Patent Description:
This disclosure generally relates to articles of footwear and more particularly to articles of footwear for short distance track and field events.

A sprint shoe for short distance track and field events, such as the <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> races, typically comprises a spike plate and an upper. The spike plate includes traction elements (e.g., spikes) configured to increase friction between the sprint shoe and a track surface so that a sprinter does not slip during the event. The upper is formed from a thin, soft, flexible material configured to conform tightly to the sprinter's foot. Both the upper and the spike plate are configured to be as light as possible, even at the expense of durability. As such, a sprinter may use sprint shoe for only a few races before they discard it and replace it with a new sprint shoe.

<CIT> relates to a method for securing studded shoes by using the effect of inertia, wherein a studded shoe, comprising a structure of stud and receptacle combination, the stud including a ground-engaging part.

The present invention is defined by a track and field shoe according to claim <NUM>.

For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Features, characteristics, and/or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The disclosure is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The disclosure extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus can be used in conjunction with other systems, methods, and apparatus.

The explanations of terms and abbreviations herein are provided to better describe the present disclosure and to guide those of ordinary skill in the art in the practice of the present disclosure. As used herein, "comprising" means "including" and the singular forms "a" or "an" or "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "or" refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "and/or" used between the last two of a list of elements means any one of, or any combination of, the listed elements. For example, the phrase "A, B, and/or C" means "A," "B," "C," "A and B," "A and C," "B and C," or "A, B, and C.

As used herein, the terms "attached" and "coupled" generally mean physically connected or linked, which includes items that are directly attached/coupled and items that are attached/coupled with intermediate elements between the attached/coupled items, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

As used herein, the term "approximately" means the listed value and any value that is within <NUM>% of the listed value. For example, "approximately <NUM>%" means any value between <NUM>-<NUM>%, inclusive.

Unless explained otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Other features of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed description, claims, abstract, and drawings.

In short distance track and field events such as the <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> races, a sprinter typically starts a race from a crouched position with their feet positioned on a starting block and their hands on the ground. As the race begins, the sprinter accelerates by pushing off of the starting block with their legs and gradually transitions from the crouched position to an upright running position. Keeping the body low through the first several steps of a race may provide several benefits. For example, the sprinter's feet stay low to the ground, which may reduce the distance the feet need to travel to the next step. A low position may also create power and drive the hips down the track, thus setting up a pattern to create maximum horizontal velocity.

As part of keeping their body low, some sprinters drag their toe during one or more of the first few steps of the race, as shown for example in <FIG>. However, the "toe-drag technique" (as it is sometimes called) has several disadvantages. For example, friction between sprinter's shoe and the track surface may decrease the sprinter's acceleration. It may also cause the sprinter's toe to "chatter" or "skip" along the track surface, thus disrupting the sprinter's stride. These drawbacks may increase the sprinter's race time in races that are typically decided by fractions of a second.

Described herein are embodiments of articles of footwear (also referred to herein as "articles" or "shoes") that may reduce friction between the sprinter's shoes and the track surface during toe-drag. Accordingly, the articles described herein may improve acceleration and decrease race times.

The articles of footwear described herein can be used for various track and field events such as the <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> races, the <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, and <NUM> hurdles, long jump, high jump, and any other event in which the athlete sprints and/or the upper of the shoe drags on the track surface.

In one representative embodiment, a track and field shoe comprises an upper, a sole structure, and a toe plate. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The soles structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The toe plate is attached to an anterior portion of the toe box portion of the upper. One or more portions of the toe plate are exposed from an exterior surface of the upper.

In another representative embodiment, a track and field shoe comprises an upper, and a sole structure. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The sole structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a toe plate extending in a superior direction and a posterior direction from the anterior portion of the spike plate. One or more portions of the toe plate extend over an exterior surface of the toe box portion of the upper.

In another representative embodiment, a track and field shoe comprises an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The sole structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a toe plate. The toe plate extends in a superior direction and a posterior direction from the anterior portion of the spike plate and includes a plurality of raised surfaces.

In another representative embodiment, a track and field shoe comprises an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The sole structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a plurality of rails. The rails extend in a superior direction from the anterior portion of the spike plate.

In another representative embodiment, a track and field shoe comprises an upper, a sole structure, and a plurality of rails. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The sole structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The rails are attached to the toe box portion of the upper.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear ("article") <NUM> and its components. Although in certain figures a single article is shown for purposes of clarity, it should be noted that embodiments may include corresponding first and second articles of footwear <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>) configured for a left and right foot, respectively. Thus, it will be understood that the principles discussed herein may equally apply to another article of footwear corresponding to article of footwear <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary article footwear <NUM> comprising a sole structure <NUM> and an upper <NUM> that is attached to the sole structure <NUM>. The sole structure <NUM> can comprise a spike plate <NUM> with a toe plate <NUM>. The upper <NUM> can comprise a medial portion <NUM>, a lateral portion <NUM> (<FIG>), a closure system <NUM>, and an opening <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the closure system <NUM> can be coupled to and disposed between the medial and lateral portions <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., over a tongue portion <NUM> of the article <NUM>). The closure system <NUM> can be configured to allow the opening <NUM> to expand to allow a wearer's foot to be inserted into the article <NUM> and to constrict to secure the wearer's foot within the article <NUM>.

The spike plate <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM> can be coupled to a bottom portion of the upper <NUM>, for example, with adhesive and/or stitching. The spike plate <NUM> comprises a plurality of molded and/or metal spikes. In certain embodiments, one or more of the spikes can be integrally formed with the spike plate <NUM>. In other embodiments, one or more of the spikes can be removably attached to the spike plate <NUM>.

The toe plate <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM> can extend in a superior direction (e.g., vertically) from an anterior portion <NUM> of the spike plate <NUM> and can be attached to a toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. In some embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can be integrally formed with the spike plate <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. For example, the toe plate <NUM> and the spike plate <NUM> can be co-molded (e.g., injection molded). In other embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> and spike plate <NUM> can be formed as separate pieces. If formed as separate pieces, the toe plate <NUM> and spike plate <NUM> and can be coupled together (e.g., with adhesive, fasteners, or other means for coupling) and secured to the article <NUM> together, or they can be individually coupled to the sole structure <NUM> and the toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>, respectively. The toe plate <NUM> can be attached to the toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>, for example, with adhesive and/or stitching.

Referring to <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can optionally comprise one or more raised surfaces <NUM> that extend outwardly from a portion of the toe plate <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the toe plate comprises five raised surfaces <NUM>. In some embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can have fewer or more than five raised surfaces <NUM>. For example, the toe plate <NUM> can have one relatively wider raised surface <NUM>, or multiple relatively narrower raised surfaces <NUM>. The raised surfaces <NUM> can be configured to extend outwardly from the toe plate <NUM> such that only the raised surfaces <NUM> contact the track surface during toe-drag. The raised surfaces <NUM> may therefore further reduce drag by reducing the surface area of the toe plate <NUM> that contacts the track surface.

The raised surfaces <NUM> can comprise various configurations and/or shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the raised surfaces <NUM> can include elongate surfaces (i.e., surfaces that are longer than they are wide) such as rails, ribs, and/or ridges. The elongate surfaces can comprise various cross-sectional profiles (e.g., rectangular, circular, ovular, triangular, etc.) taken in a plane perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the elongate surfaces. In other embodiments, the raised surfaces can comprise a plurality of projections such as nubs and/or bumps.

In some embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> and the raised surfaces <NUM> can be integrally formed (e.g., co-molded). In other embodiments, the raised surfaces <NUM> can be formed separately from the toe plate <NUM> and attached to the toe plate <NUM>.

