Abstract:
A cleat and base assembly for permitting blind alignment and engagement to one another. The cleat is disposed on an underside of a shoe sole and includes a forward cleat engagement edge and a rearward cleat engagement edge displaced at a distance along a longitudinal axis of the shoe sole. The base assembly can be provided on a bicycle pedal and includes a forward base engagement edge and a rearward base engagement edge configured to releasably retain or couple the forward and rearward cleat engagement edges, respectively. A pair of guides are disposed at angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the shoe sole, the pair of guides converging at opposing sides of one of the forward or rearward clear engagement edges to permit blind alignment and engagement of the cleat to the base assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to an alignment system for a cleat and base assembly and, more particularly, to an alignment system for facilitating blind engagement between a cleat and pedal assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Footwear-mounted engagement methods have been used in cycling, skiing, snowboarding, rowing, and numerous other sports, to attach a user to a device for increased power and/or control. 
         [0003]    Engagement of footwear-mounted cleats to bicycle pedals, in particular, have been notoriously difficult for a number of reasons. The cleat is mounted to the underside of a rider&#39;s shoe sole and is thus hidden from view. Likewise, the pedal assembly, being mounted to the underside of the rider&#39;s shoe sole, is also obscured from view by the shoe during the engagement process. Thus, engagement of a rider&#39;s shoe to a pedal assembly requires the rider to blindly align or engage the cleat to the pedal, relying primarily on tactile feedback and most typically while the rider is still in motion. 
         [0004]    To exacerbate the difficulty with engagement, bicycle pedals are rarely in a fixed position and spin freely on the cranks which also spin freely on the bicycle. The common tendency to look down at the pedals to facilitate engagement is both awkward and potentially dangerous, as it distracts the rider from paying attention to the road or trail and may cause the rider to wobble into traffic or hit a fixed object. 
         [0005]    Other factors in recent years have contributed to the difficulty in engaging footwear mounted cleats to pedals. For example, many pedals and cleats have gotten smaller over the years and this has made the target area for aligning the cleat to the pedal significantly more difficult. 
         [0006]    What is therefore needed is an improved cleat and pedal assembly that permits blind engagement between the pedal and cleat that does not require precise alignment of the two components to facilitate engagement. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Various embodiments of a cleat and pedal assembly are described herein which provide for reliable and ready engagement and release of the cleat and pedal assemblies. Clipless pedals, and particularly clipless pedals made for off-road use, are often designed with relatively small cleat parts that are mounted within a small recessed cavity, typically built into the shoe&#39;s sole. Because the cleats are relatively small and disposed on the underside of a user&#39;s shoe, the alignment and engagement of the cleat to the pedal is performed blindly, relying only on tactile feedback when the cleat contacts the pedal. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, an alignment system for facilitating engagement of a cleat to a base assembly is provided. The alignment system comprises forward and rearward cleat edges and a pair of guides extending outwardly at angles from opposing sides of one of the forward cleat edge or the rearward cleat edge. The forward and rearward cleat edges are configured to be disposed on an underside of a shoe sole and separated at a distance along a longitudinal axis of the shoe sole. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a first aspect, the pair of guides both extend from the forward cleat edge. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a second aspect, the forward cleat edge has a substantially straight edge joining the guides and wherein the pair of guides each extends outwardly at an angle of between 95 and 180 degrees from the forward cleat edge. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a third aspect, the pair of guides and the forward cleat edge define a frusto-conical landing region therebetween. 
         [0012]    In accordance with a fourth aspect, the pair of guides have lengths extending from the opposing sides of one of the forward or rearward cleat edges to opposing sides of the shoe sole. 
         [0013]    In accordance with a fifth aspect, the pair of guides is coupled to or integral with the cleat. 
         [0014]    In accordance with a sixth aspect, the pair of guides is coupled to or integral with the underside of the shoe sole. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, a cleat and base assembly is provided. The cleat and base assembly comprises a cleat, a base and a pair of guides. The cleat comprises a forward cleat edge and a rearward cleat edge separated at a distance along a longitudinal axis of the shoe sole when the cleat is mounted to an underside of the shoe sole. The base assembly comprises a forward base edge and a rearward base edge, the forward and rearward base edges being configured to releasably couple the forward and rearward cleat edges, respectively. The pair of guides extends laterally from one of the forward cleat edge or the rearward cleat edge. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a first aspect, the forward and rearward cleat edges each comprises a pair of inserts at opposing lateral sides, the inserts being configured to contact opposing lateral sides of the forward and rearward base edges. 
         [0017]    In accordance with a second aspect, the inserts are made of a material having a measure of hardness that is greater than hardened steel. 
         [0018]    In accordance with a third aspect, the material is a carbide selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, tungsten carbide, and titanium carbide. 
         [0019]    In accordance with a fourth aspect, the forward and rearward base edges are shaped as tongues curved toward one another and defining retaining spaces for housing corresponding forward and rearward cleat edges underneath the tongues. 
         [0020]    In accordance with a fifth aspect, the forward and rearward base edges are provided on the base assembly as mirror images of one another. 
         [0021]    In a further embodiment, a cleated shoe assembly configured to releasably engage a base edge of a base assembly is provided. The cleated shoe assembly comprises a cleat, guides extending laterally from opposing sides of the cleat edge, and a landing region defined between the cleat edge and the guides. The cleat comprises a cleat edge and configured to be mounted to an underside of a shoe sole. The guides extend laterally from opposing sides of the cleat edge, the guides having a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is in direct facing relation to the underside of the shoe sole. The guides direct a base edge to the cleat edge when the base edge maintains sliding contact with the landing region and the shoe moves in a direction forward of the base edge. 
         [0022]    In accordance with a first aspect, the bottom surface of the guides is spaced apart from the shoe sole at a distance of 2 mm or less. 
         [0023]    In accordance with a second aspect, the bottom surface of the guides is in contact with the shoe sole. 
         [0024]    In accordance with a third aspect, the guides have lengths extending from the opposing sides of the cleat edge to the opposing sides of the shoe sole. 
         [0025]    In accordance with a fourth aspect, the landing region is an area of the shoe sole defined forward of the cleat edge and between the guides and the landing region has a frusto-conical shape. 
         [0026]    In accordance with a fifth aspect, the entire landing region is a substantially smooth surface of the underside of the shoe sole to permit sliding contact with the base edge. 
         [0027]    Other objects, features and advantages of the described preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    Preferred and non-limiting embodiments of the inventions can be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0029]      FIGS. 1A-1B  are plan and perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of a cleat, showing the cleat surface configured to be in facing relation with a base assembly. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are plan and perspective views, respectively, of the cleat of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , showing the cleat surface configured to be in facing relation with a shoe. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 3A-3B  are views of the outward and inward sides of the cleat of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0032]      FIGS. 4A-4B  are views of the forward and rearward sides of the cleat of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0033]      FIGS. 5A-5D  are various views of a base assembly configured for releasably engaging the cleat surface depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , with  FIGS. 5A and 5B  being top perspective and plan views,  FIG. 5C  being a forward side view and  FIG. 5D  being an inward side view of the pedal assembly. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 6A-6C  depict the forward entry and engagement of the cleat to the base assembly, with  FIGS. 6A and 6B  being top and forward perspective views, respectively, and  FIG. 6C  being an outward side view. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 7A-7C  depict the downward entry and engagement of the cleat to the base assembly, with  FIGS. 7A and 7B  being top and forward perspective views, respectively, and  FIG. 7C  being an inward side view. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 8A-8C  depict the engaged cleat and base assemblies, with  FIGS. 8A and 8B  being top and forward perspective views, respectively, and  FIG. 8C  being an inward side view. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment of the cleat assembly of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  mounted to the underside of a shoe sole. 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  depicts another embodiment of the cleat assembly mounted to the underside of a shoe sole having guides disposed integrally of the shoe sole. 
       
    
    
       [0039]    Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    Specific, non-limiting 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 embodiments within the scope 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. 
         [0041]    With reference now to the illustrative drawings, various embodiments of a bicycle pedal and cleat assembly are described and shown. The cleat assemblies described herein are designed to be secured to the underside of the sole of a rider&#39;s shoe, as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , and are configured to be attachable to a double- or multi-sided pedal assembly. Because the pedal assembly is accessible from either one of the opposing sides (e.g., double-sided or multi-sided), the cleat assembly can be releasably secured to either one of the two sides of the pedal assembly, thereby obviating the need to “right” the pedal before attaching the cleat assembly thereto. In the various embodiments discussed herein, either right or left-sided pedal and/or cleat assemblies are described and illustrated in the drawings, with the understanding that the pedal assemblies are mere mirror images of one another. While the preferred embodiments encompass double-sided pedal assemblies, it is understood that the pedal assemblies described and depicted herein can also be embodied in a pedal assembly having only a single side or multiple sides (e.g., four sided) configured to releasably secure the cleat assembly. 
         [0042]    Certain of the basic components and assembly of the cleat and base assemblies described herein are similar to the cleat and pedal assemblies described in co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 12/917,322, filed Nov. 1, 2010, for a Pedal-Cleat Assembly, published as U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012/0103131 on May 3, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an embodiment of a cleat assembly  100 . The cleat assembly  100  comprises a generally ring-shaped cleat body  110 , a base plate  140 , a spacer  150 , a disc-shaped body  160 , and screws  130  coupling the cleat assembly components to the underside of a shoe sole, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . The base plate  140  is configured to be in facing relation to the underside of the shoe sole and the disc-shaped body  160  is configured to be in facing relation to a base or pedal assembly (see  FIGS. 5-8 ). The cleat assembly  100  further comprises inward and outward lateral projections  120 ,  122  formed in the cleat assembly&#39;s main body  110  that rest atop the pedal assembly  200  on top of the respective inward and outward arches  220 ,  222  as depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5D . This configuration ensures that the entire engagement between the shoe and the base assembly  200  is provided by the cleat assembly  100 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate an embodiment of a base assembly  200  that is configured to releasably couple and secure the cleat assembly  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 . The base assembly  200  is rotatably coupled to an elongated spindle  20  configured to project laterally from a bicycle crank (not shown). The base assembly  200  freely rotates about a spindle axis B-B oriented to be parallel with the crank&#39;s rotation axis. As a result of the free rotation of the base assembly  200 , the upper and lower surfaces are identical such that the cleat assembly  100  can couple the base assembly  200  without regard to which one of the two surfaces faces the cleat assembly  100  prior to contact and engagement. 
         [0045]    Turning now to the portions of the cleat and base assemblies  100 ,  200  that cooperate with one another, the cleat assembly  100  comprises a forward cleat edge  112  and a rearward cleat edge  114  that is shaped and configured to be releasably secured within the base assembly&#39;s forward base edge  212  and rearward base edge  214 , respectively. In a preferred embodiment, one or both of the forward and rearward base edges  112 ,  114  are yieldably spring-biased toward one another. 
         [0046]    In a preferred embodiment, both forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114  define an area or recess which retains the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214 , respectively. To that end, the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214  can be shaped as a protrusion or a tongue that is configured to fit closely with the forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114 . 
         [0047]    Once the forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114  are coupled to the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214 , respectively, the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214  are in close contact with the lateral contacts  118  on opposing sides of the respective forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114 . While the cleat assembly  100  is depicted as comprising lateral contacts  118  on opposing sides of both forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114 , it is understood that the lateral contacts  118  can be provided on only one of the forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the forward cleat edge  112  is positioned proximate the toe area  14  of the shoe  10  and the rearward cleat edge  114  is positioned proximate the heel area  16  of the shoe  10 . Thus the forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114  are disposed at a distance along a longitudinal axis A-A of the shoe  10 . 
