A device for attaching a weight on the instep of a shoe

Abstract

A device (1) for attaching a weight (4) on the instep (100) of a shoe (101) comprising a body (2) having: - a first coupling (23, 24) to releasably fasten the body (2) to a central area of the instep (100) of a shoe (101), such that when the device (1) is in use a part (21) of the body (2) overlaps the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101), and - a second coupling (25, 26) to fasten a weight (4) to the body (2); wherein the second coupling (25, 26) is offset from the first coupling (23, 24) such that, when the device (1) is in use, the second coupling (25, 26) is offset from the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101), whereby when a weight (4) is attached to the second coupling (25, 26) it exerts a torque on the body (2) about the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for attaching a weight on the instep of a shoe. The present disclosure also relates to a kit comprising said device and a weight.

[0002] The device of the present disclosure is suitable for the practice of fitness, sport, rehabilitation, or physiotherapy exercises.BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, weights and weighted garments are frequently used for sports training and even for orthopedic or rehabilitation treatments. In particular, the use of weighting devices during training sessions of sportspeople e.g. runners, football players, etc. is known. Some of the used devices are designed to be placed on the instep, for example the instep weighting device disclosed by document WO2014 / 140400.

[0004] Such a known instep weighting devices are configured to support the weight over the central area of the instep of a user. This type of devices may comprise a support plate provided with coupling elements for fastening a weight, wherein the support plate is configured to be attached on the instep of the shoe under the shoelaces of the shoe.

[0005] This type of known instep weighting devices is suitable for certain sports training sessions, for running, and for walking. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved device for attaching a weight on the instep of a shoe, which is capable of providing a more specific and effective training and / or rehabilitation effects according to the biomechanical needs of each user.SUMMARY

[0006] In a first aspect, a device for attaching a weight on the instep of a shoe is provided. The device comprising a body having: a first coupling to releasably fasten the body to a central area of the instep of a shoe, such that when the device is in use a part of the body overlaps the longitudinal axis of the shoe, and a second coupling to fasten a weight to the body; wherein the second coupling is offset from the first coupling such that, when the device is in use, the second coupling is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shoe, whereby when a weight is attached to the second coupling it exerts a torque on the body about the longitudinal axis of the shoe.

[0007] The device for attaching a weight on the instep of a shoe of the present disclosure, allows to place a weight to one side of the instep (the interior or the exterior area of the instep), that is, in a position suitable to execute training and / or rehabilitation exercises, e.g. focused to strengthen particular musculature of the ankle. Therefore, the device of the present disclosure is appropriate for sport training and / or physiotherapy, in particular for the treatment of foot deviation problems, such as pronation or supination of the ankle, ankle dislocations, and the like.

[0008] In the present disclosure, the "central area of the instep" is understood as the area extending at both sides of the longitudinal axis of the shoe.

[0009] In the present disclosure, by "in use" it is meant that the body of the device is fastened to a central area of the instep of a shoe through the first coupling.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the feature "the second coupling is offset from the first coupling such that, when the device is in use, the second coupling is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shoe", it is meant that the second coupling is offset from the first coupling in a direction that, when the device is in use, is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shoe.

[0011] In the present disclosure, the standing or upright position of the shoe may be understood as a position where the sole of the shoe is laying on a horizontal ground. For clarity, herein, considering a reference system with three coordinate axes, with a horizontal plane containing the horizontal ground where the shoe is positioned in the upright position, and a central vertical plane which contains the longitudinal axis of the shoe, it is understood that a "direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shoe when the device is in use" is a direction that is perpendicular to the central vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the shoe.

[0012] According to one example of the present disclosure, the device further may comprise a mounting base with a third coupling matching the first coupling of the body.

[0013] In examples, the mounting base may be configured to be attached on the instep of the shoe under the shoelaces and fastened with the shoelaces.

[0014] According to another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a kit comprising a device as disclosed herein, and a weight with a fourth coupling matching the second coupling of the body.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a kit comprising a device and a weight, according to one example of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a body of the device shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective assembled view of the kit in figure 1, before attaching the weight; Figure 4 is an elevation assembled view of the kit in figure 1; and Figure 5 is a schematic top view of the device shown in figure 1 when assembled in the instep of a shoe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0016] Figures 1 and 3 show a kit 10 comprising a device 1 according to an example of the present disclosure and a weight 4. In this example, the device 1 comprises a body 2 and a mounting base 3, as disclosed in the following.

