BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to spiked shoes and in particular spiked shoes that are for use when applying resinous coatings. The spiked shoe is for walking on resinous floor coatings as they are being applied and the present disclosure aids in reducing the risk of slipping, tripping and tipping and the present disclosure is easy to affix to any footwear.

[0002] There are currently spiked shoes in the market that allow the user to walk on resinous floors as they are being applied, none of them reduce the risk of the applicator slipping, tripping or tipping. Typically, these prior art spiked shoes are also very cumbersome to affix to most footwear.

SUMMARY

[0003] A further understanding of the functional and advantageous aspects of the disclosure can be realized by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a spiked shoe for use when applying resinous coatings;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a back view of the spiked shoe of FIG. 1 ;

[0007] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the spiked shoe of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the spiked shoe of FIGS 1 to 3;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of the spiked shoe of FIGS. 1 to 4;

[0010] FIG. 6 is a top view of the strap for use with the spiked shoe of FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0011] FIG. 7A is a bottom view of a spike key;

[0012] FIG. 7B is a side view of the spike key of FIG. 7A;

[0013] FIG. 7C is a front view of the spike key of FIGS 7A and 7B;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a bottom view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but showing the orientation of the angle of the spikes; and [0015] FIG. 9 is a blown apart enlarged view of a spike for use with the spike shoe of FIGS. 1 to 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Various embodiments and aspects of the disclosure will be described with reference to details discussed below. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] As used herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0018] As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations disclosed herein.

[0019] As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions. Unless otherwise specified, the terms “about” and “approximately” mean plus or minus 25 percent or less.

[0020] It is to be understood that unless otherwise specified, any specified range or group is as a shorthand way of referring to each and every member of a range or group individually, as well as each and every possible sub-range or sub-group encompassed therein and similarly with respect to any sub-ranges or sub-groups therein. Unless otherwise specified, the present disclosure relates to and explicitly incorporates each and every specific member and combination of sub-ranges or sub-groups.

[0021] As used herein, the term "on the order of", when used in conjunction with a quantity or parameter, refers to a range spanning approximately one tenth to ten times the stated quantity or parameter.

[0022] For years epoxy flooring contractors have been applying resinous coatings to floors whether for decoration or for protection. Contractors have always used a similar style plastic shoe with spikes on the bottom so as the contractor walks across the resin the tiny holes left behind from the spikes fill in by the resinous coating. Walking on the liquid can most times be slippery and because the user are walking on spikes that range in height from 1-2” depending on the coating being applied, they can be tippy risking twisting an ankle or worse. All shoes on the market today are not easy to put on or off as they either use an adjustable buckle strap which is difficult to adjust after the first use or two because of any resin getting on the strap. Or likewise the user jam the user’s foot into another shoe that is strapless but can be very difficult to remove once on.

[0023] This new shoe has provided a solution for these issues with its ability to reduce slip, trip and tip and is very easy to put on and take off.

[0024] The present disclosure provides a new and improved spiked shoe that when applying resinous floor coatings will reduce the risk to the applicator from slipping, tripping or tipping. Another advantage of the spiked shoe is that the design allows for the applicator to fasten or remove the spiked shoe from their footwear in a much easier fashion. The spiked shoe shown herein is also designed to fit all styles of footwear (running shoes to workboots) with ease. The spiked shoe shown herein also discloses a shoe that can flex making it easier to walk.

EXAMPLES [0025] The following examples are presented to enable those skilled in the art to understand and to practice embodiments of the present disclosure. They should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure, but merely as being illustrative and representative thereof.

[0026] The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 the spiked shoe is shown generally at 100. The spiked shoe includes a plurality of spikes 40 that extends downwardly at an angle to the vertical. The spikes 40 are generally angled in the direction of travel. In one example, the spikes 40 are angled in the order of 5 degrees. The angle 102 is best seen in Fig. 3.

[0028] The spikes 40 are angled dependent on the location on the shoe 100 as shown in the arrows on Fig. 8.

[0029] Each spike 40 has a shoe end 104 and a distal end 106 as shown in Fig. 3. The shoe 100 has a front portion 108 and a heel portion 110. Referring to Fig. 8, the center and front spikes 42 are angled forwardly or backwardly. Spikes 42 in the front portion 108 are angled forwardly and spikes 42 in the back portion are angled backwardly. Side spikes 44 are angled outwardly. Generally side spikes are rotated 45 degrees from the front of the shoe and 45 degrees from the back on the spikes at the back. This rotation of the spikes causes the spikes to act as tiny outriggers allowing for a significant amount of downward pressure while walking without the shoe buckling from under the user, thus not twisting the user’s ankle or worse. [0030] When a user is moving forward the front set of spikes 42 help to prevent the user from slipping in that direction. Similarly, the spikes 42 on the back of the shoe are angled in the opposite direction.

[0031] The front portion 108 is connected to the heel portion 110 with a flexible hinge 22 whereby that the heel portion 110 flexes independently of the front portion 108. The flexible hinge 22 permits the user to walk in a more normal fashion allowing the heel of the shoe to slightly bend with each step, reducing the risk of tripping.

[0032] A flexible strap 10 allows the user to step into the shoe whether they are wearing shoes or boots and easily adjust the strap for a snug comfortable fit. Should the user be wearing boots, place the hole marked boot 12 on the toe and ankle portion of the shoe 30. The hole is made in an oblong shape so as when they are affixed to the shoe the straps 10 is less likely to rotate around the axis and potentially fall into the wet resin. Once the boot or shoe hole is affixed use of the remaining four adjustment holes 16 on the opposite side of the shoe 100 for a snug and comfortable fit. There are two toe strap receivers on each shoe, the receiver that is used is dependent on the size of the user’s foot. Larger foot uses the front location and smaller the back.

[0033] Shoe 100 includes heel guard 26 which extends upwardly from the heel portion around the periphery. The heel guard 26 provides additional support and stability during use.

[0034] Floor stop 34 extend downwardly from the front of front portion. Floor stops 34 are small nubs at the end of the shoe facing downwardly so as the user walk the tip of the user’s shoe/boot does not leave any impression into the resinous coating while walking should the end of the user’s boot/shoe overhang the epoxy shoe.

[0035] In one embodiment spikes 40 are replaceable. In one embodiment the spikes 40 are pre-installed during manufacturing but can be replaced once they become worn from use. The spikes 40 are placed into the spike holder 24 and through the through hole 36 out the bottom of the raised boss 32 a nut 38 is fastened to the bottom of the spike 40. Both the spike holder 24 and the raised boss 32 are angled in the appropriate direction so once the spike 40 is installed and the nut 38 is tightened it automatically is facing the correct angle and direction.

[0036] A spike key 50 may also be provided. The spike key 50 is used to maintain the user’s spikes as through use the nuts 38 may loosen slightly in which case the user would use the nut tightener 52 on the spike key. Also, the user will have resin cure on the tips of the user’s spikes after each use. Using the opposite end of the spike key there is a spike cleaner 54 in which case the user turn the shoe upside down prior to the next use and give each spike a quick turn with the file like spike cleaner to remove the cured resin.