Shoe Having Grooves with Winged Portions
The shoe's grooves with winged portions address flexibility and traction issues by enhancing sole flexibility and traction, improving grip and stability on various surfaces.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- COLE HAAN LLC
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing shoes lack sufficient flexibility and traction, particularly in regions like the heel, midfoot, and forefoot, which can lead to reduced grip and stability on various surfaces.
The shoe design incorporates grooves with winged portions on the sole, providing superior flexibility and enhancing traction by allowing more tread elements to engage with the surface, thereby improving grip and stability.
The grooves with winged portions enhance sole flexibility, enabling better foot-surface conformity and increased traction, resulting in improved grip and stability during use.
Smart Images
Figure US20260215538A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention
[0004] This invention pertains to a shoe having grooves with winged portions.SUMMARY
[0005] One aspect of the disclosure is a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has a sole heel end and a sole toe end. The sole extends along a shoe axis from the sole heel end to the sole toe end. The sole has a lateral side that extends from the sole heel end to the sole toe end and a medial side that extends from the sole heel end to the sole toe end. The sole extends transversely from the lateral side to the medial side. The sole has a sole heel region, a sole midfoot region, a sole forefoot region, a sole metatarsal region, a sole ball region, and a sole toe region. The sole heel region extends longitudinally from the sole heel end to the sole midfoot region. The sole midfoot region extends longitudinally from the sole heel region to the sole forefoot region. The sole forefoot region extends longitudinally from the sole midfoot region to the sole metatarsal region. The sole metatarsal region extends longitudinally from the sole forefoot region to the sole ball region. The sole ball region extends longitudinally from the sole metatarsal region to the toe region. The sole toe region extends longitudinally from the sole ball region to the sole toe end. The sole heel region has a lateral heel portion and a medial heel portion. The sole midfoot region has a lateral midfoot portion and a medial midfoot portion. The sole forefoot region has a lateral forefoot portion and a medial forefoot portion. The sole metatarsal region has a lateral metatarsal portion and a medial metatarsal portion. The sole ball region has a lateral ball portion and a medial ball portion. The sole toe region has a lateral toe portion and a medial toe portion. The sole has a sole bottom surface. The sole bottom surface comprises a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of grooves has a central portion, a first wing portion, a second wing portion, a third wing portion, and a fourth wing portion. The central portion has a first end and a second end. The first wing portion extends from the first end and generally toward the toe end. The second wing portion extends from the first end and generally toward the heel end. The third wing portion extends from the second end and generally toward the toe end. The fourth wing portion extends from the second end and generally toward the heel end. Each of at least some of the plurality of grooves are spaced from and adjacent another of the plurality of grooves.
[0006] Further features and advantages, as well as the operation, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a medial side view of a shoe of the present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the shoe of FIG. 1 showing a groove and tread element pattern.
[0009] FIG. 2a is a magnified fragmented view of the groove and tread element pattern of FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 2b is a magnified fragmented view of a portion of FIG. 2a.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoes of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a medial side view of the shoe of FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
[0020] FIG. 12 is a medial side view of the shoe of FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of a shoe of the present invention, having a groove and tread element pattern different from the shoe of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a medial side view of the shoe of FIG. 13.
[0023] Reference numerals in the written specification and in the figures indicate corresponding items.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] An embodiment of a shoe in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference number 20 in FIGS. 1-7. The shoe 20 has a sole 22 and an upper 24 secured to the sole.
[0025] The sole 22 has a sole heel end 26 and a sole toe end 28. The sole 22 extends along a shoe axis X from the sole heel end 26 to the sole toe end 28. The sole 22 has a lateral side 22L that extends from the sole heel end 26 to the sole toe end 28 and a medial side22M that extends from the sole heel end to the sole toe end. The sole 22 extends transversely from the lateral side 22L to the medial side 22M.
[0026] The sole 22 has a sole heel region 30, a sole midfoot region 32, a sole forefoot region 34, a sole metatarsal region 36, a sole ball region 38, and a sole toe region 40. The sole heel region 30 extends longitudinally from the sole heel end 26 to the sole midfoot region 32. The sole midfoot region 32 extends longitudinally from the sole heel region 30 to the sole forefoot region 34. The sole forefoot region 34 extends longitudinally from the sole midfoot region 32 to the sole metatarsal region 36. The sole metatarsal region 36 extends longitudinally from the sole forefoot region 34 to the sole ball region 38. The sole ball region 38 extends longitudinally from the sole metatarsal region 36 to the toe region 40. The sole toe region 40 extends longitudinally from the sole ball region 38 to the sole toe end 28.
[0027] The sole heel region 30 has a lateral heel portion 30L and a medial heel portion 30M. The sole midfoot region 32 has a lateral midfoot portion 32L and a medial midfoot portion 32M. The sole forefoot region 34 has a lateral forefoot portion 34L and a medial forefoot portion 34M. The sole metatarsal region 36 has a lateral metatarsal portion 36L and a medial metatarsal portion 36M. The sole ball region 38 has a lateral ball portion 38L and a medial ball portion 38M. The sole toe region 40 has a lateral toe portion 40L and a medial toe portion 40M. The sole has a sole bottom surface 42.
[0028] The sole bottom surface 42 comprises a plurality of grooves 44. Each of the plurality of grooves 44 has a central portion 46, a first wing portion 48, a second wing portion 50, a third wing portion 52, and a fourth wing portion 54. The central portion has a first end 46a and a second end 46b. The first wing portion 48 extends from the first end 46a and generally toward the toe end 28. The second wing portion 50 extends from the first end 46a and generally toward the heel end 26. The third wing portion 52 extends from the second end 46b and generally toward the toe end 28. The fourth wing portion 54 extends from the second end 46b and generally toward the heel end 26. The first and second wing portions 48, 50 may diverge away from each other toward the lateral side 22L and the third and fourth wing portions 52, 54 may diverge away from each other toward the medial side 22M. The first and second wing portions 48, 50 may diverge away from each other at an angle between 20° and 170°, inclusive, and the third and fourth wing portions 52, 54 may diverge away from each other at an angle between 20° and 170°, inclusive. Thus, the first and second wing portions 48, 50 may diverge away from each other at an acute angle and the third and fourth wing portions 52, 54 may diverge away from each other at an acute angle. Alternatively, the first and second wing portions 48, 50 may diverge away from each other at a right angle and the third and fourth wing portions 52, 54 may diverge away from each other at a right angle. As another alternative, the first and second wing portions 48, 50 may diverge away from each other at an obtuse angle and the third and fourth wing portions 52, 54 may diverge away from each other at an obtuse angle. Each of at least some of the plurality of grooves 44 are spaced from and adjacent another of the plurality of grooves. Each of at least some of the central portions 46 of the plurality of grooves 44 may be either colinear or parallel with one another.
[0029] The sole may further comprise a plurality of tread elements 56. Each of the plurality of tread elements 56 may be bounded by one or more of the plurality of grooves 44. For example, a tread element 68 may be bounded by at least three of the plurality of grooves 44. Alternatively, a tread element 68 may be bounded by at least four of the plurality of grooves 44. Each of the plurality of tread elements 56 may have a variety of shapes, and may be circular, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal. It should be understood that different tread elements 56 may have different shapes, such that the sole 22 may comprise tread elements 56 of differing shape (e.g., a sole may have tread elements that are triangular and hexagonal, or tread elements that are hexagonal and octagonal).
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2a, the plurality of grooves 44 may comprise a first groove 58, a second groove 60, and a third groove 62. The central portions 46 of the first and second grooves 58, 60 may be colinear. The second groove 60 may be spaced from the first groove 58 such that the first groove is nearer the lateral side 22L than the second groove. The central portion 46 of the third groove 62 may be parallel to the central portions 46 of the first and second grooves 58, 60. The third groove 62 may be spaced from the first and second grooves 58, 60 such that the first wing portion 48 of the third groove 62 is adjacent the fourth wing portion54 of the first groove 58 and the third wing portion 52 of the third groove 62 is adjacent the second wing portion 50 of the second groove 60.
[0031] The plurality of grooves 44 may further comprise a fourth groove 64 and a fifth groove 66. The central portions 46 of the fourth and fifth grooves 64, 66 may be colinear. The fifth groove 66 may be spaced from the fourth groove 64 such that the fourth groove is nearer the lateral side 22L than the fifth groove. The central portion 46 of the third groove 62 may be parallel to the central portions 46 of the fourth and fifth grooves 64, 66. The third groove 62 may be spaced from the fourth and fifth grooves 64, 66 such that the second wing portion 50 of the third groove is adjacent the third wing portion 52 of the fourth groove and the fourth wing portion 54 of the third groove is adjacent the first wing portion 48 of the fifth groove.
[0032] The plurality of grooves 44 may further comprise a sixth groove 68. The sixth groove 68 may be spaced from the fourth and fifth grooves 64, 66 such that the first wing portion 48 of the sixth groove is adjacent the fourth wing portion 54 of the fourth groove and the third wing portion 52 of the sixth groove is adjacent the second wing portion 50 of the fifth groove. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grooves 62, 64, 66, 68 may bound one of the plurality of tread elements 56.
[0033] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of shoe 120. The shoe 120 may be similar in all respects to the shoe 20, except as noted herein. It is also to be understood that components, elements, features, or regions of the embodiment of FIG. 8 have reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, except the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIG. 8 include a prefix “1.”
[0034] The sole bottom surface 142 may comprise a plurality of sipes 170. Each of the plurality of sipes 170 may extend from the medial side 122L to the lateral side 122M. The plurality of sipes 170 may comprise a first sipe 172, a second sipe 174, a third sipe 176, and a fourth sipe 178. The first sipe 172 extends from the medial toe portion 140M to the lateral toe portion 140L. The second sipe 174 extends from the medial metatarsal portion 136M to the lateral metatarsal portion 136L. The third sipe 176 extends from the medial forefoot portion 134M to the lateral forefoot portion 134M. The fourth sipe 178 extends from the medial midfoot portion 132M to the lateral midfoot portion 132L.
[0035] FIGS. 9-10 show another embodiment of shoe 220. The shoe 220 may be similar in all respects to the shoe 20, except as noted herein. It is also to be understood that components, elements, features, or regions of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 have reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, except the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 include a prefix “2.”
[0036] The sole 222 comprises a midsole 280 and an outsole 282. The outsole 282 has a sole bottom surface 242. One or more tread elements 256 may comprise a through hole 284 in the outsole 282. The through holes 284 may be adapted and configured such that a portion of the midsole 280 is visible through the through hole.
[0037] FIGS. 11-12 show another embodiment of shoe 320. The shoe 320 may be similar in all respects to the shoe 220, except as noted herein. It is also to be understood that components, elements, features, or regions of the embodiment of FIGS. 11-12 have reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, except the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIGS. 11-12 include a prefix “3.”
[0038] The sole 322 comprises a midsole 380 and an outsole 382. The outsole 382 has a sole bottom surface 342. Each of at least some of the central portions 346 of the plurality of grooves 344 comprise a central portion hole 386 in the outsole 382. The central portion holes 384 are adapted and configured such that a portion of the midsole 380 is visible through the central portion holes.
[0039] FIGS. 13-14 shows another embodiment of shoe 420. The shoe 420 may be similar in all respects to the shoe 20, except as noted herein. It is also to be understood that components, elements, features, or regions of the embodiment of FIGS. 13-14 have reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, except the reference numbers of the embodiment of FIGS. 13-17 include a prefix “4.”
[0040] The tread members 456 of the shoe 420 may comprise lugs that project downwardly from the sole bottom surface 442.
[0041] As shown in the various embodiments, the plurality of grooves may be in the forefoot, metatarsal, and ball regions. The plurality of grooves may also be in one or more of the heel, midfoot, and toe regions. In the embodiments where the plurality of grooves are present in the heel region, a portion of the heel region may be devoid of grooves. Likewise, in the embodiments where the plurality of grooves are present in the midfoot region, a portion of the midfoot region may be devoid of grooves.
[0042] Like the plurality of grooves, the plurality of tread elements may be in the forefoot, metatarsal, and ball regions. The plurality of tread elements may also be in one or more of the heel, midfoot, and toe regions. In the embodiments where the plurality of tread elements are present in the heel region, a portion of the heel region may be devoid of tread elements. Likewise, in the embodiments where the plurality of tread elements are present in the midfoot region, a portion of the midfoot region may be devoid of tread elements.
[0043] In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the invention has several advantages over the prior art. The plurality of grooves function in a kerfed manner and provide the sole with superior flexibility. Such flexibility enables a user's foot to better conform to and grip the surface on which the shoe rests. This enables a greater number of tread elements to contact the surface on which the shoe rests, thereby providing superior traction.
[0044] It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations.
[0045] As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A shoe comprising:a sole; andan upper secured to the sole;the sole having a sole heel end and a sole toe end, the sole extending along a shoe axis from the sole heel end to the sole toe end, the sole having a lateral side extending from the sole heel end to the sole toe end and a medial side extending from the sole heel end to the sole toe end, the sole extending transversely from the lateral side to the medial side, the sole having a sole heel region, a sole midfoot region, a sole forefoot region, a sole metatarsal region, a sole ball region, and a sole toe region, the sole heel region extending longitudinally from the sole heel end to the sole midfoot region, the sole midfoot region extending longitudinally from the sole heel region to the sole forefoot region, the sole forefoot region extending longitudinally from the sole midfoot region to the sole metatarsal region, the sole metatarsal region extending longitudinally from the sole forefoot region to the sole ball region, the sole ball region extending longitudinally from the sole metatarsal region to the toe region, the sole toe region extending longitudinally from the sole ball region to the sole toe end, the sole heel region having a lateral heel portion and a medial heel portion, the sole midfoot region having a lateral midfoot portion and a medial midfoot portion, the sole forefoot region having a lateral forefoot portion and a medial forefoot portion, the sole metatarsal region having a lateral metatarsal portion and a medial metatarsal portion, the sole ball region having a lateral ball portion and a medial ball portion, the sole toe region having a lateral toe portion and a medial toe portion;the sole having a sole bottom surface, the sole bottom surface comprising a plurality of grooves, each of the plurality of grooves having a central portion, a first wing portion, a second wing portion, a third wing portion, and a fourth wing portion, the central portion having a first end and a second end, the first wing portion extending from the first end and generally toward the toe end, the second wing portion extending from the first end and generally toward the heel end, the third wing portion extending from the second end and generally toward the toe end, the fourth wing portion extending from the second end and generally toward the heel end, and wherein each of at least some of the plurality of grooves are spaced from and adjacent another of the plurality of grooves.
