For Riding (e.g., Cycling, Horse Riding, Etc.) Patents (Class 36/131)
  • Patent number: 6981340
    Abstract: A device for protecting footwear of a motorcycle rider comprises a sole of a water impermeable material, an upper of bodily flexible material and an adjustable strap for securing the device to footwear of the rider. The device is typically worn on the left foot of the rider because motorcycle transmissions are shifted by the left foot, leaving a characteristic wear pattern on the left shoe or boot of the rider. The upper allows substantial air movement around the rider's footwear and may be partially or wholly insulated with a foam layer in the upper. Some embodiments provide greater air circulation and less insulation. Two types of adjustable straps are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Adrian L. Evans
  • Patent number: 6883256
    Abstract: A structure associated with a motorcycle boot which is designed to restrict, in the event of accidental falls followed by contact at high speed with the ground, the movements of a leg-piece of the boot with respect to the axis of a heel-piece, comprises a first hinge, which is angularly movable in a substantially unlimited manner and axially movable between two stopping means, and second hinge which is movable only angularly in a restricted manner. Alternatively, the first and second hinges can be formed of elastomeric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Alpinestars Research Srl.
    Inventor: Gabriele Mazzarolo
  • Patent number: 6845688
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly includes a pedal and a cleat. The pedal includes a pedal body that rotates about a shaft and front and rear clamping members coupled to opposite ends of the pedal body. The cleat has front and rear attachment portions that are selectively engageable with the pedal via the front and rear clamping members. The pedal and the cleat are configured to form a laterally shiftable floating pivot axis such that the bicycle shoe cleat pivots and laterally shifts about the floating pivot axis relative to the pedal body through predetermined ranges of pivotal and lateral movements without releasing the bicycle shoe cleat from the bicycle pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Muraoka
  • Patent number: 6826853
    Abstract: A sports shoe, comprising a soft upper provided with a cuff and with a rear counter which are semirigid and are separately connected to the upper, an additional semirigid element that is associated with the upper or monolithically coupled thereto, in an intermediate region, between the cuff and the counter, the additional semirigid element having, at the rear and/or laterally, at least one first tab and at least one second tab for sliding engagement in first guides formed in the cuff and in the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Jolly Scarpe
    Inventor: Ivo Zanatta
  • Publication number: 20040226195
    Abstract: The multipurpose boot is constructed in essentially the same manner as conventional racing boots, being formed of leather and including a relatively thick, abrasion resistant sole and steel toe guard. However, the boot is cut much lower than a conventional racing boot, extending only to just above the ankle. The boot top also includes a padded collar for greater comfort. No integral shin guard is provided due to the low cut, which provides for greater flexibility and comfort due to the removability of the separate shin guard when it is not required. The boot top also includes a series of fasteners, which may be used to attach the correspondingly equipped cuff of a pants leg to the boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Manolito M. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20040194350
    Abstract: A structure associated with a motorcycle boot which is designed to restrict, in the event of accidental falls followed by contact at high speed with the ground, the movements of a leg-piece of the boot with respect to the axis of a heel-piece, comprises a first hinge, which is angularly movable in a substantially unlimited manner and axially movable between two stopping means, and second hinge which is movable only angularly in a restricted manner. Alternatively, the first and second hinges can be formed of elastomeric materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Gabriele Mazzarolo
  • Publication number: 20040148809
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe has an upper portion with a sole attached to the upper portion. The sole has upper and lower outer surfaces that define a toe section, an arch section, a ball section and a heel section with a longitudinal axis extending between the toe and heel sections. The ball section has a cleat attachment area surrounding at least one cleat attachment hole extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces. At least the arch section is configured with a transverse cross section having a center sole area with a first predetermined height, a medial side sole area with a second predetermined height and a lateral outside sole area with a third predetermined height, the first predetermined height being smaller than said second and third predetermined heights. Preferably, the sole upper and lower inner surfaces defining an interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Kikuta, Yuji Nakashima, Tomohiko Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6745643
    Abstract: A detachable pedal assembly including an axle assembly and a binding assembly with an automatic release mechanism is disclosed. The axle assembly includes a thrust bearing and threads to engage the crank. The binding assembly includes a pedal and clasp that detachably receives and locks the thrust bearing of the axle assembly in operational engagement. When a predetermined force is applied the binding assembly automatically releases from the axle assembly to permit the cyclist to dismount or avoid injury in an accident. Furthermore, the position of the release mechanism to the side of the binding assembly permits the binding assembly to be offset from the axle axis, thereby improving increased riding efficiency, lower aerodynamic drag, and increased turning clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Robert Lubanski
  • Patent number: 6725577
    Abstract: Structure, associated with a motorcycle boot, which is designed to restrict, in the event of accidental falls followed by contact at high speed with the ground, the movements of the leg-piece (12) of the boot with respect to the axis of a heel-piece (14). First hinge (16) which are angularly movable in a substantially unlimited manner and axially movable between two stops and second hinge (18) which are movable only angularly in a restricted manner. Alternatively, the first and second hinges can be formed by elements (176, 178) made of elastomeric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Alpinostars Research Srl
    Inventor: Gabriele Mazzarolo
  • Patent number: 6725742
    Abstract: The use of one or more studs attached to the sole of a bicycle shoe as a means of engagement of the shoe with a corresponding pedal. The studs are similar in design to lugs, cleats, spikes, or studs conventionally attached to the soles of soccer, football, or other outdoor sport shoes as a means of enhancing traction on turf or dirt. In a preferred embodiment of the pedal, a cylindrical ring connects a pedal body and legs and provides a means for sandwiching studs in slots between the ring and a pedal cage. The stud-based shoe and pedal system is especially suited for mountain bicycling. The shoe readily releases from the pedal in unanticipated stops, thus preventing injury, and enables a cyclist to maintain firm contact with pedals in steep or treacherous terrain. The shoe performs well both on and off a bicycle when the cyclist is riding and running in difficult conditions commonly associated with off-road bicycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: David Albert Bremer
  • Patent number: 6722229
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly includes a pedal and a cleat. The pedal includes a body that rotates about a shaft. Front and rear clamping member are coupled to opposite ends of the pedal body. Each of the clamping members has an engagement surface facing in a first direction. The cleat has front and rear attachment portions that are selectively engageable with the pedal via the front and rear clamping members. Specifically, the front and rear attachment portions have front and rear offset coupling surfaces engageable with the front and rear engagement surfaces. The pedal and the cleat are configured to form a rear float pivot axis on a rear side of a center rotation axis of the pedal and a front cleat release pivot axis on a front side of the center rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Muraoka
  • Patent number: 6694846
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly has a cleat releasably coupled to a pedal by a cleat engagement mechanism formed on an upper surface of its pedal body. The pedal body has a front end configured and arranged to include a sole guide portion that assists the rider in rotating the pedal body about its pedal shaft. In one embodiment, the sole guide portion is formed by a first concaved sole receiving recess located in a tip surface of the pedal body and a second concaved sole receiving recess located on the upper surface of the pedal body adjacent to the tip surface. Alternatively, the concaved sole receiving recesses can be replaced with either a pair of laterally spaced projections located on at the front end of the pedal body, or a V-shaped tip surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Muraoka, Tomohiko Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20040020075
    Abstract: The ventilated shoe comprises an outer sole and at least two interchangeable inner soles. The inner sole in disposed in contact with and over the outer sole. The outer sole has ventilation ports at the toe portion and at the heel portion. The ventilation ports extend trough the entire thickness of the outer sole. A support is provided to spacedly rest the inner sole over the outer sole in a manner to allow air to penetrate through the ventilation ports and to circulate between the outer sole and the inner sole. The inner sole may be air permeable and is used when the temperature is medium to high. Under cold temperature it is preferable to use an impermeable inner sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Louis Garneau Sport inc.
    Inventor: Louis Garneau
  • Publication number: 20040010944
    Abstract: A shoe cleat with improved traction includes at least one resiliently flexible traction element extending from a hub and being resiliently deflectable in a direction toward the sole of a shoe when the cleat is secured to the sole. The cleat is further configured to trap and engage blades of grass during resilient deflection of the traction element when the shoe is forced against a turf surface. The grass blades are frictionally engaged and secured in a non-planar engaging area by the traction element resulting in an enhanced traction of the shoe with respect to the turf surface. A convex foot on the traction element includes a suitable curvature to facilitate sliding of the foot along the turf surface as the traction element deflects to avoid penetration into the turf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Publication number: 20030226287
    Abstract: A boot includes a heel with a rear side having embedded therein one component of a two-component coupling member. A detachable spur has a distal end with a barb element thereat and a proximal end with a second component of the two-component coupling member. The second component is detachably connected to the one component, with the distal end projecting outward from the heel to position the barb element for use while riding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Blair D. Borne
  • Publication number: 20030115775
    Abstract: Structure, associated with a motorcycle boot, which is designed to restrict, in the event of accidental falls followed by contact at high speed with the ground, the movements of the leg-piece (12) of the boot with respect to the axis of a heel-piece (14). First hinging means (16) which are angularly movable in a substantially unlimited manner and axially movable between two stopping means and second hinging means (18) which are movable only angularly in a restricted manner. Alternatively, the first and second hinging means can be formed by elements (176, 178) made of elastomeric materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Gabriele Mazzarolo
  • Publication number: 20030089001
    Abstract: A new and improved apparatus is disclosed for covering the boots, shoes, or other footwear of a motorcyclist. The present invention comprises a piece of leather designed in a rectangular shape. Each of the four corners would have an extension piece designed to attach to one another, with each of the four corners including attachment means. The present invention would also have sufficient space to have a logo located on the top face of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony Zagami
  • Publication number: 20030066384
    Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect mechanism for releasably engaging a cyclist's shoe with a bike pedal having a slotted retainer secured to the pedal and an insert secured to the sole of the cyclist's shoe. The insert or key is insertably introduced through an open end of the slot to engage the retainer. A wedge and dove-tail arrangement prevents separation of the insert or key from the retainer in a direction normal to the pedal. A resilient detent construction yieldably or releasably holds the insert or key in the slot of the retainer and permits only lateral separation. A guide or alignment arrangement is employed to conduct the insert or key into the slot via the open end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Baker, Joseph A. Bravo
  • Patent number: 6536304
    Abstract: Device adapted for the automatic securement of a cyclist's shoe on a bicycle pedal, particularly for an all terrain bicycle includes on the one hand a chock (4) secured to a shoe sole (5) and disposed in a hollow of the sole having lateral edges extending on opposite sides of the chock (4), and on the other hand a front fixed claw and a rear movable claw (6) disposed on the pedal and adapted to secure the chock to the pedal. Each claw is adapted to coact with a female configuration disposed respectively at the front and the rear of the chock. The rear movable chock (6) is disposed between two fixed projecting members (22, 23) forming simultaneously a non-rearward return abutment and a lateral slope (26, 27) adapted to coact with the side edge (28, 29) of the hollow (7) of the sole (5) for the lateral disengagement of the shoe by lateral pivoting of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Look Cycle International
    Inventor: Henri Peyre
  • Patent number: 6477793
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for promoting an ergonomically proper leg and foot posture while cycling are disclosed. A cycling shoe has a rigid outsole with a heel portion, a forefoot portion forward of the heel portion, a toe portion forward of the forefoot portion, an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface has a pedal contact area underlying the forefoot portion. The pedal contact area defines a base plane, and the upper surface of the outsole is sloped laterally with respect to the base plane along substantially the entire width of the forefoot portion, at a predetermined varus-compensation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Pruitt, Carl Bird, Luke Fryer
  • Patent number: 6425304
    Abstract: An improved clipless pedal of the kind having forward and rearward cleat retainers configured to releasably secure the cleat of a rider's shoe and prevent an unintended release of the securement. The pedal includes a special wall/stop fixture that defines forward and rearward walls for preventing the cleat from moving forwardly or rearwardly relative to the pedal by an amount that otherwise would be sufficient to cause an unintended disengagement of the cleat from the pedal. These walls have no effect on the intended release of the cleat from the pedal, which is accomplished by rotating the shoe about an axis perpendicular to the pedal's upper face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Speedplay, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Publication number: 20010029684
    Abstract: Boot intended to engage with a sports article fitted with left/right identification means (5) which are recognizable by detection means, particularly a ski binding. The identification means consist of at least one piece of magnetic material, for example a permanent magnet (5), housed in the sole (2) asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal mid-axis of the boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Hans Horn
  • Publication number: 20010025439
    Abstract: A domed protrusion is foreseen at the inner instep side of the shell of a skate boot which facilitates the getting up of the skater from a sidewise splits. Such a skate boot is specifically suitable as ice-hockey goalkeeper's skate boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: KARL GRAF
  • Publication number: 20010023545
    Abstract: Bicycle shoe sole (1) comprising a pedal plate (3)adapted to a bicycle pedal comprising fixing means, the line (QA2) of the pedal plate corresponding to the position of a pedal axis of the bicycle pedal being dislocated rearwards relative to the point (GG) on the bicycle shoe sole corresponding to the center of the fetlock joint by 20 to 60 mm, preferably by 35 to 45 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Gotz Heine
  • Publication number: 20010022041
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a torsion system constructed of a material and configured to allow, in a pre-selected manner, rotation of a forefoot portion of the article of footwear relative to a rearfoot portion of the article of footwear about a longitudinal axis of the article while substantially precluding bending in an intermediate portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: JEFFREY E. GEBHARD
  • Patent number: 6289610
    Abstract: A sport boot sole having at least one arrangement for connecting the boot to a sport article along an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boot, this connecting arrangement having an anchoring device in the sole, wherein the anchoring device is arranged along a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole and is independent. Advantageously, each connecting arrangement is constituted by a substantially U-shaped buckle having a transverse arm defining the articulation axle and two lateral arms, and each lateral arm is anchored along a substantially vertical direction inside the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Francois Girard, Eric Girault, Jean-Francois Paris
  • Patent number: 6286234
    Abstract: A footwear protector for motorcycle riding for protecting the footwear of motorcycle riders with an article that is easily mounted on the footwear. The protective device includes a sheath member having a forward end and a rearward end, with the forward end being closed and the rearward end having an opening. The sheath member has a top wall and a bottom wall, with a pair of side walls and a front wall extending between the top and bottom walls. The device also includes a gear shift actuator cushion mounted on the top wall of the sheath member. The actuator cushion extends from the opening toward the forward end of the sheath member. A pocket is formed on the top wall of the sheath member. The actuator cushion comprises a resiliently compressible cushion in the pocket for cushioning the transmission of impacts from an upper surface of the actuator cushion to the top wall of the sheath member and footwear positioned in the sheath member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Larry B. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6272773
    Abstract: A riding shoe comprising a sole, a heel and an upper defining a foot-receiving portion and an ankle-receiving portion has a pronation support system comprising an arch support integrated with the sole. This results in a shoe being comfortable when walking as well as horse riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Mountain Horse Intl. AB
    Inventor: Bertil Sjösvärd
  • Patent number: 6260291
    Abstract: Sports footwear for cycling use, in which a latching member is provided to cooperate with a bicycle pedal and is detachably attached to the sole with a rigid insert. The footwear of the invention includes a sole and an upper extending upwardly from the sole. A reinforcement plate is fixed on an upper surface of the sole and is positioned beneath the peripheral edge of the upper. Further, an insole is positioned above the peripheral edge of the upper, the peripheral edge thereby being situated between the insole and the reinforcement plate, with the thickness of the peripheral edge of said upper defining a housing. The rigid insert has an upper portion that is adjustably positioned on an upper surface of the reinforcement plate, the upper portion of the rigid insert having a thickness no greater than the height of the housing defined by the thickness of the peripheral edge of the upper. The latching member is detachably connected to the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Yves Farys
  • Patent number: 6244136
    Abstract: A foot cleat includes a foot cleat body with a second engaging major surface adapted for facing toward a first engaging surface of a pedal body. The foot cleat body is formed with an elongate lock slot extending in a transverse direction, and two lock holes in two opposite sides relative to the elongate lock slot and aligned in a longitudinal direction. Two friction members are disposed in two lateral portions of the foot cleat body and extend outwardly of the second major engaging surface to abut against two tread walls of the pedal body to prevent slippage of the foot cleat body relative to the pedal body. Screw fasteners are passed through the elongate lock slot and/or the lock holes in such a manner that the screw fasteners are adjustably positioned at the elongate lock slot which is adapted for registering with the screw holes in the bottom surface of the sole of a cyclist's shoe so as to be engaged selectively and threadedly in the corresponding ones of the screw holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Chung-I Chen
  • Patent number: 6196084
    Abstract: A bicycle cleat assembly is provided for attachment to a shoe and for cooperating with a step-in bicycle pedal thereto via a cleat. The cleat has a central attachment portion, a front attachment portion and a rear attachment portion. The front and rear attachment portions both have a pair of coupling surfaces that hold the cleat above the pedal body of the pedal. The rear attachment portion has a protrusion or projection that extends outwardly from the rear edge and wide coupling surfaces with cleat guide elements or surfaces. The pedal body preferably has a pair clamping members pivotally coupled thereto. Each clamping member has a front cleat engagement portion and a rear cleat engagement portion for engaging the cleat. The front and rear cleat engagement portions of the clamping members are designed to hold to cleat above the upper support surface of the pedal body. The rear cleat engagement portion is designed to pivot rearwardly upon a twisting movement between the cleat and the pedal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ueda
  • Patent number: 6189242
    Abstract: A shoe for a bicycle includes an outsole having a depression for receiving a board and having an opening for receiving a coupler. The board has a recess for receiving a fastener plate. One or more fasteners are engaged through the coupler and the board and threaded to the fastener plate for securing the coupler to the board. A shoe upper includes a peripheral flange engaged onto the board and an insole has a peripheral portion snugly engaged with the peripheral flange of the shoe upper. The insole has a pivotal flap received in the recess and engaged with the fastener plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Mikel Lin
  • Patent number: 6151989
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly is provided for attaching a shoe thereto via a cleat. The bicycle pedal has a pedal body rotatably coupled to the second end of the pedal shaft for supporting a cyclist's foot. The pedal body preferably has a pair clamping members pivotally coupled thereto. A biasing member is coupled between the pedal body and each of the clamping members. Adjustment member or screw 231 is threaded into a threaded hole formed in the pedal body such that the free end of the screw contacts a portion of the associated clamping member to rotate the clamping member. The associated biasing member is now placed under tension. This arrangement allows for easy assembly of the bicycle pedal, since clamping members and biasing members can be coupled to pedal body without placing biasing members under tension. Also, this arrangement allows the initial tension to be regulated by utilizing thin washers between the head of the screws and the pedal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ueda
  • Patent number: 6089122
    Abstract: A connecting structure between a bicycle pedal and a cleat, comprising hooks pivotably supported by a pedal body for engaging and releasing the cleat, and an urging device for urging the hooks toward engaging positions. The object is to allow the cleat to be released with increased reliability when, for example, the cyclist falls over with his shoe becoming obliquely inclined relative to the pedal. A first cam mechanism is provided between each of the hooks and the cleat for causing the hook to pivot in a releasing direction when the cleat is inclined about a first imaginary axis extending substantially along a direction of pivotal movement of the hooks. The first cam mechanism includes a first pressed edge defined on one of the hooks and opposed to the cleat, and a first pressing edge defined on the cleat and opposed to one of the hooks for slidable contact with the first pressed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Nagano
  • Patent number: 6085614
    Abstract: A pedal for a racing bicycle in which a coupling structure is provided for enabling a pedal body to be coupled to a cage and turned about a shaft within a limited angle relative to the cage, wherein the coupling structure includes an end cap mounted in a stepped hole in the cage and engaged into locating grooves at the pedal body, the end cap having a locating block inserted into a sliding groove in the stepped hole inside the cage to limit the turning angle of the pedal body relative to the cage, a screw mounted in a countersunk hole at the end cap and threaded into a screw hole at the pedal body to fix the end cap to the pedal body, and a torsional spring mounted on the end cap and connected between a locating hole inside the pedal body and a notch in the stepped hole inside the cage for enabling the pedal body to be returned to its former position after each rotary notion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 6035743
    Abstract: A pedal including a main body having a first side and a second side, the first side of the main body defining a first clipless retaining structure, and the second side of the main body defining a second clipless retaining structure. The first clipless retaining structure is a road bike clipless retaining structure and the second clipless retaining structure is a mountain bike clipless retaining structure. The pedal can include a cleat adapter for installation into the first clipless retaining structure wherein the cleat adapter includes a lock mechanism to fix the cleat adapter in the first clipless retaining structure. The lock mechanism has a locked position to fix the cleat adapter in the first clipless retaining structure, and an unlocked position to allow the cleat adapter to release from the first clipless retaining structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Schwinn Cycling & Fitness Inc.
    Inventors: Albert G. Gapinski, Patrick Warner
  • Patent number: 6009641
    Abstract: A cycling shoe includes an external frame for supporting the upper, the frame having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and a bottom member connecting the heel and forefoot portions, having torsional flexibility, the heel portion being axially rotatable relative to the forefoot portion responsive to vertical out of plane movement of the cyclist's leg, a medial side member extending between the forefoot portion and the heel portion, a lateral side member extending between the forefoot portion and the heel portion, and having a resistance to horizontal and vertical displacements of the heel portion relative to the forefoot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Adidas International, B.V.
    Inventor: Kevin Ryan
  • Patent number: 5943795
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe is disclosed for use with a clipless pedal. The bicycle shoe has an upper peripheral portion with a sole portion coupled thereto and an inner sole portion or cushior overlying the inner surface of the sole portion. The bicycle shoe can either be designed for use with a road bicycle or a mountain bicycle. In other words, the sole portion can be either a substantially hard, rigid member or a substantially flexible, resilient member. In either case, the sole is provided with one or more attachment apertures for attaching a low profile cleat thereto. In particular, the attachment aperture or apertures are longitudinally arranged such that the fasteners which couple the cleat to the shoe sole portion is located in front of and behind the pedal shaft. Preferably, the attachment aperture or apertures is spaced from a center line extending between the center points of the toe portion and the heel portion of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ueda, Yuji Nakashima
  • Patent number: 5924220
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe has a sole that is designed for use with a clipless pedal. The bicycle shoe has an upper peripheral portion with a sole portion coupled thereto and an inner sole portion or cushion overlying the inner surface of the sole portion. The bicycle shoe can either be designed for use with a road bicycle or a mountain bicycle. In other words, the sole portion can be either a substantially hard, rigid member or a substantially flexible, resilient member. In either case, the sole is provided with one or more attachment apertures for attaching a low profile cleat thereto. In particular, the attachment aperture or apertures are longitudinally arranged such that the fasteners which couple the cleat to the shoe sole portion is located in front of and behind the pedal shaft. Preferably, the attachment aperture or apertures is spaced from a center line extending between the center points of the toe portion and the heel portion of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ueda, Yuji Nakashima
  • Patent number: 5878514
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe is disclosed for use with a clipless pedal. The bicycle shoe has an upper peripheral portion with a sole portion coupled thereto and an inner sole portion or cushion overlying the inner surface of the sole portion. The bicycle shoe can either be designed for use with a road bicycle or a mountain bicycle. In other words, the sole portion can be either a substantially hard, rigid member or a substantially flexible, resilient member. In either case, the sole is provided with one or more attachment apertures for attaching a low profile cleat thereto. In particular, the attachment aperture or apertures are longitudinally arranged such that the fasteners which couple the cleat to the shoe sole portion is located in front of and behind the pedal shaft. Preferably, the attachment aperture or apertures is spaced from a center line extending between the center points of the toe portion and the heel portion of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ueda, Yuji Nakashima
  • Patent number: 5873185
    Abstract: A shoe guard is worn by an individual over a shoe for use to protect the shoe while the individual is riding a motorcycle. The shoe guard comprises a cover of sufficient size to be positioned over a portion of the shoe and is adaptable to be secured to the shoe, such as by straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Cordell Harris, Howard Pinkney
  • Patent number: 5860330
    Abstract: A canting device adjusts the angle of a shoe and/or a pedal in an upward and inward direction to position a bicyclist's foot to maximize the muscle power to be applied by the foot. The device has a tapered thickness and in one instance, is inserted between the sole of the shoe and a cleat, the larger of the tapered thickness being positioned toward the inside of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventors: Keith Code, David Gordon
  • Patent number: 5855078
    Abstract: A footwear protector for motorcyclists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Ted Starker
  • Patent number: 5855147
    Abstract: A connecting structure between a bicycle pedal and a cleat is formed of hooks pivotably supported by a pedal body for engaging and releasing the cleat, and an urging device for urging the hooks toward engaging positions. A first cam mechanism is provided between each of the hooks and the cleat for causing the hook to pivot in a releasing direction when the cleat is inclined about a first imaginary axis extending substantially along a direction of pivotal movement of the hooks. The first cam mechanism includes a first pressed edge defined on one of the hooks and opposed to the cleat, and a first pressing edge defined on the cleat and opposed to one of the hooks for slidable contact with the first pressed edge. The first pressed edge and first pressing edge overlap each other as seen in a direction perpendicular to the pedal body tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Nagano
