Multi-wheel heeling apparatus
First Claim
1. A multi-wheel heeling apparatus for walking and running and transitioning to rolling on a surface, comprising:
- a footwear having a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an arch portion, the forefoot portion of the sole inoperable for rolling to provide the primary contact with the surface for walking and running and to inhibit rolling;
a first opening formed in a heel portion of the sole;
a second opening formed in at least a portion of the arch portion of the sole adjacent the first opening;
a first wheel mounting structure operable to support a wheel, the first wheel mounting structure provided in the first opening;
a second wheel mounting structure operable to support a wheel, the second mounting structure provided in the second opening;
a first wheel assembly having a first wheel mounted on a first axle coupled at the first axle to the first mounting structure such that a portion of the first wheel resides in the first opening; and
a second wheel assembly having a second wheel mounted on a second axle coupled at the second axle to the second mounting structure such that a portion of the second wheel resides in the second opening, wherein the first and second wheels providing the primary contact with the surface to roll on the surface when the forefoot is disengaged from the surface.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-wheel heeling apparatus is provided. The multi-wheel heeling apparatus has a sole with a first opening formed in a heel portion of the sole and a second opening in the sole formed adjacent the first opening. The multi-wheel heeling apparatus includes a first and a second wheel assemblies. The first wheel assembly includes a first wheel mounted on a first axle, and a first mounting structure operable to support the first axle so that a portion of the first wheel resides in the first opening. The second wheel assembly includes a second wheel mounted on a second axle, and a second mounting structure operable to support the second axle so that a portion of the second wheel resides in the second opening.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A multi-wheel heeling apparatus for walking and running and transitioning to rolling on a surface, comprising:
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a footwear having a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an arch portion, the forefoot portion of the sole inoperable for rolling to provide the primary contact with the surface for walking and running and to inhibit rolling;
a first opening formed in a heel portion of the sole;
a second opening formed in at least a portion of the arch portion of the sole adjacent the first opening;
a first wheel mounting structure operable to support a wheel, the first wheel mounting structure provided in the first opening;
a second wheel mounting structure operable to support a wheel, the second mounting structure provided in the second opening;
a first wheel assembly having a first wheel mounted on a first axle coupled at the first axle to the first mounting structure such that a portion of the first wheel resides in the first opening; and
a second wheel assembly having a second wheel mounted on a second axle coupled at the second axle to the second mounting structure such that a portion of the second wheel resides in the second opening, wherein the first and second wheels providing the primary contact with the surface to roll on the surface when the forefoot is disengaged from the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of transitioning from a stationary state to a rolling state on a surface, comprising:
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contacting at least a portion of a forefoot of a footwear on a surface to inhibit rolling, a sole of the footwear having a heel portion and an arch portion with a first opening formed in a bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole and a second opening formed in bottom surface of a portion of the arch portion of the sole;
elevating the forefoot of the sole of the footwear relative to the surface such that either none or an insubstantial portion of a user'"'"'s weight is supported by the forefoot; and
rolling on the surface using a first wheel operable to rotate in the opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear and using the second wheel operable to rotate in the opening formed in the bottom surface of the portion of the arch portion of the wheel of the footwear while supporting at least a portion of the user'"'"'s weight. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A multi-wheel heeling apparatus for walking and running and transitioning to rolling on a surface, comprising:
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a footwear having a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an arch portion, the forefoot portion of the sole providing the primary contact with the surface for walking and running and to inhibit rolling;
an opening formed in the sole of the footwear, the opening extending from the heel portion to at least a portion of the arch portion of the sole;
a wheel mounting structure operable to support one or more wheels, the wheel mounting structure provided in the opening in the sole;
a first wheel assembly having a first wheel mounted on a first axle coupled at the first axle to the wheel mounting structure such that a portion of the first wheel resides in the opening; and
a second wheel assembly having a second wheel mounted on a second axle coupled at the second axle to the wheel mounting structure such that a portion of the second wheel resides in the opening, and wherein the first and second wheels providing the primary contact with the surface to roll on the surface when the forefoot is disengaged from the surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification