Patent ID: 6052923
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: A43B,A43C

Abstract:
A removable cleat for use with an athletic shoe for providing to a user traction on a turf surface while withstanding abrasion on a surface other than turf, said athletic shoe having a sole, said sole having a plurality of sole attachment means for attachment of removable cleats, said removable cleat comprising:(a) a flange having an upper surface, an opposing lower surface and an edge;(b) flange attachment means extending from said upper surface of said flange for removably attaching said cleat to one of said sole attachment means of said sole of said shoe;(c) a bearing portion on said opposing lower surface of said flange remote from said edge; and(d) a plurality of traction protrusions arranged on said opposing lower surface solely adjacent said edge, each of said traction protrusions having a height sufficient to engage blades of grass in said turf to provide traction substantially without puncturing said turf, each of said traction protrusions being deflectably resilient, said traction protrusions being located relative to said bearing portion such that said bearing portion substantially bears the weight of said user, substantially without said traction protrusions bearing said weight of said user, both on said turf surface and on said surface other than turf, said traction protrusions deflecting under any weight borne by them; said removable cleat having, when installed in said shoe:(e) an overall height measured from said upper surface of said flange to a most downwardly extending point of one of (a) said traction protrusions and (b) said bearing portion, said overall height being between about 0.07 inch (about 1.78 mm) and about 0.25 inch (about 6.35 mm).