Wear-indicating exchangeable golf cleat

Abstract

An exchangeable two-part polymeric golf cleat. The first part includes that portion of the cleat which contains the threaded stem for insertion into the outer sole of the shoe, at least a portion of the central hub, and a plurality of cantilevered projection traction elements. The second part includes the remainder (if any) of the central hub and a plurality of cantilevered projection traction elements. The first and second parts are of distinctly different colors. When different materials are used in the two parts, it is preferable that the first part have a harder durometer than the second part. The user of the cleat may determine when the traction element has been worn down to such an extent that adequate traction will soon no longer be provided. This determination can be made by visually observing the distinct color of the first portion visible in the traction element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/468,689.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The field of this invention is that of exchangeable golf cleats which can be visually inspected for wear due to the fact that they are made of materials which differ distinctly in color.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Polymeric exchangeable golf cleats are known in the art. Also known are such cleats which have a stud or insert which fits into an outer sole of a golf shoe, a main body or hub, and a plurality of cantilevered projection traction elements extending from the main body.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,923 to McMullin discloses such a cleat wherein the main body is convex downwardly so as to provide a weight-bearing portion when the cleats are worn on hard surfaces. This configuration decreases wear of the projection traction elements.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,843 to Curley, Jr. discloses such a cleat wherein the projection traction elements are capable of horizontally engaging turf in order to provide secure footing.

[0008] The prior art is also aware of golf cleats which are made of at least two different polymeric materials.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,059 to Singer et al discloses a golf cleat which has an insert for fitting into the sole of a shoe, a polymeric body comprising a central core made of relatively soft material which is surrounded by a harder surrounding disk portion.

[0010] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,023,860 and 6,167,641 to McMullin disclose golf cleats which are made up of an insert which fits into the sole of a shoe, a main body or hub, and a plurality of cantilevered traction elements which engage the walking surface. The cleats may be made of two or more different polymeric materials. There is no indication that there is any significance in the placement of the juncture of the separate materials.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,386 To Singer discloses a cleat for a golf shoe which has an insert for fitting into the sole of a shoe and a body which is constructed of two different polymeric materials. An outer portion is made of a material having a first durometer and a central portion is made of a material having a second durometer. The two different portions make up downwardly extending protrusions, the ends of which contact the walking surface.

[0012] The prior art is also aware of golf cleats which are made of different polymeric materials which are of different durometers and different colors.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,260 to McNeill discloses a golf cleat containing an insert which fits into an outer sole of a golf shoe and a body having an outer layer of a soft polymeric material having one color and an inner, harder base material having a color which contrasts to that of the outer layer. This cleat may have a base or hub having projections disposed around the outer circumference of the hub. In this cleat, as the outer layer wears away, the inner base becomes externally visible (or an original visible spot becomes larger) so as to indicate the need of replacing the cleat. The inner base is initially visible in the hub portion of a new cleat and the area of visibility increases as the outer layer wears away. The inner base area in the projections becomes visible as the soft outer layer wears away. There is no recognition in this patent as to the degree of wearing away which is required before there is a need for replacing the cleat. Those skilled in the art are not informed as to the size of the color spot in the hub which is required before replacement of the cleat is required. Nor are those skilled in the art taught how far along the projections the harder polymeric material should be placed in order to provide a meaningful indication as to the erosion of the projections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] As seen from a review of the above-discussed prior art, regardless of the configuration of the cleat or the materials from which the cleat is made, it is inevitable that the cleat will wear down and require replacement. When the traction element wears down to the point where mainly vertical traction elements are eroded and mainly horizontal surfaces contact the walking surfaces, there is a loss of traction which may affect the user's play. Ideally, the cleats are changed prior to the erosion of the cleats to this degree. Many golfers are made aware of the need to change cleats only by the adverse loss of traction which affects their golf game. Other, more conscientious, golfers visually inspect the cleats to determine the amount of wear. Unless there is a comparable new cleat at hand, this visual determination is difficult to make. Consequently, many golfers wear cleats which have lost their ability to supply adequate traction. Golfers using prior art cleats made of polymers of contrasting colors must rely on the observation of the size of a central spot of color in the main body of the cleat or the appearance of a spot of contrasting color at the walking surface of the cleat. There is no indication in the prior art as to what the size of the spot of color in the main body of the cleat must be so as to bring about replacement of the cleat just before adequate traction is no longer provided. Nor is there any indication in the prior art as to how far down the traction element the inner base of polymer having a contrasting color must go in order to give a visual indication in the cleat just before adequate traction is no longer provided.

