Patent Grant
6983556
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to shoe cleats, and more particularly to a quick release shoe cleat adaptable for quick replacement cleats of the same or different design.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Many types of activities require walking, running or standing upon soft surfaces such as grass, sand or dirt. In order to obtain superior traction upon such surfaces, a variety of different types of cleats and other traction gaining devices have been developed. One type of traction gaining device is a shoe with traction studs or cleats molded or otherwise formed as a part of the shoe. One significant disadvantage to these types of shoes is that the cleats or studs wear down when the shoes are worn on a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete. Thus, in order to regain traction, the entire shoe must be replaced. This can be a costly and inconvenient undertaking. Likewise, when conditions require cleats having differing characteristics, such as cleat length or traction pattern, the person wearing the cleats cannot simply exchange the existing cleats on their feet with other cleats; rather, they must change shoes completely. This also can be inconvenient and potentially costly.
Another type of traction gaining device involves the use of cleats that are selectively attached to and removable from an athletic shoe. A wide variety of shoes and cleat attachment configurations exist. Many of the cleat attachment configurations are based upon a configuration wherein a socket receiver is attached to the sole of a shoe. The socket is configured for connection with a cleat having a ground surface contacting portion and a cleat post configured to be inserted within the socket. The socket is generally configured with a connection means such as a threaded coupling designed to combine with a compatibly configured cleat post. In use, the cleats are aligned with the socket and rotated so that the threads of the cleat post intermesh with the threaded portions of the socket thereby engaging and holding the cleat in a desired location within the socket.
While this method of connection is acceptable in many situations, it also has several drawbacks. First, the cleat posts can become loose through routine wear, causing a variety of problems, namely: the loose cleats can fall out of the socket and become lost; the loose cleats become positionally unstable and can cause injury; the loose cleats can also become broken or damaged. In addition, when the cleats are loose and come into contact with debris such as rocks, sand and gravel, those materials can scour the cleat threads, making it nearly impossible to tighten the cleat without damaging both the cleat post and the socket. Further, the loose cleats can be bent or broken as forces are applied to the cleats which are greater than the capacity of the cleats to withstand.
In order to prevent or limit the loosening or loss of the cleats, in many instances tools are required to tighten the cleats into the sockets and likewise to remove the cleats from the sockets. In utilizing these cleat-tightening tools, the actual cleats can be broken by over tightening. Additionally, these tools may allow a party to score the threads of the cleat, thus making removal and replacement of the cleat very difficult. A common problem that occurs with such cleat types is that the tool is not necessarily available when it is needed, and therefore a party cannot replace a worn out, broken or undesired cleat.
Some cleat designs in the related art have modified the connection between a cleat and socket by modifying the threaded connection between the socket and the cleat post. This has been done in a variety of ways including adding various shapes to prevent unwanted rotation. While this may be effective in limiting the rotation of the cleat within the socket, many of these devices still require a specialized tool for their use and are subject to the above-described and other negative consequences that accompany the use of such tools. This removal and attachment process can also often be cumbersome and time consuming. This is generally not desired when a party seeks imminent participation in an activity.
Other types of cleat connecting mechanisms have also been developed wherein a latch or knob is biased by a spring. Generally, in order to place the cleat within the desired location, the latch or knob is depressed so that the spring is compressed. From this position, a portion of the cleat is inserted into a desired location and the compression tension on the spring is released. Many of these types of devices also require special tools to allow the cleat to be connected or disconnected from the shoe. In addition, elements such as water, sand and grit can cause damage to the spring, with the result that it becomes unable to either retract or expand. As a consequence, cleats may either fall out or be so tightly engaged that they cannot be removed without the use of tools.
Thus, a cleat design is desirable that facilitates easy and quick removal of a cleat from a shoe without the requirement of special tools, while ensuring the cleat remains firmly affixed to the shoe and does not become loose or reduce stability during use.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention, in recognition of the aforesaid problems, to provide a cleat attachment system and method that permit secure, tight-fitting cleat connections without the use of tools.
It is another object of the invention to provide connection device and method that do not require the use of springs.
A further object of the invention is to provide a cleat attachment system and method that provide secure tight-fitting cleat connections that are easily removable without the use of specialized tools.
The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.
In accordance with the present invention, a shoe cleat assembly includes a cleat receiver including a cleat engaging section, a cleat including a receiver engaging section suitably dimensioned and configured to releasably engage with the cleat receiver, and a latch member suitably dimensioned and configured to releasably engage with the cleat engaging section and the receiver engaging section. Upon engagement of the cleat engaging section, the receiver engaging section and the latch member with each other, the cleat is releasably secured to the cleat receiver.
While there are a number of possible variations on the basic design of the present invention, the shoe cleat of the present invention is preferably formed of at least three components, namely a cleat, a cleat receiver and a latch clip or pin. The cleat receiver is formed of a base portion to which is attached and formed integral therewith some anchoring portion, such as a spoke and rib arrangement designed to be embedded in the outer sole of the shoe as the outer sole is formed or molded. The base portion preferably has preformed within it a socket that is configured to receive an attachment plug portion of the cleat. Alternatively, the cleat may include a socket and the cleat receiver an attachment plug portion. The socket preferably includes an anti-rotation receiver socket portion to engage or mate with an anti-rotation body of the attachment plug portion. A latch clip receiving slot is provided in communication with the socket to receive portions of the latch clip or pin. When the cleat and cleat receiver are engaged with each other such that the socket and attachment plug portions mate with each other, the latch clip or pin is inserted into the socket, via the receiving slot, to achieve a locking relationship with the cleat. In this locking relationship, the cleat is effectively limited or substantially prevented from axial, lateral and rotational movements with respect to the cleat receiver.
The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following definitions, descriptions and descriptive figures of specific embodiments thereof wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. While these descriptions go into specific details of the invention, it should be understood that variations may and do exist and would be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the descriptions herein.
a is a side view in elevation of a shoe showing cleat receptacles depending from the shoe outsole.
b is a side view in elevation of a shoe showing the shoe of
a is a side view in elevation of the cleat receptacle of the first embodiment.
b is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the cleat receptacle of the first embodiment.
a and 10b are views in perspective of additional embodiments of the invention showing a shoe wherein the cleat receptacles are embedded in the outer soles of the shoe.
a–11f are detailed cross-sectional side views of respective cleat attachment arrangements representing further embodiments of the invention.
While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed; on the contrary, the scope of the invention covers all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
Referring to
Referring specifically to
Socket 32 is formed of three different sections, each serving a separate function. Specifically, socket 32 includes an innermost section (i.e., the section of the socket that is close or nearly adjacent to anchor rim 44) that defines a retention ring receiver socket portion 34. The retention ring receiver socket portion is substantially smooth and concave and is complementary in shape with at least a portion of a plug retention ring 18 disposed on the cleat 12 as described below. The socket further includes an outermost section (i.e., the section of the socket that is furthest in distance from the anchor rim) that defines an anti-rotation receiver portion 36 extending to end surface 46 of cylindrical section 43. The anti-rotation receiver portion has a hexagonal configuration (i.e., a transverse cross-sectional geometry in the shape of a hexagon) that is sufficiently dimensioned to receive and mate with an anti-rotation body 22 of cleat 12 as described below. An intermediate section of socket 32, which lies between retention ring receiver socket portion 34 and anti-rotation receiver portion 36, is sufficiently dimensioned to receive portions of the cleat as well as portions of a latch clip 50 as described below.
An elongated latch clip receiving slot 38 is defined along a peripheral side surface between the longitudinal ends of the base portion cylindrical section 43. Slot 38 is oriented lengthwise on the cleat receiver in a direction transverse the longitudinal orientation of cylindrical section 43. The latch clip receiving slot communicates directly with the intermediate section of socket 32 and is sufficiently dimensioned to receive portions of latch clip 50 as described below. A generally rectangular access notch 40 extends from slot 38 and is sufficiently dimensioned to provide an insertion point for a finger or a prying tool to facilitate removal of latch clip 50 after the latch clip has been inserted and retained in slot 38 as described below. Any suitable prying tool may be utilized with the cleat assembly including, without limitation, a user's finger or thumb, a screwdriver, a paper clip, the tip of a pen or pencil, a utensil (e.g., a fork or knife), etc. Alternatively, shoe cleat assembly 10 may be provided with a specialized prying tool that is configured for use with the cleat and cleat receiver.
As shown in
Referring to
Attachment plug 16 includes three distinct portions, namely an anti-rotation body 22 extending directly from the base portion of cleat element 14, an intermediate elongated body portion 20 extending from the anti-rotation body, and a plug retention ring 18 extending from body portion 20 and defining the terminal end of the attachment plug. Plug retention ring 18 includes a rounded and tapered end portion 19 that is suitably dimensioned to complement and mate with retention ring receiver portion 34 of socket 32 when the attachment plug is fully inserted in the socket. Elongated body portion 20 is generally cylindrical and has a diameter that is smaller in dimension than the transverse dimensions of each of anti-rotation body 22 and plug retention ring 18. The anti-rotation body 22 of the attachment plug has a hexagonal configuration (i.e., a transverse cross-sectional geometry in the shape of a hexagon) that corresponds with and is slightly smaller in dimensions than anti-rotation receiver portion 36.
The dimensions of the socket sections and the cleat attachment plug sections are also preferably selected such that, when the attachment plug is fully inserted in the socket, plug retention ring 18 engages or mates with retention ring receiver socket portion 34, elongated body portion lies substantially within the intermediate section of the socket, and anti-rotation body 22 engages or mates with anti-rotation receiver portion 36. Accordingly, the complementary hexagonal shapes of the anti-rotation body and the anti-rotation receiver portion prevent inadvertent rotational and lateral (i.e., side-to-side) movements of the cleat with respect to the cleat receiver.
Further, it is noted that the complementary shapes for the anti-rotation body and the anti-rotation receiver are not limited to hexagonal configurations; rather, the complementary shapes may have any suitable geometric configurations including, without limitation, elliptical, triangular, square, trapezoidal, star shaped, and any other type of multi-faceted surfaces. In a like manner, a gear tooth arrangement with either horizontally and/or vertically oriented intermeshing teeth would also work equally well to prevent rotation. And also in a like manner, an anti-rotation design could include one or more posts with complementary receiving holes or slots disposed along the anti-rotation body and anti-rotation body receiver portions of the cleat and the cleat receiver (e.g., as depicted in
Referring to
The free ends of prongs 56 are generally rounded and extend slightly inward toward each other and in a direction transverse the major dimension of the clip, with a generally rounded interior cut-out section defined between the prongs that is slightly larger in dimension and complementary in shape to the transverse cross-sectional dimension of attachment plug body 20. In particular, the end portions of prongs 56 include end surfaces 51 that are generally coplanar with each other, angled side surfaces 52 that extend at an obtuse angle (e.g., 135°) from the end surfaces in a direction inward and toward each other, and side surfaces 53 that extend from the angled side surfaces and are generally parallel with each other. These end and side surfaces of the prongs are preferably adjoined at rounded edges to minimize any wear to the cleat attachment plug when plug body 20 engages with prongs 56. A smooth and rounded side surface 54 extends between both side surfaces 53 to form the inner side periphery of each of the prongs. When the clip is fully received with the cleat receiver in a locking relationship with the cleat, plug body 20 is disposed within the cut-out section between the prongs of the clip such that side surface 54 engages about a majority of the circular cross-sectional periphery (e.g., about 270°) of the plug body. In addition, the separation distance between side surfaces 53 and between portions of side surfaces 52 is smaller than the diameter of plug body 20 so as to prevent slipping and inadvertent disengagement of plug body 20 from clip 50 after a locking engagement has been achieved.
Latch clip 50 is suitably dimensioned such that prongs 56 can be inserted through receiving slot 38 and fully received within the intermediate section of socket 32. When the attachment plug of the cleat is fully inserted within the cleat receiver socket, prongs 56 of latch clip 50 are inserted into slot 38 such that the prongs engage body 20 of the cleat attachment plug. Application of sufficient force to the latch clip during such insertion results in a slight flexure of prongs 56 away from each other so as to wrap around and secure plug body 20 within the cut-out section of the prongs in a snap-tight, releasable locking relationship. Specifically, as clip 50 is inserted through receiving slot 38, angled side wall surfaces 52 of prongs 56 contact the peripheral surface of plug body 20 within the intermediate section of socket 32, forcing the prongs to slightly expand away from each other. Further movement of clip 50 laterally with respect to cleat receiver 30 and into the intermediate section of socket 32 results in a sliding movement of side wall surfaces 52 and then side wall surfaces 53 of prongs 56 along opposing outer peripheral portions of plug body 20. Once side wall surfaces 53 slide beyond plug body 20, the plug body is fully received within the cut-out section of clip 50. At this point, prongs 56 resiliently snap back toward each other, resulting in a locking engagement of the latch clip around the plug body.
Thus, when the latch clip is secured in receiving slot 38 and about plug body 20 of the cleat in this manner, axial movement of cleat 12 with respect to cleat receiver 30 is effectively limited. In addition, due to the locking relationship between the latch clip and the plug body of the cleat, the latch clip is prevented from inadvertent lateral movement with respect to the cleat and the cleat receiver. However, latch clip 50 can be disengaged from plug body 20 by applying sufficient force to pull the latch clip from the receiving slot, which in turn forces prongs 56 to move slightly away from each other as the prongs move along the periphery of the plug body until becoming disengaged.
Latch clip 50 further includes a raised portion 57 extending transversely from the base portion of the clip (i.e., at the end of the clip that opposes the prong ends). Raised portion 57 includes an outer side wall surface 59 that extends the width of clip base portion and is preferably curved in a convex configuration to generally correspond with the outer peripheral contour of cylindrical section 43 of the cleat receiver. Raised portion 57 further includes an inner side wall surface 61 (
The dimensions of the latch clip, including its overall major dimension and the dimensions of raised portion 57, are preferably selected such that, when the latch clip is fully received within socket 32 and is in a locking relationship with plug body 20 of cleat 12, outer side wall surface 59 of the latch clip raised portion 57 is substantially flush and continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical section 43 of cleat receiver base portion 42 and also substantially fills the spaced defined by slot 38. However, the space defined by notch 40 remains open when the latch clip is fully inserted to facilitate insertion of a finger or other prying tool through notch 40 to engage raised portion 57 for disengaging the clip from the plug body of the cleat. In addition, the axial dimension of the cleat plug body, the thickness of the prongs and other portions of the latch clip, and the dimensions of the latch clip receiving slot are all preferably selected such that axial movement of the cleat with respect to the cleat receiver is substantially prevented when the cleat is secured by the latch clip within the cleat receiver.
The cleat receiver may further include interior wall sections 63 (
Operation of the quick release shoe cleat assembly 10 is now described with reference to
Once the cleat attachment plug is fully inserted into the cleat receiver socket, latch clip 50 is aligned with its prongs 56 facing receiving slot 38. The prongs are inserted through slot 38 and a sufficient force is applied to the latch clip to force the prongs to laterally engage, expand around and lock with plug body 20 as described above. Upon complete insertion of the latch clip into the socket so as to fully engage the clip prongs with the cylindrical body of the cleat attachment plug, the cleat is effectively locked and thus limited or substantially prevented from axially, rotationally and laterally moving with respect to the cleat receiver and shoe sole. In this locked configuration, outer side wall surface 59 of latch clip 50 is preferably continuous and blends with the outer peripheral contour of cleat receiver base portion cylindrical section 43. The cleat is now ready for use with the shoe to which it is attached.
When it is desired to remove cleat 12 from shoe 28, latch clip 50 must be disengaged from cleat attachment plug body 20 by applying a sufficient force to the clip to expand and move prongs 56 laterally along the plug body and then from socket 32 via receiving slot 38. Sufficient force can be applied to clip 50 at raised portion 57, e.g., by inserting a finger or other prying tool into notch 40, so as to engage inner side wall surface 61. The latch clip can then be pulled from the cleat receiver to disengage the prongs from the cleat attachment plug, thus permitting the cleat to be removed from the socket.
In effect, the latch clip provides a lateral locking engagement with the cleat attachment plug to effectively and rigidly secure the cleat to the cleat receiver, preventing inadvertent rotational, lateral and axial movements of the cleat with respect to the shoe during use. Unlike other conventional shoe cleat attachment assemblies, such as cleat assemblies that utilize a threaded attachment design to screw the cleat to the shoe sole, the cleat assembly of the present invention maintains a rigid attachment and prevents undesired loosening of the cleat with respect to the shoe throughout the use of the cleat with the shoe.
While
In the cleat assembly 100 depicted in
In the embodiment of
Further, it is noted that the sockets and plugs need not be substantially oriented in a vertical direction (i.e., a direction that is substantially perpendicular with the sole of the shoe to which the receiver is attached). Rather, the sockets and plugs can be oriented at selected angles from the vertical such as in the embodiment depicted in
It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings represent only a few of the many ways of implementing a quick release shoe cleat and corresponding methods associated with the shoe cleat.
The cleat receiver, cleat and latch clip or pin may be constructed of any suitable materials and have any suitable dimensions. The cleat receiver may be separable from a shoe sole, molded or bonded in any suitable manner with a shoe sole, or integrally formed as part of the shoe sole. The cleat receiver, cleat and latch clip or pin may include any type of corresponding engaging elements that are combinable to releasably lock the cleat to the cleat receiver and limit or substantially prevent rotational, lateral and axial movements of the cleat with respect to the cleat receiver. The engaging elements may be any combination of one or more plug and socket arrangements disposed on the cleat receiver and cleat, with one or more suitable access slots to facilitate insertion and removal of the latch clip or pin.
The cleat may include any number of cleat elements (e.g., one, two or more cleat elements) having any selected geometric configurations and oriented in any selected arrangement (e.g., symmetrical or asymmetrical) with respect to each other and the cleat. In addition, the cleat may include a base section having a first surface to which one or more cleat elements are secured, where the base section further includes a second surface opposing the first surface to which one or more cleat receiver engaging elements (e.g., an attachment plug) are secured.
The cleat may further be indexable with respect to the cleat receiver, and thus the shoe sole. For example, certain embodiments, such as those depicted in FIGS. 9 and 11–12, may require a specific orientation of the cleat with respect to the cleat receiver in order to obtain a locking engagement between the cleat, receiver and latch pin or clip. In addition, in embodiments such as those depicted in
The cleat and cleat receiver may include engaging sections with any suitable number and types of plug or prong portions and complementary receiving socket or slot portions to facilitate mating of the engaging sections with respect to each other prior to locking the cleat to the receiver with the latch clip or pin. As depicted in some of the previous examples, the cleat may include a single plug attachment member or socket that is suitably dimensioned to mate with a corresponding socket or plug attachment member of the cleat receiver. Alternatively, as depicted in some of the other embodiments, the cleat may include two or more plug and socket members that engage in a mating relationship with complementary plug and socket members of the cleat receiver.
The latch clip or pin may have any suitable configuration that facilitates a locking engagement with the cleat and the cleat receiver to limit or substantially prevent axial, lateral and rotational movements of the cleat with respect to the receiver. The latch clip or pin may include any suitable structural components that provide a gripping surface to allow a user to remove the latch clip or pin from the locking relationship. For example, as an alternative or in addition to the features noted above for the latch clip raised surface, the latch clip or pin may include any suitable indentations or protrusions to enhance gripping of the latch clip or pin during its disengagement from the cleat and the cleat receiver.
Having described preferred embodiments of a quick release shoe cleat and corresponding methods, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims priority from prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/403,071, filed Aug. 12, 2002 and entitled “Quick Release Shoe Cleat”. The disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4035934 | Hrivnak | Jul 1977 | A |
| 6421937 | Heller | Jul 2002 | B2 |
| 6601322 | Hsiao | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 20010047599 | Heller | Dec 2001 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 346624 | Dec 1989 | EP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040079001 A1 | Apr 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60403071 | Aug 2002 | US |