  • Patent number: 5845421
    Abstract: A sole for a snowboard boot is made of a nylon reinforced fiberglass material. The snowboard boot includes an intermediate layer made of a resin material. between the sole and an upper portion of the shoe. The upper portion of the shoe is made of a leather-like material. A first adhesive adhers the upper to the intermediate layer. A second adhesive adheres the intermediate layer to the sole. The first and second adhesives have differing properties and advantages. For instance, the first adhesive 65 provides good adhesive properties between leather material and resin materials. The second adhesive 70 provides good adhesive properties between nylon reinforced fiberglass materials and resin based materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5836094
    Abstract: A cycling shoe having the characteristics of stiffness, low weight, foot stability and walking comfort has as its primary element a unit body of monocoque construction in the form of a contoured sheet, for example of fiber and resin composite, that replaces the sole and part of the upper of a traditional shoe. The unit body includes a sole portion and a perimeter region. A downwardly-extending ridge structure defines a substantial portion of the perimeter region. An upwardly-extending sidewall terminates the perimeter region, and forms a portion of the shoe upper. Shoe upper components include a stiffened and contoured tongue piece and adjustable straps for pressing the tongue piece down against the forefoot of the cyclist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Figel
  • Patent number: 5822889
    Abstract: A bicycle shoe has a sole portion including an inflection point substantially in a longitudinal central portion of the sole, an inflection point front portion having a convex shape in front of the inflection point, and an infection point back portion having a concave shape behind the inflection. A heel portion having a convex shape for fitting to a heel is continuously and smoothly connected to a back end portion of the sole portion; left and right side portions are smoothly and continuously connected to corresponding left and right side portions of the sole portion and to the heel portion; and a toe portion is smoothly and continuously connected to front end portions of the left and right side portion structures and to the sole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ueda
  • Patent number: 5806379
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal system with adaptable pedal tread surfaces includes a pedal (3) having a first tread surface (4) and an adapter (5) attachable to the first tread surface. The adapter defines a second tread surface (7) opposite to a surface thereof facing the first tread surface when the adapter is attached to the first tread surface. The first and second tread surfaces provide different use modes. The first tread surface (4) includes a cleat engaging device (4a) for engaging a cleat, and the second tread surface (7) defines an antislip device (16) suited to treading by a shoe. In an alternative pedal system, the first tread surface (14) defines an antislip device (16) suited to treading by a shoe, and the second tread surface (19) includes a cleat engaging device (20, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Nagano
  • Patent number: 5778739
    Abstract: A low profile bicycle pedal having a pedal body supported by a pedal shaft to be rotatably about an axis of the pedal shaft and at a least pair of clamping members attached to the pedal body for releasably coupling a cleat of a cyclist's shoe thereto. Preferably, at least one of the clamping members is pivotally coupled to the pedal body. The cleat has a substantially C-shape with a pair of attachment portions for coupling the cleat to the cyclists shoe, and connecting portion for interconnecting the attachment portions together. The attachment portions and the connecting portions form a pedal shaft receiving notch for accommodating the pedal shaft when coupled to the pedal body. The pedal body is provided with a friction adjusting mechanism for selectively increasing and/or decreasing friction between the cleat and the pedal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kimitaka Takahama
  • Patent number: 5755144
    Abstract: A low profile bicycle pedal having a pedal body supported by a pedal shaft to be rotatably about an axis of the pedal shaft and at a least pair of clamping members attached to the pedal body for releasably coupling a cleat of a cyclist's shoe thereto. Preferably, at least one of the clamping members is pivotally coupled to the pedal body. The cleat has a substantially C-shape with a pair of attachment portions for coupling the cleat to the cyclist's shoe, and connecting portion for interconnecting the attachment portions together. The attachment portions and the connecting portions form a pedal shaft receiving notch for accommodating the pedal shaft when coupled to the pedal body. The pedal body is provided with a pair of substantially identical clamping members which are pivotally coupled to the pedal body. Each clamping member has front and rear cleat engaging surfaces with the rear cleat engaging surface being spaced farther than the front cleat engaging surface from the center of the pedal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ueda