Field of the invention: The present invention relates to footwear for sports or activities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sporting footwear and to a system for enhancing a force transfer, from a foot of a wearer of the footwear, to a playing surface. Background of the invention:

In the field of footwear, especially in high-performance sports, it is often desirous to optimize certain parameters of the footwear so as to improve the performance of the user or athlete. Some of these parameters include the weight of the footwear, its engagement with the ground or floor, its breathability, etc. Another such parameter is the effectiveness of the footwear in transferring the force exerted by the foot to the ground on which the footwear is used.

It is known that the amount of force a foot applies to the ground can affect the speed at which the user moves, or the height the user can jump, for example. In the field of sprinting, as but one example, the force applied by the user's foot can significantly affect the time it takes for a sprinter to exit the starting blocks. In the field of ice hockey, as another example, the force applied by the user's feet contained in a hockey skate can affect the speed at which the user moves on the ice.

Some examples of footwear can be found in the following US patents: 8, 1 12,905; 7,827,707; 7,343,701 ; 7,254,904; 7, 140, 127; 6,895,694; 6,746,027; 6,505,422; 6,082,027; 6,029,374; 5,740,618; 5,701 ,686; 5,343,636; 5, 129, 165; 5, 1 1 1 ,597; 5,090, 138; 5,074,060; 4,901 ,453; 4,822,363; 4,428,089; 4, 120,064; 4,026,046; 3,325,919; 3, 165,841 ; 2,810,214; 2,210,304; 1 ,996,083; 1 ,744, 122; and 979,243. Other examples of footwear can be found in the following Canadian patent documents and/or industrial designs: 2,292,996; 2,205,388; 327,201 ; 300,838; and 273,845.

Consider further the example of a hockey skate. Modern hockey skates are typically hard-shell structures. This is beneficial because hard-shell hockey skates protect the user's foot from impact with sticks, the puck, and other skates, and reinforce the user's foot and ankle. However, hockey skates which are hard-shell do not effectively respond to the movements of the user's foot within the skate itself.

In a typical skating stride, both the user's foot and the end of the user's foot (i.e. the balls of the foot and the toes) contribute to propelling the user forward. As the user's foot reaches the end of her/his stride, the end of the foot applies the majority of the pressure to the sole of the skate, thereby providing an additional propulsive force to move the user forward. Most rigid hockey skates have excess space or "wiggle room" between the top of the foot and the inside of the upper of the skate boot, which is not optimal to the use of the hockey skate.

Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for a device which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the aforementioned prior art drawbacks.

Summary of the invention:

One object of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the above-mentioned prior art drawbacks.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sporting footwear for enhancing a force transfer, from a foot of a wearer of the sporting footwear, to a playing surface on which the sporting footwear is used, the sporting footwear comprising:

a shell comprising a heel portion, and opposite sole and upper portions, for receiving and at least partially enclosing the foot of the wearer upon insertion into the shell; and

a force-transferring member comprising opposite first and second contact surfaces, the first contact surface being fixedly connectable to an inner side of the upper portion, and the second contact surface configured for abutting against at least a part of the top of the wearer's foot when inserted into the shell, the force- transferring member being positioned, shaped and sized within the shell so as to fill a void between the top of the foot and the upper portion, thereby enabling an increased operative contact surface within the sporting footwear between foot and shell, so as to enhance force transfer between said foot and shell, and onto the playing surface.

In some optional embodiments, the force-transferring member can take many different shapes and configurations on the top of the foot, and can also be located on different parts of the foot. Moreover, there can be more than one force- transferring member, such as a force-transferring member for each toe, for example. Alternatively, a single force-transferring member may cover and/or wrap around all the toes. The force-transferring member can be made of multiple materials such as, but not limited to, gels, foam, air packs, rubber, cork, etc. Moreover, the force-transferring member can consist of individual loops for housing the toes. The force-transferring member may include a breathing mechanism, such as aeration holes disposed about the force-transferring member, so as to aerate the foot.

In other possible embodiments, the force-transferring member is an insert which can be inserted into the footwear along with the foot, and which may be connected to the footwear by any suitable technique. The insert may be molded so as to contour to that part of the wearer's foot covered by the force-transferring member, thereby providing an efficient fit. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for enhancing a force transfer, from a foot of a wearer to a playing surface, the system comprising:

a footwear for receiving and at least partially enclosing the foot of the wearer upon being inserted therein, the footwear comprising a heel portion, and opposite sole and upper portions; and

a removable force-transferring member comprising opposite first and second contact surfaces, the first contact surface being removably mountable to an inner side of the upper portion of the footwear such that the second contact surface is configured for abutting against at least a part of the top of the foot when inserted into the footwear, the force-transferring member being positioned, shaped, and sized within the footwear so as to fill a void between the top of the wearer's foot and the upper portion, thereby enabling an increased operative contact surface between foot and footwear, so as to enhance force transfer between said foot and footwear, and onto the playing surface.

Optionally, the force-transferring member is positioned within the footwear so as to expand that part of the foot in contact with the footwear, thus improving the force transfer from the foot of the wearer to the footwear, and ultimately the playing surface. This may be achieved because the force-transferring member can protrude inwardly from the upper portion of the footwear towards the top of the foot, at least from a part of the upper portion near the toes and end of the foot. The force-transferring member in such an embodiment is a solid (i.e. integral, consistent, uniform, etc.) material, which can be pre-inserted and permanently integrated into the upper portion of the footwear, or alternatively, provided as an insert being sold separately and for adding to the upper portion.

In so doing, the force-transferring member may provide reinforcement to at least the end of the foot inside a hockey skate, for example, thus reducing any wiggling of toes or "play" within the hockey skate which does not contribute to the skating stride of the wearer. The components, advantages and other features of the sporting footwear and system will become more apparent upon reading of the following non- restrictive description of some optional configurations, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the force-transferring member of Figure 1 covering a part of the foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, according to another optional embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a top view of the force-transferring member of Figure 3 covering a part of the foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, according to yet another optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a top view of the force-transferring member of Figure 5 covering a part of the foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, according to yet another optional embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a top view of the force-transferring member of Figure 7 covering a part of the foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, according to yet another optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a top view of the force-transferring member of Figure 9 covering a part of the foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 1 is a top view of a force-transferring member covering a part of a wearer's foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the force-transferring member and the foot of Figure 1 1 inserted within a sporting footwear, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with an inflatable force-transferring member, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member having a resilient plate, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with another force-transferring member having a resilient plate, the sporting footwear having a tightening device, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with another force-transferring member having a resilient plate, the sporting footwear having another tightening device, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with another force-transferring member having a resilient plate, the sporting footwear having yet another tightening device, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 18 to 20 are partial cross-sectional views of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, the sporting footwear and the foot being shown moving through various stages of a stride, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, according to yet another optional embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 is a top view of the force-transferring member of Figure 21 covering a part of the foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wearer's foot inserted within a sporting footwear provided with a force-transferring member, according to yet another optional embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 24 is a top view of the force-transferring member of Figure 23 covering a part of the foot, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention: In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present invention illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.

Furthermore, although the present invention may be used in various sports, such as in ice hockey, for example, and as a result, is sometimes described in the context of the present invention for a possible use with a hockey skate, it is understood that it may be used with other footwear, and in other sports and/or activities. Some of these footwear include, but are not limited to, downhill ski boots, track-and-field shoes, running shoes, figure skates, athletic shoes, snowboarding boots, hiking boots, etc. For this reason, expressions such as "ice", "hockey", "skate", "blade", etc. as used herein should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention to the sport of hockey and/or hockey skates in particular. These expressions encompass all other kinds of materials, objects and/or purposes with which the present invention could be used and may be useful, as can be easily understood. List of numerical references for some of the corresponding optional components illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

10 sporting footwear (or simply "footwear")

12 void (or "gap")

20 force-transferring member (or simply "member")

21 bottom force-transferring member (or simply "bottom member")

22 first contact surface (or simply "first surface") 23. side surface (of member 20)

24. second contact surface (or simply "second surface")

25. aeration hole

26. resilient plate

27. comfort layer

28. tightening device

29. inflatable membrane

29a. pump

29b. supply line

30. ringlet

50. shell

51 . tongue

52. heel portion

54. sole portion

54a. inner portion (of sole portion 54)

55. upper portion

56. ice-contactable portion (e.g. "blade")

57. inner side (of upper portion 55)

58. toe box

58a. inner surface (of toe box 58)

70. foot

71 . bottom (of foot 70)

72. top (of foot 70)

74. toe (of foot 70)

76. heel (of foot 70)

78. ball (of foot 70)

80. ice

Broadly described, the sporting footwear 10, an example of which is shown in Figure 1 , is an article which, in some of its configurations, enhances the force transfer which occurs from the foot of a wearer of the footwear, to the playing surface upon which the footwear is being used. The sporting footwear 10 can be any suitable footwear which can be worn on the foot. Some non-limiting examples of the sporting footwear 10 are mentioned above. The expression "enhancing a force transfer" refers to the optimization, improvement, augmentation, amplification, etc. of the process by which force, which is generated by the foot of the wearer during use of the footwear, is transferred, conveyed, transmitted, etc. to the playing surface via the sporting footwear 10. The "playing surface" can be any ground and/or floor surface, either indoor or outdoor, upon which activities (e.g. play, sport, walking, running, etc.) can be conducted with the feet of the wearer. Some non-limitative examples of a playing surface include ice, dirt, gravel, grass, court surface, hardwood, artificial turf, etc.

Figures 1 and 2 provide an example of such a sporting footwear 10. The footwear 10 is used by a foot 70 of the wearer. The footwear 10 enhances a force applied to the playing surface by the foot 70, as explained below.

The footwear 10 includes a shell 50. The shell 50 encloses, at least partially, the foot 70 of the wearer. The shell 50 can be substantially rigid. The expression "substantially rigid" means that the shell 50 is made of any suitable material which offers at least some stiffness or inflexibility, and which provides a suitable medium through which force is transferred from the foot 70. One example of a rigid shell 50 includes the skate boot for an ice skate. Another example of a rigid shell 50 includes the exterior and/or body of an athletic shoe.

The shape and configuration of the shell 50 can determine the type of footwear 10 being used. For example, a shell 50 which encloses the foot 70 and ankle of the wearer, but not the lower part of the wearer's leg, can form a "shoe"- type of footwear 10. In another example, a shell 50 which encloses all of the foot 70 as well as the lower part of the wearer's leg, can form a skate boot for an ice skate, an example of which is shown in Figure 1 , and such an ice skate can have an ice-contactable portion 56 (e.g. blade). Therefore, any suitable shape and configuration of the shell 50 can be used. The term "enclosing" used to describe the shell 50 refers not only to the shell's 50 ability to surround or envelop the foot 70 of the wearer when it is inserted into the shell 50, but also to the shell's 50 ability to protect the foot 70 from impacts, nicks, scratches, cuts, bruises, or any other interference that may originate outside of the shell 50 and affect the foot 70 therein.

The shell 50 has components that provide it with the form needed to enclose the foot 70. These components include a heel portion 52, which forms the rear of the shell 50, and extends from the heel 76 of the foot 70 and up the back of the leg of the wearer, or any portion thereof. Another component is a sole portion 54, which forms the bottom of the shell 50, and which extends along the bottom 71 of the foot 70 between the heel 70 and the end of the toes 74, or any portion thereof. Yet another component is the upper portion 55, which forms the top of the shell 50, and which can extend along the entire top 72 of the foot 70 from the end of the toes 74 to the lower portion of the wearer's leg. The upper portion 55 is disposed opposite to the sole portion 54. In the present disclosure, the use of the term "opposite" to explain the relationship of the upper and sole portions 55,54 refers to the fact that the upper portion 55 is disposed along a top 72 side of the foot 70, while the sole portion 54 is disposed along a bottom (i.e. opposite) side of the foot 70.

The upper portion 55 includes an inner side 57 which is in contact with the foot 70 upon it being inserted into the shell 50. In some optional embodiments, the upper portion 55 can include a tongue 51 , an example of which is provided in Figure 12, which is fixed to the inner side 57, and which extends along the top 72 of the foot 70 from the end of the toes 74 to the front of the wearer's leg. The tongue 51 can be used when the footwear 10 is an athletic shoe, or a skate, for example. The tongue 51 and/or the inner side 57 can be made of any suitable material, or combination of materials, which can provide the following non-limiting functions: cushioning, comfort, support, etc. Further optionally, and returning to Figures 1 and 2, the upper portion 55 can include a toe box 58, which can form the end of the upper portion 55, and which can enclose the toes 74 when the foot 70 is inserted in the shell 50. The toe box 58 can consist of any outer, hard-shell surface to protect the toes 74 from impacts, and can also have an inner surface 58a, which can be in contact with the inside of the shell 50 and/or the foot 70.

The footwear 10 also includes a force-transferring member 20, an example of which is also provided in Figures 1 and 2. The at least one member 20 reinforces at least a portion of the top 72 of the foot 70 inside the shell 50, reducing relative movement of the foot 70 with respect to the interior of the footwear 10 (i.e. with respect to the interior of the shell 50) and thus allowing the foot 70 to better "grip" (or "fill up") the footwear 10 so as to enhance the force transfer from the foot 70 to the playing surface. The expression "at least a part of" as used herein means that the member 20 can abut against all of, or only part of, the top 72 of the foot 70, which can depend on multiple factors such as the degree of force transfer required, the type of footwear 10 being used, the parts of the foot 70 applying force, etc. For example, and as further explained below, the member 20 can reinforce only the top of the toes 74, or the part of the top 72 between the toes 74 and the ankle, and/or any combination thereof. There can also be more than one member 20, depending on the particular configuration of the footwear 10, among other factors. It is thus understood that the expression "abutting against" to describe the relationship between the top 72 of the foot 70 and the member 20 does not require that the skin of the foot 70 be in direct contact with the surface of the member, and that intermediate cloths, fabrics, items, etc. can be used between so as to improve the wearer's comfort, for example.

It is thus apparent that the member 20 provides support to the foot 70 and/or a part thereof (e.g. the toes 74), which, in turn, allows for the application of force to the shell 50 of the footwear 10, or a part thereof (e.g. the sole portion 54) more effectively. Such support can be located between the foot 70 of the wearer and the shell 50 of the footwear 10, such that the force generated by the foot 70 and/or any of its parts can be enhanced, with the addition of member 20, to the shell 50 of the footwear 10, and thus ultimately, to the playing surface. Although shown as being positioned substantially above the toes 74 in Figures 1 and 2, the member 20 can be positioned anywhere else within the shell 50, as will be further explained below. It is thus apparent that the force transfer described herein is not limited to occurring only between the top 72 of the foot 70 and the upper portion 55, and that the force transfer described herein can be effected by any part of the foot 70, and through any portion of the shell 50.

The member 20 can be made of any suitable material capable of achieving such functionality. In some optional embodiments, the member 20 is made of resilient material, such as rubber, foam, cork, synthetic material, air bladder, etc., or any combination of these. The member 20 can also be enclosed in a fabric material, which can be woven, knitted, spread, crocheted, and/or bonded, or which can be unwoven. Such a fabric can advantageously provide a measure of comfort when the foot 70 of the wearer abuts against the member 20. In order to further advantageously improve comfort, the member 20 can be made of a breathable material which allows for the foot 70 to remain dry and comfortable within the footwear 10. Further optionally, the member 20 can include multiple aeration holes 25 for enhancing the circulation of air between the foot 70 and the footwear 10.

The member 20 has a first contact surface 22 and an opposed second contact surface 24. The surfaces 22,24 can be any planar surfaces, non-planar surfaces (i.e. curved), and/or combination of these that forms an area through which force from the foot 70 is transferred. As such, the surfaces 22,24 can take any suitable configuration or form, be made of any suitable material, have any suitable thickness, and/or have any suitable texture. The first surface 22 is fixedly connectable to the inner side 57 of the upper portion 55, which means that it can be permanently attached and/or integrated to the inner side 57, or removable therefrom as needed. The first surface 22 can be fixedly connected to the inner side 57 by any suitable connection technique, such as, but not limited to, the following group: adhesive, hook and loop fastener, mechanical linkage, stitch, integrated molding, etc. or any combination thereof.

The second surface 24 is opposed to the first surface 22, meaning that the second surface 24 is separated by the body of the member 20 from the first surface 22, and that the second surface 24 faces in an opposite direction (i.e. toward the foot 70) from the first surface 22. Upon insertion of the foot 70 into the shell 50, the second surface 24 is configured for abutting against the foot 70. The term "abut" as used herein refers to the second surface 24 adjoining, touching against, bordering, contacting, etc. some part of the top 72 of the foot 70 of the wearer when the foot 70 is inserted into the shell 50.

Such an abutment allows for the member 20 to be positioned, shaped, and/or sized within the shell 50 such that when the foot 70 is inserted, the member 20 fills a void 12 which forms between the top 72 of the foot 70 and the inner side 57 of the shell 50. The expression "fill a void" refers to the member's 20 ability to reduce, restrict, and/or eliminate the void 12, or merely some part thereof, which forms above the top 72 of the foot 70, and or between other parts of the foot 70 and the inside of the shell 50. In other words, the member 20 does not need to completely fill the void 12, and can instead fill only that part of the void 12 which can help to enhance force transfer. Some types of footwear 10 are mass produced, and thus cannot be designed for the specific foot 70 of the wearer. In such footwear 10, there can exist a space or gap (i.e. void 12) within the footwear 10, between the top 72 of the foot 70, and the upper inside part of the footwear 10. Ice skates are but one example of such footwear 10 having such a void 12. It can thus be appreciated that the void 12 is not limited to a particular configuration or type of footwear 10, and that it can vary in dimension, volume, and nature depending on numerous factors such as, but not limited to: the type of footwear 10, the wearer's foot 70, the activity being conducted, the design of the footwear 10, etc.

The filling of the void 12 by the member 20 provides an increased operative contact surface within the footwear 10 between the foot 70 and the shell 50. The expression "increased operative contact surface" refers to the contact area formed when the top 72 of the foot 70 abuts against the second surface 24 of the member 20. Such a contact area is greater or "increased" in comparison to when the foot 70 does not abut against the member 20. This greater contact area provides a support through which force can be transferred directly from the foot 70 to the shell 50 during use, or "operation", of the footwear 10 by the wearer. Such use or operation of the footwear 10 can result from the wearer pushing against the footwear 10 and or components thereof (e.g. shell 50, upper portion 55, sole portion 54, etc.), and pushing off and/or away from the playing surface. This increased operative contact area may thus advantageously enhance force transfer from the foot 70 of the wearer to the shell 50, and ultimately, to the footwear 10 and the playing surface through improved support of the foot 70 within the footwear 10.

Having discussed some of the principal components and features of the footwear 10, some of the other optional configurations will be further discussed hereinbelow in reference to the figures. Figures 3 and 4 provide an example of a force-transferring member 20 that abuts against a specific portion of the top 72 of the foot 70. As shown, the force- transferring member 20 may consist of a layer of material under which the toes 74 can be inserted. The member 20 can be any device and/or mechanism which covers some of and/or all of the top 72 of the end of the foot 70 and/or toes 74 so as to allow for enhanced force transfer. The member 20 can pad or cushion the top 72 of the toes 74, filling at least some of the void 12 between the interior of the toe box 58 and the top of the toes 74, and can be disposed around the top and sides of the toe box 58 so as to substantially wrap around the top 72 and sides of the foot 70 and/or toes 74, thereby reinforcing these parts of the foot 70 by maintaining it in position. In this regard, the member 20 can have a side surface 23 which can extend along at least one of the instep or outstep sides of the foot 70 when it is inserted into the shell 50. The top 72, sides and/or toes 74 are thereby restrained in position by being abutted against by the layer of member 20, while always remaining comfortable, which may allow for an efficient and enhanced force transfer from the foot 70 to the playing surface. Although the optional embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 show the layer covering only part of the top 72 of the end of the foot 70, such as the upper surface of the toes 74, the layer can also cover the entire top 72 of the foot 70 inserted within the shell 50, or a greater portion thereof, as exemplified in Figures 1 and 2. Other configurations of the member 20 are of course possible, and the amount of the top 72 of the foot 70 covered can depend on numerous factors such as, but not limited to, the degree of force transfer required, the shape of the shell 50 and/or foot 70, the configuration of the footwear 10, etc. Indeed, it is possible that the member 20 be integrated within the inner surface 58a of the toe box 58 so as to abut against the top of the toes 74 and/or below the end of the foot 70 and/or toes 74.

Figures 5 to 8 provide additional examples of optional embodiments of the footwear 10. As shown, the force-transferring member 20 may consist of an envelope into which the foot 70 and/or some part thereof (e.g. the end of the foot 70 and/or toes 74) can be inserted. The envelope can be any device and/or mechanism which wraps around some of and/or all of the end of the foot 70 and/or toes 74. The member 20 can pad the bottom 71 of the foot 70, or some part thereof, thus filling a void 12, and can also be disposed around the top 72 and sides of the toe box 58 so as to substantially wrap around the end of the foot 70 so as to reinforce it by maintaining it in position and/or filling the void 12. The foot 70 is thereby restrained in position, while remaining comfortable, which allows for an efficient and enhanced force transfer from the foot 70 to the playing surface. In the configuration exemplified in Figures 7 and 8, the envelope member 20 covers only part of the top 72 of the foot 70, such as the upper surface of the toes 74. Other configurations of the envelope member 20 are of course possible, and the amount of and/or parts of the foot 70 covered can depend on numerous factors such as, but not limited to, the degree of force transfer required, the shape of the shell 50, the configuration of the footwear 10, etc.

Optionally, the force-transferring member 20 can have a bottom force- transferring member 21 , an example of which is provided in Figures 7 and 8. The bottom member 21 is fixedly connected to an inner portion 54a of the sole portion 54. The bottom member 21 can abut against at least some part of the bottom 71 of the foot 70 when it is inserted into the shell 50. Such a bottom member 21 is positioned, shaped, and sized within the shell 50 such that it fills a bottom void 12b, or some part thereof, between the bottom 71 of the foot 70 and the inner portion 54a of the sole portion 54. This advantageously can allow for an increased bottom operative contact surface within the footwear 10 between the foot 70 and shell 50, so as to further enhance force transfer between the foot 70 and shell 50. In some optional embodiments, the bottom member 21 abuts against the arch of the bottom 71 of the foot 70. In another optional embodiment, the bottom member 21 abuts against the bottom of the toes 74 of the foot 70, so as to fill the void in the arch formed between the toes and the inner portion 54a, for example.

