear edge thereof. Heel cup  118  positions and retains the heel portion of a rider&#39;s shoe. Heel cup  118  may be movably attached to upper sole  108  using mechanism and methods believed to be well known to those of skill in the art to accommodate footwear of different lengths. 
         [0037]    A substantially circular opening in upper sole  108  provides access to a hollow heel receiver  112  formed in solid body  102 . Heel receiver  112  is provided to accept a protruding heel attached to the sole of footwear, typically women&#39;s footwear. Heel receiver  112  typically has and inverted frustoconical form. If heel cup  118  is movably attached to upper sole  108 , substantially circular opening  112  may be replaced with an elongated slot, not shown. 
         [0038]    The combination of elongated main body  102 , upper sole  108 , and lower sole  110  has a height  124 . 
         [0039]    Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a top plan, elevational view of the kicking shoe attachment of  FIG. 1 . As may be seen, main body  102  has an elongated, ovulate shape corresponding roughly to the outline of a shoe or boot. 
         [0040]    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. 
         [0041]    Additionally, heel cup  118  may be made adjustable along the major axis  126  of elongated main body as shown by arrow  128 . Mechanisms allowing such adjustment are also believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and any suitable mechanism may be used to provide such adjustability. 
         [0042]    It will be further recognized that main body  102  may alternatively be formed by laminated layers. Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a kicking shoe attachment having such an elongated main body construction. Main body  102  as shown in  FIG. 1  is replaced by a laminated body  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, etc. In alternated 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 or plastic to provide a cushioning effect for the kicking foot, not shown. 
         [0043]    Elongated main body  102  lends itself well to formation by the process of solid printing. As solid printing technically produces a layered structure, a solid printed elongated main body would be crudely represented as elongated main body  130 . 
         [0044]    Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , 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  150 . 
         [0045]    In the kicking shoe attachment  150  elongated main body  102  of kicking shoe attachment  100  is split into two portions; and upper body portion  152  and a lower body portion  154 . Each of upper body portion  152  and lower body portion  154  is thinner than solid main body  102 . 
         [0046]    Coil springs  156  are interposed between a lower surface of upper body portion  152  and an upper surface of lower body portion  154 . Springs  156  are typically coil springs having sufficient stiffness to maintain connective integrity between upper body portion  152  and lower body portion  154  while providing a kicking assist to the rider of a kick scooter. 
         [0047]    While coil springs  156  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  156 . 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. 
         [0048]    Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment with springs within the body generally at reference number  200 . 
         [0049]    In kicking shoe attachment  200 , springs  156  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  150 . Resilient material  202  may readily be adhesively attached to a lower surface of upper body portion  152  and an upper surface of lower body portion  154 . 
         [0050]    Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , 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 . 
         [0051]    Kicking shoe attachment  250  is nearly the same as kicking shoe attachment  100  with the exception that solid main body  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  150  while maintaining the necessary height and structural integrity. 
         [0052]    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. 
         [0053]    Referring now also to  FIG. 7 , there is shown the kicking shoe attachment of  FIG. 1  with an attached tether  260 . Tether  260  is securely anchored in elongated main body  102  and extends outwardly therefrom. A locking apparatus, not shown, may be used to attach tether  160  to elongated main body  102 . 
         [0054]    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 . 
         [0055]    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.