Cross Reference to Related Application

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 61/905,919, filed November 19, 2013, titled "Buttress for Removable Cleats," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to athletic shoes, and more particularly to cleats.

Background Art

[0003] Athletic shoe cleats, in particular golf cleats, have been subject to changing designs in recent years, to attempt to provide users with a variety of advantages. In particular, shoes with removable cleats have had great success. Recent improvement in cleats and receptacle design for facilitating the attachment and release of the cleat from the shoe has made the cleat more susceptible to unwanted dislodgement due to impact occurring during use of the cleats. An illustration of the manner in which such a cleat may be dislodged is shown in FIGS. 1A-1C.

Summary of the Embodiments

[0004] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a shoe sole for receiving at least one cleat has at least one cleat receptacle, and at least one buttress forming a protrusion on the bottom of the shoe sole. The buttress may be adjacent to the receptacle. The buttress may be configured to support an outer edge of a cleat mounted in the receptacle.

[0005] Some embodiments may have a cleat mounted in the receptacle. The buttress may support at least a single leg of the cleat. The buttress may be configured so that it contacts an outer edge of the leg of the cleat. Additionally, the buttress may be in constant contact with the cleat when the cleat is mounted in the receptacle. In some embodiments, the shoe sole may include two or more buttresses equidistant of each other. [0006] In some embodiments, the receptacle may be surrounded by the at least one buttress. The buttress may be substantially in the shape of a ring. Optionally, the buttress may interlock with the cleat. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the buttress may be equal to an outer diameter of the cleat so as to come in close contact with the cleat.

[0007] In some embodiments, the protrusion formed by the buttress has an acute angular apex facing the sole. A diameter at the apex of the buttress may be greater than an outer diameter of the cleat. The buttress may have a concave surface with a focal point located in the interior of the cleat receptacle. The focal point may be at the center of the cleat receptacle. In some embodiments, an orthogonal projection on the sole of the apex may be within the buttress. Alternatively, some embodiments may have an orthogonal projection on the sole of the apex that is beside the buttress. Alternatively, an orthogonal projection on the sole of the apex may be along a side of the buttress facing the cleat socket.

[0008] In some embodiments, the apex may have a height equal to a greatest height of the cleat. Alternatively, the apex may have a height smaller than a greatest height of the cleat.

[0009] In some embodiments, the buttress may be integral to the sole. In some embodiments of the invention, a shoe includes a shoe sole for receiving at least one cleat that has at least one cleat receptacle, and at least one buttress. The buttress forms a protrusion on the bottom of the shoe sole. The shoe may have the buttress adjacent to the receptacle, and the buttress may be configured to support an outer edge of a cleat mounted in the receptacle.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a shoe sole for receiving at least one cleat includes at least one cleat receptacle, and at least one buttress. The buttress may form a protrusion on the bottom of the shoe sole adjacent the receptacle. The buttress may be configured to prevent a cleat mounted in the receptacle from being dislodged from the receptacle.

[0011] In some embodiments, the buttress protects the cleat. The buttress may be spaced around the cleat. Optionally, at least one buttress may be lined up with a leg of the cleat. Additionally, the buttress may support at least a single leg of the cleat.

[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a shoe has a sole with a traction surface with one or more receptacles in the sole for receiving a cleat. The cleat may have at least one traction projection extending from the base and an engagement projection for connecting with the receptacle. The base may have an exterior circumferential surface having a first shape. The sole may include a ring protruding from the sole and positioned around the receptacle The ring may have an interior circumferential surface with a second shape, such that the second shape may complement the first shape of the base.

[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a shoe includes a sole with a traction surface with one or more receptacles for receiving a base for a cleat disposed in the sole. The cleat may have at least one traction projection extending from the base and an engagement projection for connecting with the receptacle. The base may have an exterior circumferential surface having a first shape. The sole may also include a plurality of protection elements protruding from the traction surface and spaced equidistantly around the receptacle. Each of the protection elements may have an inner surface adjacent the receptacle. The inner surfaces of each protection element may have a second shape that complements the first shape of the base.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIGS. 1 A-C are side views in partial cross section of a prior art cleat on a sole during an exposure to lateral stress (with the bottom of the cleat facing upwardly in the figure— this "upside down" orientation is shown in all of the side views below);

[0016] FIG. 2A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 2A (showing the bottom of the cleat and a portion of the bottom of the shoe sole).

[0018] FIG. 3A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 3A;

[0020] FIG. 4A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention; [0021] FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 4A;

[0022] FIG. 4C is an excerpt of the cleat of FIG. 4A;

[0023] FIG. 5A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 5A;

[0025] FIG. 6A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 6A;

[0027] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the buttress of FIG. 6A;

[0028] FIG. 6D is an excerpt showing the details of the buttress and the cleat of FIG.

6A;

[0029] FIG. 7A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 7A; and

[0031] FIG. 8 is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

[0032] Removable cleats 12, mounted on athletic shoes soles 10, are prone to being dislodged from their receptacles 16 by traction forces 18 that develop around the cleats 12 and against the legs 14 of the cleats 12 during use. These forces 18 can have significant components lateral to the main axis of the cleats, as shown in Figures 1 A-C, and these lateral force 18 components can sometimes pull the cleats out of their receptacles. Removable cleats

12 may be designed to increase the traction of athletic shoes. The increased traction can result in increased lateral forces 18, thereby increasing the likelihood that the cleats 12 will be removed from the sole of the athletic shoe. Lateral forces 18 can be encountered in a number of situations when a person is wearing an athletic shoe with cleats 12. In some situations, walking on a solid surface with a shoe having removable cleats 12 may create sufficient lateral forces 18 to dislodge the cleat 12. The removable cleats 12 may experience strong lateral forces 18 on surfaces that are compressible. For example, surfaces such as soil or sand may allow the cleat 12 to dig into the surface, thereby increasing the surface area of the cleat that may be subject to the lateral force 18. Furthermore, in situations where a cleat 12 may be most helpful, such as during a forceful movement that requires rotation of the foot (e.g. golf swing, soccer shot) or transmission of rapid power through the foot (e.g. sprinting), the strongest lateral forces 18 may be produced.

[0033] To counteract these lateral forces 18, one or more buttresses may be placed against or near the cleat 22. In some embodiments the buttress 28 may protect the cleat 22. Alternatively, the buttress 28 may support the cleat 22. In other embodiments the buttress 28 may protect and support the cleat 22. By supporting the cleat, the buttress 28 prevents the cleat from being dislodged from its receptacle in the sole. Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, a shoe sole 20 has at least one, but generally a series of, cleats 22 with, at least one, but usually a plurality of legs 24. The cleats 22 are inserted into receptacles (or sockets) 26 in the sole 20. In this embodiment, the cleat 22 is surrounded by a circular buttress 28 disposed adjoining the rim 21 of the receptacle 26. A continuous ring protrudes from the sole 20 and forms the buttress 28 resting against the circumferential outer surface of the cleat 22 and its legs 24. In some embodiments, the ring formed by the buttress 28 may not be continuous. For example, the circular buttress 28 may have discontinuities along portions of the ring that are between legs 24. In Figure 2A, the buttress is seen in cross section and reveals a profile that has an apex 23 with an acute angle 25 facing the sole 20 of the shoe. The apex 23 is the part of the buttress 28 that extends the furthest perpendicular to the surface of the shoe sole 20. The buttress 28 is in close contact with the cleat 22 body and legs 24. Acute angle 25 is the angle between a surface in contact 27 with the cleat 22, and a surface facing away 29 from the cleat 22. The height of the buttress 28 at the apex 23 may be from about a third to two thirds of the height of the legs 24, or any other height suitable for supporting the cleat 22 when it is subject to lateral forces 18.

[0034] In Figure 2A, the surface in contact 27 with the cleat 22 extends from the apex 23 to the rim 21 of the receptacle 26. The slope of the surface in contact 27 with the cleat 22 is the angle formed between the surface in contact 27 and the shoe sole 20. The surface facing away 29 from the cleat 22 is the surface that extends from the apex 23 to the shoe sole 20. The slope of the surface facing away 29 from the cleat 22 is the angle formed between the surface facing away 29 and the shoe sole 20. The slope of the surface in contact 27 with the cleat 22 may be steeper than the slope of the surface facing away 29 from the cleat, or vice versa.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2B, the buttress 28 may contact the cleat 22 at the legs 24, and may not contact the cleat 22 between the legs 24. The legs 24 have an outer edge 24a. The legs 24 also have inner surfaces 24b, as shown in Figure 2B. In some embodiments, the buttress may contact only the outer edge 24a of one or more legs 24. The outer edge 24a is the portion of the leg 24 that extends the furthest away from the center of the cleat 22.

Figures 2A-2B show an embodiment of the outer edge 24a of a leg 24. Figures 4A-4B show another embodiment of an outer edge 24a. In Figures 4A, legs 44a and 44b have outer edges 24a. As can be seen, the outer edge 24a does not have to be a planar surface. The outer edge 24a may have a number of different surfaces. Similarly, the buttress 48 does not have to make contact with all of the outer edges 24a. The buttress 48 may contact only the outer edges 24a of short legs 44b, and not of the long legs 44a.

[0036] The buttress 28 may be formed as an integral part of the sole 20, or it may be prepared separately and secured to the sole 20 around the rim 21 of the receptacle 26 with glue or sequential molding. The material for the buttress 28 may be made of a material that is the same as the material of the sole 20, or it may be of a different material with a different stiffness (e.g. shore A). Examples of suitable materials may be synthetic polymers such as, rubber, silicone, thermoplastic urethane, or polyvinyl chloride compounds.

[0037] Referring to Figures 3Aand 3B, the buttress 38 may be positioned on a perimeter larger than the perimeter of the receptacle 36, such that it does not come in direct contact with the cleat 32 and its legs 34. Figure 3A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention. The profile of the buttress 38, viewed in cross section in Figure 3A, may be rounded at the top or angular as described above and shown in Figure 2A. Alternatively, some embodiments of the buttress 38 may be substantially flat at the top. Figure 3B is a bottom view of the cleat of Figure 3A. In some embodiments, the buttress 38 may form a continuous ring around the cleat 32 as shown in Figure 3B. The distance between the buttress 38 and the rim 31 of the receptacle 36 may vary. A number of distances from the buttress 38 to the rim 31 may be suitable for the buttress 38 to counteract lateral forces 18. [0038] The buttress 38 has an apex 33. The apex is the point of the buttress 38 that extends the furthest perpendicular to the surface of the sole 30. The apex 33 may have varying dimensions based on the shape of the buttress 38. In the buttress 38 shown in Figure 3B, the apex 33 runs in a line continuously along the ring. In some embodiments of the invention, there may be a single point along the ring that forms the apex 33. Other embodiments may have a flat surface that forms an apex 33. Some embodiments may have a number of apexes 33 formed along the continuous ring as seen in Figure 3B. Apexes 33 may be equidistant from one another. For example, the continuous ring may have crenellations formed by the buttress 38 that form a number of equidistant apexes 33. In other

embodiments, the apexes 33 may not be equidistant. In some embodiments, there may be a disproportionate number of apexes 33 formed along a portion of the buttress 38. For example, a large proportion of apexes 33 may be strategically formed on the buttress 38 in an area of the shoe sole 30 designed to counter strong lateral forces 18.

[0039] When the buttress 28 supports the cleat 22, it may contact the cleat 22 when the cleat 22 is mounted in the receptacle 26. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, when the cleat 22 is inserted into the receptacle 26, the cleat 22 and the buttress 28 are in constant contact until the cleat 22 is removed from the receptacle 26. The contact between the cleat 22 and the buttress 28 may counter the lateral forces 18 experienced by the cleat 22. However, the buttress 38 does not always have to be in contact with the cleat 32, as in Figure 3 A. The buttress 38 may prevent the cleat 32 from being removed from the receptacle 36 by protecting the cleat 32 from the effect of the lateral forces 18. As shown in Figure 3B, the buttress 38 may be spaced away from the cleat 32 and may encounter lateral forces 18 before the cleat 32 thereby protecting the cleat 32 .In some embodiments, the buttress 28 may be configured to support the cleat 22 and to protect the cleat 32 from lateral forces 18.

[0040] Referring to Figures 4A-C, a series of isolated buttresses 48 may be positioned against the cleat 42. Figures 4A-B show three long legs 44a and three short legs 44b alternating along the rim 41. In this embodiment, the buttress 48 is shown in contact with the cleat 42 between the long legs 44a and flush with the rim 41 of the receptacle 46. In some embodiments, buttress 48 may be sufficiently close to the cleat 42 so as to support the cleat 42 without making contact with the cleat 42 when the cleat 42 is in an unstressed position. The islets of buttresses 48 may be equidistant of each other around the rim 41. [0041] As shown in Figure 4B, the islets may be interspersed around the rim 41 and between the long legs 44a of the cleat 42. In alternative embodiments, the islets of buttresses 48 may support only the long legs 44a. To that end, the islets of buttresses 48 may be formed adjacent to the long legs 44a. Other embodiments may have islets interspersed between the long legs 44a and adjacent to the long legs 44a. Alternatively, the islets of buttresses 48 may be interspersed around the rim 41 and between the short legs 44b of the cleat 42. In other embodiments, the islets of buttresses 48 may support only the short legs 44b as shown in Figure 4B. To that end, the islets of buttresses 48 may be formed adjacent to the short legs 44b.

[0042] As shown in the top view of Figure 4B, the buttress islet 48 may have a trapezoidal foot print on the sole 40. Alternatively, the foot print may be curved or elliptical as shown in FIG. 5B, or pyramidal. Similarly, the transversal cross section of the buttress islet 48 may be angular, as shown in FIG. 4B, or rounded as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0043] Depending on the design of the cleat 42, there may be as little as two islets 48, or as many as 8 or more. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4A-C there are three such islets 48. Each buttress 48 may have its own apex 43. Viewed in cross section, the inside slope 47 of the buttress 48 may be such that an orthogonal projection P of the apex 43 on the sole 40 is located beneath the buttress 48. FIG. 4C is an excerpt of the cleat of FIG. 4A. The angle formed between the inside slope 47 and the sole 40 may be less than 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the apex 43 may not be at the top of the inside slope 47. Some buttresses 48 may be shaped in such a way that the inside slope 47 leads to another slope where the apex 43 is located.

[0044] In other embodiments such as the one shown in Figure 5A, the projection P is at the inside edge of the buttress 58 as the slope is vertical or, as shown in Figures 6A, C and D, the projection P of the apex 63 may be located besides the interior surface of the buttress 68 facing the cleat 62. Figure 6A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat 62 on a sole according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 6A, the orthogonal projection P of the apex 63 on the sole 60 shows that P crosses through cleat 62. The orthogonal projection P may be seen in detail in Figure 6D. Figure 6D is an excerpt showing the details of the buttress and the cleat of Figure 6A. An embodiment of the buttress 68, shown in Fig. 6A, at least partially covers the cleat 62 thereby interlocking with the cleat 62. Embodiments of the buttress 68 that interlock with the cleat 62 may be able to combat lateral forces 18 better than embodiments that do not interlock with the cleat 62. Figure 6B is a bottom view of the cleat of Figure 6A. As shown in Figure 6B, the buttress 68 may surround the entire cleat 62, and in some embodiments, may interlock with the cleat 62 all around the cleat 62. Figure 6C shows a perspective view of the buttress 68 of Figure 6A when the cleat 62 is not inserted in the sole 60. As can be seen, the buttress 68 is shaped to interlock with at least part of the cleat 62.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in Figures A-5B, the buttress 58 is not m contact with cleat 52. The buttress 58 is spaced around the cleat 52. In some embodiments, when the short leg 54b flexes, the short leg 54b may contact the buttress 58. As a result, the cleat 52 is kept in the receptacle 56 because it is supported by the contact with the buttress 58. The cleat is also kept in the receptacle because the buttress 58 protects the cleat from lateral forces 18. In other embodiments, when the leg 54b flexes, the cleat 52 may not come into contact with the buttress 58.

[0046] Figure 7A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat 72 on a sole 70 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7A, the buttress 78 is interlocking with cleat 72. Figure 7B is a bottom view of the cleat 72 of Figure 7A. In some embodiments, the interlocking buttress 78 may also be formed of islets as shown in Figure 7B. The interlocking buttress 78 does not have to be a continuous ring. The buttress 78 islets may be elongated. Some embodiments may have a planar top surface, as shown in Figure 7B. Other embodiments of the buttress 78 islets may have a planar top surface that is substantially parallel with the sole 70. The side surfaces of the islet buttress 78 may be a planar surface. The planar surface may be substantially perpendicular with the sole 70 of the shoe. In other embodiments, the side surfaces may be tapered as shown in Figure 7B.

[0047] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 8, the buttress 88 may also be used for non-removable cleats 82 that are permanently fitted in receptacles 85 in the sole 80. The non-removable cleats 82 may be mold ed into the sole 80 of the shoe. In some embodiments, the at least one buttress 88 may be formed as a unitary member with the sole.

[0048] The embodiments of the invention described above are i ntended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. buttress 68 that interlock with the cleat 62 may be able to combat lateral forces 18 better than embodiments that do not interlock with the cleat 62. Figure 6B is a bottom view of the cleat of Figure 6A. As shown in Figure 6B, the buttress 68 may surround the entire cleat 62, and in some embodiments, may interlock with the cleat 62 all around the cleat 62. Figure 6C shows a perspective view of the buttress 68 of Figure 6A when the cleat 62 is not inserted in the sole 60. As can be seen, the buttress 68 is shaped to interlock with at least part of the cleat 62.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5A-5B, the buttress 58 is not in contact with cleat 54. The buttress 58 is spaced around the cleat 52. In some embodiments, when the short leg 54b flexes, the short leg 54b may contact the buttress 58. As a result, the cleat 52 is kept in the receptacle 56 because it is supported by the contact with the buttress 58. The cleat is also kept in the receptacle because the buttress 58 protects the cleat from lateral forces 18. In other embodiments, when the leg 54b flexes, the cleat 52 may not come into contact with the buttress 58.

[0046] Figure 7A is a side view in partial cross section of a cleat 72 on a sole 70 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 A, the buttress 78 is interlocking with cleat 72. Figure 7B is a bottom view of the cleat 72 of Figure 7A. In some embodiments, the interlocking buttress 78 may also be formed of islets as shown in Figure 7B. The interlocking buttress 78 does not have to be a continuous ring. The buttress 78 islets may be elongated. Some embodiments may have a planar top surface, as shown in Figure 7B. Other embodiments of the buttress 78 islets may have a planar top surface that is substantially parallel with the sole 70. The side surfaces of the islet buttress 78 may be a planar surface. The planar surface may be substantially perpendicular with the sole 70 of the shoe. In other embodiments, the side surfaces may be tapered as shown in Figure 7B.

[0047] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 8, the buttress 88 may also be used for non-removable cleats 82 that are permanently fitted in receptacles 85 in the sole 80. The non-removable cleats 82 may be molded into the sole 80 of the shoe. In some embodiments, the at least one buttress 88 may be formed as a unitary member with the sole.

[0048] The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

9 All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in any appended claims.

10