Patent Publication Number: US-11638460-B2

Title: Mountain bike shoe sole with improved access for the pedal

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mountain bike shoe sole with an improved access. 
     More in particular, the invention relates to a mountain bike shoe sole to be used with clip-in or clipless bicycle pedals, which facilitates the engagement of the pedal during use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During bike rides, especially with mountain bikes or during down-hill rides, the user has the need to engage and disengage several times the shoes and the pedals. The use of clip-in or clipless pedals has developed some years ago, and is now widely spread. 
     With clipless pedals, the bicycle shoes, especially mountain bike shoes, usually have a sole with a recessed area for housing and fitting a two-hole pedal cleat (usually called an SPD compatible cleat), by means of a threaded fastener placed in the sole. Such fastener can usually slide fore and aft and slightly rotate in order to adjust and customize the connection position of the SPD compatible cleat, which can in turn engage the engagement mechanism of a pedal. 
     For releasing the pedal from the shoe, the user has to rotate the sole in order to disengage the engagement mechanism of the pedal and the sole cleat. 
     However, it is not always easy to engage the pedal on the shoe and therefore there is the need of a shoe equipped with a sole able to provide an easy access to the cleat for the pedal. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The technical aim of the present invention is therefore to improve the state of the art in the field of mountain bike shoe soles. 
     Within such technical aim, it is an object of the invention to develop a mountain bike shoe sole which allows to obviate the drawbacks previously complained. 
     Another object of the present invention is to develop a mountain bike shoe sole with an easy access for pedal engagement. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to develop a mountain bike shoe sole which allows the rider to pedal safely and effectively even without the cleat of the outsole being engaged in the engagement mechanism of the pedal. 
     A further object of the present invention is to devise a mountain bike shoe sole which allows achieving the foregoing objects with a technical solution which is constructively simple and inexpensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This aim and these objects are all achieved by a mountain bike shoe sole according to the present application. 
     The mountain bike shoe sole comprises an outsole, having a lower surface and a tread, at least a recessed area, provided in the lower surface, for housing a cleat assembly, and at least one ramp near the recessed area, and in particular a first ramp or entry ramp, for an easy access of the engagement mechanism of the clipless pedal in the recessed area. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the mountain bike shoe sole includes at least two ramps near the recessed area, and in particular a first ramp or entry ramp and a second ramp or exit ramp, the latter allowing an easy exit of the engagement mechanism of the clipless pedal, when the engagement with the cleat is not needed/successful. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the mountain bike shoe sole includes a securement block and/or a hollow seat, which acts as a temporary block area when the engagement of the shoe and the pedal is not successful. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the recessed area has a sidewall with a defined height; such height is the same along all the development of the sidewall and this improve the engagement/disengagement steps for the shoe and the pedal. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the tread of the outsole includes area specific pattern based on curved lines and/or grooves. Such pattern has the aim to improve the rotation of the shoe during the engagement step with the pedal and the disengagement step from the same, as the curved lines and/or grooves follow the rotation direction. In this way, friction is reduced, for an easy function of the shoe sole. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the embodiment in which there is a second ramp or exit ramp can be provided also with at least one stopper, the at least one stopper is placed at the end of the second ramp or exit ramp, opposite to the recessed area. They act as a “real” obstacle, which is able to stop the sliding of the pedal to the sole, when the engagement with the show is not successful. In this way the user feels safer and further risks linked to the failed engagement are avoided. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the lower surface of the sole, at the recessed area and/or in the front part thereof, has a curvature radius of a determined size. The size is linked to the amplitude of the foot movement, during engagement and disengagement, thus making an easy access for the pedal and for its engagement with the shoe. The movement freedom for the food is ensured. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other advantages will be better understood by any man skilled in the art from the following description that follows and from the attached drawings, given as a non-limiting example, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the mountain bike shoe sole according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view from the inner side of the mountain bike shoe sole of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of the mountain bike shoe sole according to  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the mountain bike shoe sole of  FIG.  1    including a cleat assembly; 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of the mountain bike shoe sole of  FIG.  1    from the outer side thereof; 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of the mountain bike shoe sole of  FIG.  1    from the inner side thereof; 
         FIG.  7    is a side sectional view taken along the section plane A 1  of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a front view of the mountain bike shoe sole of previous figures; 
         FIG.  9    is a rear view of the mountain bike shoe sole of previous figures; 
         FIGS.  10  and  11    are sectional views taken respectively along the section planes B 1  and C 1  of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIGS.  12  and  13    are sectional views taken respectively along the section planes D 1  and E 1  of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a top view of the mountain bike shoe sole according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS.  14 A and  14 B  show some detailed views of the securement block of the shoe sole of  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  15    is a side sectional view taken along the section plane A 2  of  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a sectional view taken along the section plane C 2  of  FIG.  14   ; and 
         FIGS.  17 A,  17 B,  17 C  show three engagement options for the shoe sole of the invention with a clip-in or clipless pedal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the specification, the word “fore” or “front” indicates an object or part positioned in the front position of the sole and/or of the shoe, i.e. in the portion of the sole and/or the shoe at the toe area. 
     The word “rear” or “aft” indicates an object or part positioned in the rear position of the sole and/or of the shoe, i.e. in the portion of the sole and/or the shoe at the heel area. 
     The word “lateral” or “side” indicates an object or part positioned in the side position of the sole and/or of the shoe, i.e. in the portion of the sole and/or the shoe at the foot side area. Such foot side area can be better defined, if needed, as “inner” or “medial” side rather than “outer” side, if it is meant a position in the inner or outer side of the foot. 
     The direction “longitudinal” indicates a direction going from the toe to the heel of the foot and/or of the sole and/or of the shoe; the word “cross” indicates a direction going from side to side of the foot and/or of the sole and/or of the shoe. 
     The word “height”, if nor otherwise indicated, means a size in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground, or in any case moving rising up from the ground, while the word “width” indicates a size considering the direction from side to side of the shoe and/or sole and the word “length” indicates a size considering the direction from toe to heel of the shoe and/or sole. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , the reference number  10  indicates a mountain bike shoe sole according to the invention. 
     The sole  10  includes, more in detail, an outsole  20 , which defines a lower surface suitable to contact the ground or a bicycle pedal, specifically a clip-in or clipless pedal of a bicycle or mountain bike. 
     The sole  10  and/or the outsole  20  has or defines a tread  30 . 
     The tread  30  has a pattern which help the user to walk or run or in any case to grip on the ground. 
     The tread  30  in made in a rubber material, in order to better adapt to the different soils on which the sole has to be placed, and to confer a proper grip also on the pedal and also on slippery surfaces. 
     The rubber material is, in a version of the invention, at least one of the following compounds: butadiene rubber (RB), isobutylene-isoprene rubber or butyl rubber (IIR), bromine butyl rubber (BIIR), BIIR and RB, natural rubber (NR), etc., mixture thereof. 
     In another version of the invention, the outsole  20  and/or the tread  30  and/or the sole  10  can be made in a rubber material of the kinds indicated above, or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), PHYLON, polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PEBAX, NYLON, carbon fiber, glass fiber, composites materials, and so on. 
     The main body of the sole  10  (or its midsole) can be made, in one version of the invention, of EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate). 
     In particular, the tread  30  of the sole  10  comprises a plurality of studs  32 . 
     Each stud  32  can have—in a plan view—a square, rectangular, polygonal or irregular shape. 
     Each stud  32  is delimited by at least one channel  34 , which forms a recessed “line” or zone in the outsole  20 . 
     Therefore, each stud  32  has a sidewall raised inwardly with respect to the lower surface of the sole and a base face  36  which defines the lower surface of the sole  10 . 
     Also the base face  36  can have—in a plan view—a square, rectangular, polygonal or irregular shape. 
     In fact, as clearly visible from  FIG.  2   , the base faces  36  of the plurality of studs  32  are placed along a substantially regular plane or surface, and define the lower surface of the sole  10 , which has a substantially regular, uniform and continuous surface, interrupted by channels  34  and/or by depressions caused by channels  34 . 
     This feature can also be appreciated considering the section  FIGS.  10  to  13   . 
     As it can be appreciated from such figures, the outer lateral sides  12  of the sole  10  are walls raising upwardly from the lower surface of the outsole  20  in a substantial perpendicular way with respect to the ground and/or to the outsole  20 . 
     As can be visible for example from  FIG.  4   , in the heel area H of the sole, i.e. the rear portion of the sole at the heel of the foot, all the channels  34  have substantially a cross direction, i.e. they cross the sole from side to side. The same happens in the foremost front area LF of the sole. In these areas H and LF, the studs  32  have substantially an elongated for example rectangular shape, extending from side to side. 
     In the central area C of the sole  10  (i.e. in the area from the heel area H and the front area F of the sole) and in the medial front area MF of the sole  10  (i.e. the area from the central area C to the foremost front area LF), the channels  34  have some a substantially cross direction and some others a substantially longitudinal direction. The latter have a curved pattern. In particular, longitudinal channels  34  placed in the outer side of the sole  10  have a curved pattern which follows the shape of the outer side of the shoe, and/or they have a curved concave pattern which cavity is faced towards the inner side of the sole. In the inner side of the sole, the longitudinal channels  34  have an opposite curved pattern with respect to the outer one, and/or they have a convex pattern, which cavity if faced towards the outer side of the sole. 
     In this way, the resulting studs  32  have a square or rhombus shape, which extension is smaller than studs  32  placed at the heel H and foremost front LF areas of the sole  10 . 
     The front portion of the sole  10  is composed by the foremost front LF and medial front MF areas, i.e. from the central area C to the tip of the toes. 
     Channels  34  have a main size (corresponding to their main development) and a minor size, which crosses the main size. 
     The minor size of channels  34  is in any way much smaller than sizes of the studs  32 . Therefore, the main part of the lower surface of the outsole  20  is defined by the base faces  36  of the studs, and this is the part of the tread  30  and/or of the outsole  20  which rests on the ground. 
     In at least one version of the invention, the curved pattern of longitudinal channels  34  is designed according to curved “energy lines”. This means that, considering that the engagement and the disengagement of the pedal occurs by a rotation movement of the foot (and therefore of the shoe and/or the sole), the curvature of the channels  34  is designed with a specific radius in order to make it easy the pedal operation. The friction among pedal and sole  10  is therefore reduced at a minimum. 
     In one version of the invention, the curved pattern of longitudinal channels  34  is designed according to the structure and the geometry of a specific pedal, such as Applicant&#39;s pedal. 
     The studs  32  next to such curved longitudinal channels  34  will have the same curvature than the latter. 
     Remarkably, the sole  10  has a recessed area  40 . 
     The recessed area  40  is provided in the zone of the sole  10  between the central area C and the front area F of the sole  10  (i.e. substantially under the ball of the foot), where a cleat assembly  180  can be secured, as better explained below. 
     As visible in in  FIGS.  1  to  4   , the recessed area has a main longitudinal development and its width is smaller than its length. 
     The recessed area  40  is depressed with respect to the lower surface of the outsole  20 . 
     In details, the recessed area  40  comprises an inner surface  42  and lateral walls  44 . 
     The inner surface of the recessed area is the surface placed at a deeper position with respect to the lower surface of the sole  10 . The inner surface  42  has an extension which is on a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the ground. In another version of the invention, the inner surface  42  has a slightly curved planar extension, following the curvature of the sole in that area, and/or is slightly convex with cavity faced towards the upper of the shoe. 
     The lateral walls  44  in at least one version of the invention are two, respectively placed towards the sides of the foot. They extend from sides  42   a ,  42   b  of the inner surface  42  to the lower surface of the sole  10  itself. 
     In at least one version of the invention, the lateral walls  44  are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the inner surface  42  and/or to the lower surface of the sole  10 . 
     Sides  42   a ,  42   b  of the inner surface  42  are substantially parallel and they are placed respectively at the outer side and at the inner side of the foot of the user. 
     They have a size substantially equal to the length of the inner surface  42 . 
     The inner surface  42  also has a front side  42   c  and a rear side  42   d . Front and rear sides  42   c ,  42   d  are substantially parallel with respect to each other and they are respectively placed at the front and at the rear of the sole  10 . 
     They have a size substantially equal to the width of the inner surface  42 . Therefore, the recessed area  40  at the inner surface  42  has, at least in one version of the invention, a constant width. 
     In any case, the width of the recessed area is smaller than the width of the sole  10 . 
     Therefore, the studs  32  encircle the recessed area  40  of the sole  10 . Such studs are in contact with the pedal when engagement occurs. 
     The lateral walls  44  have a rectangular or trapezoidal shape, and/or an arched shape, if the inner surface  42  has a curved extension. 
     Each lateral wall  44 , at least in a version of the invention, has a specific height  44   a  which is constant. In a version of the invention, such height  44   a  is in a range of 7.5 to 7.9 mm or it is 7.7 mm Such specific size has been proved to make it easier the engagement/disengagement with the pedal. The sole  10 , in fact, is suitable to be connected or to house a cleat assembly  180  for a clip-in or clipless pedal at the recessed area  40 . When present, at least in one version of the invention, the cleat assembly  180  is a mountain bike cleat system. 
     The cleat assembly  180  is suitable to engage an engagement mechanism of the pedal and/or disengage therefrom.  FIGS.  17 A,  17 B,  17 C  show three engagement options for the shoe sole  10  of the invention with a clip-in or clipless pedal P, i.e. respectively moving the shoe from downwardly, forwardly or rearwardly on the pedal P. In an example, the pedal is a clipless Crankbrothers™ pedal. 
     The outsole  20  includes, along the recessed area  40 , or better along the inner surface  42 , two slots  46 . The slots  46  have a longitudinal patter and they are parallel with respect to each other. 
     As it is known, such slots  46  allow the securing the cleat assembly  180  to the outsole  20 . 
     The cleat assembly  180  includes a cleat and fixing members for fixing the cleat to the outsole  20 . 
     The cleat assembly  180  is of known type and therefore it will not be described further. 
     The sole  10  and/or the recessed area  40  further includes a first ramp  50  (also called an entry ramp) for an easy access of the engagement mechanism of the clipless pedal in the recessed area. 
     In a preferred version of the invention, the sole  10  and/or the recessed area  40  includes a second ramp  52  (called also an exit ramp), the latter allowing an easy exit of the engagement mechanism of the clipless pedal, when the engagement with the cleat is not needed and/or successful. 
     The first ramp  50  and/or the second ramp  50  has a sloped surface with respect to the inner surface  42  and/or the lower surface of the sole  10 . 
     In detail, the first ramp  50  is placed at a fore position with respect to the inner surface  42  of the recessed area  40 . In particular, the first ramp  50  is placed in the medial front area MF of the sole  10  and ends at the foremost front area LF of the sole  10 . More generally, the first ramp  50  is placed in the front area F of the sole  10 , at the forefoot of the user. 
     The first ramp  50  starts at a front side  42   c  of the inner surface  42 . 
     The second ramp  52  is placed at a rear position with respect to the inner surface  42  of the recessed area  40 . In particular, the second ramp  52  is placed in the central area C of the sole  10 . More generally, the second ramp  52  is placed in the ball or plantar arc area of the foot. 
     The second ramp  52  starts at a rear side  42   d  of the inner surface  42 . 
     In the version where there are both the first ramp  50  and the second ramp  52 , they can have the same shape (but opposite one with respect to the other) or different shapes. In the attached figures, they are both present and have the same shape. It is not however a limit for the scope of protection of the present invention. 
     In particular, as shown, the first ramp  50  has an inner side  50   a , corresponding to the front side  42   c  of the inner surface  42 , and an outer side  50   b , placed at the lower surface of the outsole  20 . Therefore, the outer side  50   b  is suitable to contact the ground while the inner side  50   a  is recessed with respect to the lower surface of the outsole  20 . 
     The first ramp  50  also has lateral sides  50   c ,  50   d , in connection with the lateral walls  44  of the recessed area  40 . The lateral sides  50   c ,  50   d  are each at a side of the foot. The lateral sides  50   c ,  50   d  are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the ground and/or to the lower surface of the sole  10  and/or to the plane where the first ramp  50  lies and/or to the inner surface  42 . 
     The first ramp  50 , therefore, constitutes a sloped or inclined plane or surface which gradually connect the inner surface  42  of the recessed area  40  to the lower surface of the outsole  20 . 
     Furthermore, the outer side  50   b , in at least one version of the invention, has a size smaller than the size of the inner side  50   a.    
     Moreover, the lateral sides  50   c ,  50   d  can have a radial conformation, in order to gradually and uniformly connect with the lateral walls  44  of the recessed portion  40 . 
     In this way, sharped edges and disturbances points are avoided, in order not to disturb the engagement/disengagement with the pedal and in order to avoid the storage of grime or powder or debris collected during use. 
     Accordingly to what has already been described, the second ramp  52  has an inner side  52   a , an outer side  52   b , lateral sides  52   c ,  52   d , which have the same features disclosed for the first ramp  50 , with the difference that the second ramp  52  has a position and conformation which is opposite with respect to the first ramp  50 . 
     In particular, as shown, the second ramp  52  has an inner side  52   a , corresponding to the rear side  42   d  of the inner surface  42 , and an outer side  52   b , placed at the lower surface of the outsole  20  in a rearwardly position with respect to the recessed area  40 . Therefore, the outer side  52   b  is suitable to contact the ground while the inner side  52   a  is recessed with respect to the lower surface of the outsole  20 . 
     The lateral sides  52   c ,  52   d  are in connection with the lateral walls  44  of the recessed area  40 . The lateral sides  52   c ,  52   d  are each at a side of the foot. 
     The second ramp  52 , therefore, constitutes a sloped or inclined plane or surface which gradually connect the inner surface  42  of the recessed area  40  to the lower surface of the outsole  20 . 
     Furthermore, the outer side  52   b , in at least one version of the invention, has a size smaller than the size of the inner side  52   a.    
     Moreover, the lateral sides  52   c ,  52   d  can have a radial conformation, in order to gradually and uniformly connect with the lateral walls  44  of the recessed portion  40 . 
     Thanks to the presence of at least one ramp  50 ,  52 , the opening of the recessed portion  40  is greater than the area of the inner surface  42  thereof, allowing an easy access for the engagement mechanism of a clip-in or clipless pedal. At the same way, when the second ramp  52  is present, the greater opening allows an easy exit of the engagement mechanism of the pedal, both when needed or when the engagement is not successful. 
     Therefore, the at least one ramp  50  “guides” the engagement mechanism of the pedal towards the cleat assembly  180  when the shoe sole is rested on the pedal, in order to make the engagement of the shoe on the pedal. In the same way, the second ramp  52  “guides” the engagement mechanism of the pedal away from the cleat assembly, possibly thanks to a rotational movement of the shoe, when the shoe is to be disassembled from the pedal. 
     This is particularly useful when the shoes of the user are to be often disengaged, depending on the specific way of riding one is performing. 
     The inclination of the at least one ramp  50 ,  52  may vary from less than 180° to 140°. In a version of the invention, first ramp  50  and second ramp  52  have the same size and conformation, with the first ramp  50  inclined inwardly at the rear thereof and the second ramp  52  inclined inwardly at the front part thereof. 
     In an example of the invention, the length of one ramp  50 ,  52  is more or less one quarter of the length of the inner surface  42 . 
     The studs  32  placed at the outer side  52   b  of the second ramp  52  are placed in a substantial cross line, in this way, the act as arrest blocks or stoppers when the engagement of the shoe with the pedal is not successful. The sliding of the engagement mechanism of the pedal outside the recessed area  40  is therefore stopped at these points, ensuring a better safe for the user. 
     In a version of the invention, as it is visible from  FIGS.  5  and  6    for example, the front F area of the sole is raised with respect to the heel H area and/or central area C of the sole  1 . In particular the front area F of the sole and/or the recessed area  40  is curved with concavity Q facing away from the ground. In a preferred version of the invention, the radius of such curvature is in the range of 130 mm to 170 mm, especially 150 mm. This measure of curvature makes it easy the engagement with the pedal, considering the foot movement during this action. This is a preferred embodiment of the invention because also a flat sole is possible, but this limits the movement freedom of the foot. 
     Accordingly to this, the lateral walls  44  are curved of the same extent, together with, in at least one version of the inventions, sides  42   a ,  42   b  of the inner surface  42 . 
       FIG.  14    and following show a further embodiment of the present invention, in particular a mountain bike shoe sole  110 . Reference numbers of elements similar to those already disclosed for the previous embodiment will be increased of one hundred. Features already disclosed for each element are to me intended to apply also to elements of the sole  110 , when not otherwise indicated. 
     The sole  110  includes an outsole  120 , which defines a lower surface suitable to contact the ground or a bicycle pedal, specifically a clip-in or clipless pedal of a bicycle or mountain bike. 
     As visible in  FIG.  16   , the outer lateral sides  112  of the sole  110  are walls raising upwardly from the lower surface of the outsole  120  in a substantial perpendicular way with respect to the ground and/or to the outsole  120 . 
     The sole  110  and/or the outsole  120  has or defines a tread  130 , which comprises a plurality of studs  132 . 
     Each stud  132  has a sidewall raised inwardly with respect to the lower surface of the sole and a base face  136  which defines the lower surface of the sole  110 . The stud  132  and/or the base face  136  can have—in a plan view—a square, rectangular, polygonal or irregular shape. In the showed version, the plurality of studs  132  have almost all the same conformation. 
     The base face  36 ,  136  of at least some of the studs  32 ,  132  can be decorated and/or can have a logo and/or can be stamped, impressed with a determined image or with a plurality of images, different or identical one another. 
     Each stud  132  is delimited by at least one channel  134 , which forms a recessed “line” or zone in the outsole  120 . 
     In at least one version of the inventions, channels  134  have a substantially straight development. 
     In particular, the channels  134  can form a sort of lattice structure determining a series of cells, each of which forms a stud  132 . 
     In detail, some channels  134  are inclined, considering the section plane A 2  of  FIG.  14   , of an angle  134   a , some other channels  134  are inclined, considering the section plane A 2  of  FIG.  14   , of an angle  134   b . In one version of the invention, and/or in at least some portions of the outsole  120 , the angle  134   b  measures the able  134   a+ 90°. 
     Remarkably, the sole  110  has a recessed area  140 , at least one ramp  150 ,  152  or a first ramp  150  and a second ramp  152 , having the same features already described for the previous embodiment and that are recalled also for this embodiment. 
     In this specific embodiment, a securement block  160  is provided. The securement block  160  acts as provisional stop area when the engagement of the pedal with the shoe does not occur. 
     The securement block  160  can be placed at the second ramp  152 , occupying the inclined free space determined by the second ramp  152 . 
     The securement block  160  comprises a protrusion  162 , for example having a semi-cylindrical or parallelepiped-like conformation or mixture of such conformations. Some detailed views of the securement block  160  are visible in  FIGS.  14 A and  14 B . 
     In particular, in the version shown in the  FIGS.  14 ,  14 A,  14 B , the protrusion  162  comprises a semicylindrical protrusion  162 B on top of which a cubic protrusion  162 A is placed. 
     In detail, the semi-cylindrical protrusion  162 B comprises a curved lateral wall, two semi-circular bases and a rectangular section base. The rectangular section base is attached to the second ramp  152  and/or to the recessed area  140 , the curved lateral wall has a transverse direction as the two semi-circular bases are each placed at a side of the foot. 
     On the top of the curved lateral wall, the cubic protrusion  162 A is placed. 
     The outermost surface of the protrusion  162  and/or of the cubic protrusion  162 A in this specific version, lies on the plane of the lower surface of the sole  110 , determining a portion of the outsole  120  and/or of the tread  130 . 
     The outermost surface of the cubic protrusion  162 A acts as a stud  132  of the sole  110 . 
     Obviously, the cubic protrusion  162 A can also be a cuboid or parallelepiped projection, without departing from the scope of protection of pending claims. 
     In the same way, the semi-cylindrical protrusion  162 B can have similar alternative shapes. 
     In the illustrated version, at the top of the protrusion  162  and/or of the cubic protrusion  162 A, considering the top of the projection as the portion thereof which is suitable to come into contact with the ground, a cross hollow zone  164  is present, shaped for example like a channel. 
     Furthermore, with respect to the second ramp  152  and/or the recessed area  140 , the securement block  160  determines at least one hollow seat  166 . In one version of the invention, there are two hollow seats  166 , one placed between the securement block  160  and the recessed area  140  and the second placed between the securement block  160  and the lower surface of the sole  110 , optionally placed rearwardly with respect to the second ramp  152 . The at least one hollow seat  166 , together with the securement block  160  are suitable to block the sliding of the engagement mechanism of the pedal, in the event that it is not able to engage with the cleat assembly  180  of the sole  110 . 
     In a specific version of the invention, in fact, the securement block  160  and/or its protrusion  162  and/or the at least one hollow seat  166  have a shape complementary at least in part to the engagement mechanism of the pedal P, in order to help in blocking its sliding. 
     As far as the hollow seat  166  is concerned, as visible in  FIG.  14 B , they have a triangular cross section, with one vertex  166 A thereof inside with respect to the sole  110 . In particular, the vertex  166 A is an inner vertex and in at least one version of the invention it has a depth greater than the depth of the recessed portion  140 . In other words, the vertex  166 A may be more receded inside the sole  110  than the recessed area  140 . 
     In this way, a limit wall  166 B is present between the vertex  166 A and the recessed area  140  which determines an obstacle for pedal P sliding, when the engagement with the sole  110  is not needed/successful. 
     The limit wall  166 B can have a perpendicular extension, with respect to the lower surface of the sole  110  of can have an inclination opposed with respect to the portion of the adjacent curved lateral wall of the semi-cylindrical protrusion  162 B. in particular, the limit wall  166 B placed towards the front F of the sole  110  is inclined rearwardly towards the inside of the sole  110 , while the limit wall  166 B placed towards the heel area H of the sole  110  is inclined forwardly towards the inside of the sole  110 . 
     In a version of this embodiment, the second ramp  152  may not be present, and in the place of the latter the securement block  160  is located. 
     In a version of the invention, as it is visible from  FIG.  15   , the front F area of the sole  110  is raised with respect to the heel H area and/or central area C thereof. In particular the front area F of the sole  110  and/or the recessed area  140  is curved with concavity Q facing away from the ground. In a preferred version of the invention, the radius of such curvature is in the range of 130 mm to 170 mm, especially 150 mm. 
     In some examples of the present invention, we can find the following sizes or measures. 
     The recessed portion  140 , in at least one version of the invention, has a width in the range of 40 mm to 45 mm or of 42 mm and a length in the range between 50 mm and 55 mm or of 53 mm. 
     The channels  34  can have a height of 2 mm or 2.2 mm. 
     The outer lateral side  12  of the sole  110  can have a height of 30 mm in the rearmost portion of the heel area. The tip of the foremost portion of the outer lateral side  12  of the sole  110  can be raised from the ground of 45 to 55 mm or of 47 mm and the lower surface, in such point, is raised from the ground of 25 mm to 30 mm or of 26 mm. 
     The outer lateral side  12  of the sole  10  can have a height of 36-37 mm in the rearmost portion of the heel area. The tip of the foremost portion of the outer lateral side  12  of the sole  10  can be raised from the ground of 45 mm to 55 mm or of 52.5 mm. 
     The recessed portion  40 , in at least one version of the invention, has a width in the range of 40 mm to 45 mm or of 40 mm and a length in the range between 70 mm and 80 mm or of 75 mm. 
     The outer side  50   b  of the first ramp  50  and/or the outer side  52   b  of the second ramp  52  is in the range of 15 mm to 40 mm or of 25 mm to 30 mm or of 26 mm (same measures can apply also for the first ramp  150  and the second ramp  152 ). 
     The length (i.e. for example the distance between the outer side and the inner side) of the first ramp  50 ,  150  and/or of the second ramp  52 ,  152  may vary from 10 mm to 30 mm. 
     In the embodiments of the inventions previously disclosed individual features, given in connection with such specific embodiments, may actually be interchanged with other different features that exist in other embodiments. 
     The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be devised without departing from the scope of protection offered by the following claims.