Patents Assigned to Softspikes, LLC
  • Patent number: 8245422
    Abstract: A single component traction cleat of co-molded hub and dynamic traction portions includes dynamic traction elements flexible about proximal ends secured inboard of and below a hub periphery having cut-outs through which the elements move when flexed. The hub has a cross-like configuration with spoke-like legs from which static traction elements depend. Locking posts located on the hub spoke legs include a recess between two symmetrical interference sections for receiving a locking tooth on a mating receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventors: Rand J. Krikorian, John Robert Burt
  • Patent number: 8201348
    Abstract: A shoe stud and receptacle, the shoe stud including a ground-engaging part and the two components are adapted to be secured together by a multi-start threaded connection comprising a screw-threaded spigot on one of the two components adapted to be inserted with rotation into a screw-threaded socket on the other component, and a locking means of the components which is arranged to become interengaged to resist unscrewing of the assembly, the locking means comprising a primary locking means and at least one secondary locking member, the primary locking means comprising a ring of posts extending axially from one of the components and a ring of teeth on the other component, the posts engaging between the teeth, and wherein the or each secondary locking member is adapted to engage with a post to maintain the interengagement of the primary locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Kelly
  • Patent number: 8191286
    Abstract: A traction cleat system for an athletic shoe is disclosed. The system includes an elongated receptacle that receives a cleat strip. The elongated receptacle may be a channel or notch formed into the sole of the shoe. In one embodiment, the cleat strip includes an elongated, flexible hub, a cleat connector, and traction elements depending from the hub. The cleat strip is removable from the receptacle, permitting easy replacement of the cleat assembly when the traction elements become worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Rand J. Krikorian
  • Publication number: 20100095858
    Abstract: A golf ball marking stencil includes two caps, resiliently biased toward one another, configured as spherical segments defining a cavity therebetween to securely retain a golf ball. Stencil slots for marking putt alignment path, putter face squareness and swing path lines are defined in the caps. Actuator tabs project from the caps and may be pinched together in opposition to a bias spring to force the caps open to expose the cavity. The spring force of the bias spring prevents movement of a retained golf ball relative to the caps. The cavity periphery is contoured to permit a marker pen to be engaged therein when the cavity does not contain a golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Rand J. Krikorian
  • Patent number: 7647711
    Abstract: A cleat includes a hub and dynamic traction elements of the type that resiliently flex upwardly under the load of the weight of a wearer of a shoe. The traction elements are biased to resiliently flex inwardly from the hub periphery while flexing upwardly under the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Publication number: 20090293317
    Abstract: Tractional characteristics of athletic shoe cleats are adjustable by selectively blocking and unblocking the amount of flexure of dynamic traction elements on the cleat. Blocking is achieved as a function of rotational starting locations during cleat attachment to an outsole receptacle by placing material or recesses in the outsole at different final rotational positions of the tractional elements. Alternatively, adjustability is obtained by attaching and angularly positioning a separate member, such as a ring, on the cleat with segments of the member positioned or not to block traction element flexure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Rand J. Krikorian
  • Patent number: 7398610
    Abstract: A shoe cleat comprises a fan-like array of dynamic traction elements that, under the weight of a wearer of a shoe, resiliently deflect toward the cleat hub and are compressed against an adjacent traction element and/or the hub to trap interposed grass blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Softspikes LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Publication number: 20060260152
    Abstract: A cleat includes a hub and dynamic traction elements of the type that resiliently flex upwardly under the load of the weight of a wearer of a shoe. The traction elements are biased to resiliently flex inwardly from the hub periphery while flexing upwardly under the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris McMullin
  • Publication number: 20060230639
    Abstract: A shoe cleat comprises a fan-like array of dynamic traction elements that, under the weight of a wearer of a shoe, resiliently deflect toward the cleat hub and are compressed against an adjacent traction element and/or the hub to trap interposed grass blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris McMullin
  • Patent number: 7040043
    Abstract: An improved cleat for an athletic shoe provides for: enhanced strength and wear-resistance for the cleat traction element; and/or prevention of grass, mud and other debris from agglomerating and clogging the cleat. A resiliently flexible web is connected between adjacent traction elements to absorb the lateral and torsional forces tending to weaken the junctions between the cleat hub and the traction elements. The web is extended from the hub to prevent debris from entering the space between the shoe sole and the traction elements as well as between the traction elements themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Patent number: D517292
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Patent number: D522220
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Patent number: D553336
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Patent number: D592391
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Patent number: D630691
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Zeller, John T. Hohman, Luke W. Michas
  • Patent number: D630692
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Zeller, John T. Hohman, Luke W. Michas
  • Patent number: D630693
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Zeller, John T. Hohman, Luke W. Michas
  • Patent number: D630694
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Zeller, John T. Hohman, Luke W. Michas
  • Patent number: D630695
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Zeller, John T. Hohman, Luke W. Michas
  • Patent number: D631240
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Paul Shuttleworth, John Robert Burt