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[0001] The invention relates to climbing shoes. More particularly, the invention is relevant to a climbing shoe with a bottom surface that assists the climber in maintaining a firm foothold on the rocks.
[0002] Traditional climbing shoes have generally flat surfaces on the bottom of the climbing shoe. With a flat surface, the edges of the toe are placed on little foot holds on the rocks. Just the placement and pressure of the flat bottom surface of the shoe on the rocks assists in maintaining the foothold on the rocks. The climbing shoe needs great stability, since the whole weight of the individual may be supported by just the edges of the toe and the climber's hands. The climbing shoe must retain a solid hold on the rocks, when the climber stretches to reach the next foothold or handhold in the rocks. Climbing shoes with flat bottom surfaces can be prone to slipping and losing their grip on the rocks.
[0003] There are walking shoes designed to flex when walking to absorb some of the impact of the foot upon the walking surface. The curvature of the outer sole does not remain rigid, and the inner portion of the bottom outer sole flexes to touch the walking surface during walking. The outer sole is thick, so sensitivity is lost. The climber cannot adequately sense and feel the foot holds, when the outer sole is thick. Additionally, walking shoes tend to have cleats or protrusions throughout the entire bottom surface to the walking shoe. The entire bottom surface of the walking shoe contacts the ground, so there is a need for gripping protrusions or indentations throughout the entire bottom surface when walking.
[0004] This walking shoe design is most disadvantageous for climbing. Climbers tend to use just the outer portions of the bottom surface of the climbing shoe for gripping rocks and crevices. The hooking grip of the climbing shoe upon the small crevices can be lost if the bottom outer sole fails to remain substantially rigid. Very small projections in the rocks are used to hook the shoe of a climber. Just a small area of the bottom outer sole may be supporting the climber's weight when hooked on the rock. This exterior area of the outer sole is where the gripping capability is most important. Having protrusions upon the entire bottom surface, as in a walking shoe, only adds to the weight of the shoe without providing adequate gripping support where it is most required.
[0005] In one walking shoe design, the sole tread pattern adapts to all types of ground due to its adjustable stud profile. As the foot presses down, the sole changes shape to grip the ground contours and on soft ground the studs penetrate the soil. The studs are randomly spaced around the entire bottom surface of the walking shoe. As the weight is taken off the sole, it releases energy, giving wearers an added spring to their step. The changing shape of the sole is advantageous for walking, but can be detrimental in rock climbing.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a climbing shoe with a bottom surface that has a gripping rim and protrusions or teeth shaped for hooking the shoe on a rock ledge. The new climbing shoe should have a row of teeth along the hooking rim that will provide greater traction and grip when climbing rocks than the traditional walking shoes or climbing shoes.
[0007] A climbing shoe with teeth fulfills the objective of a climbing shoe with a bottom surface with a hooking rim that is shaped for hooking the shoe on a rock ledge. The addition of teeth along the hooking rim provides greater traction and grip when climbing rocks, which provides greater safety and confidence for the climber.
[0008] The climbing shoe includes an upper portion and an outer sole attached to the upper portion. The outer sole has an interior area, a raised exterior area, and a hooking rim. The interior area has a thickness ‘t’ that is substantially uniform. The hooking rim can hook on a rocky ledge. The raised exterior area is divided into two or more segments, and the interior area extends between the segments.
[0009] The hooking rim has a height ‘h’, which can vary. In one embodiment the height ‘h’ is greater than about one thirty-second of an inch and the height ‘h’ is less than about one eight of an inch. In this version the height ‘h’ is about three-thirtysecond ({fraction (3/32)}) of an inch.
[0010] A climbing shoe also includes teeth attached to the hooking rim. The teeth can vary in shape. The teeth are often a saw-tooth shape or a rounded half-moon shape. The teeth have a length ‘L’. In one embodiment ‘L’ is about one sixteenth of an inch
[0011] The outer sole further includes a front section and a back section. The raised exterior area, the hooking rim, and the teeth are contained within the front section. The interior area extends to substantially cover the back section. The exterior area has a width ‘w’. The width ‘w’ is about eleven-sixteenths of an inch. The hooking rim and teeth added to the bottom surface of the climbing shoe provide increased stability and grip while rock climbing. The back section may also have a back raised exterior area that forms a back hooking rim.
[0012] The climbing shoe with a hooking rim and teeth is further described with detail in the appended figures, description and claims.
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020] Referring to
[0021] There is a thickness variation between the interior area
[0022] Referring to the cutaway view of
[0023] The climbing shoe
[0024] The outer sole
[0025] The outer sole
[0026] The edges of the outer sole
[0027] Referring to
[0028] The hooking rim
[0029]
[0030] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to the preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions contained herein.