Aerodynamic bicycle shoe components

Abstract

The invention relates to athletic shoe elements that add improved aerodynamic efficiency to an athletic shoe, particularly bicycling shoes. These elements perform as front and / or rear projections below the surface of the sole of the athletic shoe to reduce drag forces on the shoe without impeding the athletic functionality of a shoe as used in sports performance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 345,102 filed May 15, 2010, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention relates to athletic clothes and shoes which improve aerodynamic efficiency of the athlete wearing these garments.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0003]In many speed-based individual athletic events, such as bicycling, speed skating, and running, the difference between achieving first or second place is typically a fraction of a second. Individually-controllable factors, such as form and athletic power, are often the focus in the training for reducing performance time in such events. Drag due to the resistance of the movement of an athlete through a fluid such as the air or water is also a contributing factor in increasing performance time.[0004]A body moving through a fluid experiences a drag force, which may be divided int...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention provides athletic clothing and athletic shoes that significantly reduce the drag forces, and particularly the pressure or “form” drag on an athlete wearing these accessories, thereby improving the performance time and efficiency of the athlete through enhanced aerodynamics. Although bicycling is referred to throughout the specification, it is understood that aspects of this invention may be used for other sports, such as speed skating and skiing.

[0010]The invention provides projections located on the sole of a shoe that are formed and shaped such that air passing over the bottom of the shoe, particularly when a bicyclist has engaged the cleat of a bicycle shoe in a bicycle pedal while riding a bicycle, passes smoothly over the cleat and the pedal, thereby reducing the friction that is created by air passing over the cleat and pedal below the bicyclist's shoe in the absence of such projections. This reduction in friction can significantly reduce the performance time of an athlete competing in a timed bicycle competition.

[0011]In one aspect of the invention, these projections may be mated with a bicycle shoe. In other aspects, the projections may be mated to a shoe cover that holds the projections in the proper orientation under the sole of a shoe to maximize the aerodynamic benefits of the projections positioned on a shoe. These shoe covers are preferably of a simple construction that can be readily manufactured at low cost, but light in weight, and may be folded as desired and therefore readily carried by a cyclist. They can preferably be quickly and easily slipped on or off and is therefore convenient for use by cyclists.

Problems solved by technology

Frictional drag is due to the friction between the fluid and the surfaces over which the fluid is flowing.

Bicycling gear, including shoes and pedals create drag between the athlete and the air due to the different equipment shapes, such as the straps or shoelaces, the tongue on the top of the shoe, and the cleats and pedals on the bottom of the shoe, all of which may contribute to frictional and pressure drag.

None of these traditional shoe covers contain aerodynamic components.

This reduction in friction can significantly reduce the performance time of an athlete competing in a timed bicycle competition.

Images