Horseman and cowboys have long attached spurs to their boots as a practical and fashionable accessory. A conventionally designed English spur has a generally U- shaped metal member, referred to as a band, that fits about the rear of the rider's boot adjacent the heel and has a rearward projection which often carries a point or a rowel having a multiplicity of points. In conventional designs, each English spur normally has one strap that is inserted through one end of the band, passed underneath the boot's heal, and passed through the opposite end of the band and serves to releasably attach the spur to the rider's boot. The typical spur mounting apparatus attaches firmly to the boot by the use of clamps, chain or the like, so as to rigidly hold the spurs in their proper position behind the heel of the boot.

Prior spur designs have included means to prevent the riding up of the spur to prevent misalignment of the spur and thus detracting from one of its purposes of stable engagement to the boot. Attaching additional upper straps to the band or including a ridge element that can be wedged between the heel of the boot and the upper portion of the boot are two examples of such designs.

These arrangements tend to allow the spur mounting apparatus to"ride-up"the boot, out of its useful position. To counteract this tendency boot wearers will increase the tension on the mounting apparatus sometimes cutting or otherwise damaging the boot leather.

BRIEF SUMMARY An object of the invention is to provide a spur that is integrated with the footwear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spur that can be removed from attached footwear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spur that maintains its optimal operating position (i. e. does not"ride up"or move out of position during use).

A further object of the invention is to provide a spur that is integrated with the footwear and operates with out a disc rowel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a spur that is integrated with the footwear and reduces discomfort for the ridden animal.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a spur system that can be easily retracted when not in use.

The strapless spur is an innovation that is simple in design and overcomes the tendency of conventional spurs to move out of the optimal position during prolonged use.

The strapless spur is intended for use in specially manufactured footwear including boots, which have either the strapless spur or fixed retainer built into the footwear. The retainer or spur is installed on the rear foot portion of the footwear above the heel.

In the fixed retainer models the strapless spur is intended for use in conjunction with footwear having a fixed retainer installed on the rear foot portion of the footwear above the heel. The strapless spur attaches to the fixed retainer and maintains the spur in the optimal operating position.

In the telescoping strapless spur models the strapless spur itself is installed on the rear foot portion of the footwear above the heel. The telescoping strapless spur maintains the spur in the optimal operating position by virtue of its fixed position built into the footwear.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a strapless spur having a base or retainer attached to a boot or other footwear; a means for attaching the spur to the base or retainer, the spur having a longitudinal member; and the spur having a mechanism for attachment of spur to the base or retainer.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a strapless spur having a base or retainer attached to a boot or other footwear and a curved plate for mating with the base or retainer on the footwear In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a strapless spur having a base or retainer attached to a boot or other footwear; a telescoping longitudinal member extending from the base outward from the footwear; and a spur permanently attached to the telescoping longitudinal member.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

Figure 1A is a perspective view of the invention.

Figure 1 B is an exploded view of the invention.

Figure 1 C is a side elevation view of the invention.

Figure 2A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2B is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2C is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3C is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4A is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4C is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5C is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7A is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figures 8A and 8B are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8C is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9A is a back view of the mating area of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9B is a top view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9C is a top cross sectional view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9D is a front view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9E is a side view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 OA is a top cross sectional view of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10B is a top view of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figures 10C and 10E are side views of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10D is a top view of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein-) t is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms.

Various aspects of the invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to Figures 1A, B, and 1C there is shown an article of footwear 10, exemplarily shown herein as a conventional boot. It is welt understood in the art that such footwear may be a riding boot, a cowboy boot, or any other footwear upon which a spur may be advantageously used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, footwear 10 contains retainer or base apparatus 14 (see also Figures 2B at 20 ; 3A at 36; 4B-C at 44 ; 5A-C at 56 ; 6B at 62 ; 8B and 8C at 84 ; and 10A-E at 100), that is built into footwear 10 either at the time of manufacture or as an addition to the boot. Base apparatus 14 is attached by conventional means such as mating threaded insert and screw in post, or any other mechanism that fixably attaches the base to the back of the boot. Retainer or base 14 is specially adapted to rigidly hold spur 12 in place. As described in greater detail herein below, spur 12 is adapted to be removably attached to retainer or base 14- However, spur 12 may be permanently attached to retainer or base 14 and thus the boot by means such as nailing or riveting. in a first embodiment of the present invention, an elongated longitudinal member and rounded point comprise spur 12-The mating end of spur 12 has a knurled surface footwear 10 for mating spur 12 to base 14. Spur 12 may be secured to base or retainer 14 by screwing spur 12 onto base or retainer 14. Other mechanisms of attachment may be used such as a clip on attachment, a spring-loaded annulus with roller balls inside the annulus 18 or other conventional attachment means.

