Footwear with retractable members

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide footwear that may be easily adapted for increased traction and/or recreation. Embodiments may include a chamber having a flexible wall, and retractable members coupled to the flexible wall such that when fluid is inserted into the chamber, the retractable members are extended from the bottom of a shoe and when fluid is removed from the chamber the retractable members are retracted into the bottom of a shoe.

1 . A convertible shoe comprising: 
 a shoe body and a sole, the sole having a bottom surface adapted to engage a support surface;    a fluid reservoir coupled to the shoe;    a chamber at least partially disposed in the sole and coupled to the reservoir, the chamber having a flexible wall portion;    one or more pockets underlying the chamber;    a retractable member coupled to and extended from the flexible wall portion and residing in the pocket; and    a fluid driving source coupled to the reservoir to force fluid to and from the chamber in order to extend and retract the flexible wall portion with respect to the pocket and to thereby extend and retract the retractable member with respect to the pocket.    
     
     
         2 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1  wherein upon the retractable member is retracted by removal of the fluid from the fluid directing channel and/or the resiliency of the flexible wall portion.  
     
     
         3 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1  wherein the pocket extends along a substantial length of the fluid directing channel.  
     
     
         4 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1  wherein the retractable member is an integral part of the flexible wall.  
     
     
         5 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1  wherein the retractable member is removably coupled to the flexible wall portion.  
     
     
         6 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1  wherein the retractable member is a selected one of wheels, balls, studs, and biasing members.  
     
     
         7 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable member module that carries the retractable member, and wherein the retractable member module allows the retractable member to removably couple to the flexible wall portion.  
     
     
         8 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1  wherein multiple pockets having multiple flexible wall portions are positioned along a portion of the length of the chamber, and multiple retractable members project from multiple ones of the multiple pockets.  
     
     
         9 . The convertible shoe of  claim 1  further comprising a retractable member carrying plate coupled to the flexible wall portion such that expansion of the flexible wall causes movement of the plate.  
     
     
         10 . The convertible shoe of  claim 9 , further comprising a debris shield to resist penetration of debris behind the plate.  
     
     
         11 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 1  wherein the fluid upon exposure to a leak generally seals the leak to prevent fluid loss.  
     
     
         12 . A convertible shoe comprising: 
 a shoe body and a sole having a bottom surface adapted for engaging a support surface;    a chamber disposed in the sole and coupled to the fluid channel, the chamber having a flexible wall portion;    a plate coupled to the flexible wall;    a fluid source coupled to the chamber for introducing and removing pressurized fluid to and from the chamber.    
     
     
         13 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 12  further including a compressible resilient member disposed in the sole coupled to the plate, the resilient member adapted to help urge movement of the plate to a retracted position.  
     
     
         14 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising retractable members coupled to the plate.  
     
     
         15 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 12  wherein the plate is at least partially coated with a lower durometer material than the sole.  
     
     
         16 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 12  wherein the plate is integrated with the material of the sole.  
     
     
         17 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the chamber includes: 
 a chamber housing;    a flexible membrane coupled to the chamber housing;    a generally rigid chamber top plate; and    a movable member disposed in the chamber, the movable member coupled to the plate and adapted to move axially relative to the chamber housing with introduction and removal of the fluid to and from the chamber.    
     
     
         18 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising a protective cover coupled to the chamber housing, the protective cover having an opening that is generally smaller than a periphery of the plate.  
     
     
         19 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the movable member includes a seating feature that coordinates with the chamber housing to help restrict lateral movement of the movable member when in an extended position.  
     
     
         20 . The convertible shoe as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising a driving source coupled to the reservoir to force fluid between the chamber and the reservoir.  
     
     
         21 . A system for directing fluid into and out of a chamber disposed in the sole of a shoe to cause extension and retraction of retractable members, comprising: 
 a fluid source;    a fluid driving source coupled to the fluid source; and    wherein actuation of the driving source forces fluid from the fluid source into the fluid directing channel.    
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the fluid source is a reservoir, and wherein the reservoir and the fluid driving source are at least partially disposed within the sole of the shoe.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the fluid driving source is a fluid pump.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the pump is manually powered.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the pump is powered by a driver and power source.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the power source is powered by a rechargeable battery.