Abstract: A three-piece cleat assembly for use on athletic shoes which have, embedded in their soles, an interlocking receptacle, such as that used in the Q-LOK R system. Molded of plastic, the cleat assembly includes a connector, a traction-enhancing member and a T-shaped member. The latter includes a stem from one end of which arms project outwardly. Distal from these arms, the stem is bifurcated into two branches. During assembly, the stem of the T-shaped member is inserted through a center hole in the traction-enhancing member; and the branches are squeeze-fitted into et square bore within the connector. Upon being released, the branches spring apart, pressing against the connector. Simultaneously, the arms nest snugly within troughs formed in the base of the traction-enhancing member; and a barb on the tip of each branch is caught on a shoulder rimming the square bore.

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 shoe system and a method of removing and attaching fixtures to shoes are provided in which a receptacle (14) includes an opening (16) through which a member (24) of a base (18) passes. The member (24) is rotated within the receptacle (14) and engages with a seat (34) to prevent unwanted rotation.

Abstract: A gripping element for sports shoes comprising a gripping element body of plastic material and a ceramic insert (2) which forms the tread surface of the gripping element and which is embedded in the gripping element body and which is embraced within the gripping element body over a part of its length by a metal sleeve (3) which is also embedded in the gripping element body. In that arrangement a plastic material layer (14) is formed between the peripheral surface of the ceramic insert and the inside surface of the metal sleeve. In order to make the plastic material layer as uniform as possible in its wall thickness. at least the part of the peripheral surface of the ceramic insert (2), that is embraced by the metal sleeve, is smooth and narrows towards the tread surface (FIG. 1).

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 spike for a golf shoe is provided which has a base portion adapted for attachment to the golf shoe for providing traction on turf. This spike is injection molded with a mixture of a polymer material and an abrasive grit material. As such, this material improves the resistance of the spike to wear and abrasion.

Abstract: A shoe system and a method of removing and attaching fixtures to shoes are provided in which a receptacle (14) includes an opening (16) through which a member (24) of a base (18) passes. The member (24) is rotated within the receptacle (14) and engages with a seat (34) to prevent unwanted rotation.

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: The invention relates to a removably attachable cleat for shoes, and in particular, to a removable athletic shoe cleat. The cleat has a base of a strong material and an outer layer of a soft material which absorbs some of the impact force when the cleat strikes a surface. Giving the base material and the outer layer material distinctively different visual appearance also provides clear indication to a user of when the outer layer has worn away and the cleat should be replaced.

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: A spike for track shoes is disclosed. The spike has a central section in a cylindrical configuration having a first enlarged exterior diameter. It also has an upper section in a generally cylindrical configuration extending upwardly from the central section with a threaded exterior face for removable attachment to and removable attachment from the track shoe of a wearer, the exterior diameter of the upper section being less than the exterior diameter of the central section. Lastly, a lower section is provided having an uppermost region with a generally circular cross-sectional configuration with an exterior diameter less than that of the central sections. The lower section also has an axis co-extensive with the central and upper sections and a lowermost region with a circular cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: In a combination of shoe cleat and holder, a screw-threaded spigot (12) on the cleat is inserted with rotation into a complementary socket (18) of the holder, and has a ring of free-standing posts (34, 42) extending axially from the cleat and a ring of radially-projective teeth (26) on the holder, the rings being co-axial with the screw axis so that during at least later stages of insertion of the spigot (12) into the socket (18), on relative rotation of the rings, engagement of the teeth (26) with the posts (34, 42) causes the posts (34, 42) to deflect resiliently and engagement of the teeth (26) between the posts (34, 42) causes interengagement of the locking means.

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 spike apparatus permitting quick interchange or replacement of gripping elements, which includes a shoe sole attachment plate with a downwardly depending stabilizer shaft, a plurality of spring fingers affixed to the plate, and a spike member having a base provided with a recess for receiving the stabilizer shaft and an exterior geometric configuration on the base which mates with the spring fingers so as to retain the spike member firmly and without lateral movement to the attachment plate and shaft. In one embodiment a circular construction of engaging surfaces of the spike member and the socket and spring fingers allows rotational movement of the spike member relative to the socket to prevent rotational stress which might otherwise tear the sole attachment plate from the sole in which it is embedded. Rigid contact surfaces permit only unidirectional removal of the spike member from the socket for ensuring the integrity of the snap lock mechanism.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper, and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom wall with a plurality of spike-receiving openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are located within the outsole housing, and reside respectively in a rear heel portion of the shoe and a front portion of the shoe generally in an area of the ball and toes of the foot. The rear and front spike plates include a plurality of spikes attached thereto for movement between a spike-extended position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly from the bottom wall of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position whereby the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. A slide plate located within the outsole housing operatively engages the rear and front spike plates, and is actuated by a manually actuated lever to move the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

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: Disclosed is a fastener system which includes a shaft having expander retaining structure and a threaded portion thereon. An expander is configured for disposition and engagement in a receptacle at least partially defined by a surface. The expander has a bore defined by a wall, and has an end for receiving at least the threaded portion of the shaft. At least a portion of the wall of the expander is threaded for receiving the threaded portion of the shaft. The expander retaining structure on the shaft retains the expander thereon when the threaded portion of the shaft is received by the expander. Expander actuating structure is provided on at least one of the shaft and the expander causing the expander to engage with the surface defining the receptacle.

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 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. The cleat provides a slightly higher, rounded, softer center core or tip which provides a measure of slip-resistance when walking on most hard, smooth dry surfaces and a firmer disk portion having multiple wing-shaped extensions to provide traction on turf surrounds the softer center.

Abstract: An improved cleat structure for mounting a cleat onto a shoe wherein the cleat structure is comprised of a mounting base having integral connector and head portions wherein the connector portion is attached to the sole of the shoe and a ground-contact member is removably engaged with the head portion of the mounting base.

Abstract: An athletic shoe system is provided comprising a shoe with shoe sole, non-metal screw boss, and cleat. The cleat of the preferred embodiment is usable with the shoe system of the present invention or with prior art athletic shoe systems. The preferred invention includes a removable plastic cleat having a disc-shaped body with a downwardly projecting generally circular pattern of ridges on its bottom side and an upwardly projecting threaded stem on its top side. A non-metal screw boss for embedding in the sole of a shoe has a cylindrical body with a threaded bore. An array of lobes project radially outwardly from the lower end of the cylindrical body and a corresponding set of truncated cone-shaped tabs project upwardly from the lobes. In use, a plurality of the screw bosses are embedded within the shoe sole during molding with the threaded bores of the bosses exposed through the bottom of the sole.

Abstract: A toolless spike system for shoes wherein detents are used to retain and release, by snapping, clipping, etc., a spike member from a base member associated with the shoe.

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: A shoe with replaceable traction nubs including a shoe comprised of an upper portion and a sole portion. The sole portion is disposed on a lower surface of the upper portion. The sole portion has a plurality of openings formed therein in a spaced relationship. A plurality of anchors are secured within the plurality of openings in the sole portion. A plurality of traction nubs are removably secured to the plurality of anchors. A tool is provided for installing and removing the plurality of traction nubs with respect to the plurality of anchors.

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 golf spike construction 10 including a generally cruciform golf spike member 20 having four arm elements 21. The outboard ends of each of the arm elements 21 are provided with a downwardly depending cleat portion 25 and the sides of the diametrically opposed arm elements 21 are further provided with recesses 26 adapted to engage the prongs 101 of a golf spike installing tool 100 to impart rotation to the golf spike member 20.

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: An athletic shoe traction system which uses a plurality of miniature spikes is provided. The miniature spikes are preferably removably mounted so that they can be replaced when worn out. The miniature spikes can be formed on removable cleats similar to conventional removable cleats, or they can be provided on pads that attach to the underside of an athletic shoe, preferably in a recess provided for that purpose. Hook-and-loop type fasteners or other releasable fasteners, such as a releasable adhesive, can be used to attach the pads.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper, and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom wall with a plurality of spike-receiving openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are located within the outsole housing, and reside respectively in a rear heel portion of the shoe and a front portion of the shoe generally in an area of the ball and toes of the foot. The rear and front spike plates include a plurality of spikes attached thereto for movement between a spike-extended position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly from the bottom wall of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position whereby the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. A slide plate located within the outsole housing operatively engages the rear and front spike plates, and is actuated by a manually actuated lever to move the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: A cleat apparatus includes a longitudinally elastic base assembly, a plurality of cleat units connected to the base assembly, a first strap connected to a first side of the base assembly, and a second strap connected to a second side of the base assembly. The first strap and the second strap are longitudinally elastic. The base assembly, the first strap, and the second strap are comprised of a single, unified, combination, longitudinally elastic base/strap assembly. Each of the cleat units includes a cleat support. A plurality of individual cleats project upward from the cleat support and through the base assembly. Cleat locks are connected to the cleats distal to the cleat support, whereby the cleat locks secure the cleats to the base assembly. The first strap includes a quantity of first hook-or-loop material, and the second strap includes a quantity of complementary second loop-or-hook material.

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 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 traction device for mounting on a shoe enables a user to walk safely on ice. The traction device includes a pad having an envelope formed by upper and lower fabric layers and having a middle layer of flexible foam material contained within the envelope. An elastic band attached to the envelope surrounds the front portion of the shoe and holds the pad tightly to the shoe's sole. The traction device also includes a set of spike assemblies. Each spike assembly has a tapped receiver that attaches to the middle layer of the pad and a spike having a threaded end that screws into the receiver. The spike also has a pointed tip end that passes through the sheath and engages the ice. An additional layer of resilient material within the envelope cushions the spike assemblies from the shoe and allows each spike assembly an independent range of vertical motion so that the spike assemblies may conform to rough ice surfaces.

