Friction-adjustable rotary sole athletic shoe
View Patent ↗Embodiments of an athletic shoe of the present invention generally include a cooperating rotor assembly and torque-dampening system, wherein the rotor assembly includes a substantially round rotor equipped with a plurality of cleat members and having a plurality of teeth about the outer circumference thereof, and the torque-dampening system includes a compressible device configured and adapted to interact with the rotor teeth. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an athletic shoe of the present invention are also provided.
1. A rotatable shoe comprising:
a torque-dampened rotational system positioned at least partially on or partially in a shoe bottom surface;
wherein:
said torque-dampened rotational system comprises:
a torque-dampening apparatus; and
a rotor assembly comprising a rotor;
said rotor assembly is affixed to or integral with said shoe bottom;
said rotor assembly rotates independently from the rest of said shoe; and
said torque-dampening apparatus engages with a plurality of protrusions on a circumferential edge of said rotor to resist rotation of said rotor assembly.
2. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the degree of rotation of said rotor assembly is not limited by said torque-dampening apparatus.
3. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the degree of rotation of said rotor assembly is limited by a stop member.
4. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein said rotor assembly comprises one or more cleats affixed to or integral with said rotor.
5. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein said torque-dampening apparatus comprises a ball plunger.
6. The rotatable shoe of claim 5 , wherein said ball plunger is at least partially disposed in a pocket.
7. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprises of a plurality of teeth.
8. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein said rotor assembly is positioned at least partially within a shoe bottom socket.
9. The rotatable shoe of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of said torque-dampening apparatus is disposed intermediate said rotor and a surface of said shoe bottom socket.
10. The rotatable shoe of claim 9 , wherein said torque-dampening apparatus comprises a coil spring.
11. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein said torque-dampening apparatus comprises at least one paddle that engages with a circumferential edge of said rotor.
12. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said torque-dampened rotational system is reversibly installed in said shoe.
13. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein said resistance to rotation of said rotor assembly is at least partially adjustable through manipulation of a connection component that participates in affixing said rotor assembly to said shoe.
14. The rotatable shoe of claim 1 , wherein said resistance to rotation of said rotor assembly is at least partially effectuated by at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:
one or more protrusions disposed on an upper surface of said rotor;
one or more protrusions disposed on a bottom surface of said rotor; and
one or more protrusions disposed on a circumferential edge of said rotor.
15. A rotatable shoe comprising:
a torque-dampened rotational system positioned at least partially on or partially in a shoe bottom surface;
wherein:
said torque-dampened rotational system comprises:
a torque-dampening apparatus comprising a ball plunger; and
a rotor assembly comprising a rotor equipped with one or more cleats;
said rotor assembly is affixed to or integral with said shoe bottom;
said rotor assembly rotates independently from the rest of said shoe;
said torque-dampening apparatus engages with a plurality of protrusions on a circumferential edge of said rotor to resist rotation of said rotor assembly; and
the degree of rotation of said rotor assembly is not limited by said torque-dampening apparatus.
16. The rotatable shoe of claim 15 , wherein said rotor assembly is reversibly affixed to a hub disposed in a shoe bottom socket with an attachment apparatus comprising:
a screw;
a washer; and
a hub receptacle.
17. The rotatable shoe of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprises of a plurality of teeth.
18. The rotatable shoe of claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of said torque-dampened rotational system is reversibly installed in said shoe.
19. The rotatable shoe of claim 15 , wherein:
said rotor assembly is positioned at least partially within a shoe bottom socket; and
said ball plunger is at least partially disposed in a pocket.
20. A method of using a rotatable shoe, comprising:
providing a rotatable shoe comprising:
a torque-dampened rotational system positioned at least partially on or partially in a shoe bottom surface;
wherein:
said torque-dampened rotational system comprises:
a torque-dampening apparatus; and
a rotor assembly comprising a rotor;
said rotor assembly is affixed to or integral with said shoe bottom;
said rotor assembly rotates independently from the rest of said shoe; and
said torque-dampening apparatus engages with a plurality of protrusions on a circumferential edge of said rotor to resist rotation of said rotor assembly;
placing said shoe on a foot; and
locomoting by foot on a surface so as to change direction, wherein such a change in direction actuates said torque-dampened rotational system such that said rotor assembly thereof remains substantially stationarily in contract with said surface while the rest of said shoe pivots in the direction of said change in direction.