Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Occupational or athletic shoe
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-18
2004-06-15
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Occupational or athletic shoe
C036S06700D
Reexamination Certificate
active
06748677
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application incorporates by reference, and claims priority to and the benefit of, German patent application serial number 10118986.9, which was filed on Apr. 18, 2001.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an article of footwear, the outsole of which is provided with exchangeable studs. In particular, the present invention relates to a sole with at least one receptacle and at least one stud that can be releasably mounted in the receptacle.
BACKGROUND
It is known to provide sports shoes or walking boots, and in particular soccer shoes, with studs in order to increase the grip of the shoe, in particular, on soft ground such as grass. The term “studs” is to be understood in the context of the present invention as meaning all possible elements which are arranged on outsoles of footwear in order to increase grip. The term “studs” is intended to include, for example, studs for soccer shoes, spikes for golf shoes, and studs for walking boots.
If the shoes are to be used on changing ground conditions, it is advantageous if the stud is releasably attached to the sole. It has been known to attach studs to the soles of soccer shoes by means of threads. In addition to being able to adapt the shoe to a particular ground condition, worn studs can be replaced so that a new shoe is not necessary. If, however, during a soccer game (or a golf tournament) the studs must be replaced in a very short time due to changing weather conditions and/or changing ground conditions, screw studs anchored by screw threads or by additional pins or expanding elements, etc., are disadvantageous due to the time required to change the studs.
Other attachment systems exist where, for example, the stud can be “clipped” into a corresponding receptacle of the sole simply by inserting the stud without having to perform any additional assembly step. Such constructions are, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,638,615 and 4,035,934, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties
U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,615 discloses a metal socket with a circular snap ring provided therein. The snap ring is made from flexible steel and, together with the socket, is embedded in a receptacle for the stud during the manufacture of the sole. When a base portion of the stud to be mounted is inserted, the snap ring is expanded before it snaps into an annular groove of the base portion and thereby fastens the stud. The rotationally symmetric form of the receptacle and the stud allows for rotation of the mounted stud in the receptacle.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,934 discloses two metal spring pins arranged in a receptacle, which are deflected during insertion of a base member of the stud and engage a corresponding groove of the base member when the base member is completely inserted. The complete receptacle with the spring pin and other components is preassembled on a plate during the manufacture of the sole and is subsequently attached in a corresponding bore of the sole.
Disadvantages of the studs of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,638,615 and 4,035,934 include the manufacturing complexity and the resulting costs. As previously mentioned, an initial preassembly of the receptacle assembly is required and the receptacle assembly is subsequently connected to the sole in a further manufacturing step. Also, the large number of small parts used renders automation difficult, such that a substantial amount of manual work is required. Further, there are metal parts used in the receptacle assembly that are susceptible to rust, and there is always the danger of losing a spring or a snap ring when the studs are replaced.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a sole for the releasable attachment of at least one stud, which combines the advantages of an easy mounting of the stud with a simple and cost efficient manufacture of the sole and which does not require the use of a large number of small parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sole with at least one receptacle and at least one stud, which can be releasably mounted in the receptacle by insertion. A fastening projection extending from the stud and including a locking member is insertable into the receptacle, thereby deflecting a flexible wall within the receptacle. The flexible wall also includes a locking member that engages the stud locking member to prevent inadvertent release of the stud.
The flexible wall of the receptacle acts like a “spring element,” allowing interlocking of the locking members when the fastening projection of the stud is inserted. Because the flexible wall is an integral part of the sole, no additional components are required, in contrast to the prior art. On the contrary, a sole in accordance with the invention may be manufactured as a single piece, including the receptacle with the flexible wall and the locking member. Typically, a cavity is provided in the sole adjacent to the receptacle, so that the flexible wall is deflected into the cavity during insertion of the fastening projection. This facilitates elastic deflection of the wall, without having to provide special, highly elastic materials in the receptacle.
The fastening projection of the stud can be oblong and the wall between the cavity and the receptacle can be generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fastening projection. Thus, the stud is secured against rotation in the receptacle. This is desirable, especially if the studs have a distinct asymmetric shape in order to meet specific functional requirements. Further, if desired, a key and slot or other mating structure can be provided on the projection and in the receptacle so that the stud can be inserted in solely a single orientation.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a sole including a bottom surface defining a receptacle and a stud removably inserted therein. The receptacle includes a flexible wall and a first locking member disposed on an internal surface of the flexible wall. The stud includes a ground-engaging portion and a fastening projection extending therefrom. The fastening projection includes a second locking member disposed on an external surface thereof and is for insertion into the receptacle. The fastening projection deflects the flexible wall when inserted into the receptacle until the first locking member and the second locking member engage.
In another aspect, the invention relates to an article of footwear including an upper and a sole. The sole includes a bottom surface defining a receptacle and a stud removably inserted therein. The receptacle includes a flexible wall and a first locking member disposed on an internal surface of the flexible wall. The stud includes a ground-engaging portion and a fastening projection extending therefrom. The fastening projection includes a second locking member disposed on an external surface thereof and is for insertion into the receptacle. The fastening projection deflects the flexible wall when inserted into the receptacle until the first locking member and the second locking member engage.
In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a stud for a shoe sole. The stud includes a ground-engaging portion and a fastening projection extending from the ground-engaging portion. The fastening projection includes a locking member disposed on an external surface thereof and is insertable into a receptacle disposed in the shoe sole. The fastening projection deflects a flexible wall of the receptacle when inserted into the receptacle until the locking member engages a mating locking member disposed within the receptacle.
In various embodiments of the foregoing aspects of the invention, the sole forms a cavity disposed adjacent the flexible wall of the receptacle. The cavity can receive the flexible wall when deflected by the fastening projection. The first locking member can be a protuberance and the second locking member can be a mating recess for engaging the protuberance when the fastening projection is inserted into the receptacle. In another embodiment, the first
Briant Antoine
Saur Erwin Friedrich
adidas International B.V.
Testa Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP
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