Abstract: Shoe spike apparatus permitting quick interchange or replacement of gripping elements, said apparatus including a shoe sole attachment plate with a downwardly depending stabilizer shaft, a plurality of spring fingers affixed to the plate, and a spike member having a base provided with a recess for receiving the stabilizer shaft and an exterior geometric configuration on the base which mates with the spring fingers so as to retain the spike member firmly and without lateral movement to the attachment plate and shaft. Circular construction of engaging surfaces of the spike member and the socket and spring fingers allows rotational movement of the spike member relative to the socket to prevent rotational stress which might otherwise tear the sole attachment plate from the sole in which it is embedded. Rigid contact surfaces permit only unidirectional removal of the spike member from the socket for ensuring the integrity of the snap lock mechanism.

Abstract: A sole for an athletic shoe includes a sole plate and a plurality of openings that extend through the sole plate. A receptacle insert is embedded within the sole plate at each opening location and an inner sidewall of each receptacle insert defines a receiving opening for a cleat element. Each receiving opening has a plurality of engagement notches disposed around the periphery thereof. A plurality of detachable cleat elements including a base member and a traction member are also provided. The base member of the cleat element has a plurality of engagement projections extending outward from its periphery. For attachment, each cleat element is positioned in one of the receiving openings such that the engagement projections are aligned with the engagement notches. Rotation of the cleat element then detachably secures the cleat element within the receptacle insert of the sole plate.

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.

Abstract: A spike is mountable onto the sole of a spiked track shoe which allows a runner to develop maximum propulsion against the field surface. The spike is removably attachable to the track shoe and includes an elongate support plate having at one end thereof a connection hole for connection with the shoe, and a spike portion disposed at the other end. The spike portion is disposed at an obtuse angle (i.e., greater than a right angle relative to the support plate). The spike is made of metal or of synthetic resin, and the spike portion may include one or more than one spike parts. The angle between the spike portion and the support plate is preferably between 95 and 130 degrees, and more preferably between 105 and 120 degrees. The spike portion is preferably convergent towards the tip thereof, for example in the shape of a cone. The spike portion may, however, also be suitably formed into a cylindrical shape, or in a stepped cylindrical shape.

Abstract: Shoe spike apparatus permitting quick interchange or replacement of gripping elements, the apparatus including a shoe sole attachment plate with a downwardly depending stabilizer shaft; a snap ring socket affixed to the plate; a snap ring received within the socket; and a spike member provided with a recess for receiving the stabilizer shaft and a groove for receiving the snap ring to hold the spike member firmly and without lateral movement to the attachment plate and shaft. Circular construction of engaging surfaces of the spike member and the socket and snap ring allow rotational movement of the spike member relative to the socket to prevent rotational stress which might otherwise tear the sole attachment plate from the sole in which it is embedded. Rigid contact surfaces permit only uni-directional removal of the spike member from the socket for assuring the integrity of the snap lock mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fitting structure of spikes or the like for sport shoes. A joint nut or joint bolt meshing with a nut portion of a fitting base and meshing, on the other hand, with a fitting nut or bolt is interposed when spikes or the like are removably fitted to the fitting base buried in and fixed to the sole of the bottom of the shoes main body, in order to enlarge the fixing contact area of the spike or the like and to improve fixing strength. The joint nut or bolt first undergoes deformation prior to the fitting base when the load deformation force acting on the spike portion is received, the load to the fitting base is thus reduced and durability can be improved. The damaged joint nut or bolt is replaced by a new one.

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: A sport shoe with an outsole cleat-type gripping element is constructed so that, even in an inclined position of the outsole, the supporting areas of the gripping element or elements have as complete a ground contact as possible, without the gripping element being damaged or destroyed by excessive lateral forces. Further, the damping property of the gripping element can be matched in a simple way to the respective requirements. In particular, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention these characteristics are obtained by providing a receiving device, which has an inside thread for receiving the threaded bolt for at least one gripping element, in a holding insert that is embedded in the outsole, the receiving device being mounted so as to be both axially movable and slightly tiltable laterally without being able to rotate.

Abstract: A conventional fixed cleat of a golf shoe is replaced with a retractable cleat formed in a unitary body defining a plate with an inside flat surface and an insert member extending laterally from the flat surface, the insert member having threads about its periphery generally corresponding in diameter and length to the threads of a conventional fixed golf cleat. An axial hole extends through the plate and the insert member, and a biasing member and a retractable cleat extend through the axial hole so that the biasing member pushes the retractable cleat outwardly. A unitary flange covers the axial hole at the distal extremity, to retain the biasing member.

Abstract: Footwear which is adaptable for athletic events requiring different sole configurations for different playing surfaces, for example artificial turf and natural turf, by providing the soles of shoes with a prescribed pattern of protuberances which are suitable for one type of event, and altering the pattern to adapt the shoes for another and different type of event. In particular the sole of each shoe can have removable conical cleats for playing on natural turf, and removable stud or square cleats for playing on artificial turf.

Abstract: A golf shoe has a sole and a heel attached to an upper. A spike is housed within a housing inserted into the sole or the heel. The housing includes a hollow cylinder threaded into the sole or heel. The cylinder houses a helical spring that biases a spike to the extended position. When the shoe is used on a hard surface, the surface forces the spike upward against the spring to a retracted position.