Patent Description:
The invention also relates to a cycling pedal.

Conventional bicycle pedals and cleats are provided in a myriad of specific designs, with manufacturers usually adopting a unique look for their pedals and cleats to visually distinguish them in the market place.

Regardless of the pedal/cleat combination used by a cyclist, their primary function is to prevent the shoe of a cyclist inadvertently separating from the pedal, which can be dangerous, as well as resulting in a temporary loss of pedalling motion.

Pedal designs are usually configured for use with a specific cleat design. In some instances, however, a given pedal may be used in conjunction with any one of a small range of cleat designs. Each cleat within the range may offer the purchaser unique performance characteristics, thereby allowing the purchaser to select the cleat most suited to their needs.

Cleat designs offer varying amounts relative movement between the pedal and cleat. Some movement is often desired, in part, to reduce the likelihood of a cycling induced knee injury, and so this style of cleat is favoured by many cyclists. Other cyclists, though, including some elite and professional cyclists, prefer to have little or no relative movement between the pedal and cleat and so select a cleat design that satisfies their requirements.

While existing pedal and cleat designs, as described for instance in document <CIT>, which shows the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>, generally provide the expected performance characteristics expected by cyclists, it would be desirable to provide a new and potentially improved cleat and/or pedal that provide improved performance characteristics and features when compared to existing cleat/pedal designs.

According to the present invention, defined by the features of claim <NUM>, there is provided a cycling footwear cleat for connection to a receiving portion of a pedal, the pedal having a mounting shaft to which the receiving portion of the pedal is rotatably mounted. The cleat includes a mount for mounting the cleat to an underside of cycling footwear, and an attachment portion for receipt by the receiving portion of the pedal. The cleat also includes a releasably mountable resilient member provided between the attachment portion and the receiving portion when the pedal is attached to the cleat. The resilient member resists movement of the attachment portion relative to the receiving portion and regulates bias between the cleat and the pedal. The resilient member is of a closed loop, closed band, or closed strap configuration received about a portion of the cleat or attachment portion.

The cleat is releasably connectable to the pedal, although need not be so.

Reference is made above to 'cycling'. The cleat may be used in conjunction with a range of cycle types, such as a bicycle, a tricycle, a tandem bike, a recumbent bike, an electric bike, a unicycle, an exercise bike, a spinning bike or other type of stationary bike. That said, the invention is considered to have particular application in the context of footwear suitable for use on a bicycle, specifically a road bike, track bike, time trial bike, triathlon bike or commuting bike.

Reference to "footwear" is to be understood to include any suitable type of footwear currently used in conjunction with cycling cleats including, but not limited to, cycling shoes, cycling boots (such as those worn in cold weather conditions, and cycling sandals). That said, the invention is considered to have particular application in relation to footwear designed for road bike, track bike, triathlon bike, time trial bike or commuting bike use.

The resilient member resists movement of the attachment portion relative to the receiving portion within a plane of movement, with the plane of movement extending in a direction being generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the receiving portion about the mounting shaft. Being resilient, the member desirably provides less freedom of movement of the cleat relative to the pedal when the load applied to the cleat by the cyclist is relatively low. However, the resilience of the member means that relative movement between the cleat and the pedal is desirably possible when the cyclist applies a relatively high load to the cleat. The natural resilience of the member also desirably returns the cleat to a neutral (or unloaded) position when the load applied to the cleat is removed. The provision of the resilient member is generally not intended to prevent float/movement of the cleat relative to the pedal cleat. Rather, it is intended to moderate the float/ movement so as to potentially provide a range of possible benefits, including:.

Reference is made above to 'a' plane of movement. It is to be appreciated that the orientation of the plane of movement relative to the axis of rotation will likely vary during the pedalling stroke as a result of the natural pedalling motion of a given cyclist. However, the plane of movement, at any given time, will always be generally parallel to the axis of rotation, as road cycling pedals and cleats are usually specifically designed to provide this type of relative movement or 'float' to account for anatomical differences between cyclists and their varying cycling styles. The provision of float between the cleat and pedal is also provided so as to limit knee injuries (and other potential injuries) that may be more likely to result from having a pedal/cleat combination providing no relative float there between. Thus, the plane of movement in the context of this specification is not to be considered as a fixed plane of movement, but should instead be considered from the point of view of any given instant in time during a given cyclist's pedalling motion.

The extent to which the resilient member resists the float between the cleat and pedal may be selected as desired. In some embodiments, no resistance may be provided proximate the neutral float position of the cleat relative to the pedal, with resistance being provided at or towards the outer limits of the available float. In other embodiments, resistance may be provided at any relative float position of the cleat relative to the pedal, except perhaps the neutral position. The resistance provided by the resilient member may increase (either linearly or non-linearly) in response to the amount of deformation experienced by the resilient member. Thus, the amount of resistance may be highest at or towards the outer limits of available float.

The resilient member has not been specifically designed to resist movement of the attachment portion of the cleat relative to the receiving portion of the pedal in a direction being generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Such movement may exist if the cleat and/or pedal contact surfaces were worn to the extent that there exists a freedom of movement between the pedal and cleat perpendicular to the axis of rotation. If such play exists then it is generally considered an opportune time for a cyclist to replace their cleats, and possibly also consider replacing their pedals if they have worn sufficiently. However, if desired, the resilient member may also be designed to resist at least a small amount of relative movement between the pedal and cleat in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

As stated previously, the provision of a resilient member has been found by the applicant to potentially improve a cyclist's pedalling efficiency, as well as allowing for variable float of the cleat within the pedal as and when required. It also potentially improves the control of pedal float, since the cleat is less likely to move in an uncontrolled motion relative to the pedal.

The resilient member is releasably mounted to the cleat so that it may be replaced or removed if and when necessary. In other instances, it may be desirable for the resilient member to be permanently mounted to (or otherwise integrated with) the cleat as a permanent one-piece arrangement.

The precise arrangement by which the resilient member is mounted to the cleat (or pedal) may be selected as desired, so long as it functions to resist movement of the attachment portion of the cleat relative to the receiving portion of the pedal within the plane of movement.

As previously mentioned, according to the invention, the resilient member is in the form of a closed loop, band or strap configuration received about a portion of the cleat or attachment portion. As one example, the resilient member may be generally in the form of an O-ring manufactured from a polymer, or other suitable resilient material. The specific size and shape of the resilient member may be selected as desired and may, at least in part, be dictated by the specific form of the cleat with which it is to be used. The O-ring may be of an at least substantially constant cross-sectional shape, although at least one embodiment includes a resilient member having one portion of a differing cross-sectional shape to the remaining portion of the O-ring. Thus, the term "O-ring", in the context of this specification, is understood not to be limited to O-rings of constant cross-sectional shape and/or size.

It is envisaged that the cleat includes a seat for receiving the resilient member. The seat may be configured to receive the resilient member in a tensioned state, even if only in a slightly tensioned state, as the tension may act to retain the resilient member in its seated position.

According to the invention, the seat includes a slot portion or groove portion provided in the cleat for receiving at least part of the resilient member therein.

The resilient member may be configured such that it is mountable to the cleat in a double looped arrangement on or about at least part of the cleat. However, the applicant's current preference is for the resilient member to be mountable to the cleat in a single loop arrangement.

So far, the invention has been described in the context of a cleat including a resilient member. However, a replacement resilient member may be useful when replacing an existing resilient member fitted to the cleat that may be damaged or worn, or to replace an existing resilient member with one of differing physical properties. A replacement resilient member may also be useful in a situation where a cleat is initially provided without a resilient member, but where a resilient member may be optionally fitted.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle footwear cleat for connection to a receiving portion of a bicycle pedal, the bicycle pedal having a mounting shaft to which the receiving portion of the pedal is rotatably mounted. The cleat includes a mount for mounting the cleat to an underside of bicycle footwear and an attachment portion for receipt by the receiving portion of the pedal. The cleat also includes a resilient member receiving space provided between the attachment portion and the receiving portion (when the pedal is attached to the cleat) for receiving a resilient member in such a manner that the resilient member resists movement of the attachment portion relative to the receiving portion. The resilient member is of a closed loop, closed band, or closed strap configuration received about a portion of the cleat or attachment portion.

