SHOE SPIKE

A shoe spike includes: a cleat including a cleat body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the body having a body center axis and defining a cleat hole along the center axis through the body; and a hub connected to the cleat and having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the body, the hub including an insertion post positioned in the cleat hole, the insertion post having a bottom surface defining a tool pocket, the center axis of the hub extending through the tool pocket.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to shoe spikes. More specifically, this disclosure relates to removable golf spikes.

BACKGROUND

Spikes used with athletic shoes, such as golf shoes, often need to be replaced after the spikes have become worn to the point where they are ineffective and do not provide traction on various types of surfaces for various purposes. However, replacing worn spikes is a difficult and time-consuming process. For example, the material of the worn spikes may tear as a user attempts to remove them. Additionally, the spikes are small and difficult to grip, thus making it difficult to correctly align and place the replacement spikes in designated recesses on the soles of the athletic shoes. The difficulty associated with replacing spikes on athletic shoes makes the replacement process time-consuming and delays when the user may again use the athletic shoes with effective spikes.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a shoe spike comprising: a cleat including a cleat body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the body having a body center axis and defining a cleat hole along the center axis through the body; and a hub connected to the cleat and having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the body, the hub including an insertion post positioned in the cleat hole, the insertion post having a bottom surface defining a tool pocket, the center axis of the hub extending through the tool pocket.

Also disclosed is a shoe for providing traction on a surface, the shoe comprising: a sole; and a shoe spike secured to the sole, the a shoe spike including a cleat, the cleat including a cleat body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the cleat body having a body center axis and defining a cleat hole along the center axis through the cleat body, and a hub connected to the cleat and having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the cleat body, the hub including an insertion post positioned in the cleat hole, the insertion post having a bottom surface defining a tool pocket, the center axis of the hub extending through the tool pocket.

Also disclosed is a method of using a shoe spike, the method comprising: inserting a tool bit into a tool pocket of the shoe spike, the shoe spike including: a cleat, the cleat including a cleat body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the cleat body having a body center axis and defining a cleat hole along the center axis through the cleat body, and a hub connected to the cleat and having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the cleat body, the hub including an insertion post positioned in the cleat hole, the insertion post having a bottom surface defining a tool pocket, the center axis of the hub extending through the tool pocket; and engaging the hub of the shoe spike with a sole of a shoe.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe spike according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure including a cleat and a hub.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the shoe spike of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cleat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cleat of FIG. 3 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hub of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the hub of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the hub of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the hub of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the hub of FIG. 10 taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the hub of FIG. 10 taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the shoe spike of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the shoe spike of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe spike of FIG. 13 taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe spike of FIG. 13 taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is perspective view of a shoe and connector with which the shoe spike of FIG. 1 is connectable.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an installation tool for installing the spike of FIG. 1 including a handle, a ratchet, and a bit.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the handle of FIG. 18 in addition to the ratchet and bit of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the bit of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the bit of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the bit of FIG. 18.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a shoe spike and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The shoe spike includes a cleat and a hub. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed shoe spike is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

One embodiment of a shoe spike 100 is disclosed and described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The shoe spike 100 includes a hub 102 and a cleat 104. In various embodiments, the hub 102 is constructed from a relatively hard polymer while the cleat 104 is constructed from a softer more resilient polymer material. In various other embodiments, one or both of the hub 102 and cleat 104 may be constructed from various metals, composites, plastics, polymers, woods, and various other materials. In various embodiments, the cleat 104 and hub 102 are molded as a single unit forming the shoe spike 100. In various embodiments, the cleat 104 and hub 102 are molded by techniques including, but not limited to, injection molding, two-shot molding, extrusion molding, printing, matrix molding, compression molding, fusible core injection molding, and various other similar techniques.

The hub 102 includes a hub body 106 having a top surface 108 and a bottom surface 800 (shown in FIG. 8). A connector post 110 with threading 112 extends axially upwards from the top surface 108 along axis 200 of the shoe spike 100. In various embodiments, the shoe spike 100 and thereby the connector post 110 are rotated about axis 200 to threadably engage a spike socket 1602 in a connector 1600 in a shoe sole 1702, as described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hub 102 also includes at least one locking post 114 extending axially upwards from the top surface 108 along axis 200 of the shoe spike 100. In the present embodiment, the hub 102 includes a plurality of locking posts 114. In the present embodiment, the hub 102 includes six locking posts 114; however the number of locking posts 114 should not be considered limiting as in various other embodiments a different number of locking posts 114, including zero locking posts 114, may be present. In various embodiments, the locking posts 114 are spaced symmetrically around the connector post 110 on the top surface 108. As described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 16, the locking posts 112 mate and releasably engage with locking teeth 1608 on the spike socket 1600 in a receptacle 1704 in the shoe sole 1702. In various embodiments, the locking posts 112 are deflectable radially outward from the hub body 106 to mate and engage the locking teeth 1608. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector post 110 defines a height L1 from the top surface 108 of the hub body 106 to a top surface 116 of the connector post 110. The locking posts 114 define a height L2 from the top surface 108 of the hub body 106 to a top surface 118 of each locking post 114. In various embodiments, L1 is greater than or equal to L2. The disclosure of the connector post 110 and locking posts 114 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure as in various other embodiments, the hub 102 may include various other connecting mechanisms for removably connecting the spike 100 with a shoe 1700.

The cleat 104 includes a cleat body 120 having a top side 138 with a rib 132. In various embodiments, the rib 132 includes a first top surface 122 and a second top surface 134; however, the number of surfaces of the rib 132 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In various embodiments, the first top surface 122 faces partially radially-outward and the second top surface 134 faces partially radially-inward. In various embodiments, the cleat body 120 also includes a bottom surface 124 and a side surface 126. In various embodiments, the cleat 104 includes at least one short foot 128a and at least one long foot 128b. In various embodiments, the feet 128a,128b extend from the side surface 126 of the cleat 104. The at least one short foot 128a and at least one long foot 128b are deflectably secured to the cleat body 120 in various embodiments. In various embodiments, for example when the shoe spike 100 connected to the shoe sole 1702, the feet 128a,b may deflect a desired degree toward the shoe sole 1702 upon the shoe spike 100 engaging a surface. The number of feet 128a,b should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In the present embodiment, the cleat 104 includes a plurality of short feet 128a and a plurality of long feet 128b. In various embodiments, the feet 128a,b are spaced symmetrically on the side surface 126 about axis 200. In various embodiments, the feet 128a,b are arranged around the cleat body 120 such that the short feet 128a alternate with the long feet 128b around the cleat body; however in various other embodiments, the feet 128a,b may have any desired arrangement As shown in FIG. 2, each foot 128a,b extends radially outward from the cleat body and axially downward along axis 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, each short foot 128a has a bottom surface 130a and each long foot 128b has a bottom surface 130b. In various embodiments, the respective feet 128a,b are spaced radially outward and axially downward along axis 200 from the top side 138 of the cleat body 120. In various embodiments, a foot length is defined as a distance along axis 200 from the bottom surfaces 130a,b, respectively, to the top side 138. In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a long foot 128b may have a foot length of L3 and a short foot 128a may have a foot length of L4, which is less than L3 by a distance of L5. In various embodiments, the feet 128a,b alternate foot lengths around the cleat body 120 such that adjacent feet have different foot lengths. For example, in various embodiments, the feet 128a,b define a pattern where a long foot 128b having a foot length L3 will only be adjacent to a short foot 128a having a foot length of L4 around the cleat body 120. In various other embodiments, the feet 128a,b may have any other desired arrangement of feet and foot lengths. In various other embodiments, the cleat 104 includes feet all having the same foot length.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the cleat 104 is shown in greater detail. As described previously, the cleat 104 includes the cleat body 120 having the top side 138, the bottom surface 124, and the side surface 126. In various embodiments, the cleat body 120 also includes the rib 132 having the top surfaces 122,134. In various embodiments, the cleat body 120 is circular; however, the shape of the cleat body 120 should not be considered limiting as in various other embodiments, the cleat body 120 may be angled, square, elliptical, or any other shape. The cleat 104 also includes feet 128a,b deflectably secured to the cleat body 120. In various embodiments, the feet 128a,b are secured to the side surface 126 of the cleat body.

The cleat body 120 defines a recess 300 extending from the top side 138 axially into the cleat body 120. The recess 300 includes a recess bottom surface 302 and a recess side surface 304. In various embodiments, at least one bonding tab 306 and at least one bonding post 308 are positioned in the recess 300. In the present embodiment, a plurality of bonding tabs 306 and bonding posts 308 are positioned in the recess 300. As shown in FIG. 3, in various embodiments, the bonding tabs 306 define a bonding gap 316 between a tab portion 318 of the bonding tab 306 and the recess bottom surface 302. As described in greater detail below, the bonding tabs 306 and bonding posts 308 align the hub 102 positioned in the recess 300 and bond the hub 102 with the cleat 104 during molding.

In various embodiments, the cleat body 120 also defines a cleat hole 310 extending from the recess bottom surface 302 axially into the cleat body 120 to the bottom surface 124. The cleat hole 310 includes a cleat side surface 314. As shown in FIG. 4, in various embodiments, the recess 300 defines an inner diameter D1 and the cleat hole 310 defines an inner diameter D2. In various embodiments, D1 is greater than or equal to D2.

As shown in FIG. 4, in various embodiments, the feet 128a,b extend radially outward from the side surface 126 of the cleat body 120. In various embodiments, each short foot 128a includes an outer surface 400a having a radial portion 402a and an axial portion 404a. Each long foot 128b includes an outer surface 400b having a radial portion 402b and an axial portion 404b. As shown in FIG. 4, each foot 128a,b has a first width W1 closest to the cleat body 120 and a second width W2 closest to the respective bottom surfaces 130a,b. As shown in FIG. 4, in various embodiments, W1 is greater than or equal to W2.

FIG. 5 shows the cleat hole 310 defined in the bottom surface 124. In various embodiments the bottom surface 124 defines an arcuate surface such that a thickness of the cleat body 120 increases from radially outside to radially inside. In various embodiments, the bottom surface 124 is substantially continuous except for the cleat hole 310 defined in the bottom surface 124. As shown in FIG. 5, in various embodiments, each short foot 128a includes a first inner surface 500a, a second inner surface 502a, a first side surface 504a, and a second side surface 506a. Each long foot 128b includes a first inner surface 500b, a second inner surface 502b, a first side surface 504b, and a second side surface 506b. In various embodiments, the respective first side surfaces 504a,b and the respective second side surfaces 506a,b are tapered surfaces between the respective outer surfaces 400a,b, the respective first inner surfaces 500a,b, and the respective second inner surfaces 502a,b. The outer surfaces 400a,b, first inner surfaces 500a,b, second inner surfaces 502a,b, first side surfaces 504a,b, and second side surfaces 506a,b define the shape of each respective foot 128a,b. However, the shape of the feet 128a,b should not be considered limiting as in various other embodiments, the feet 128a,b may be curved, angled, squared, rounded, or have any other desired shape.

As shown in FIG. 6, at the outermost radially outside position on the cleat body 120, the cleat body 120 defines a thickness L8. At the innermost radially inside position on the cleat body 120, the cleat body 120 defines a thickness L9. In various embodiments L9 is greater than or equal to L8. As shown in FIG. 6, the cleat hole 310 has a length, defined as the distance from the recess bottom surface 302 to the bottom surface 124, of L12.

As shown in FIG. 6, in various embodiments, the rib 132 is defined on the top side 138 around the recess 300. In various embodiments, the rib 132 may help align the hub 102 in the cleat 104 to form the shoe spike 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-12, the hub 102 is shown in greater detail. The hub 102 includes the hub body 106 having the top surface 108 and the bottom surface 800. As shown in FIG. 7, the hub body 106 also includes a side surface 700. The connector post 110 with threading 112 extends axially upwards from the top surface 108 along axis 200. In various embodiments, the hub 102 also includes the locking posts 114 extending axially upwards from the top surface 108 parallel to axis 200. In various embodiments, the locking posts 114 are spaced symmetrically around the connector post 110 on the top surface 108. In various embodiments, the locking posts 114 are deflectable radially outward from the hub body 106 to mate and engage the locking teeth 1608.

In various embodiments, the hub body 106 includes at least one hub recess 702 having a hub recess bottom surface 704 and a hub recess side surface 706. In the present embodiment, the hub body 106 includes a plurality of hub recesses 702. In various embodiments, the hub recesses 702 extend radially inwards from the side surface 700 and axially inwards from the top surface 108 into the hub body 106. In various embodiments, the at least one hub recess 702 defines an access hole 708 extending through the hub body 106 from the hub recess bottom surface 704 to the bottom surface 800. In various embodiments, the hub recesses 702 are spaced symmetrically around the connector post 110 between the locking posts 114. The shape of the access holes 708 or the hub recesses 702 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In addition, the number of access holes 708 and hub recesses 702 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 8, the hub body 106 defines a thickness L6, which is defined as a distance from the top surface 108 to the bottom surface 800. In various embodiment, each hub recess 702 defined in the hub body 106 has a depth L7, which is defined as a distance from the top surface 108 to the hub recess bottom surface 704. As shown in FIG. 8, in various embodiments, L6 is greater than L7.

In various embodiments, the hub 102 includes an insertion post 802 extending axially downwards from the bottom surface 800 of the hub body 106 along axis 200. The insertion post 802 includes a bottom surface 804 and a side surface 806. As shown in FIG. 8, in various embodiments, the hub body 106 defines an outer diameter D4 and the insertion post 802 defines an outer diameter D5. In various embodiments, D4 is greater than or equal to D5. In various embodiments, D4 is less than or equal to D1 and greater than or equal to D2. In various embodiments, D5 is less than or equal to D2. As shown in FIG. 8, the insertion post 802 has a thickness L13, defined as a distance from the bottom surface 800 to the bottom surface 804. In various embodiments, L13 is greater than or equal to L12.

As shown in FIG. 9, in various embodiments the hub 102 includes a tool pocket 900. The tool pocket 900 includes a bottom pocket surface 902 and a side pocket surface 904. In various embodiments, the insertion post 802 defines a tool pocket opening 906 in the bottom surface 804. The tool pocket 900 extends from the bottom surface 804 axially inward into the hub 102, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

As shown in FIG. 9, the access holes 708 are defined in the bottom surface 800. In various embodiments, the hub 102 also includes at least one mating pocket 908 defined in the bottom surface 800 and extending axially inwards into the hub body 106. In the present embodiment, the hub 102 includes a plurality of mating pockets 908. Each mating pocket 908 includes a bottom surface 910 and a side surface 912. As described below with reference to FIG. 15, the mating pockets 908 may help align the hub 102 in the cleat 104 and aid in securing the hub 102 to the cleat 104 during molding. In various embodiments, the mating pockets 908 and access holes 708 are spaced symmetrically around the insertion post 802 and are alternately positioned around the insertion post 802. In various other embodiments, the mating pockets 908 and access holes 708 may have any desired arrangement.

FIG. 10 shows the locking posts 114, hub recesses 702, and access holes 708 spaced symmetrically around the connector post 110. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the hub 102 taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11, in various embodiments, the tool pocket 900 extends axially inwards into the hub 102 from the bottom surface 804 of the insertion post 802, through the hub body 106, and at least partially into the connector post 110 along axis 200. FIG. 11 also shows the mating pockets 908 extending axially inwards from the bottom surface 800 at least partially into the hub body 106 along axis 200. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the hub 102 taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the access holes 708 extend through the hub body 106 from the bottom surface 800 to at least the hub recess bottom surface 704.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, the shoe spike 100 is shown in greater detail. In various embodiments, the hub 102 and cleat 104 are formed as the shoe spike 100 through various forming techniques. In the present embodiment, the shoe spike 100 is formed through molding techniques. The hub 102 may be positioned in the cleat 104 such that the hub body 106 is positioned in the body recess 300 and the insertion post 802 is positioned in the cleat hole 310. In various embodiments, the bonding tabs 306 interconnect with the access holes 708 and the bonding posts 308 interconnect with the mating pockets 908 to align the hub 102 in the cleat 104. The bonding tabs 306 with the access holes 708 and the bonding posts 308 with the mating pockets 908 bond the hub 102 with the cleat 104 during assembly by filling the respective access holes 708 and mating pockets 908 during the molding process. In various embodiments, a bonding agent may also be utilized between the cleat 104 and hub 102 to aid in bonding the hub 102 with the cleat 104. As shown in FIG. 13, the hub 102 and cleat 104 are aligned along axis 200 when assembled as the shoe spike 100. As shown in FIG. 13, in various embodiments, the various components of the hub 102 and cleat 104 are symmetrical around the axis 200.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the shoe spike 100, the insertion post 802 of the hub 102 is inserted into the cleat hole 310. In various embodiments, the bottom surface 804 of the insertion post 802 and the bottom surface 124 of the cleat body 120 comprise a bottom surface 1400 of the shoe spike 100. In various embodiments, the bottom surface 804 is flush with the bottom surface 124 such that the bottom surface 1400 is a continuous surface. The tool pocket 900 extends from the bottom surface 1400 of the shoe spike 100 into the hub 102 along axis 200. In various embodiments, the tool pocket opening 906 of the tool pocket 900 is the only opening in the bottom surface 1400 and the remaining portion of the bottom surface 1400 is substantially continuous.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe spike 100 taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 15, when the hub 102 is positioned in the cleat 104, the side surface 700 of the hub body 106 abuts the recess side surface 304 of the cleat body 120, the bottom surface 800 of the hub body 106 abuts the recess bottom surface 302 of the cleat body 120 and the side surface 806 of the insertion post 802 of the hub 102 abuts the cleat side surface 314. As shown in FIG. 15, when the hub 102 is positioned in the cleat 104 as described, the insertion post 802 of the hub 102 is aligned with the cleat hole 310 of the cleat body 120. In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the insertion post 802 is positioned in the cleat hole 310. As shown in FIG. 15, the tool pocket 900 is centrally aligned along axis 200 such that the tool pocket 900 is centrally positioned in the shoe spike 100. As shown in FIG. 15, in various embodiments, the tool pocket 900 has a pocket length L10, defined as a distance from the bottom surface 804 to the bottom pocket surface 902. In various embodiments, the tool pocket 900 defines a tool pocket profile. In the present embodiment, the tool pocket profile is triangular with rounded corners; however, in various other embodiments, the tool pocket profile may be angled, square, elliptical, or have any desired other shape.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe spike 100 taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 also shows the bonding posts 308 of the cleat 104 connected with the mating pockets 908 of the hub 102. As shown in FIG. 16, when the bonding posts 308 are connected with the mating pockets 908, the bottom surfaces 910 of the mating pockets 908 abuts top surfaces 1614 of the bonding posts 308 and the side surfaces 912 of the mating pockets 908 abuts side surfaces 1616 of the bonding posts 308.

In various embodiments, the shoe spike 100 includes a connecting mechanism in at least one of the locations where surfaces of the hub 102 abut surfaces of the cleat 104. In various embodiments, the connecting mechanism is positioned between the abutting surfaces and includes, but is not limited to, various adhesives, bonding agents or substances, glues, and various other connecting mechanisms.

The location of centrally located tool pocket 900 on the spike 100 allows users to quickly locate and insert a corresponding bit 1802, described below with reference to FIGS. 18-22, to quickly remove old shoe spikes 100 and apply new shoe spikes 100. In addition, the centrally located tool pocket 900, which is a component of the hub 102, is constructed from resilient polymer material relative to the cleat 104. The tool pocket 900 thereby allows the bit 1802 inserted into the tool pocket 900 to engage the more resilient polymer material of the tool pocket 900, which is more resistant to tear or deformation compared to the cleat 104.

FIG. 17 shows the connector 1600 with which the shoe spike 100 connects and locks. As shown in FIG. 17, in various embodiments, a shoe 1700 may include a plurality of connectors 1600 in various embodiments. The connector 1600 includes a spike socket 1602 having internal threading 1604 adapted to receive and threadably engage the connector post 110 of the shoe spike 100. The spike socket 1602 may project downwards from a base member 1606 of the connector 1600. The base member 1606 is typically positioned in at least one connector hole 1704 in the sole 1702 of the shoe 1700 through various adhesives, press-fitting, or various other similar mechanisms for securing the connector 1600 in the sole 1702 of the shoe 1700. The shoe 1700 having at least one connector hole 1704 in the sole 1702 is shown in FIG. 17. In various embodiments, a plurality of connector holes 1704 in the shoe 1700. External to the spike socket 1602, the connector 1600 includes locking teeth 1608.

FIG. 18 shows a tool 1800 for removing and inserting the shoe spike 100 into the connector 1600. The tool 1800 includes a bit 1802 and a handle 1804. In various embodiments, the bit 1802 is a separate component that may be removably connected to handle 1804 through various connection mechanisms such as magnets, adhesives, pins, hooks, and various other connection mechanisms. In various other embodiments, the handle 1804 and bit 1802 are integrally formed and a single component or the bit 1802 is fixably attached to the handle 1804 by molding, press-fitting, welding, or any other connection mechanism. In various embodiments, the tool 1800 includes a ratchet 1806 or other gear mechanism which allows continuous rotary motion in only one direction while preventing motion in the opposite direction; however, in various other embodiments, the tool 1800 does not include a ratchet 1806 and does not allow rotary motion in either directions. In the present embodiment, the bit 1802 is removably connected to the handle 1804 through the ratchet 1806. In the present embodiment, the ratchet 1806 is magnetized and the bit 1802 is constructed from a metal such that the bit 1802 is removably connected to the ratchet 1806 and handle 1804; however, the disclosure of the magnetization and metal should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure as in various other embodiments, the bit 1802, handle 1804, and ratchet 1806 may be constructed from any desirable material.

In various embodiments, the ratchet 1806 includes a gear portion 1824 and an insertion portion 1826. The gear portion 1824 houses the ratchet mechanism. The insertion portion 1826 defines a receiving pocket (not shown) for removably inserting the bit 1802 into the ratchet 1806.

As shown in FIG. 18, in various embodiments, the handle 1804 includes a gripping portion 1808 and a cap portion 1810. The gripping portion 1808 includes a first end 1812 and a second end 1814 having a second end surface 1820 (shown in FIG. 19). The cap portion 1810 includes a first end 1816 having a first end surface 1822 (shown in FIG. 19) and a second end 1818. As shown in FIG. 19, in various embodiments, the gripping portion 1808 defines a storage cavity 1900 within the handle 1804. In various embodiments, the storage cavity 1900 includes an end surface 1902 and a side surface 1904. The second end 1814 defines a storage cavity opening 1906. As shown in FIG. 19, the storage cavity 1900 extends from the storage cavity opening 1906 into the gripping portion 1808.

The cap portion 1810 defines a cap cavity 1908 having an inner surface 1910. As shown in FIG. 19, the first end 1816 of the cap portion 1810 defines a cap cavity opening 1912. The cap cavity 1908 extends from the cap cavity opening 1912 into the cap portion 1810. As shown in FIG. 19, when the cap portion 1810 is attached to the gripping portion 1808, the second end surface 1820 of the gripping portion 1808 abuts the first end surface 1822 of the cap portion 1810. In various embodiments, when the cap portion 1810 and gripping portion 1808 are attached, the storage cavity 1900 and cap cavity 1908 form a continuous cavity within the handle 1084. In various embodiments, various items, such as different bits 1802, may be stored in the storage cavity 1900.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, the bit 1802 is shown in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 20, the bit 1802 includes a base portion 2000 and an engagement portion 2002. The base portion 2000 includes an outer surface 2004 defining a base profile that is complimentary to the receiving pocket of the ratchet 1806. The engagement portion 2002 includes an outer surface 2006 defining an engagement profile that is complimentary to the tool pocket profile of the tool pocket 900 of the spike 100. In various embodiments, the base portion 2000 is defined from a bottom end 2008 of the bit 1802 to an intermediary position 2012 on the bit 1802 and the engagement portion 2002 is defined from a top end 2010 of the bit 1802 to the intermediary position 2012.

As shown in FIG. 21, in various embodiments, the bit 1802 has an engagement length L11, defined as a distance from the top end 2010 to the intermediary position 2012. The engagement length L11 is the length of the engagement portion 2002. In various embodiments, L11 is greater than or equal to the length L10 of the tool pocket 900. FIG. 22 shows a top view of the bit 1802 with the engagement portion 2002 defining the engagement profile which is complimentary to the tool pocket profile of the tool pocket 900 of the spike 100.

FIGS. 1-22 also disclose a method of inserting and removing a spike 100 from a shoe 1700 is described in further detail. It should be noted that any of the steps of any of the methods described herein may be performed in any order or could be performed in sub-steps that are done in any order or that are separated in time from each other by other steps or sub-steps, and the disclosure of a particular order of steps should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.

A shoe spike 100 having a hub 102 and a cleat 104 is provided. The shoe spike 100 includes a tool pocket 900 centrally located on the shoe spike 100 that extends from a bottom surface 1400 of the shoe spike 100, which includes the bottom surface 124 of the cleat body 120 of the cleat 104 and the bottom surface 804 of the insertion post 802 of the hub 102, through the insertion post 802 and hub body 106 of the hub 102, and at least partially into the connector post 110 of the hub 102. The tool pocket 900 has a length L10 and defines a tool pocket profile.

A bit 1802 has an engagement portion 2002 with an engagement profile that is complimentary to the profile of the tool pocket 900. The bit 1802 has a base portion 2000 with a base profile that is complimentary to the receiving pocket of the ratchet 1806 of the tool 1800. The bit 1802 is removably connected to the tool 1800 by inserting the base portion 2000 into the receiving pocket of the ratchet 1806.

The engagement portion 2002 of the bit 1802 is inserted into the tool pocket 900 of the shoe spike 100. The connector post 110 of the shoe spike 100 engages a spike socket 1602 of a connector 1600 in connector holes 1704 embedded in the sole 1702 of a shoe 1700. During an initial engagement of the connector post 110 with the spike socket 1602, only a portion of the connector post 110 entered into the spike socket 1602 is engaged. The user rotates the bit 1802 through the tool 1800 and thereby causes the shoe spike 100 to rotate. As the connector post 110 is rotated in the spike socket 1602 during insertion of the shoe spike 100 into the connector 1600, the locking teeth 1608 engage with the locking posts 114. The rotational force applied by the user on the shoe spike 100 is sufficient to cause the locking posts 114 to pivotally flex radially outward relative to axis 200, thereby permitting continued rotation of the connector post 110 in the spike socket 1602. When the connector post 110 is maximally engaged with the spike socket 1602 such that the connector post 110 is unable to be inserted any further into the spike socket 1602, engagement between the locking posts 114 and locking teeth 1608 prevents inadvertent mutual rotation between the locking posts 114 and locking teeth 1608 and effectively locking the shoe spike 100 with the connector 1600. In various embodiments, at a maximum engagement of the connector post 110 with the spike socket 1602, the locking posts 114 of the hub 102 engage locking teeth 1608 of the connector 1600 and lock the shoe spike 100 with the shoe 1700.

A user may use the shoes 1700 with the shoe spikes 100 attached. As the user walks or moves and causes the shoe spikes 100 to engage a surface, the respective feet 128a,b of the shoe spike may deflect a desired degree toward the shoe sole 1702 to trap earth or grass blades or other surface materials and thereby increase fraction. To remove the shoe spike 100 from the connector 1600, the rotational force exerted by the user is sufficient to flex the locking posts 114 and unlock the engagement between the shoe spike 100 and connector 1600

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A shoe spike comprising:

a cleat including a cleat body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the body having a body center axis and defining a cleat hole along the center axis through the body; and
a hub connected to the cleat and having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the body, the hub including an insertion post positioned in the cleat hole, the insertion post having a bottom surface defining a tool pocket, the center axis of the hub extending through the tool pocket.

