Cleated sole for an athletic shoe

• US 5,201,126 A
• Filed: 08/06/1991
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tanel Acquisition Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tanel Corporation
• Inventors: Tanel, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Application Number:
  US07/741,042
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 36/134, 36/126, 36/128, 36/32 R, 36/59 C, 36/59 R, 36/67 R, 36/67 A
• US Class Current: 36/134
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/223 Profiled soles
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0042 with circular or circle shaped parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/02 attached to the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/162 characterised by the shape

Abstract

An improved athletic shoe sole of the type with annular cleating segments has an annular cleat set projecting from the main sole surface and disposed along a substantially circular path, the set having a plurality of cleat nodes each of which is arranged in a substantially abutting relationship to at least one adjacent cleat node. Each node has a distal end or tip spaced from the main sole surface and first and second edges on opposite sides of the distal end with proximal ends terminating on the circular path. Improved pivotability and traction characteristics are provided.

Claims

1. In a cleated field-sports shoe sole of the type having ground-penetrating cleats extending from a main sole surface, and having heel, arch, ball-of-the-foot and toe portions, the improvement comprising:

an annular cleat set projecting from the main sole surface and disposed along a substantially circular path encompassing a major area of the toe and ball-of-the-foot portions, the set having a plurality of cleat nodes each arranged in a substantially abutting relationship to at least one adjacent cleat node;

each cleat node having a base portion which is joined to the main sole surface and has a length measured generally along the path and a thickness measured generally radially to the path, the length substantially greater than the thickness, whereby the cleat set provides excellent pivotability of an cleated field-sports shoe and excellent resistance to forces urging the shoe laterally or longitudinally;

each cleat node having a distal end spaced from the main sole surface and first and second edges on opposite sides of the distal end, each of the edges having a proximal end which terminates substantially on the circular path and, when the cleat node is in contact with the ground, defines with the ground an acute included angle thereby to reduce resistance of the sole to pivoting action; and

each cleat node having a shoulder portion intermediate the distal end and the main sole surface, said abutting relationship occurring at the shoulder portions of abutting cleat nodes.

3. The cleated field-sports shoe of claim 1, wherein said abutting relationship between said cleat nodes located towards the rear of said ball-of-the-foot portion occurs at the base portion of said cleat nodes.

2. In a cleated field-sports shoe sole of the type having ground-penetrating cleats extending from a main sole surface, and having heel, arch, ball-of-the-foot and toe portions, and opposite lateral and medial side portions, the improvement comprising:

an annular cleat set projecting from the main sole surface and disposed along a substantially circular path encompassing a major area of the ball-of-the-foot and toe portions, the set having a plurality of cleat nodes;

each cleat node tapered in two dimensions, a first dimension measured generally parallel to the path and a second dimension measured generally radially to the path, thereby providing a tip of reduced area;

each of the cleat nodes further including multiple substantially planar surfaces and edges at the intersections of pairs of such planar surfaces;

at least one of said cleat nodes having a radially-outer surface which is generally coincident with the medial side portion and at least one other of said cleat nodes which has a radially-outer surface generally coincident with the lateral side portion;

each adjacent pair of tapered cleat nodes defining a generally V-shaped space therebetween, a plurality of opposed pairs of the spaces forming a plurality of cross-sole breaks in the annular cleat set; and

each of the cleat nodes further including a shoulder portion located intermediate the tip and the main sole surface, each cleat nodes being arranged in a substantially abutting relationship to at least one adjacent cleat node, such abutting relationship occurring at the shoulder portions of abutting cleat nodes.