The invention also pertains to a resilient member for use with a bicycle footwear cleat of the form broadly referred to in the preceding paragraph. The resilient member is releasably mountable to the cleat. The resilient member is generally in the form of an O-ring.

In accordance with another not claimed embodiment, there is provided a cycling pedal including a receiving portion for receiving an attachment portion of a cleat, and a mounting shaft to which the receiving portion of the pedal is rotatably mounted. The pedal also includes a resilient member receiving space provided between the attachment portion and the receiving portion when the pedal is attached to the cleat. The receiving space is provided for receiving a releasably mountable resilient member in such a manner that the resilient member resists movement of the attachment portion relative to the receiving portion and regulates bias between the pedal and the cleat. The receiving space is provided for receiving a resilient member in the form of a closed loop, closed band, or closed strap configuration received about a portion of the cleat or attachment portion.

With reference to the preceding paragraph, there is preferably provided a resilient member for use with the pedal, with the resilient member releasably mounted to or releasably mountable to the pedal.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures. The particularity of the figures is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, there is illustrated a cycling footwear cleat <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cleat <NUM> is specifically designed for use with a road bike shoe (not shown). However, the cleat <NUM> may also be used for other cycling disciplines including, but not limited to, track cycling, triathlon, time trial and commuting.

Reference throughout this specification (and claims) to the cleat <NUM> in the context of road bike use is provided so as to describe the invention. It is to be appreciated that reference herein to road bike use is not intended to limit the cleat <NUM> to only road bike use - the cleat <NUM> may also be used in a range of other cycling disciplines, including those referred to in the previous paragraph.

The cleat <NUM> includes a mount for mounting the cleat to an underside of the shoe. The mount is in the form of three mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extending through the cleat <NUM> for receiving threaded fasteners <NUM> and associated rectangular washers <NUM> (only one of the three threaded fastener/washer combinations is shown) in a manner common to existing road bike cleat designs.

Each fastener <NUM> is receivable is a threaded bore extending inwardly from the underside of the associated shoe. Thus, it can be appreciated that the cleat <NUM> is retained in its mounted position to the underside of the bike shoe by tightening the three threaded fasteners <NUM> with an Allen key, flathead screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver depending on the head design of the fasteners <NUM>.

The cleat <NUM> includes an attachment portion <NUM> for receipt by the receiving portion of the pedal. The attachment portion includes a front end section <NUM> and a rear end section <NUM>. The attachment portion <NUM> is generally of a similar form to that of existing cleat designs.

One advantage of the cleat <NUM> is that it is configured for use with existing pedals. This is considered important, as a cyclist need only replace their existing cleats with a pair of cleats <NUM> to take advantage of the unique design, rather than also having to replace their pedals, which would add considerably to the changeover costs.

With the cleat <NUM> mounted in position to the underside of the shoe, the cyclist can then mount the associated bicycle and place his foot such that the front end section <NUM> is moved in a forwardly direction to locate within the receiving portion of the pedal, following which the rear end section <NUM> is pressed in a generally downwards direction, thereby snapping into position within the receiving portion of the pedal. Once this has been done the cleat <NUM> (and therefore also the associated shoe) is releasably connected to the pedal.

In this way, the cleat <NUM> remains connected to the pedal, until such time as the cyclist wishes to remove the cleat <NUM> from the pedal. The cyclist achieves this by moving their heal in a laterally outwards direction away from the bicycle, thereby disconnecting the cleat <NUM> from the pedal.

The cleat <NUM> also includes a resilient member <NUM> shown in the form of an O-ring. The applicant considers the provision of the resilient member <NUM> to be unique to their cleat <NUM>.

The O-ring is manufactured from a suitable polymeric material (or other suitable resilient material).

The resilient member <NUM> extends in a double looped arrangement about the front end section <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM>. The fact that the resilient member <NUM> extends about the front portion <NUM> of the front end section <NUM> is to be noted, since it results in this portion of the resilient member <NUM> contacting the pedal when the cleat <NUM> is connected to the pedal. In so doing, the resilient member <NUM> resists movement of the attachment portion <NUM> relative to the receiving portion of the pedal. No such resistance would exist if the resilient member <NUM> was absent.

More specifically, the resilient member <NUM> has been designed to resist float. That is, the resilient member <NUM> resists movement of the attachment portion <NUM> relative to the receiving portion within a plane of movement X-Y (see <FIG>) that extends in a direction being generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the receiving portion about the mounting shaft of the pedal. This plane of movement is usually most evident to a cyclist in the form of a generally arcuate movement A of the rear end section <NUM>, which is inherent is most currently available road bicycle (and other) pedal/cleat combinations. This arcuate movement A (see <FIG>) caters for the natural anatomical movement of a cyclist's knee during the pedalling motion. Without this inherent freedom of movement (or float) between the pedal and cleat, the cyclist would be more prone to a knee (or other injury) as a result of their foot not being provided with any lateral freedom of movement during the pedalling motion.

The degree of float available may be as shown in <FIG>, which illustrates a conventional cleat/pedal arrangement. In <FIG>, the cleat C is shown in a neutral position relative to the associated pedal P. In <FIG>, the pedal shows the maximum available amount of float (indicated by dashed line CCW) of the cleat C in the counter-clockwise direction relative to the Pedal P. It is to be appreciated that the cleat C may also be rotated in the clockwise direction a similar degree (due to the inherent float available) to that shown in <FIG>, as indicated by the dashed line CW.

The pedal isn't shown in <FIG>, although the axis of rotation X-X (which is coaxial with the pedal mounting shaft that mounts the pedal to the bicycle crank)- see <FIG> - is shown in its approximate location when the cleat <NUM> is connected to the pedal.

It is to be appreciated that the resilient member <NUM> is releasably mounted to the cleat <NUM>. This is desirable, as it allows for replacement of the resilient member <NUM> in the event that it sustains damage or wear. The cleat <NUM> may be sold with several replacement resilient members. The resilient members may also be sold separately as replacement parts. The resilient member <NUM> may also be potentially retrofittable to at least some existing cleat designs with no modification (or at least minimal modification) of the cleat required.

It can be seen that the cleat <NUM> includes a seat <NUM> for receiving the resilient member <NUM>. As stated previously, the seat <NUM> may be configured to receive the resilient member <NUM> in a tensioned state, even if only in a slightly tensioned state, as the tension may act to retain the resilient member <NUM> in its seated position.

As stated previously, the illustrated embodiment of <FIG> shows the seat <NUM> receiving the resilient member <NUM> in a double looped arrangement. The first loop <NUM> is visible in its entirety; whereas the second loop <NUM> is only partly visible. The portion of the second loop <NUM> not visible extends between the cleat <NUM> and the underside of the shoe. The first and second loops <NUM>, <NUM> are integrally formed. In essence, the resilient member <NUM> is simply doubled over to create the two loops <NUM>, <NUM>. An aperture <NUM> extends through the cleat <NUM>, through which is fed the resilient member <NUM> when being fitted in position. The fact that the resilient member <NUM> is fed through the aperture <NUM> desirably prevents the resilient member <NUM> inadvertently becoming detached from the cleat <NUM> during use.