2. The shoe of claim 1 wherein each of at least some of the central portions of the plurality of grooves are either colinear or parallel with one another.
3. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the first and second wing portions diverge away from each other toward the lateral side and the third and fourth wing portions diverge away from each other toward the medial side.
4. The shoe of claim 3 wherein the first and second wing portions diverge away from each other at an angle between 20° and 170°, inclusive, and the third and fourth wing portions diverge away from each other at an angle between 20° and 170°, inclusive.
5. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the first and second wing portions diverge away from each other at an acute angle and the third and fourth wing portions diverge away from each other at an acute angle.
6. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the first and second wing portions diverge away from each other at a right angle and the third and fourth wing portions diverge away from each other at a right angle.
7. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the first and second wing portions diverge away from each other at an obtuse angle and the third and fourth wing portions diverge away from each other at an obtuse angle.
8. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the sole comprises a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having the sole bottom surface, and wherein each of at least some of the central portions of the plurality of grooves comprises a central portion hole in the outsole, the central portion holes being adapted and configured such that a portion of the midsole is visible through the central portion holes.
9. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the plurality of grooves comprises a first groove, a second groove, and a third groove, the central portions of the first and second grooves being colinear, the second groove being spaced from the first groove such that the first groove is nearer the lateral side than the second groove, the central portion of the third groove being parallel to the central portions of the first and second grooves, the third groove being spaced from the first and second grooves such that the first wing portion of the third groove is adjacent the fourth wing portion of the first groove and the third wing portion of the third groove is adjacent the second wing portion of the second groove.
10. The shoe of claim 9 wherein the plurality of grooves further comprises a fourth groove and a fifth groove, the central portions of the fourth and fifth grooves being colinear, the fifth groove being spaced from the fourth groove such that the fourth groove is nearer the lateral side than the fifth groove, the central portion of the third groove being parallel to the central portions of the fourth and fifth grooves, the third groove being spaced from the fourth and fifth grooves such that the second wing portion of the third groove is adjacent the third wing portion of the fourth groove and the fourth wing portion of the third groove is adjacent the first wing portion of the fifth groove.
11. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the plurality of grooves further comprises a sixth groove, the sixth groove being spaced from the fourth and fifth grooves such that the first wing portion of the sixth groove is adjacent the fourth wing portion of the fourth groove and the third wing portion of the sixth groove is adjacent the second wing portion of the fifth groove.
12. The shoe of claim 11 wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grooves bound a tread element.
13. The shoe of claim 12 wherein the tread element is hexagonal.
14. The shoe of claim 12 wherein the sole comprises a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having the sole bottom surface, and wherein the tread element comprises a through hole in the outsole, the through hole being adapted and configured such that a portion of the midsole is visible through the through hole.
15. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the sole bottom surface further comprises a plurality of tread elements, each of the plurality of tread elements being bounded by at least three of the plurality of grooves.
16. The shoe of claim 15 wherein a majority of the plurality of tread elements are hexagonal.
17. The shoe of claim 16 wherein a majority of the plurality of tread elements are bounded by four grooves.
18. The shoe of claim 15 wherein a majority of the plurality of tread elements are bounded by four grooves.
19. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the sole bottom surface comprises a plurality of sipes, each of the plurality of sipes extending from the medial side to the lateral side.
20. The shoe of claim 19 wherein the plurality of sipes comprises a first sipe, a second sipe, a third sipe, and a fourth sipe, the first sipe extending from the medial toe portion to the lateral toe portion, the second sipe extending from the medial metatarsal portion to the lateral metatarsal portion, the third sipe extending from the medial forefoot portion to the lateral forefoot portion, the fourth sipe extending from the medial midfoot portion to the lateral midfoot portion.