[0017] Figure 5 shows schematically a device 1 according to an example of the present disclosure, in use, that is, when the device 1 is assembled in the instep 100 of a shoe 101. The longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101 is also illustrated herein.

[0018] The standing or upright position of the shoe 101 may be understood herein as a position where the sole of the shoe 101 is laying on a horizontal ground. For clarity, in figures 3 to 5, a reference system with three coordinate axes X,Y,Z is illustrated, thus showing an horizontal plane XY containing the horizontal ground where the shoe 101 is positioned in the upright position, and a central vertical plane ZY which contains the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101 in the direction of the axis Y.

[0019] In the example disclosed herein, the mounting base 3 is configured to be attached on the instep 100 of the shoe 101 under the shoelaces (not shown) and fastened with the shoelaces, such that it remains firmly attached to the shoe 101 when the shoelaces are fastened. Furthermore, the mounting base 3 is configured with a plate having a curved bottom surface (see e.g. figure 4) suitable for adapting it to the instep 100 of the shoe 101.

[0020] In this example, the body 2 comprises two parts 21 and 22, configured as a first longitudinal plate and a second longitudinal plate, respectively, wherein both parts 21, 22 are fixedly attached to each other in a substantially parallel position.

[0021] Regarding figures 1 to 3, on the one hand, the first longitudinal plate 21 comprises a first coupling 23, 24 to releasably fasten the body 2 to the mounting base 3, such that in turn said mounting base 3 is attached to a central area of the instep 100 of the shoe 101 under the shoelaces, as explained above. On the other hand, the second longitudinal plate 22 comprises a second coupling 25, 26 to fasten a weight 4 to the body 2. Therefore, as can be appreciated in figure 5, the first longitudinal plate 21 of the body 2, when attached to the mounting base 3, is positioned overlapping the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101, and the second longitudinal plate 22 of the body 2 is placed cantilevered on a lateral part of the shoe 101, as explained in more detail below.

[0022] In this example, the first coupling 23, 24 includes clamping elements arranged at opposite ends of a bottom side of the first longitudinal plate 21, and the second coupling 25, 26 includes clamping elements arranged at opposite ends of an upper side of the second longitudinal plate 22.

[0023] In this example, the mounting base 3 is provided with a third coupling 31, 32 matching the first coupling 23, 24 to releasably fasten the body 2 to the mounting base 3. Furthermore, the weight 4 is provided with a fourth coupling 41, 42 matching the second coupling 25, 26 to releasably fasten the weight 4 to the body 2.

[0024] In the examples disclosed herein, the first coupling 23, 24 and second coupling 25, 26 of the body 2 are clamping elements, such as for example snap-fit binding elements.

[0025] In other alternative examples, the first coupling and second coupling of the body 2 may be magnets, threaded connectors, a hook-and-loop system, e.g. Velcro ™< , among others fastening systems.

[0026] For clarity, in figure 5, both first coupling 23, 24 and second coupling 25, 26 of the body 2 are illustrated schematically.

[0027] As can be appreciated in figures 4 and 5, the second coupling 25, 26 is offset from the first coupling 23, 24, such that when the device 1 is in use, the second coupling 25, 26 is offset from the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101, whereby when a weight 4 is attached to the second coupling 25, 26 it exerts a torque on the body 2 about the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101.

[0028] According to an example, the second coupling 25, 26 is offset from the first coupling 23, 24 an offset distance "d" of between 10 mm and 35 mm in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101 when the device 1 is in use. In preferred examples, the offset distance "d" is between 15 mm and 30 mm, for example 23 mm. Herein, it is understood that a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101, when the device 1 is in use, is a direction that is perpendicular to the central vertical plane ZY containing the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101 (see figures 4 and 5).

[0029] In the present example, the offset distance "d" is calculated between a first central point P1 of the first coupling 23, 24 and a second central point P2 of the second coupling 25, 26 (see figures 4 and 5), in such a way that the first central point P1 is positioned on the central vertical plane ZY which contains the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101, and the second central point P2 is positioned offset from the first central point P1. Therefore, the offset distance "d" is understood herein as the perpendicular distance "d" between the second central point P2 and the central vertical plane ZY which contains the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101.

