# US 9,586,082 B2 · Sports performance enhancement systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,586,082 B2 - Document ID: US9586082B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/533,190 - Filed: 2014-11-05 - Published: 2015-02-26 - Granted: 2017-03-07 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-04 - Assignees: Functionwear, LLC - Applicants: Functionwear, LLC - Inventors: Christopher T. Cranke; Daniel Schreiber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9586082B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/16: Supports for anchoring force-resisters - A63B 21/00065: {by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units} - A63B 21/0442: {Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user} - A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands} - A63B 21/0557: {Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps} - A63B 21/4007: {to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest} - A63B 21/4015: {to the foot} - A63B 21/4019: {to the hand} - A63B 21/4025: {Resistance devices worn on the user's body (A63B21/065 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/4043: {Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance (A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence)} - A63B 23/03541: {Moving independently from each other (A63B22/00 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/03575: {Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously} - A63B 21/00061: {Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract Footwear for use in resistance band training includes plural spaced straps extending loosely over the instep. Each strap is circumscribed by a connection ring freely movable along the strap such that, when the ring is pulled by an applied force, the ring traverses the strap and is repositioned according to the direction of the force. The user may alternatively select any of the straps to engage a resistance band. A belt for connection to the straps includes a band connection ring movable to different positions on the belt. A pad may be positioned over a front belt ring to comfortably project the band away from the user's body. The footwear and belt may be used with a vest connected to limbs and extremities to body parts for a full body workout. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article of footwear for use in a resistance exercise system for sports enhancement of the type in which one or more elastic resistance bands are attached between a user's torso and one or more limbs or extremities, said article of footwear adapted to be worn by the user and comprising: a body member having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and left and right edges; a first strap extending over said forward portion between two first strap attachment locations at said left and right edges, respectively, said strap having slack so as to be loosely spaced above said forward portion; and a first connection ring member disposed about and freely movable along said first strap, said ring and strap being configured and constructed to be connected at said ring to an elastic resistance band and such that, when the ring is pulled by a force applied thereto through an elastic resistance band, the ring is free to both traverse the strap and pull it in the direction of the force, wherein said slack is sufficient to permit the ring to be so pulled transversely outwardly of the body member beyond said first and second edges. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1 wherein said body member is a foot bed insert. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1 wherein said body member is a shoe body further including: an outsole; a shoe upper attached to the outsole; and wherein said two first strap locations are on opposite sides of said shoe upper. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1 further comprising: a second strap extending over said forward portion between two second strap attachment locations at said left and right edges, respectively, and spaced rearwardly from said first strap along said body member, said second strap having slack so as to be loosely spaced above said forward portion; a second connection ring member disposed about and freely movable along said second strap, said second ring and strap being configured and constructed to be connected at said second ring to said elastic resistance band, alternatively to said first ring, and such that, when the second ring is pulled by a force applied thereto through the elastic resistance band, the second ring is free to both traverse the second strap and pull it in the direction of the force, wherein said slack is sufficient to permit the second ring to be so pulled transversely outwardly of the body member beyond said first and second edges. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1 further comprising a rear connection ring member secured to said body member at a proximal end of said rear section and configured and constructed to be connected to another elastic resistance band. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1 wherein said body member is an ankle brace having a foot portion and an ankle portion, and wherein said strap is secured to the foot portion to overlie an instep section thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1 wherein said body member is a is an over the shoe sock-like member having a mesh bottom, the sock-like member having a foot portion and an ankle portion, wherein said strap is secured to the foot portion to overlie an instep section thereof, and wherein said mesh portion has interstices to permit cleats of a shoe to extend therethrough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1 wherein said body member is a shoe body further including: an outsole; a shoe upper attached to the outsole; wherein said two first strap locations are on opposite sides of said shoe upper; a second strap extending over said forward portion between two second strap attachment locations at said left and right edges, respectively, and spaced rearwardly from said first strap along said body member, said second strap having slack so as to be loosely spaced above said forward portion; and a second connection ring member disposed about and freely movable along said second strap, said second ring and strap being configured and constructed to be connected at said second ring to said elastic resistance band, alternatively to said first ring, and such that, when the second ring is pulled by a force applied thereto through the elastic resistance band, the second ring is free to both traverse the second strap and pull it in the direction of the force, wherein said slack is sufficient to permit the second ring to be so pulled transversely outwardly of the body member beyond said first and second edges. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The article of footwear of claim 8 further comprising a rear connection ring member secured to said body member at a proximal end of said rear section and configured and constructed to be connected to another elastic resistance band. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The article of footwear of claim 9 wherein said two first strap locations are on opposite sides of said shoe upper adjacent said junction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The article of footwear of claim 9 wherein said two first strap locations are on opposite sides of said shoe upper spaced from and above said junction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The article of footwear of claim 8 wherein said two first strap locations are on opposite sides of said shoe upper adjacent said junction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The article of footwear of claim 8 wherein said two first strap locations are on opposite sides of said shoe upper spaced from and above said junction. ### Claim 14 An article of footwear for use in a resistance exercise system for sports enhancement of the type in which one or more elastic resistance bands are attached between a user's torso and one or more limbs or extremities, said article of footwear adapted to be worn on the foot of the user and comprising: a sock having a top portion with a center section, said sock member adapted and configured when worn by the user for the center section to overlie at least a portion of a longitudinal center line of the user's foot; a first strap extending transversely of the sock and over said center section between two first strap attachment locations on respective opposite sides of said center section such that said first strap has sufficient slack so as to be loosely spaced above said center section; and a first connection ring disposed about said first strap, said ring and strap being configured and constructed to be connected at said ring to an elastic resistance band and such that, when the ring is pulled by a force applied thereto through an elastic resistance band, the ring pulls the first strap in the direction of the force. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The article of footwear of claim 14 wherein said ring is freely movable along said strap and free to traverse the strap when the ring is pulled by said force. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The article of footwear of claim 14 wherein said slack is sufficient to permit the ring to be pulled transversely upwardly and outwardly beyond at least one of said two strap attachment locations. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The article of footwear of claim 14 further comprising: a second strap extending over said center section between two second strap attachment locations on respective opposite sides of said center section, said second strap having slack so as to be loosely spaced above said center section; and a second connection ring member disposed about said second strap, said second ring and second strap being configured and constructed to be connected at said second ring to an elastic resistance band and such that, when the second ring is pulled by a force applied thereto through an elastic resistance band, the second ring pulls the second strap in the direction of band. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The article of footwear of claim 14 wherein said sock has a rear opening to permit the user's heel to protrude therethrough. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The article of footwear of claim 14 wherein said sock has a front opening to permit the user's toes to protrude therethrough. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The article of footwear of claim 14 further comprising a rear connection ring member secured to said body member at a proximal end of said rear section and configured and constructed to be connected to another elastic resistance band.