Training System for an Article of Footwear

• US 20100304346A1
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Morag, Eraz
• Granted Patent: US 8,632,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/258
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/025 characterised by an element which improves the contact between the ball and the footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/18 Joint supports, e.g. instep supports

Abstract

A training system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The training system includes a method of training an athlete to use an article of footwear with a shape correcting member to perform various types of skills including passing a ball. The method can be implemented on a computer, mobile device or as an instruction booklet. The training system provides a total training solution for an athlete that is designed to enhance specific athletic skills.

Claims

1. A method of training a user wearing an article of footwear, comprising the steps of:

providing training instructions to the user;

instructing the user to move along a predetermined path;

instructing the user to pass a ball by contacting the ball with a portion of an upper of the article of footwear including a shape correcting member, the shape correcting member being disposed in an inner portion of the upper and the shape correcting member including a central hole configured to receive a bony protrusion of a foot; and

wherein the shape correcting member presents a flat surface for the upper in the portion adjacent to the bony protrusion.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the training instructions are provided in a written format.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the training instructions are provided in a video format.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the training instructions are provided in an audible format.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the training instructions are provided in a training kit, the training kit including the article of footwear.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the training instructions provide instructions for training multiple athletes simultaneously.

7. A method of training a user wearing an article of footwear, comprising the steps of:

providing training instructions to the user;

instructing the user to maintain a ball within a control zone, the control zone having predetermined boundaries;

instructing the user to pass the ball outside of the control zone by contacting the ball with a portion of an upper of the article of footwear including a shape correcting member, the shape correcting member including an inner surface associated with a portion of a foot and an outer surface disposed opposite of the inner surface, the inner surface being pre-shaped to fit to the contours of the portion of the foot; and

wherein the outer surface is a substantially smooth surface.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the set of instructions are provided on removable media.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the training instructions are provided in an instruction booklet.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the training instructions are provided on a website.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the training instructions are provided in a software application.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the training instructions are configured to be accessed on a computer.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the training instructions are configured to be accessed on a mobile device.

14. A method of using an article of footwear, comprising the steps of:

receiving training instructions;

moving along a predetermined path, the predetermined path being determined from the training instructions;

passing a ball by contacting the ball with a portion of an upper of the article of footwear including a shape correcting member, the shape correcting member including an inner surface associated with a portion of a foot and an outer surface disposed opposite of the inner surface, the inner surface being pre-shaped to fit to the contours of the portion of the foot; and

wherein the outer surface is a substantially smooth surface.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the training instructions and the article of footwear are received in a training kit.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method includes a step of using a computing device to read digital information related to the training instructions.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method includes a step of receiving the training instructions from a website.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method includes a step of reading an instruction booklet that includes the training instructions.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method includes a step of downloading a training application onto a mobile device, the training application including information about the training instructions.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method includes a step of watching a training video, the training video including information about the training instructions.