QUICK-RELEASE CONNECTOR

Abstract: A connector system includes a connector receptacle and a removably attachable connector. The connector receptacle has an opening and a connector engaging structure. The removably attachable connector has a retaining member and a plurality of dust covers (261). The retaining member is insertable into the receptacle opening and has a bottom portion and a top portion from which at least three extensions (215) project. The extensions are adapted to cooperate with the connector engaging structure to secureley attach the connector to the receptacle. The plurality of dust covers are located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, each dust cover being associated with one of the extensions such that when the connector is securely attached to the receptacle, the dust covers fit snugly into the receptacle opening.

Description: QUICK-RELEASE CONNECTOR Field of the Invention The invention relates to removably attachable mechanical connectors and the mounting of traction gear on the bottom of footwear, in particular, athletic footwear, using such connectors. Background Art Conventional traction gear presently in use employ an attachment means consisting of screwing the traction gear into the mated receiving receptacle in the bottom of the footwear. Using this screw-type attachment method is especially laborious when one takes into account that a typical golf shoe, for instance, has eleven cleats: as a result, replacing the cleats on a pair of golf shoes entails unscrewing twenty-two cleats and screwing on twenty-two cleats, where each act of unscrewing or screwing entails several turns, typically two and one-half times, for each cleat. An example of a typical prior-art cleat is in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,366 (hereinafter the '366 cleat), which patent is incorporated herein by reference. This patent describes a cleat which includes a metal stud infrastructure at the core of the cleat, the infrastructure having a vertical axis and two ends, a screw portion at a first end for engagement with a receptacle within a shoe, a ground end for tractive engagement with the ground, and a broad flange between the screw and head portions and extending radially outward from the vertical axis; a plastic skirt is molded directly upon the flange portion to form a unitary reinforced radial support member of the cleat. Installation of the '366 cleat consists of screwing it into a mated receptacle in the bottom of athletic footwear. Although some prior-art references show cleat-attachment systems that require less than a full turn, or they require a snap-on arrangement to lock the cleat in place, it appears none of these systems have found wide acceptance amongst users because of shortcomings in stability, ease-of-use, receptacle size and ease-of-manufacture. For instance, in U.S. Patent No. 4,633,600 to Dassler, a cleat attachment system is disclosed -1- in which a snap ring socket is utilized to affix a cleat to the bottom of a shoe. In U.S. Patent No. 3,267,593 to Turner, a cleat attachment system is disclosed wherein the top of the cleat spike has two extensions forming a rough T-shape out of the spike, where the spike is inserted into a mated receptacle having two grooves to receive the extensions. Upon complete insertion of the spike into a receptacle, the spike is turned until the extensions drop into receiving grooves at the top of the receptacle; a retaining ring is then slid onto the mid-section of the spike, this ring apparently preventing the spike from unseating the extensions from the grooves. Similarly, in German Patent Application Nos. DE3134817A1 to Sportartikelfabrik Karl Uhl GmbH, and DE3423363A1 to Gebrϋder Goldschmidt Baubeschlage GmbH, another T-spike design is disclosed in which internal to the mated receptacle are ramping means for engaging and retaining the spike extensions. In the former, a rough interior surface catches the extensions, while in the latter, a sloping interior engages the extensions. U.S. Patent No. 4,492,047 to Arff, discloses another T-shape spike in which the skirt is deformed during insertion. Insertion of the spike causes the extensions to go up a ramp and then down a ramp, pulling the spike into the receptacle, and leaving the extensions in a holding area. The skirt is deformed so as to result in a pressure against the socket, the pressure apparently holding the spike from accidentally traveling back up the ramp towards removal. In U.S. Patent No. 4,035,934 to Hrivnak, another T-shape spike is disclosed in which the spike column has two indentations. During installation, two spring arms, each positioned perpendicular to the surface of the shoe and parallel to the spike, are pressed in during insertion of the spike, and spring back out to press against the indentations upon complete insertion. Removal of this spike is achieved with a U-shaped tool which slides into the spike receptacle and pushes in the spring arms, thus freeing the spike for removal. Summary The present invention provides a system for removably attaching traction gear to the underside of footwear. This system includes two primary components: a retaining -2- member and a receptacle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these two components respectively replace the common screw and threaded receptacle system for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes, providing a faster and simpler attachment of the cleat. Only a partial turn of about 60 degrees of the traction gear securely locks the gear into the receptacle. The three-extension design of a preferred embodiment of the invention makes the traction gear resistant to lateral forces applied to the ground- engaging end of the cleat. Although one embodiment of the invention is a skirted spike utilizing the attachment system for attachment to a golf shoe, other types of traction gear, such as that for rock climbing, may employ the same attachment system. The present invention employs a three-extension quick-release system for attaching cleats to footwear, instead of the conventional screw method, snap-ring, or T- shaped retaining member of prior-art cleats; with the quick-release system, one can place a cleat into a receptacle in the bottom of a shoe, and simply give the cleat a partial turn to lock it into place for use. (References herein and within the claims that follow to the "top" and "bottom" respectively refer to the end nearer the wearer's foot, and the end nearer the ground.) A cleat according to the present invention includes a base, preferably made of metal and/or plastic, where at the bottom of the base is standard traction gear, such as the skirt and spike of a golf cleat, and at the top of the base is additional structure for attaching the traction gear to a shoe. The skirt may extend radially outward beyond the ends of the attaching structure and may include full or partial apertures for receiving a cleat wrench, which may be used to install and remove the cleat. The gripping member may be plastic, metal, or have a metal core with a plastic outer layer. Attachment is achieved through use of several extensions projecting out from the top of the base at right angles to the base. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, three thermoplastic extensions are used, all of which are in the same plane, and each extension is equidistant from adjacent extensions. Each extension has a front side and a back side, each of which is substantially parallel to a radial midline of the extension, with the back side defining an indentation which may be L-shaped. If a cleat using this invention were turned upside down, i.e. ground tip up, it would appear that the cleat was standing on a roughly triangular base formed of the three extensions. -3- To use the invention, an athletic shoe would contain receptacles in the bottom of the shoe designed to receive the cleat. Each receptacle has a wall defining a cavity between a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, a restraining means attached to the receptacle bottom and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed cleat, stopping means within the cavity to engage a front side of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past the stopping means, and a plurality of protuberances within the cavity to engage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extension past the protuberance. A cleat inserted into the cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extension compresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past the protuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stopping means and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of the extension. In a preferred embodiment, the protuberances are in substantially the same plane as the extension. In a preferred embodiment, the restraining means may include a lip formed at the bottom of the restraining means, against which an outer edge of a top surface of the cleat may overlap in a keyed fashion. In addition, to ensure a tight fit, and to help prevent dirt and grime from getting inside the receptacle, the extensions and receptacle are preferably designed so that as a cleat is turned within a receptacle, the space for the extension gets tighter, thus compressing the extensions during installation. In a preferred embodiment, this tightening may be accomplished by a taper on the front side of the radial ends of the extensions. The protuberances may be shaped so as to permit turning the cleat with significantly less force during installation than is required for removal. Removal of the cleat is achieved by simply turning the cleat in the opposite direction of installation. The preferred design of the locking mechanism is such that it takes much more force to turn against the lock than it took to install a cleat. In a preferred embodiment, a cleat using this system is made out of plastic with internal metal reinforcement; an all-metal design, or a design using resin or another tough material, may be used. Some materials that may be used to form traction gear according to the present invention include but are not limited to thermoplastic materials such as Stanyl Nylon 46, Dupont Acetal Resin 100ST, Technyl A216, Noryl GTX 810, Noryl GTX 820, Polyurethane S74D, Polyurethane 90A, Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6, and Rython. In -4- the present invention, use of such materials to form the extensions with a metal core in the base is preferred as this design allows for extensions that are actually bigger than the space for them inside the receptacle, so that installing a cleat compresses and squeezes the extensions so that a very tight fit results. Other preferred embodiments include a sole of a shoe having at least one receptacle as described above. Another related embodiment comprises a method of manufacturing such a receptacle for instance by producing the receptacle on a horizontal press. A preferred embodiment is also directed to a method of installing a removable cleat to the sole of a shoe. In such an embodiment, the method includes providing a cleat having a gripping member for engaging the ground and a retaining means for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear, the retaining means having a vertical axis, a base to which the top of the gripping member is attached, and at least three extensions attached to the base, wherein each extension projects radially outward from the base in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis, and wherein each extension has a front side and a back side, each side substantially parallel to a radial midline of the extension, the back side defining an indentation. A preferred embodiment continues by providing a receptacle for receiving and holding the cleat, the receptacle being mounted in the sole of a shoe, the receptacle having a wall defining a cavity between a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, a restraining means attached to the receptacle bottom and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed cleat, stopping means within the cavity to engage a front side of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past the stopping means, and a plurality of protuberances within the cavity to engage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extension past the protuberance. A cleat inserted into the cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extension compresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past the protuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stopping means and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of the extension. The method continues with inserting the cleat's extensions into the receptacle's cavity and rotating the cleat until the cleat reaches a locked position. The present invention provides a connector system which includes a connector receptacle that has an opening and a connector engaging structure, and a removably attachable connector that has a retaining member and a plurality of dust covers. The retaining member is insertable into the receptacle opening and has a bottom portion and a top portion from which at least three extensions project. The extensions are adapted to cooperate with the connector engaging structure to securely attach the connector to the receptacle. The plurality of dust covers are located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, and each dust cover is associated with one of the extensions such that when the connector is securely attached to the receptacle, the dust covers fit snugly into the receptacle opening. In a further embodiment, the receptacle may be made substantially of thermoplastic. The receptacle may also further include a top cover with an attached spring that is compressed when a connector is inserted into the receptacle and that provides an ejecting force when the connector is removed from the receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may also further include a top cover having a centered projection, and the removably attachable connector may further include a receptacle centered in the top portion of the retaining member that receives the projection in the top cover of the receptacle when the connector is inserted into the receptacle. The connector, or just the retaining member, may also be made substantially of thermoplastic. The connector may also further include an internal metal support structure. The dust covers may have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. In addition, or alternatively, the dust covers may be tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. The connector may also further include a circular skirt which extends radially outward over the dust covers such that when the connector is attached to the receptacle, the skirt lies against and covers the receptacle opening. The at least three extensions may lie in a single plane and may be spaced equidistantly apart from each other. Another preferred embodiment provides a cleat attachment system for footwear. The system includes a cleat receptacle in a sole of the footwear that has an opening and a cleat engaging structure, and a removably attachable cleat. The cleat includes a ground engaging member, a retaining member, and a plurality of dust covers. The retaining -6- member is insertable into the cleat receptacle opening and has a bottom portion to which the ground engaging member is attached, and a top portion from which at least three extensions project. The extensions are adapted to cooperate with the cleat engaging structure to securely attach the cleat to the footwear. The plurality of dust covers are located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, and each dust cover is associated with one of the extensions such that when the cleat is securely attached to the footwear, the dust covers fit snugly into the receptacle opening. In a further embodiment, the cleat receptacle may be made substantially of thermoplastic. The cleat receptacle may also further include a top cover with an attached spring that is compressed when a cleat is inserted into the receptacle and that provides an ejecting force when the cleat is removed from the receptacle. Alternatively, the cleat receptacle may further include a top cover having a centered projection, and the removably attachable cleat may further include a receptacle centered in the top portion of the retaining member that receives the projection in the top cover of the cleat receptacle when the cleat is inserted into the receptacle. The cleat, or just the retaining member, may be made substantially of thermoplastic. The cleat may also further include an internal metal support structure. The dust covers may have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. In addition, or alternatively, the dust covers may be tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. The cleat may also further include a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dust covers and the ground engaging member such that when the cleat is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the cleat receptacle. The at least three extensions may lie in a single plane and may be spaced equidistantly apart from each other. A preferred embodiment is directed to a removably attachable connector which has a retaining member and a plurality of dust covers. The retaining member has a bottom portion and a top portion from which at least three extensions project, and the extensions are adapted to securely attach the connector to a connector receptacle. The plurality of dust covers are located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, and each dust cover is associated with one of the extensions such that when the connector is -7- securely attached to the receptacle, the dust covers prevent debris from moving towards the retaining member. In a further embodiment, the connector, or just the retaining member, may be made substantially of thermoplastic. In addition, or alternatively, the connector may further include an internal metal support structure. The dust covers may have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. Or, the dust covers may be tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. The connector may also further include a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dust covers and the ground engaging member such that when the connector is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the connector receptacle. The at least three extensions may lie in a single plane and may be spaced equidistantly apart from each other. A preferred embodiment is also directed to a removably attachable cleat for footwear that has a ground engaging member, a retaining member, and a plurality of dust covers. The retaining member has a bottom portion to which the ground engaging member is attached, and a top portion from which at least three extensions project. The extensions are adapted to securely attach the cleat to the footwear. The plurality of dust covers are located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, and each dust cover is associated with one of the extensions such that when the cleat is securely attached to the footwear, the dust covers prevent debris from moving towards the retaining member. In a further embodiment, the cleat, or just the retaining member, may be made substantially of thermoplastic. The cleat may also further include an internal metal support structure. The dust covers may have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. In addition, or alternatively, the dust covers may be tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. The cleat may also further include a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dust covers and the ground engaging member such that when the cleat is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the cleat receptacle. The at least three extensions may lie in a single plane and may be spaced equidistantly apart from each other. -8- A preferred embodiment also includes a removable connector that has a retaining means for removably attaching the connector to a connector receptacle. The retaining means has a vertical axis, a base, and at least three extensions attached to the base. Each extension projects radially outward from the base in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis. Each extension also has a front side and a back side, each side substantially parallel to a radial midline of the extension, the back side defining an indentation which may be, for example, L-shaped. In a further embodiment, the base may have a metal core surrounded by a plastic outer layer. The extensions may be made of thermoplastic, each extension may be equidistant from the adjacent extensions and within the same plane, and the radial ends of the extensions may be tapered on the front side. The connector may also further include a skirt located towards the bottom of the retaining means base and which extends radially outward beyond the radial ends of the extensions. The skirt may have on its lower side receptacles for a connector wrench. A preferred embodiment also includes a receptacle for receiving and holding a connector that has a top end including at least three extensions. The receptacle has a wall defining a cavity having a top and a bottom, a restraining means attached to the bottom of the cavity and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed connector, stopping means within the cavity to engage a front side of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past the stopping means, and a plurality of protuberances within the cavity to engage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extension past the protuberance. In such an embodiment, a connector inserted into the cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extension compresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past the protuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stopping means and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of the extension. In a further embodiment, the protuberances may be in substantially the same plane as the extensions, and may also be shaped so as to permit turning the connector during installation with significantly less resistance than required for removal of the connector. Such a receptacle may further have a lip formed at the bottom of the restraining means, against which an outer edge of the connector may overlap in a keyed -9- fashion. There may also be a top-cover positioned at the top of the receptacle, the cover having a flat portion and a domed portion, wherein both the flat and the domed portions are concentrically arranged around the vertical axis, and the domed portion hangs down. A preferred embodiment is also directed to a method of installing a removable cleat to the sole of a shoe. In such an embodiment, the method includes providing a cleat having a gripping member for engaging the ground and a retaining means for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear, the retaining means having a vertical axis, a base to which the top of the gripping member is attached, and at least three extensions attached to the base, wherein each extension projects radially outward from the base in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis, and wherein each extension has a front side and a back side, each side substantially parallel to a radial midline of the extension, the back side defining an indentation. A preferred embodiment continues by providing a receptacle for receiving and holding the cleat, the receptacle being mounted in the sole of a shoe, the receptacle having a wall defining a cavity between a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, a restraining means attached to the receptacle bottom and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed cleat, stopping means within the cavity to engage a front side of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past the stopping means, and a plurality of protuberances within the cavity to engage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extension past the protuberance. A cleat inserted into the cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extension compresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past the protuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stopping means and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of the extension. The method continues with inserting the cleat's extensions into the receptacle's cavity and rotating the cleat until the cleat reaches a locked position. Brief Description of the Drawings The following drawings are intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention, but they are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a cleat according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. -10- FIG. 2 is a side view of a cleat according to a preferred embodiment of the invention showing an alternative ground-engaging "soft" golf spike. FIG. 3 is a top view of a cleat similar to FIG. 1 showing the top of the cleat connector. FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of the cleat of FIG. 1 in a cleat receptacle with the top cover removed. FIG. 5 is a top view of a cleat connector of the type shown in FIG. 3, with the addition of semi-circular dust covers. FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the cleat connector of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective bottom view of a preferred embodiment of a cleat receptacle for receiving the cleat connector of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is an inverted side view of a cleat using the cleat connector of FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a perspective bottom view of an alternative cleat receptacle having a center cone in the top cover. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The invention comprises a system for allowing the quick attachment and release of a wide variety of traction gear. FIG. 1 shows that in one embodiment of the invention, the attachment system would be used to attach cleats, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,366, to the underside of athletic footwear. A cleat installed in the bottom of a shoe using the present invention, when viewed from the bottom, has a similar appearance to the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed therein. Evident in FIG. 1 are a bottom side 201 of a plastic skirt 203, and a top side 205 with one of three receptacles 207 for a cleat wrench. The cleat also has a ground-engaging member 209 and a base 211 to which the skirt 203 and the ground-engaging member 209 are attached. In a preferred embodiment embodiment, the top side 205 of the skirt 203 is slightly concave, and the bottom side 201 of the skirt 203 is somewhat convex. Retaining member 213 provides structure with which to attach the cleat to a corresponding receptacle in a shoe. FIG. 2 is a side view of another cleat with a cleat connector similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative ground-engaging "soft" golf spike 225. It is intended that preferred embodiments be compatible with conventional ground engaging member designs without change or modification. -11- FIG. 3 is a top view of the cleat connector of the cleats in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing retaining member 213, which in this case includes a base 211 with three thermoplastic extensions 215 projecting radially outward in a direction perpendicular to a central vertical axis 210 of the base 211 in FIG. 1. Each extension 215 has a front side 217 approximately parallel to a radial midline 218 of the extension 215 and which extends from a radial end 220 of the extension 215 back towards the vertical axis 210 of the base 211. Each extension 215 also has a back side 219, roughly parallel to and substantially shorter than the front side 217; the back side 219 is also closer to the midline 218 of the extension 215 than the front side 217. The back side 219 extends back from the radial end of the extension 220, partway to the base 210 until it joins another surface 221 which is substantially perpendicular to the radial midline of the extension 218, so as to form an L-shaped indentation 222. In a preferred embodiment, the extensions 215 all lie in the same plane, and each extension 215 is equidistant from the adjacent extension. The extensions 215 cooperate with structure within a cleat receptacle 251 in FIG. 4 to lock into position a properly inserted retaining member 213. Although a preferred embodiment may be made entirely out of metal, another embodiment may include a cleat made partially of plastic and partially of metal. When the retaining member is plastic, the retaining member 213 may be integrally formed with a plastic skirt 203 of a golf cleat with a core, preferably metal, extending through the retaining member 213 and the cleat body to form the ground-engaging member 209 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle 251 for receiving the cleats of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The top cover of the receptacle 251 has been removed to show the inner-cavity structure for receiving the retaining member, 213 in FIG. 3. Within a cavity 253, formed by wall portion 255, are several protuberances 257 designed to grip and hold an installed retaining member 213. When a retaining member 213 is inserted and twisted, the twisting action rotates the front side 217 of an extension 215 past a protuberance 257 so that the radial end 220 of the extension 215 compresses the protuberance 257, allowing the extension 215 to turn past the protuberance 257. The extension 215 can continue to rotate until the front side 217 of the extension 215 engages a stopping wall portion 259 of the cavity 253. The receptacle 250 is designed so when the -12- front side 217 of an extension 215 engages a stopping wall portion 259 of the cavity 253, the protuberance 257 springs back to nearly its original shape and snugly engages the L- shaped indentation 222 on the back side 219 of the extension 215. Each extension 215 of an installed cleat, therefore, is firmly held in place between a stopping wall 259 and a protuberance 257 so that the retaining member 213 is securely attached to the receptacle 250. The extensions 215 of the retaining member 213 are used in conjunction with components inside the receptacle 251 for locking in place a properly inserted retaining member 213. Locking in place occurs after inserting the retaining member 213 into a mated receptacle 251 and torquing the retaining member 213. Removal of the cleat requires rotation in the opposite direction from installation. In a preferred embodiment, the protuberances 257 and the radial ends 220 of the extensions 215 are shaped so that rotation of the cleat in the removing direction requires much greater torque than that required during installation. For example, the radial ends 220 of the extension 215 may be tapered on the front side, 223 in FIG. 3, so that the radial end more easily rides over and compresses the protuberance during installation. Without a taper on the back side 224 of the radial end of the extension 215, substantially greater force is required for the radial end 220 to ride over and compress the protuberance 257 when rotation is in the removing direction. Alternatively, the protuberances 257, rather than the extensions 215, may be tapered to allow easier rotation in the installation direction and require greater force for rotation in the removing direction. FIG. 5 is a top view of a cleat connector 260 of the type shown in FIG. 3, with the addition of semi-circular dust covers 261 between each extension 215. Of course, the cleat connector 260 may be placed on top of a wide variety of surface engaging structures including both surface penetrating structures and non-surface penetrating structures. FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the cleat connector 260 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle 262 for receiving the cleat connector 260 of FIG. 5. To install the cleat, the connector extensions 215 are inserted into the receptacle's semicircular openings 263. The cleat is rotated into place to engage the structure of the connector 260 with the internal structure of the receptacle 262 -13- as described above with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. This also rotates the dust covers 261 towards the receptacle openings 263. As the connector 260 locks into place in the receptacle 262, the dust covers 261 settle snugly into the receptacle openings 263 to seal the openings 263 so as to prevent the entry of debris from the ground into the receptacle 5 262. As shown in FIG. 8, the dust covers 261 may have an incline so that as the connector 260 rotates into place in the receptacle 262, the leading edge 264 of the dust cover 261 is lower, or closer to the base of the connector 260 than is the trailing edge 265 of the dust cover 261. As a result, as the cleat is rotated, the dust cover 261 initially 0 rotates easily over the opening 263 of the receptacle 262. Before the structure of the connector 260 locks into engagement with the internal structure of the receptacle 262, the higher trailing edge 265 of the dust cover 261 becomes compressed by the edge of the opening 263 of the receptacle 262 increasing the amount of force required to rotate the cleat. Just as the structure of the connector 260 locks into engagement with the internal 5 structure of the receptacle 262, the trailing edge 265 of the dust cover 261 clears the edge of the opening 263 of the receptacle 262. This releases the compression of the trailing edge 265 of the dust cover 261 which springs down into the opening 263 of the receptacle 262. Thus, the vertical face of the trailing edge 265 of the dust cover 261 fits against the edge of the opening 263 of the receptacle 262 so as to form a secondary lock 0 in addition to the primary lock of the structure of the connector 260 in engagement with the internal structure of the receptacle 262. In addition to sealing against the entry of debris into the receptacle 262, the secondary lock formed by the dust covers 261 in engagement with the opening 263 of the receptacle 262, provides additional resistance against the undesired unlocking rotation of the installed cleat in high torque 5 environments such as with baseball cleats. FIG. 7 also shows a receptacle 262 with a receptacle cover 266 having a cover spring 267 which extends into a receptacle cavity defined by the receptacle openings 263. When a cleat connector 260 is installed so as to engage the structure of the receptacle 262, the receptacle spring 267 is compressed and thereby exerts a downward pressure on 0 the cleat connector 260 which increases the contacting force between the connector 260 -14- and the receptacle 262. Second, when the cleat is rotated for removal from the receptacle 262 (e.g., for replacement), the receptacle spring supplies an ejecting force on the cleat connector 260 which aids in disengaging the cleat connector 260 from the receptacle 262. These functions do not necessarily require the use of a spring 267 as in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 shows a receptacle cover 268 having a center cone 269. The cone 269 performs the same functions as the previously discussed spring 267. In addition, the size and strength of the cone 269 may be relatively substantial when the cleat connector 260 contains a similarly shaped mating depression 270, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It should be realized that while the various preferred embodiments of cleat receptacles differ in the complexity of their specific structures, this does not significantly restrict the materials which may be used to fabricate such receptacles. All or part of a receptacle may be fabricated from metal. Alternatively, all or part of receptacle may be fabricated from a synthetic material such as plastic or nylon. Metal offers great strength, but with relatively great weight. Synthetic materials may be relatively lighter, while somewhat less strong than metal. Either metal or synthetic materials may, however, be employed satisfactorily. In preferred embodiments of the invention, during manufacture, the receptacle portion with the top cover attached is placed in an outsole mold, and the ground surface part of a shoe is then molded. The molding process is preferably one of injection or compression molding. The particular location of each receptacle within the mold depends on the intended use of the shoe and the design of the shoe's shape. During manufacture of the outsole of one embodiment of the invention, mold support-braces may be used to help ensure no deformation of the receptacles during the molding of the sole. Preferably, the support-braces are negatives of the receptacle's shape such that when a brace is inserted into a receptacle, the receptacle 251 and pin holes 256 (shown in FIG. 4) are temporarily sealed off to prevent sole material from filling in the receptacle cavity 253 and pin holes 256. Positioning pins in these pinholes 256 may be used to help orient and position the receptacle. Once the outsole is molded, a second material may be molded or cemented to the outsole, and also cemented to the upper portion of the shoe. In this embodiment, the outsole and second material combination form a completed sole having the embedded receptacles. -15- In some embodiments, the shoe sole may be formed of light-weight materials such as EVA or foam. In such embodiments, the sole material may be insufficiently strong to hold a receptacle firmly in place. Consequently, in preferred embodiments, a support plate may be added to the sole structure, wherein the receptacles are attached to the plate at the desired locations, and the sole is formed around the attached receptacles. Such plates may also be used for heel support for footwear having light-weight heels; similarly, for heel-plates, support-pins may also be used to help prevent heel receptacle deformation. In the preceding description and following claims, the term "cleat" is consistently used, however, no distinction is intended to be created between cleats and spikes, nor should any be inferred. In addition, while preferred embodiments have been described in which a cleat may be removably attached to a shoe using the described connectors and receptacles, the use of such connectors and receptacles is not limited to attaching cleats to shoes, but may be generally employed as a removably attachable connector system in other applications which require the attachment of one mechanical structure to another. Similarly, it is of course apparent that the present invention is not limited to the detailed description set forth above. Various changes and modifications of this invention as described will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. -16-

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A connector system comprising: a connector receptacle having an opening and a connector engaging structure; and a removably attachable connector having a retaining member that is insertable into the receptacle opening, the retaining member having a bottom portion and a top portion from which at least three extensions project, the extensions being adapted to cooperate with the connector engaging structure to securely attach the connector to the receptacle, and a plurality of dust covers located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, each dust cover being associated with one of the extensions such that when the connector is securely attached to the receptacle, the dust covers fit snugly into the receptacle opening. 2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is made substantially of thermoplastic. 3. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle further includes a top cover with an attached spring that is compressed when a connector is inserted into the receptacle and that provides an ejecting force when the connector is removed from the receptacle. 4. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle further includes a top cover having a centered projection, and wherein the removably attachable connector further includes a receptacle centered in the top portion of the retaining member that receives the projection in the top cover of the receptacle when the connector is inserted into the receptacle. 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is made substantially of thermoplastic. -17- 6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining member is made substantially of thermoplastic. 5 7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector further includes an internal metal support structure. 8. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the dust covers have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. 10 9. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the dust covers are tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. 15 10. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector further includes a circular skirt which extends radially outward over the dust covers such that when the connector is attached to the receptacle, the skirt lies against and covers the receptacle opening. 11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least three extensions lie in a single 20 plane and are spaced equidistantly apart from each other. 12. A cleat attachment system for footwear, comprising: a cleat receptacle in a sole of the footwear, the receptacle having an opening and a cleat engaging structure; and 25 a removably attachable cleat having a ground engaging member, a retaining member that is insertable into the cleat receptacle opening, the retaining member having a bottom portion to which the ground engaging member is attached, and a top portion from which at 30 least three extensions project, the extensions being adapted to cooperate with the cleat engaging structure to securely attach the -18- cleat to the footwear, and a plurality of dust covers located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, each dust cover being associated with one of the extensions such that when the cleat is securely attached to the 5 footwear, the dust covers fit snugly into the receptacle opening. 