CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

[0003] Footwear that is designed specifically for weightlifting differs in some respects from other athletic shoes, most notably in that the heel is typically elevated. An elevated heel is thought to improve the range of motion of the weightlifter’ s knees and to allow for better use of the weightlifter’s leg muscles during a squat. However, the elevated heel is also thought to increase the potential for slippage of the foot, which may be the reason for the tendency of weightlifting shoes to be relatively narrow and constricting along the length of the shoe including in the toe box. Although some efforts have been made to design weightlifting shoes for wide feet (just as other types of athletic shoes have wide foot styles), the existing weightlifting shoes on the market remain overly confining to the toes. In particular, the toe boxes of existing weightlifting shoes do not adequately account for the benefit to the weightlifter of being able to fully splay the toes while lifting.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure contemplates footwear for overcoming the above drawbacks associated with the related art. One aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure is a weightlifting shoe comprising a bottom sole, a midsole comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and one or more panels attached to one or both of the midsole and the bottom sole to define an enclosure for a person’s foot. The midsole may be disposed above at least a portion of the bottom sole and may have a decreasing thickness in a direction from a rear region of the bottom sole toward a front region of the bottom sole opposite the rear region. The enclosure may have an axis defined between opposing front and rear points on the enclosure at a longest part thereof and may have a width defined perpendicular to the axis. The width of the enclosure may have a maximum value at a position along the axis that is more than 70% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

[0005] The maximum value of the width of the enclosure may be at a position along the axis that is more than 71% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the width of the enclosure may be at a position along the axis that is more than 72% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the width of the enclosure may be at a position along the axis that is more than 73% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the width of the enclosure may be at a position along the axis that is more than 74% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the width of the enclosure may be at a position along the axis that is more than 75% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

[0006] The width of the enclosure may be the sum of an outer foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an outer part of the person’s foot and an inner foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an inner part of the person’s foot. The outer foot distance may have a maximum value at a position along the axis that is more than 66% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the outer foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 68% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the outer foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 70% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

[0007] The width of the enclosure may be the sum of an outer foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an outer part of the person’s foot and an inner foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an inner part of the person’s foot. The inner foot distance may have a maximum value at a position along the axis that is more than 72% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the inner foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 74% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the inner foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 76% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the inner foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 78% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the inner foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 80% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

[0008] A heel height defined as a sum of a maximum value of the thickness of the midsole and a corresponding thickness of the bottom sole may be at least 18 mm. The heel height may be at least 20 mm.

[0009] The weightlifting shoe may comprise a plurality of shoelace eyelets and two or more straps.

[0010] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure is a weightlifting shoe comprising a bottom sole, a midsole comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and one or more panels attached to one or both of the midsole and the bottom sole to define an enclosure for a person’s foot. The midsole may be disposed above at least a portion of the bottom sole and may have a decreasing thickness in a direction from a rear region of the bottom sole toward a front region of the bottom sole opposite the rear region. The enclosure may have an axis defined between opposing front and rear points on the enclosure at a longest part thereof and may have a width defined perpendicular to the axis. The width may be the sum of an outer foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an outer part of the person’s foot and an inner foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an inner part of the person’s foot. The outer foot distance may have a maximum value at a position along the axis that is more than 66% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

[0011] The maximum value of the outer foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 68% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the outer foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 70% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

[0012] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure is a weightlifting shoe comprising a bottom sole, a midsole comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and one or more panels attached to one or both of the midsole and the bottom sole to define an enclosure for a person’s foot. The midsole may be disposed above at least a portion of the bottom sole and may have a decreasing thickness in a direction from a rear region of the bottom sole toward a front region of the bottom sole opposite the rear region. The enclosure may have an axis defined between opposing front and rear points on the enclosure at a longest part thereof and may have a width defined perpendicular to the axis. The width may be the sum of an outer foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an outer part of the person’s foot and an inner foot distance defined perpendicular to the axis between the axis and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an inner part of the person’s foot. The inner foot distance may have a maximum value at a position along the axis that is more than 72% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

[0013] The maximum value of the inner foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 76% of the way from the rear point to the front point. The maximum value of the inner foot distance may be at a position along the axis that is more than 80% of the way from the rear point to the front point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a left side view of a weightlifting shoe for a left foot, showing an outer side thereof;

[0016] Figure 2 is a right side view of the weightlifting shoe, showing an inner side thereof;

[0017] Figure 3 is a top view of the weightlifting shoe;

[0018] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the weightlifting shoe;

[0019] Figure 5 is a front view of the weightlifting shoe;

[0020] Figure 6 is a rear view of the weightlifting shoe;

[0021] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the weightlifting shoe taken along the line 7-7 in Figure 6;

[0022] Figure 8 shows an outline of an enclosure for a person’s foot that is defined by a conventional weightlifting shoe;

[0023] Figure 9 shows an outline of an enclosure for a person’s foot that is defined by the weightlifting shoe shown in Figures 1-7 and described herein; [0024] Figure 10 shows a comparison between the outlines of Figures 8 and 9; and [0025] Figure 11 shows another comparison between the outlines of Figures 8 and 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present disclosure encompasses various embodiments of weightlifting shoes. The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of several currently contemplated embodiments and is not intended to represent the only form in which the disclosed invention may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and features in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.

[0027] Figures 1-7 are views of a weightlifting shoe 10 for a left foot. While not separately illustrated, the weightlifting shoe 10 may also be symmetrically designed for a right foot. The resulting pair of weightlifting shoes 10 may advantageously be worn by a weightlifter in order to optimize performance during a squat. The weightlifting shoe 10 may include a bottom sole 12 (which may be made of rubber, for example), a midsole 14 comprising a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for strong support and stability, and one or more panels 20, which may be attached to one or both of the midsole 14 and the bottom sole 12 to define an enclosure for a person’s foot. The panel(s) 20, which may be made of microfiber, for example, may comprise an upper, vamp, quarter, etc. that surround the foot while the weightlifting shoe 10 is being worn. As compared with conventional weightlifting shoes, the enclosure defined by the attachment of the panel(s) 20 to the midsole 14 and/or bottom sole 12 may provide more room for the weightlifter’s toes, allowing the weightlifter to full splay his/her toes during a squat as is not possible with conventional weightlifting shoes, even those designed for wide feet. As a result, the weightlifting shoe 10 may improve the weightlifter’s performance and stability.

[0028] As best seen in Figure 1 and in the cross-sectional view of Figure 7 (which is taken along the line 7-7 in the rear view of Figure 6), the midsole 14 may be disposed above at least a portion of the bottom sole 12 and may have a decreasing thickness in a direction from a rear region 16 of the bottom sole 12 toward a front region 18 of the bottom sole 12 opposite the rear region 16. In particular, a heel height T _max (see Figure 7) defined as a sum of a maximum value of the thickness of the midsole 14 and a corresponding thickness of the bottom sole 12 (i.e., the combined thicknesses of the midsole 14 and bottom sole 12 where the midsole 14 is at its thickest) may be at least 18 mm, preferably 20 mm or more. An insole 21 (e.g., a removable insole) may be provided over the midsole 14 and, in a case where the midsole 14 is not disposed above the entire bottom sole 12, over the bottom sole 12 as well as shown in Figure 7, serving as an unbroken surface for the person’s foot.

[0029] Figure 9 shows an outline 22a of the enclosure for the person’s foot that is defined by the weightlifting shoe 10, e.g., by the attachment of the panel(s) 20 to the midsole 14 and/or bottom sole 12. The enclosure may have an axis 24a defined between opposing front and rear points 26a, 28a on the enclosure at the longest part thereof. The outline 22a shown in Figure 9, which typically corresponds to the shape of the insole 21 viewed from above, may represent a slice of the enclosure at this longest part (and thus points 26a and 28a fall on the outline 22a as shown). As shown in Figure 9, a person’s foot can comfortably and completely fit within the outline 22a (and thus within the enclosure) while in a relaxed state, even in the area of the toes (known as the toe box of the shoe). More particularly, the enclosure represented by the outline 22a may have a width that is defined perpendicular to the axis 24a, and the width may have a maximum value 30a at a position along the axis 24a that is more than 70% of the way from the rear point 28a to the front point 26a. Because the maximum value 30a of the width is positioned this far forward, the weightlifting shoe 10 may be prevented from narrowing too early and closing in on the person’s toes as is typical of conventional weightlifting shoes. Because the person’s toes are not overly confined by a narrow toe box and can fit comfortably while in a relaxed state as shown in Figure 9, the person is able to splay his/her toes during a squat for improved weightlifting performance. Preferably, the maximum value 30a of the width of the enclosure is at a position along the axis 24a that is more than 71% of the way from the rear point 28a to the front point 26a, more preferably 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, or more. In contrast, as shown in Figure 8 in relation to an outline 22b of an enclosure similarly defined by a conventional weightlifting shoe, the maximum value 30b of the width perpendicular to the axis 24b (defined similarly between opposing front and rear points 26b, 28b) is significantly less far forward, resulting in a narrow toe box. As can be seen, the person’s toes cannot comfortably fit and must be scrunched up in the conventional weightlifting shoe, making splaying of the toes much more difficult or impossible.

