Article of footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear comprises a sole extending along a longitudinal axis between a heel portion and a toe portion. The sole extends along a width axis between inner and outer edges. The width axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis. A maximum width of the sole is defined along the width axis. The sole extends along a height axis between a top surface and a bottom surface. The height axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis and to the width axis. A maximum height of the sole is defined along the height axis. The bottom surface is at least partially convex. A convex portion of the bottom surface is defined by a radius having a center positioned lower than the width axis along the height axis. The sole can be engaged with a boot. The sole can be part of a kit including a boot and a skate blade assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole extending along a longitudinal axis between a heel portion and a toe portion, said sole extending along a width axis between inner and outer edges, said width axis transverse to said longitudinal axis, a maximum width of said sole defined along said width axis, said sole extending along a height axis between a top surface and a bottom surface, said height axis transverse to said longitudinal axis and to said width axis, a maximum height of said sole defined along said height axis, said bottom surface being at least partially convex, a convex portion of said bottom surface defined by a radius having a center positioned lower than said width axis along said height axis.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein a chord of maximum length extending between two points on said convex portion in a plane being one of coplanar and parallel to said height axis is positioned lower than said width axis along said height axis. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said convex portion is substantially centered between said inner and outer edges. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said convex portion defines a singular apex of said bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said convex portion extends along a majority of said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said sole further comprises:
 straight side walls extending each extending between said convex portion and said inner and outer edges. 
 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein said straight side walls tapered toward one another along said height axis. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein said straight side walls extend parallel to said height axis. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein said straight side walls further comprises:
 a first set of walls that extend parallel to said height axis; and 
 a second set of walls that tapered toward one another along said height axis. 
 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said sole is further defined as a plurality of layers having different shock-absorbing capacities. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said sole is further defined as a plurality of layers interconnected with a tongue and groove arrangement extending along said height axis at said heel portion. 
     
     
         12 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a boot; and   a sole engaged with said boot, said sole extending along a longitudinal axis between a heel portion and a toe portion, said sole extending along a width axis between inner and outer edges, said width axis transverse to said longitudinal axis, a maximum width of said sole defined along said width axis, said sole extending along a height axis between a top surface and a bottom surface, said height axis transverse to said longitudinal axis and to said width axis, a maximum height of said sole defined along said height axis, said bottom surface being at least partially convex, a convex portion of said bottom surface defined by a radius having a center positioned lower than said width axis along said height axis.   
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 12  wherein said sole and said boot are fixedly engaged with one another. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13  wherein said sole and said boot are fixedly engaged with one another with adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 13  wherein said sole and said boot are fixedly engaged with one another with rivets. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 12  wherein said sole and said boot are releasibly engaged with one another. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16  wherein one of said sole and said boot further comprises one of a tongue portion and a groove portion and the other of said sole and said boot further comprises the other of said tongue portion and said groove portion, said tongue portion and said groove portion releasibly engaging said boot and said sole with one another. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 16  wherein one of said sole and said boot further comprises one of a locking tab and a locking groove and the other of said sole and said boot further comprises the other of said locking tab and said locking groove, said locking tab and said locking groove releasibly engageable with respect to one another to releasibly lock said boot and said sole together. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 18  wherein one of said locking tab and said locking groove is position on a flap, said flap pivotally connected to one of said sole and said boot. 
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising:
 a boot;   a sole extending along a longitudinal axis between a heel portion and a toe portion, said sole extending along a width axis between inner and outer edges, said width axis transverse to said longitudinal axis, a maximum width of said sole defined along said width axis, said sole extending along a height axis between a top surface and a bottom surface, said height axis transverse to said longitudinal axis and to said width axis, a maximum height of said sole defined along said height axis, said bottom surface being at least partially convex, a convex portion of said bottom surface defined by a radius having a center positioned lower than said width axis along said height axis; and   a skate blade assembly, wherein each of said skate blade assembly and said sole are releasibly engageable with said boot.