13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat receptacle is made substantially of thermoplastic. 10 14. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat receptacle further includes a top cover with an attached spring that is compressed when a cleat is inserted into the receptacle and that provides an ejecting force when the cleat is removed from the receptacle. 15 15. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat receptacle further includes a top cover having a centered projection, and wherein the removably attachable cleat further includes a receptacle centered in the top portion of the retaining member that receives the projection in the top cover of the cleat receptacle when the cleat is inserted into the receptacle. 20 16. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat is made substantially of thermoplastic. 17. A system according to claim 12, wherein the retaining member is made 25 substantially of thermoplastic. 18. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat further includes an internal metal support structure. 30 19. A system according to claim 12, wherein the dust covers have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. -19- 20. A system according to claim 12, wherein the dust covers are tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. 21. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat further includes a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dust covers and the ground engaging member such that when the cleat is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the cleat receptacle. 22. A system according to claim 12, wherein the at least three extensions lie in a single plane and are spaced equidistantly apart from each other. 23. A removably attachable connector comprising: a retaining member having a bottom portion and a top portion from which at least three extensions project, the extensions being adapted to securely attach the connector to a connector receptacle, and a plurality of dust covers located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, each dust cover being associated with one of the extensions such that when the connector is securely attached to the receptacle, the dust covers prevent debris from moving towards the retaining member. 24. A connector according to claim 23, wherein the connector is made substantially of thermoplastic. 25. A connector according to claim 23, wherein the retaining member is made substantially of thermoplastic. 26. A connector according to claim 23, further including an internal metal support structure. -20- 27. A connector according to claim 23, wherein the dust covers have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. 28. A connector according to claim 23, wherein the dust covers are tilted at an angle 5 with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector. 29. A connector as in claim 23, wherein the connector further includes a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dust covers and the ground engaging 10 member such that when the connector is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the connector receptacle. 30. A connector as in claim 23, wherein the at least three extensions lie in a single plane and are spaced equidistantly apart from each other. 15 31. A removably attachable cleat for footwear comprising: a ground engaging member, a retaining member having a bottom portion to which the ground engaging member is attached, and a top portion from which at least three extensions 20 project, the extensions being adapted to securely attach the cleat to the footwear, and a plurality of dust covers located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, each dust cover being associated with one of the extensions such that when the cleat is securely attached to the footwear, the dust covers prevent 25 debris from moving towards the retaining member. 32. A cleat according to claim 31 , wherein the cleat is made substantially of thermoplastic. 30 33. A cleat according to claim 31 , wherein the retaining member is made substantially of thermoplastic. -21- 34. A cleat according to claim 31 , further including an internal metal support structure. 5 35. A cleat according to claim 31 , wherein the dust covers have beveled edges such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. 36. A cleat according to claim 31 , wherein the dust covers are tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is required to attach the cleat than to 10 remove the cleat. 37. A cleat as in claim 31 , wherein the cleat further includes a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dust covers and the ground engaging member such that when the cleat is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the cleat 15 receptacle. 38. A cleat as in claim 31, wherein the at least three extensions lie in a single plane and are spaced equidistantly apart from each other. 20 39. A removable connector comprising: a retaining means for removably attaching the connector to a connector receptacle, the retaining means having a vertical axis, a base, and at least three extensions attached to the base; wherein each extension projects radially outward from the base in a direction 25 substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis; and wherein each extension has a front side and a back side, each side substantially parallel to a radial midline of the extension, the back side defining an indentation. 30 40. A connector according to claim 39, wherein the base comprises a metal core surrounded by a plastic outer layer. -22- 41. A connector according to claim 39, wherein each indentation is L-shaped. 42. A connector according to claim 39, wherein the extensions are made of 5 thermoplastic. 43. A connector according to claim 39, wherein each extension is equidistant from the adjacent extensions. 10 44. A connector according to claim 39, wherein the extensions are within the same plane. 45. A connector according to claim 39, wherein the radial ends of the extensions are tapered on the front side. 15 46. A connector according to claim 39, further comprising: a skirt located towards the bottom of the retaining means base, the skirt extending radially outward beyond the radial ends of the extensions. 20 47. A connector according to claim 46, wherein the skirt has on its lower side receptacles for a connector wrench. 