FOOTWEAR INCLUDING A UNIVERSAL CLEAT ASSEMBLY
An article of footwear including an upper, an outsole defining an opening, a midsole attached to said outsole and defining an opening and a support plate defining a recessed area having a pair of elongated openings, where the support plate is attached to the midsole and the pair of elongated openings are aligned with the openings in the midsole and the outsole. A fastening plate is seated in the support plate and includes non-threaded openings aligned with the elongated openings of the support plate and the openings of the midsole and the outsole. A cleat assembly is removably connected to a designated position on the outsole by inserting threaded ends of a pair of fasteners through the non-threaded openings of the fastening plate, the elongated openings of the support plate, the openings of the midsole and the outsole and into threaded engagement with the cleat assembly.
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Cycling shoes come in many sizes and shapes and are designed to maintain contact between the bottom of the shoe and the bicycle pedal. The design of the shoe depends on the type and intensity of cycling. Besides maintaining contact with the pedal, cycling shoes are also designed to enhance the power transfer between a cyclist's legs and the pedals.
Conventional cycling shoes are designed to work with clipless pedal systems that temporarily connect the cycling shoe to the pedal using a twist lock configuration similar to ski and snowboard binding systems. These systems employ a cleat attached to the bottom of the cycling shoe and a matching fitting on the pedal. There are two basic types of clipless pedals, road pedals and mountain biking pedals. The mountain biking pedals use a smaller cleat that is recessed within the outsole of the shoe to allow for walking, hiking or running when the user is not on the bicycle. Road pedals use a wider cleat that protrudes from the bottom of the shoe making walking or other activities difficult when the cyclist is not on their bicycle.
Clipless bicycle cleat assemblies typically include a plate that is seated in the outsole of the shoe, a cleat and a spacer. The plate includes one pair or two pairs of threaded holes that align with openings in the outsole. The spacer and the cleat each have corresponding holes that are aligned with one of the pairs of holes in the plate. Fasteners are then inserted through the aligned holes in the spacer and the cleat and are threaded into one of the pairs of threaded holes in the plate to secure the cleat to the bottom of the outsole. After the cleat is secured in the proper location on the bottom of the outsole, the cyclist's shoe is clipped into the fitting on the pedal.
Although the road cycle shoes are difficult to walk in, cyclists still tend to walk on these shoes to get to and from their bike and/or support themselves when stopped. As a result, the pressure of the rider's weight tends to be centered on the cleat which pushes the cleat and cleat fasteners upward into the plate. Over time, this upward pressure wears against the threads of the threaded holes of the plate and eventually strips the holes so that the fasteners can no longer securely fasten the cleat to the shoe.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved cycling shoe that secures a cleat to a shoe and that is durable to withstand the forces on the cleat resulting from cycling and walking on the shoe.
SUMMARYThe present article of footwear includes a universal, clipless bicycle cleat assembly where a cleat assembly is secured to a designated position on an outsole of a shoe by inserting fasteners from the inside of the shoe into engagement with the cleat assembly to allow for efficient and precise positioning of the cleat assembly relative to a bicycle pedal and for minimizing damage to the cleat assembly during standing, walking or other activity by a user.
In an embodiment, the present article of footwear includes an outsole including an upper surface, a bottom surface and an opening, and a midsole including an upper surface, a bottom surface and an opening, where the upper surface has a recessed area, the bottom surface of the midsole is connected to the upper surface of the outsole and the opening of the midsole is aligned with the opening of the outsole. A support plate defines a recessed area having a pair of elongated openings, where the support plate is configured to fit in the recessed area of the midsole such that the pair of elongated openings are aligned with the openings in the midsole and the outsole. A fastening plate includes a pair of non-threaded openings and is configured to be seated in the recessed area of the support plate, where the non-threaded openings are aligned with the elongated openings of the support plate and the openings of the midsole and the outsole. Also, an upper is attached to the midsole and a cleat assembly is removably connected to a designated position on the outsole by inserting threaded ends of a pair of fasteners through the non-threaded openings of the fastening plate, the elongated openings of the support plate, the openings of the midsole and the outsole and into threaded engagement with the cleat assembly.
In another embodiment, the present article of footwear includes an outsole including an upper surface, a bottom surface and an opening, and a support plate defines a recessed area having a pair of elongated openings, where the support plate is configured to fit in a recessed area of the outsole such that the pair of elongated openings are aligned with the opening in the outsole. A fastening plate includes a first pair of non-threaded openings and a second pair of threaded openings, and is configured to be seated in the recessed area of the support plate, where one of the first pair and second pair of openings is aligned with the elongated openings of the support plate and the opening of the outsole. Also, an upper is attached to the outsole and a cleat assembly is removably connected to a designated position on the outsole by either: inserting threaded ends of a pair of fasteners through the first pair of openings of the fastening plate, the elongated openings of the support plate, the opening of the outsole and into threaded engagement with the cleat assembly, or inserting the threaded ends of the pair of fasteners through the cleat assembly, the opening in the outsole, the elongated openings of the support plate and into threaded engagement with the second pair of openings of the fastening plate.
Referring now to
The present article of footwear or shoe 20 includes an upper 22 attached to an outsole 24 by stitching, adhesive or glue or other suitable connection method. As shown in
A midsole 42 is attached to the upper surface 36 of the outsole 24 using an adhesive or glue, or other suitable attachment method. Alternatively, the midsole 42 and the outsole 24 may be co-molded or press molded as a single integral unit. In the illustrated embodiment, a bottom wall 44 of the midsole 42 includes generally V-shaped lugs 46 that have a size and shape corresponding to the lateral openings 38 defined by the outsole 24. The midsole 42 is preferably made with an EVA or other durable material that will withstand the repeated impact between the lugs 46 and the bottom wall 44, and the ground or underlying surface. As shown in
To enhance the rigidity of the present shoe 20, a support plate 64 is seated in the recessed area 60 of the midsole 42 (see
As shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6A-8B, the present cleat assembly 96 includes the fastening plate 98, a cleat or coupler 100, a spacer 102 seated within the coupler and fasteners 104 having threaded ends 105 (
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening plate 106 includes two pairs of openings or through-holes. A first pair of openings 110 includes threads for allowing fasteners of conventional cleat assemblies to be inserted through the cleat from outside of the shoe and secured to the fastening plate. The second pair of openings 112 does not include threads and allows the fasteners 104 to be inserted through the openings and seated in the fastening plate 98 such that an upper surface 114 of each fastener fits in recessed portions 115 of the openings and is flush with an upper or top surface 116 of the fastening plate. The fastening plate 98 may be rotated to align the first pair of openings 110 or the second pair of openings 112 with the openings 82 in the shank 68 for adjusting the positioning of the cleat assembly 96 relative to the outsole 24 depending on whether the present cleat assembly or a conventional cleat assembly is being used on the shoe. Additionally, to minimize debris and moisture entering the shoe 20, a seal member, such as a rubber gasket 118, having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the fastening plate 98 is inserted between the fastening plate and the shank 68. The rubber gasket 118 includes a pair of openings 120 that are aligned with the first or second pair of openings 110, 112 of the fastening plate 98 depending on which of the openings are being used by a user.
The cleat or coupler 100 includes an oblong opening 122 that has a size and shape to correspond with both the first or second pair of openings 110, 112 of the fastening plate 98. As shown in
Referring to
A footbed 136 having a designated thickness based on desired cushioning and comfort levels for a user is inserted into the shoe 20 and placed over the bottom member 88 to provide support and comfort to a user's foot. The footbed 136 is removable from the interior of the shoe 20 so that a user can access the cleat assembly 96 as described above. It should be appreciated that the footbed 136 may be made out of EVA or any suitable material.
In the illustrated embodiment, the present cleat assembly 96 is attached to the shoe 20 by moving the access flap 94 of the bottom member 88 from the closed position to the open position (
As shown in
As discussed above, the first pair of openings 110 of the fastening plate 98 includes threads such that a conventional cleat assembly may be used on the shoe 20. With conventional cleat assemblies, the fasteners 104 are inserted from outside of the shoe 20 and through the cleat 100 and into the threaded openings 110 on the fastening plate 98. Thus, the fastening plate 98 allows for both conventional cleat assemblies and cleat assemblies defined by the present invention to be secured to the outsole 24 of the shoe 20. This provides greater flexibility and enables users to only need one pair of cycling shoes as opposed to different pairs of cycling shoes having different cleat assemblies.
Referring now to
While a particular embodiment of the present article of footwear has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.
Claims
1. An article of footwear comprising:
- an outsole including an upper surface and a bottom surface and defining an opening;
- a midsole including an upper surface and a bottom surface and defining an opening, said upper surface having a recessed area, wherein said bottom surface of the midsole is connected to said upper surface of said outsole and said opening of said midsole is aligned with said opening of said outsole;
- a support plate defining a recessed area having a pair of elongated openings, said support plate being configured to fit in said recessed area of said midsole such that said pair of elongated openings are aligned with said openings in said midsole and said outsole;
- a fastening plate including a pair of non-threaded openings and configured to be seated in said recessed area of said support plate, said non-threaded openings being aligned with said elongated openings of said support plate and said openings of said midsole and said outsole;
- an upper attached to said midsole; and
- a cleat assembly removably connected to a designated position on said outsole by inserting threaded ends of a pair of fasteners through said non-threaded openings of said fastening plate, said elongated openings of said support plate, said openings of said midsole and said outsole and into threaded engagement with said cleat assembly.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said cleat assembly includes a removable spacer having a pair of threaded openings, and wherein said threaded ends of said fasteners threadingly engage said threaded openings of said spacer to secure said cleat assembly to said outsole.
3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said support plate includes a pair of opposing support ears, said openings in said midsole and said outsole being configured to have a size and shape to receive said support ears.
4. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a rubber gasket positioned between said fastening plate and said support plate, wherein said rubber gasket includes a pair of openings aligned with said non-threaded openings of said fastening plate.
5. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a footbed configured to be inserted within and removably connected to said upper.
6. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a bottom member attached to said upper, said bottom member defining an access opening aligned with said fastening plate seated in said support plate for allowing access to said fastening plate.
7. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein said bottom member includes an access flap hingedly connected to said bottom member, said access flap being movable between an open position away from said access opening and a closed position covering said access opening.
8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said upper includes a tool opening for receiving a tool configured to rotate said fasteners.
9. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein said upper includes a cover hingedly connected to said upper, said cover being movable between an open position away from said upper and a closed position covering said tool opening.
10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said outsole includes a plurality of lateral openings and said midsole includes a bottom surface and a plurality of lugs extending downwardly from said bottom surface and configured to extend through said lateral openings.
11. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said cleat assembly includes a cleat defining a recess and a removable spacer seated in said recess, said spacer including a pair of threaded openings, wherein said threaded ends of said fasteners threadingly engage said openings of said spacer to secure said cleat assembly to said outsole.
12. An article of footwear comprising:
- an outsole including an upper surface and a bottom surface and defining an opening, said upper surface defining a recessed area;
- a support plate defining a recessed area having a pair of elongated openings, said support plate being configured to fit in said recessed area of said outsole such that said pair of elongated openings are aligned with said opening in said outsole;
- a fastening plate including a first pair of non-threaded openings and a second pair of threaded openings, said fastening plate being configured to be seated in said recessed area of said support plate, one of said first pair and second pair of openings being aligned with said elongated openings of said support plate and said opening of said outsole;
- an upper attached to said outsole; and
- a cleat assembly removably connected to a designated position on said outsole by either:
- inserting threaded ends of a pair of fasteners through said first pair of openings of said fastening plate, said elongated openings of said support plate, said opening of said outsole and into threaded engagement with said cleat assembly; or
- inserting said threaded ends of said pair of fasteners through said cleat assembly, said opening in said outsole, said elongated openings of said support plate and into threaded engagement with said second pair of openings of said fastening plate.
13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein said support plate includes a pair of opposing support ears, said opening in said outsole being configured to have a size and shape to receive said support ears.
14. The article of footwear of claim 12, further comprising a rubber gasket positioned between said fastening plate and said support plate, wherein said rubber gasket includes a pair of openings aligned with said non-threaded openings of said fastening plate.
15. The article of footwear of claim 12, further comprising a footbed configured to be inserted within and removably connected to said upper.
16. The article of footwear of claim 12, further comprising a bottom member attached to said upper, said bottom member defining an access opening aligned with said fastening plate seated in said support plate for allowing access to said fastening plate.
17. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein said bottom member includes an access flap hingedly connected to said bottom member, said access flap being movable between an open position away from said access opening and a closed position covering said access opening.
18. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein said upper includes a tool opening for receiving a tool configured to rotate said fasteners.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein said upper includes a cover hingedly connected to said upper, said cover being movable between an open position away from said upper and a closed position covering said tool opening.
20. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein said outsole includes a plurality of lateral openings and said midsole includes a bottom surface and a plurality of lugs extending downwardly from said bottom surface and configured to extend through said lateral openings.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Applicant: DECKERS OUTDOOR CORPORATION (Goleta, CA)
Inventor: Christopher Hillyer (Goleta, CA)
Application Number: 13/836,694
International Classification: A43C 15/02 (20060101);