Despite conventional wisdom to form the upper from soft, flexible material and to minimize the weight of a sprinting shoe, configuring the article <NUM> with a hard, smooth toe plate <NUM> and/or raised surfaces <NUM> attached to the upper <NUM> can provide several advantages. For example, the hard, smooth toe plate <NUM> and/or raised surfaces <NUM> (rather than the relatively soft, rough upper <NUM>) can contact a track surface <NUM> when a sprinter <NUM> toe-drags out of a starting block <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. Due to the low friction between the toe plate <NUM> and/or the raised surfaces <NUM> and the track surface <NUM>, the article <NUM> moves forward quickly and smoothly without chattering or skipping. As a result, even with the added weight, the toe plate <NUM> and/or the raised surfaces <NUM> may increase a sprinter's acceleration and thus may reduce the sprinter's times.

<FIG> shows an exemplary article of footwear <NUM> comprising a sole structure <NUM> and an upper <NUM> attached to the sole structure <NUM>. The sole structure <NUM> can comprise a spike plate <NUM> with a toe plate <NUM>. The article <NUM> can generally be configured substantially similar to the article <NUM>.

The toe plate <NUM> can comprise one or more outwardly extending raised surfaces <NUM>. The raised surfaces <NUM> can comprises longitudinal axes (e.g., axis <NUM>). The raised surfaces <NUM> can be configured such that the longitudinal axes of the raised surfaces <NUM> are angled (e.g., non-parallel) to a superior/inferior axis <NUM> of the article <NUM>. The angle and/or direction in which the raised surfaces <NUM> extend can be configured to correspond to an angle at which the sprinter drags their toe relative to the track surface so that the raised surfaces <NUM> are parallel to the horizontal direction of travel of the sprinter's toe. This may reduce friction between the raised surfaces <NUM> and the track surface and may prevent or reduce toe chatter, which may promote quick and smooth toe-drag.

In some embodiments, the angle between the longitudinal axes of the raised surfaces <NUM> and the superior/inferior axis <NUM> of the article <NUM> is greater than approximately <NUM> degrees and less than approximately <NUM> degrees or within a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the angle can be with a range of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, inclusive.

In some embodiments, the raised surfaces <NUM> can be configured such that first ends <NUM> of the raised surfaces <NUM> are disposed relatively closer to either a medial side <NUM> or a lateral side <NUM> of the upper <NUM> than respective second ends <NUM> of the raised surfaces <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first ends <NUM> of the raised surfaces <NUM> are disposed relatively closer to the medial side <NUM> of the upper <NUM> than respective second ends <NUM> of the raised surfaces <NUM>. In some embodiments, a pair of shoes can be configured such that the first ends <NUM> of the raised surfaces <NUM> of each shoe in the pair are disposed relatively closer to the medial side <NUM> of the upper <NUM> than the respective second ends <NUM> of the raised surfaces <NUM>. In other words, the right and left shoes can be mirrored relative to each other.

Some sprinters may drag the toe of one foot at a different angle and/or direction relative to the track surface than the sprinter drags the toe of the other foot relative to the track surface. As such, in some embodiments, the raised surfaces <NUM> of one toe (e.g., the right article) can be configured at a different angle and/or direction (toward the medial or lateral side) than the raised surfaces <NUM> of the other toe (e.g., the left article).

<FIG> shows an exemplary article of footwear <NUM>. The article <NUM> can comprise a sole structure <NUM> and an upper <NUM> attached to the sole structure <NUM> and can generally be configured substantially similar to the article <NUM>. The sole structure <NUM> can comprise a spike plate <NUM>.

The article <NUM> can further include a toe plate <NUM> that extends in a superior direction from an anterior portion <NUM> of the spike plate <NUM> and over a toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. As shown, the toe plate <NUM> can comprise a hard, smooth outwardly facing surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can be coupled (e.g., co-molded or with an adhesive) to an anterior portion <NUM> of the spike plate <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> and the spike plate <NUM> can be co-molded from the same material. In other embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> and the spike plate <NUM> can be co-molded from different materials. This can be accomplished, for example, by using a two-step molding process in which the spike plate <NUM> is formed during a first step and the toe plate <NUM> is formed during a second step.