[0030] Furthermore, in the example disclosed herein, the body 2 is curved in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the shoe 101 when the device 1 is in use, whereby the second longitudinal plate 22 is arranged in a tilted position (see e.g. figure 4). This curved configuration of the body 2 allows the weight 4 to be positioned close to the contour of a lateral part of the shoe 101, thus reducing possible undesirable movements of the weight 4 during the use of the device 1, and therefore increasing the comfort of the user.

[0031] The body 2 may be made of a plastic material or other suitable material sufficiently rigid to not deform during a normal use of the device 1 when a weight 4 is attached to the body 2.

[0032] In other alternative examples, the device for attaching a weight on the instep of a shoe may comprise a single mounting part (not shown) suitable to be attached to the instep of the shoe, e.g. under the shoelaces and held by the shoelaces, and having a releasable coupling suitable to attach a weight with a matching coupling.

[0033] Such a single, integral mounting part may comprise a plate such as that of mounting base 3 and a coupling such as the second coupling 25, 26 of body 2. According to an example, said single, integral mounting part may comprise a plate extending from the underside of the body 2 and suitable to be slid under the shoelaces, to be fastened. Therefore, in this alternative example, the mounting base 3 as disclosed above is omitted.

[0034] In other alternative examples, the second coupling may be permanent, i.e. an unreleasable coupling, such that the weight is integral part of the body.

[0035] Alternatively, a device having features as disclosed in the examples of the present specification may comprise the weight moulded as part of the body 2.

[0036] The kit 10 may include one or more devices 1 as disclosed above. For example, the kit 10 may include a pair of devices 1 to be applied to a pair of shoes 101.

[0037] In some examples, the pair of devices 1 may comprise two types of bodies 2, that is, each type of body 2 having the second coupling 25,26 arranged at one different lateral side (right side and left side) with respect to the first coupling 23, 24. Therefore, a weight 4 may be placed to one lateral side or the other lateral side of the instep of the shoe (e.g. overlapping the external or internal side of the ankle), depending on the required treatment of each user.

[0038] Furthermore, the kit 10 may include a number of weights 4, for example two identical weights 4 for the feet, and / or weights 4 having different weight values, for allowing the user to vary the effort during the exercises.

[0039] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and / or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. If reference signs related to drawings are placed in parentheses in a claim, they are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim.

Claims

1. A device (1) for attaching a weight (4) on the instep (100) of a shoe (101) comprising a body (2) having: - a first coupling (23, 24) to releasably fasten the body (2) to a central area of the instep (100) of a shoe (101), such that when the device (1) is in use a part (21) of the body (2) overlaps the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101), and - a second coupling (25, 26) to fasten a weight (4) to the body (2); wherein the second coupling (25, 26) is offset from the first coupling (23, 24) such that, when the device (1) is in use, the second coupling (25, 26) is offset from the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101), whereby when a weight (4) is attached to the second coupling (25, 26) it exerts a torque on the body (2) about the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling (25, 26) is offset from the first coupling (23, 24) an offset distance (d) of between 10 mm and 35 mm in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101) when the device (1) is in use.

3. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) is curved in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (101) when the device (1) is in use.

4. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of first (23, 24) and second (25, 26) couplings are clamping elements.

5. The device () according to claim 4, wherein the coupling elements (23, 24, 25, 26) are snap-fit binding elements.

6. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second coupling (25, 26) is to releasably fasten the weight (4) to the body (2).

7. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) is made of a plastic material.

8. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a mounting base (3) with a third coupling (31, 32) matching the first coupling (23, 24) of the body (2).

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the mounting base (3) is configured to be attached on the instep (100) of the shoe (101) under the shoelaces and fastened with the shoelaces.

10. A kit (10) comprising a device (1) of any of the preceding claims, and a weight (4) with a fourth coupling (41, 42) matching the second coupling (25, 26) of the body (2).

11. A kit (10) according to claim 10, comprising a pair of devices (1) to be applied to a pair of shoes (101).

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