Fast transition running shoe

• US 9,119,436 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2014
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald B. Ardell, Raphael V. Lupo
• Original Assignee: Donald B. Ardell, Raphael V. Lupo
• Inventors: Ardell, Donald B, Lupo, Raphael V
• Primary Examiner(s): MATTER, KRISTEN CLARETTE
• Application Number:
  US14/174,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20150223553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 361/05, 361/38
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/045 Uppers with inserted gussets
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/06 Running shoes; Track shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/002 Fastenings using stretchable material attached to cuts in the uppers
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1493 Strap fastenings having hook and loop-type fastening elements
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/005 Nails, pins

Abstract

A running shoe design focused on the heel section of running shoes used in, for example, T2 transition phase of the sport of triathlon. The heel reclines to facilitate the insertion of the foot without use of hands or need to bend in any way. Straps partially on the heel sides, kept at bay from premature contact with attachment pads on the forward portion of the running shoe, are kept away, and may also be kept later from premature contact by wire guides. Upon foot insertion, these straps, one on each side of the foot, are guided and securely affixed into place, for example, by a pressure movement of the opposite foot of the athlete.

Claims

1. A running shoe, comprising:

a sole having a toe section and a heel section;

a material cover connected to an upper area of the sole to form a cavity for receiving the foot of a runner;

a heel cup section formed from a material that is different than a material the sole is formed from, the heel cup section being hinged to a back end of the heel section of the sole to permit the heel cup section to recline at an angle sufficient to allow the runner'"'"'s foot to move smoothly into the shoe while the shoe remains in a substantially horizontal position; and

a fastening system for securing the heel cup section in a closed position, the fastening system comprising a connecting strap outwardly extended from each side of side surfaces of the heel cup section, and a receiving strap connected to each side of the material cover in a side position that will contact the connecting strap so as to secure the heel cup section in the closed position,

wherein a lowermost portion of the heel cup section has a width such that the lowermost portion of the heel cup section does not overlap with the material cover so as to form a gap between the lowermost portion of the heel cup section and the material cover when the heel cup section is in the closed position.

2. The running shoe of claim 1, further including spring bias wires connected to the connecting straps to secure the connecting straps away from the receiving straps when the heel cup section is in an open position.

3. The running shoe of claim 2, wherein the connecting straps and the receiving straps are Velcro or a Velcro-like material.

4. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the connecting straps and the receiving straps are Velcro or a Velcro-like material.

5. A running shoe and anchor comprising:

the running shoe of claim 1;

an anchor made of a material formed to receive and secure an outer sole of the running shoe of claim 1; and

spikes extending through the anchor material to permit insertion into a ground area wherein the anchor will receive and hold the runner'"'"'s shoe of claim 1 for a desired time.

6. The running shoe anchor of claim 5, wherein the anchor is made of a suitable rubber, plastic or metal material.

7. The running shoe and anchor of claim 5 wherein the spikes are made of metal.

8. The running shoe and anchor of claim 5 wherein the spikes have a nail-like shape.

9. The running shoe and anchor of claim 5 wherein the spikes are made of the same material as the anchor.

10. A running shoe and anchor comprising:

the running shoe of claim 1;

an anchor made of a material formed to receive and secure an outer sole of the running shoe of claim 1; and

an adhesive surface connected to an underside of the anchor for securing the anchor to a dry ground surface.

11. A running shoe comprising;

a sole having a heel section;

a heel cup section formed from a material that is different than a material the sole is formed from and which is pivotally hinged to a back end of the heel section of the sole, the heel cup section being pivotal between an open position and a closed position;

a cover section connected to the sole to form a cavity for receiving a foot of a runner;

securing straps secured to the heel cup section; and

target strips secured to sides of the cover section,

wherein the securing straps when connected with the target strips maintain the heel cup section in the closed position, and

wherein a lowermost portion of the heel cup section has a width such that the lowermost portion of the heel cup section does not overlap with the cover section so as to form a gap between the lowermost portion of the heel cup section and the cover section when the heel cup section is in the closed position.

12. A running shoe, comprising:

a sole having a toe section and a heel section;

a material cover connected to an upper area of the sole to form a cavity for receiving the foot of a runner;

a heel cup section hinged to a back end of the heel section of the sole to permit the heel cup section to recline at an angle sufficient to allow the runner'"'"'s foot to move smoothly into the shoe while the shoe remains in a substantially horizontal position;

a fastening system for securing the heel cup section in a closed position, the fastening system comprising a connecting strap outwardly extended from each side of side surfaces of the heel cup section, and a receiving strap connected to each side of the material cover in a side position that will contact the connecting strap so as to secure the heel cup section in the closed position; and

spring bias wires directly connected to the connecting straps to secure the connecting straps away from the receiving strap when the heel cup section is in an open position.