System and method for holding running shoes and other triathlon equipment for optimal transition speed during a triathlon

Abstract

One embodiment is directed to a system for improving triathlon transition area efficiency, comprising a main stand member comprising a base portion and a top portion, the base portion being configured to be supported by a ground surface; and a first shoe coupler fixedly coupled to the top portion of the main stand member and configured to removably couple a first shoe to the main stand member in a manner wherein a pose is established for the first shoe such that a foot of a standing athlete may be urged into the first shoe without the use of one or more hands of the athlete to stabilize the shoe.

1 . A system for improving triathlon transition area efficiency, comprising:
 a. a main stand member comprising a base portion and a top portion, the base portion being configured to be supported by a ground surface; and   b. a first shoe coupler fixedly coupled to the top portion of the main stand member and configured to removably couple a first shoe to the main stand member in a manner wherein a pose is established for the first shoe such that a foot of a standing athlete may be urged into the first shoe without the use of one or more hands of the athlete to stabilize the shoe.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises a substantially straight elongate member. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the base portion is oriented substantially perpendicularly relative to the ground surface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises an above-ground stand. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the above-ground stand comprises three or more legs. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises a ground-coupling feature configured to temporarily couple one end of the base portion to a ground portion below the ground surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the ground-coupling feature comprises a sharpened end of the base portion configured to be forcibly driven into the ground portion below the ground surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the ground-coupling feature comprises a substantially helical end fitting configured to be augered into the ground portion below the ground surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first shoe coupler comprises a two-sided clip biased to removably grasp a tongue of the shoe. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the two-sided clip is configured to grasp the tongue to retain the pose of the first shoe until the foot of the standing athlete is urged into the shoe, thereby placing a separating force on the first shoe which causes the tongue to become uncoupled from the clip. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second shoe coupler fixedly coupled to the top portion of the main stand member and configured to removably couple a second shoe to the main stand member in a manner wherein a pose is established for the second shoe such that a foot of a standing athlete may be urged into the second shoe without the use of one or more hands of the athlete to stabilize the second shoe. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first shoe coupler comprises a two-sided clip biased to removably grasp a tongue of the shoe. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the two-sided clip is configured to grasp the tongue to retain the pose of the first shoe until the foot of the standing athlete is urged into the shoe, thereby placing a separating force on the first shoe which causes the tongue to become uncoupled from the clip. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a shoe alignment member removably coupling the first shoe to the second shoe to maintain spatial alignment of the shoes relative to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first shoe heel coupler member removably coupled between a heel of the first shoe and the main stand member to further stabilize and maintain the pose of the first shoe. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a second shoe heel coupler member removably coupled between a heel of the second shoe and the main stand member to further stabilize and maintain the pose of the second shoe. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises a substantially straight elongate member. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises a bike rack coupler fitting configured to be removably coupled to a nearby bicycle rack for additional stability of the main stand member in the triathlon transition area. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an accessory hook member coupled to the main stand member and configured to hold one or more triathlon accessory items. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more triathlon accessory items are selected from the group consisting of: a pair of goggles, a pair of sunglasses, a visor, a running hat, and a bicycle helmet. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an accessory shelf coupled to the main stand member and configured to hold one or more triathlon accessory items. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more triathlon accessory items are selected from the group consisting of: a pair of goggles, a pair of sunglasses, a visor, a running hat, and a bicycle helmet. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mirror coupled to the main stand member. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the mirror is movably coupled to the main stand member with one or more adjustable structures such that the mirror may be posed in a particular orientation by the athlete. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more adjustable structures are selected from the group consisting of: a single joint; a multi-joint construct; and a bendable member.