Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ATHLETIC TRAINING SHOE INSERTS
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to personal training weights.
More particularly, the present invention relates to
training weights for use in athletic training.
In a further and more specific aspect, the instant
invention concerns the use of shoe inserts as training
weights for use in athletic training.
BACKGROUND ART
In athletic training and the like, it is highly
desirable to add additional weight or weights to various
parts of the body during the training procedures. These
weights operate to increase the amount and function of
the muscles so that when the weights are removed the
various muscles, which now operate on a much smaller
mass, appear to be much larger and more efficient.
In the prior art, weights are hung on the body from
virtually any appendage. For example, vests or belts
containing weights are used during running and the like.
Wrist and ankle bands containing weights are used during
virtually all exercises. Also, weights, similar to small
dumbbells, may be carried during exercises such as
running and the like. Unfortunately, these weights are
not convenient and in many instances may be simply
ignored. Also, it is difficult to provide weights that
are convenient for all classes of people (i.e. ladies,
men, young boys and girls, etc.). In many instances the
weights are too large, too small, improperly placed so as
not to provide the ultimate good, etc.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to
remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in
the prior art.
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Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide new and improved shoe inserts as
training weights for use in athletic training.
Another object of the invention is to provide shoe
inserts as training weights which are easily accommodated
to virtually any class of person.
And another object of the invention is to provide
shoe inserts as training weights which are more easily
placed in the most strategic positions for exercising.
Still another object of the present invention is to
provide shoe inserts as training weights which are easily
adaptable to a variety of exercises and different people.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide
shoe inserts as training weights which are easily
inserted in standard athletic shoes, such as tennis
shoes, track shoes, running shoes. etc. so as to be
highly convenient and which are completely adjustable in
weight and position so as to be usable by virtually any
person desiring to exercise.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the
instant invention in accordance with a preferred
embodiment thereof, provided is an athletic training shoe
insert including at least one piece of weighted material
constructed to fit within an athletic shoe and an insert
form constructed to fit within the athletic shoe and to
receive the weighted material and hold the weighted
material in a fixed position within the athletic shoe.
The weighted material and the insert form are designed to
allow a human foot to be placed comfortably in the
athletic shoe and to cooperate to substantially increase
the weight of the athletic shoe for training purposes.
The desired objects of the instant invention are
further achieved in accordance with a preferred
embodiment in an athletic training shoe insert including
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a plurality of thin strips of lead constructed to fit
within an athletic shoe formed to be spaced apart along
the length of the athletic shoe and to extend
substantially the width of the athletic shoe and an
insert form constructed to fit within the athletic shoe
and to receive the thin strips of lead and hold the thin
strips of lead in a fixed position within the athletic
shoe. The thin strips of lead and the insert form are
designed to allow a human foot to be placed comfortably
in the athletic shoe and to cooperate to substantially
increase the weight of the athletic shoe for training
purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and further and more specific objects
and advantages of the instant invention will become
readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of an athletic training
shoe insert in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the athletic
training shoe insert of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of two of the
~ athletic training shoe inserts of FIG. 1 placed on top of
each other;
FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation of another
embodiment of an athletic training shoe insert in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a view in top plan of another embodiment
of an athletic training shoe insert in accordance with
the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of the athletic
training shoe insert of FIG. 5.
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BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the
several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and
2 which illustrates an athletic training shoe insert 10
in accordance with the present invention. Insert 10 has
associated therewith weighted material, which in this
specific embodiment includes a plurality of metal strips
11 illustrated generally by broken lines in FIG. 1 and
can be seen from one end in the side elevational view of
FIG. 2. The weighted material may be any convenient
material, such as one or more pieces or strips of heavy
material (e. g. total or partial lead; smaller particles,
such as rectangles, spheres, granules, etc., of heavy
material, like metals, minerals (sand) or even liquid-
filled chambers, embedded in plastic; or the like, etc.).
In this preferred embodiment metal strips 11 are a
plurality of thin lead strips constructed to be
positioned transversely within an athletic shoe and to
extend in parallel spaced apart relationship
substantially the length of the athletic shoe. Here it
should be understood that each strip could be a solid
piece of material or it could be made up of a plurality
of pieces, such as squares, to provide easy shaping to
the foot in a transverse direction.
