Variable weight athletic shoe with magnetic inserts

Abstract

A variable weight athletic shoe is described is removably fitted with training weights of varying heaviness or the weights may be left off entirely without damaging the aesthetic appeal or functional aspects of the shoe. The weights are of various sizes and are quickly and securely coupled to the rear portion of the heel-enclosing section of the shoe with several types of attachment clips and latches. The weights also include magnetic inserts provided for health-enhancing reasons. In other variants of the invention, shoe weights are removably attached within cavities in the heel or arch sections of the shoe sole. Weights may also be attached across the instep of the athletic shoe. The shoe weights may be covered in various protective and decorative coverings and may contain lightening holes to achieve the desired weight in a given size.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention pertains to field of athletic shoes. More particularly, the invention relates to athletic shoes designed to accept a variable amount of additional weight for purposes of training and exercise. The weights for these athletic shoes further include magnetic inserts for health enhancing reasons.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various shoe designs have been developed which include weights for purposes of providing additional exercise or weight training to the wearer of the shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,776 issued to Wagner incorporates a plurality of small metallic spheres entrapped in a lattice grid matrix molded to the sole. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,638,613 and 4,709,921 issued to Williams and Valuikas et al., respectively, utilize flattened weights integrated into the soles of shoes, as does U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,245, issued to R. P. Glynn. More advanced shoes have included various means to add varying amounts of weight to the shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,743...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In another variation of the invention, a plurality of weights of varying heaviness, formed to attach to the cavity of the athletic shoe, are provided. Each of the shoe weights including at least one magnetic insert. In still another variation, the weights are encased in a covering material selected to protect the weight from corrosive forces and enhance the appearance of the shoe.

[0022]In use, the weight is inserted into the weight cavity, thereby compressing the first compression spring. The elongated member is pressed downwardly toward the upper surface of the weight. The elongated member is then released, thereby permitting the elongated member to spring upwardly and the projecting finger to engage the detent opening in the weight cavity. Thus removably retaining the weight within the weight cavity of the athletic shoe. To remove the weight from the cavity the elongated member is pressed downwardly against the weight, thereby disengaging the projecting finger of the latch from the detent opening. The first compression spring will then urge the weight outwardly from the cavity, allowing the wearer of the shoe to remove the weight.

[0030]When the elongated member is pressed downwardly against the weight, thereby disengaging the projecting finger of the latch from the detent opening, the second compression spring will urge the weight outwardly from the cavity, allowing the wearer of the shoe to remove the weight from the cavity.

[0035]A receiving notch is provided. The receiving notch is sized shaped and located adjacent to the bottom edge of the weight to removably engage the projecting finger element of the latching member. In use, the first and second access openings in the inner surface of the shoe weight are located over the first and second L-shaped alignment rails. The weight is urged downwardly so that the first and second alignment rails will engage the first and second alignment slots. The latching member is urged inwardly against the coil spring, thereby permitting the receiving notch to pass the projecting finger element of the latching member. When the latching member is released the projecting finger element engages the receiving notch in the weight, thereby removably attaching the weight to the athletic shoe.

[0038]In a yet a further variation, the weights are encased in a covering material selected to protect the weight from corrosive forces and enhance the appearance of the shoe.

Problems solved by technology

Prior art designs for weighted shoes either do not provide a capability to remove or vary the weight attached to the shoe or provide only a limited capacity to vary the weight.

Some of the designs include external weight pockets that provide relatively unbalanced weighting and do not integrate smoothly with the appearance of the shoe.

Some of the designs allow the shoe weights to shift within cavities in the shoe, increasing the shoe's instability to the wearer.

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