Method of customized cleat arrangement

• US 8,219,461 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Langvin, Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Desai, Resha
• Application Number:
  US12/403,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20100235258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 705 261- 271, 361/13, 361/14, 36126-129, 361/32, 361/34
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/001 Golf shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/16 Studs or cleats for football or like boots
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A method for producing articles of footwear with customized cleat arrangements is disclosed. The method includes a step of designing a customized cleat arrangement using a graphical interface system; a step of drilling holes into an outer plate according to the designed customized cleat arrangement; a step of inserting receiving members into the holes; a step of attaching the outer plate to an upper; and a step of associating a plurality of cleats with the receiving members.

Claims

1. A method of customizing a cleat arrangement for an article of footwear, comprising the steps of:

providing a graphical interface system for designing a customized cleat arrangement;

receiving a design including a customized cleat arrangement, the customized cleat arrangement comprising at least locations and number of cleats;

selecting an outer plate sized according to a customer preference associated with the customized cleat arrangement;

drilling holes in the outer plate, the locations and number of holes in the outer plate corresponding to the locations and number of the cleats in the customized cleat arrangement;

attaching the outer plate to a footwear upper and forming an assembled article of footwear;

associating a set of cleats with the assembled article of footwear; and

shipping the assembled article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the graphical interface system includes a set of graphics tools.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising associating receiving members with the outer plate;

and

wherein the receiving members include flanges.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the flanges of the receiving members are disposed against an upper side of the outer plate.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of forming holes is followed by a step of inserting receiving members into the holes of the outer plate.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the receiving members include hollow threaded cores configured to receive cleats.

7. A method for producing an article of footwear with a customized cleat arrangement, comprising the steps of:

receiving a customized cleat arrangement from a customer, the customized cleat arrangement comprising at least location and number of cleats;

selecting an outer plate corresponding to a size selected by the customer;

drilling holes in the outer plate, the locations and number of holes in the outer plate corresponding to the locations and number of the cleats in the customized cleat arrangement;

inserting receiving members into the holes of the outer plate;

attaching the outer plate to a footwear upper and forming an assembled article of footwear;

associating a set of cleats with the assembled article of footwear; and

shipping the assembled article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of receiving the customized cleat arrangement from the customer includes a step of accessing the Internet.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the customized cleat arrangement is received by mail or fax.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of drilling holes in the outer plate includes controlling a drill.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the drill is automated.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the drill is controlled by a computer.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the drill is controlled manually.