Abstract: A removably attachable traction gear for the underside of footwear having two primary components: a retaining member and a receptacle. These two components respectively replace the common screw and threaded receptacle systems found in for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. A partial turn of the traction gear securely locks the gear into the receptacle. The retaining member has a three-extension design so as to make the traction gear resistant to lateral forces applied to the ground-engaging end of the cleat. Locking is achieved through use of cantilevered fingers which press in during installation of the retaining member, and which spring back out to lock with mated indentations in the extensions. During installation a dome containing insole material is compressed. Unlocking is achieved through reverse turning the retaining member to force the springs back in, and removal is aided through re-expansion of the dome. In a preferred form, the invention is utilized to attach a golf cleat to a shoe.

Abstract: A composite, long wearing, slip-resistant non-metal golf cleat that alleviates damage to grass, e.g., the surface of a golf green, yet provides traction similar to conventional metal spikes is disclosed.

Abstract: A golf shoe sole comprising ejecting and retracting spikes, the improvement wherein said sole contains a high pressure liquid pump assembly in communication with a plurality of housed cylinder assemblies each of which contain a slidable spike with seal, wherein extreme pressure being exerted upon contained liquid equals extreme firmness of ejected spikes. Said pump having shifting means of a four way rotatory spool valve for the control of ejection and retraction in either auto or manual mode, or said pump being one of the two, the former manual operating by way of lever reciprocating upon a piston. The latter auto, operating by way of a diaphragm located on the bottom soul of the back of the heel. Said diaphragm being subject to intense momentary pressure generated by the weight transference from the forward walking motion of the human wearer. An exclusively manual pump requiring only a two way ball, seat, and stem control valve.

Abstract: A removably attachable traction gear for the underside of footwear having two primary components: a retaining member and a receptacle. These two components respectively replace the common screw and threaded receptacle systems found in for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. A partial turn of the traction gear securely locks the gear into the receptacle. The retaining member has a three-extension design so as to make the traction gear resistant to lateral forces applied to the ground-engaging end of the cleat. Locking is achieved through use of cantilevered fingers which press in during installation of the retaining member, and which spring back out to lock with mated indentations in the extensions. During installation a dome containing insole material is compressed. Unlocking is achieved through reverse turning the retaining member to force the springs back in, and removal is aided through re-expansion of the dome.

Abstract: A footwear cleat of flexible plastic includes a central hub portion and a series of resilient protrusions cantilevered from and extending radially outward and downwardly beyond the central hub portion. The protrusions are capable of horizontally engaging turf under the footwear for providing secure footing.

Abstract: A cleat for providing traction in golf shoes (and shoes for other turf sports) that does not adversely affect turf, but provides a desired level of traction under as many different conditions as possible, and is resistant to being worn down on hard surfaces. The cleat has a flange with an attachment stud for attaching to a receptacle in a shoe sole, a plurality of traction protrusions on the flange to engage grass blades to provide traction without damaging turf, and a bearing portion that bears the wearer's weight, particularly when the wearer walks on a hard surface. The protrusions are thereby less affected by the abrading effects of the hard surface, and last longer before they are worn to the point that they are no longer able to provide traction.

Abstract: A moulded plastics golf shoe cleat comprises a disc 14 from an upper surface of which a screw-threaded spigot (not shown) projects for attachment of the cleat to a shoe sole. A ring of barb-forming elements 16 stands on an undersurface 18 of the disc, each element comprising a convergent free-end portion forming a ground-engaging barb which terminates at an edge 24 extending tangentially of the ring. Each barb projects in a direction which makes an acute angle with the undersurface 18 of the disc 14, the barbs being resiliently deflectable to increase the angle whereby resistance to sliding of the cleat in use over penetrable ground may become increased by increased penetration of the barb into the ground. The barbs are aligned along chords to the ring, being uniformly turned out of radial alignment so as to discourage unscrewing of the cleat in use.

Abstract: A sport shoe, particularly suitable for golf, provides a shoe with a base section sole and an overlying sole that is selectively removable from the base section sole. The base section sole can be spikeless, or include one type of spikes, while one or more overlying soles can include different spike types or spikeless faces. In one example, the base section sole contains metal long spikes that seat within magnetic recesses of the overlying sole. The overlying sole includes short plastic spikes or a spikeless face.

Abstract: A cleat provides traction in golf shoes (and shoes for other turf sports) without adversely affecting turf, while providing a desired level of traction under as many different conditions as possible, is resistant to being worn down on hard surfaces. The cleat has a hub with an attachment stud for attaching to a receptacle in a shoe sole, and at least one traction element extending substantially laterally from the flange to engage grass blades to provide traction without damaging turf. The traction element is deflectably attached to the hub, preferably by a resilient arm having a turf-engaging portion at the end thereof. The traction element is preferably cantilevered out of the plane of the hub, and in any event preferably deflects when a hard surface is encountered, to protect the turf-engaging portion from abrasion.

Abstract: A spike for a sole is provided with a pin and a receiving portion for receiving a rear end portion of the pin, an elastic member is provided between the rear end portion of the pin and the receiving portion, a sports shoe having elastic spikes is also provided with the sole, and the rubber spikes being arranged in combination with the elastic spikes each including the pin, the receiving portion and the elastic member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a golf shoe having a plurality of first and second traction projections extending out from the outsole to define a ground engaging surface. The first traction projections are arranged around a first pivot point located in the forefoot portion and a second pivot point located in the rearfoot portion of the outsole. The first traction projections have a body orientated lengthwise toward the pivot points. The second traction projections extend out from the outsole along the periphery of the outsole. The first and second traction projections define a ground engaging surface which, in use, enhance the traction of the outsole during the full golf swing motion.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole including a sole platform having a plate member slidably engaged therein for movement from a forward to a rearward position wherein the sole platform defines a plurality of ports for receiving a corresponding plurality of cleats. The cleats comprise a post having a flange attached to one end and a cleat base attached to the other. The flanges of each cleat, once inserted through the ports, passes through a corresponding plurality of key slots defined by the plate member. When the plate member is urged rearward, a slot portion of each key slot passes around the post and beneath the flange to secure the cleats to the sole platform. A threaded bolt is provided to urge the plate member between a forward and a rearward position. Bubbles are defined by the plate member about the key slot to lift the flange, post and cleat base upward and thereby urge the cleat base in pressed abutment with the sole platform. The present invention allows the user to quickly replace the cleats as required.

Abstract: The invention is a replaceable golf shoe cleat or spike 10 for use in place of a standard metal spike 4. Winter golf shoe spike 10 preferably has a main cleat body 11 molded from a durable plastic type material in single unitary fashion. A threaded stud 13 is formed on the upper surface of generally concavo-convex flange 12 and protrudes axially therefrom. A plurality of traction ribs 15 are formed on the bottom traction surface of concavo-convex flange 12. While the ribs 15 may be present in a variety of configurations, they are preferably triangular ridges arranged in a radial fashion emanating from the center of concavo-convex flange 12.

Abstract: An athletic shoe cleat constructed of suitably wear resistent, yet soft, flexible, resilient material such as polyurethane is disclosed. The cleat can be removably attachable to a ground engageable portion of the shoe, such as a sole or a heel, and can be used as part of a group forming any number of arrays of such cleats for the shoe. The cleat can also be formed integrally with the sole and heel of a shoe. Common features of these cleats include a plurality of at least partially cone shaped teeth formed in a closed circle on the shoe. In the removably attachable form, the cleat employs a threaded fastener which projects through a central circular opening in a disc-like base portion and threads into the shoe. The fastener can have an enlarged flat head with radially projecting shoulder which bears against an annular part of the base portion radially inwardly of the teeth to operatively secure the cleat to the shoe.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cleat or spike receptacle for an athletic shoe, particularly for a track shoe. The cleat receptacle comprises a cylinder, an integral annular plate, and ribs which extend upward from the annular plate and define openings through which the plastic spike plate material flows during formation of the outsole spike plate. The annular plate has a plurality of slots through which the plastic material also flows during the spike plate formation. The holes and slots of the three-dimensional shape cleat receptacle, through which the plastic spike plate material flows, provide an additional bond of the cleat receptacle to the outsole spike plate. In addition, more plastic spike plate material is below the annular plate of the cleat receptacle resulting in greater holding strength for the attached spikes. Either a detachable cleat, or an integrally formed cleat, is carried by the cylinder of the cleat receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf shoe which incorporates a spike socket spine frame system that extends throughout the shoe sole for receiving all of the spike receptacles and is embedded in the outsole. The spine frame provides improved shoe performance and spike location and is made of a material that is stiffer than the outsole material. More particularly, the shoe sole is comprised of a spike socket spine having seventeen spike socket locations: three spike sockets in the toe section, six spike sockets in the metatarsal section, four spike sockets in the shank section and four spike sockets in the heel section, for receiving the posts of the golf spikes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a two-layer outsole for use with a shoe. The outsole includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a longitudinally extending axis. The outer layer forms the bottom of the outsole and has a plurality of first holes at spaced locations therethrough. The inner layer includes a base adjacent one side of the outer layer and a plurality of projections that extend from the base through the first holes in the outer layer, and terminate in a pointed free end. The projections protrude from the bottom of the outsole, and provide traction when the outsole interacts with the ground. The free end also forms a ridge. The ridge of each projection is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, each projection has an outline with a tear-drop shape. It has been found that when projections with this configuration are used with non-metal cleats, excellent traction is obtained.

Abstract: A golf shoe spike includes a disk having a plurality of stubs extending from the underside thereof and a hole defined centrally therethrough. The disk has a recess defined in the underside and a plurality of protrusions extend radially inward from the periphery defining the recess. A bolt has a head and a threaded shank which extends through the hole of the disk and the head has a plurality of notches defined in the periphery thereof so as to receive the protrusions therein.

Abstract: A shoe has spikes that can be retracted merely by moving an external operating member. Replaceable lower sole members can be selected and attached to the shoe based on ground surface conditions. Also, a shoe package includes one shoe with spikes and one shoe with retractable spikes or without spikes. A method of swinging a golf club using the shoe package permits a golfer's rear foot to be firmly planted while allowing the golfer's front foot to rotate and glide thus facilitating proper follow through.

Abstract: A water-proof jacket having a sole cover or retainer formed on a bottom of the jacket for sealably engaging a sole of a golf shoe and allowing a downward protruding of a plurality of spikes studded on the shoe sole, an upper cover secured on the sole cover having a pair of upper leaves disposed on a right and a left side of the upper cover for covering an upper of the golf shoe by at least a fastener, and a boot portion formed on a rear upper portion of the upper cover for fastening the wearer's ankle or leg portion, with the jacket covering the golf shoe for water-proof purpose for golfing on a wet course.

Abstract: An improved golf shoe and sole is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of golf shoes comprising a right shoe and a left shoe, the right shoe having a different arrangement of traction elements on the sole thereof than the left shoe. For right-handed golfers, the sole of the right shoe has a greater number of axial traction members which are aligned with an edge of the sole than transverse traction members which are positioned transverse to the edge of the sole. The right shoe accordingly resists pivotal motion. The left shoe has a greater number of transverse traction members than axial traction members so as to allow pivotal motion. The golf shoes accordingly allow the golfer to make a fuller back swing and to follow through more completely on the power stroke. The relative number of axial and transverse traction members on the left an right shoes may be reversed for left-handed golfers.

Abstract: A golf cleat having a base member with an array of peripheral projections and a central projection is provided. The golf cleat includes reinforcement ribs spanning from the central projection to each of the peripheral projections, respectively. The golf cleat is manufactured of a durable yet flexible material so that the projections may compress and move relative to one another to accommodate a wide range of terrain surfaces, including irregularly shaped terrain surfaces. The reinforcement rib members ensure that each peripheral projection springs back to its original position after flexing to accommodate a particular terrain surface and does not tear away over time.

Abstract: A stud for sport shoes wherein the shoes are provided with internally threaded sockets for receiving the stud, the stud comprises: a main body portion having an upper and a lower surface; a shank extending outwardly from the upper surface of the body portion and having an outer dimension enabling the same to be threadably received within the threaded sockets of the sport shoe; and a plurality of concentric spaced apart ridges extending outwardly from the lower surface of the body portion to provide traction between the shoe and a supporting surface.

Abstract: An insole construction for an athletic shoe has a shell portion that is positioned under the heel and midfoot of the foot, and is covered with an insole and having low friction material on the upper sides in selected regions. The low friction material may be a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene material, the low friction material extends across the heel region, and/or across the metatarsal area, and these areas may be joined by a lateral side strip. The shell is cupped to form a wall along the lateral side of the foot and about three quarters of the way behind the heel or calcaneus region of the foot. This cup wall is joined to a base wall with a generously radiused rounded portion that mirrors the concave/convex contour anatomy of the foot in this region for comfort and for distributing impact forces received during running, across a substantially increased contact area of the foot.

Abstract: A golf club wiping and cleaning device is positioned by clipping it onto the upper side wall of a golf shoe in a position for wiping the club's face. The device provides a base portion and a replaceable cartridge with sliding engagement into the base. The base provides a clip on the back side of the base portion for shoe attachment.

Abstract: A two-piece releasably securable cleat assembly for an athletic shoe, and particularly a golf shoe, formed of a pair of interengaging members which are preferably molded of plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the cleat assembly includes a first member comprised of a T-shaped threaded stem having a plurality of arms projecting radially and perpendicular from an end thereof, the stem for threadably engaging a complementary threaded bore or boss in the sole and/or heel of the shoe. The second member, interengagable with the T-shaped threaded stem, includes a generally circular base having an essentially planar top surface and a lower surface characterized by a plurality of traction enhancing arcuate legs which are preferably arranged in plural concentric circles on the lower surface. The base further features a central opening for snugly and slidably receiving the T-shaped threaded stem of the first member to releasably secure the second member to the shoe sole and/or heel.

Abstract: A pair of golf shoes (10) having a left shoe (12L) and a right shoe (12R) which are mirror images of each other. The left shoe (12L) has an upper attached to a left shoe sole (14L) which has securely attached to a left shoe welt (16L) which has a left shoe welt cleat aperture (16LA) functioning to provide opening for the passage of a left shoe cleat assembly (38L). A left shoe longitudinal wedge (30L) has a left shoe longitudinal wedge ridge edge (30LA) which has a thickness of approximately one eighth inch. The left shoe longitudinal wedge (30L) tapers in thickness from the left shoe longitudinal wedge ridge edge (30LA) toward the a left shoe longitudinal wedge feather edge (30LC). The left shoe longitudinal wedge (30L) farther tapers from one distal end to the opposite distal end at the left shoe longitudinal wedge feather end (30LB). A left shoe cleat mounting plate (36L) is securely attached to the left shoe welt (16L).

Abstract: A footwear cleat of flexible plastic includes a central hub portion and a series of resilient protrusions cantilevered from and extending radially outward and downwardly beyond the central hub portion. The protrusions are capable of horizontally engaging turf under the footwear for providing secure footing.