Figures 9 and 10 provide yet another example of an optional embodiment of the footwear 10. As shown, the force-transferring member 20 may consist of a moldable block into which the foot 70 and/or any of its parts (e.g. the end and/or toes 74) can be inserted. In such a configuration, the moldable block member 20 can deform to accurately contour and reflect the profile of the foot 70 against which it abuts. Optionally, the moldable block member 20 or object can be formed by being heated prior to the part of the foot 70 being inserted therein, or can be made from a suitably deformable material such as memory foam or gel, for example. The moldable block member 20 can be contoured to the foot 70 outside of the footwear 10, much like an insert mentioned above, or it can be integrated within the toe box 58 so as to abut against the desired part of the top 72 of the foot 70. In the optional configuration where the moldable block member 20 is integrated within the toe box 58, the member 20 can be made in a suitable process simultaneously with the shell 50 of the footwear 10. It is thus apparent how the moldable block member 20 of this configuration can reduce the "wiggle room" of the foot 70 within the shell 50, allowing for an enhanced force transfer.

Figures 1 1 and 12 provide yet another example of an optional embodiment of the footwear 10. As shown in Figure 1 1 , the force-transferring member 20 consists of a removable insert, which can be applied to the foot 70 outside of the footwear 10, and then subsequently inserted with the foot 70 into the footwear 10, and removed therefrom after use. In such a configuration, the member 20 can be molded about that part of the foot 70 through which force transfer will occur, so as to conform specifically to a wearer's foot 70, and remained secured thereto through different use conditions (i.e. heavy sporting activity, leisurely walking, applying pressure, etc.). In so doing, the insert member 20 can occupy a void 12 within the toe box 58 and/or any other part of the shell 50, thus reinforcing the foot 70 within the shell 50 and enhancing the force transfer. Alternatively, the insert member 20 can be fixed to a foot covering, such as a sock, for example, and configured such that when the covered foot 70 is inserted into the shell 50, the member 20 can be removably attached to the inner side 57 of the upper portion 55. Figure 13 provides yet another example of an optional embodiment of the footwear 10. As shown, the footwear 10 can be an ice skate, such as a hockey skate, a figure skate, etc. Such a skate 10 can be provided with the force- transferring member 20 shown, but it is understood that the member 20 shown can be used on other types of footwear 10, and that an ice skate 10 can be used with other optional embodiments of the force-transferring member 20. In the optional embodiment provided in Figure 13, the force-transferring member 20 is an inflatable membrane 29 in fluid connection with an inflation device. This allows the membrane 29 to be inflated and deflated by the inflation device, which can be a pump 29a, so as to provide the desired abutment of the member 20 against the desired part of the top 72 of the foot 70. A supply line 29b can connect both the pump 29a, and the membrane 29. A relief valve can also be provided to deflate the membrane 29 when required. The membrane 29 and/or pump 29a can be integral with the hockey skate 10, or be inserted with the foot 70. In the optional configuration where the membrane 29 and pump 29a are integrated within the upper portion 55 and/or shell 50, the membrane 29 and/or pump 29a can be attached to the shell 50 through a chemical forming or bonding process, for example. Figures 14 to 17 provide yet another example of an optional embodiment of the footwear 10, being shown as an athletic shoe. The force-transferring member 20 can include a resilient plate 26 which extends along the upper portion 55 of the shell 50, optionally along the entire length of the foot 70 from the ankle to the end of the toes 74 when the foot 70 is placed into the shell 50. The shell 50 in such an embodiment can allow for flexion about the upper portion 55, and can thus be similar to an athletic shoe. The plate 26 can be made of a resilient material, such as carbon fiber. A comfort layer 27 can be fixedly mounted to an inner part of the plate 26, between the top 72 of the foot 70 and the foot-facing side of the plate 26, thereby providing comfort and/or support to the foot 70 of the wearer. Such a comfort layer 27 can be made of a foam material, as but one example of possible materials that can be used. The plate 26 can thus act as an extension of the foot 70 when inserted into the shell 50, which can be achieved by tightly securing the plate 26 to the foot 70 and/or ankle through straps, toe loops, shoe laces, etc. , as discussed below.

Although Figures 14 to 17 show the plate 26 being provided in an athletic shoe, the plate 26 can be used in other types of footwear 10, such as in a skate boot of an ice skate, for example. When used in a skate boot, for example, the plate 26 can support different areas of the foot 70, such as the ankle portion, for example. Such support may allow for additional force transfer to occur in the ankle area where the plate 26 could be loaded and unloaded with a force, as discussed below, throughout the skating stride of the wearer.

The plate 26 can advantageously help to enhance force transfer from the foot 70 to the shell 50. In one possible embodiment, the force transfer may be enhanced because the plate 26 provides support to the toes 74 in the footwear 10. Such support allows the toes 74 to become more effective in exerting a force on the sole portion 54 of the footwear 10 and, in turn, to the playing surface. In another possible embodiment, the plate 26 may be charged, loaded, supplied, etc. with a load or force when the foot 70 is pivoted about the balls 78 of the toes 74, which can occur whenever the wearer pushes off the playing surface with her/his feet 70. Since the plate 26 is made of a resilient and/or elastic material, this load is then transferred to the shell 50 of the footwear 10 as the foot 70 of the wearer separates from the ground at the end of a stride, for example, thereby enhancing the force transfer from the foot 70 to the playing surface.

Figure 15 provides another example of an optional configuration of a footwear 10 provided with a resilient plate 26. As shown, the plate 26 extends along the top 72 of the foot 70 from the end of the top of the toes 74 all the way up to the lower part of the leg. On the rear side of the foot 70, in the heel portion 52 of the shell 50, an additional comfort layer 27 is positioned, shaped, and sized for wrapping around at least some of the back of the foot 70, leg, and ankle of the wearer, providing further comfort when the foot 70 is inserted into the footwear 10. In such an optional embodiment, the shell 50 can include a tightening device 28 (e.g. a strap, lace, band, tie, etc.) for tightening the plate 26 and/or comfort layer 27 around the foot 70 of the wearer. In some optional embodiments, the tightening device 28 is mounted near the comfort layer 27, and wraps around the lower leg of the wearer when the foot 70 is inserted in the shell 50. It can thus be appreciated that such an embodiment can help to enhance force transfer by providing an additional charge/discharge point at the ankle of the foot 70. As the ankle joint is flexed forward (i.e. at the end of a running stride or beginning of a skate stride in hockey, for example) the plate 26 becomes charged, in addition to the load generated by the top 72 of the foot 70. At the end of a running stride as the foot 70 leaves the playing surface, or during a skate stride extension, for example, the loaded force at the ankle location is discharged along with the force stored in the top 72.

In other optional embodiments, an example of which is provided in Figure 16, there can be multiple tightening devices 28, which can be integrated within the shell 50 and/or the upper portion 55 so as to tighten the foot 70 by wrapping about the arches between the bottom 71 of the foot 70 and an inner portion 54a of the sole portion 51 , and bringing the foot 70 toward the plate 26. Optionally, the tightening devices 28 can be used for both the bottom 71 of the foot 70, and its rear, as exemplified in Figure 17. In some optional embodiments, examples of which are provided in Figures

16 and 17, a carbon fiber resilient plate 26 can enter into direct contact with the playing surface. Such direct contact can occur via the sole portion 54, near the end of the plate 26. This can allow for an enhanced transfer of stored force in the plate 26. Such a transfer can occur when the plate 26 transfers the force to the sole portion 54. In another possible embodiment, the plate 26 can also extend through the sole portion 54 and directly onto the playing surface. This can advantageously further enhance force transfer from the foot 70 because the force generated by the foot 70 is transferred directly to the playing surface because of the plate's 26 direct contact with the playing surface. This can help to eliminate any lost energy due to the dampening effect of the sole portion 54. This is in addition to the reduced "play" that can be achieved between the plate 26 and the foot 70 through the addition of tightening devices 28 (e.g. straps) within the footwear 10, which may allow for the carbon fiber plate 26 to essentially become an effective extension of the foot 70, which can be considered somewhat similar to the effect of a swimming fin on a wearer's foot.

The above-described optional embodiments of the footwear 10 are not exclusionary, and other embodiments can be used when desired. The choice of embodiment, whether it is described or not, to use can depend on many factors that relate to, among other things, the type of footwear 10 being used, the sport/activity involved, the shape/profile of a wearer's foot 70, cost, ease of manufacturing, etc.

In this regard, another possible embodiment of the footwear 10 can include a force-transferring member 20 consisting of one or many ringlets 30 into which the toes 74 of the foot 70 are inserted, as exemplified in Figures 21 to 24. There can be only one or a few ringlets 30, such as ringlets 30 which reinforce only the big and the index toes 74, for example. Alternatively, the ringlets 30 can reinforce all the toes 74. Many such ringlet 30 configurations are possible. The ringlets 30 can partially or fully encircle the toes 74, and can be connected to one another so as to allow the toes 74 to move as one appendage. Of course, only a few toes 74 could be connected as well, and only some toes 74 fully/partially encircled, the ringlets 30 being capable of having a variety of configurations. The ringlets 30 may allow for an enhanced force transfer by linking the toes 74 so as to create a "webbed-foot" configuration, thereby allowing all toes 74 to contribute to the force applied to the footwear 10 and ultimately the playing surface. The ringlets 30 can be made of any suitable material such as fabric, plastics, metals, rubber, leather, vinyl, etc.

Moreover, the ringlets 30 can be joined to the shell 50 or any portion thereof by an attachment mechanism, such as a bridging device, which can secure all or some of the ringlets 30 to the interior of the shell 50 and/or any other part of the footwear 10. In such an optional configuration, the bridging device allows for the force applied by the toes 74 to the ringlets 30 to be applied to the footwear 10, and ultimately to the playing surface. The bridging device can be any mechanical linkage such as a tether, rod, connector, etc., of any suitable material, which binds the ringlets and/or any other configuration of the force-transferring member 20 to the footwear 10.

Having described some of the features and components of the footwear 10, its operation and some of its advantages will now be further explained.

Figures 18 to 20 provide examples of the motions a wearer/player will undertake when skating along ice 80 when using a footwear 10 that is a hockey skate, for example. The skate 10 is provided with a force-transferring member 20 such as any of the ones described herein. In Figure 18, the hockey skate 10 is resting on the ice 80, and the wearer is not skating thereon. Once the wearer begins her/his stride, as exemplified in Figure 19, the wearer applies an initial push with the leg and foot 70, the foot 70 at this juncture still remaining substantially parallel with the ice 80. After the wearer has finished pushing with her/his leg and foot 70, the wearer prepares to apply a final push to complete the stride. At this juncture, and as exemplified in Figure 20, the foot 70 is at an angle to the ice 80, and the foot 70 and/or toes 74 are bent so as to form an angle with both the rest of the foot 70, and the ice 80. The wearer then applies a "push" or force P via the balls 78 and/or toes 74 of the foot 70, thereby providing an additional impetus and completing the stride. During, before, and/or after the application of this final push P, the member 20 provides support between the top 72 of the foot 70 and the inner side 57, so that foot 70 and/or toes 74 can better "push", "feel", etc. the shell 50 of the footwear 10, and thus better transfer the force P that is directly transmitted to the skate 50 and onto the ice 80.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a provided a system for enhancing a force transfer from a foot of a wearer to a playing surface. The system includes a footwear 10, such as any of the possible footwear 10 described above, which receives the foot 70 of the wearer and at least partially encloses it. The system also has a removable force-transferring member 20, such as any of the members 20 described above, which can attached to, and removed from, the footwear 10 as desired. Alternatively, the member 20 can also be permanently affixed to the footwear 10, depending upon any number of factors, such as: the type of footwear 10, the nature of the activity, the wearer's foot 70, etc.

Furthermore, the present invention can provide advantages in that, by virtue of its design and components, the force-transferring member 20 may expand the surface area of the foot 70 or a portion thereof (e.g. top 72) in contact with the footwear 10, and thus enhance force transferred from the foot 70 to the playing surface. Moreover, the above-described member 20 can be an integral part of the footwear 10 and may be located in a manner that does not directly interfere with the ability of the player/wearer to use the footwear 10 in a normal manner. In fact, experimental use has resulted in a noticeable increase in the speed at which a wearer skates on the ice, for example. At levels of extreme competiveness, such as in professional and/or semi-professional sports, these increases, even if minor, can be extremely advantageous and can distinguish a merely exceptional player from a top-of-class one. In addition, a greater surface area of the foot 70 in contact with the footwear

10 can result in better control of the footwear 10 and the force applied thereby, which often improves performance for turns, crossovers, starts, etc. in hockey, for example. Furthermore, the footwear 10 may have an ergonomic design that is comfortable and that fits the natural contours of the foot 70 and/or the interior of the footwear 10, which facilitates its use.

In addition, the use of gel/air packs and/or memory foams for the force- transferring member 20 can improve the comfort of the footwear 10 while still allowing for an efficient transfer of force. The various types of force-transferring members 20 can help to reduce and/or remove the natural void 12 (space, gap, etc.) created between the top 72 of the foot 70 and/or toes 74 and the inside of shell 50, which enhances the contact surface between foot 70 and footwear 10 and therefore the transfer of force between those two, and ultimately the playing surface. The use of foam and/or gel/air packs provides for a more pliable and less impactful feel than plastic, for example.

Thus, it can be appreciated that the present invention may help a wearer improve the speed at which she/he runs, skates, etc. and the attendant control of their footwear 10. This is contrast to some conventional footwear, where a wearer's foot or toes are not reinforced, such that they may flail about uselessly inside the footwear, and thus are prevented from efficiently transferring force from the foot to the surface. Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.