Shoe sole cover

Abstract

A protective cover for cycling footwear, and more particularly to a removeable cover that protects cleats on cycling footwear.

Description

[0001] Shoe sole cover

[0002] The present invention relates to a protective cover for cycling footwear, and more particularly to a removeable cover that protects cleats on cycling footwear.

[0003] Summary of the invention

[0004] Cyclists often use systems to detachably engage their footwear with bike pedals. Such systems include toe clips that are integrated with pedals and / or cleats on the bottom of cycling shoes that engage with bike pedals.

[0005] The benefits of such systems include allowing the cyclist to generate more power from pedalling because they allow the cyclist to drive the pedal through the full rotation by pulling up on the pedal as well as pushing down.

[0006] Cleat systems are more efficient than toe clip systems as they allow a more secure connection between the cyclists shoe and the pedal. However, while being more efficient, there is a major drawback in that the cleats extend downwardly from the sole of the shoe and can be damaged by walking on the ground when not in use resulting in a poor connection with the pedal. This may result in the cleat having to be frequently replaced. Another drawback is that as the cleat protrudes from the sole of the cycling shoe, it creates an uneven surface on the sole of the shoe which puts the user at greater risk of injury when walking.

[0007] Cleat covers and protectors are known, for example "Lifeline" cleat covers, however such cleat covers are not ideal in that they only cover the cleat and effectively increase the size of the cleat creating an even more severe uneven walking surface.

[0008] The present invention overcomes the problem of know cleat protectors by providing an even walking surface when in use.

[0009] Statements of invention

[0010] In one example there is provided a cycling shoe sole cover comprising: a toe region and a heel region a pair of side panels connecting said toe region to said heel region a sole portion

[0011] Wherein said sole portion comprises a cavity.

[0012] The toe region, the side panels, and the heel region may all rise from the sole portion to a height predetermined to correspond to the height of a cycling shoe sole for which the cover is intended to protect.

[0013] In one aspect the cavity is a pocket.

[0014] In one aspect the cavity is open.

[0015] In one aspect the cover is configured for a right foot shoe.

[0016] In one aspect the cover is configured for a left foot shoe.

[0017] In one aspect the cover can be used on either the right foot shoe or the left foot shoe.

[0018] Description of the figures

[0019] Figure 1: shows a side angle view of one example of an embodiment of the invention comprising an open cleat cavity.

[0020] Figure 2: shows a bottom view of one example of an embodiment of the invention comprising an open cleat cavity.

[0021] Figure 3: shows multiple views of one example of an embodiment of the invention comprising a cleat cavity pocket. Detailed description

[0022] The present invention relates to a protective covering device for the bottom of a cycling shoe having cleats. The covering protects against damage to both cleats and hard surfaces underfoot and prevents injury to the wearer, while at the same time being easy to use. The protective covering also helps to avoid grass, dirt, mud and other foreign objects becoming stuck in the cleats.

[0023] The covering fits onto to the bottom of a cleated cycling shoe, thereby reducing or eliminating damage to the cleats and to surfaces the user walks on. The protective coverings may be configured to fit on any particular style of cycling cleat, to ensure the protective covering adheres to the contours of the cleated shoe and fits tightly. Cavities, openings or recesses in the sole of the protective covering may be configured to receive the cleat protruding from the bottom of a cycling shoe and may be arranged in a specific pattern or shape to match the pattern or shape of the cleat. In addition, the protective coverings may be configured to match not only the contours and shapes of the protruding cleats, but to also match the contours and shapes of any other features on the bottom or sides of the cycling shoe to which they are attached.

[0024] The cleated cycling shoe may be attached to the sole cover in a variety of manners. For example, the cover may include step-in grips such that the covering grips onto a cleated shoe when a user steps into the covering. This gripping mechanism may be flexible side grips that grip the side of the cleated shoe in the midfoot region of the shoe, which form a U-shape cross-section when viewing the covering from the rear. The curvature of side grips utilised in the U-shape configuration may vary depending on the size and design of cleated shoe in question.

[0025] The cover may also include a heel grip configured to fit around the heel region of the cleated cycling shoe. The heel grip may be strap-shaped, cover the entirety of the heel, or only partially cover or otherwise attach to the heel. A toe grip, which fits or wraps entirely or partially around to the toe portion of the cleated cycling shoe may also be present on the covering to facilitate attachment to the shoe. The toe grips, side grips, and heel grips may but do not necessarily connect from one side of the covering to the other. Depending on the structure of the cleated shoe, the grips may clip into or otherwise affix to the design elements of the shoe in a convenient manner for usability. The sole portion of the cover covering may be constructed from a different material the upper region that is durable for walking, such as the polymers or rubbers used in traditional non-cleat athletic shoes.

