Cleat for footwear

• US 7,047,674 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruce Henry Garvie
• Original Assignee: Bruce Henry Garvie
• Inventors: Garvie, Bruce Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): STASHICK, ANTHONY D
• Application Number:
  US09/584,375
• Time in Patent Office: 2,183 Days
• Field of Search: 361/34, 36/67.R, 36/67.A, 36/67.D, 36/59.A, 361/27
• US Class Current: 36/134
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/161 characterised by the attachment to the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/162 characterised by the shape

Abstract

A cleat for an article of footwear comprising an insert made from a synthetic plastic material and a synthetic plastic traction member. The traction member is secured to the insert during a molding process, wherein the insert is made from a synthetic plastic material having a greater hardness than the traction member. The insert having a stem portion, an engagement means at a first end of the stem portion for releasable engagement with a complementary engagement formation defined on an undersole of the article of footwear and a securing formation extending from the stem portion for securing the traction member to the stem portion. Further, the cleat is formed in a single, economic injection molding process wherein the insert is formed from a plastic material which is of sufficient hardness to alleviate past problems experienced with stripping of a thread on the stem. The insert is formed of a synthetic plastic material having a hardness between 75 MPa and 85 MPa.

Claims

1. A cleat for an article of footwear consisting entirely of plastic, the cleat comprising:

an insert and a plastic traction member, the insert and traction member constituting separate and distinct elements formed at distinct times in the manufacture process;

the insert is from a synthetic plastic material, wherein the insert has a stem portion with engagement means for releasable engagement with a complementary formation defined on an undersole of the article of footwear;

the plastic traction member is secured to the insert during a molding process, and encases the insert with the exception of the engagement means, thereby holding the traction member captive on the insert;

wherein the insert is made entirely from a synthetic plastic material having a greater hardness than the traction member; and

wherein the insert includes a stem portion having a first end and a second end;

an engagement means at the first end of the stem portion for releasable engagement with a complementary engagement formation defined on an undersole of the article of footwear; and

a securing formation extending from the second end of the stem portion for securing the traction member to the insert; and

a raised spike opposite the first end of the stem portion, the raised spike being aligned with a traction member spike to cooperate therewith and function as a visual wear indicator for the cleat.

2. The cleat according to claim 1, wherein the insert is formed of a synthetic plastic material having a hardness between 75 MPa and 85 MPa.

3. The cleat according to claim 1, wherein the insert and traction member are made from different color materials.

4. A cleat according to claim 1, wherein the traction member includes a pair of passages arranged immediately adjacent to the insert, for receiving corresponding portions of a tool for fastening the cleat to the article of footwear.

5. The cleat according to claim 1, wherein the securing formation is a flange extending radially from the stem portion.

6. The cleat according to claim 5, wherein the flange includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough.