Spinning Shoe

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority based on, and is a continuation in part of U.S. Application No. 13/042,327 filed on March 7, 201 1 .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The present invention relates to footwear and, in particular, a shoe that allows a user to spin about a vertical axis. The appearance is that of normal footwear because the spinning assembly is integrated in the sole member. The spinning assembly allows a user to spin or twist about in tight areas where one could only walk. The benefits are imparted from a new activity that employs a unique method of spinning.

2. Description of Related Art [0002] Prior art shoes and equipment have attempted to provide means of rolling on surfaces in order to travel forward and backward. There have been no prior art shoes meant to spin about a vertical axis in order to allow the user to twirl or twist while wearing such shoes. Furthermore, prior art shoes have been quite large and unwieldy and their mechanisms were easily seen and not very discrete.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a shoe that allows the user to spin about a vertical axis yet appear to still maintain the look of a conventional shoe. BRIEF S U MM ARY OF THE IN VENTI ON

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a spinning shoe that allows a user to spin about a vertical axis while maintaining the appearance of a conventional shoe. [0005] The present invention is a spinning shoe comprising an upper, and a sole member. A sole member may be a unitary piece or a combined separate midsole and a separate outsole. In the preferred embodiment, the outsole is integrated with the midsole in order to create one unitary piece. The sole member contains a spinning assembly in the forefoot region. The forefoot region includes the region that extends substantially from the medial side to the lateral side at a location that begi ns in the vicinity of the front tip of the spinning shoe and extends from there to a location that is approximately one third of the distance toward the rear tip of the spinning shoe. [0006] The spinning assembly is placed in a recess in the forefoot region of the sole member and comprises a retaining clip, a spinner housing, a washer, a spacer, a spinner lid, an axle and an outsole pad. These components, collectively referred to as the spinning assembly, form the mechanism that allows the user to spin. The components are discretely placed within a recess in the forefoot area of the spinning shoe, thus allowing the user to walk about and appear to wear a normal shoe. The spinning assembly fits flush within the recess so that only the outsole pad protrudes and is exposed to the ground. [0007] The outsole pad on the spinning assembly allows the user to grip the ground on the forefoot and to spin about on a vertical axis. The outsole pad is an extension of the outsole, but placed on the spinning assembly. The outsole pad provides the same level of friction to the ground as the outsole, but ί since it is connected to the assembly, it may spin about when weight is placed on

2 it.

3 [0008] The following is a description of the aforementioned

4 components in the preferred embodiment from the orientation of the shoe in its

5 normal unloaded position with respect to the ground. The direction of the

6 description will be from the component closest to the ground up to the component

7 closest to the user's foot. The outsole pad, as stated above, grips the ground and is

8 affixed by an adhesive or other securing device or material to a spinner lid so that

9 it may rotate in unison with the spinner lid. In between the outsole pad and spinner

10 lid is an axle. The spinner l id contains a hole in its center. The axle generally has

1 1 a tapered head so that it resembles a screw. The axle's head is positioned in

12 between the outsole pad and through the hole in the spinner lid while the axle i s protrudes through the center of the spinner lid. On top of the spinner lid is a

14 spacer. The spacer is flat ring with a circular opening in the center. The circular

15 opening allows it to fit into a cavity of the spinner housing. The spacer may be

16 made out of metal or another low friction material, such as Teflon®.

17 [0009] The spacer is placed on and held to the other components by

1 8 friction. On top of the spacer is a suitable washer. The washer may be made out

1 of metal or another low friction material, such as Teflon®. The washer has a0 circular opening in its center. The circular opening allows it to fit into a cavity of 1 the spinner housing. The washer is placed on top of the spacer and held together2 by friction. All of the prior mentioned components are then placed in the spinner3 housing. 4 [00010] The spinner housing comprises a flange and three concentric5 cylindrical walls, with centers at the exact center of the spinner housing, with6 varying heights and thicknesses that form two separate cavities. The outer 1 cylindrical wall is typically a thin, but tall wall. The middle cylindrical wall is

2 typically a thin, but short wall. The inner cylindrical wall is generally shorter and

3 thicker than the outer cylindrical wall and the middle cylindrical wall. The outer

4 cylindrical wall and the middle cylindrical wall form a small cavity in which the

5 spinner lid may rotate. The middle cylindrical wall and inner cylindrical wall

6 create a cavity in which the spacer and washer may fit into and rotate. The axle is

7 then placed through the center of the inner cylindrical wall and thus the center of

8 the spinner housing. The axle extends through all of the prior mentioned

9 components except for the outsole pad. At the top of the axle, a retaining clip is

10 placed by friction in order to hold all the components together. The flange extends i ! outwardly in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the cylindrical walls. The flange

1 2 allows the spinning assembly to be placed stationary within the recess of the sole

13 member and to also disperse the pressure and weight from the shoe onto the sole

14 member.

1 5 [0001 1 ] In a preferred embodiment, a sole pad is placed on the top

1 6 surface of the sole member at a location in the vicinity of the middle region of the

1 7 sole member towards the toe region. The middle region includes the region that

1 8 extends substantially from the medial side to the lateral side at a location that

19 begins in the vicinity of the longitudinal center of the spinning shoe and

0 encompasses an area that is approximately one third of the length of the spinning 1 shoe. The sole pad overlaps a portion of the recess in which the spinning assembly2 is placed. The pad protects and cushions the user's foot from the rigidity of the3 spinning assembly and allows for a more smooth transition from the middle region to the toe region during walking, thereby increasing comfort. The sole pad may be5 constructed from ethylene-vinyl acetate, thermoplastic polyurethane or any other6 soft, resil ient and flexible material. [00012] In a preferred embodiment, the flange of the spinner housing contains multiple notches. The notches allow the spinner housing to line up during production as well as hold the spinner housing in place and prevent it from rotating.

[00013] Thus a user can rotate in a vertical axis by placing weight in the forefoot area. The weight of the users in the forefoot area thereby enables the user to rotate about such a vertical axis by placing the user's weight on the spinner assembly.

[00014] An advantage includes the ability to use the present invention to enjoyably obtain an exercise workout.

[00015] An aspect of this invention is the ability to walk about normally. A user may then spin about a vertical axis by simply transferring pressure and weight to the forefoot, specifically the outsole lid of the spinner assembly without having to touch any components. This invention allows the user to spin about, somewhat similar to a ballerina.

[00016] Another aspect of the invention is the ability to twist both legs about a vertical axis by just placing pressure on the forefoot of the shoe. This allows an individual to assume a motion akin to dancing or exercise.

[00017] Due to this new discrete assembly and the position of the spinning assembly, there is less wear on the shoes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[00018] By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described below. Each such description refers to a particular figure ("FIG.") which shows the described matter. All such figures are shown in drawings that accompany this specification. Each such figure includes one or more reference numbers that identify one or more part(s) or element(s) of the invention. s [00019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates the use of the

9 invention to rotate about a vertical axis.

10 [00020] FIG. 2 is a perspective elevation view of an embodiment of the

1 1 invention.

12 [00021] FIG. 3 is a perspective elevation view of an exploded

13 embodiment of the invention.

14 [00022] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view in cross-section of an is embodiment of the spinning assembly.

1 6 [00023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view that illustrates the use of the

1 7 invention to rotate about a vertical axis. i s [00024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view that illustrates the use of the

1 9 invention to twist about a vertical axis. 0 [00025] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention. 1 [00026] FIG. 8 is a cross-section of an embodiment of the invention2 along line 8 - 8. 3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [00027] The invention will now be described with reference to the perspective view shown in FIG. 1 . This figure shows the user wearing an embodiment of the spinning shoe 103. The shoe has an upper 102 and a sole member 104. The user has their weight on their forefoot and is using the invention to spin around the vertical axis 100. [00028] FIG. 2 is a perspective elevation view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows the placement of the spinning assembly 122 within the sole member 104. The outsole pad 120 faces the ground. The outsole pad 120 is affixed to the spinner lid 1 16 by an adhesive or other securing device or material. The outsole pad 120 rotates about the spinner housing 1 10, thus allowing either the outsole pad 120 or the spinning shoe 103 to rotate freely about vertical axis 100. Vertical axis 100 extends through the spinning assembly 1 22. [00029] FIG. 3 is a perspective elevation view of an exploded embodiment of the invention. The sole member 104 has a recess 106 in which the spinning assembly 122 is placed. The spinning assembly 122 is comprised of a retaining clip 108, spinner housing 1 10, washer 1 12, spacer 1 14, spinner lid 1 16, axle 1 1 8 and outsole pad 120. The outsole pad 120, as stated above, grips the ground 101 and is affixed by an adhesive or other securing device or material to a spinner lid 1 16. In a preferred embodiment, the outsole pad 120 is affixed to the spinner lid 1 16 so that it rotates in unison with the spinner lid 1 16. In between the outsole pad 120 and spinner lid 1 16, is an axle 1 1 8. The axle 1 18 generally has a tapered head. The axle's 1 1 8 head is placed in between the outsole pad 120 and spinner lid 1 16 while the axle 1 18 protrudes through the center of the spinner lid 1 16. The axle 1 18 may spin or be stationary with respect to spinner lid 1 1 6 and outsole pad 120, so that the spinner lid 1 16 and outsole pad rotate in unison. On 1 top of the spinner lid 1 16 is a spacer 1 14, which may be made out of metal,

2 aluminum or another low friction material, such as Teflon®. The spacer 1 14 is a

3 flat ring with a circular opening in its center. The spacer 1 14 is maintained

4 stationary with respect to the spinner lid 1 16 by friction so that it too rotates in

5 unison with the spinner lid 1 16 and outsole pad 120.