[0015] The present invention is intended to provide a golf cleat which contains an insert which fits into an outer sole of a golf shoe, a main body or hub, and a plurality of cantilevered projection traction elements disposed around the circumference of the main body, which traction elements contact a walking surface. The cleat is made of two parts. The first part comprises the insert, at least a portion of the main body, and that portion of the traction elements which would not supply adequate traction to the cleat. The second part comprises any remainder of the main body and the remainder of the traction elements. The first and second parts are made of polymeric materials of distinctly different colors and are so positioned that when the cleat wears down to a point where the traction elements no longer supply adequate traction to the cleat, the first part of the cleat appears at the walking surface of the cleat and can be readily seen. Also, the first part of the cleat lies along the outside surface of the second part of the cleat so that a user can easily determine by visual inspection how much wear is left in the cleat before replacement is necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016] FIG. 1 is an elevational top perspective view of the first part of a cleat.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an elevational bottom perspective view of the first part of a cleat.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an elevational top perspective view of the second part of a cleat.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an elevational top perspective view of an entire cleat.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the entire cleat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The invention will now be described with reference to the above drawing. Like numerals refer to like features throughout the description. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a two-shot injection mold is prepared so that the first molding step produces the first part 2 of the cleat 4. The two-shot injection molding is known in the art, as see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,996,329 to Holland et al., 4,059,384 to Holland et al., 4,632,267 to Fowles et al., 4,681,412 to Lemelson, 4,881,705 to Kraus, 5,098,769 to Nakai et al., 5,647,713 to Gee et al., and 5,663,210 to Sugimota et al. More particularly, two-shot injection of plastics having distinct colors is known through U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,460,534 to Boehm et al. and 5,845,365 to Howie, Jr.

[0022] In making the cleats 4 of this invention, the first part 2 of the cleat 4 is made by injection molding a material having a first color into a first section of a two-shot injection mold. The first section of the mold produces the first part 2 of the cleat 4, which contains a threaded stem or insert 6 portion for attachment to the outer sole of a golf shoe, at least a portion of a central main body or hub 8, and that portion 10 of the traction element 12 which fails to provide adequate traction to the cleat 4. The first part 2 of the cleat 4 is prepared from a moldable polymeric material such as rubber, polyurethane, or polypropylene. The mold is then injected with the second part 14 of the cleat 4.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 3, following the first molding step, the mold is operated so as to expose the distal surface 16, i.e., that surface which will be away from the golf shoe, of the first part 2 of the cleat 4 to the inlet port for the second polymeric material. The mold is then injected with the second part 14 of the cleat 4.

[0024] The second polymeric material has a color which is distinctly different from the color of the first part 2 of the cleat 4. The material of the second part 14 of the cleat 4 may be the same as or different from the polymeric material of the first part 2 of the cleat. 4. When the materials are different, it is preferred that the first part 2 of the cleat 4 be made from a polymeric material which has a harder durometer than the second part 14. U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,059 to Singer et al is incorporated by reference for its description of suitable durometers.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that the method of this invention is suitable for the production of two-part golf cleats 4 having an insert 6 for attaching the cleat 4, to the sole of a shoe, a main body 8 having a circumference, and a plurality of cantilevered projection traction elements 12 disposed around the circumference. Cleats having an insert for attaching the cleat to a shoe, a main body having a circumference, and a plurality of cantilevered projection elements are known to the art, as see U.S. Pat. Des. 385,988, Des. 389,299, Des. 401,046, Des. 404,192, Des. 406,447, Des. 408,122, Des. 415,340. The principles of the present invention may be readily incorporated into the above-mentioned prior art golf cleats.

[0026] The golf cleats of the above-mentioned prior art and the golf cleat 4 shown in the Figures of the present invention have threaded stems 6, main bodies 8 having circumferences, and cantilevered traction elements 12 disposed about the circumferences. These traction elements 12 provide traction on walking surfaces. The traction elements 12 are so configured with the remainder of the cleat 4 that they are more perpendicular than parallel to the soles of the shoes. When a traction element 12 wears down, the surface 18 of the traction element 12 touching the walking surface becomes more parallel than perpendicular to the shoe sole and the cleat 4 no longer provides adequate traction. The present invention allows the user to visually determine when the cleats 4 are worn down to the point just prior to the changing of the sole/traction element 12 disposition from mainly perpendicular to mainly parallel. Also, the present invention allows the user to visually inspect the cleat 4 to determine how much effective traction remains in the cleat 4.

[0027] The point 20 in the traction element 12 where the first part 2 and the second part 14 meet is a point 20 just distal to a point at which the cleat 4, or a one-piece cleat having the same design, would rapidly begin to lose traction. The method for determining the point 20 at which the first 2 and second 14 parts will meet is carried out by using a one-piece cleat having the same design as the two-part cleat 4 of the present invention. A laser cut is made every 0.005 inches starting at the distal end 18 of the cleat. Each time a cut is made, a record is made of the size and shape of the traction element and the coefficient of friction of the cleat is measured using a variety of walking surfaces. When the coefficient of friction begins to decrease rapidly, indicating that the disposition of the traction element has passed from mainly perpendicular to mainly parallel, the size and shape of the traction element at the previous cut is taken as the point 20 at which the first part 2 and the second part 14 should meet.

[0028] The first part 2 and the second part 14 of the cleat 4 of this invention are held together in a variety of ways. When the cleat 4 is prepared by two-shot injection molding, no bonding agent is required as undercuts present in the two parts 2 14 help keep the two parts 2 14 together. Alternatively, a bonding agent may be incorporated into one or both of the polymeric materials. As a further alternative, the first part 2 and the second part 14 may be separately molded and then be chemically bonded or sealed using radio frequency or sonic weld methods which are known in the art.

[0029] As seen from the above description, the cleats 4 of the present invention are made of two parts 2 14 of distinctly different colors. Possible color combinations are black and red, black and white, red and yellow, and red and clear. These two parts 2 14 are bound together just distal to that point at which the coefficient of friction begins to decrease rapidly, indicating a change in the disposition of the traction element 12 from mainly perpendicular to mainly parallel to the shoe sole. By the use of these cleats 4, the user can visually determine the ideal time to replace worn cleats 4. The user can view the end 18 of the traction element 12 which contacts a walking surface to see if the second part 14 has worn sufficiently to allow the different colored first part 2 to appear. As seen from the Figures, the first part 2 of the traction element 12 lies outside the second part 14 of the traction element 12 for nearly the entire length of the first part 4. This allows the user to visually inspect the cleat 4 to see how much wear is left in the cleat 4 before it should be replaced.

[0030] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of making a polymeric wear-indicating exchangeable golf cleat which comprises an insert which fits into an outer sole of a golf shoe, a main body, and a plurality of projection traction elements, said cleat comprising a first part and a second part, which method comprises:

A) injection molding the first part of the cleat comprising the insert, at least a portion of the main body, and that portion of the projection traction elements which contains distal ends of the projection traction elements which would not supply adequate traction by the cleat upon contact with a walking surface, thus creating a surface of the first part of the cleat which will contact the second part of the cleat and

b) injection molding the second part of the cleat comprising any remainder of the main body and the remainder of the projection traction elements, which remainder of the projection traction elements being capable of supplying adequate traction by the cleat upon contact with a walking surface, which remainder of the projection traction elements have inwardly facing surfaces and outwardly facing surfaces, the first and second parts being of distinctly different colors, said process being carried out in such a way that the projection traction elements of the first part of the cleat lie along the outwardly facing surfaces of the projection elements of the second part of the cleat.

2. The method of

claim 1, wherein the cleat is made using a process of two-shot injection molding.

3. The method of

claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are first separately molded and then bonded together.

4. The method of

claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are made of the same polymeric material.

5. The method of

claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are made of different polymeric material.

6. The method of

claim 5 wherein the first part is made of a higher durometer polymeric material than is the second part.

7. In a polymeric wear-indicating exchangeable golf cleat comprising an insert which fits into an outer sole of a golf shoe, a main body, and a plurality of projection traction elements, the improvement wherein the cleat comprises first and second parts,

A) the first part comprising the insert, at least a portion of the main body, and that portion of the projection traction elements which contains distal ends of the projection traction elements which would not supply adequate traction by the cleat upon contact with a walking surface,

B) the second part comprising any remainder of the main body and the remainder of the projection traction elements, which remainder of the projection traction elements being capable of supplying adequate traction by the cleat upon contact with a walking surface, which remainder of the projection traction elements have inwardly facing surfaces and outwardly facing surfaces,

said first part and said second part of the cleat being of distinctly different colors, and the projection traction elements of the first part of the cleat lie along the outwardly facing surfaces of the projection traction elements of the second part of the cleat.

8. The golf cleat of

claim 7, wherein the first part and the second part have two different durometers, the first part being harder than the second part.

9. The golf cleat of

claim 7, wherein a chemical bonding agent binds the first part to the second part.

10. A method of determining whether a golf cleat of

claim 7 having a walking surface is worn to the point at which it should be exchanged, which method comprises visually observing the walking surface of the golf cleat of

claim 7 to see if the distinctly different color of the first part of the cleat appears on the walking surface.

11. A method of estimating the useful wear life of the golf cleat of

claim 7, having a walking surface, which method comprises visually observing the outwardly facing surface of the cleat of

claim 7 and noting the distance between the distinctly different color of the first part of the cleat and the walking surface.