Abstract: A removable cleat for footwear. The cleat includes a disc with opposing faces. A shoe coupling element is attached to one face of the disc. The other disc face supports a cushioning layer. Traction elements are supported by the cushioning layer. When a user steps on a surface wearing a shoe outfitted with these cleats, the resilience of the cushioning layer at once both lessens the impact of the traction elements on the ground surface and lessens the reaction force on the user's foot transmitted through the shoe's outsole. The user's comfort is thereby enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for securing a reversible cleat having a securing mechanism, an anchoring mechanism adapted to be attached to a sole of a shoe, and a cleat having a first side and a second side and placed between the securing mechanism and the anchoring mechanism. The cleat is further supported by a spring proximately placed to the cleat for absorbing shock. The second side faces toward the anchoring mechanism when the securing mechanism is removably secured to the anchoring mechanism. The second side is repositioned to face away from the anchoring mechanism by removing the securing mechanism from the anchoring mechanism, removing and repositioning the cleat with the second side facing away from the anchoring mechanism, and removably securing the securing mechanism to the anchoring mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for securing a reversible cleat having a securing mechanism, an anchoring mechanism adapted to be attached to a sole of a shoe, and a cleat having a first side and a second side and placed between the securing mechanism and the anchoring mechanism. The second side faces toward the anchoring mechanism when the securing mechanism is removably secured to the anchoring mechanism. The second side is repositioned to face away from the anchoring mechanism by removing the securing mechanism from the anchoring mechanism, removing and repositioning the cleat with the second side facing away from the anchoring mechanism, and removably securing the securing mechanism to the anchoring mechanism.

Abstract: A cleat receptacle for footwear. The cleat receptacle includes a cleat-engaging structure surrounded by a flange. The flange includes portions that are sloped with respect a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cleat-engaging structure. The receptacle is molded into a shoe outsole. Outsole material adjacent to sloped portions of the flange resists twisting of the receptacle as cleats are inserted into or removed from the receptacle. Paddle projections may be attached to the flange to further resist twisting of the receptacle.

Abstract: A traction plate for a shoe. The traction plate is removably attachable to the outsole of a shoe to provide traction on a surface for a shoe wearer. The plate includes a flange with one or more surface-engaging elements on one face. The plate also includes two or more shoe-coupling elements. The shoe-coupling elements are inserted into corresponding receptacles in a shoe-outsole and then rotated to affix the plate to the shoe. The shoe-coupling elements may be captively attached to the plate flange or attachable to the shoe receptacle with a rotation of no more than one full revolution.

Abstract: A cleat receptacle for footwear. The cleat receptacle includes a cleat-engaging structure surrounded by a flange. The flange includes portions that are sloped with respect a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cleat-engaging structure. The receptacle is molded into a shoe outsole. Outsole material adjacent to sloped portions of the flange resists twisting of the receptacle as cleats are inserted into or removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for securing a reversible cleat having a securing mechanism, an anchoring mechanism adapted to be attached to a sole of a shoe, and a cleat having a first side and a second side and placed between the securing mechanism and the anchoring mechanism. The second side faces toward the anchoring mechanism when the securing mechanism is removably secured to the anchoring mechanism. The second side is repositioned to face away from the anchoring mechanism by removing the securing mechanism from the anchoring mechanism, removing and repositioning the cleat with the second side facing away from the anchoring mechanism, and removably securing the securing mechanism to the anchoring mechanism.