Insert 10 further includes an insert form 15
constructed to fit within the athletic shoe and to
receive metal strips 11 therein and hold metal strips 11
in a fixed position within the athletic shoe. While
insert form 15 can be constructed in any of a variety of
configurations which will hold the weighted material in a
fixed position within the athletic shoe, in this
preferred embodiment and for simplicity insert 15 is
constructed in the shape of an insole for the athletic
training shoe. Also, in this preferred embodiment,
insert form 15 is constructed of a soft padding material,
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similar to a standard insole and has pockets 16 formed
between an upper piece 17 of padding material and a lower
piece 18 of stiffer material (e.g. leather, plastic, or
the like. A plurality of partitions 20 are formed, one
5 between each adjacent pair of metal strips 11, to
complete pockets 16. Generally, partitions 20 may be
formed by simply sewing transversely across insert form
to sew upper and lower pieces 17 and 18 together along
each partition 20. Also, one or both ends of each pocket
10 16 may be sewn shut. In a preferred embodiment one end
of each pocket is closed and one end is open to
facilitate inserting and removing metal strips 11 so that
the overall weight of insert 10 can be easily changed and
the position of metal strips 11 can be easily changed.
15 In a typical example, a person might include only a
few metal strips 11 positioned in pockets 16 adjacent the
front of insert form 15 when first beginning training.
As the person's muscles begin to build-up or improve,
more metal strips 11 can be added in pockets 16 until all
of pockets 16 in insert form 15 are full. At this time
if additional weight is desired, a second athletic
training shoe insert 25, similar to athletic training
shoe insert 10 can be added (see FIG. 3). Weighted
material can again be gradually added to second insert 25
until it is full and then additional athletic training
shoe inserts can be added. In a preferred embodiment,
metal strips 11 are formed of a thin relatively soft lead
which substantially molds to the foot during use so that
a human foot can be placed comfortably in the athletic
shoe, even when two or more athletic training shoe
inserts are used. Metal strips 11 could also be formed
of a plurality of pieces, such as squares, to provide
easy shaping in a transverse direction, especially if the
metal is not sufficiently malleable to be easily formed
by simply using insert 10. Also, by placing metal strips
11 in spaced apart relationship along the length of
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insert form 15 (the length of the athletic shoe), the
athletic shoe is free to flex in a normal fashion as it
is used.
Turning now to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of an
athletic training shoe insert, designated 10', is
illustrated. In this embodiment similar components are
designated with similar numbers having a prime added to
indicate the different embodiment. In this embodiment,
metal strips 11' are used which are similar in size,
shape, and material to metal strips 11 described above.
An insert form 15' includes a flexible porous material,
such as foam injection, molded rubber, gel coating,
molded porous plastic, etc., which at least partially
encircles the metal strip. Generally, insert form 15' is
formed by simply molding metal strips 11' directly into
it. However, insert form 15' can be molded to include
pockets 16' and metal strips 11' can then be slipped into
or out of pockets 16', as desired.
Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment is
illustrated of an athletic training shoe insert 30 in
accordance with the present invention. Insert 30
includes a single piece 31 of weighted material
constructed to fit within an athletic shoe. An insert
form 35 is constructed to fit within the athletic shoe
and to receive single piece 31 of the weighted material
and hold single piece 31 in a fixed position within the
athletic shoe. Again, insert form 35 is illustrated in
the form of a normal insole but as described previously
any of a variety of shapes might be utilized as long as
it performs the function of holding single piece 31 of
weighted material in a fixed position. Also, single
piece 31 may be affixed to insert form 35 in a variety of
means, including but not limited to a pocket (generally
as described above), molding into insert form 35, sewing,
riveting, etc.
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Thus, single piece 31 of weighted material and
insert form 35 are designed to be placed in an athletic
shoe and to allow a human foot to be placed comfortably
in the athletic shoe. Single piece 31 of weighted
material and insert form 35 are further designed to
cooperate to substantially increase the weight of the
athletic shoe for training purposes.
Accordingly, new and improved shoe inserts as
training weights for use in athletic training are
disclosed which include at least one piece of weighted
material constructed to fit within an athletic shoe and
an insert form constructed to fit within the athletic
shoe and to receive the weighted material and hold the
weighted material in a fixed position within the athletic
shoe. The weighted material and the insert form are
designed to allow a human foot to be placed comfortably
in the athletic shoe and to cooperate to substantially
increase the weight of the athletic shoe for training
purposes. Because the shoe inserts are easily placed in
and removed from the athletic shoes they are always
convenient and are placed at the most strategic position
to achieve the most valuable exercise. Further, because
the position and number of pieces of weighted material
are changeable or adjustable, the shoe inserts are easily
accommodated to virtually any class of person and are
more easily placed in the most strategic positions (i.e.
adjacent the toes or adjacent the heel) for exercising.
Also, the shoe inserts as training weights are easily
inserted in standard athletic shoes, such as tennis
shoes, track shoes, running shoes. etc. so as to be
highly convenient and are completely adjustable in weight
and position so as to be usable by virtually any person
desiring to exercise.
Various changes and modifications to the embodiments
herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily
occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that
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such modifications and variations do not depart from the
spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included
within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair
interpretation of the following claims.
Having fully described the invention in such clear
and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art
to understand and practice the same, the invention
claimed is:
