Cleat assembly

• US 8,365,442 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Baker, Brian D., Baudouin, Alexandre, Bell, Thomas G., Peter, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patterson, Marie
• Application Number:
  US12/716,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20110214314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 36/67.R, 36/67.D, 36/59.R, 361/34, 361/14
• US Class Current: 36/59.R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/183 Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/184 the structure protruding from the outsole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/223 Profiled soles
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/162 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/168 with resilient means, e.g. shock absorbing means

Abstract

A cleat for use with an article of footwear is disclosed. The cleat includes a projection, a curved portion with a beveled edge, and a lever arm. A centipede cleat assembly can be formed from a plurality of cleats. The centipede cleat assembly attaches to an outsole of an article of footwear.

Claims

1. A cleat for an article of footwear comprising:

a first member including a lever arm terminating in a first end and a second end;

the first end further including a first projection and a first curved portion; and

a rib structure disposed a distance along the lever arm;

wherein the first curved portion includes a first beveled edge;

wherein the first projection extends a first distance from the curved portion; and

wherein the rib structure is integrally formed and continuous with the first projection so that the rib structure terminates in the first projection at the first end of the lever arm.

2. The cleat according to claim 1, wherein the curved portion defines a substantially planar surface.

3. The cleat according to claim 1, wherein the first curved portion is semi-circular.

4. The cleat according to claim 1, wherein the first projection is a dome.

5. The cleat according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first projection extends from the substantially planar surface of the curved portion.

6. An article of footwear, comprising the cleat according to claim 1, wherein the second end is attached to a sole structure of the article of footwear.

7. The cleat according to claim 1, wherein the second end comprises:

a second projection;

a second curved portion; and

wherein the second curved portion includes a second beveled edge.

8. An article of footwear including a cleat, the cleat comprising:

a first lever arm;

a first ground-engaging portion disposed at a first end of the first lever arm;

a second end of the first lever arm attached to a sole structure of the article of footwear; and

wherein the second end of the first lever arm curves upwards to conform to a shape of an outsole of the article of footwear.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the first lever arm further includes a rib structure disposed a distance along the first lever arm.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the first ground engaging portion comprises:

a projection;

a curved portion; and

wherein the first curved portion includes a beveled edge.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the curved portion is semi-circular.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the projection is a dome.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 8, further comprising:

a second lever arm including a second ground engaging portion disposed at a first end of the second lever arm; and

wherein a second end of the second lever arm is attached to the sole structure of the article of footwear to allow individual articulation of the second lever arm.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the second end of the first lever arm is attached to the second end of the second lever arm;

the cleat further comprises;

a rib structure disposed a distance along the first lever arm and the second lever arm.

15. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper;

a sole structure attached to the upper;

a plurality of cleats attached to the sole structure, wherein each of the plurality of cleats comprises;

a lever arm; and

a ground-engaging portion disposed at a first end of the lever arm;

the ground-engaging portion further including a projection and a curved portion;

wherein the curved portion includes a beveled edge; and

wherein the curved portion defines a substantially planar surface.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of cleats are attached to the sole structure at a second end of the lever arm to allow individual articulation of the lever arm.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the lever arm further includes a rib structure disposed a distance along the lever arm.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the projection extends outward a distance from the beveled edge.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the curved portion is semi-circular.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the projection is a dome.

21. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein, when a first amount of downward force is applied by a wearer of the article of footwear, the plurality of cleats hold the article of footwear at a first height above a playing surface.

22. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein, when a second amount of downward force is applied by a wearer of the article of footwear, the plurality of cleats articulate hold the article of footwear at a second height above the playing surface.

23. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the first end of the lever arm includes a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface.