Aerodynamic bicycle shoe components

Abstract

The invention relates to athletic shoe elements that add improved aerodynamic efficiency to an athletic shoe, particularly bicycling shoes. These elements perform as front and/or rear projections below the surface of the sole of the athletic shoe to reduce drag forces on the shoe without impeding the athletic functionality of a shoe as used in sports performance.

1 . An aerodynamic shoe comprising:
 a sole;   a cleat adapted to connect to a bicycle pedal, wherein the cleat is attached to the sole; and,   at least one projection, wherein the at least one projection attaches to the sole adjacent to the cleat.   
     
     
         2 . The aerodynamic shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a projection selected from a front projection located between a toe of the shoe and the cleat and a rear projection located between the cleat and a heel of the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The aerodynamic shoe of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the front projection and the rear projection varies in thickness such that the thickness at a side of the projection is less than a thickness at an opposing side of the projection. 
     
     
         4 . The aerodynamic shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a front projection located between a toe of the shoe and the cleat and a rear projection located between the cleat and a heel of the shoe. 
     
     
         5 . The aerodynamic shoe of  claim 4 , wherein the front projection varies in thickness such that the thickness at a front of the front projection is thinner than a thickness at a rear of the front projection and wherein the rear projection varies in thickness such that the thickness at a front of the rear projection is thicker than a thickness at a rear of the rear projection. 
     
     
         6 . An aerodynamic shoe cover comprising at least one of a front projection and a rear projection, wherein the front and rear projections provide an aerodynamic shape to an athletic shoe and wherein the front projection locates between a toe of the shoe and the cleat and the rear projection locates between the cleat and a heel of the shoe, when the shoe cover is covering an athletic shoe during a performance of an athletic event. 
     
     
         7 . The aerodynamic shoe cover of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the front projection and the rear projection varies in thickness such that the thickness at a side of the projection is less than a thickness at an opposing side of the projection. 
     
     
         8 . The aerodynamic shoe cover of  claim 6 , wherein the shoe cover comprises a material selected from the group consisting of lycra, nylon, vinyl, plastics, polymers, leather, latex or the like, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The aerodynamic shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one projection is a front projection. 
     
     
         10 . The aerodynamic shoe cover of  claim 6 , wherein the shoe cover contains a design. 
     
     
         11 . The aerodynamic shoe cover of  claim 6 , further comprising a zipper opening. 
     
     
         12 . The aerodynamic shoe cover of claim  19 , further comprising a ribbed component.