For Riding (e.g., Cycling, Horse Riding, Etc.) Patents (Class 36/131)
  • Patent number: 12110077
    Abstract: Systems and methods for ensuring safe gripping or locking and release of a cyclist's shoe by a bicycle pedal are disclosed. The system may comprise a computing device, one or more sensors for detecting change of velocity, one or more sensors for detecting a change of angle of the bicycle, and a pedal with one or more retractable members. The retractable member may be configured to grip or lock in a cyclist's shoe by extending to interlock with a portion or a cavity of the cyclist's shoe, or to release the cyclist's shoe by retracting on receiving a command from the computing device based on inputs from the one or more sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Andrew Lavine
  • Patent number: 12005993
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a movable magnet type bicycle pedal, and a shoe coupling device equipped with a means for preventing attachment of metal powder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a movable magnet type bicycle pedal and a shoe coupling device equipped with a means for preventing attachment of metal powder, wherein the shoe coupling device and the pedal are respectively provided with a magnet, and are coupled to each other by magnetic force only during pedaling, and, when the pedaling is stopped or the running of a bicycle is stopped, the coupling between the magnets is released through a magnetic separation means and at the same time metal powder attached to a shoe is caused to fall so as to prevent the metal powder from being attached to the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Inventors: Do Young Kim, Kyeong Sook Yoon, Ji Heon Kim, Ji Seong Kim
  • Patent number: 11903453
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tilting controller that measures foot-related human biomechanical data. The tilting controller for measuring foot-related human biomechanical data includes a mechanism having a foot hold on which a rear foot portion is placed, and a control module that tilts the foot hold by controlling the mechanism portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Il Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 11896078
    Abstract: The present invention provides an outsole, comprising, at least one recess located at a ground engaging or outer surface of the outsole and having: (a) a depth of between 10% to 95% of the maximum thickness of the outsole; and (b) an area that covers between 10% to 95% of the entire ground engaging or outer surface of the outsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: APOS MEDICAL ASSETS LTD.
    Inventors: Oren Livne, Clifford Bleustein
  • Patent number: 11889899
    Abstract: A shoe sole comprises a bottom surface including a plurality of grooves arranged in a longitudinal direction of the shoe sole for engaging the engagement parts 6a, 6b that are formed parallel to the pedal shaft 8 of the bicycle pedal, and a protrusion having a ground contact surface between the grooves adjacent in the longitudinal direction, the sole characterized in that the protrusion has a width W2 in the longitudinal direction on an inner side in the left-right direction with respect to both feet of a wearer that is wider than a width W1 on an outer side in the left-right direction with respect to both feet of a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Aoki, Masaya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11793277
    Abstract: A cleat adapter assembly is provided for a cycling shoe. The cleat adapter assembly basically includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and an adjuster. The first connecting portion is configured to be connected to a cleat. The second connecting portion is adjustably connected to the first connecting portion. The adjuster is configured to adjust a relative position between the first connecting portion and the second connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shota Nishijima
  • Patent number: 11751632
    Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe body, an elongated tightening member, at least one hook and an intermediate attaching member. The shoe body includes a sole and an upper mounted on the sole. The elongated tightening member has a first end, a second end and an intermediate part between the first end and the second end. The first end is attached to a first attaching position located on a front side of the upper. The second end is detachably attached to a second attaching position located rearward of the first end in the longitudinal direction of the upper. The hook is located rearward of the first attaching position and forward of the second attaching position, and enables the tightening member to be wound and hooked to the hook. The intermediate attaching member is configured to enable the intermediate part to be attached to the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kaoru Ouchi, Toshiaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 11583033
    Abstract: Footwear with a reflective strip low on the heel and visible through the outsole. The reflective strip is a strip of reflective material attached horizontally to the back and, optionally, the lateral side of the footbed heel cup, positioned low on the heel cup. Optionally, the reflective strip fits into a depression in the heel cup. The reflective strip is attached to the heel cup either permanently or removably. The outsole heel and lateral side has one or more window cutouts through which the reflective strip is visible. The reflective strip is visible through the heel counter because the heel counter is either transparent, with or without raised sections filling the outsole window cutouts or has a cutout with an optional sheet of transparent protective material outside of the heel counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Blauer Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J Blauer
  • Patent number: 11564453
    Abstract: An adaptor is connected to a bicycle shoe and includes an engaging portion and a base part. The engaging portion is formed on the first side of the base part, and protrudes from the first side of the base part so as to be connected to the underside of the bicycle shoe. A recess is defined in the second side of the base part and includes two first holes defined through its inner bottom. The two first holes are defined through the engaging portion. Two locking members extend through the two first holes and are connected to the bicycle shoe. A cleat is removably connected to the second side of the base part. The bicycle shoes with the cleat are used as mountain bike shoes, and used as road bike shoes by removing the cleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: CYCLINGDEAL USA, INC.
    Inventor: Haidong Gu
  • Patent number: 11503874
    Abstract: A cycling shoe having a sole and an upper coupled to the sole. A projection portion extends off a bottom surface of the sole behind a cleat (attachment) portion of the sole. The projection portion has a first lateral side surface, a second lateral side surface an opposite side of the cycling shoe from the first lateral side surface, a bottom surface, and rounded lateral edges that connect each of the first and second lateral side surfaces to the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Edward O'Malley
  • Patent number: 11396345
    Abstract: A toe clip includes a seat body, a toe clip and an adapter. The seat body has a top side, a bottom side and adapter fixing holes. The top side has a toe clip connecting portion and toe clip fixing holes. The bottom side has an adapter connecting portion. The toe clip includes a clip body and a washer. The clip body includes a mount plate and a clip. The mount plate has long holes. The washer has through holes. The through holes, the long holes and the toe clip fixing holes are separately passed by screws to fasten the toe clip onto the seat body. The adapter is used for connecting the seat body to the pedal and is formed with passing holes. The passing holes and the adapter fixing holes are separately passed by screws to fasten the adapter to the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SCADA INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 11345436
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bicycle pedal adapter configured to be clicked onto a bicycle pedal for use with a bicycle shoe having a cleat. The bicycle pedal adapter is configured to convert the bicycle pedal to a bicycle pedal suitable for use with a shoe without a cleat. The, bicycle adapter does not comprise a toe-clip, and is free of a connecting member for connecting a toe-clip. The bicycle pedal adapter comprising a top wall comprising a foot support surface and a bottom surface, a central axis perpendicular to the foot support surface, a coupling for connecting the pedal adapter to the bicycle pedal, the coupling comprising a front and rear coupling part, a front restraining member provided at a left side and a right side of the front coupling part, a rear restraining member provided at a left side and a right side of the rear coupling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Marten Peter van der Heide
  • Patent number: 11325675
    Abstract: A cleat for being attached on a sole of a cycling shoe to be engaged with a clipless pedal is disclosed. The cleat includes a front engagement portion, a rear engagement portion and a front attachment portion. A width of the rear engagement portion is greater than a width of the front engagement portion. The front attachment portion protrudes from the bottom of the front engagement portion and includes a U-shaped body and two abutment portions. The U-shaped body has two legs and an opening between outer ends of the two legs. The opening is toward the rear engagement portion. Each of the two abutment portions inward bendingly extends from the outer end of one of the legs so as to make a width of the opening between the abutment portions less than a distance between internal sides of the two legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Chin-Long Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11305836
    Abstract: A magnetic mountain bike pedal assembly provides for at least one pedal having a center member, the center member having at least one magnet in its center portion, a plate adapted to be removedly attached to a shoe wherein the plate contains at least one magnet, wherein when the plate and the center member are aligned a disconnectable magnetic connection is formed. In some embodiments, either the first magnetic element or the second magnetic element, or both may be Neodymium, and in some embodiments they may be axially-magnetized Neodymium. In some embodiments, a shoe is attached to the plate, and the shoe has at least ferrous metal cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Craig Payne
  • Patent number: 11291266
    Abstract: A clipless cycling shoe having an upper and a base plate. The base plate has a medial portion, a lateral portion and a medial sidewall. The medial portion has a rigid support structure having a top portion and a bottom portion, a cavity is formed between the top portion and bottom portion, wherein the cavity is filled with a core material. The lateral portion has a lateral plate. The medial sidewall wrap is adjacent the medial portion and extends outward and upward relative to the base plate and the medial sidewall wrap extends a portion of the length of the base plate. The medial portion is desirably thicker than the lateral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Darius Bird, Robert Arthur Laurence Cook
  • Patent number: 11147339
    Abstract: A cleat assembly mounting system includes a shoe sole with a curved underside portion with mounting holes. A cleat assembly for engaging a bicycle pedal is mounted to a curved underside portion of the sole. A shim between the sole and the cleat assembly has shim holes configured for alignment with the mounting holes. Each mounting hole is a slot extending in a first direction with a width less than its length. Each shim hole is a slot extending in a second direction with a width less than its length. The first and second directions are substantially orthogonal. Nut assemblies have one or more nuts for securing the cleat assembly using one or more threaded fasteners through the mounting holes and shim holes. The cleat assembly includes a spring housing, and a bottom plate configured to be secured to the shim and further configured to conformably receive the bicycle pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Wahoo Fitness L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Patent number: 11142282
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe cleat includes a first slot defined through a front portion of the bicycle shoe cleat, and two second slots defined through a rear portion of the bicycle shoe cleat. Bolts extend the first and second slots, and are connected to the outsole of a racing bicycle shoe. A protrusion extends from one of two surfaces of the rear portion and has a convex and curved outer surface. A stepped portion is formed between the protrusion and the rear portion. Two bores are defined through the protrusion and the bicycle shoe cleat. Two fixing bolts extend through an engaging member and are connected to the two bores. The bicycle shoe cleat and the engaging member are installed to a racing bicycle shoe and can be clipped to clipless pedals of mounting bikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: CYCLINGDEAL USA, INC.
    Inventor: Haidong Gu
  • Patent number: 10926833
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal system for connecting a shoe to a bicycle pedal includes a cleat plate, adopted for mounting onto a sole of the shoe, and a pedal body. The pedal body has a first surface, an opposing identically shaped second surface with multiple slots therein, and the cleat plates having attachment members of complementary shapes engaging selectively with the pedal and positioning the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Martin Feuerhahn
  • Patent number: 10912347
    Abstract: A footwear assembly having an upper that comprises a neoprene sock with a foot portion integrally connected to a leg portion. The foot portion has heel, vamp and under-foot portions. The leg portion has front shin, side wall, and rear calf-side portions. The upper has a unitary, outer, injection molded layer molded directly onto the foot and shin portions of the neoprene sock, while the sidewall and rear calf-side portions remain substantially uncovered by the injection molded layer. The injection molded layer encases the foot portion of the neoprene sock. The injection molded layer on the shin portion defines a shin guard portion having a necked down area integrally connected to the injection molded layer at the vamp portion, wherein the shin guard extends upwardly from the necked-down portion in an outwardly diverging shape away from the vamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Ludemann, Justin Behnke, Paul W. Brabson, Aaron Barker, Xiaojian Tong
  • Patent number: 10906606
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pedal for a bicycle that includes a body, a spindle secured to the body and for connection to the bicycle, a first magnetic platter, and a second magnetic platter overlaying the first magnetic platter. The first and second magnetic platters each include a plurality of blocks formed of a material that can be magnetized, and a plurality of permanent magnet plates arranged so as to magnetize the blocks with either a magnetic north or magnetic south polarity with adjacent blocks being magnetized with opposite magnetic polarities. The second magnetic platter is movable with respect to the first magnetic platter by a ferrous metal cleat between a first position where the pedal is in a magnetically inactive state and a second position where the pedal is in a magnetically active state magnetically securing the cleat to the second magnetic platter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: Smart Clips LLC, Magswitch Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ball, Shane Felton
  • Patent number: 10813409
    Abstract: A vacuum formed knit sole system for an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component is described. The article of footwear includes a knitted component including a lower portion forming the knit sole system and an upper portion forming a portion of the upper of the article of footwear. A method of vacuum forming the knitted component using an insert member to form the knit sole system is also described. The insert member can be used to form the shape of the knit outsole, including the shape of cleat members, as well as remain within the interior of the upper to reinforce the knit sole system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Tory M. Cross
  • Patent number: 10800483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleat with an adjustable pad. The cleat includes a cleat body, an anti-slip buffer and a support base. The cleat body has three fixing holes and a central hole among the three fixing holes. A top side of the central hole is formed with a recess. The recess has a front portion and a rear portion. The central is located in the front portion. The anti-slip buffer is of a hat shape corresponding to the central hole and capable of selectively being placed in the central hole in different directions to form two protrudent heights. The support base is of a shape corresponding to the recess and capable of selectively being placed in the recess in different directions to adjustably support the anti-slip buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SCADA INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 10759490
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal includes a pedal body, a shaft, a bearing, a sleeve, a bushing, a nut and a lid. The pedal body has a shaft hole with a first opening, a second opening and a first stopping step. The shaft in the shaft hole has a middle section, a tail section with a thread and a second stopping step therebetween. The bearing is put around the tail section and blocked by the first stopping step. The sleeve is put around the tail section and abuts against the bearing. The bushing is selectively put around a first position or a second position of the tail section. The nut is screwed on the thread of the tail section for pushing both the adjusting bushing and the bearing toward the second stopping step. The lid is fastened in the second opening for pushing both the sleeve and the bearing toward the first stopping step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SCADA INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 10759491
    Abstract: An improved cleat assembly configured to be releasably secured to a clipless bicycle pedal comprises a first plate, a second plate disposed over the first plate, and plurality of spacers disposed between the first and second plates, the spacer separating the first and second plates a predetermined distance. The second plate may define a pedal aperture having a circumferential periphery comprising a first portion and a side tie portion and the side tie portion may be offset from the first portion. The cleat assembly may further comprise a cap disposed over at least the second plate wherein the second plate may comprise a first of an engagement pair and the cap may comprise a second of the engagement pair. The first and second of the engagement pair may cooperate to couple the cap and the second plate to affix the cap onto the cleat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Wahoo Fitness L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Patent number: 10689065
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal comprises a pedal body, a first engagement member, and a biasing member. The first engagement member is movably coupled to the pedal body between a clamping position and a releasing position. The first engagement member is pivotable about a pivot axis in a pivot direction and slidable in a slide direction between the clamping position and the releasing position. The slide direction is different from the pivot direction. The biasing member biases the first engagement member toward the clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akira Inoue
  • Patent number: 10625816
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleat for being releasably secured to a clipless pedal. The cleat includes a base plate, a front engagement member, a rear engagement member and an anti-slip pad. The base plate is used for being fastened to a sole of a shoe and has a front tip, a rear end and a middle area between the front tip and the rear end. The front engagement member is mounted on a top side of the front tip. The rear engagement member is mounted on a top side of the rear end. The anti-slip pad is mounted on a bottom side of the middle area. Both the front engagement member and the rear engagement member are higher than the base plate in hardness and the base plate is higher than the anti-slip pad in hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Chin-Long Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10595586
    Abstract: A mountain bike shoe sole, including an outsole having a lower surface and a tread, and at least a recess, provided in the lower surface, for housing a cleat assembly. The shoe sole further includes at least a removable shim, housed in said recess, suitable to be interposed between the lower surface of the outsole and the cleat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: CRANK BROTHERS, INC.
    Inventors: Carl Winefordner, Frank Hermansen
  • Patent number: 10583891
    Abstract: A clipless pedal system is provided. In various embodiments, systems of the present disclosure comprise pedals and cleats for interaction with the pedals. At least one of a pedal and an associated cleat comprises a magnet, and at least one of the pedal and the associated cleat comprises a ferrous metal for interaction with the magnet. Geometric features are provided to enable both a secure connection between a cleat and a pedal and to enable a user-friendly release of the cleat from the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: Kevin Reed Jentzsch
  • Patent number: 10577047
    Abstract: A magnetic mountain bike pedal assembly provides for at least one pedal having a center member, the center member having at least one magnet in its center portion, a plate adapted to be removedly attached to a shoe wherein the plate contains at least one magnet, wherein when the plate and the center member are aligned a disconnectable magnetic connection is formed. In some embodiments, either the first magnetic element or the second magnetic element, or both may be Neodymium, and in some embodiments they may be axially-magnetized Neodymium. In some embodiments the present invention may also provide a shoe attached to the plate, the shoe having at least one ferrous metal cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Craig Payne
  • Patent number: 10531709
    Abstract: A motorcycle riding footwear sole comprising a projection suitable for engaging the underside of a motorcycle foot peg so as to prevent vertical movement of the sole relative to the foot peg, and characterized by further comprising a recess for receiving a brake or gear lever of a motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Jason McInulty
  • Patent number: 10464631
    Abstract: An automatic bicycle pedal, including a pedal body rotationally connected to a spindle suitable to be coupled to a pedal crank, said pedal body having a front-rear direction (A) and including a front portion and a rear portion which are engageable by a cleat, said cleat being connectable to the sole of a rider's shoe and including a front hook and a rear hook; the front portion includes flexible engagement means for said front hook of said cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SELLE ROYAL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carl Winefordner, Frank Hermansen, Mark Rane
  • Patent number: 10464630
    Abstract: An automatic bicycle pedal, including a pedal body rotationally connected to a spindle suitable to be coupled to a pedal crank, said pedal body having a front-rear direction (A) and including a front portion and a rear portion which are engageable by a cleat, said cleat being connectable to the sole of a rider's shoe and including a front hook and a rear hook; the front portion includes flexible engagement means for said front hook of said cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SELLE ROYAL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carl Winefordner, Frank Hermansen, Mark Rane
  • Patent number: 10342285
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe includes a sole. The sole includes a recess, which is recessed from a bottom surface of the sole. The recess is defined by a bottom portion and lateral surfaces. The bottom portion has a lateral dimension, which is greater than or equal to 20 millimeters and less than or equal to 45 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Aoki, Junichi Kikuta
  • Patent number: 10279862
    Abstract: An improved cleat assembly configured to be releasably secured to a clipless bicycle pedal comprises a first plate, a second plate disposed over the first plate, and plurality of spacers disposed between the first and second plates, the spacer separating the first and second plates a predetermined distance. The second plate may define a pedal aperture having a circumferential periphery comprising a first portion and a side tie portion and the side tie portion may be offset from the first portion. The cleat assembly may further comprise a cap disposed over at least the second plate wherein the second plate may comprise a first of an engagement pair and the cap may comprise a second of the engagement pair. The first and second of the engagement pair may cooperate to couple the cap and the second plate to affix the cap onto the cleat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Speedplay, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Patent number: 10206451
    Abstract: A clipless cycling shoe having an upper and a base plate. The base plate has a medial portion, a lateral portion and a medial sidewall. The medial portion has a rigid support structure having a top portion and a bottom portion, a cavity is formed between the top portion and bottom portion, wherein the cavity is filled with a core material. The lateral portion has a lateral plate. The medial sidewall wrap is adjacent the medial portion and extends outward and upward relative to the base plate and the medial sidewall wrap extends a portion of the length of the base plate. The medial portion is desirably thicker than the lateral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Carl Darius Bird, Robert A. L. Cook
  • Patent number: 10207769
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal, including: a pedal axle; a fixed portion, rotatably connected to the pedal axle, including a pedal body and a first cleat securing member fixedly attached to the pedal body, the first cleat securing member including a first securing opening; a second cleat securing member, rotatably connected to the fixed portion, including a second securing opening opposite to the first securing opening, the first and second securing openings configured for securing a cleat of a shoe; a biasing mechanism, including an adjustment mechanism movably attached to the fixed portion and an elastic member located between the second cleat securing member and the adjustment mechanism, the elastic member biasing the second cleat securing member in such a manner that the second cleat securing member tends to swing toward the first cleat securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Chung-I Chen
  • Patent number: 10188171
    Abstract: A cleat and base assembly for permitting blind alignment and engagement to one another. The cleat is disposed on an underside of a shoe sole and includes a forward cleat engagement edge and a rearward cleat engagement edge displaced at a distance along a longitudinal axis of the shoe sole. The base assembly can be provided on a bicycle pedal and includes a forward base engagement edge and a rearward base engagement edge configured to releasably retain or couple the forward and rearward cleat engagement edges, respectively. A pair of guides are disposed at angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the shoe sole, the pair of guides converging at opposing sides of one of the forward or rearward clear engagement edges to permit blind alignment and engagement of the cleat to the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Speedplay, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Patent number: 10173748
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal is provided that includes a pedal axle, a pedal body, a first clamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing structure. The pedal axle defines a rotational axis. The pedal body is rotatably supported on the pedal axle. The first clamping member is movably coupled to the pedal body between a first clamping position and a first open position. The second clamping member provided is on the pedal body. The second clamping member is configured to clamp a cleat between the first clamping member and the second clamping member in a clamping state where the first clamping member is in the first clamping position. The biasing structure includes at least one magnet to bias the first clamping member toward the first clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Chun Sing Tan
  • Patent number: 10093386
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal, including a pedal body rotationally connected to a spindle assembly suitable to be coupled to a pedal crank, the pedal body having a central portion including a cylindrical seat in which the spindle assembly is inserted and rotatably supported. The pedal includes a plurality of spacers, inserted along the spindle assembly and/or inside the cylindrical seat, suitable to be relocated in order to modify the Q-factor of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SELLE ROYAL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carl Winefordner, Frank Hermansen, Mark Rane
  • Patent number: 10086581
    Abstract: Surfaces of a carbon-fiber composite material is constructed by a carbon fiber prepregs by arranging a porous prepreg between the carbon fiber prepregs, at least one of a concave portion and a convex portion is formed on at least one surface of the carbon composite material, and, as compared to a normal portion without the concave portion and the convex portion, a thickness of the porous prepreg at the concave portion is reduced and a thickness of the porous prepreg at the convex portion is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: INOAC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jun Oyabu
  • Patent number: 10034513
    Abstract: Footwear (1) having a vamp (2), an insole, a midsole (3) and an outsole (4). A plurality of spaced apart magnets (5) located adjacent the outsole (4) so that in use the magnets (5) provide a gripping force between the footwear (1) and a metallic surface upon which the footwear (1) is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Ben Aaron Donaldson
  • Patent number: 9950765
    Abstract: An orthotic pedal apparatus for a bicycle has a pedal post having a central first axis and a male threaded portion for engaging female threads in a crank arm of a bicycle crank assembly, a pedal body having a linear bore arrangement with bearings mounting the body rotationally on the pedal post, and a mechanism for adjusting and securing position of the body at different positions along the direction of the axis of the pedal post, and a foot platform mounted rotationally above the pedal body to rotate on a second axis at a right angle to the axis of the pedal post, the foot platform supported on spring elements between the pedal body and the foot platform on both sides of the second rotational axis, the spring elements tending to return the foot platform to a position parallel to the pedal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Edward Goulet
  • Patent number: 9826794
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a mounting standard for mounting a cleat assembly to a shoe sole having a curved underside portion and a plurality of mounting holes. The mounting standard is configured so that the cleat assembly can be moved forward or rearward with respect to the curved underside portion of the shoe sole without significantly affecting the distance between the cleat assembly and a user's foot. The present invention is also embodied in a shoe configured to receive a user's foot, the shoe comprising a shoe sole and a mounting standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Speedplay, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Patent number: 9795184
