U.S. patent application number 09/745218 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for sole for footwear or footwear attachment having multilevel cleats for indicating wear and providing enhanced traction and flexibility.
Invention is credited to Bell, Michael.
Application Number | 20020078598 09/745218 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24995745 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020078598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bell, Michael |
June 27, 2002 |
Sole for footwear or footwear attachment having multilevel cleats
for indicating wear and providing enhanced traction and
flexibility
Abstract
A ground engaging portion of an article of footwear for
enhancing the traction and flexibility of the ground engaging
portion has a plurality of multilevel cleats. The multilevel cleats
include a plurality of cleat base elements extending upwardly from
a surface thereof to define a first level of the multilevel cleats.
A plurality of cleat top elements extend upwardly from a surface of
a selected cleat base element to define a second level. The cleat
base elements are arranged upon the surface of the ground engaging
portion to define both longitudinal and transverse base element
grooves therebetween. The cleat top elements are disposed upon a
cleat base element to define both longitudinal and transverse top
element grooves therebetween.
Inventors: |
Bell, Michael; (Rydal,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen & Pokotilow, Ltd.
12th Floor
Seven Penn Center
1635 Market Street
Philadelphia
PA
19103-2212
US
|
Family ID: |
24995745 |
Appl. No.: |
09/745218 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/59R ; 36/102;
36/59C |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/223
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/59.00R ;
36/59.00C; 36/102 |
International
Class: |
A43B 023/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A ground engaging portion of an article of footwear having
longitudinal and transverse axes for enhancing the traction and
flexibility of said ground engaging portion, said ground engaging
portion having a plurality of multilevel cleats, the multilevel
cleats of said plurality of multilevel cleats including a plurality
of cleat base elements extending upwardly from a surface of said
ground engaging portion and defining a first level of said
multilevel cleats and a plurality of cleat top elements extending
upwardly from a surface of a selected cleat base element and
defining a second level of said multilevel cleats, the cleat base
elements being disposed in a spaced apart arrangement upon said
surface of said ground engaging portion to define between said
spaced apart cleat base elements both a longitudinal base element
flexing groove along said longitudinal axis and a transverse base
element flexing groove along said transverse axis, said cleat top
elements being disposed in a spaced apart arrangement upon a
surface of said selected cleat base element to define between said
cleat top elements both a longitudinal top element groove and a
transverse top element groove.
2. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein a selected cleat
top element of said plurality of cleat top elements has a starting
length prior to said ground engaging portion being used by a user
and the length of said selected cleat top element decreases as said
user uses said ground engaging portion in accordance with the use
of said ground engaging portion.
3. The ground engaging portion of claim 2, wherein a remaining
length of said selected cleat top element is representative of the
remaining usefulness of said ground engaging portion.
4. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein said
longitudinal base element groove is adapted to be a flexing groove
for increasing the flexibility of said ground engaging portion.
5. The ground engaging portion of claim 4, wherein said transverse
base element groove is adapted to be a flexing groove for
increasing the flexibility of said ground engaging portion.
6. The ground engaging portion of claim 5, wherein said
longitudinal and transverse top element grooves are adapted to be
flexing grooves for increasing the flexibility of said ground
engaging portion.
7. The ground engaging portion of claim 6, wherein said top cleat
elements are disposed in a spaced apart arrangement upon the
surfaces of a plurality of said cleat base elements.
8. The ground engaging portion of claim 7, comprising: (a) a first
longitudinal base element groove portion disposed between a first
pair of transversely adjacent cleat base elements; (b) a second
longitudinal base element groove portion disposed between a second
pair of transversely adjacent cleat base elements; and (c) said
first and second longitudinal base element groove portions being
aligned with each other to permit cooperative flexing of said first
and second longitudinal base element groove portions and increase
the flexibility of said ground engaging portion.
9. The ground engaging portion of claim 8, wherein a plurality of
said longitudinal base element groove portions are aligned with
each other and said plurality of said longitudinal base element
groove portions extends over substantially an entire longitudinal
dimension of said ground engaging portion.
10. The ground engaging portion of claim 9, wherein said plurality
of said longitudinal base element groove portions extends
continuously over substantially an entire longitudinal dimension of
said ground engaging portion.
11. The ground engaging portion of claim 8, comprising: (a) a first
transverse base element groove portion disposed between a first
pair of longitudinally adjacent cleat base elements; (b) a second
transverse base element groove portion disposed between a second
pair of longitudinally adjacent cleat base elements; and (c) said
first and second transverse base element groove portions being
aligned with each other to permit cooperative flexing of said first
and second transverse base element groove portions and increase the
flexibility of said ground engaging portion.
12. The ground engaging portion of claim 11, wherein a plurality of
said transverse base element groove portions are aligned with each
other and said plurality of said transverse base element groove
portions extends over substantially an entire transverse dimension
of said ground engaging portion.
13. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein said ground
engaging portion comprises an article of primary footwear.
14. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein said ground
engaging portion comprises an attachment device for mounting said
attachment device upon an article of primary footwear.
15. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein two top
elements extend upwardly from said surface of said selected cleat
base element.
16. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein four top
elements extend upwardly from said surface of said selected cleat
base element.
17. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein said surface of
said ground engaging portion, said cleat base elements, and said
cleat top elements are formed as an integral unit.
18. The ground engaging portion of claim 17, wherein said integral
unit is formed of a resilient material.
19. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein at least one of
said cleat base elements or said cleat top elements is formed in a
square shape.
20. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein at least one of
said cleat base elements or said cleat top elements is formed in a
round shape.
21. The ground engaging portion of claim 1, wherein at least one of
said cleat base elements or said cleat top elements is formed in a
triangular shape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application relates generally to footwear and more
particularly to a ground engaging portion of an article of primary
footwear such as a shoe or a boot, or an attachment device which is
adapted to be mounted upon an article of primary footwear so that
the ground engaging portion provides enhanced traction between the
article of primary footwear and a walking surface and substantial
flexibility.
[0002] It is well known in the art to provide a sole having cleats
disposed upon its ground engaging portion in order to enhance
traction between the sole and a walking surface. Additionally,
various attachment devices for primary footwear having cleats
disposed upon their ground engaging portions are available for
enhancing traction between the primary footwear and a walking
surface. Attachment devices bearing spikes are also available to
prevent slippage on ice or other slippery surfaces. The known
attachment devices can take the form of complex sandals or other
devices which are adapted to be mounted upon an article of primary
footwear by means of attaching straps or components for engaging
the upper of the footwear. Additionally, the attachment devices can
take the form of simple pads or strips for securement to the sole
of the primary footwear.
[0003] Examples of these devices are found in U.S. Pat. Nos.
1,032,600 (Grout); 2,361,972 (Smith); 3,214,850 (McNair); 3,516,181
(Jordan); 4,344,238 (Peyser); 4,353,172 (Bryant); 4,525,939 (McNeil
et al.); and 4,910,883 (Zock, Jr.). Further examples are found in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,796,399 (Roodhouse); 1,747,603 (Ruth); 1,716,790
(Mitchell); 2,426,524 (Rosenbarger); 2,408,152 (Porcelli);
2,732,065 (Marchese); 2,793,136 (Root); 3,561,140 (Ludwig);
3,903,620 (Gillet); 4,702,021 (Cameron); and 4,924,608 (Mogonye).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,610 (Parrent) discloses a pad for releasable
securement to an article of footwear for adjusting friction.
Additionally, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/378,251
discloses an attachment device having strips of elastic material
that form a toe box section and a heel counter section for
releasably mounting the attachment device to an article of primary
footwear. A ground engaging traction enhancing surface has
contoured recessed areas shaped to receive and retain a plurality
of hard non-elastic cleats. The attachment device is detachably
mounted on an article of primary footwear using straps.
[0004] While the aforementioned prior art devices are generally
suitable for their intended purposes, they still leave something to
be desired from various standpoints. For example, a common method
of increasing the traction provided by the prior art soles and
attachment devices is to increase the number of cleats disposed on
the ground engaging portion thereof and thereby provide additional
gripping points to apply to the walking surface. However,
increasing the number of cleats in this manner also increases the
rigidity of the ground engaging portion. Increased rigidity due to
the presence of a larger number of cleats makes the sole or the
attachment device uncomfortable for the user when the user is
walking.
[0005] It is known to arrange the cleats on a ground engaging
surface in a manner adapted to thereby contribute less rigidity to
the ground engaging portion and make the sole or attachment device
less uncomfortable for the user. Ground engaging surfaces of this
type are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 767,120 (Pratt),
997,657 (Drake), 1,011,110 (Brown), 1,490,107 (Hale), 2,303,682
(Bullis), 4,194,310 (Bowerman), 4,899,467 (Mackey), 5,282,288
(Henson), 5,293,701 (Sullivan) and 6,101,746 (Evans). These
references disclose a plurality of arrangements of cleats on such
ground engaging surfaces including arrangements forming flexible
grooves for permitting greater flexibility of the surfaces.
[0006] Other prior art attachment devices for footwear are shown in
the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 157,985 (Buxton), 913,411 (Marius),
1,299,037 (Runyan), 1,299,650 (Young), 1,433,902 (Masters),
1,518,910 (Gammeter), 1,587,571 (Willis), 1,601,700 (Morrison),
1,716,790 (Mitchell), 1,747,603 (Ruth), 1,877,080 (Teshima),
1,970,254 (Sullivan), 2,076,316 (Beals, Jr.), 2,275,214 (Alvistur),
2,303,744 (Jacobs), 2,327,360 (Margolin), 2,350,362 (Margolin),
2,370,963 (Issaly), 2,387,029 (Kellman), 2,423,753 (Brooks),
2,617,209 (Jackson), 2,628,437 (Forsythe), 3,012,343 (Dinkel),
3,040,451 (Helkemeyer), 3,583,082 (Jordan, Jr.), 3,609,888
(Rickman), 4,302,890 (Covell et al.), 4,727,662 (IIon), 4,807,372
(McCall), 4,924,608 (Mongonye), 5,341,582 (Liautand), 5,485,687
(Rohde), 5,752,332 (Kataoka) and 6,018,889 (Friton). All of the
aforementioned ground engaging surfaces also suffer from one or
more drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to
provide a ground engaging portion for use on an article of primary
footwear, e.g., a boot, shoe, etc., or an attachment device for an
article of primary footwear which overcomes the disadvantages of
the prior art.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide an article
of primary footwear or an attachment device for an article of
primary footwear for enhancing the traction provided by the ground
engaging surface thereof.
[0009] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an
article of primary footwear or an attachment device for an article
of primary footwear for enhancing the traction of the article of
footwear which is simple in construction.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an article
of primary footwear or an attachment device for an article of
primary footwear including a ground engaging surface having plural
cleats or spikes for providing increased traction.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide an article
of primary footwear or an attachment device for an article of
primary footwear having substantial depth recesses or grooves
formed therein for providing a traction enhancing, ground engaging
surface.
[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide an article
of primary footwear or an attachment device for an article of
primary footwear having substantial depth recesses or grooves
formed therein arranged for providing substantial flexibility of
the primary footwear or attachment device.
[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide an article
of primary footwear or an attachment device for an article of
primary footwear having wear indicating elements for indicating
when the ground engaging surface is worn down due to use and
requires replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] These and other objects of the subject invention are
achieved by providing a ground engaging portion for a sole or an
attachment device for an article of primary footwear, the ground
engaging portion having a plurality of multilevel cleats.
Generally, the multilevel cleats include a raised base element
thereby defining a first level of the multilevel cleat. Plural
additional top elements are disposed upon the base element thereby
defining a second level of the multilevel cleat. The base elements
are disposed on the ground engaging surface in spaced apart
locations selected to define both longitudinal base flexing grooves
and transverse base flexing grooves therebetween. The longitudinal
and transverse base flexing grooves disposed between the base
elements are adapted to enhance the flexibility of the ground
engaging surface. Furthermore, the top elements are disposed in
spaced apart locations upon the surfaces of the base elements
selected to define both longitudinal top element flexing grooves
and transverse top element flexing grooves therebetween. The
longitudinal and transverse top element flexing grooves are adapted
to further enhance the flexibility of the ground engaging surface
by permitting the base elements to be move flexible. Thus, the
invention set forth herein is a ground engaging portion of an
article of footwear having longitudinal and transverse axes for
enhancing the traction and flexibility of the ground engaging
portion, the ground engaging portion having a plurality of
multilevel cleats. The multilevel cleats of the plurality of
multilevel cleats include a plurality of cleat base elements
extending upwardly from a surface of the ground engaging portion
and defining a first level of the multilevel cleats and a plurality
of cleat top elements extending upwardly from a surface of a
selected cleat base element and defining a second level of the
multilevel cleats. The cleat base elements are disposed in a spaced
apart arrangement upon the surface of the ground engaging portion
to define between said spaced apart cleat base elements both a
longitudinal base element groove along the longitudinal axis and a
transverse base element groove along the transverse axis. The cleat
top elements are disposed in a spaced apart arrangement upon a
surface of the selected cleat base element to define both a
longitudinal top element groove and a transverse top element groove
between the cleat top elements. The ground engaging portion is an
article of primary footwear or an attachment device for mounting
the attachment device upon an article of primary footwear. Two,
four or any other number of top elements can extend upwardly from
the surface of the cleat base element provided that the
longitudinal and transverse flexing grooves are defined
therebetween. The surface of the ground engaging portion, the cleat
base portions, and the cleat top portions are formed from a
resilient material as an integral unit. At least one of the cleat
base elements or the cleat top elements is formed in a square,
circular, triangular, or any other shape.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Other objects and many attendant features of this invention
will become readily appreciated as the same become better
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the multilevel cleats of the
subject invention disposed upon a ground engaging surface of an
article of primary footwear or an attachment to an article of
primary footwear;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an attachment device in accordance
with the subject invention for mounting upon a conventional article
of primary footwear; and
[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sole of a shoe in accordance with
the invention (the shoe being shown by phantom lines).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring now to various figures of the drawing where like
reference numerals refer to like parts there is shown at 10 a
ground engaging portion constructed in accordance with the
invention. The ground engaging portion 10 is adapted for enhancing
the traction and flexibility of articles of footwear such as the
sole of an article of primary footwear, e.g., a shoe or a boot
(shown in phantom in FIG. 3). The ground engaging portion 10 of the
present invention can also enhance the traction and flexibility of
an attachment device for mounting on an article of primary footwear
(FIG. 2), in order to render it more resistant to slippage on
slippery surfaces. The attachment device is mounted to an article
of primary footwear using straps as shown in FIG. 2 or in any other
manner well understood by those skilled in the art.
[0020] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention
the ground engaging portion 10 of either the article of primary
footwear or the attachment device includes a plurality of
multilevel gripping cleats 14. The multilevel gripping cleats 14
are formed of any hard resilient material such as rubber or
synthetic rubber and are adapted to improve the ground engaging
traction-enhancing properties of the ground engaging portion 10.
The ground engaging portion 10 formed with multilevel gripping
cleats 14 is adapted to provide enhanced traction and flexibility
in all types of slippery conditions, including wet conditions and
smooth ice.
[0021] As best seen in FIG. 1, each of the multilevel gripping
cleats 14 includes a cleat base element 16 which extends upwardly
from the surface of the ground engaging portion 10 to define a
first level of the multilevel gripping cleats 14. The cleat base
elements 16 disposed upon the ground engaging portion 10 may be
formed in any geometric shape or combination of geometric shapes.
For example, the cleat base elements 16 can be formed as circles,
squares or triangles.
[0022] The arrangement of the cleat base elements 16 upon the
surface of the ground engaging portion 10 is adapted to define both
longitudinal base element flexing grooves 22 and transverse base
element flexing grooves 24 between the adjacent rows and columns of
the base elements 16. The longitudinal base element flexing grooves
22 permit the article of footwear from which the base elements 16
extend to flex more easily along the entire lengths of the base
element flexing grooves 22. The easier flexing provided in this
manner permits the user to be more comfortable when walking, while
also permitting the user to obtain the benefits of a larger number
of traction enhancing cleats which would otherwise cause the
article of footwear to be more rigid. In a similar manner the
flexing of the transverse base element flexing grooves 24 permits
the article of primary footwear or attachment to flex more easily
along their entire length.
[0023] A portion of a longitudinal base element flexing groove 22
is defined between two transversely adjacent cleat base elements
16. A further portion of the same longitudinal base element flexing
groove 22 is defined between the next two transversely adjacent
base elements 16 in either direction along the base element flexing
groove 22. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the two
portions of the longitudinal base element groove 22 defined in this
manner are aligned with each other. Because of the alignment in
this embodiment the adjacent portions of the longitudinal base
element flexing groove 22 can flex cooperatively as the user walks.
The cooperation of the groove portions contributes to the
flexibility of the article of primary footwear or attachment device
upon which the base elements 16 are disposed and permits the use of
a larger number of the multilevel cleats 14 and increased traction
without causing excessive rigidity.
[0024] Additionally, a portion of a transverse base element flexing
groove 24 is defined between two longitudinally adjacent cleat base
elements 16. A further portion of the same transverse base element
flexing groove 24 is defined between the next two longitudinally
adjacent base elements 16 in either direction along the transverse
flexing groove 24. The two portions of the transverse base element
flexing groove 24 defined in this manner are aligned with each
other. Thus, in the preferred embodiment the two portions of the
transverse base element flexing groove 24 defined in this manner
can flex cooperatively as the user walks. The cooperation of the
groove portions further contributes to the flexibility of the
article of primary footwear or attachment device upon which the
base elements 16 are disposed and permits the use of a larger
number of multilevel cleats 14 and increased traction. It will be
understood that a large number of such longitudinal and transverse
aligned groove portions can be defined and can extend continuously
over an entire longitudinal or transverse dimension of the ground
engaging portion 10.
[0025] Plural top elements 28 extend upwardly from the top surface
of at least one of the cleat base elements 16. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention plural top elements 28 extend upwardly
from each cleat base element 16. The top elements 28 disposed upon
the base elements 16 may be formed in any geometric shape or
combination of geometric shapes, e.g., circles, squares or
triangles. As the ground engaging portion 10 is worn by a user the
top elements 28 wear down. Thus, a user of the ground engaging
portion 10 can view the length of the top elements 28 remaining
upon the client base elements 16 to determine the amount of wear on
the ground engaging portion 10.
[0026] It will be understood that as the length of the top elements
28 decreases due to a user wearing the ground engaging portion 10,
the amount of traction enhancement provided by the top elements 28
decreases accordingly. Thus, the user can view the remaining length
of the top elements 28, determine the usefulness of the ground
engaging portion 10 upon which the top elements 28 are disposed,
and replace the ground engaging portion when replacement is thus
indicated.
[0027] The arrangement of the top elements 28 is adapted to define
both longitudinal top element flexing grooves 30 and transverse top
element flexing grooves 32 between adjacent rows and columns of the
top elements 28. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the
top element flexing grooves 30, 32 extend from each multilevel
cleat 14 to its adjacent multilevel cleats 14 along entire
longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the ground engaging
portion 10.
[0028] The top element flexing grooves 30, 32 permit increased
flexibility of the base elements 16 of the multilevel cleats 14
and, hence, increased flexibility of the ground engaging surface
upon which the multilevel cleats 14 are disposed. Thus, a greater
number of top elements 28 can be disposed on the base elements 16
without excessively increasing the rigidity of the base elements
16, thereby increasing traction while permitting the article of
primary footwear or attachment device to be more comfortable for a
user when the user is walking. In accordance with the invention,
any number of top elements 28 can be disposed upon an individual
base element 16 provided that the top elements 28 are arranged to
form the top element flexing grooves 30, 32.
[0029] A portion of a longitudinal top element flexing groove 30 is
defined between two transversely adjacent top elements 28. A
further portion of the same longitudinal top element flexing groove
30 is defined between the next two transversely adjacent top
elements 28. In the preferred embodiment of the invention these
portions of the longitudinal base element groove 30 are aligned
with each other. Thus, in this embodiment the two adjacent portions
of the longitudinal top element flexing groove 30 can flex
cooperatively as the user walks. Cooperation of the groove portions
in this manner contributes to the flexibility of the base elements
16 and, hence, to the flexibility of the article of primary
footwear or attachment device upon which the base elements 16 are
disposed.
[0030] Furthermore, a portion of a transverse top element flexing
groove 32 is defined between two longitudinally adjacent top
elements 28. A further portion of the same transverse top element
flexing groove 32 is defined by the next longitudinally adjacent
top elements 28. Thus, in this embodiment the two adjacent portions
of the transverse top element flexing groove 32 can flex
cooperatively as the user walks. This also contributes to the
flexibility of the article of primary footwear or attachment device
as previously described. It will be understood that the adjacent
cooperating portions of the top element flexing grooves 30, 32
defined in this manner can be disposed upon a single base element
16 or upon adjacent base elements 16.
[0031] As should be appreciated from the foregoing description the
ground engaging portion 10 having the multilevel gripping cleats 14
in accordance with the invention is simple in construction and can
be fabricated readily. Moreover, when the ground engaging portion
10 is provided as an attachment device for an article of primary
footwear and molded of a resilient material it can be folded or
rolled up into a compact configuration. Thus, it can be
conveniently stored or transported until the user is ready to wear
it. For example, a worker can carry the attachment device either
unfolded or folded, unrolled or rolled in his/her pocket. When it
is desired to use the attachment device, it can be conveniently
retrieved and mounted upon the article of primary footwear.
[0032] Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully
illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or
future knowledge, adapt the same for use under various conditions
of service.
* * * * *