6 [00030] Above the spacer 1 14 is a washer 1 12, which may be made out

7 of metal, aluminum or another low friction material, such as Teflon®. In the

8 preferred embodiment, the washer is a c washer. However, it may be any suitable

9 washer. The washer 1 12 has a circular opening in its center. The washer 1 12 is

1 0 placed on top of the spacer and is maintained stationary with respect to the other

1 1 components by friction. All of the prior mentioned components are then placed in

12 the spinner housing 1 10 to spin in unison.

1 3 [0003 1 ] The spinner housing 1 10 comprises a flange 121 , three

1 concentric cylindrical walls, with centers at the exact center of the spinner housing, i s with varying heights and thicknesses that form two separate cavities. The outer

1 6 cylindrical wall 1 1 1 is typically a thin, but tall wall. The middle cylindrical 1 13

17 wall is typically a thin, short wall. The inner cylindrical 1 15 wall is generally is shorter and thicker than the outer cylindrical wall 1 1 1 and the middle cylindrical

19 wall 1 13. The outer cylindrical wall 1 1 1 and the middle cylindrical wall 1 13 form0 a first cavity 1 17 in which the spinner lid 1 16 is aligned. In the operation of the 1 invention, the outer edge of the spinner lid 1 16 rotates in the cavity 1 17. The

2 middle cylindrical wall 1 13 and inner cylindrical wall 1 15 create a second cavity3 1 19 in which the spacer 1 14 and washer 1 12 may fit into and rotate. The axle 1 184 is placed through the center of the inner cylindrical wall 1 15 and thus the center of5 the spinner housing. The axle 1 1 8 extends through all of the previously mentioned6 components except for the outsole pad 1 20. A retaining clip 108 is placed at the s 1 top of the axle 1 18 and maintained by friction in order to secure all the components

2 together. The flange 121 extends outwardly on a horizontal axis perpendicular to

3 the cylindrical walls. The flange 121 fits within a specific extruded cavity 123 in

4 the recess 106. The spinner housing 1 10 remains stationary with respect to the

5 recess 106.

6 [00032] A side elevation view in cross-section of an embodiment of the

7 . spinning assembly 122, inside the sole member 104 is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4

8 shows the proper placement and assembly of the individual components of

9 spinning assembly 122 in the recess 106 of the forefoot area of the spinning shoe

10 103. The spinning assembly 122 allows both the combined outsole pad 120 and

1 1 spinner lid 1 16 to rotate about a vertical axis 100 or for the sole member 104 to

12 rotate about a vertical axis 100.

13 [00033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view that illustrates a user using the

14 present invention. The user is walking and then begins to spin about a vertical axis i s and then resumes walking.

1 6 [00034] A user may walk normally on the spinning shoe 103 as the user

1 7 would in a conventional shoe. When the user so elects to spin along the vertical

1 8 axis 100, the user may place weight and pressure on the forefoot region,

19 specifically the outsole pad 120, of a single shoe in the invention and then lift up or0 remove the weight from the opposite shoe and then spin about the vertical axis 100 1 of the shoe on which the weight is placed. After the user has concluded spinning,2 the user may enter into a normal stride and walk about. 3 [00035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view that illustrates a user using the4 present invention. The user can place the weight and pressure on the forefoot area5 of both feet. Then, the user can li ft the heel and spin each leg about each vertical6 axis 100 and 200 of each shoe. 1 [00036] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention

2 that illustrates a sole pad 702 placed on the top surface of the sole member 104 at a

3 location in the vicinity of the middle region of the sole member 1 04 towards the

4 toe region. The sole pad 702 overlaps a portion of the recess 106 in which the

5 spinning assembly 122 is placed. The sole pad 702 protects and cushions the user's

6 foot from the rigidity of the spinning assembly 122 and allows for a more smooth

7 transition from the middle region to the toe region during walking, thereby

8 increasing comfort. The sole pad 702 may be constructed from ethylene-vinyl

9 acetate, thermoplastic polyurethane or any other soft, resilient and flexible

10 material.

] l [00037] FIG. 7 also illustrates the multiple notches 704 on the flange

12 121 of the spinner housing 1 10. The notches 704 allow the spinner housing 1 10 to

! 3 line up properly during production as well as hold the spinner housing 1 10 in place

14 and prevent it from rotating. Although the preferred embodiment has multiple is notches 704, the invention may be constructed with only one notch 704 to hold the

16 spinner housing 1 10 in place with the sole member 104.

1 7 [00038] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of the

1 8 invention along line 8 - 8. It shows the placement of the sole pad 702 and the

1 spinning assembly 122 in the forefoot region of the sole member 104. 0 [00039] While the foregoing detailed description sets forth selected 1 embodiments of a spinning shoe device in accordance with the present invention,2 the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed

3 invention. The claims that follow herein collectively cover the foregoing

4 embodiments. The following claims further encompass additional embodiments5 that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 6