The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing spikes for sports shoes, the method comprising: a primary injection-molding step for fixing a plurality of spike pin heads to one surface of a first fixed plate when injection-molding the first fixed plate such that the tip ends of the plurality of spike pins are exposed through the surface of the first fixed plate; a secondary injection-molding step for fixing a plurality of first fixed plates to one surface of a second fixed plate when injection-molding the second fixed plate, wherein the surfaces of the first fixed plates that are opposite to the surfaces to which the spike pines are fixed to the second fixed plate; and a second-fixed-plate fixing step for fixing, to the bottom of an outsole, the surface of the second fixed plate opposite to the surface to which the first fixed plates are fixed.

This disclosure, and the exemplary embodiments described herein, provide an overshoe cleat platform and associated cleats (EasyCleat) where the overshoe cleat platform is removably attachable to a shoe. Advantages associated with the EasyCleat include a relatively inexpensive alternative to traditional cleated athletic shoes, whereby a user can place the EasyCleat on traditional athletic shoes, i.e., tennis shoes, sneakers, etc. Furthermore, the EasyCleat can be used on a range of shoe sizes, therefore eliminating the need to replace cleated athletic shoes as the youth's shoe size increases. According to an exemplary embodiment, the overshoe cleat platform includes a toe portion, a heel portion; an overshoe connecting portion; and an adjustment mechanism operatively associated with adjusting a tension of the overshoe connecting portion to engage and attach the toe portion and heel portion to the shoe.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper. The sole structure includes a zoned plate with stability areas and flexure areas. The sole structure may further include a two-part midsole including a low recovery foam and a high recovery foam. In another embodiment, the sole structure includes reinforcing plate placed at a selected location between the zoned plate and a midsole. With this configuration, the sole structure encourages proper foot placement along the sole structure during a golf swing, thereby increasing shoe contact time with the ground and/or golf swing mechanics.

A protective covering device for the bottom of an athletic shoe having cleats, spikes, studs, or other traction and stability-enhancing protrusions is disclosed. The covering protects against damageto both cleats and hard surfaces underfootwhile at the same time being aesthetically pleasing and durable, fitting the profile of the shoe, and being easy to use. The protective covering also helps to avoid grass, dirt, mud and other foreign objects becoming stuck in the cleats. The protective covering may attach to the shoe in a variety of manners, including by cage or teeth-like gripping mechanisms, by side grips, by elastic band, by drawstring, adhesion, vacuum, or another mechanism.

Footwear element including a flexible outer sole assembly and a flexible upper, the footwear element extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and height-wise from an outer surface of the outer sole assembly to an upper end, the footwear element having a shoe insertion opening. The footwear element includes spikes projecting from the area of the outer surface of the outer sole assembly. The footwear element includes at least one reinforcement, the reinforcement including a base and a wall, the base extending opposite the outer sole assembly outside of the footwear element, the wall extending from the base toward the upper end, also outside of the footwear element.

Articles of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology include a simple construction that includes three main parts, with each made from a single material and fit together in a releasable manner. The invention enhances the recyclability and sustainable nature of the article of footwear and shoe. At least some more specific aspects of this technology relate to footwear structure that may include three main parts: (a) an outer cage, which may include a single piece having features of: (i) a footwear upper and (ii) a sole structure having one or more cleat outer shells; (b) an inner upper component; and (c) a chassis and heel counter component with a bottom surface thereof that includes one or more cleat inserts and supports that fit inside the one or more cleat outer shells.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an outsole and a membrane layer. The outsole has a plurality of protrusions that extend from a base layer. The membrane layer extends between the plurality of protrusions and includes at least a portion that is separated from the base layer by a distance. The membrane layer forms an outer surface of the article of footwear, and is configured to elastically deform toward the base layer in response to an applied force.

The present invention is embodied in a new aerodynamic cover for a bicycle shoe and clipless bicycle pedal for improving speed when cycling. The aerodynamic cover comprises a main body including an ankle portion having a rear side, a heel portion connected to the ankle portion, and a sole portion connected to the heel portion and having an underside. An opening is formed in the sole portion for allowing a bicycle pedal to be engaged to the bicycle cleat. An outwardly extending fin stretches from the rear side of the ankle portion, around the heel portion, to the underside of the sole portion. In one embodiment, the aerodynamic cover further comprises a pedal layer, a cleat layer, and a base plate layer. A gap is defined between the pedal layer and the cleat layer. The gap inhibits excessive friction between the pedal layer and the cleat layer as the cleat is pivoted with respect to the pedal.

A shoe covering may include an interior member and an exterior member. The interior member may be configured to be positioned adjacent a shoe outsole during use. The exterior member may be configured to be positioned adjacent a ground surface during use. The shoe covering may be configured such that it may be relatively easily engaged with/disengaged from a shoe. An aspect of the shoe covering may be configured to provide the user with increased traction, comfort, cushioning, and/or protection of spikes on the shoe as compared to use of a shoe without the shoe covering engaged with the shoe.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper. The sole structure includes a zoned plate with stability areas and flexure areas. The sole structure may further include a two-part midsole including a low recovery foam and a high recovery foam. In another embodiment, the sole structure includes reinforcing plate placed at a selected location between the zoned plate and a midsole. With this configuration, the sole structure encourages proper foot placement along the sole structure during a golf swing, thereby increasing shoe contact time with the ground and/or golf swing mechanics.