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Title:
CYCLE SHOE CLEAT APPARATUS AND SHOE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/063073
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A cycle shoe cleat apparatus for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal has a sole comprising a front sole portion (202) and a rear sole portion (204) rotatably coupled by a bearing (206). In an example, a flexure bearing comprising a spring steel plate is (206) attached to the front sole portion (202) and the rear sole portion (204). A front attachment member (108) engages with a pedal clip of a bicycle pedal and is connected to the front sole portion (202). A rear attachment member (110) also engages with the pedal clip and is connected to the rear sole portion (204). A resilient member (112) is provided between the front (108) and rear attachment members. The resilient member (112) comprises a ground-contacting portion (114).

Inventors:
HENDRIKSON THOR (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2015/053174
Publication Date:
April 28, 2016
Filing Date:
October 22, 2015
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
10 IN 5 LTD (GB)
International Classes:
A43B5/14; A43B13/16
Domestic Patent References:
WO1999047013A11999-09-23
Foreign References:
EP2896310A12015-07-22
US20050210712A12005-09-29
US20050188567A12005-09-01
EP0153210A11985-08-28
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LEAN IP (121 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. A cycle shoe cleat apparatus for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, said cycle shoe cleat apparatus comprising:

- a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing;

- a front attachment member adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal and to be connected to said front sole portion;

- a rear attachment member adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal and to be connected to said rear sole portion; and

- a resilient member between said front and rear attachment members.

2. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an outsole of said shoe and wherein said resilient member comprises a ground-contacting portion of said outsole of said shoe.

3. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient member is affixed to said front and rear attachment members.

4. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 3 wherein said resilient member is overmolded on to said front and rear attachment members.

5. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 4 wherein said overmolded resilient member comprises a ground-contacting surface that protrudes down below said front and rear attachment members in use.

6. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said front attachment member comprises:

- a front body portion adapted to receive at least one front fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one front-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member,

and said rear attachment member comprises: - a rear body portion adapted to receive at least one rear fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one rear-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member.

7. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of any preceding claim wherein said bearing comprises a flexure bearing.

8. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flexure bearing comprises a spring.

9. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 8 wherein said spring comprises a spring plate attached to said front sole portion and said rear sole portion.

10. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 9 wherein said spring steel plate is configured to be attached to said front sole portion via at least one front fastener and to said rear sole portion via at least one rear fastener.

1 1 . The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flexure bearing comprises a living hinge.

12. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 1 1 wherein said front sole portion, said rear sole portion and said living hinge are integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member.

13. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of claim 1 1 wherein said front sole portion, said rear sole portion, said living hinge and said front and rear attachment members are integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member.

14. The cycle shoe cleat apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising a coupling member comprising a coupling surface adapted to engage a clamping member of said bicycle pedal, wherein said front or rear attachment member and coupling member are adapted to cooperate so as to be slideably adjustable but to be locked together when said front or rear attachment member is rigidly affixed to said sole via at least one front or rear fastener.

15. A cycle shoe comprising the cycle shoe cleat apparatus of any preceding claim.

16. A cycle shoe cleat assembly for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, and for use with a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing, said cycle shoe cleat assembly comprising:

- a front attachment member adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal and adapted to be connectable to said front sole portion;

- a rear attachment member adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal and adapted to be connectable to said rear sole portion; and

- a resilient member between said front and rear attachment members, wherein said resilient member is affixed to said front and rear attachment members.

17. The cycle shoe cleat assembly of claim 16 wherein said resilient member is overmolded on to said front and rear attachment members.

18. The cycle shoe cleat assembly of claim 17 wherein said overmolded resilient member comprises a ground-contacting surface that protrudes down below said front and rear attachment members in use.

19. The cycle shoe cleat assembly of claim 17 or claim 18 wherein said front attachment member comprises:

- a front body portion adapted to receive at least one front fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and - at least one front-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member,

and said rear attachment member comprises:

- a rear body portion adapted to receive at least one rear fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one rear-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member. 20. A cycle shoe cleat front attachment member for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, and for use with a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing, said cycle shoe cleat front attachment member comprising:

- a front body portion adapted to receive at least one front fastener to connect said front attachment member to said front sole portion;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one front-facing anchoring surface, facing the front body portion, for securing an overmolded resilient member.

21 . A cycle shoe cleat rear attachment member for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, and for use with a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing, said cycle shoe cleat rear attachment member comprising:

- a rear body portion adapted to receive at least one rear fastener to connect said rear attachment member to said rear sole portion;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one rear-facing anchoring surface, facing the rear body portion, for securing an overmolded resilient member.

Description:
CYCLE SHOE CLEAT APPARATUS AND SHOE

This invention generally relates to a cycle shoe cleat apparatus and a shoe for releasably coupling the shoe to a clipless or step-in bicycle pedal. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cycle shoe cleat apparatus and a shoe with a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing.

Background Art

Bicycles are propelled by a rider pushing a pedal with their foot. Clipless bicycle pedals have been developed that use a special cycling shoe having a cleat fitted to the sole. The cleat comprises an attachment member that locks into a mechanism on the pedal in order to hold the shoe firmly to the pedal. The term 'clipless' refers to the lack of a clip into which the toe of the cyclist's shoe is inserted, rather than a lack of any clip mechanism on the pedal.

Cleats can be made small enough to fit in a recess of the sole of a shoe. The shoe can be released from the pedal by twisting the heel outwards to rotate the cleat's attachment member within the pedal mechanism.

Such arrangements provide a shoe that can be used for walking even with the cleat attached. This is convenient for mountain bike and cyclo-cross cyclists who often have to walk and carry their bicycle. The cleat, even while being located in the recess, makes contact with the ground while the cyclist is walking or running. This is because the cleat is positioned under the ball of the foot for efficient cycling, yet when walking the weight of the body also falls under the ball of the foot. The metal or hard plastic cleat can slide on rocks, with the poor grip making the shoe unstable. This is a particular problem for mountain bike cyclists, because slipping on a mountain track can result in severe injury or death. The metal or hard plastic cleat also makes a loud tapping or clicking noise when contacting the ground, which is undesirable. The metal in contact with the ground also wears down. For this reason, some cleats have rubber pads on their lower ground-contacting surface. However a problem with such rubber pads is they have to be made thin compared to the thickness of the cleat, so as not to interfere with the operation of the cleat and pedal and because of the limited space under the cleat. This means that the rubber pads wear away relatively quickly compared to the life of the cleat.

A cleat, even with a rubber pad, is a poor shock absorber; therefore the shock from contact with the ground is transmitted via the cleat into the shoe and to the foot. This is uncomfortable in short term and can also lead to long- term damage to the joints of the cyclist.

A problem with such an arrangement with a cleat in a recess arises from the difference between an optimum waking shoe and an optimum cycling shoe. It is desirable for walking shoes to have flexible soles, so that the foot can flex at the ball of the foot for comfortable walking. However, it is desirable for a cycling shoe to have a rigid sole to maximise the energy transfer from the cyclist's foot to the pedal.

WO9947013A1 discloses a cycle shoe with a hinged cleat. The shoe is flexible for walking with its hinged two-part sole when it is not engaged with a clipless pedal. The sole is stiffened by the mounting of the cycle shoe in the pedal. The problem of this approach is the hinge encroaches into the shoe, which is uncomfortable for the cyclist or makes the sole thick and

undesirable. Thick soles are unsightly and add more height to the shoe, which is a safety concern when walking on uneven ground. Furthermore, the arrangement causes the neutral plane of the shoe (the plane neither under compression or tension) to move up, thereby compressing the foot during walking. Furthermore, this shoe has the same problems of wear, poor grip and noise as the shoe with a cleat in the recess, because the metal cleat contacts the ground.

Summary of invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe cleat apparatus for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, said cycle shoe cleat apparatus comprising:

- a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing;

- a front attachment member adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal and to be connected to said front sole portion;

- a rear attachment member adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal and to be connected to said rear sole portion; and

- a resilient member between said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, the cycle shoe cleat apparatus further comprises an outsole of said shoe and said resilient member comprises a ground-contacting portion of said outsole of said shoe.

Alternatively, said resilient member is affixed to said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, said resilient member is overmolded on to said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, said overmolded resilient member comprises a ground-contacting surface that protrudes down below said front and rear attachment members in use.

Preferably, said front attachment member comprises:

- a front body portion adapted to receive at least one front fastener; - a coupling surface adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one front-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member,

and said rear attachment member comprises:

- a rear body portion adapted to receive at least one rear fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one rear-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member.

Preferably, said bearing comprises a flexure bearing.

Preferably, said flexure bearing comprises a spring.

Preferably, said spring comprises a spring plate attached to said front sole portion and said rear sole portion.

Preferably, said spring steel plate is configured to be attached to said front sole portion via at least one front fastener and to said rear sole portion via at least one rear fastener.

Alternatively, said flexure bearing comprises a living hinge.

Preferably, said front sole portion, said rear sole portion and said living hinge are integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member.

Optionally, said front sole portion, said rear sole portion, said living hinge and said front and rear attachment members are integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member.

Preferably, the cycle shoe cleat apparatus further comprises a coupling member comprising a coupling surface adapted to engage a clamping member of said bicycle pedal, wherein said front or rear attachment member and coupling member are adapted to cooperate so as to be slideably adjustable but to be locked together when said front or rear attachment member is rigidly affixed to the sole via at least one front or rear fastener.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe comprising the cycle shoe cleat apparatus of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe cleat assembly for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, and for use with a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing, said cycle shoe cleat assembly comprising:

- a front attachment member adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal and adapted to be connectable to said front sole portion;

- a rear attachment member adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal and adapted to be connectable to said rear sole portion; and

- a resilient member between said front and rear attachment members, wherein said resilient member is affixed to said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, said resilient member is overmolded on to said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, said overmolded resilient member comprises a ground-contacting surface that protrudes down below said front and rear attachment members in use.

Preferably, said front attachment member comprises:

- a front body portion adapted to receive at least one front fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and - at least one front-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member,

and said rear attachment member comprises:

- a rear body portion adapted to receive at least one rear fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one rear-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe cleat front attachment member for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, and for use with a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing, said cycle shoe cleat front attachment member comprising:

- a front body portion adapted to receive at least one front fastener to connect said front attachment member to said front sole portion;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one front-facing anchoring surface, facing the front body portion, for securing an overmolded resilient member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe cleat rear attachment member for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, and for use with a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a bearing, said cycle shoe cleat rear attachment member comprising:

- a rear body portion adapted to receive at least one rear fastener to connect said rear attachment member to said rear sole portion;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one rear-facing anchoring surface, facing the rear body portion, for securing an overmolded resilient member. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe cleat assembly for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal and for use with a sole of said shoe, said cycle shoe cleat assembly comprising:

- an attachment member adapted to be connectable to said sole; and

- a coupling member comprising a coupling surface adapted to engage a clamping member of said bicycle pedal,

wherein said attachment member and coupling member are adapted to cooperate so as to be slideably adjustable but to be locked together when said attachment member is rigidly affixed to said sole via at least one fastener.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe cleat apparatus for releasably coupling a shoe to a bicycle pedal, said cycle shoe cleat apparatus comprising:

- a sole comprising a front sole portion and a rear sole portion rotatably coupled by a flexure bearing;

- a front attachment member adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal and to be connected to said front sole portion; and

- a rear attachment member adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal and to be connected to said rear sole portion.

Preferably, said flexure bearing comprises a spring.

Preferably, said spring comprises a spring plate attached to said front sole portion and said rear sole portion.

Preferably, said spring steel plate is configured to be attached to said front sole portion via at least one front fastener and to said rear sole portion via at least one rear fastener.

Alternatively, said flexure bearing comprises a living hinge. Preferably, said front sole portion, said rear sole portion and said living hinge are integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member.

Optionally, said front sole portion, said rear sole portion, said living hinge and said front and rear attachment members are integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member.

Preferably, the cycle shoe cleat apparatus further comprises a resilient member between said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, the cycle shoe cleat apparatus further comprises an outsole of said shoe and said resilient member comprises a ground-contacting portion of said outsole of said shoe.

Alternatively, said resilient member is affixed to said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, said resilient member is overmolded on to said front and rear attachment members.

Preferably, said overmolded resilient member comprises a ground-contacting surface that protrudes down below said front and rear attachment members in use.

Preferably, said front attachment member comprises:

- a front body portion adapted to receive at least one front fastener;

- a coupling surface adapted to engage a front clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one front-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member,

and said rear attachment member comprises:

- a rear body portion adapted to receive at least one rear fastener; - a coupling surface adapted to engage a rear clamping member of said bicycle pedal; and

- at least one rear-facing anchoring surface for securing said overmolded resilient member.

Preferably, the cycle shoe cleat apparatus further comprises a coupling member comprising a coupling surface adapted to engage a clamping member of said bicycle pedal, wherein said front or rear attachment member and coupling member are adapted to cooperate so as to be slideably adjustable but to be locked together when said front or rear attachment member is rigidly affixed to said sole via at least one front or rear fastener.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe comprising the cycle shoe cleat apparatus of the seventh aspect.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the top of a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the top of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the bottom of the front attachment member of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, before overmolding of a resilient member.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the bottom of the rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, before overmolding of a resilient member.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the top of the rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, before overmolding of a resilient member.

Figure 1 1 is a plan view of the bottom of the rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, after overmolding of a resilient member. Figure 12 is a plan view of the top of the rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, after overmolding of a resilient member.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing and the shoe's outsole tread as the resilient member, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the top of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing and the shoe's outsole tread as the resilient member according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 13.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the bottom of the front attachment member of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 is a plan view of the bottom of the rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a plan view of the top of the rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, the shoe's outsole tread as the resilient member and an adjustable cleat according to another

embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing and an adjustable cleat according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the top of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 20.

Figure 23 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, the shoe's outsole tread as the resilient member and an adjustable cleat according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 20.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the bottom of an adjustable cleat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 is a cross section of an adjustable cleat according to an

embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a single-piece molding that includes the attachment members.

Figure 27 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member showing the direction of force on the pedal, corresponding to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 28 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member showing the flexing of the insole with the resilient member being in contact with the ground, corresponding to Figures 1 to 4.

Description of embodiments

A first example is described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. This example is a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member. Elements that are common within Figures 1 to 4 have the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe. The shoe 100 has an upper peripheral portion 102 and an outsole 104. The tread of the sole is not shown, but it will be appreciated that different tread structures and textures may be used on the ground-contacting part of the outsole. The shoe may have a heel as well as one or more midsoles and insoles (not shown). The heel may be a single piece, unitary with the outsole, or may be a separate body affixed to the outsole.

The outsole 104 has a recess 106. The recess may extend all the way up through the outsole to reveal a midsole, to which the outsole is bonded. If the recess does not extend through the outsole, then the upper internal surface of the recess is part of the outsole. In either case, the insole and foot is protected from water ingress from the outside of the shoe.

In the recess, parts of the cleat apparatus are shown. The insole part is not shown in Figure 1 and is described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The cleat apparatus is used for releasably coupling the shoe to a bicycle pedal. The cleat apparatus has a front attachment member 108 and a rear attachment member 110. The attachment members are rigid and may be made of metal, such as steel, stainless steel or titanium. Alternatively other rigid materials such as plastic or composite materials such as carbon fibre may be used to form the attachment members.

A resilient member 1 12 is overmolded on to the front and rear attachment members 108 and 1 10, such that the resilient member 1 12 is between the front and rear attachment members 108 and 1 10. The resilient member 1 12 may be made of rubber or thermoplastic or thermoset elastomer, for example polyurethane.

In the examples disclosed herein, the resilient member being between means that the front and rear attachment members are separated by a space in between them, which is occupied by the resilient member. Thus the resilient member separates the front and rear attachment members. This is different from two attachment members being rigidly attached, with for example a rubber pad on the outer surface of the combined attachment members, even if the rubber pad is or extends into some of the space between the attachment members. In that case, the resilient member is not between. In the examples disclosed herein, because the attachment members are separated by the resilient member between them, then the attachment members can rotate around the bearing, to which they are conected via the front and rear sole portions. In other words, the front and rear attachment members are hingedly connected to each other and (in some examples with the overmolded resilient member) resiliently conneted to each other. In use the front and rear attachment members are rotatably coupled via the front and rear sole portions and the bearing. As shown in Figure 28, when the sole is flexed while walking, the resilient member 1 12 while bent is still between the front and rear attachment members 1 10 and 108.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 1. With reference to Figures 2 and 4, the cycle shoe cleat apparatus has an insole comprising a front insole portion 202 and a rear insole portion 204 rotatably coupled by a flexure bearing 206, just visible in Figure 2 between the front and rear insole portions 202 and 206. The flexure bearing is clearly visible in Figure 3. Although in the examples disclosed herein an insole is described, it will be appreciated that other suitable types of sole may be used, with their front and rear portions rotatably coupled by a flexure bearing, such as an outsole or midsole. The front sole portion and rear sole portion may be made of materials such as plastic or composite materials such as carbon fibre.

The front attachment member 108 is adapted to be connected to the front insole portion 202 via a front pair of fasteners (not shown). In this example, the front attachment member 108 has a slot-shaped hole 208 to receive threaded cylindrical inserts (302 in Figure 3) that protrude down from the spring steel plate. The front pair of fasteners screw into the threaded inserts

302.

The fasteners may be, for example, screws, hex bolts, or rivets. The hole is slot shaped and as it extends laterally beyond the corresponding holes in the insole, the lateral position of the cleat may be adjusted with respect to the shoe by sliding the cleat along the slot before tightening the fasteners. Such adjustable interconnection of a cleat to a shoe is well known and therefore this interconnection will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. In examples described herein, the attachment members are connected to the front and rear insole portions via fasteners. Other forms of connection may be used. For example, the insole portions may be formed by overmolding them onto the attachment members. In the case of this first example, with an overmolded resilient member, then separate overmolding steps may be used for the resilient member and the insole portions.

Similarly, the rear attachment member 110 is adapted to be connected to the rear insole portion 204 via a rear pair of fasteners (not shown). The rear attachment member 110 has a slot-shaped hole 210 to receive threaded cylindrical inserts (304 in Figure 3) that protrude down from the spring steel plate. The rear pair of fasteners screw into the threaded inserts 304. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the top of a cleat apparatus, corresponding to Figure 1. The cleat apparatus has a spring steel flexure bearing.

The flexure bearing 206 comprises a spring; in this example it is a spring steel plate attached to the front sole portion 202 and the rear sole portion 204. The spring steel plate 206 is configured to be attached to the front sole portion via the front fasteners and to the rear sole portion via the rear fastener. In this example spring steel plate 206 is configured with front and rear threaded cylindrical inserts 302 and 304 for this purpose. The cylindrical inserts are be attached to the steel plate and swaged to provide a thread for the fasteners to screw into. Alternatively, cylindrical extrusions may be drawn from the steel plate for receiving the fasteners. Heat treatment may be used to harden the steel plate after the protrusions are drawn to allow the drawing with softer steel than is needed for the spring. Instead of threaded inserts 302 and 304, plain holes may be used for bolts.

Alternatively, longitudinal slots or rows of longitudinally-spaced holes may be used for further adjustment of the cleat position fore and aft and rotationally.

Figure 4 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus, corresponding to Figure 1. The sole is not flexed and is in the configuration ready to engage with a pedal. The apparatus can engage with a clipless pedal with a length (measured front to back) that matches the length of the cleat apparatus. When the cleat apparatus is engaged with the pedal, clamping members on the pedal grip the front and rear attachment members 108 and 1 10. This pushes the attachment members together and bows the flexure bearing 206 so that its centre is raised above its fore and aft ends. Thus it is bowed in the opposite sense to that shown in Figure 3. This is a form of over-centre clamping. The cleat apparatus has a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member. Within the cross-hatched resilient member 1 12, four rectangles are visible and these are anchoring structures (holes) of the attachment members for firmly attaching the overmolded resilient member to the attachment members. This will be described in further detail with reference to Figures 8 to 10 below.

In use for walking, when the cleat is not engaged with a pedal, the flexure bearing acts as a hinge allowing the front and rear insoles to rotate with respect to each other and therefore the shoe and foot to flex around the hinge. In use for cycling, when the cleat is engaged with a pedal, the flexure bearing in cooperation with the pedal prevents the front and rear insoles from rotating with respect to each other and therefore the shoe and foot are kept rigid. This applies to all of the examples described herein.

A second example is described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. This example is a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member. Elements that are common within Figures 1 to 4 have the same reference numerals.

In common with the spring steel flexure bearing of the first example, a living hinge provides a low-profile, essentially flat, bearing for rotational coupling of the front and rear sole portions. The length of the bearing along the foot, particularly with the steel plate, allows the bearing to wrap around the foot as it flexes, making walking or running comfortable for the cyclist. An alternative bearing in another example is a butt hinge, requiring a pin running through the pivot. This hinge can be made to be low profile, but is more expensive and less comfortable under foot, as a single pivot axis does not wrap around the foot.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe 500 with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Viewed from underneath, the shoe has the same features visible as in Figure 1. In particular, the resilient member 112 is overmolded on to the front and rear attachment members 108 and 1 10 in the same way as in the first example, described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of part of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 5. With reference to Figure 6, the cycle shoe cleat apparatus has an insole comprising a front insole portion 602 and a rear insole portion 604 rotatably coupled by a living hinge flexure bearing 606 between the front and rear insole portions 602 and 604. The living hinge flexure bearing 606 is more clearly visible in Figure 7, in which the insole is shown bent.

Although in this example an insole is described, it will be appreciated that other suitable types of sole may be used, with their front and rear portions rotatably coupled by a living hinge flexure bearing, such as an outsole or midsole. In the living hinge examples disclosed herein, the front sole portion, rear sole portion and living hinge may be made of materials such as plastic or composite materials such as carbon fibre.

In order to correctly locate and securely attach the front and rear attachment members to the insole, the insole is provided with protruding lugs 608 and 610.

The front attachment member 108 is adapted to be connected to the front insole portion 602 via a front pair of fasteners (not shown). In this example, the front attachment member 108 has a slot-shaped hole 208 to receive the front lug 608 with the front pair of fasteners passing through the lug 608. The fasteners may be, for example, screws, hex bolts, or rivets. Similarly, the rear attachment member 110 is adapted to be attached to the rear insole portion 604 via a rear pair of fasteners (not shown). The rear attachment member 110 has a slot-shaped hole 210 to receive the rear lug 610 with the rear pair of fasteners passing through the lug 610.

The front sole portion 602, the rear sole portion 604 and the living hinge 606 are integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member. This reduces manufacturing cost of the apparatus. Alternatively front sole portion and/or the rear sole portion may be separate pieces assembled with the living hinge, in a similar way to the spring steel plate of the first example.

The front and rear sole portions 602 and 604 have front and rear walls 612 and 614 respectively to add stiffness to the insole away from the living hinge and to locate the insole in the shoe.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the top of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, corresponding to Figure 5. The living hinge 606 is clearly visible as the insole is bent along the living hinge, which runs laterally across the insole. In this example the single piece insole is configured with front and rear attaching holes 702 and 704 that extend through the lugs 608 and 610. The holes 702 and 704 are countersunk to receive the heads of screws or rivets used as fasteners to attach the front and rear attachment members 108 and 1 10 to the insole.

The living hinge 606 may be made of material the same thickness as the front and rear sole portions 602 and 604. In this example, the walls 612 and 614 provide rigidity so that the front and rear sole portions 602 and 604 are more rigid than the living hinge 606. The living hinge can be made more flexible by locally reducing the thickness of the sole material to define the living hinge. Alternatively, slots or holes or other cutouts or indentations may be used to make the living hinge relatively more flexible than the front and rear sole portions 602 and 604. The living hinge may be made of laminated material. Figures 8 to 12 illustrate the front and rear attachment members of a cleat, before and after overmolding of a resilient member. The cleat may be used in the first and second examples described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and 5 to 7 respectively, which use a cleat having a resilient member overmolded onto attachment members.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the bottom of the front attachment member 108 of a cleat.

Figures 9 and 10 are plan views respectively of the bottom (pedal facing) and top (shoe sole facing) rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus, before overmolding of a resilient member.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10, the front attachment member 108 has a front body portion 902 having a hole 904 adapted to receive at least one front fastener. In this example two fasteners are used to attach the front attachment member 108 to the shoe and in particular the front insole portion 202 or 602. The fasteners may engage with or pass through a lug shaped to fit inside the hole 904, such as lug 608 depicted in Figure 6.

The front attachment member 108 has a front-facing coupling surface 1002 that is adapted to engage a front clamping member of the bicycle pedal. It will be appreciated that different shapes of coupling surface may be used in order to cooperate with different clipless pedals.

It will be appreciated that in all the examples described herein, that front and rear refer to the orientation with respect to shoe being worn normally on a foot of a person. Front and rear also refer to the orientation with respect to the bicycle when being ridden normally by a cyclist with a foot engaged with a pedal. Thus although pedals can spin so that clamping members can become rear or forward, the front clamping member of the bicycle pedal is the one at the top and front of the pedal when the pedal is being engaged by the cyclist's foot. Similarly, the rear clamping member of the bicycle pedal is the one at the top and rear of the pedal when the pedal is being engaged by the cyclist's foot. The front attachment member 108 has a rearwardly extending protrusion 906 that provides an anchor for the overmolded resilient member 112 to the front attachment member 108. The protrusion 906 has at least one front-facing anchoring surface 908, 910 facing the front body portion 902 for securing the overmolded resilient member. It will be appreciated that different shapes of anchoring surface may be used in order to secure the attachment of the overmolded material of the resilient member to the front attachment member 108. Another suitable rearwardly extending protrusion is a dovetail, which tapers so it is wider as it extends away from the front body portion 902. The tapered surface therefore also provides at least one front-facing anchoring surface obliquely facing the front body portion. Instead of there being a protrusion, the anchoring surface may be a cut out of the front body portion 902.

The rear attachment member 1 10 has coupling surfaces 1004 that are adapted to engage a rear clamping member of the bicycle pedal.

Rear attachment member 1 10 has a forwardly extending protrusion 914 that provides an anchor for the overmolded resilient member 112 to the rear attachment member 110. The protrusion 914 has at least one rear-facing anchoring surface 916, 918 facing the rear body portion 912 for securing the overmolded resilient member. Again, it will be appreciated that different shapes of anchoring surface may be used in order to improve the attachment of the overmolded material of the resilient member to the rear attachment member 1 10. Another suitable forwardly extending protrusion is a dovetail, which tapers so it is wider as it extends away from the rear body portion 912.

The tapered surface therefore also provides at least one rear-facing anchoring surface facing the rear body portion. Instead of there being a protrusion, the anchoring surface may be a cut out of the rear body portion 912.

Figure 1 1 is a plan view of the bottom of the rear 1 10 and front 108 attachment members of the cleat apparatus, after overmolding of a resilient member 112.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the top of the rear 1 10 and front 108 attachment members of the cleat apparatus, after overmolding of the resilient member 1 12.

In Figures 11 and 12, the protrusions 906 and 914 are shown as dotted lines as they are embedded within the resilient member 1 12. A protrusion may be fully embedded or partially embedded in the resilient member. Thus, none of the protrusion may extend out of the resilient member, or just a surface of the protrusion may be exposed in the plane of a surface of the resilient member, or part of the protrusion may extend out of the resilient member.

The overmolded resilient member 1 12 has a ground-contacting surface 1 14 that protrudes down below the rear 1 10 and front 108 attachment members when the cleat apparatus is attached to a shoe.

A third example is described with reference to Figures 13 to 16. This example is a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing and the shoe's outsole tread as the resilient member. Elements that are common within Figures 1 to 7 have the same reference numerals.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing. Figure 16 is a cross section of the bottom of the cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus corresponding to Figure 13. With reference to Figures 13 and 16, the shoe 1300 has an upper peripheral portion 1302 and an outsole 1304. The tread of the sole is not shown, but it will be appreciated that different tread structures and textures may be used on the ground-contacting part of the outsole. The shoe may have a heel as well as one or more midsoles and insoles (not shown). The heel may be a single piece, unitary with the outsole or may be a separate body affixed to the outsole.

The outsole 1304 has recesses 1306. The recesses may extend all the way through the outsole to reveal a midsole, to which the outsole is bonded. If the recesses do not extend through the outsole, then the upper internal surfaces of the recesses are part of the outsole. In either case, the insole and foot is protected from water ingress from the outside of the shoe.

In the recesses 1306, parts of the cleat apparatus are shown. The cleat apparatus is used for releasably coupling the shoe to a bicycle pedal. The cleat apparatus has a front attachment member 1308 and a rear attachment member 1310. The attachment members are rigid and may be made of metal, such as steel, stainless steel or titanium. Alternatively other rigid materials such as plastic may be used to form the attachment members.

A resilient member 1312 comprises a ground-contacting portion of an outsole of the shoe, and the attachment members 1308 and 1310 are arranged in relation to the shoe such that the resilient member 1312 is inbetween the front and rear attachment members 1308 and 1310. The outsole and resilient member 1312 may be made of thermoplastic or thermoset elastomer or rubber. The outsole and resilient member 1312 may be made other conventional outsole materials such as leather or polyurethane or composite material. The resilient member 1312 comprises a ground-contacting surface that protrudes down below the front and rear attachment members 1308 and 1310 in use. This ground-contacting surface allows the resilient member to bear the weight of the cyclist and prevents or reduces contact of the attachment members with the ground. This reduces wear on the attachment members and helps keep them free of dirt from the ground. Therefore after prolonged walking in the shoe, the attachment members will still reliably engage with the clamping members on clipless bicycle pedals. The resilient member 1312 also inhibits stones from the ground being trapped between the front and rear attachment members 1308 and 1310 and interfering with the operation of the hinge provided by the flexure bearing.

Figures 14 and 15 are perspective views of the bottom and top respectively of the cleat apparatus corresponding to Figure 13. The features in Figures 14 and 15 are the same as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 and are labelled with the same reference numerals. Therefore the description of Figures 6 and 7 above should be referred to understand the features of Figures 14 to 16.

The front attachment member 1308 is adapted to be attached to the front insole portion 602 via a front pair of fasteners (not shown). In this example, the front attachment member 1308 has a slot-shaped hole to receive the front lug 608 with the front pair of fasteners passing through the lug 608. The fasteners may be, for example, screws, hex bolts, or rivets.

Similarly, the rear attachment member 1310 is adapted to be attached to the rear sole portion 604 via a rear pair of fasteners (not shown). The rear attachment member 1310 has a slot-shaped hole to receive the rear lug 610 with the rear pair of fasteners passing through the lug 610.

Figures 17 to 19 illustrate the front and rear attachment members of a cleat apparatus. With reference to Figures 17 to 19, the front attachment member and rear attachment member are separate pieces. They have no protrusion to anchor overmolding, because the resilient member is not overmolded to the attachment members. Otherwise, the features are the same as described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. The cleat of Figures 17 to 19 may be used in the third example described with reference to Figures 13 to 16, which uses a living hinge and a cleat having a resilient member which is the tread of the shoe's outsole. The cleat of Figures 17 to 19 may be used other examples having a resilient member which is the tread of the shoe's outsole. These examples, although not shown here in the Figures can combine other types of flexure bearing, such as a spring steel plate, with a cleat having a resilient member which is the tread of the shoe's outsole.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the bottom of the front attachment member 1308 of a cleat. Figures 18 and 19 are plan views respectively of the bottom (pedal facing) and top (shoe sole facing) rear and front attachment members of a cleat apparatus.

With reference to Figures 18 and 19, the front attachment member 1308 has a front body portion 1802 having a hole 1804 adapted to receive at least one front fastener. In this example two fasteners are used to attach the front attachment to the shoe and in particular the front insole portion. The fasteners may engage with or pass through a lug shaped to fit inside the hole 1804, such as lug 608 depicted in Figures 6 and 14.

The front attachment member 1308 has a front-facing coupling surface 1902 that is adapted to engage a front clamping member of the bicycle pedal. It will be appreciated that different shapes of coupling surface may be used in order to cooperate with different clipless pedals.

The rear attachment member 1310 has coupling surfaces 1904 that are adapted to engage a rear clamping member of the bicycle pedal.

A fourth example is described with reference to Figures 20 to 23. This example is a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, the shoe's outsole tread as the resilient member and an adjustable cleat. Elements that are common within Figures 1 to 7 have the same reference numerals.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cycle shoe. Figure 23 is a cross section of the bottom of the cycle shoe corresponding to Figure 20. With reference to Figures 20 and 23, the shoe 2000 has an upper peripheral portion 2002 and an outsole 2004. The tread of the sole is not shown, but it will be appreciated that different tread structures and textures may be used on the ground-contacting part of the outsole. The shoe may have a heel as well as one or more midsoles and insoles (not shown). The heel may be a single piece, unitary with the outsole or may be a separate body affixed to the outsole.

The outsole 2004 has recesses 2006. The recesses may extend all the way through the outsole to reveal a midsole, to which the outsole is bonded. If the recesses do not extend through the outsole, then the upper internal surfaces of the recesses are part of the outsole. In either case, the insole and foot is protected from water ingress from the outside of the shoe.

In the recesses 2006, parts of the cleat apparatus are shown. The cleat apparatus is used for releasably coupling the shoe to a bicycle pedal. The cleat apparatus has a front attachment member 2008 with a coupling member 2009. The cleat apparatus has a rear attachment member 2010 with a coupling member 2011. The attachment members and coupling members are rigid and may be made of metal, such as steel, stainless steel or titanium. Alternatively other rigid materials such as plastic may be used to form the attachment members and coupling members.

A resilient member 2012 comprises a ground-contacting portion of the outsole 2004 of the shoe, and the attachment members 2008 and 2010 are arranged in relation to the shoe such that the resilient member 2012 is in between the front and rear attachment members 2008 and 2010. The outsole and resilient member 2012 may be made of thermoplastic or thermoset elastomer or rubber. The outsole and resilient member 1312 may be made other conventional outsole materials such as leather or polyurethane or composite material. The resilient member 2012 comprises a ground- contacting surface that protrudes down below the front and rear attachment members 2008 and 2010 in use. This ground-contacting surface allows the resilient member to bear the weight of the cyclist and prevents or reduces contact of the attachment members with the ground. This reduces wear on the attachment members and helps keep them free of dirt from the ground. Therefore after prolonged walking in the shoe, the attachment members will still reliably engage with the clamping members on clipless bicycle pedals. The resilient member 2012 also inhibits stones from the ground being trapped between the front and rear attachment members 2008 and 2010 and interfering with the operation of the hinge provided by the flexure bearing.

Figures 21 and 22 are perspective views of the bottom and top respectively of the cleat apparatus corresponding to Figure 20. The features in Figures 21 and 22 are the same as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 and are labelled with the same reference numerals. Therefore the description of Figures 6 and 7 above should be referred to understand the features of Figures 21 to 23.

The front attachment member 2008 is adapted to be attached to the front insole portion 602 via a front pair of fasteners (not shown). In this example, the front attachment member 2008 has a slot-shaped recess to receive the front lug 608 with the front pair of fasteners passing through two holes (2402 in Figure 24) in front attachment member 2008 and two corresponding holes in lug 608. The fasteners may be, for example, screws, hex bolts, or rivets.

Similarly, the rear attachment member 2010 is adapted to be attached to the rear sole portion 604 via a rear pair of fasteners (not shown). The rear attachment member 2010 has a slot-shaped recess to receive the rear lug 610 with the rear pair of fasteners passing through two holes (2408 in Figure 24) and two corresponding holes in lug 610.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the bottom of an adjustable cleat as shown in Figure 21. Figure 25 is a cross section of the adjustable cleat

corresponding to Figure 24, attached to a sole. The adjustable cleat is suitable for use with the fourth example described with reference to Figures 20 to 23 and the same reference numerals are used to label the features. The adjustment changes the longitudinal (front to rear) length of the cleats and allows the cleat apparatus to be used with pedals having different distances between the clamping members.

With reference to Figures 25 and 25, the front attachment member 2008 has a pair of holes 2402 adapted to receive a pair of fasteners to attach the front attachment member 2008 to the front sole portion 602. A coupling member

2009 has a coupling surface 2404 adapted to engage a front clamping member of the bicycle pedal. The front attachment member 2008 and coupling member 2009 are adapted to cooperate so as to be slideably adjustable but to be locked together when the attachment member is rigidly affixed to the sole via the fasteners. The locking is achieved by the arrangement of divots (grooves) 2406 in the coupling member 2009 that engage with a corresponding detent 2502 in the front attachment member 2008. Before the fasteners are tightened to attach the front attachment member 2008 to the sole, the coupling member 2009 can slide fore and aft. When the fasteners are tightened, the detent 2502 and a divot 2406 can engage, thereby locking the front attachment member 2008 and coupling member 2009 together.

Similarly, the rear attachment member 2010 has a pair of holes 2408 adapted to receive a pair of fasteners to attach the rear attachment member

2010 to the rear sole portion 604. A coupling member 201 1 has a coupling surface 2410 adapted to engage a rear clamping member of the bicycle pedal. The rear attachment member 2010 and coupling member 201 1 are adapted to cooperate so as to be slideably adjustable but to be locked together when the attachment member is rigidly affixed to the sole via the fasteners. The locking is achieved by the arrangement of divots 2412 in the coupling member 201 1 that engage with a corresponding detent 2504 in the rear attachment member 2010. Before the fasteners are tightened to attach the rear attachment member 2010 to the sole, the coupling member 201 1 can slide fore and aft. When the fasteners are tightened, the detent 2504 and a divot 2412 can engage, thereby locking the rear attachment member 2010 and coupling member 201 1 together. Although in this example both the front and rear attachment members are provided with adjustment, it will be appreciated that just one may be adjustable. Furthermore, the attachment members may have a divot and the coupling members may have detents.

The adjustable cleat may also be used with the first two examples using an overmolded cleat described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and 5 to 7. When used with an overmolded cleat, then a tunnel between the front and rear attachment members may be used to provide clearance for the sliding coupling members. The tunnel may be defined using a hollow box section placed between the attachment members during overmolding. The tunnel may be defined using a hollow box section extending from the body of one or both of the attachment members.

Figure 26 is a perspective view of the bottom of a cleat apparatus having a living hinge flexure bearing, with a single-piece molding that includes the attachment members 2608 and 2610. Features on common with Figure 6 are labelled with the same reference numerals. The single piece front sole portion 604, rear sole portion 604, living hinge 606 and attachment members 2608 and 2610 may be made of materials such as plastic or composite materials such as carbon fibre.

Figure 27 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member showing the direction of force on the pedal, corresponding to Figures 1 and 4. In Figure 27, features in common with Figures 1 and 2 are labelled with the same reference numerals.

With reference to Figure 27, the dotted line 2702 represents the vertical displacement between a pivot point 2704 at the centre of the flexure bearing (not shown) and the front coupling surface 1002 (shown in Figure 10). The dotted line 2706 represents the distance between the pivot point 2704 at the centre of the flexure bearing and the coupling surface 1002. The angle 2708 between the front insole portion 202 and the line 2706 depends on the ratio of vertical displacement 2702 to distance 2706. The angle 2708 also defines the direction of the force 2710 that is applied to the pedal's front clamping member when a flexing force is applied by the foot to rotate the front insole portion 202 upward (anticlockwise in Figure 27) relative to the rear insole portion 204. It will be appreciated that the same geometry may be considered for the rear part of the pedal and the rear coupling surface 1004.

The smaller the angle 2708 becomes, then the more vertical the force 2710 becomes. A vertical force is beneficial because it more securely clamps the shoe to the downward facing clamping member of the pedal. If the angle 2708 becomes large, then vertical component of the force 2710 decreases, resulting in less effective clamping of the foot to the pedal. Furthermore if the angle 2708 becomes large, then forward component (right in Figure 27) of the force 2710 correspondingly increases. This also results in less effective clamping of the foot to the pedal because the forward component, combined with a rearward component at the back of the pedal, serve to make the coupling surfaces 1002 and 1004 push the spring-loaded jaws of the clamping members on the pedal apart. This can result in the cleat becoming undamped and disengaging from the pedal, which is dangerous while cycling.

Therefore a small angle 2708 is beneficial. The examples describe herein provide a small angle 2708 for the following reasons. Firstly, the use of a low- profile bearing close to or part of the insole and therefore low down reduces the vertical displacement 2702. The flexure bearings described in the examples herein provide such low-profile bearings. Secondly, the use of separate front and rear attachment members with a resilient member between them makes a relatively long cleat (measured front to back) increases the distance 2706. It is preferred that the angle 2708 between the plane of the front sole portion 202 and a line 2706 from the effective pivot point 2704 of the bearing to the coupling surface 1002 of the front attachment member 108 is less than 45 degree, more preferably less than 30 degrees, most preferably less than 10 degrees. Similarly, it is preferred that the angle between the plane of the rear sole portion 204 and a line from the effective pivot point 2704 of the bearing to the coupling surface 1004 of the rear attachment member 1 10 is less than 45 degrees, more preferably less than 30 degrees, most preferably less than 10 degrees.

Figure 28 is a cross section of the bottom of a cycle shoe with a cleat apparatus having a spring steel flexure bearing and overmolded resilient member showing the flexing of the insole and resilient member in contact with the ground, corresponding to Figures 1 and 4. In Figure 28, features in common with Figures 1 and 2 are labelled with the same reference numerals.

With reference to Figure 28, the ground 2802 is shown being contacted by a flexed cleat apparatus. This represents the moment when a shoe being walked in is in contact with the ground at the ball of the foot. The overmolded resilient member 1 12 comprises a ground-contacting surface 1 14 that protrudes down below the front and rear attachment members. The more the shoe flexes, the more the surface 1 14 protrudes below the level of the attachment members 108 and 1 10. This ground-contacting surface 1 14 allows the resilient member 112 to bear the weight of the cyclist and prevents or reduces contact of the attachment members 108 and 1 10 with the ground. This reduces wear on the attachment members 108 and 110 and helps keep them free of dirt from the ground. Therefore after prolonged walking in the shoe, the attachment members 108 and 1 10 will still reliably engage with the clamping members on clipless bicycle pedals. The resilient member 1 12 also inhibits stones, dirt and other items from the ground being trapped between the front and rear attachment members 108 and 110 and interfering with the operation of the hinge provided by the flexure bearing. For example, in the absence of the resilient member 1 12, a stone could be stepped on while the shoe was flexed, then the shoe could be retained in between the attachment members 108 and 1 10, thus preventing the proper return of the shoe to its unflexed configuration. Furthermore, the trapped stone could interfere with walking and/or with the operation of the clamping by the pedal.

The use of a low-profile bearing close to or part of the insole and therefore low down reduces the stretching of the overmolded resilient member during rotation of the sole portions around the bearing. With less stretching, a harder composition of the resilient member can be used, thus providing a hard wearing and optimum shock absorber under the ball of the foot. The flexure bearings described in the examples herein provide such low-profile bearings.

The examples described herein allow a shoe to provide for both efficient cycling and comfortable walking. The use of a flexure bearing makes a compact cleat, so that thin soles may be used. This means that a wider range of styles may be used with clipless pedals. For example dress shoes may be fitted with the cleat assemblies described herein. The flexure bearing reduces compression of the foot. The bearing wraps around the foot, providing a comfortable and smooth-flowing walking motion for the cyclist. The use of a flexure bearing, as compared to a hinge, improves the water resistance of the shoe, because of the simple attachment of a steel plate or because of the inherent water tightness of a single piece living hinge.

The use of a resilient member in between the front and rear attachment members makes the shoe comfortable to walk in and protects parts of the cleat that engage with a pedal. Therefore the cleat is longer lasting and more reliable.