Abstract:
A strapless spur system having a base attached to a boot or other footwear, the spur assembly mating with the base on the footwear. A preferred embodiment includes a base that is threaded and built into the boot, and a knurled annular base to assist in mounting the spur to the base or retainer. The spur assembly may also be attached by a mounting plate and have a telescoping spur.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to the field of boot spurs for riders of animals, and more particularly to a strapless spur attached to a boot or other footwear.  
           [0004]    Horseman and cowboys have long attached spurs to their boots as a practical and fashionable accessory. A conventionally designed English spur has a generally U-shaped metal member, referred to as a band, that fits about the rear of the rider&#39;s boot adjacent the heel and has a rearward projection which often carries a point or a rowel having a multiplicity of points. In conventional designs, each English spur normally has one strap that is inserted through one end of the band, passed underneath the boot&#39;s heal, and passed through the opposite end of the band and serves to releasably attach the spur to the rider&#39;s boot. The typical spur mounting apparatus attaches firmly to the boot by the use of clamps, chain or the like, so as to rigidly hold the spurs in their proper position behind the heel of the boot.  
           [0005]    Prior spur designs have included means to prevent the riding up of the spur to prevent misalignment of the spur and thus detracting from one of its purposes of stable engagement to the boot. Attaching additional upper straps to the band or including a ridge element that can be wedged between the heel of the boot and the upper portion of the boot are two examples of such designs.  
           [0006]    These arrangements tend to allow the spur mounting apparatus to “ride-up” the boot, out of its useful position. To counteract this tendency boot wearers will increase the tension on the mounting apparatus sometimes cutting or otherwise damaging the boot leather.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An object of the invention is to provide a spur that is integrated with the footwear.  
           [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide a spur that can be removed from attached footwear.  
           [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a spur that maintains its optimal operating position, i.e., does not “ride up” or move out of position during use.  
           [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a spur that is integrated with the footwear and operates with out a disc rowel.  
           [0011]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a spur that is integrated with the footwear and reduces discomfort for the ridden animal.  
           [0012]    Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a spur system that can be easily retracted when not in use.  
           [0013]    The strapless spur is an innovation that is simple in design and overcomes the tendency of conventional spurs to move out of the optimal position during prolonged use.  
           [0014]    The strapless spur is intended for use in specially manufactured footwear including boots, which have either the strapless spur or fixed retainer built into the footwear. The retainer or spur is installed on the rear foot portion of the footwear above the heel.  
           [0015]    In the fixed retainer models the strapless spur is intended for use in conjunction with footwear having a fixed retainer installed on the rear foot portion of the footwear above the heel. The strapless spur attaches to the fixed retainer and maintains the spur in the optimal operating position.  
           [0016]    In the telescoping strapless spur models the strapless spur itself is installed on the rear foot portion of the footwear above the heel. The telescoping strapless spur maintains the spur in the optimal operating position by virtue of its fixed position built into the footwear.  
           [0017]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a strapless spur having a base or retainer attached to a boot or other footwear; a means for attaching the spur to the base or retainer, the spur having a longitudinal member; and the spur having a mechanism for attachment of spur to the base or retainer.  
           [0018]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a strapless spur having a base or retainer attached to a boot or other footwear and a curved plate for mating with the base or retainer on the footwear  
           [0019]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a strapless spur having a base or retainer attached to a boot or other footwear; a telescoping longitudinal member extending from the base outward from the footwear; and a spur permanently attached to the telescoping longitudinal member.  
           [0020]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of the invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4C is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5C is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8C is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9A is a back view of the mating area of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9B is a top view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9C is a top cross sectional view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 9D is a front view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 9E is a side view of the spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 10A is a top cross sectional view of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10B is a top view of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 10C and 10E are side views of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10D is a top view of the boot mounted mating area for a spur in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0050]    Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.  
         [0051]    Referring now to FIGS. 1A, B, and  1 C there is shown an article of footwear  10 , exemplarily shown herein as a conventional boot. It is well understood in the art that such footwear may be a riding boot, a cowboy boot, or any other footwear upon which a spur may be advantageously used.  
         [0052]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, footwear  10  contains retainer or base apparatus  14  (see also FIGS. 2B at  20 ;  3 A at  36 ;  4 B-C at  44 ;  5 A-C at  56 ;  6 B at  62 ;  8 B and  8 C at  84 ; and  10 A-E at  100 ), that is built into footwear  10  either at the time of manufacture or as an addition to the boot. Base apparatus  14  is attached by conventional means such as mating threaded insert and screw in post, or any other mechanism that fixably attaches the base to the back of the boot. Retainer or base  14  is specially adapted to rigidly hold spur  12  in place. As described in greater detail herein below, spur  12  is adapted to be removably attached to retainer or base  14 . However, spur  12  may be permanently attached to retainer or base  14  and thus the boot by means such as nailing or riveting.  
         [0053]    In a first embodiment of the present invention, an elongated longitudinal member and rounded point comprise spur  12 . The mating end of spur  12  has a knurled surface  16  to aid in attaching and detaching the spur from retainer or base  14 . Inner annulus  18  of knurled mating end  16  of spur  12  may be threaded as could be retainer or base  14  on footwear  10  for mating spur  12  to base  14 . Spur  12  may be secured to base or retainer  14  by screwing spur  12  onto base or retainer  14 . Other mechanisms of attachment may be used such as a clip on attachment, a spring-loaded annulus with roller balls inside the annulus  18  or other conventional attachment means.  
         [0054]    In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and  2 C, retainer or base  20  consists of a single cast metal plate, which is placed in the rear portion of the footwear above the heel. Retainer or base  20  is permanently installed during the footwear manufacture but may be later attached. The only exposed portion of retainer or base  20  are the exposed loops, which are used to hold in place spur plate  22 . Spur  26  can be attached to spur plate  22  as shown in the previous embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and  1 C, or permanently attached to spur plate  22  during manufacture by welding, brazing or other metallurgic techniques. Spur plate  22  is secured in place by first sliding spur plate lip  29  through one of the retainer plate loops. Spur plate  22  is then moved laterally towards the other retainer plate loop. Flexible metal loop  28  on spur plate  22  is then lifted off spur plate  22 , over retainer plate  20  loop, and then released, snugly securing spur plate  22  and spur  26  to the footwear. In this illustration, spur point  24  is rounded but may be of any configuration to achieve the desired spurring purpose.  
         [0055]    In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and  3 C, retainer or base  36  is again permanently attached to the footwear and has integrated spur point  32 . Telescopic longitudinal member  34  is attached to retainer or base  36  using one of the methods previously described. In this embodiment, spur point  32  is rounded and attached to telescopic longitudinal member  34 . As shown in FIG. 3C spur  32  can be extended or retracted from the retainer or base  36 . Methods for extending spur  32  include utilizing a spring mechanism inside the telescopic longitudinal member. Longitudinal member  34  may preferably have a variable locking mechanism to maintain the longitudinal member in its outward telescoped position during use with the ability to retract the member when not in use.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIGS. 4A and 4B show another variation of retainer or base  42  and method for attaching spur  46  to retainer or base  42 . In this variant, annular metal button  44  is permanently attached to retainer or base  42  by welding, brazing or other metallurgic techniques. Metal button  44  contains a T-shaped notch on the exposed side. Metal button  44  is covered by a similarly slotted metal ring  48  that covers the side of the button and can be twisted to align the notch on the ring with the notch on the button. Spur  46  in this variant is fitted with a permanently attached rectangular bar with T-shaped lip  49 . T-shaped lip  49  fits inside button  44  and ring  49 . When twisted into the locking position, ring  49  provides a secure fit for spur  46  on retainer or base  42 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIGS. 5A, 5B, and  5 C show an additional way to secure spur plate  52  to the footwear through use of snaps  56  attached to a retainer or base built into the footwear. To ensure stable positioning of spur plate  52  and spur  54 , two risers  58  may be built into the footwear and mounted horizontally just above and below the optimum position of spur plate  52 . In the preferred embodiment of this variant, risers  58  are sewn into the footwear and are made of the same leather as the boot.  
         [0058]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, retainer or base  62  is built into the footwear and integrated spur  64  is then attached to base  62  by means of screws or rivets. This illustration shows knurled spur point  66  for easy handling and use as a spur.  
         [0059]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, riser  78  has upper and lower protrusions that maintain spur plate  72  in position and helps keep in place spur plate  72  firmly attached on the boot. Spur plate  72  is secured to a retainer or base by means of a series of snaps or rivets  76 . In this illustration the spur (not shown) may be attached by means of a threaded spur screwed into the spur plate, a slotted engagement or other suitable attachment means.  
         [0060]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A through 10E, retainer or base  84 ,  100  consists of a single cast metal plate, which is placed in the rear portion of the footwear above the heel. Retainer or base  84 ,  100  is permanently installed during the footwear manufacture but may be later attached. The exposed portion of retainer or base  84 ,  100  is mating plate  104  which has grooved or slotted areas  102  to firmly attach spur  86 ,  94  and spur plate  82 ,  90 . Inner surface of the spur plate  92  is milled or cut to securely fit into grooves or slots  102  on mating plate  88 ,  104 . Spur  86 ,  94  can be attached to spur plate  82 ,  90  as shown in is the previous embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and  1 C, or permanently attached to spur plate  82 ,  90  during manufacture by welding, brazing or other metallurgic techniques. Spur plate  82 ,  90  is secured in place lining up inner surface of the spur plate  92  to grooves or slots  102  on the mating plate  88 ,  104  then sliding spur plate  82 ,  90  on to mating plate  88 ,  104 . In these illustrations spur point  86  is rounded but may be of any configuration to achieve the desired spurring purpose.  
         [0061]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.