    Abstract: A shoe positioning plate has a shoe facing side surface, a sole surface and a shoe positioning member. The sole surface is configured to be a part of a shoe sole when the shoe facing side surface is attached the shoe sole. The shoe positioning member includes at least one abutment disposed on an opposite side of the shoe positioning plate from the shoe facing side surface and extending in an elongated direction of a shoe when the shoe positioning plate is attached the shoe sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ueda, Junichi Kikuta, Toshiaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 9763491
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a mounting standard for mounting a cleat assembly to a shoe sole having a curved underside portion and a plurality of mounting holes. The mounting standard is configured so that the cleat assembly can be moved forward or rearward with respect to the curved underside portion of the shoe sole without significantly affecting the distance between the cleat assembly and a user's foot. The present invention is also embodied in a shoe configured to receive a user's foot, the shoe comprising a shoe sole and a mounting standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Speedplay, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Patent number: 9609905
    Abstract: A supplemental sole is adapted to be secured to a sole of a shoe for releasable coupling to a cylindrical pedal of a bicycle. An operational assembly formed in the supplemental sole includes a housing with a forwardly facing chamber. A sleeve is within the forwardly facing chamber. A primary lever pivotally coupled to the housing has a forward region movable between a lowered release orientation beneath the chamber and a raised locked orientation securing the sleeve within the forwardly facing chamber. A trigger is axially reciprocable within the housing. The trigger has a forward end located in the chamber when in the release orientation. The forward end is located rearwardly of the chamber when slid rearwardly by the pedal for raising the primary lever to the locked orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: Frank M. Leko, Mike C. Lohmeyer
  • Patent number: 9527549
    Abstract: A cleat-pedal attachment system includes a cleat, comprising first and second surfaces, and a pedal. The pedal comprises a spindle, configured to reversibly attach to a crank arm of a bicycle, and a pedal frame. The pedal frame comprises a third surface positioned near the side of the pedal frame furthest from the crank arm, and a fourth surface, substantially perpendicular to the spindle axis, positioned near the side of the pedal frame closest to the crank arm. The first and third surfaces are shaped and oriented so that if the first surface is placed in direct contact with the third surface, a vertical force applied to the cleat in an upwards direction away from the pedal frame causes the second surface of the cleat to exert a horizontal force against the fourth surface of the pedal frame, maintaining the relative positions of the cleat and the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Allan M Pepito
  • Patent number: 9493209
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal is detachable and engageable with a cleat that can be attached to shoes. The bicycle pedal basically includes a pedal shaft having a rotational center axis, a pedal main body and a clamp part. The pedal main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is on the opposite side of the first surface. The pedal main body is rotatably supported by the pedal shaft around the rotational center axis. The clamp part has at least three cleat clamping portions that detachably retain the cleat on at least the first surface of the pedal main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sakaue
  • Patent number: 9290234
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal includes a pedal axle, a rotatable main pedal body, a first cleat securing member pivotally coupled about a first pivot axis between first and second positions, a sub member pivotally coupled to move about a second pivot axis, and at least a first biasing member disposed on the second pivot axis. The second pivot axis is farther from the pedal axle than the first pivot axis. The first biasing member is operatively disposed between the main pedal body and the first cleat securing member to bias the first cleat securing member toward the first position. The first cleat securing member and the sub member rotate together about the second pivot axis until the sub member abuts against the main pedal body, and the first cleat securing member subsequently rotates toward the second position about the first pivot axis independently from the sub member during a step-in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Inoue
  • Patent number: 9055779
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe includes a sole, a shoe upper portion, and a fixing strap. The shoe upper portion is coupled to the sole to form a foot receiving space. The shoe upper portion includes first and second attachment sections. The fixing strap has a proximal end attached to a part of the shoe upper portion. The fixing strap includes third and fourth attachment sections. The shoe upper portion and the fixing strap selectively maintain one of a first state in which the third attachment section of the fixing strap is releasably attached to the first attachment section of the shoe upper portion and a second state in which the fourth attachment section of the fixing strap is releasably attached to the second attachment section of the shoe upper portion. The foot receiving space is larger in the second state than in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Oouchi