Abstract:
A flexible hinged cleat for a shoe includes a base, a hinge section and a traction section formed as a one-piece mechanism. The flexible hinged cleat is capable of flexing upwardly or downwardly, depending on the direction of the applied force. The hinge section is configured such that the traction section is hinged for rotation relative to a generally fixed axis. Multiple flexible hinged cleats may be molded as parts of a strip and subsequently sandwiched between the outsole and midsole of a shoe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/509,313, filed Oct. 7, 2003. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates generally to cleats and cleating systems for footwear. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   Historically in the golfing industry, golfers have used shoes in which an array of screw holes were embedded into the shoe sole to accept an equivalent number of golf spikes. The golf spike tips are typically made of metal, such as tungsten or stainless steel, and are contained within a circular housing having a nub portion. These spikes are screwed into the screw holes and can be removed or replaced, as needed, using a special golf wrench tool. A standard golf shoe typically has between eight and eleven golf spikes for each shoe. These spikes provide traction for a golfer during a golf swing. 
   A major problem with these types of golf spikes is that the spikes and the nub portion can leave spike marks on the grass surface of a golf course, particularly on the putting surfaces (called the “green” or the “putting green”). A careless golfer who shuffles or twists his feet while walking across a putting green can damage the grass surface. Even a careful golfer can leave spike marks on a putting green, particularly when the putting green is wet. 
   Current golf rules permit the repair of golf ball marks on the putting green, such as the mark left when a golf ball hits the putting green. However, those current golf rules do not permit the repair of spike marks. It is well known that the spike marks that golf spikes make on the putting surface can dramatically affect the motion or path of a putted golf ball, and as a result, the golfer&#39;s overall score. Many golf courses have subsequently banned the use of traditional spiked golf shoes for these reasons. 
   Initially, some golf courses permitted the use of certain types of spikeless golf shoes, hoping to minimize the spike marks left by spiked golf shoes. Some versions of those spikeless golf shoes incorporated an array of circular rubber knobs, which were to provide the desired traction similar to the traditional spiked golf shoes, but tended to leave knob marks on the putting greens. In some instances, more severe marks were caused by these types of spikeless golf shoes. As a result, more golf courses have banned the use of the rubber knob type of spikeless golf shoes as well. 
   There are presently available golf shoes in which circular cleats (typically plastic) replace the traditional golf spikes, again using some form of golf wrench tool to remove the golf spikes and replace those golf spikes with the circular cleats. Each circular cleat typically has a series of pin-like projections or a circular array of triangular shaped nubs, which serve to provide traction during a golf swing. However, these circular types of spikeless golf cleats can still leave undesired marks on the putting surface, particularly in wet conditions. Another problem with these plastic cleats is they can fall out during a round and cause the threaded receptacle to become packed with mud and debris, making it very difficult to clean, so that a new cleat can be installed. 
   Another problem with existing golf shoes is that the outsole portion (the bottom) of the golf shoe tends to accumulate dirt and debris, especially during wet conditions. The accumulation of such dirt and debris requires frequent and tedious cleaning, as otherwise the desired traction during a golf swing can be affected. 
   In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved spikeless golf shoe which will eliminate or minimize the type of spike marks presently left on the grass surfaces and particularly the putting surfaces, while still providing the necessary traction during a golf swing and minimizing the accumulation of dirt and debris. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the preferred embodiment, the flexible hinged cleat of the present invention is comprised of a base, a hinge section and a traction section, formed as a one-piece mechanism. When the hinge section is flexed, the traction section is extended to perform a cleating action. The traction section, when viewed cross sectionally, is substantially triangular in shape, having a first side and a second shorter side. The first side forms a first angle with respect to the base of the cleat and the second shorter side forms a second angle with respect to the base of the cleat. The hinge section is made of a flexible material which varies the first angle and second angle as required to perform the cleating action. A maximum cleating action is achieved when the second shorter side makes contact with the base. The hinge section is also capable of varying the first angle and second angle as required to achieve a walking position in which negligible cleating action is attained. A relaxed position may also be achieved. In the relaxed position, the hinge section is capable of sustaining the first angle and the second angle. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, a cleating system is provided as an outsole. The outsole has a front sole portion and a heel portion. The front sole portion and heel portion each have a lateral side and a medial side. A plurality of ridges is disposed at an outer periphery of both the lateral and medial sides of both the front sole portion and the heel portion. 
   A first row of flexible hinged cleats is disposed substantially parallel to the ridges on the lateral side of the front sole portion. A second row of flexible hinged cleats is disposed substantially parallel to ridges on the medial side of the front sole portion. A third row of flexible hinged cleats is disposed substantially parallel to the ridges on the medial side of the heel portion. Each of the flexible hinged cleats of the cleating system is configured to provide a cleating action. The cleating system also provides that when each flexible hinged cleat is in a walking position, negligible cleating action is occurring; thereby a putting surface is not altered. The cleating system is also configured such that each flexible hinged cleat can attain a relaxed position in the absence of an applied force. 
   This embodiment of the invention may also provide that a plurality of weight bearing structures is disposed amid the ridges of the front sole portion and heel portion. These weight bearing structures provide support when the flexible hinged cleats are in a walking or in a relaxed position. The support extends the life and durability of the flexible hinged cleats when walking on hard surfaces, such as asphalt or pavement. The durability is extended because the flexible hinged cleats do not extend beyond the apex of the weight bearing structures. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, a method of forming a spikeless golf shoe is provided. The method provides a midsole, flexible hinged cleat strips and an outsole. The midsole has a front sole portion and a heel portion. Both the front sole portion and heel portion have a lateral side and a medial side. The midsole is formed with cavities on the front sole portion lateral and medial sides and on the heel portion medial side. Each of the cavities is configured to accept a flexible hinged cleat strip. Each flexible hinged cleat strip is a unitary structure having a substructure formed with a plurality of flexible hinged cleats. The flexible hinged cleat strips are molded into a front sole lateral strip, a front sole medial strip and a heel medial strip by a means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The present invention also provides an outsole configured to fit atop the midsole in a manner that allows each flexible hinged cleat to protrude through the outsole when the flexible hinged cleat strips are inserted into their respective cavities. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
       FIG. 1A  is a cross sectional view of a hinged cleat in a relaxed position with no force applied to it. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross sectional view of a hinged cleat in the cleating position during the golf swing 
       FIG. 1C  is a cross sectional view of a hinged cleat in a position during walking or standing. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the outsole of a spikeless golf shoe, indicating section marks A-A, B-B and C-C. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a right spikeless golf shoe according to the present invention, indicating section marks A-A, B-B and C-C. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of a right spikeless golf shoe of  FIGS. 1 and 2  at section mark A-A and the arrangement of hinged cleats. 
       FIG. 4A  is a cross sectional view of outsole  26  shown in the spikeless golf shoe in  FIGS. 1 and 2  at section mark B-B and the arrangement of the hinged cleats. 
       FIG. 4B  is a cross section of outsole  26  shown in  FIG. 1  at section C-C and the arrangement of the hinged cleats. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a pre-molded flexible hinged cleat strip used in the front portion of a right shoe as in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a bottom view of the midsole with two cavities in the front sole portion and one cavity in the heel. These cavities accept the pre-molded hinged cleat strips. 
       FIG. 6B  is a view of  FIG. 6A  after the pre-molded hinged cleat strips have been attached. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the accompanying drawings, reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 1A  shows a cross-sectional view of the flexible hinged cleat  10  in a normal relaxed position. The flexible hinged cleat is comprised of a base  12 , a hinge section  14  and a traction section  16 . The base, hinge section and traction section are formed as a unitary mechanism. The traction section is configured to provide a cleating action when the hinge section, formed of a flexible material, is flexed to extend the traction section as shown in  FIG. 1B . The traction section  16 , of  FIG. 1A , is substantially triangular in shape, having a first side  18  forming a first angle  20  of approximately forty degrees with respect to the base  12 . The traction section also has a second shorter side  22  forming a second angle  24  of approximately twenty-two degrees with respect to the base  12 . The hinge section is capable of varying the first angle and second angle as required to perform a cleating action.  FIG. 1B  shows the hinge section has sufficient flexing capability to allow the second shorter side to make contact with the base. Making contact with the base prevents the traction section from extending beyond a substantially upright position, enabling a maximum cleating action to take place.  FIG. 1C  shows the hinge section  14  is capable of flexing in a manner that varies the first angle  20  and the second angle  24  so that a walking (or standing) position may be achieved. When in the walking position, negligible cleating action occurs. 
   In one embodiment,  FIG. 2  shows the bottom view of an outsole  26  of a right shoe. The outsole  26  is comprised of front sole portion  28  and heel portion  30 . One or more ridges  32  are formed on the “outer periphery” of the outsole, along the lateral side of the front sole portion, and one or more ridges  34  are formed on the “outer periphery” of the outsole along the medial side of the front sole portion. The outsole also includes one or more ridges  36  along the medial and lateral sides of heel portion  30 . There are four flexible hinged cleats  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44  in the front sole portion on the medial side facing in the lateral direction, and four flexible hinged cleats  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52  in the front sole portion on the lateral side facing in the lateral direction. There are three flexible hinged cleats  54 ,  56  and  58  in the heel portion on the medial side facing in the medial direction. 