In the embodiment as shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, retainer or base 20 consists of a single cast metal plate, which is placed in the rear portion of the footwear above the heel. Retainer or base 20 Is permanently Installed during the footwear manufacture but may be later attached-The only exposed nortion of retainer or base 20 are the exposed loops, which are used to hold in place spur plate 22. Spur 26 can be attached to spur plate 22 as shown in the previous embodiment of Figures 1A, 1B, and 1 C, or permanently attached to spur plate 22 during manufacture by welding, brazing or other metallurgic techniques. Spur plate 22 is secured in place by first sliding spur plate lip 29 through one of the retainer plate loops : Spur plate 22 is then moved laterally towards the other retainer plate loop. Flexibfe metal loop 28 on spur plate 22 is then lifted off spur plate 22, over retainer plate 20 loop, and then released, snugly securing spur plate 22 and spur 26 to the footwear. In this illustration, spur point 24 is rounded but may be of any configuration to achieve the desired spurring purpose.

In the embodiment as shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, retainer or base 36 is again permanently attached to the footwear and has integrated spur point 32.

Telescopic longitudinal member 34 is attached to retainer or base 36 using one of the methods previously described. In this embodiment, spur point 32 is rounded and attached to telescopic longitudinal member 34. As shown in Figure 3C spur 32 can be extended or retracted from the retainer or base 36. Methods for extending spur 32 include utilizing a spring mechanism inside the telescopic longitudinal member.

Longitudinal member 34 may preferably have a variable locking mechanism to maintain the longitudinal meber in its outward telescoped position during use with the ability to retract the member when not in use.

Figures 4A and 4B show another variation of retainer or base 42 and method for attaching spur 46 to retainer or base 42 In this variant, annular metal button 44 is pernanently attached to retainer or base 42 by welding, brazing or other metallurgic techniques. Metal button 44 contains a T-shaped notch on the exposed side. Metal button 44 is covered by a similarly slotted metal ring 48 that covers the side of the button and can be twisted to align the notch on the ring with the notch on the button.

Spur 46 in this variant is fitted with a perrnanently attached rectangular bar with T- shaped lip 49-T-shaped tip 49 fits ! nsfde button 44 and ring 49. When twisted into the locking position, ring 49 provides a secure fit for spur 46 on retainer or base 42 Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C show an additional way to secure spur plate 52 to the footwear through use of snaps 56 attached to the retainer or base built into the footwear.

To ensure stable positioning of spur plate 52 and spur 54, two risers 58 may be built into the footwear and mounted horizontally just above and below the optimum position of spur plate 52. In the preferred embodiment of this variant, risers 58 are sewn into the footwear and are made of the same leather as the boot.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B, retainer or base 62 is built into the footwear and integrated spur 64 is then attached to base 62 by means of screws or rivets-This illustration shows knurled spur point 66 for easy handling and use as a spur.

In the embodiment shown In Figures 7A and 7B, riser 78 has upper and lower protrusions that maintain spur plate 72 in position and helps keep in place spur plate 72 firmly attached on the boot. Spur plate 72 is secured to the retainer or base by means of a series of snaps or rivets 76. In this illustration the spur (not shown) may be attached by means of a threaded spur screwed into the spur plate, a slotted engagement or other suitable attachment means.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 8A through 10E, retainer or base 84,100 consists of a single cast metal plate which is placed in the rear portion of the footwear above the heel. Retainer or base 84,100 is permanently installed during the footwear manufacture but may be later attached. The exposed portion of retainer or base 84, 100 is mating plate 104 which has grooved or slotted areas 102 to firmly attach spur 86, 94 and spur plate 82,90. The inner surface of the spur plate 92 is milled or cut to securely fit into grooves or slots 102 on mating plate 88,104. Spur 86,94 can be attached to spur plate 82,90 as shown in is the previous embodiment Figures 1A, 1B, and 1 C, or permanently attached to spur plate 82,90 during manufacture by welding, brazing or other metallurgic techniques. Spur plate 82,90 is secured in place lining up the inner surface of the spur plate 92 to grooves or slots 102 on the mating plate 88, 104 then sliding spur plate 82, 90 on to mating plate 88, 104 In these illustrations spur point 86, 90 is rounded but may be of any configuration to achieve the desired spurring purpose.

In summary, this writing has disclosed a strapless spur system or assembly having a base attached to a boot or other footwear, the spur assembly or system mating with the base on the footwear. A preferred embodiment includes a base that is threaded and built into the boot and a knurled annular base to assist in mounting the spur to the base or retainer. The spur assembly may also be attached by a mounting plate and have a telescoping spur.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.