[0026] Other variants of the protective covering may be configured to mould uniquely to a particular cleated cycling shoe. For example, the covering may include a low-temperature thermoplastic on the shoe-facing side. The user would heat the covering to the appropriate temperature (e.g., boiling, similar to "boil-and-bite" mouth guards commonly used in contact sports) and step into the thermoplastic with the desired cleated shoes to make an individualised mould in the covering that matches the bottom and cleat of the shoe.

[0027] Another mouldable variant of the protective covering may include on the shoe-facing side of the sole a thermosetting material such as an epoxy resin, foam, silicone, or other soft material that hardens over time. A user would prepare the soft material on the shoe-facing side, such as by mixing two components of an epoxy resin, applying the soft material to the shoe-facing side of the protective covering, and stepping into the soft material with the cleated shoe to make an individualised mould in the covering that matches the bottom of the shoe. A third mouldable variant of the protective covering may include a heat-shrink grip structure that extends up from the sole of the covering, which wraps around and holds onto the shoe during movement utilizing friction. These mouldable variants of the protective covering are thus compatible with a wide variety of cleated shoes without needing custom configurations for each shoe design. To increase compatibility, these mouldable variants may be cut-to-size or otherwise adjustable to a variety of sizes and shapes of cleated shoes.

[0028] A tight fit is preferred for the protective covering to maintain adhesion and attachment to the cleated cycling shoe during walking and other movement. This tight fit may be achieved by vacuum, friction, or attachment mechanisms described herein. For example the profile and shape of the protective covering may be designed to match the profile and shape of the bottom portion of the shoe to which it will be attached. The protective covering may be partially or completely translucent or transparent to allow the aesthetic design of the cleated shoe to show through the covering and is visible through the covering. The shoe-facing side of the covering may have the same shape as the bottom of the shoe, with indentions, recesses, holes, or other materials provided to accept or cushion the protruding cycling cleats. In addition, the shoe-facing side of the cover may be configured to tightly fit the contours of the side of the bottom portion of a cycling shoe, thus keeping the protective covering firmly attached. The covering may also include adhesive material to enable the covering to adhere to the bottom of a cleated shoe, such as high-adhesion gel padding that is washable and compatible with a range of temperatures in which the protective covering may be used. The adhesive material may be used with the other embodiments for attaching the covering to the cleated cycling shoe, or it may be used by itself to attach a cover to the cleated shoe. Flexibility is also preferred for the protective covering to flex with the cleated shoe during walking or other movement without becoming detached. The protective coverings can be made of flexible materials, including rubber, plastic foam, or high density stretch fabric. The outsole ground-facing side of the protective covering may be configured to provide traction and constructed out of materials that enhance grip without causing damage to ground surfaces, such as the rubber or elastomers utilised in traditional athletic shoes.

[0029] The shoe cover easily attaches to the bottom of a cleated cycling shoe. One method of attaching the protective covering is by placing it on the ground and stepping into the protective covering, thereby attaching it to the bottom of the shoe. Another method of applying the protective covering is to attach the covering to the bottom of one's cleated cycling shoe by hand. A pull tab, loop, or other structure may be present on the front, rear, or sides of the protective covering to facilitate a user's ease of application to the bottom of the cleated shoe. These methods, among others, are meant to be quick and simple compared to unlacing and changing into another pair of shoes.

[0030] The cycling shoe cleat cover can be used with any cycling shoe including but not limited to Nike, Shimano, Bontrager, Velokicks, Fizik, Specialized, Siroko, Mavic, Time, Adidas, Giro, Louis Garneau, Fox, Ride Concept, Five Ten, Scott, and Nimbi.

[0031] The cycling shoe cleat cover can be used with any cleat system including but not limited to Shimano, FPO, Look, Time, Speedplay, Wahoo, Crank Brothers, Wellgo, Keo, Keywin, Bontrager, Favero, Rrskit, Campagnolo and Vector.

[0032] In one example the cavity in the shoe cover is open so that the cleat will engage with the bike pedals while the rider is still wearing the shoe cover. In this example, the sole of the shoe cover is of sufficient thickness so that the cleat does not come into contact with the ground when the rider is walking.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A cycling shoe sole cover comprising: a toe region and a heel region a pair of side panels connecting said toe region to said heel region a sole portionWherein said sole portion comprises a cavity.

2. The cycling shoe sole cover wherein the toe region, the side panels, and the heel region may all rise from the sole portion to a height predetermined to correspond to the height of a cycling shoe sole for which the cover is intended to protect.

3. The cycling shoe sole cover of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cavity is a pocket.

4. The cycling shoe sole cover of claim 3 wherein the cavity is open.

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