[0030] Referring again to Figure 9, the enclosure defined by the weightlifting shoe 10 may, alternatively or additionally, have wider space to the left and/or right of the axis 24a relative to conventional weightlifting shoes. In other words, instead of or in addition to defining a wider toe box generally, the outline 22a of the enclosure may define a wider area for the person’s big toe and/or a wider area for the person’s second, third, fourth, and fifth toes. In particular, given that the axis 24a is defined between opposing front and rear points 26a, 28a on the enclosure at the longest part thereof, the width of the enclosure (perpendicular to the axis 24a) may be thought of as the sum of an outer foot distance and an inner foot distance. The outer foot distance may be defined perpendicular to the axis 24a between the axis 24a and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an outer part of the person’s foot (the left-hand side in Figure 9), while the inner distance may be defined perpendicular to the axis 24a between the axis 24a and the enclosure where the enclosure encloses an inner part of the person’s foot (the right-hand side in Figure 9). In order to define a wide area for the person’s toes other than the big toe, the outer foot distance may have a maximum value 32a at a position along the axis 24a that is more than 66% of the way from the rear point 28a to the front point 26a. Preferably, the maximum value 32a of the outer foot distance may be at a position along the axis 24a that is more than 67% of the way from the rear point 28a to the front point 26a, more preferably 68%, 69%, 70%, or more. Along the same lines, in order to define a wide area for the person’s big toe, the inner foot distance may have a maximum value 34a at a position along the axis 24a that is more than 72% of the way from the rear point 28a to the front point 26a. Preferably, the maximum value 34a of the inner foot distance may be at a position along the axis 24a that is more than 73% of the way from the rear point 28a to the front point 26a, more preferably 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, or more. In contrast, as shown in Figure 8 in relation to the outline 22b of the enclosure defined by the conventional weightlifting shoe, both the maximum value 32b of the outer foot distance and the maximum value 34b of the inner foot distance (defined similarly) are significantly less far forward, resulting in narrow areas for the toes and making splaying of the toes difficult or impossible on both sides of the foot.

[0031] Figures 10 and 11 show comparisons superimposing the outline 22b of the conventional weightlifting shoe of Figure 8 on the outline 22a of the innovative weightlifting shoe 10 disclosed herein. As shown in Figure 10, the toe box of the weightlifting shoe 10 may provide additional width dl at the inner part of the person’s foot as well as additional width d2 at the outer part of the person’s foot, resulting in a weightlifting shoe 10 that may be 6-10% wider than other weightlifting shoes available on the market. Depending on which conventional weightlifting shoe is compared with, the additional width dl at the inner part of the person’s foot may be 2-3 mm, for example, while the additional width d2 at the outer part of the person’s foot may be 3- 5 mm, for example. In Figure 11, the shaded regions show increased room that may be provided by the disclosed weightlifting shoe 10 in these areas of the toe box as well as elsewhere. In general, the natural foot-shaped design of the weightlifting shoe 10 may provide better comfort for the wearer while allowing the wearer to splay his/her toes for improved performance and stability.

[0032] Referring back to Figures 1-6, the weightlifting shoe 10 may have, in addition to a plurality of shoelace eyelets 36 for threading shoelaces 38, two or more straps 40 for further securing the weightlifting shoe 10 to the person’s foot. As best seen in Figures 1-3 and 5, the straps 40 may include one strap 40 over the middle of the foot and another strap 40 around the ankle for maximized support, stability, and lockdown fit. The straps 40 may comprise a nylon and Velcro strap webbing and may be held in place by strap holders made of silicone, for example. Additional features of the weightlifting shoe 10 may include a TPU back heel support 42 and a mesh inner fabric 44 and tongue 46 that may border the panel(s) 20 and may in some cases be thought of as further defining, in part, the enclosure described herein.

[0033] The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.