2. The shoe spike of claim 1, further comprising:

a first foot having a first foot length, the first foot deflectably secured to the cleat body; and
a second foot having a second foot length, the second foot deflectably secured to the cleat body, wherein the first foot length is greater than the second foot length.

3. The shoe spike of claim 2, wherein the first foot and the second foot extend radially outwards and axially downwards from the cleat body.

4. The shoe spike of claim 1, wherein the cleat body defines a recess having a recess bottom surface and a recess side surface.

5. The shoe spike of claim 4, wherein the cleat hole is defined through a thickness of the cleat body from the bottom surface of the cleat body to the recess bottom surface along the center axis of the cleat body.

6. The shoe spike of claim 4, wherein the hub further comprises a hub body connected to the insertion post, the hub body having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the hub body abuts the recess bottom surface.

7. The shoe spike of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a hub body connected to the insertion post and a connector post connected to the hub body, wherein the tool pocket is defined at least partially through the insertion post, the hub body, and the connector post.

8. The shoe spike of claim 1, wherein the tool pocket defines a tool pocket profile.

9. The shoe spike of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the insertion post is flush with the bottom surface of the cleat body, the bottom surface of the insertion portion and the bottom surface of the body forming a bottom surface of the shoe spike.

10. The shoe spike of claim 1, wherein the hub comprises a first material and the cleat comprises a second material, wherein the second material is more resilient and flexible than the first material.

11. A shoe for providing traction on a surface, the shoe comprising:

a sole; and
a shoe spike secured to the sole, the a shoe spike including a cleat, the cleat including a cleat body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the cleat body having a body center axis and defining a cleat hole along the center axis through the cleat body, and a hub connected to the cleat and having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the cleat body, the hub including an insertion post positioned in the cleat hole, the insertion post having a bottom surface defining a tool pocket, the center axis of the hub extending through the tool pocket.

12. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the shoe spike is a first shoe spike, the shoe further comprising a plurality of shoe spikes including the first shoe spike, the plurality of shoe spikes secured at selected locations on the sole.

13. The shoe of claim 11, further comprising a connector disposed within the sole, the connector defining a spike socket, wherein the hub includes a connector post disposed within the spike socket and threadably engaging the spike socket.

14. The shoe of claim 13, wherein the connector includes locking teeth, wherein the hub includes locking posts releasably engaging the locking teeth.

15. The shoe of claim 11, wherein a bottom surface of the shoe spike includes the bottom surface of the insertion post and the bottom surface of the cleat body.

16. A method of using a shoe spike, the method comprising:

inserting a tool bit into a tool pocket of the shoe spike, the shoe spike including: a cleat, the cleat including a cleat body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the cleat body having a body center axis and defining a cleat hole along the center axis through the cleat body, and a hub connected to the cleat and having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the cleat body, the hub including an insertion post positioned in the cleat hole, the insertion post having a bottom surface defining a tool pocket, the center axis of the hub extending through the tool pocket; and
engaging the hub of the shoe spike with a sole of a shoe.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein engaging the hub of the shoe spike with the sole of the shoe includes engaging a connector post of the hub with a spike socket of a connector disposed in the sole of the shoe.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at a maximum engagement of the connector post with the spike socket, locking posts of the hub engage locking teeth of the connector and lock the shoe spike with the shoe.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising rotating the tool bit, wherein rotating the tool bit rotates the shoe spike in a spike socket of a connector disposed in the sole of the shoe.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein rotating the shoe spike flexes locking posts of the hub radially outward.

Patent History
Publication number: 20160309846
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2016
Inventor: Doug Fisher (Atlanta, GA)
Application Number: 14/693,312
Classifications
International Classification: A43C 15/16 (20060101);