It is to be appreciated that the illustrated resilient member <NUM> of <FIG> is shown in a doubled over configuration. However, the resilient member <NUM> and/or cleat <NUM> may be redesigned such that the resilient member <NUM> need not be doubled over when fitted to the cleat <NUM>. In a yet further embodiment two (or more) smaller resilient members may be fitted to the cleat <NUM> in place of the doubled over resilient member <NUM> shown.

It is conceivable that replacement resilient members may be provided in any one of a range of possible elastomeric properties for providing a desired cleat performance. This may be done in part to suit a rider's ability, riding style, physiology, desired performance characteristics of the pedal/cleat combination, and/or specific cleat and pedal designs.

If desired, the cleat <NUM> may be used with the resilient member <NUM> fitted in place, or may be used along the lines of a more conventionally designed cleat, simply by removing the resilient member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a cleat <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the invention. As with the cleat <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the cleat <NUM> shown in <FIG> is specifically designed for use with a road bike/track bike/time trial bike/triathlon bike shoe <NUM>.

The cleat <NUM> is shown mounted to the underside <NUM> of the shoe <NUM>. Mounting of the cleat <NUM> on the shoe <NUM> is by way of the threaded fasteners <NUM> received in respective mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extending through the cleat <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> are received in threaded bores provided in the underside <NUM> of the shoe <NUM>, and in a manner common to existing road bike cleat mounting arrangements.

The cleat <NUM> includes an attachment portion <NUM> for receipt by the receiving portion of the pedal. The attachment portion <NUM> includes a front end section <NUM> and a rear end section <NUM>, generally of the form of existing cleat designs.

Like cleat <NUM>, cleat <NUM> is configured for use with existing pedals, which is considered important, as a cyclist needs only to replace their existing cleats with a pair of cleats <NUM> to take advantage of the present invention, rather than also having to replace their pedals, which would add considerably to the changeover costs.

With the cleat <NUM> mounted in position to the underside of the shoe <NUM>, the cyclist can then mount the associated bicycle and place his foot such that the front end section <NUM> is moved in a forwardly direction to locate within the receiving portion of the pedal, following which the rear end section <NUM> is pressed in a generally downwards direction, thereby snapping into position within the receiving portion of the pedal. Once this has been done, the cleat <NUM> (and therefore also the shoe <NUM>) is releasably connected to the pedal.

In this way, the cleat <NUM> remains connected to the pedal, until such time as the cyclist wishes to remove the cleat <NUM> from the pedal. The cyclist achieves this by moving the shoe heel in a laterally outwards direction away from the bicycle, thereby disconnecting the cleat <NUM> from the pedal.

The cleat <NUM> also includes a resilient member <NUM> shown in the form of an O-ring manufactured from a suitable polymeric material (or other suitable material).

The resilient member <NUM> functions substantially identically to the resilient member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The resilient member <NUM> is releasably mounted to the cleat <NUM>, so as to allow for replacement of the resilient member <NUM> in the event that it sustains damage or wear.

One difference between the resilient members <NUM> and <NUM> is in their seated positions relative to their respective cleat <NUM>/<NUM>.

The resilient member <NUM> extends in a double looped arrangement about the front end section <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM>, thereby contacting the pedal when the cleat <NUM> is releasably connected to the pedal. In so doing, the resilient member <NUM> resists movement in a direction X1-Y1 generally parallel to the axis of rotation X1-X1 of the pedal.

The first loop <NUM> wraps around the front end section <NUM> of the cleat <NUM>; and the second loop <NUM> part-wraps around the forward portion <NUM> of the front end section <NUM>. The remainder of the second loop <NUM> is located within slots <NUM> provided in the cleat <NUM> and within the washer <NUM> - a fastening arrangement (not shown) may be used to secure this portion of the resilient member <NUM> in position relative to the cleat <NUM>, if desired, so as to assist in preventing the resilient member <NUM> inadvertently becoming detached from the cleat <NUM> during use.

It can be seen that the cleat <NUM> includes a seat <NUM> for receiving the resilient member <NUM>. The seat <NUM> may be configured for receiving the resilient member <NUM> in a tensioned state (even if only in a slightly tensioned state), as the tension may act to retain the resilient member <NUM> in its seated position.

