Boots – shoes – and leggings – Antislipping devices – Disengaging
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-07-10
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Antislipping devices
Disengaging
C036S06700D, C036S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256907
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to an athletic shoe with retractable spikes, and is most applicable for use by golfers, although other application to sports and activities using spiked shoes is foreseeable. For example, the shoe may be used for baseball, football, hiking, logging, and the like. The invention includes means readily operable by the wearer for lifting the spikes into a retracted position within the shoe outsole, and for lowering the spikes into an extended position. When wearing the shoes on hard surfaces or easily damaged surfaces, such as parking lots, sidewalks, wood floors, or clubhouse floors, it is generally desirable to position the spikes in the retracted position.
Conventional spiked golf shoes suffer from drawbacks and limitations. Since the spikes are secured in a fixed condition directly to the bottom surface of the shoe outsole, they remain in constant contact with the ground surface during wear. In addition to damage caused by these shoes to hard floor surfaces, the spikes can also damage the putting greens of the golf course. As a result, there exists a need for a spiked athletic shoe wherein the spikes can be quickly and easily moved and retained in a retracted position within the shoe during wear.
The present invention addresses this need by providing a golf shoe with retractable spikes. The spikes are fully retractable within the outsole of the shoe, and remain in this position during wear until actuated by the wearer into the extended position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe wherein the spikes are easily movable by the wearer between a spike-extended position and a retracted position within an outsole of the shoe.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which will not damage golf greens or club house floors during shoe wear.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which can be worn on hard surfaces without substantial risk of accidents and injury.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which uses permanent, wear-resistant spikes.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which is flexible and comfortable to wear.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which will not collect dirt and debris inside the shoe during wear.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which resembles a conventional golf shoe.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which includes a relatively thin outsole compared to other athletic shoes having retractable spikes.
It is another object of the invention to provide a spiked athletic shoe which includes at least one moveable spike plate.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a spiked athletic shoe which includes a shoe upper and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom having a plurality of spike openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are positioned within the outsole housing and include a plurality of attached spikes for movement between a spike-extended position, wherein the plurality of spikes project outwardly from the bottom of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position, wherein the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. Biasing means engage the rear and front spike plates for normally urging the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes upwardly into the spike-retracted position.
A mechanically-actuated slide overlies the rear and front spike plates for controlling movement of the spike plates between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position. The slide includes a plurality outwardly projecting detents. The rear and front spike plates include a corresponding plurality of complementary detent-receiving plate openings. The plurality of detents and plate openings cooperate upon movement of the slide such that upon mating alignment of the detents and plate openings, whereby the detents extend entirely through the openings, the biasing means moves the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes upwardly into the spike-retracted position away from the bottom of the outsole housing. Upon offsetting the detents and plate openings, the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes move downwardly towards the bottom of the outsole housing into the spike-extended position, and remain locked in the spike-extended position during shoe wear.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a support cap is placed over the outsole housing and includes front and rear flanges for supporting the foot of a wearer above the slide and spike plates, and for defining a space for movement of the spike plates within the outsole housing between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a manual crank is attached to the slide and includes an arm section extending outside of the outsole housing for being manually actuated by the wearer to move the slide within the outsole between a toe end and a heel end of the shoe.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide includes a center bearing secured to an underside of the slide for receiving a center-bearing section of the crank.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the support cap includes laterally spaced, stationary side bearings for receiving respective side-bearing sections of the crank on opposite sides of the slide.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the support cap includes a laterally extending flex groove to allow flexing of the support cap with the shoe during wear.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the front spike plate includes a laterally extending flex groove to allow flexing of the front spike plate with the shoe during wear.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the biasing means are springs located between the bottom of the outsole housing and the rear and front spike plates for normally urging the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes upwardly into the spike-retracted position.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the springs are conical to minimize their height when fully compressed.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, each spike includes a cylindrical, straight shank portion.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, each spike includes a ceramic tip.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, respective seals are located at the spike openings of the outsole housing to prevent entry of dirt and debris inside the shoe.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seals are rubber collars each having top and bottom annular flanges. The respective flanges prevent the seals from being dislodged from the outsole housing during movement of the spikes between the extended and retracted positions.
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Jordan J. Charles
Smith Clark S.
Adams, Schwartz & Evans P.A.
Patterson M. D.
Retractable, Inc.
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