SOFTSPIKES, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100257751 | Method and Apparatus for Interconnecting Traction Cleats and Receptacles - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 10-14-2010 |
20100186262 | Replaceable Traction Cleat for Footwear - Adjustable traction is provided in a traction cleat by selectively restricting or not the amount of flexure permitted for a dynamic traction element on the cleat. Restricting flexure is alternatively achieved by an adjustably positionable ring or by rotating the cleat to align the dynamic element with different shoe sole topographical features. A dual locking post is provided to reduce the surface area required on the cleat hub for locking structures. The cleat is formed in a two shot molding process that permits elongations of the dynamic traction elements without sacrificing the integrity of the cleat structure. | 07-29-2010 |
20100095858 | Golf Ball Marking Stencil and Method of Use - A golf ball marking stencil includes two caps, resiliently biased toward one another, configured as spherical segments defining a cavity therebetween to securely retain a golf ball. Stencil slots for marking putt alignment path, putter face squareness and swing path lines are defined in the caps. Actuator tabs project from the caps and may be pinched together in opposition to a bias spring to force the caps open to expose the cavity. The spring force of the bias spring prevents movement of a retained golf ball relative to the caps. The cavity periphery is contoured to permit a marker pen to be engaged therein when the cavity does not contain a golf ball. | 04-22-2010 |
20090293317 | Adjustable Traction System and Method for Footwear - Tractional characteristics of athletic shoe cleats are adjustable by selectively blocking and unblocking the amount of flexure of dynamic traction elements on the cleat. Blocking is achieved as a function of rotational starting locations during cleat attachment to an outsole receptacle by placing material or recesses in the outsole at different final rotational positions of the tractional elements. Alternatively, adjustability is obtained by attaching and angularly positioning a separate member, such as a ring, on the cleat with segments of the member positioned or not to block traction element flexure. | 12-03-2009 |
20090241379 | Traction Cleat System for an Athletic Shoe - A traction cleat system for an athletic shoe is disclosed. The system includes an elongated receptacle that receives a cleat strip. The elongated receptacle may be a channel or notch formed into the sole of the shoe. In one embodiment, the cleat strip includes an elongated, flexible hub, a cleat connector, and traction elements depending from the hub. The cleat strip is removable from the receptacle, permitting easy replacement of the cleat assembly when the traction elements become worn. | 10-01-2009 |
20090211118 | Traction Cleat for Field Sports - A cleat for use with an athletic shoe includes a hub, a stud of substantially non-flexible material and extending downwardly and away from a lower surface of the hub, a cleat connector extending upwardly and from an upper surface of the hub and configured to engage a shoe-mounted mating connector disposed on a sole of the shoe, the upper surface opposing the lower surface of the hub, and at least one dynamic traction element extending downwardly from the lower surface of the hub and adapted to flex upwardly when the cleat is connected to a shoe and the at least one dynamic traction element is forced downwardly to contact a ground surface due to a weight load applied to a shoe. The distal end of the stud extends further from the lower surface of the hub than the distal end of each unflexed dynamic traction element such that, when the shoe to which the cleat is connected is forced downward toward the ground surface, the stud contacts and/or begins to penetrate the ground surface to provide initial traction before each dynamic traction element makes contact with the ground surface. | 08-27-2009 |