AU2008203180A1

AU2008203180A1 - Athletic footwear with kicking surface

Info

Publication number: AU2008203180A1
Application number: AU2008203180A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kevin Hawkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-09
Filing date: 2008-07-17
Publication date: 2009-02-26

Description

00 SATHLETIC FOOTWEAR WITH KICKING SURFACE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements in the kicking surface of athletic 00 footwear.

MSummary 00 oO The present invention in one preferred aspect provides for an article of athletic footwear for use in kicking a ball, the footwear including an upper having a fastening region; a fastening means for fastening the shoe to a user, the fastening means being engageable with said fastening region; and a ball kicking surface covering a majority of the fastening region, the ball kicking surface being generally convex and including a plurality of projections.

In another preferred aspect, the present invention provides a method for kicking a ball with a shoe having fastening region and a generally convex ball kicking surface over a portion of the fastening region, the ball kicking surface having a plurality of projections, the method comprising: positioning a foot relative to the ball so that the portion of the ball kicking surface over the fastening region will contact the ball; and contacting the ball with a portion of the ball kicking surface that is over the fastening region.

Brief Description of the Figures Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an athletic footwear with a kicking surface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an upper perspective view of the footwear of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the footwear of Fig. 1.

00 C Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the footwear of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of a portion of the kicking surface of the footwear of Fig. 1.

oo 0Detailed Description of the Drawings 00 Alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow.

Figs. 1 to 5 show a preferred embodiment of a shoe or boot 10 having an upper 12 with a fastening region 14 and a toe region 16 at least partially covered by a kicking surface 100 for kicking a ball. The preferred elements of the shoe and their interrelationship are described below.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, kicking surface 100 preferably includes an upper section 102 covering or overlying a portion of the fastening region and a lower section 104 covering a portion of the toe region of the shoe. Upper section 102 preferably includes side portions 106, 108, a top portion 110, a bottom portion 112, and an upper surface 114 having a plurality of projections 116 (described below).

As shown in Fig. 5, projections 116 are each preferably generally configured as a cylinder having a top 118 and a side 120. Projections 116 are preferably spaced apart from one another and cover a majority of the surface area of upper surface 114. Top 118 is preferably non-pointed, more preferably generally flat to provide a fairly hard, rigid gripping surface. Such a configuration advantageously provides a better gripping surface, and therefore increases the accuracy and power of a kick. Although not excluded from the present invention, projections 00

O

N which terminate in a point are prone to deflect when kicking a ball, thereby absorbing a portion of the energy that would otherwise be used to kick the ball off the shoe.

Each projection preferably has a width that is greater than its height. Projections 00 0116 preferably have a generally uniform height throughout kicking surface 100.

SThe generally uniform height of the projections contributes to the accuracy of the 00 kick. It will be appreciated that the shape, placement and number of projections Smay be varied as appropriate. For example only, projections 116 may be formed as a plurality of square, rectangular, or dome-shaped projections. Projections 116 will preferably have a height in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm and may be varied if desired across the kicking surface.

The spacing between projections 116 is advantageous for providing an improved gripping surface as during wet conditions, water will tend to flow away from the tops of the projections and in the spacing between the projections.

In a preferred embodiment, fastening region 14 of shoe 10 includes two groups of shoe lace openings separated by a central gap. Upper section 102 is preferably sized and configured to cover or overlie nearly the entire fastening region of the shoe except the most distal shoe lace opening of each group relative to toe region 16. Such positioning is best suited for ball games such as Australian Rules Football, rugby and North American football as such games generally require a user to try to kick the ball with the upper surface of the shoe in order to achieve an accurate place kick. It will be appreciated that upper section 102 may be sized to cover all of the shoe lace openings or leave more than the most distal openings exposed or uncovered.

In order to fit over the fastening region, top portion 110 of upper section 102 preferably includes a concave curve configured to permit access to shoe lace 18 as shown in Fig. 1. Bottom portion 112 of upper section 102 preferably includes a convex curve. Upper surface 114 of upper section 102 preferably has an over-all c convex shape from side to side from a front perspective. The convex shape provides an improved gripping surface to propel the ball. An upper surface having an over-all concave shape is less desirable. Such a configuration leads to a less than accurate kick because if the ball is not precisely centred when contacting the shoe, then the ball will be partially deflected to the side of the spot oO _where the user intends to kick the ball.

00 Lower section 104 preferably covers a portion of toe region 16 as shown in Figs.

1, 2 and 4. Lower section 104 preferably includes a top portion 122, a bottom portion 124 and an upper surface 126 having a plurality of projections 116. Top portion 122 includes a concave curve that preferably intersects the convex curve of bottom portion 124.

It will be appreciated that the perimeter of each of upper section 102 and lower section 104 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, if desired lower section 104 may be omitted or combined to join with upper section 102. Kicking surface 100 may extend around the sides and leading end of the shoe if desired.

Kicking surface 100 is preferably formed from a hard rubber material. An example of preferred material is PGM 44. Kicking surface 100 will preferably have a hardness or Shore durometer in the range of approximately 50A to more preferably 55A to 70A. The ranges described above may include a subset of ranges therein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Upper section 102 is preferably attached to upper 12 of shoe 10 via two rows of stitching 128 proximate bottom portion 112 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Upper section 102 may be lifted away from most of the fastening region, somewhat like a hood on an automobile, so that the user may have greater access to the fastening region if needed. Upper section 102 may include a slot proximate each side portion 106, 108 to engage an extension from the side of the shoe. The side 00 C extension of the shoe may be formed as a locking tab to lockably engage the sides of upper section 102.

Lower section 104 is preferably adhesively attached to toe region 16. It will be appreciated that upper section 102 and lower section 104 may be attached to 00 oO _shoe 10 in other ways. For example only, either or both sections may be Cadhesively attached, stitched, or integrally formed with the shoe. Either or both of

(N

00oo upper section 102 and lower section 104 may be configured to be detachably Cremovable from the shoe. For example only, upper section 102 may include a fastening means such as Velcro

TM

snaps, buttons, a zipper, and/or one or more loops to engage with a portion of the shoe body or the shoe lace.

Having described the preferred components of shoe 10, a preferred method of use will now be described. To put the shoe on, a user will preferably insert his or her foot into the shoe and tie the shoe laces at the upper end of the fastening region. If adjustments are needed to the lacing of the shoe, the user may disengage the sides of upper section 102 from the sides of the shoe and lift top portion 110 up and away to access the desired amount of lacing. Once the user is wearing the shoe, the user positions his or her foot relative to the ball so that the portion of the kicking surface over the fastening region will contact the ball.

The user then contacts the ball with a portion of the kicking surface over the fastening region to kick the ball in a direction desired by the user. The present invention is suitable for use in games requiring a degree of accuracy when kicking a ball. Examples include, but are not limited to Australian Rules Football, rugby (Union and League), North American football, and soccer (or European football).

It will be appreciated that one or more of the steps described above may be performed in a different order, varied, or omitted entirely without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For 00

O

N example only, fastening means other than shoe laces may be used to fasten the shoe. For example, Velcro T M snaps, buttons, and/or a zipper may be used to fasten or tighten the shoe.

Upper section 102 may be retained to the shoe with only the shoe lace. For 00 example, the lower surface of upper section 102 the surface oriented toward Sthe user's foot) may include one or more loops configured for engagement with 00 the shoe lace to strap the kicking surface to the shoe. The stitching 128 shown in SFigs. 2 and 4 may extend along the entire length of each side portion 106, 108 if desired. Other methods of attaching the kicking surface to the shoe may be used, such as adhesion.

One or more apertures may be included in the kicking surface to assist in ventilating the shoe. The apertures may be positioned in the spacing between projections 116, through a portion of projections 116 through top 118), or both.

If desired, the base of each projection may be of a smaller dimension than its top.

Examples of such projections include, but are not limited to inverted frustoconical projections, inverted trapezoidal projections, inverted pyramidal projections, or any combination thereof.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention in a preferred form provides the advantages of more accurate kicking through an improved gripping surface. In a preferred form, the spacing between projections enhances the grip of the kicking surface during wet conditions. The convex shape of the upper surface contributes to the over-all accuracy of the kick. The generally flat top of the projections enhances the grip of 00 C the kicking surface and permits more energy to be directed in the intended direction of the kick.

The kicking surface of the present invention maybe applied to a variety of athletic 0footwear including, but not limited to shoes, cleats, boots and spikes.

00oo It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of 00oo illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims

1. A shoe for use in kicking a ball, said shoe comprising: an upper having a fastening region; 0 a fastening means for fastening the shoe to a user, said fastening means 0 being engageable with said fastening region; and Sa ball kicking surface covering a majority of said fastening region, said ball 00oo kicking surface being generally convex and including a plurality of projections. 0 0

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein said ball kicking surface completely covers said fastening region.

3. The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said projections are non-pointed.

4. The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said projections include a generally flat upper surface.

The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said projections are generally shaped as a cylinder.

6. The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said projections are spaced apart from one another.

7. The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said projections comprise a majority of an upper surface area of said ball kicking surface.

8. The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ball kicking surface is stitched onto said upper.

9. The shoe of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said ball kicking surface is detachably removable from said upper.

The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ball kicking surface has a Shore hardness in the range of approximately 50A to

11. The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ball kicking surface includes a plurality of apertures.

12. The shoe of claim 11, wherein said apertures are positioned within at least some of said projections.

13. The shoe of claim 11, wherein said apertures are positioned between at least some of said projections. 00 O N

14. The shoe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening Z means includes a shoe lace.

The shoe of claim 14, wherein said fastening region includes two groups of shoe lace openings separated by a central gap, said ball kicking surface covering 0all but the most distal shoe lace opening of each group relative to a toe region of oo00 said shoe.

16. A method of kicking a ball with a shoe having fastening region and a 00oo generally convex ball kicking surface over a portion of the fastening region, the Oball kicking surface having a plurality of projections, the method comprising: positioning a foot relative to the ball so that the portion of the ball kicking surface over the fastening region will contact the ball; and contacting the ball with a portion of the ball kicking surface that is over the fastening region.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of positioning and contacting are conducted during a game of Australian Rules Football.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of positioning and contacting are conducted during a game of rugby.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of positioning and contacting are conducted during a game of North American Football. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of positioning and contacting are conducted during a game of soccer.