   A series of individual widthwise placed weight bearing structures  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  and  68  is spaced apart from one another along the front sole portion  28  of outsole  26 . Another series of individual widthwise placed weight bearing structures  70 ,  72  and  74  is spaced along the heel portion  30  of the outsole. The series of widthwise weight bearing structures in the front sole portion of the outsole has a rear face at approximately a ninety degree angle to the surface of the outsole and facing towards the rear of outsole, so as to provide traction to a golfer walking up an incline surface. The series of widthwise weight bearing structures in the heel portion  30  of the outsole has a front face at approximately a ninety degree angle to the surface of the outsole and facing towards the front sole portion of the outsole, so as to provide traction to a golfer walking down an inclined surface. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a side view of a spikeless golf shoe  76  according to the present invention is shown. The upper portion  78  of the golf shoe is typically fabricated from stitched fabric, leather, canvas, or other types of synthetic or natural materials. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the golf shoe also includes a middle portion, or midsole  80 , typically made of a foam or rubber material. The spikeless golf shoe also includes a bottom outsole  26  which is attached to the midsole. Both the outsole portion and the midsole portion are attached to the upper portion. The outsole portion is the cleating system of  FIG. 2  that includes ridges  32  and flexible hinged cleats  38 - 58 . The flexible hinged cleats, shown in  FIG. 2 , provide the spikeless golf shoe with the ability to maintain traction during the golf swing, while minimizing the potential damage caused to the putting surface. 
     FIG. 4  shows a cross section of the outsole  26  shown in  FIG. 2  at section A-A on a right golf shoe. The flexible hinged cleat  56  is placed on the medial side of the outsole facing the inside of the shoe. During the golf swing, the heel section  30  of a right handed golfer&#39;s feet tend to slide inward (clockwise), as the front sole portion  28  tends to slide outward (clockwise). In  FIG. 4 , the flexible hinged cleat  56  is slightly taller than the ridges  36 , so as to allow the flexible hinged cleat to penetrate the grass surface and flex outwardly for increased traction during the golf swing. 
     FIG. 4A  shows a cross section of outsole  26  shown in  FIG. 3  at section B-B on a right spikeless golf shoe. The flexible hinged cleats  40  and  48  are positioned on the medial and lateral side of the front sole portion  28 . The flexible hinged cleats are facing in the lateral direction of the outsole. During the golf swing, the front sole portion of a right handed golfer tends to slide outward in a clockwise direction. As the foot starts to slide in this manner, the flexible hinged cleats will extend in length to further penetrate the grass surface and thus provide traction during the golf swing. In this extended position, the flexible hinged cleats become approximately 60% taller than the weight bearing structures  60 - 68 . 
     FIG. 4B  is a cross section of the outsole  26  shown in  FIG. 3  at section C-C. The ridges  32 ,  34  and  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , have an opening  82  along the outer periphery adjacent to the flexible hinged cleats  46  and  48 , so that the flexible hinged cleats can flex during the golf swing without any obstruction from the ridges. That is, openings should be properly positioned to allow the hinged cleats to operate properly. 
   In a further embodiment of the invention,  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A and  6 B show the method of construction of a spikeless golf shoe  76 .  FIG. 5  shows a flexible hinged cleat strip  84  having a plurality of flexible hinged cleats  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52 . The flexible hinged cleat strip is a unitary structure made of urethane and formed by an injection molding process. Midsole  80  is formed, by known means, with three cavities  90 ,  92  and  94 .  FIG. 6A  shows a midsole having a front sole portion  28  and a heel portion  30 . The front sole portion has a lateral side cavity  90  and a medial side cavity  92 . The heel portion has a medial side cavity  94 . Each cavity is made to accept a flexible hinged cleat strip formed to fit into it.  FIG. 6B  depicts the midsole with the cavities filled with their respective flexible hinged cleat strip. In this embodiment, cavity  90  contains front sole lateral flexible hinged cleat strip  84 . Cavity  92  contains front sole medial flexible hinged cleat strip  86 , and cavity  94  contains heel medial flexible hinged cleat strip  88 . The flexible hinged cleats are attached to the cavity by a mean known in the art. An outsole  26 , formed to allow each flexible hinged cleat of the flexible hinged cleat strips to protrude through it, is fitted atop the midsole and attached by a known means.