[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application 61/767,882, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Back2round of the Invention

[0002] Over time, evolution has allowed the hooves of animals to adapt to best suit the terrain encountered by the animal. For instance, animals living in mountains have hooves adept at gripping inclined surfaces. Moreover, the hooves will adapt to whether the inclined surface is rocky or soft. Similarly, animals living in dense forest or open plains have developed hooves providing the greatest advantage for the conditions encountered by the animals to increase the chances for long term survival. The sole for a shoe which simulates the hoof of an animal can realize the benefits of the hoof's contour, which provides benefits when the person wearing the shoe encounters terrain similar to the one normally encountered by the animal whose hoof is simulated.

[0003] Some shoes simulate an animal hoof. However, simulations often involve the upper shoe and are ornamental. In other words, the shoes are designed to provide the appearance that the lower part of the wearers leg is an animal leg. The shoes often involve boots which extend up towards the users make. These ornamental features do not provide any benefit to the user.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The sole of a shoe has a heel, a midsole and a tread portion extending from the mid-sole to the toe. The tread has a contour simulative of a horse hoof. A central recess is surrounded by a side wall forming the top and side edges of the tread. The side wall has in- turned ends that extend into the central recess. The in-turned ends taper in both height and width to their distal ends. A V-shaped protrusion is formed at a bottom of the tread and a curved surface transitions from the tread to the midsole. A tear drop recess is formed in the V-shaped protrusion. The top of the V-shaped protrusion and top of the side wall are coplanar. The tread provides traction on a variety of surfaces, including grassy fields, sand and hard surfaces, such as packed Earth or pavement. Brief Description of the Drawin2S

[0005] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the sole for shoe;

[0006] Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

[0007] Figure 3 is a right side view thereof, the left side view being a mirror image of the right side view;

[0008] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of Figure 2 through the centerline extending in the toe to heel direction; and

[0009] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0010] Figure 1 depicts the sole 10 having a heel 12 and midsole 14. Located forward of the midsole 14 is the tread 16. The tread is formed by a side wall 22 extending around a periphery of the sole. The side wall surrounds a central recess 24. The ends of the side wall 22 have in-turned ends 26 extending diagonally into the central recess 24. The in-turned ends taper in both height and width to a distal end. Located between the in-turned ends 26 is a V- shaped protrusion 28. A tear drop shaped recess 34 is formed within the V-shaped protrusion. The spaces between the V-shaped protrusion 28 and the in-turned ends 26 form channels 32. In an actual horse hoof, the V-shaped protrusion and recess are referred to as the "frog." The bottom of the tread borders the mid-sole and a rounded surface 40 extends to the midsole 14.

[0011] Figure 2, a top view of the sole, clearly shows the heel 12, midsole 14 and tread 16. The side wall 22, central recess 24 and V-shaped protrusion 28 are all clearly seen, as is the channels 32 formed between the in-turned edges 26 of the side wall 22 and V-shaped protrusion 28. The tear drop shaped recess 34 and rounded bottom surface 40 are also seen.

[0012] Figure 3 more clearly shows the tapered surface 40 extending upwardly from the midsole 14. In addition, a base 42 under the heel, midsole and tread is seen. The side wall 22 is formed by the top of the base 42. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sole 10. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the top surface of the side wall 22 and top surface of the V- shaped protrusion 28 are coplanar, creating a stable surface for contacting the ground. The bottom surface of the central recess is also seen in Figure 4. The central recess is smooth, as the surface of the central recess is devoid of any protrusions or undulations. The central recess may be planar or slightly concave. The transition between the central recess and the side wall is rounded. The rounded transition provides lateral stability to the side wall and prevents the concentration of stresses at the inner bottom edge of the side wall where it meets the central recess. Similarly, the transition from the in-turned ends 26 and channels 34 are rounded to provide greater strength at this location. In addition, the tear drop shaped recess 38 is seen, as is the tapered surface 40.

[0013] Figure 5 is a cross section view across the width of the tread. The sectional view depicts the sides of the central recess 16, as well as the channels 32 and tear drop shaped recess 34. The relative depth of these recesses can be varied. As noted above, the bottom surfaces of the recesses and channels are smooth and can be flat or concave. Also seen is the side wall 22, in-turned ends 26 and V-shaped protrusion. The relationship between the in-turned ends 26 and V-shaped protrusion 28 to form the pair of channels 32 can easily be seen. The central recess, the tear drop shaped recess 34 and channels 32 contribute to provide enhanced traction in soft ground and in wet conditions. In addition, the top surfaces of the side wall 22, in-turned ends 26 and V-shaped protrusion are coplanar to provide a stable surface.

[0014] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The invention encompasses such variations and modifications.