If desired, the cleat <NUM> may be used with the resilient member <NUM> fitted in position, or may be used along the lines of a more conventionally designed cleat simply by removing the resilient member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a cleat <NUM> according to a third embodiment of the invention. As with the cleat <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the cleat <NUM> shown in <FIG> is specifically designed for use with a road bike/track bike/time trial bike/triathlon bike shoe (not shown).

Mounting of the cleat <NUM> on a shoe is by way of the threaded fasteners received in respective mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extending through the cleat <NUM>. The fasteners are received in threaded bores provided in the underside of the shoe, and in a manner common to existing road bike cleat mounting arrangements.

Like cleats <NUM> and <NUM>, cleat <NUM> is configured for use with existing pedals, which is considered important, as a cyclist needs only to replace their existing cleats with a pair of cleats <NUM> to take advantage of the present invention, rather than also having to replace their pedals, which would add considerably to the changeover costs.

With the cleat <NUM> mounted in position to the underside of the shoe, the cyclist can then mount the associated bicycle and place his foot such that the front end section <NUM> is moved in a forwardly direction to locate within the receiving portion of the pedal, following which the rear end section <NUM> is pressed in a generally downwards direction, thereby snapping into position within the receiving portion of the pedal. Once this has been done, the cleat <NUM> (and therefore also the shoe) is releasably connected to the pedal.

The cleat <NUM> also includes a resilient member <NUM> shown in the form of an O-ring manufactured from a suitable polymeric material (or other suitable material). It is to be appreciated that O-ring is of non-uniform cross-section, with the front portion 238a being thicker than the rear portion 238b.

The resilient member <NUM> extends in a single-loop arrangement about the front end section <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM>, thereby contacting the pedal when the cleat <NUM> is releasably connected to the pedal. In so doing, the resilient member <NUM> resists movement in a direction X1-Y1 generally parallel to the axis of rotation X1-X1 of the pedal.

It can be seen (particularly in <FIG>) that the cleat <NUM> includes a seat <NUM> for receiving the resilient member <NUM> in a single-loop arrangement (rather than a double-loop arrangement). The seat <NUM> may be configured for receiving the resilient member <NUM> in a tensioned state (even if only in a slightly tensioned state), as the tension may act to retain the resilient member <NUM> in its seated position.

The cleats <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> may be adorned with a distinctive colour/colour combination or other distinctive finish to provide an easily identifiable product in the marketplace and when in use. The applicant is currently contemplating producing their cleats <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> in the colour green.

A range of potential benefits are desirably provided by the cleat <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM> and/or pedal the subject of this application when compared to existing cleat/pedal designs. As stated previously, these potential benefits include:.

Claim 1:
A cycling footwear cleat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for connection to a receiving portion of a pedal, the pedal having a mounting shaft to which the receiving portion of the pedal is rotatably mounted, the cleat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including:
- a mount (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for mounting the cleat to an underside of cycling footwear (<NUM>);
- an attachment portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for receipt by the receiving portion of the pedal;
- a releasably mountable resilient member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) provided between the attachment portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the receiving portion when the pedal is attached to the cleat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the resilient member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) resists movement of the attachment portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the receiving portion, and moderates the movement of the cleat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the pedal;
- a resilient member receiving space provided between the attachment portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the cleat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the receiving portion of the pedal when the pedal and the cleat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are attached, for releasably receiving the resilient member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), characterized in that
the resilient member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is receivable on, in or about the resilient member receiving space in the form of a seat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) provided on the cleat, and wherein the seat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes a slot portion (<NUM>) or groove portion for receiving at least part of the resilient member therein, and
wherein the resilient member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is of a closed loop, closed band, or closed strap configuration received about a portion of the cleat, and wherein the resilient member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured such that it is mounted to or mountable to the cleat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a single loop or double looped arrangement.