Patent ID: 8510973
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: A43B,A43C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for selectively extending spikes from the bottom of a footwear article, the footwear article having a sole having a longitudinal direction and a plurality of spike apertures, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of spike assemblies, each of said plurality of spike assemblies having a selectively translatable spike, said spike being locatable within one of the spike apertures in the footwear article; an elongate member mountable into the footwear article so as to be extendable substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the footwear article, said elongate member cooperating with said plurality of spike assemblies and moveable between first and second positions relative thereto so as to extend said spikes from said plurality of spike assemblies when in said first position and to retract said spikes within said plurality of spike assemblies when in said second position; and a cyclically alternating positioner for moving said elongate member between said first and second positions, said positioner having an actuating button, wherein depressing said actuating button a first time causes said positioner to move said elongate member to said first position and wherein depressing said actuating button a second time causes said positioner to move said elongate member to said second position, further comprising at least one rod extending transversely relative to said elongate member for transmitting said movement of said elongate member to said spike assemblies, wherein said at least one rod is supported within a slot in said elongate member, wherein said slot is orthogonal to said elongate member and said at least one rod, and wherein said each spike assembly further comprises a sleeve receivable within said apertures and slidably supporting said spike within said sleeve, a first link extending from a bottom portion of said sleeve to said at least one rod; and a second link extending from a top portion of said spike to said at least one rod.