Abstract: A shoe having a resilient sole, an upper secured to the sole, and a rockable member within a cavity in the sole. The rockable member is configured for side-to-side rocking in the sole cavity between a neutral position and a tilted position as the wearer's foot is moved relative to the sole between a neutral position and a tilted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an all purpose nubbed cleat which when incorporated into the outsole of a shoe or at the bottom end of a cane or walker will enhance their non-slip, non-skid properties without harming the surface in contact with the cleats. The cleat has a cleat body, a plurality of nubs downwardly depending from the lower surface of the cleat body, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs disposed between nubs also on the lower surface of the cleat body. The reinforcing ribs form a grid on the lower surface of the cleat body. The cleat may be fabricated from any suitable low abrasion, durable and resilient material.

Abstract: The invention is a shoe cleat assembly which when incorporated into the outsole of a shoe will provide a shoe cleat that may be conveniently and easily changed by lifting out the installed cleat and pressing in the replacement. In the preferred embodiment the cleat assembly comprises a cleat body and a cooperating receptacle. The cleat body has a cleat surface and an attachment stud having an axial longitudinal bore. The receptacle is incorporated into a shoe outsole and has an elongated cavity with a central post. In operation, the cleat body is pressed into the receptacle wherein the attachment stud enters the cavity and the axial longitudinal bore of the attachment stud receives the post within the cavity. In this manner the cleat body is removably and resiliently received and frictionally engaged by the receptacle. The cleat assembly may be fabricated from a broad variety of materials that provide the required strength, durability, friction and resiliency properties.

Abstract: A golf orthotic for stabilizing a foot of a patient against both supination and pronation includes a main body portion configured to conform to a substantial portion of the plantar aspect of the patient's fool, including the heel and arch, and generally forward to the metatarsal heads. The main portion is provided with medial and lateral flanges terminating respectively beneath the medial malleolus and lateral malleolus. The device also includes a heel stabilization bar with a substantially flat lower surface and an upper surface which is contoured to match the lower surface of the main portion in the heel region, and which is secured thereto. The heel stabilization bar is shaped for easy insertion into the patient's shoe. The flanges are shaped to conform to the patient's foot, and preferably slope up fairly steeply from the main body portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article of footwear having an upper and a non-clogging sole attached to the upper. The sole includes a generally planar ground engaging surface and at least one traction member or cleat projecting from the generally planar ground engaging surface. The traction member or cleat is attached with a base surface adjacent the generally planar ground engaging surface, side surfaces projecting downwards, and a tip attached at a bottom end of the traction member. At least a portion of the base surface and the side surfaces of the traction member or cleat and at least a portion of the ground engaging surface of the sole includes an adhesion prevention material having both a low coefficient of friction and a low wettability with respect to water in a preferred embodiment. However, the tip of the traction member remains substantially free of the adhesion prevention material. The adhesion prevention material has a coefficient of friction of less than 0.4, preferably between 0.1 and 0.

Abstract: A golf putter leveling system including a shoe level adapted for securement to a golf shoe. A putter level is provided that is adapted for securement to a shaft of a golf putter. The putter level includes a base portion having a lower arcuate recess and an upper arcuate recess. The lower arcuate recess has a pair of detents disposed on opposing sides thereof. The lower arcuate recess snapidly engages the shaft of the golf putter. The upper arcuate recess has a level portion disposed therein. A putter leveler is adapted for securement to the shaft of the golf putter. The putter leveler has an upper portion defined by an arcuate recess for engaging the shaft of the golf putter. The putter leveler has a lower portion defined by outwardly extending legs for supporting the golf putter at an even level so as to zero the putter level.

Abstract: A golf-club head cleaning device 10including a panel member 15 which is secured by means of an adhesive 25 to the outer surface of a golf shoe 12 while playing golf. The panel member 15 can be constructed of any material, not damaging to golf-club heads, which has a friction producing or roughened surface to facilitate the removal of grass and earth from golf-club heads and is preferably constructed of advanced polyamide fiber 20. The panel member 15 is preferably secured at the side of the upper 35 of golf shoe 12. The panel member 15 should be of a size which will facilitate easy cleaning of golf-club heads. The shape of the panel member 15 will vary depending on the style of the golf shoe 12 to which it is secured.

Abstract: A sport shoe cleat especially for golf shoes has a main body member having a dome-shaped outer face and a planar inner face, a threaded stud molded integrally with the main body member and projecting outwardly from the inner face. A plurality of pseudo pyramid-shaped teeth projecting around the perimeter of the main body member, each of the pseudo pyramid-shaped teeth having an outward angle to provide lateral stability and traction through the plane of a sports swing. The traction teeth have a low profile to reduce damage to putting green surfaces for example. The body member has a wear pad at the center of said dome-shaped outlet face, the wear pad being a weight-bearing surface such as to support the majority of the body weight placed on the cleat and keeping weight off the traction teeth to prolong the life of the traction teeth and the cleat.

Abstract: A tread is inserted into a shoe sole. The tread includes a base portion and a stem portion which extends away from a first side of the base portion and is connectable to the shoe sole. The stem portion includes longitudinal ridges disposed thereabout and extending radially therefrom. A projection portion extends away from a second side of the base portion.

Abstract: A removably attachable traction gear for the underside of footwear having two primary components: a retaining member and a receptacle. These two components respectively replace the common screw and threaded receptacle systems found in for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. A partial turn of the traction gear securely locks the gear into the receptacle. The retaining member has a three-extension design so as to make the traction gear resistant to lateral forces applied to the ground-engaging end of the cleat. Locking is achieved through use of cantilevered fingers which press in during installation of the retaining member, and which spring back out to lock with mated indentations in the extensions. During installation a dome containing insole material is compressed. Unlocking is achieved through reverse turning the retaining member to force the springs back in, and removal is aided through re-expansion of the dome. In a preferred form, the invention is utilized to attach a golf cleat to a shoe.

Abstract: New application of biomechanical principles of elastic stretch and braking force are combined in an athletic shoe. The new design implements the concepts by placing the heel of the shoe inner sole significantly lower than the ball of the foot and toes. Tests show that an inner sole reverse slope of about 31/2.degree. provides an optimum significant improvement in jumping in particular. The reverse slope is substantially flat from the center of pressure beneath the heel to the five centers of pressure beneath the ball of the foot. The flat slope provides more assurance that the weight of the user will be applied to the shoe through the centers of pressure in preference to locations under the arch. The invention is applicable to "explosive" movement sports such as basketball, track and field, volleyball, tennis and soccer. Preferably the shoes are constructed with formed or curved heels to retain the feet properly positioned in the shoes by preventing the feet from sliding too far back within the shoes.

Abstract: A shoe cleat for an athletic shoe. The shoe cleat comprises a first end which removably attaches to the underside of a shoe; a second end which is connected to the first end of the shoe cleat and which includes a surface which engages with a ground surface when the shoe cleat is attached to a shoe; and wherein the ground-engaging surface of the second end of the shoe cleat includes an anti-slip surface.

Abstract: A shoe is provided having one or more selectively extendable spikes mounted to the sole. The sole contains one or more spike housings, each retaining a spring-biased spike selectively movable between a retracted or extended position with respect to the housing as desired. A slide member disposed in the sole of the shoe is manually operated to extend or retract the spikes.

Abstract: A golf shoe spike which does not produce so-called spike marks in a putting green due to the use of plastic construction material in which to obviate rupture of the plastic during tightening and untightening preparatory to replacement of a worn spike, the peripheral edge of the spike body is non-circular for improved turning engagement with a wrench having a matching non-circular spike body-receiving compartment and, at each change in direction characteristic of the non-circular spike body edge, a spike is located to provide optimum plastic material since the spike location coincides with a contact site at which the wrench and spike body interengage each other during the tightening and untightening of the spike.

Abstract: A removable bottom covering is provided for spiked athletic shoes, particularly golf shoes. A flexible sole member has a toe section, a heel section, and an intermediate section between the toe and heel sections. A plurality of magnetic attaching members are disposed in the toe and heel sections and are arranged in a pattern and have a recess or well so as to accommodate and attach to metallic spikes of the athletic shoe. An area of reduced thickness is defined in the flexible sole member between the toe and heel sections. The area of reduced thickness has a shape and depth so as to accommodate the remaining spikes of the athletic shoe.

Abstract: A pair of shoes for use by golfers includes a first shoe to be worn on a golfer's rear foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball which is provided with a sole and a heel and a plurality of spikes which extend downwardly from the sole and the heel. A second shoe is provided to be worn on a golfer's front foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball, and the second shoe is provided with a smooth, spikeless sole and a smooth, spikeless heel for enabling the golfer to make a proper turn to face the target during the golf swing.

Abstract: A pair of improved golf shoes has an inner flange extending longitudinally along the inner side of the shoes and an outer flange extending longitudinally along the outer side of the shoes. The inner flanges and the outer flanges extend outwardly beyond the exterior surfaces of the uppers of the shoes. On one of the improved shoes the outer flange extends outwardly farther than the inner flange. On the other shoe, the inner and outer flanges extend substantially the same distance beyond the exterior surface of the upper. Heels having outwardly extending flanges are provided. One of the heels extends outwardly over substantially its entire outer edge. The flange of the other heel extends outwardly beyond the upper for only a portion of its inner edge and is flush with the upper for the remaining portion of its outer edge. A portion of the shoe disposed below the ball of the foot of the user is thicker than the region disposed below the heel of the user in order to balance the user.

Abstract: A golf spike system includes a stud having an upper portion in a generally cylindrical configuration with screw threads on its exterior surface, a lower portion having a generally cone shaped configuration, a first intermediate portion adjacent to the upper portion having a surface adapted to mate with a correspondingly shaped surface of a washer, and a second intermediate portion adjacent to the lower portion having a surface adapted to cooperatively couple with an insertion tool and a washer having an aperture therethrough, the aperture having an internal surface adapted to cooperatively receive the first intermediate portion for being rotated thereby during the coupling and uncoupling of the golf spike system with respect to a golf shoe.

Abstract: A golf ball placement device that is adapted to be mounted to a golfer's shoe for allowing the golfer to position a golf ball on a tee without bending over. The device includes a ball retaining member that has a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a rear end. Art elongated opening extends inwardly from the front end of the ball retaining member toward the rear end thereof. The ball placement device includes mating hook and loop type fasteners secured to the rear end of the device and the golfer's shoe in order to secure the golf ball placement device to the golf shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided having a plurality of interchangeable soles which may be attached or removed by a push-button spring release mechanism located on the heel. This push-button element, when actuated, permits the interchangeable sole to be removed or attached. In the preferred embodiment, this push-button element causes a pair of flexible spring type capture elements to flex, permitting a pin member located on the sole to either be inserted or withdrawn. The shoe and sole have a plurality of other novel interfitting elements and mechanisms which permit the sole to be securely affixed to the shoe as well as prevent any movement of the sole with respect to the shoe. Shoe soles may be provided which have a variety of cleats, treads or other designs which may be utilized for diverse uses such as sport or leisure. By utilizing the invention, one may employ one shoe for a variety of athletic or other activities by simply attaching the desired sole.

Abstract: A stud for sport shoes wherein the shoes are provided with internally threaded sockets for receiving the stud, the stud comprises: a main body portion having an upper and a lower surface; a shank extending outwardly from the upper surface of the body portion and having an outer dimension enabling the same to be threadably received within the threaded sockets of the sport shoe; and a plurality of concentric spaced apart ridges extending outwardly from the lower surface of the body portion to provide traction between the shoe and a supporting surface.

Abstract: A sheet metal part with at least one element introduced by a riveting process wherein the passage opening of the nut element is closed off by a stamped-out slug.