PNEUMATIC SHOE LACING APPARATUS
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=www.google.com/patents/US5205055.pdf
I really like this dumb patent because it gives an explanation to the Marty McFly's shoes from one of my favorite movies, Back to the Future 2. This patent was granted in 1993, I guess 1993 was the year for receiving dumb patents. This invention is definitely useful for the disabled or elderly. Essentially anyone who would have trouble tying their own shoes. The notion of self strapping or tying shoes is obvious but the method in which this inventor describes is not too obvious. The idea is clearly not novel as it was portrayed to the world in 1989 in Back to the Future 2. I guess the method in which is laces itself is the novel part. It is even in the title of the invention "Pneumatic". I will admit I had to look up what Pneumatic ment and this is the definition I found, Pneumatic - Adj. containing or operated by air or gas under pressure. Nike put 1000 pairs of the shoes from the movie up for sale a few years ago at a charity event for $1,000 each. They sold out in less than a day and do not even include the self lacing apparatus. Currently these shoes are being resold on ebay for $7,500. Imagine how much they would be going for if they included this pneumatic shoe lacing apparatus!
The patent, I am guessing is targeted at anyone who would have trouble tying their own shoes. Surely this would be a small and unprofitable market.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and informative post. Loved the reference to Back to the Future as well! Don't see how it is actually useful and cannot believe it is currently a patent today.
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