Abstract:
A retention and release mechanism for use on clipless bicycle pedals employed to achieve a mechanical advantage in the retention and release of shoe clip adapters and toe clips and other adapters. A preferred embodiment of the mechanism fits within existing clipless pedals, thus replacing existing rear retainers, and comprises a means by which it is affixed to the clipless pedal, a cleat retaining formation, a spring actuator and a specialized rearward extending spar. The cleat retaining formation has a special surface which facilitates entering a clip adapter or toe clip into retention mode. Release mode is effectuated by pressure on the spar which then engages the spring actuator to open the cleat retaining formation. The mechanism may be used on any type of clipless pedal and with any type of cleat adapter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to bicycle pedals and in particular, to rear retention mechanisms that accommodate a variety of bicycle shoe cleats and street shoe adapters. Use of the invention provides a mechanical advantage to cyclists and allows cyclists using bicycle shoe cleats or street shoe adapters in conjunction with clipless bicycle pedal systems to quickly, and with very little energy, release the cleat or adapter from the bicycle pedal, in a manner not seen before in the prior art. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    The ubiquitous use of bicycles for pleasure, business and sport has resulted in a blossoming of new technologies related to this industry. One of the areas of interest is improving the pedal of bicycles and the way the foot and the pedal interact for maximum power transfer and for comfort. The current preference in modern bicycle pedal design is an arrangement that locks the pedal onto either special cleats which are fastened to the base of the cyclist&#39;s shoes or to an adapter for shoes that do not have the special cleats. Known as clipless pedal/cleat designs, these are used by cyclists when a cyclist mounts the bicycle, places the shoe cleat onto the pedal and, pushing downwardly on the shoe, snaps the pedal/cleat combination together. The cyclist repeats the procedure with the other foot, creating a locked and stable connection between the cyclist&#39;s feet and the bicycle pedals. The popularity of the clipless pedal is so marked that they can be found on every type of bicycle including competition, street, mountain, messenger and stationary bicycles. 
         [0005]    An additional factor to be considered is that manufacturers are aware of the popularity of the clipless pedal/cleat and, to capitalize on the market, have developed pedal/cleat combinations that are not compatible with other models. Manufacturers typically produce pedal designs that require the use of a particular shoe cleat that fits only their pedal cleats. Thus, cyclists are required to purchase both a particular manufacturer&#39;s pedals and the corresponding shoe cleats. If a cyclist uses a bike with a different pedal, the cyclist cannot engage the clipless pedal without first obtaining the corresponding cleat. 
         [0006]    The removal of the cleat from the pedal is generally accomplished by releasing the cleat from a rear retainer that hooks into a groove on the rear face of the cleat or adapter. The release of the cleat generally requires a strong, sharp, lateral twisting of the heel outwardly and away from the body of the bicycle, and within the plane of the pedal face. 
         [0007]    This causes problems because removing the cleat from the pedal in this manner requires strength, in that the cyclist&#39;s ankles must be strong enough to make the sharp twist strong enough to escape the hook and strong enough not to be damaged by the twisting. Additionally, if the cyclist is not successful in detaching the cleat the first time, the cyclist must repeat the sharp twisting motion of the ankle until the cleat is released, and the ankle must be able to withstand the multiple twists as well. 
         [0008]    Additionally, for non-stationary bikes, there is the additional element that the cleat must be removed before the bike comes to a standstill. Since both feet of the cyclist are affixed to the pedals, there is no means for the cyclist to be supported if at least one foot is not released from the pedal when the bike comes to a stop. For less experienced cyclists and for cyclists who are new to the clipless pedal/cleat, the psychological element of urgency and possibly panic is added to the cyclist&#39;s concern about timely detaching at least one foot in time before the cyclist falls. 
         [0009]    An option for cyclists who prefer the clipless pedal, but for whatever reason are not using a shoe with the corresponding cleat, is the use of a toe clip, which is a basket-like device which has a cleat which mates into the clipless pedal, as would a shoe with such a cleat, and retains the toe and front portion of a cyclist&#39;s foot in a basket. A toe clip allows a cyclist to remove a foot easily from the basket. However, the problem then remains as to how to remove the toe clip from the pedal. The same, sharp lateral twist in the plane of the pedal face is still required, and must now be done by hand. This can be a strenuous and ungainly activity. Bruised knuckles, broken nails, and scraped wrists are not uncommon results when trying to remove these toe clips, and even so, removal is not guaranteed and multiple attempts are generally required. This can be embarrassing for cycling and indoor-cycling students who just can&#39;t get their pedal cleats off of their pedals, and also embarrassing for cycling instructors and indoor-cycling class instructors who will appear incompetent and uncoordinated in front of their classes when trying to assist students in the removal of toe clips. Additionally, this method of removal requires quite a bit of upper body strength. 
         [0010]    To aid in the release of the clipless cleat from a pedal, several manufacturers have developed “keys” or tools which facilitate the removal of the cleat. These tools generally simulate the motion required of the cyclist&#39;s ankle for removal, the sharp, lateral movement in the plane of the pedal face, and therefore require strength on the part of the user. Another significant limitation of these tools is that they are limited only for the use of removing toe clips, and not for the cleated shoe. 
         [0011]    There is lacking in the prior art a device that can aid in the removal of both a toe clip and cleated shoe. What is also needed is a device that can work with any type of bicycle, indoor and outdoor. There is a need for a device that is not specific to any one manufacturer or model and can work with any type of clipless pedal. There is a significant need for a device that operates quickly and with minimal effort and without injuring the user. There is no known prior art that addresses all these limitations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention addresses all the limitations of the prior art in a spring-loaded retention and release mechanism for use on any style of bike and on any style pedal having clipless capabilities. The present invention works very well on some of the current models of clipless pedals, such as the clipless pedals produced by LOOK®. The present invention provides a mechanical advantage in the removal of a shoe cleat adapter or a toe clip from a clipless pedal and requires very little exertion on the part of the user and can work with a shoe cleat and with a toe clip. 
         [0013]    The present invention contemplates a retention and release mechanism for use with clipless pedal adapters that is incorporated as a single unit including a main body with a first side and a second side, the first side of the main body having a cleat receptor and a pedal attachment means and the second side of the main body having a spar or beam projecting from the second side in a lateral manner in the direction of the rear of the bicycle. 
         [0014]    The present invention replaces the standard rear receptor that generally comes with a clipless pedal. A standard rear retainer is removed from a clipless pedal and the present invention is inserted into that position and is affixed to the clipless pedal in the same manner that a standard rear retainer is affixed. A standard rear retainer is generally attached to the clipless pedal body by means of a bolt, which usually extends through both the primary body of the clipless pedal and through the rear retainer, and around which the rear retainer pivots. The rear retainer is also in tension communication with the body of the clipless pedal, which is generally in conjunction with the pivoting bolt. This tension communication generally takes the form of a tension spring device, which resists operation unless and until it bears a load, and utilizes a spring actuator, having at least one spring, but which usually utilizes two springs, wherein each spring coils about the pivot bolt in opposite helical directions, each spring has one end in communication with the body of the clipless pedal and the other end affixed to the rear retainer. The tension spring can take many forms including plate-like devices, clam-shell devices and the like. Additionally, where the tension springs affix to the rear retainer there is also located a tension adjustment for the cyclist to set the amount of tension according to the cyclist&#39;s preference. The present invention operates by being inserted in the vacancy of the removed rear retainer of a clipless pedal and being operationally affixed to the pivot bar and to the tension spring(s) of the clipless pedal in the same manner as the removed rear retainer. The present invention also has a tension adjustor so the cyclist may make further adjustments according to preference. 
         [0015]    Insertion of the cleat adapter into a clipless pedal having the present invention retention and release mechanism is the same as with the prior art, in that the shoe cleat or toe clip is inserted into the front receptor and snapped into the rear receptor, with the present invention in place of the standard rear receptor. Removal of the shoe cleat or toe clip does not follow the prior art. There is no need for any sharp twisting movement of the ankle, instead, merely pressing on the spar lifts the rear receptor at the opposite end of the spar upward, thereby releasing the shoe adapter or toe clip. There need not be a lot of upward movement, only enough movement to sufficiently release the adapter. Pressing on the spar is usually done by hand and by the cyclist. In other words, the cyclist, having a shoe still attached to the pedal, can just reach down and press on the spar to release a shoe adapter. Additionally, anyone can press on the spar to help the cyclist. For the removal of toe clips, the same process is available, or the cyclist&#39;s foot can be removed first and then push on the spar to release the toe clip. The mechanical advantage provided by the spar means that very little upper body strength is required from the person attempting to release the shoe adapter or toe clip, particularly as compared to the prior art. Children and the elderly will experience no difficulty in releasing a shoe adapter or toe clip like they have in the prior art. Everyone using this device, those both with and without upper body strength, will be able to remove shoe adapters and toe clips with ease and grace. The preferred embodiment of the spar has grips along the spar to aid the user. If a cyclist has been sweating, or has hands that are moist from sweat from gloves and the like, the cyclist&#39;s hands won&#39;t slide off the spar, and instead, the cyclist will have a non-slip, frictional location on which to press down on the spar. This, too, is absent in the prior art, and is yet another advantage of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The retention and release mechanism of the present invention is preferably a spring-loaded device. The default position of the present invention is in the retention mode. It is when force is exerted on the spar that the present invention enters the release mode. 
         [0017]    The lateral spar is of a length sufficient to provide the least amount of effort on the part of the user and yet not interfere with the cyclist or with the pedal movement. The spar should not hit the ground at the end of the down-cycle or at the beginning of the up-cycle of the peddling process. The spar preferably has a grip to further aid and ease the release of the shoe adapter. The spar may have braces, preferably underneath the spar, to support and buttress the spar. The spar may be made of any material that is appropriate for rear adapter receptors. 
         [0018]    The present invention operates by first being inserted in a clipless pedal, a double-sided clipless pedal and the like, as the rear retainer in the clipless pedal. A toe clip or shoe adapter, having already been inserted into the clipless pedal, is removed quickly and easily in the following manner. Downward pressure is exerted, usually by hand, on the back end of the pedal on the spar of the present invention rear retainer. The presence and length of the spar allows the user to easily overcome the resisting force of the tension spring actuator, using just a little downward pressure, thereby stretching the tension spring or springs, resulting in the cleat retainer lifting its clamp head off the back of the toe clip or shoe adapter. Prior to the exertion of a downward pressure on the spar, the tension spring(s) actuator had provided a force on the clamp head so that the clamp head could keep pressure on the rear retainer of a toe clip or shoe adapter to hold it securely in place. Downward pressure on the spar results in overcoming the resisting force of the spring(s) actuator and raising of the clamp head. Raising of the clamp head means that the toe clip or shoe adapter is available to be removed from the pedal. All of these actions occur simultaneously with the exertion of downward pressure on the spar, which means that as soon as someone pushes down on the spar, the toe clip or shoe adapter is removed. Additionally, the presence, length and location of the spar provide a further advantage to the clipless pedal overall, because it means that the present invention rear retainer and release mechanism requires far less force to release a toe clip or shoe adapter than that required by the prior art, because the present invention rear retainer and release mechanism not only provides an actual place for the hand to grab a hold of and press down on, but also has grips, both of which are unique in the industry, and because the present invention rear retainer and release mechanism creates a faster, easier, and elegant solution to the afore mentioned problems in the prior art. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a spring-loaded bicycle cleat retaining and releasing mechanism to provide a mechanical advantage in order to reduce the amount of force needed to cause the cleat retaining mechanism to move away from the retained bicycle cleat. 
         [0020]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that provides a cleat removal that does not require a sharp motion that is lateral and in or parallel to the plane of the pedal face. 
         [0021]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that provides a cleat removal that does not require a sharp, twisting motion on the part of a cyclist&#39;s ankle. 
         [0022]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that provides a cleat removal that does not put stress on a cyclist&#39;s ankles nor cause injury to the person during the removal process. 
         [0023]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that provides a cleat removal that requires very little force and does not stress the person removing the cleat. 
         [0024]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that provides a cleat removal that is very easy to use by persons who have a weak upper body, such as children, adolescents, young adults, elderly, and infirm persons. 
         [0025]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that provides an apparatus that replaces the rear retainer of any clipless pedal. 
         [0026]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that provides an apparatus that replaces both rear retainers on a double-sided pedal. 
         [0027]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that functions so as to allow two cleat retaining and releasing mechanisms to reside simultaneously on a double-sided pedal. 
         [0028]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism that retains any type of cleat adapter, including those for toe clips and street shoes. 
         [0029]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleat retaining and releasing mechanism for use with all types of bicycles including stationary bicycles, road type bicycles and mountain type bicycles and to accommodate other mountain bicycle cleats and road type bicycle cleats to provide a mechanical advantage in order to reduce the amount of force needed to cause the cleat retaining mechanism to move away from the retained bicycle cleat and thereby enable the bicycle cleat to be removed with less force than that required by prior art rear retainers to remove the clip. 
         [0030]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide gripping enhancements onto the surface of the cleat retaining and releasing mechanism so that the use of a downward force on the releasing mechanism to help release the cleat retaining mechanism will be improved by providing a greater friction surface. 
         [0031]    Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a top and side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the retention and release mechanism of the present invention, illustrating the present invention in position on a double-sided clipless pedal structure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view thereof; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a top elevational view thereof; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5A  is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the retention and release mechanism of the present invention, wherein one under support is present; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5B  is a bottom perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the retention and release mechanism of the present invention, wherein two under supports are present; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5C  is a bottom perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the retention and release mechanism of the present invention, wherein there are no under supports present; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a top elevational view thereof; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view thereof; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is a bottom elevational view thereof; 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  is an exploded rear and top view of a toe clip adapter and a preferred embodiment of the present invention in position on a double-sided clipless pedal structure, the toe clip adapter about to be releasably retained by the clipless pedal structure; 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the top of a toe clip adapter releasably retained by the double-sided clipless pedal structure, the double-sided clipless pedal structure having a preferred embodiment of the retention and release mechanism in operational position thereon; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is an exploded side view of a toe clip adapter about to be releasably retained on a double-sided clipless pedal structure, the double-sided clipless pedal structure having a preferred embodiment of the retention and release mechanism in operational position thereon; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 12  is a side plan view at a slight perspective of a toe clip adapter releaseably retained by the double-sided clipless pedal structure, the double-sided clipless pedal structure having a preferred embodiment of the retention and release mechanism in operational position thereon. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
         [0048]    There is shown in  FIG. 1  the retention and release mechanism  10  of the present invention in its operative relationship with a double-sided clipless pedal  100 . The figures presented herein illustrate a single retention and release mechanism on only one side of a double-sided clipless pedal. It should be noted that the present invention can work with a single-sided clipless pedal and can also be present on both sides of a double-sided clipless pedal. It can be seen that the present invention retention and release mechanism  10  has replaced the rear receptor of the clipless pedal  100 . It can further be seen that the spar  50  has a plurality of grips  56  located on the top  52  of the spar  50 . Only the top of the cleat retaining formation  30  can be seen. 
         [0049]    Illustrated in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , there can be seen the retention and release mechanism  10  operationally in place in a clipless pedal  100 . The retention and release mechanism  10  is shown in the default position of retention mode. There can also be seen support  58  which is located on the bottom  54  of the spar  50 . The present invention is functional with one support and also without any supports, but the preferred embodiment includes two supports  58 A and  58 B, as shown in  FIG. 5B . Also seen in more detail is the cleat retaining mechanism  30  and the spring attachment and tension adjustment means  20  which affixes a tension spring  41  to the present invention retention and release mechanism  10  and which is also the tension adjustment for the tension spring  41 . The spring attachment and tension adjustment means  20  can be a screw, a bolt, or any other device appropriate to the use of clipless pedals. The cleat retaining mechanism  30  has a generally curved appearance, which arcs back towards the heel of a cyclist&#39;s foot, but may be a series of angled planar surfaces, or a combination of both curved and planar surfaces. The underside  32  and the top surface  31  of the cleat retaining mechanism  30  are joined together by a clamp head  33 . The clamp head  33  releasably secures the rear retainer  220  of a cleat adapter  210 , shown in  FIG. 9 , through the application of downward pressure of the clamp head  33  on the rear retainer  220 . The downward pressure is the pressure caused by the spring actuator, not shown. 
         [0050]    There is also a receding surface  34  located preferably immediately above the clamp head  33 . This receding surface  34  allows the clamp head  33  to engage and put pressure on the lower surface  221  the rear retainer  220  of a cleat adapter  210  and allow the top surface  31  of the cleat retaining mechanism  30  to clear the upper surface  222  of the rear retainer  220 . See  FIG. 9 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is also illustrated the spring actuator  40 , which is a generally at least one tight tension spring  41  so as to secure the cleat adapter  210  of a shoe or toe clip  200 . The downward pressure exerted by the spring actuator  40 , which has the spring  41  situated so as to resist stretching, bending or deforming unless a load is applied, allows the clamp head  33  to apply downward pressure on the lower surface  221  of a rear retainer  220  of a cleat adapter  210 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  6 ,  9  and  10 , grips  56 ,  356  are preferably present on the top  52 ,  352  of the spar  50 ,  350 . These grips  56 ,  356  provide a better handhold for a cyclist, because generally when a cyclist is ready to disengage from a bicycle, the cyclist has been exercising and experiencing a great deal of exertion and the grips  56 ,  356  provide a little bit of friction for fingers and hands that are moist from perspiration. 
         [0053]    Illustrated in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , there is shown the present invention without a clipless pedal  100 .  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C illustrate the present invention having identical parts among the preferred embodiment  10 , the first alternate embodiment  10 A and the second alternate embodiment  10 B, with the exception of the number of supports under the spar  50 ,  350 ,  450 .  FIG. 5A  shows the present invention  10  with one support  58 ,  FIG. 5B  shows the first alternate embodiment  10 A with two supports  358 A,  358  B, and  FIG. 5C  illustrates the second alternate embodiment  10 B with no supports. Additionally, there is shown the spring attachment and tension adjustment mechanism  20 ,  320 ,  420 . The underside  32 ,  332 ,  432  of the cleat retaining mechanism  30 ,  330 ,  430  clamp head  33 ,  333 ,  433  the receding surface  34 ,  334 ,  434  and the top surface  31 ,  331 ,  431  of the cleat retaining mechanism are also illustrated. The spring actuator  40  is shown generally in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , and the details of the spring actuator  40 ,  340 ,  440  are shown in detail in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  comprising the parts of two fixed pivots  42 A,  42 B,  342 A,  342 B,  442 A,  442 B, a pivot bolt  44 , 344 ,  444 , and at least one tension spring  41 ,  341 ,  441  and is preferably with two, tension springs  41 A,  41 B,  341 A,  341 B,  441 A,  441 B. The pivoting bolt  44 ,  344 ,  444  is retained between fixed pivots  42 A,  42 B,  342 A,  342 B,  442 A,  442 B and a tension spring unit  41 A,  41 B, and which preferably has two tension springs  41 A,  41 B,  341 A,  341 B,  441 A,  441 B that are retained on pivot bolt  44 ,  344 ,  444 . The spring actuator  40 ,  340 ,  440  may have two tension springs  41 A and  41 B,  341 A and  341 B,  441 A and  441 B coiled about the pivoting bolt  44 ,  344 ,  444  each having one end of its coil in the tension adjustment means  20 ,  320 ,  420  and the other end of its coil resting against the body of the clipless pedal in a manner such that the spring actuator  40 ,  340 ,  440  is resisting releasing the clamp head  33 ,  333 ,  433 . There should be at least one fixed pivot, and the preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporates two parallel spaced apart fixed pivots  42 A,  42 B,  342 A,  342 B,  442 A,  442 B. Additionally, the pivot bolt  44 ,  344 ,  444  extends through each of the fixed pivots  42 A,  42 B,  342 A,  342 B,  442 A,  442 B such that it resides in a corresponding opening in the clipless pedal  100  to further affix the present invention cleat retention and release mechanism to the clipless pedal  100 . 
         [0054]    The remaining figures discuss the invention in terms of the first alternate embodiment  10 A, however, the discussions apply to all the embodiments  10 ,  10 A, and  10 B of the present invention and are within scope thereof. 
         [0055]    The top of the first alternate embodiment of the retention and release mechanism  10 A is highlighted in  FIG. 6 , and clearly illustrates the top  352  of the spar  350  and the plurality of grips  356 . There can also be seen that the top  331  of the cleat retaining mechanism  330  flows into the receding surface  334 , which flows into the clamp head  333 . There are also two fixed pivots  342 A,  342 B. It is preferable that the fixed pivots  342 A,  342 B are located in front of the clamp head  333 . This preference has at least two advantages, the first being that it allows the least amount of force to be applied to release a cleat adapter  210 , shown in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , and the second that it allows the present invention retention and release mechanism  10  to fit into existing clipless pedals  100 . 
         [0056]    The right side of the first alternate embodiment of the retention and release mechanism  10 A is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the left side of the preferred embodiment of the retention and release mechanism  10  previously illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The bottom of the first alternate embodiment of the retention and release mechanism  10 A is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 7 , there is shown the spar  350  having a top surface  352  and a bottom surface  354  and the profile of the supports  358 A and  358 B on the bottom  354  of the spar  350 . One of the fixed pivots  342 A is shown therein. The cleat retaining mechanism  330  is clearly seen having a top surface  331 , a bottom surface  332 , a receding surface  334  located on or near the top surface  331  and a clamp head  333 . The bottom surface  354  of the spar  350 , as well as the supports  358 A and  358 B, are highlighted in  FIG. 8 . There can also be seen the spring attachment and tension adjustment means  320  and two fixed pivots  342 A,  342 B. A glimpse of the underside  332  of the cleat retaining formation  330  and the clamp head  333  can also be seen. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , there is illustrated the first alternate embodiment of the present invention retention and release mechanism  10 A in operative communication with a clipless pedal  100  to retain and release a cleat adapter  210  of a toe clip  200 . The use of a toe clip  200  in the figures is for illustration purposes only and not intended to limit the present invention for the use with these articles only. The present invention works equally well with a shoe adapter and it is intended to be within the contemplation of this invention that the present invention may work with any type of clipless pedal and with any type of cleat adapter.  FIG. 9  illustrates a toe clip  200  that is not engaged with the clipless pedal  100  and is either about to be retained by the present invention  10  on the clipless pedal  100  or has just been released by the present invention from the clipless pedal  100 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a toe clip  200  that is engaged with a clipless pedal  100  and is being retained thereon by the present invention retention and release mechanism  10 A. The clamp head  333  of the retention and release mechanism  10 A will engage the toe clip  200  by entering the space between the upper surface  222  and the lower surface  221  of the rear retainer  220  of the toe clip  200 . This is performed by first engaging the front retainer  230  of the toe clip  200  with the front cleat retainer  130  of the clipless pedal  100 , then putting pressure on the heel of the toe clip  200  so that the rear retainer  220  of the toe clip  200  slides down the receding surface  334  of the present invention, which acts to put pressure on the spring actuator  340  so that the rear retainer  220  can snap in place under the clamp head  333 , which will then hold the toe clip  200  in place. Release of the toe clip  200  is performed by applying downward pressure on the spar  350  of the retention and release mechanism  10 A. The downward pressure on the spar  350  puts pressure on the spring actuator  340  to stretch and thereby raise the clamp head  333 . Raising of the clamp head  333  releases the pressure of the retention and release mechanism  10 A exerted on the lower surface  221  of the rear retainer  220  of the toe clip  200 . Once that pressure is removed from the rear retainer  220 , the toe clip  200  is free to be removed. 
         [0058]    Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.