Patent Description:
Shoe cleat assemblies that permit axial movement of the cleat with respect to the shoe are known. Such assemblies enable the cleat to move along a longitudinal axis of the cleat. However, such assemblies are limited to only movement along a single degree of freedom. <CIT> discloses a self-cleaning golf-shoe cleat that is threadably secured to a conventional golf shoe, wherein the sole of the shoe includes typical threaded plugs.

The invention is defined by the cleat assembly of claim <NUM> and the shoe of claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, there is provided a cleat assembly for a shoe comprising an anchor for anchoring to the shoe, a cleat, a first biasing member circumscribing the anchor and engaged with the cleat, and a second biasing member biasing the first biasing member.

According to an aspect, the anchor comprises a main body, a fastener extending from a proximal end of the main body, and a substantially planar bottom about a distal end of the main body, wherein the substantially planar bottom extends radially outwardly from the main body.

According to an aspect, the substantially planar bottom is completely housed within the cleat. According to an aspect, the cleat circumscribes the anchor, the first biasing member, and the second biasing member. According to an aspect, the cleat includes an inner race for receiving the first biasing member. According to an aspect, the first biasing member is press-fittingly engaged with the inner race.

According to an aspect, the cleat assembly further comprises a bushing circumscribing the anchor. According to an aspect, the bushing slidingly engages the anchor. According to an aspect, the first biasing member circumscribes the bushing. According to an aspect, the first biasing member is connected to the bushing.

According to an aspect, the first biasing member is an annular biasing member. According to an aspect, the first biasing member is completely housed within the cleat. According to an aspect, the first biasing member has a bending stiffness coefficient of about <NUM> N·m/deg to <NUM> N·m/deg. According to an aspect, the first biasing member provides a bending force independent of the second biasing member providing a biasing force along an axial direction of the anchor.

According to an aspect, the second biasing member directly engages the first biasing member. According to an aspect, the second biasing member directly engages the bushing. According to an aspect, the second biasing member circumscribes the anchor. According to an aspect, the second biasing member has a spring constant from about <NUM> N/m to <NUM> N/m. According to an aspect, the anchor, the first biasing member, and the second biasing member are housed within the cleat.

According to an aspect, the cleat assembly further comprises a shroud extending from the cleat. According to an aspect, the cleat assembly further comprises a deformable member between the cleat and a fastener of the anchor for preventing or expelling debris away from the cleat assembly. According to an aspect, the deformable member is a shroud, an expandable elastomer, a bellows, and/or a seal.

According to the invention, there is provided a shoe having a sole and a cleat assembly secured to the sole. The cleat assembly comprises an anchor for anchoring to the shoe, a cleat, a first biasing member circumscribing the anchor and engaged with the cleat, and a second biasing member biasing the first biasing member.

According to an aspect, the anchor comprises a retaining post, and a fastener pivotably connected to a proximal end of the retaining post. According to an aspect, the fastener is connected to the retaining post via a ball and socket joint. According to an aspect, the first biasing member circumscribes the fastener.

According to an aspect, the retaining post includes an annular flange. According to an aspect, the retaining post includes a post and the second biasing member circumscribes the post. According to an aspect, the second biasing member is completely housed within the cleat. According to an aspect, the cleat includes an inner race for receiving a detent on the retaining post.

According to another aspect, the anchor comprises a retaining post and a fastener pivotably connected to a proximal end of the retaining post. According to another aspect, the fastener is connected to the retaining post via a ball and socket joint.

According to another aspect, the first biasing member circumscribes the fastener. According to another aspect, the second biasing member is completely housed within the cleat.

According to another aspect, the retaining post includes an annular flange and a post, wherein the second biasing member circumscribes the post. According to another aspect, the cleat includes an inner race for receiving a detent on the retaining post.

So constructed, the cleat assembly provides effective axial shock absorbance coupled with cleat rotatability and <NUM>° tilting of the cleat for enhancing a user's ability to suddenly and easily change direction when wearing a shoe equipped with the cleat assembly, thereby minimizing stress and impact on muscles, joints and ligaments and enhancing the performance of athletes wearing such shoes. In addition, the cleat assembly enhances rotational or translational release to minimize the occurrence of soft tissue (e.g., ACL or meniscus tears) injuries. It is well known that approximately <NUM>% of individuals with soft tissue injuries will go on to develop osteoarthritis.

Other features and advantages of the subject disclosure will be apparent from the following more detail description of the exemplary embodiments.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the subject application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Reference will now be made in detail to the various exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. The term "distal" shall mean away from the center of a body. The term "proximal" shall mean closer towards the center of a body and/or away from the "distal" end. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the identified element and designated parts thereof. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term "a," as used in the specification, means "at least one. " The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

"About" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±<NUM>%, ±<NUM>%, ±<NUM>%, ±<NUM> %, or ±<NUM>% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

"Substantially" as used herein shall mean considerable in extent, largely but not wholly that which is specified, or an appropriate variation therefrom as is acceptable within the field of art.

Throughout the subject application, various aspects thereof can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the subject disclosure. For example, description of a range such as from <NUM> to <NUM> should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM> etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the subject disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular exemplary embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> illustrates a cleat assembly <NUM> in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cleat assembly <NUM> includes an anchor <NUM> for anchoring to a sole <NUM> of a shoe <NUM>, a cleat <NUM>, a first biasing member <NUM>, and a second biasing member <NUM>. While <FIG> depicts a single cleat assembly secured to the sole of a shoe, it is understood that a plurality of such cleat assemblies may be secured to the shoe sole.

The anchor <NUM> is configured as best shown in <FIG>, <FIG>. The anchor includes a main body <NUM>, a fastener <NUM> extending from a proximal end of the main body, and a substantially planar bottom <NUM> about a distal end of the main body. The substantially planar bottom extends radially outwardly from the main body <NUM> to define a flange <NUM>. Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the substantially planar bottom is completely housed within the cleat <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> extends proximally from the main body. The main body <NUM> of the anchor <NUM> is cylindrical in shape (and can be of a longitudinal cross-section of other shapes, e.g. square) and the fastener <NUM> is smaller in diameter than the main body. In addition the main body has a length substantially the same or slightly smaller than a longitudinal length of the cleat. In the present exemplary embodiment, the fastener is a threaded fastener e.g., for threadedly engaging corresponding threads provided in the sole <NUM> of the shoe. The main body <NUM> can have a recess <NUM> adapted for receiving a tool such as a wrench or the like for turning the fastener into and out of the sole of the shoe. While the present exemplary embodiment of the fastener is threaded, other types of fasteners applicable for the intended purpose are permitted, e.g., J-lock or friction-fit fasteners, and the like.

The cleat <NUM> is configured as best shown in <FIG>, <FIG>. The cleat is shaped substantially as a frustoconical cone having a substantially hollow interior. The interior of the cleat includes a cylindrical side wall <NUM>. According to an aspect, the cleat includes an inner race <NUM> within the cylindrical side wall <NUM> for receiving the first biasing member. Referring to <FIG>, the cleat has an inner diameter "ID", e.g., defined by the cylindrical side wall <NUM>, larger than a maximum outer diameter "ODA" of the substantially planar bottom of the anchor <NUM>. The cleat has a hollow interior having a height "h". When axial force is applied to the bottom of the cleat <NUM>, the height of the hollow interior has sufficient clearance to permit the top of the cleat <NUM> to mate with the shoe sole <NUM> as a bushing <NUM>, described below, slides upwardly along the main body <NUM> of the anchor and compresses the second biasing member <NUM>.

The cleat assembly further comprises the bushing <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. The bushing is preferably configured as an annular bushing and may be made e.g., from a metal, a rigid plastic, or the like. The bushing may alternatively include bearings to facilitate rotational engagement with the anchor <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the bushing <NUM> circumscribes the anchor <NUM> and is slidingly engaged with the anchor. That is, the bushing has the same or a slightly larger diameter than the main body <NUM> of the anchor <NUM> whereby the busing is capable of sliding along a longitudinal length of the anchor. The bushing <NUM> has a maximum outer diameter "ODB" that is less than the maximum outer diameter "ODA" of the substantially planar bottom of anchor <NUM>.

The first biasing member <NUM> circumscribes the bushing <NUM> and is engaged with the cleat. The first biasing member can be press-fittingly engaged with the inner race <NUM> to securely position the first biasing member with respect to the cleat. According to an aspect, the first biasing member can be connected to the bushing via a friction fit, adhesives or other suitable connector mechanisms. As best seen in <FIG>, the first biasing member is an annular biasing member. According to an aspect, the first biasing member can be formed from, e.g., an elastomer or other resilient material, and have a bending stiffness coefficient of about <NUM> N·m/deg to <NUM> N·m/deg, including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> N·m/deg. The first biasing member is completely housed within the cleat <NUM>. The first biasing member provides a bending force independent of the second biasing member <NUM> providing a biasing force along an axial direction of the anchor <NUM>. This torque versus angle relationship may be linear or non-linear.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the second biasing member <NUM> engages the first biasing member <NUM> and/or the bushing <NUM> and, more particularly, directly engages the first biasing member and/or bushing. The second biasing member circumscribes the anchor <NUM> e.g., about its main body <NUM>. The second biasing member can be a spring, or appropriately configured elastomer, polymeric member, or a linear biasing member, or a non-linear biasing member. According to an aspect, the second biasing member has a spring constant from about <NUM>,<NUM> N/m to <NUM>,<NUM> N/m, including <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; and <NUM>,<NUM> N/m. The cleat <NUM> circumscribes the anchor <NUM>, the first biasing member <NUM>, and the second biasing member <NUM>. That is, the anchor, the first biasing member and the second biasing member are housed within the cleat.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a cleat assembly <NUM> constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure. Cleat assembly <NUM> is constructed similar to cleat assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, only those aspects of the cleat assembly <NUM> that depart materially in structure and/or function from their counterparts in cleat assembly <NUM>, or are otherwise necessary for a proper understanding of the subject disclosure, will be discussed in detail.

As shown in <FIG>, the bushing <NUM> has a maximum outer diameter ODB that is greater than the maximum outer diameter ODA of the anchor <NUM>, such as the substantially planar bottom.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the bushing <NUM> includes an inner race <NUM>. The inner race faces opposite the inner race <NUM> of the cleat <NUM> (<FIG>). The inner races <NUM> and <NUM> serve to retain the first biasing member <NUM> in the cleat <NUM>. The first biasing member can be press-fittingly engaged with the first and second races <NUM>, <NUM> and/or attached via adhesive, welding and the like. In addition, the second biasing member <NUM> engages the bushing <NUM> and the second biasing member and, more particularly, directly engages the bushing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second biasing member <NUM>, <NUM> is illustrated as a compression spring. In the illustrated embodiment, the second biasing member <NUM>, <NUM> is a wave spring, although as noted above it may assume other forms including, without limitation, an elastomer, a polymeric member, a linear biasing member, or a non-linear biasing member, which may be annular in shape or non-annular, e.g., linear, square, hexagonal, and the like.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a cleat assembly <NUM> constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure. Cleat assembly <NUM> is constructed similar to cleat assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, only those aspects of the cleat assembly <NUM> that depart materially in structure and/or function from their counterparts in cleat assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, or are otherwise necessary for a proper understanding of the subject disclosure, will be discussed in detail.

Cleat assembly <NUM> comprises a deformable member between the cleat <NUM> and a fastener <NUM> of the anchor <NUM> for preventing or expelling debris away from the cleat assembly such as the area between the cleat and the shoe. The deformable member can be a shroud <NUM> (<FIG>), an expandable elastomer <NUM>' (<FIG>), a bellows <NUM>" (<FIG>) and/or a seal <NUM>" (<FIG>) that e.g. circumscribes or completely circumscribes the cleat and extends from the cleat. According to an aspect, the deformable member comprises an annular shroud extending from the cleat <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, there is shown a cleat assembly <NUM> constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure. The cleat assembly <NUM> includes an anchor <NUM> for anchoring to a sole <NUM> of a shoe <NUM>, a cleat <NUM>, a first biasing member <NUM>, and a second biasing member <NUM>. While <FIG> and <FIG> depict a single cleat assembly secured to the sole of a shoe, it is understood that a plurality of such cleat assemblies may be secured to the shoe sole.

The anchor <NUM> comprises a retaining post <NUM> and a fastener <NUM> pivotably connected to a proximal end of the retaining post. According to an aspect, the fastener <NUM> is connected to the retaining post <NUM> via a ball and socket joint <NUM> seated in a recess <NUM> provided in a proximal end of the retaining post. The ball and socket joint securely connects the retaining post to the fastener. At its proximal end the retaining post includes an annular flange <NUM> constructed and arranged to contact the first biasing member <NUM>, as described in greater detail below. According to an aspect, the annular flange has an outer periphery substantially corresponding in size and shape to an outer periphery of the first biasing member. At its distal end, the retaining post includes a post <NUM>. The retaining post further includes a detent <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) in the form of an annular bead formed on a circumferential wall <NUM> of the retaining post.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the cleat <NUM> includes an inner race <NUM> for receiving the detent <NUM> on the retaining post <NUM>. The inner race is sized sufficiently to allow axial movement of the cleat relative to the retaining post e.g., to allow the detent <NUM> to move in a longitudinal axial direction of the cleat.

The fastener <NUM> is best shown in <FIG>. According to an aspect, the fastener <NUM> includes external threading <NUM> for threadedly engaging corresponding threading <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) provided in the shoe sole <NUM>. At its proximal end the fastener may be provided with a socket <NUM> that may be engaged by a suitable unillustrated tool such as a wrench or the like for securely fastening the fastener to the shoe sole. While the present exemplary embodiment of the fastener <NUM> is threaded, other types of fasteners applicable for the intended use are permitted, e.g., J-lock or friction-fit fasteners and the like. According to an aspect, the fastener <NUM> carries the ball and socket joint <NUM> at its distal end.

<FIG> and <FIG> further show that the first biasing member <NUM> circumscribes the fastener <NUM>. According to an aspect, the first biasing member can be connected to the annular flange <NUM> of the retaining post <NUM> or to the sole <NUM> of the shoe <NUM>, e.g., by adhesives or other suitable connector mechanisms. As best shown in <FIG>, the first biasing member is an annular biasing member. According to an aspect, the first biasing member can be formed from, e.g., an elastomer or other suitable resilient material, and have a bending stiffness coefficient of about <NUM> N·m/deg to <NUM> N·m/deg, including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> N·m/deg. This torque versus angle relationship may be linear or non-linear.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second biasing member <NUM> circumscribes the post <NUM> of the retaining post <NUM> and is completely housed within the cleat <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the second biasing member can be constructed as an accordion-like compression spring. However, the second biasing member may assume other forms including, without limitation, an elastomer, a polymeric member, a linear biasing member, or a non-linear biasing member, which may be annular in shape or non-annular, e.g., linear, square, hexagonal, and the like. According to an aspect, the second biasing member <NUM> has a spring constant from about <NUM>,<NUM> N/m to <NUM>,<NUM> N/m, including <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>; and <NUM>,<NUM> N/m.

Referring back to <FIG>, the cleat <NUM> of the cleat assembly <NUM> is shown in an undeflected state, whereby the first biasing member <NUM> is not biased or compressed by the retaining post <NUM> or the flange <NUM>. In contrast, <FIG> shows the cleat of the cleat assembly in a deflected state such as when a user is in the midst of a change in direction while running. In this state, the first biasing member <NUM> is compressed or biased along a side thereof by the retaining post <NUM> and the flange <NUM>. Simultaneously, the first biasing member exerts a bending biasing force against the retaining post <NUM> and the flange <NUM> which operates to return the cleat to the undeflected state when the user ceases to exert deflecting force against the cleat.

Claim 1:
A cleat assembly (<NUM>) for a shoe comprising:
an anchor (<NUM>) for anchoring to the shoe;
a cleat (<NUM>);
a first biasing member (<NUM>) circumscribing the anchor and engaged with the cleat; and
a second biasing member (<NUM>) biasing the first biasing member,
wherein the cleat circumscribes the anchor, the first biasing member, and the second biasing member.