48. A receptacle for receiving and holding a connector that has a top end including at least three extensions, the receptacle comprising: 25 a wall defining a cavity having a top and a bottom; a restraining means attached to the bottom of the cavity and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed connector; stopping means within the cavity to engage a front side of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past the stopping means; and 30 a plurality of protuberances within the cavity to engage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extension past the protuberance; -23- wherein a connector inserted into the cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extension compresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past the protuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stopping means and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of the 5 extension. 49. A receptacle according to claim 48, wherein the protuberances are in substantially the same plane as the extensions. 10 50. A receptacle according to claim 48, wherein the protuberances are shaped so as to permit turning the connector during installation with significantly less resistance than required for removal of the connector. 51. A receptacle according to claim 48, further comprising: 15 a lip formed at the bottom of the restraining means, against which an outer edge of the connector may overlap in a keyed fashion. 52. A receptacle according to claim 48, further comprising: a top-cover positioned at the top of the receptacle, the cover having a flat portion 20 and a domed portion, wherein both the flat and the domed portions are concentrically arranged around the vertical axis, and the domed portion hangs down. 53. A removable cleat for footwear comprising: 25 a gripping member for engaging the ground; and a retaining means for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear, the retaining means having a vertical axis, a base to which the top of the gripping member is attached, and at least three extensions attached to the base; wherein each extension projects radially outward from the base in a direction 30 substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis; and wherein each extension has a front side and a back side, each side substantially -24- parallel to a radial midline of the extension, the back side defining an indentation. 54. A cleat according to claim 53, wherein the gripping member comprises a metal core surrounded by a plastic outer layer. 55. A cleat according to claim 53, wherein the indentation is L-shaped. 56. A cleat according to claim 53, wherein the extensions are made of thermoplastic. 57. A cleat according to claim 53, wherein each extension is equidistant from the adjacent extensions. 58. A cleat according to claim 53, wherein the extensions are within the same plane. 59. A cleat according to claim 53, wherein the radial ends of the extensions are tapered on the front side. 60. A cleat according to claim 53, further comprising: a skirt located between the top of the gripping member and the bottom of the retaining means base, the skirt extending radially outward beyond the radial ends of the extensions. 61. A cleat according to claim 60, wherein the skirt has on its lower side receptacles for a cleat wrench. 62. A receptacle for receiving and holding a cleat to a sole of a shoe, the cleat having at least three extensions at its top end, the receptacle comprising: a wall defining a cavity having a top and a bottom; a restraining means attached to the bottom of the cavity and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed cleat; -25- stopping means within the cavity to engage a front side of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past the stopping means; and a plurality of protuberances within the cavity to engage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extension past the protuberance; wherein a cleat inserted into the cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extension compresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past the protuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stopping means and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of the extension. 10 63. A receptacle according to claim 62, wherein the protuberances are in substantially the same plane as the extensions. 64. A receptacle according to claim 62, wherein the protuberances are shaped so as to 15 permit turning the cleat during installation with significantly less resistance than required for removal of the cleat. 65. A receptacle according to claim 62, further comprising: a lip formed at the bottom of the restraining means, against which an outer edge 20 of a top surface of the cleat may overlap in a keyed fashion. 66. A receptacle according to claim 62, further comprising: a top-cover positioned at the top of the receptacle, the cover having a flat portion and a domed portion, wherein both the flat and the domed portions are 25 concentrically arranged around the vertical axis, and the domed portion hangs down. 67. A sole of a shoe having a receptacle of claim 62. 30 68. A method of manufacturing the receptacle of claim 62, the method including producing the receptacle on a horizontal press. -26- 69. A method of installing a removable cleat to the sole of a shoe, the method comprising: providing a cleat having: a gripping member for engaging the ground; and a retaining means for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear, the retaining means having a vertical axis, a base to which the top of the gripping member is attached, and at least three extensions attached to the base, wherein each extension projects radially outward from the base in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis, and wherein each extension has a front side and a back side, each side substantially parallel to a radial midline of the extension, the back side defining an indentation; providing a receptacle for receiving and holding the cleat, the receptacle being mounted in the sole of a shoe, the receptacle having: a wall defining a cavity between a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom; a restraining means attached to the receptacle bottom and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed cleat; stopping means within the cavity to engage a front side of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past the stopping means; and a plurality of protuberances within the cavity to engage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extension past the protuberance; wherein a cleat inserted into the cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extension compresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past the protuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stopping means and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of the extension. -27- inserting the cleat's extensions into the receptacle ' s cavity; and rotating the cleat until the cleat reaches a locked position. -28-

Inventors: SAVOIE ARMAND J, SAVOIE, ARMAND, J.
Applicants: MACNEILL ENG CO INC, MACNEILL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A43C15
IPC codes: A43C15, F16B21