Interchangeable Foreparts For Shoes
Patent No. US12329239 (titled "Interchangeable Foreparts For Shoes") was filed by Columbia Insurance Co on Aug 11, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’239 is related to the field of bowling shoes, specifically addressing the problem of adapting footwear to varying lane conditions and bowler preferences. Traditional bowling shoes often require bowlers to own multiple pairs with different sole materials for slide and traction, and these shoes are typically designed for either left- or right-handed bowlers, increasing inventory costs and complexity.
The underlying idea behind ’239 is to create a modular bowling shoe system where the forepart of the sole is easily interchangeable and, crucially, can be used on either the left or right shoe. This is achieved by designing the toe regions of both shoes to have identical peripheral shapes, allowing a single forepart design to fit either shoe. This simplifies the process of customizing the shoe's traction characteristics.
The claims of ’239 focus on a footwear kit comprising a left shoe, a right shoe, and at least one forepart. The key feature is that the toe regions of both shoes are designed with substantially identical peripheral shapes. The forepart's periphery matches this shape, enabling it to be removably attached to either shoe. The toe region extends at least three-eighths of the distance from the front to the back of the shoe.
In practice, the bowler can select a forepart with a desired traction characteristic (e.g., high-slide or high-grip) and attach it to either the left or right shoe, depending on their bowling style and the lane conditions. The attachment is preferably achieved using a hook and loop (e.g., Velcro) fastening system. This allows for quick and easy changes between different foreparts, providing a customized bowling experience.
This design differentiates itself from prior art by ensuring that the interchangeable foreparts cover the *entire* toe region of the shoe, preventing the original shoe sole material from interfering with the bowler's slide or traction. Furthermore, the ambidextrous design reduces the need for separate inventories for left- and right-handed bowlers, offering a more cost-effective and versatile solution.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2000s, shoe design at a time when shoe soles were typically manufactured as a single, permanently affixed piece, and when customized fit and traction were often addressed through aftermarket inserts or modifications. At this time, the ability to easily and reversibly modify the sole of a shoe, particularly for specialized activities like bowling, was often limited by the available attachment mechanisms and the structural integrity required for different playing conditions.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The application was subject to a final rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) and 103(a) based on anticipation and obviousness over prior art. Claims 17-20 were also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) for indefiniteness. The applicant amended claims and filed arguments, but the examiner maintained the rejections. A terminal disclaimer was filed and accepted. The prosecution record does not describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent has 20 claims, with independent claims 1 and 9. The independent claims are directed to a footwear kit comprising a left shoe, a right shoe, and at least one forepart, with specific geometric relationships between the toe regions and peripheral shapes of the shoes. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the features of the footwear kit, such as the heel region, heel parts, interchangeability of parts, and removability of the forepart.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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US12329239
- Application Number
- US16989967
- Filing Date
- Aug 11, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Nov 14, 2028
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents