초록 ▼

A removable cleat for a shoe is described. The cleat includes a ground-engaging structure for engaging the ground. An attachment structure is for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear. The attachment structure has a vertical axis, a base to which the top of the ground-engaging member is att

A removable cleat for a shoe is described. The cleat includes a ground-engaging structure for engaging the ground. An attachment structure is for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear. The attachment structure has a vertical axis, a base to which the top of the ground-engaging member is attached, and multiple extensions projecting radially outward from the base. The extensions are adapted for insertion into a cleat receptacle in the shoe to engage a receptacle attachment structure within the receptacle, so that when the cleat is attached to the receptacle, each cleat extension will be securely engaged above a receptacle restraining ledge.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of installing a removable cleat to the sole of a shoe, the method comprising: providing a cleat having: a ground-engaging structure for engaging the ground; and an attachment structure for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear, the attachment structure havin

What is claimed is: 1. A method of installing a removable cleat to the sole of a shoe, the method comprising: providing a cleat having: a ground-engaging structure for engaging the ground; and an attachment structure for removably attaching the cleat to the footwear, the attachment structure having a vertical axis, a base to which the top of the ground-engaging structure is attached, and a plurality of extensions attached to the base; providing a receptacle for receiving and holding the cleat, the receptacle being mounted in the sole of a shoe, the receptacle having: a wall defining a cavity between a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, wherein portions of the wall extend radially inward toward a central vertical axis of the receptacle so as to define: (i) a plurality of inclines within the cavity, and (ii) a plurality of protuberances within the cavity, each protuberance extending radially inward toward the vertical axis further than the inclines; a restraining ledge attached to the receptacle bottom and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed cleat; and an opening in the restraining ledge having at least three equidistantly spaced radially projecting lobes that extend radially outward from the central vertical axis of the receptacle; and inserting the cleat extensions through the receptacle opening into the receptacle cavity; and engaging the extensions above the restraining ledges so that the cleat is securely attached to the receptacle so as to resist rotational movement of the cleat. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each cleat extension has a radial end and an angled indentation located towards the radial end, and the act of engaging includes engaging each angled indentation with an incline. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleat extensions are equidistantly spaced. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleat extensions lie in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis of the attachment structure. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cleat further comprises a skirt located between the top of the ground-engaging structure and the bottom of the attachment structure base, the skirt extending radially outward beyond the radial ends of the extensions so that when the cleat is attached to the receptacle, the skirt covers the opening in the restraining ledge. 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the skirt has a plurality of openings on the ground-engaging structure side of the skirt so that a cleat wrench may be inserted into the skirt openings to maneuver the cleat. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein each incline has a relatively gradual front ascent portion and a relatively steep back descent portion. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein engaging the extensions includes securing each extension between an incline and a protuberance so as to resist rotational movement of the cleat. 9. A removable cleat for a shoe comprising: a ground-engaging structure for engaging the ground; and an attachment structure for removably attaching the ground-engaging structure to a cleat receptacle in a shoe, the receptacle including: a wall defining a cavity between a receptacle fop and a receptacle bottom, wherein portions of the wall extend radially inward toward a central vertical axis of the receptacle so as to define: (i) a plurality of inclines within the cavity, and (ii) a plurality of protuberances within the cavity, each protuberance extending radially inward toward the vertical axis further than the inclines; a restraining ledge attached to the receptacle bottom and extending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of an installed cleat; and an opening in the restraining ledge having at least three equidistantly spaced radially projecting lobes that extend radially outward from the vertical axis of the receptacle; and wherein the attachment structure is adapted for secure attachment to the receptacle so as to resist rotational movement. 10. A removable cleat according to claim 9, wherein the attachment structure includes a plurality of cleat extensions arranged so that when the cleat is attached to the receptacle, each cleat extension is secured between an incline and a protuberance so as to resist rotational movement of the cleat. 11. A removable cleat according to claim 10, wherein each cleat extension has a radial end and an angled indentation located towards the radial end, the angled indentation being adapted to engage a corresponding incline when the cleat is attached to the receptacle. 12. A removable cleat according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of cleat extensions lie in a plane perpendicular to a vertical axis of the attachment structure. 13. A removable cleat according to claim 9, wherein the cleat further comprises a skirt located between the top of the ground-engaging structure and the bottom of the attachment structure, the skirt extending radially outward so that when the cleat is attached to the receptacle, the skirt covers the receptacle. 14. A removable cleat according to claim 13, wherein the skirt has a plurality of openings on the ground-engaging structure side of the skirt so that a cleat wrench may be inserted into the skirt openings to maneuver the cleat. id="INS-S-00003" date="20080819" 15. An attachment system, comprising: A. a receptacle, the receptacle having an opening and a member engaging structure including at least three receptacle projections; and B. a member, rotationally attachable to the receptacle, having a vertical axis with first and second ends, including at the first end, an attachment structure including at least three member projections, each member projection having first and second ramps on corresponding first and second sides of an axis projecting radially outward from the center of the attachment structure through the circumferential center of the projection, each projection having a convex face, wherein each projection is asymmetric with respect to the axis.id="INS-S-00003" id="INS-S-00004" date="20080819" 16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the member is made substantially of thermoplastic.id="INS-S-00004" id="INS-S-00005" date="20080819" 17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the member projections and the receptacle projections interact in a plane substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the member.id="INS-S-00005" id="INS-S-00006" date="20080819" 18. A system according to claim 15, wherein the member rotates less than one-half full turn when engaging with the receptacle.id="INS-S-00006" id="INS-S-00007" date="20080819" 19. A system according to claim 15, wherein the member rotates less than one-half full turn when disengaging from the receptacle.id="INS-S-00007" id="INS-S-00008" date="20080819" 20. An attachment system according to claim 15 for footwear, wherein the member is a cleat, the system comprising: A. a cleat receptacle, the receptacle having an opening and a cleat engaging structure including at least three receptacle projections; and B. a rotationally attachable cleat having a vertical axis with first and second ends, including: i. at the second end, a surface engaging member; and ii. at the first end, an attachment structure including at least three cleat projections, each cleat projection having first and second ramps on corresponding first and second sides of an axis projecting radially outward from the center of the attachment structure through the circumferential center of the projection, each projection having a convex face, wherein each projection is asymmetric with respect to the axis.id="INS-S-00008" id="INS-S-00009" date="20080819" 21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the member projections interact with the receptacle projections so that less force is required to engage the cleat with the receptacle than to disengage the cleat from the receptacle.id="INS-S-00009" id="INS-S-00010" date="20080819" 22. A system according to claim 20, wherein the member is made substantially of thermoplastic.id="INS-S-00010" id="INS-S-00011" date="20080819" 23. A system according to claim 20, wherein the member projections and the receptacle projections interact in a plane substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the member.id="INS-S-00011" id="INS-S-00012" date="20080819" 24. A system according to claim 20, wherein the member rotates less than one-half full turn when engaging with the receptacle.id="INS-S-00012" id="INS-S-00013" date="20080819" 25. A system according to claim 20, wherein the member rotates less than one-half full turn when disengaging from the receptacle.id="INS-S-00013" id="INS-S-00014" date="20080819" 26. A system according to claim 20, wherein, as the member is installed into the receptacle, each member projection has a rotationally leading edge and a rotationally trailing edge, each receptacle projection engaging the rotationally trailing edge of an installed member so as to resist loosening rotation of the cleat.id="INS-S-00014" id="INS-S-00015" date="20080819" 27. A rotationally attachable cleat for footwear having a vertical axis with first and second ends, the cleat comprising: at the first end, a surface engaging member; and at the second end, an attachment structure including at least three cleat projections, each cleat projection having first and second ramps on corresponding first and second sides of an axis projecting radially outward from the center of the attachment structure through the circumferential center of the projection, each projection having a convex face, wherein each projection is asymmetric with respect to the axis, wherein the cleat projections are capable of interacting with a corresponding cleat receptacle.id="INS-S-00015" id="INS-S-00016" date="20080819" 28. A cleat according to claim 27 wherein less force is required to engage the cleat with the receptacle than to disengage the cleat from the receptacle.id="INS-S-00016" id="INS-S-00017" date="20080819" 29. A cleat according to claim 27, wherein the cleat is made substantially of thermoplastic.id="INS-S-00017" id="INS-S-00018" date="20080819" 30. A cleat according to claim 27, wherein the cleat projections are capable of interacting with the receptacle in a plane substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the cleat.id="INS-S-00018" id="INS-S-00019" date="20080819" 31. A cleat according to claim 27, wherein the cleat rotates less than one-half full turn when engaging with the receptacle.id="INS-S-00019" id="INS-S-00020" date="20080819" 32. A cleat according to claim 27, wherein the cleat rotates less than one-half full turn when disengaging from the receptacle.id="INS-S-00020" id="INS-S-00021" date="20080819" 33. An attachment system, comprising: A. a receptacle, the receptacle having an opening and a member engaging structure including at least three receptacle projections; and B. a member, rotationally attachable to the receptacle, having a vertical axis with first and second ends, including at the first end, an attachment structure including at least three member projections, each member projection having first and second ramps on corresponding first and second sides of an axis projecting radially outward from the center of the attachment structure through the circumferential center of the projection, each projection having a convex face, wherein the first and second ramps of each member projection interact with a corresponding receptacle projection to resist rotation of the member relative to the receptacle.id="INS-S-00021" id="INS-S-00022" date="20080819" 34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the member is made substantially of thermoplastic.id="INS-S-00022" id="INS-S-00023" date="20080819" 35. A system according to claim 33, wherein the member projections and the receptacle projections interact in a plane substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the member.id="INS-S-00023" id="INS-S-00024" date="20080819" 36. A system according to claim 33, wherein the member rotates less than one-half full turn when engaging with the receptacle.id="INS-S-00024" id="INS-S-00025" date="20080819" 37. A system according to claim 33, wherein the member rotates less than one-half full turn when disengaging with the receptacle.id="INS-S-00025"