In some embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> and the spike plate <NUM> can be separately formed. In certain embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can coupled (e.g., stitched and/or with an adhesive) to a toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. In such embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can be formed from a first material (e.g., PTFE) and the spike plate can be formed from a second material (e.g., nylon).

In some embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can be coupled to the upper <NUM> in various manners. For example, in certain embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can be <NUM>-D printed onto the toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>.

The toe plate <NUM> can comprise various shapes and/or configurations. For example, the toe plate <NUM> can comprise a generally trapezoidal shape, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can comprise various other shapes such as triangular, rectangular, and/or ovular. In some embodiments, the toe plate <NUM> can configured to follow a convex exterior curvature of the toe box portion <NUM> (e.g., the curvature of the anterior end of the toe box portion). For example, the toe plate <NUM> can have a convex exterior curvature.

Referring still to <FIG>, the toe plate <NUM> can comprise a height H<NUM> and a width W<NUM>. The height Hi of the toe plate can be measured from a superior edge of the toe plate to an inferior edge of the toe plate. In embodiments that the toe plate and the spike plate are formed as a single piece, the inferior edge of the toe plate can be defined by a line extending from a superior surface of the spike plate (see, e.g., line <NUM> shown in <FIG>). The width W<NUM> of the toe plate can be measured at a midpoint of the height Hi (i.e., at a location Hi/<NUM>). The spike plate <NUM> can comprise a width W<NUM> measured at the widest part of the spike plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the width W<NUM> of the toe plate can be less than approximately <NUM>%, less than approximately <NUM>%, less than approximately <NUM>%, or less than approximately <NUM>% of the width W2 of the spike plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the height H<NUM> can be within a range of approximately <NUM> to <NUM> (which includes <NUM> and <NUM>) or a range of approximately <NUM> to <NUM> (which includes <NUM> and <NUM>).

<FIG> show an exemplary article of footwear <NUM> and its components. Referring to <FIG>, the article <NUM> can comprise a sole structure <NUM> and an upper <NUM> attached to the sole structure <NUM> and can generally be configured substantially similar to the article <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, the sole structure <NUM> can comprise a spike plate <NUM> and a plurality of raised surfaces <NUM> that extend in a superior direction (e.g., upwardly) from or adjacent an anterior portion <NUM> of the spike plate <NUM> and can extend in a posterior direction (e.g., toward the heel portion) over a toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. The raised surfaces <NUM> can be provided in lieu of (as opposed to in addition to) a toe plate (e.g., the toe plate <NUM>) to reduce weight. The raised surfaces <NUM> (e.g., rails) are spaced relative to each other such that the toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM> is exposed between the raised surfaces <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the raised surfaces <NUM> can be coupled (e.g., co-molded or with an adhesive) to an anterior portion <NUM> of the spike plate <NUM>. In lieu of or in addition to being coupled to the spike plate <NUM>, in some embodiments, the raised surfaces <NUM> can be coupled (e.g., with stitching and/or with an adhesive) to the toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. For example, in certain embodiments, the raised surfaces <NUM> can be <NUM>-D printed onto the toe box portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>.

Some sprinters may toe-drag during only one step (e.g., the first step) out of the starting block. Accordingly, in some embodiments, only one article in pair (e.g., the right article) can comprise a toe plate (e.g., toe plates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and/or raised surfaces (e.g., raised surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and the other article in the pair (e.g., the left article) can be configured without a toe plate and/or raised surfaces. This may help to reduce friction during toe-drag while reducing the overall weight of the pair.

The disclosed toe plates and/or raised surfaces can be formed from material that is relatively hard and smooth. For example, the toe plates and/or raised surfaces can be formed from material comprising a hardness of greater than approximately <NUM>, or in certain embodiments between approximately <NUM>-<NUM>, measured on a type D Shore durometer scale. In certain embodiments, the toe plates and/or raised surfaces can comprise one or more of nylon, polyether block amide ("PEBA"), polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE"), high-density polyethylene ("HDPE"), polyoxymethylene ("POM"), thermoplastic polyurethane ("TPU"), and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene ("UHMWPE").