         [0049]    Guides  116  can be provided to extend laterally outward from the opposing sides of either one or both of the forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114  to facilitate alignment and engagement with the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214 , respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the guides  116  extend laterally outward from the opposing sides of the cleat edge which first engages the base assembly  200 . In the preferred embodiments of the cleat assemblies described herein, the forward cleat edge  112  provides the initial engagement with the base assembly  200  and thus the guides  116  are depicted as being provided in connection with the forward cleat edge  112 . 
         [0050]    The guides  116  each comprise a proximate end that is adjacent, coupled to or integral with the outer side of the forward cleat edge  112  and a distal end  117  away from the cleat body  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the guides  116  extend laterally from opposing sides of the forward cleat edge  112  at an angle  8  between 95 and 180 degrees, preferably between 120 and 155 degrees, and more preferably between 130 and 145 degrees. One function of the guides  116  is to substantially increase the size of the landing region  12  or “target area” of the shoe such that substantially less precision is necessary in order to align the forward cleat edge  112  with the forward base edge  212  for engagement. Thus, the guides  116  to effectively recruit a larger area of the sole in the engagement process. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  depicts the guides  116  as being a part of, or integral with, the structure of the cleat assembly  100 , whereas  FIG. 10  depicts guides  22  which are separate from the cleat assembly  200  and instead is integrated with the structure of the sole of the shoe  20 . It is understood that the guides  22  and the forward cleat edge  112  can have a gap in between so long as the gap is smaller than the width of the forward base edge  212  such that the gap does not “catch” the forward base edge  212 . It is understood that either of the configurations depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10  can be used so long as the proximate ends of the guides terminate at or adjacent to the opposing outer sides of the forward cleat edge  112 . 
         [0052]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  and  9 , it is understood that the guides  116  are mounted directly onto the sole. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the guides is mounted substantially flush with the underside of the sole of the shoe, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the guides is spaced no more than 2 mm from the underside of the shoe sole. 
         [0053]    Referring now to both  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a landing region  12  is generally defined on the underside of the shoe sole forward of the cleat edge  112  and between the guides  116 . In a preferred embodiment, the landing region  12  has a generally frusto-conical shape with an enlarged width that opens towards the toe area  14  of the shoe. This landing region  12  provides a significantly greater area of contact between the underside of the shoe  10  with the forward base edge  212  that still permits alignment and engagement of the forward cleat edge  112  and the forward base edge  212 . This is better understood with reference to  FIGS. 6-8 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 6-8  depict the sequence of releasably engaging the cleat assembly  100  to the base assembly  200 . It is understood that the shoe, to which the cleat assembly  100  is mounted, is omitted in order to more clearly illustrate the sequence of alignment and engagement of the cleat assembly  100  to the base assembly  200 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 6A-6C  depict the engagement of the forward cleat edge  112  with the forward base edge  212  as facilitated by the guides  116 . This initial engagement between the cleat and base assemblies  100 ,  200  is typically the most difficult as the user is required to blindly align the forward cleat edge  112  and the forward base edge  212  and rely solely on tactile feedback. To that end, guides  116  cooperate with the underside of the shoe sole to which it is mounted (see  FIG. 9-10 ) to slidably funnel or direct alignment of the forward cleat edge  112  to the forward base edge  212 . Thus, precise alignment between the two is no longer required so long as the forward base edge  212  contacts an area, the landing region  12 , of the underside of the shoe sole forward of the forward cleat edge  112  and maintains sliding contact as the shoe is moved forward of the base edge  212  in the direction indicated by the arrow C in  FIG. 6A . Once the forward base edge  212  is in sliding contact with a landing region, defined between the cleat edge and the guides  116 , continued sliding contact of the forward base edge  212  in a direction forward direction will terminate with alignment and engagement with the forward cleat edge  112 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 7A-7C  depict the alignment of the rearward cleat edge  114  with the rearward base edge  214 . The alignment of the rearward cleat edge  114  with the rearward base edge  214  is facilitated by the closely-fitted engagement of the forward cleat edge  112  with the forward base edge  212 , which thereby restricts the lateral rotational movement of the rearward cleat edge  114 . Engagement of the rearward cleat edge  114  with the rearward base edge  214  results as the rearward cleat edge  114  is urged downwardly onto the rearward base edge  214  in the direction indicated by the arrow D in  FIGS. 7A and 7C . The force exerted by the rearward cleat edge  114  on the rearward base edge  214  forcibly moves the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214  apart from each other, against the yielding bias of the spring, to secure and engage the rearward cleat edge  114  underneath the rearward base edge  214 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 8A-8C  depict the engaged cleat and base assemblies, in which the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214  is in fitting contact with the forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114  and the lateral contacts  118  disposed on opposing sides of the forward and rearward cleat edges  112 ,  114 . Disengagement of the cleat assembly  100  from the base assembly  200  can be achieved by rotating the cleat assembly  100  either clockwise (heel out) or counterclockwise (heel in). In order to facilitate disengagement of the coupled cleat and base assemblies  100 ,  200 , the corners of the forward and rearward base edges  112 ,  114  can be angled or beveled. The lateral contacts  118  can be provided as a rounded cam surface. Rotation of the cleat assembly  100  causes the beveled portion of the forward or rearward base edges  112 ,  113  to cam against the lateral contacts  118  and forcibly urge the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214  apart from each other against the yielding bias of the spring mechanism (not shown), thereby releasing the cleat assembly  100  from the pedal assembly  200 . 
         [0058]    In a preferred embodiment, the lateral contacts  118  is made of a material that has a measure of hardness that is greater than hardened steel. Alternatively or in addition, the forward and rearward base edges  212 ,  214  are preferably made of a material that is different from the lateral contacts  118  and, most preferably, is made of hardened steel. It is preferable that the two contacting surfaces, e.g., the base edges and the lateral contacts, are not made of the same metallic material so as to avoid the problem of seizing or creating a cold weld or an adhesive surface between the two metals. In addition, the contacting surfaces must be of sufficient strength and durability to resist wear and tear resulting from repeated engagement and disengagement. 
         [0059]    Any one of several measures of hardness can be used to determine the relative hardness of a material vis-à-vis hardened steel, such as Mohs, Vickers, Brinell, etc. Any material characterized as having a measure of hardness that is greater than hardened steel, regardless of the method of measurement, can be a suitable material for use in either one or both of a set of contacting surfaces. For example, hardened steel is generally characterized as having a Mohs hardness of about 7.0. Thus, any material having a Mohs hardness greater than 7.0 is suitable for use in either or both of the contacting surfaces. 
         [0060]    Non-metals, such as ceramics and, more preferably, carbides represent one class of such suitable materials. Carbides are generally characterized as having a Mohs hardness of 9 or more and include silicon carbide, boron carbide, tungsten carbide and titanium carbide. Carbides are preferable because they are characterized as being extremely hard, non-brittle, resistant to corrosion, and resistant to adhering to other surfaces in the presence of friction 
         [0061]    Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the lateral contacts  118  are cylindrical inserts made of a material that has a Mohs hardness of greater than 7.0 and is made of a non-metal or a carbide, preferably selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, tungsten carbide and titanium carbide. 
         [0062]    The general principle here is that at least one (if not both) of the two frictional contacting surfaces involved in either the engagement or the release of the cleat and pedal assemblies  100 ,  200  is made of a material that has a measure of hardness that is greater than hardened steel (e.g., a Mohs hardness of greater than 7.0), preferably a non-metal or a carbide, preferably selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, tungsten carbide and titanium carbide. 
         [0063]    The frictional contacting surfaces involved in the engagement of the cleat and pedal assemblies  100 ,  200  typically comprise the forward and/or rearward base edges  212 ,  214  and the lateral contacts  118 . 
         [0064]    The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific preferred embodiments disclosed herein, as these embodiments are intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0065]    The following patent publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. No. 7,877,904, issued Feb. 1, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,498, issued Jan. 6, 2009, U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,117, issued Dec. 17, 2002, U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0103131, published May 3, 2012. The following patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/828,782, filed Mar. 14, 2013, for an Improved Pedal and Cleat Assembly and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/028,345, filed Sep. 16, 2013, for a Pedal and Cleat Assembly.