Footwear with projections activated by horizontal sliding
OwnerRobert A. Connorinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Surface-engaging footwear projections can automatically be activated by horizontal sliding motion. In an example, horizontal sliding motion can turn one or more circular rolling members, such as around a horizontal axis, or move one or more sliding members along a horizontal track. The motion of such rolling or sliding members can cause one or more surface-engaging projections to move downward from the footwear into contact with the surface, which can then help slow or stop the horizontal sliding motion.
Claims16
An apparatus for providing an article of footwear with traction with an underlying support surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a movable member, located at the bottom of the footwear, the movable member configured to move automatically in response to a sliding motion of the bottom of the footwear, wherein the sliding motion is in a direction that is substantially parallel to the support surface, and wherein the movable member comprises at least one of:
- a rolling member, configured to roll across the support surface during the sliding motion;
- or
- a sliding member, configured to slide along a track at the bottom of the footwear, during the sliding motion, in a direction that is substantially parallel to the support surface;
- and
- an engagement or frictional braking member, mechanically coupled to the movable member, braking member being mechanically driven by the movable member, in response to the sliding motion, such as to increase an engagement or friction provided by the braking member to help slow or stop the sliding motion.
An apparatus for providing an article of footwear with traction with an underlying support surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a movable member, located at the bottom of the footwear, the movable member configured to move automatically in response to a sliding motion of the bottom of the footwear, wherein the sliding motion is in a direction that is substantially parallel to the support surface, and wherein the movable member comprises:
- a sliding member, configured to slide along a track at the bottom of the footwear, during the sliding motion, in a direction that is substantially parallel to the support surface, wherein sliding member comprises a tread that is configured to move in response to the sliding motion, and wherein such movement of the tread is configured to actuate a rigid folding member to fold downward such that a folding metal member comes into contact with the support surface;
- and
- an engagement or frictional braking member, mechanically coupled to the movable member, braking member being mechanically driven by the movable member, in response to the sliding motion, such as to increase an engagement or friction provided by the braking member to help slow or stop the sliding motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.