The disclosed toe plates and/or raised surfaces can have one or more first frictional properties that are less than one or more second frictional properties of other portions of the article such as the upper. The first and second frictional properties can include a coefficient of static friction ("µs"), a coefficient of kinetic friction ("µk"), and/or other metric for measuring friction. For example, in some embodiments, the toe plate and/or raised surface of the article can have a µk of less than approximately <NUM> (or in certain embodiments <NUM>-<NUM>) relative to a surface (e.g., a track surface), and the upper of the article can have a µk that is greater than or equal to <NUM> (or in certain embodiments <NUM>-<NUM>) relative to the surface. The first frictional properties of the toe plate and/or raised surface and the second frictional properties of the upper should be compared relative to the same surface, with the same normal force, and at the same temperature, velocity, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and/or other property that may affect the measurement of frictional properties.

For example, in one particular embodiment, the µk of the toe plate and/or raised surfaces and a track surface (e.g., track surface <NUM> shown in <FIG>) is approximately <NUM>. For comparison, in some embodiments, the µk between an upper (e.g., uppers, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the track surface is approximately <NUM>-<NUM>.

Exemplary track surfaces can include one or more of synthetic materials, grass, turf, dirt, gravel, rock (e.g., packed granite), asphalt, concrete, and/or other material used for track surfaces. Synthetic track surfaces can include one or more of polyurethane, rubber, etc. Rubber for synthetic track surfaces can include one or more of ethylene propylene diene monomer ("EPDM"), styrene-butadiene rubber ("SBR"), latex, natural rubber, and/or a polymeric material. Rubber can also include virgin or recycled materials (e.g., shredded tires).

In certain embodiments, the toe plates and/or raised surfaces can have a smooth surface finish to reduce friction relative to the track surface. For example, the toe plates and/or raised surfaces can be polished, buffed, and/or have a lubricious coating to create a smooth surface finish.

In some embodiments, the toe plate, raised surfaces, and/or spike plate can be formed from the same material (e.g., nylon, PEBA, PTFE, HDPE, POM, TPU, and/or UHMWPE). In other embodiments, the toe plate, raised surfaces, and/or the spike plate can be formed from different materials. For example, in one particular embodiment, the toe plate can be formed from nylon and the raised surfaces can be formed from HDPE, or vice versa. In another particular embodiment, the spike plate can be formed from PEBA and the toe plate can be formed from PTFE.

Configuring an article of footwear with a toe plate and/or raised surfaces as described herein may, in certain embodiments, reduce friction during a sprinter's toe-drag by approximately <NUM>% or more relative to conventional track shoes. This, in turn, may reduce horizontal forces by approximately <NUM>% or more. It may also reduce vertical forces because the sprinter's foot does not chatter or skip along the track surface, which may reduce total horizontal forces (friction + horizontal components of the vertical forces) by approximately <NUM>% or more. Ultimately, the reduced forces may advantageously help the sprinter get to the next step up to, or exceeding, approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% faster.

The contemplated embodiments likewise include structural features described herein with regard to any example, can be combined with other structural features described in any one or more of the other examples. For example, the width ratios and/or heights of the toe plate <NUM> described with respect to the article <NUM> can be combined with the angled raised surfaces <NUM> described with respect to the article <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A track and field shoe (<NUM>) comprising:
an upper (<NUM>) including a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion (<NUM>); and
a sole structure (<NUM>) attached to the upper (<NUM>) and including a spike plate (<NUM>),
wherein the spike plate (<NUM>) has an anterior portion (<NUM>), a posterior portion, a plurality of molded and/or metal spikes, and a plurality of rails (<NUM>),
wherein the rails (<NUM>) extend in a superior direction and a posterior direction from the anterior portion (<NUM>) of the spike plate and extend over the toe box portion (<NUM>) of the upper (<NUM>),
wherein the rails (<NUM>) are spaced apart relative to each other, and
wherein the toe box portion (<NUM>) of the upper (<NUM>) is exposed between the rails (<NUM>).