Sole for a golf shoe

Abstract

An outer sole for a golf shoe includes a plurality of cleats distributed along a forefoot area and a heel area. The cleats are integrated with the outer sole and extend from a surface of the outer sole that faces away from the shoe. The plurality of cleats includes at least a larger sized set of cleats and a smaller sized set of cleats. Such outer sole for a golf shoe gives good traction on the golf course but is also useable as a casual shoe off the golf course.

Claims

1. A golf shoe having a sole, the sole comprising: an outer surface; and a plurality of cleats integrated with the outer surface and extending outwardly from the outer surface, the plurality of cleats distributed along at least a forefoot area and a heel area of the sole, wherein each cleat of the plurality of cleats includes: a base portion integrated with, and extending from, the outer surface of the sole, a central part having a ground contacting surface, a first arm extending radially outwards in a first direction from the central part to a terminal end of the first arm, and a second arm, adjacent to the first arm, extending radially outwards in a second direction from the central part to a terminal end of the second arm, each of the first and second arms having a ground contacting surface, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction, wherein at least a part of the cleats are arranged in at least two rows extending laterally across the sole, each row having at least three cleats, wherein a first row of the at least two rows is positioned in the heel area of the sole and wherein a second row of the at least two rows is positioned in the forefoot area of the sole, wherein at least one of the first row or the second row includes: at least one central cleat having a first distance between the central part of the central cleat and the terminal end of one of the first and second arms of the central cleat, a medial cleat having a second distance between the central part of the medial cleat and the terminal end of one of the first and second arms of the medial cleat, and a lateral cleat having a third distance between the central part of the lateral cleat and the terminal end of one of the first and second arms of the lateral cleat, wherein the second distance and the third distance are smaller than the first distance, and wherein the medial cleat and lateral cleat are arranged only at the ends of the at least one of the first row or second row, wherein the sole includes an inter-cleat portion located between an outer perimeter of the base portion of one of the central, medial, and lateral cleats, and an outer perimeter of the base portion of another of the central, medial, and lateral cleats, and wherein the ground contacting surfaces of the central, medial, and lateral cleats form a bottom surface of the golf shoe, such that a maximum height of the inter-cleat portion is smaller than heights of the ground contacting surfaces of the central, medial, and lateral cleats.

2. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the central, medial, and lateral cleats are tapered in a direction from the outer surface of the sole towards the bottom surface of the golf shoe, such that the central, medial, and lateral cleats form truncated cones.

3. The golf shoe according to claim 2, wherein the central, medial, and lateral cleats have a tapering of between 60 degrees and 85 degrees with a horizontal plane.

4. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the golf shoe includes at least one ground contacting surface of each of the plurality of cleats, and wherein a total surface area of the bottom surface of the golf shoe is 25% to 40% of a total surface area of the outer surface of the sole.

5. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein cleats having a smaller size substantially encircle cleats having a larger size.

6. A golf shoe having a sole, the sole comprising: an outer surface; and a plurality of cleats integrated with the outer surface and extending outwardly from the outer surface, the plurality of cleats distributed along at least a forefoot area and a heel area of the sole, wherein each cleat of the plurality of cleats includes: a base portion integrated with, and extending from, the outer surface of the sole, a central part having a ground contacting surface, and at least one arm extending radially outwards from the central part to a terminal end of the at least one arm, the at least one arm having a ground contacting surface, wherein at least a part of the cleats are arranged in at least two rows extending laterally across the sole, each row having at least three cleats, wherein a first row of the at least two rows is positioned in the heel area of the sole and wherein a second row of the at least two rows is positioned in the forefoot area of the sole, wherein at least one of the first row or the second row includes: at least one central cleat having a first distance between the central part of the central cleat and the terminal end of the at least one arm of the central cleat, a medial cleat having a second distance between the central part of the medial cleat and the terminal end of the at least one arm of the medial cleat, and a lateral cleat having a third distance between the central part of the lateral cleat and the terminal end of the at least one arm of the lateral cleat, wherein the second distance and the third distance are smaller than the first distance, wherein the sole includes an inter-cleat portion located between an outer perimeter of the base portion of one of the central, medial, and lateral cleats, and an outer perimeter of the base portion of another of the central, medial, and lateral cleats, wherein the ground contacting surfaces of the central, medial, and lateral cleats form a bottom surface of the golf shoe, such that a maximum height of the inter-cleat portion is smaller than heights of the ground contacting surfaces of the central, medial, and lateral cleats, wherein all of the cleats are arranged in rows extending laterally across the sole, and wherein all of the cleats of at least one row of cleats in the heel area have smaller heights than all of the cleats of at least one other row in the heel area.

7. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the forefoot area of the sole has more cleats than the heel area of the sole.

8. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein at least one cleat is offset from an adjacent cleat along a longitudinal length of the sole.

9. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the heights of the ground contacting surfaces of the central cleat are greater than the heights of the ground contacting surfaces of at least one of the medial or lateral cleats.

10. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the forefoot area of the sole includes a ball area and a toe area, the ball area and the heel area having cleats that are substantially equal in height.

11. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole has a thickness of about 0.098 inch to about 0.118 inch.

12. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane and polyurethane and rubber.

13. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the cleats of the plurality of cleats extend from the outer surface at heights selected from the group consisting of 0.079 inch, 0.118 inch, and 0.197 inch.

14. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein each cleat of the plurality of cleats comprises a shape of a truncated cone.

15. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein a ratio between a total surface area of ground contacting surfaces of the plurality of cleats and a total surface area of the outer surface of the sole is between about 0.25 and 0.60.

16. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein each of the first row and second row extends in a direction from an inner periphery of the sole to an outer periphery of the sole.

17. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein one of the first row or second row has cleats having a larger size, and the other of the first row or second row has cleats having a smaller size.

18. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein each row is arranged along a substantially straight line.

19. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein a straight line intersects a part of a cleat along at least one row.

20. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein each of the first row and second row has at least one cleat having a larger size and at least one cleat having a smaller size.

21. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein each of the central, medial, and lateral cleats includes third and fourth arms extending radially outward away from the central part thereof, such that the arms of each of the central, medial, and lateral cleats form a cross shape.

22. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein a toe end of the sole is provided with cleats having a smaller size than at least one cleat of the first row and at least one cleat of the second row.

23. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein a toe end of the sole is provided with at least three cleats having a smaller size than at least one cleat of the first row and at least one cleat of the second row, wherein each cleat provided in the toe end is positioned at a periphery of the sole in the toe end.

24. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein a heel end of the sole comprises cleats having a smaller size than at least one cleat of the first row and at least one cleat of the second row.

25. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein for each of the central, medial, and lateral cleats, the first and second arms are diametrically opposed.

26. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein each of the central, medial, and lateral cleats has at least two pairs of diametrically opposed arms extending radially out from the central part of the cleat.

27. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the ground contacting surfaces of the arms of the central, medial, and lateral cleats are configured to prevent the central, medial, and lateral cleats from penetrating the ground surface.

28. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the ground contacting surfaces of the central parts of the central, medial, and lateral cleats are substantially flat.

29. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the ground contacting surfaces of the arms of the central, medial, and lateral cleats are substantially flat.

30. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein for at least one of the central, medial, or lateral cleats, a part of the ground contacting surface of the central part and a part of the ground contacting surface of one of the first and second arms are substantially flush with one another.

31. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the central part of at least one of the central, medial, or lateral cleats has a substantially circular shape.

32. The golf shoe according to claim 31, wherein each radially extending arm of the at least one of the central, medial, or lateral cleats extends in a radial direction away from the circular central part.

33. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the first row is positioned in closer proximity to a terminal end of the heel area of the sole than to a midfoot area of the sole.

34. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the second row is positioned in closer proximity to a terminal end of the forefoot area of the sole than to a midfoot area of the sole.

35. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein a first transverse axis of the first row is curved and intersects the central part of the at least one central cleat of the first row, the central part of the medial cleat of the first row, and the central part of the lateral cleat of the first row.

36. The golf shoe according to claim 35, wherein the first transverse axis is curved such that a first end and a second end of the first transverse axis are closer to a midfoot area of the sole than a midpoint of the first transverse axis.

37. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the cleats are arranged in a third row of cleats, the third row having at least one central cleat that has a first size, a medial cleat that has a second size, and a lateral cleat that has a third size, wherein the second size and the third size are smaller than the first size.

38. The golf shoe according to claim 37, wherein the second size and the third size are the same size.

39. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the first row is positioned at a terminal end of the heel area of the sole in a longitudinal direction away from a midfoot area of the sole, such that no cleats are positioned between the first row and a heel end of the sole.

40. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleats includes a third row of cleats extending laterally across the sole, the third row being positioned at a terminal end of the forefoot area of the sole in a longitudinal direction away from a midfoot area of the sole, such that no cleats are positioned between the third row and a toe end of the sole, and wherein the third row of cleats includes: a medial cleat having a fourth distance between the central part of the medial cleat and the terminal end of one of the first and second arms of the medial cleat, and a lateral cleat having a fifth distance between the central part of the lateral cleat and the terminal end of one of the first and second arms of the lateral cleat, wherein the fourth distance and the fifth distance are smaller than the first distance.

41. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the ground contacting surface of the central part of each of the central, medial, and lateral cleats is generally circular.

42. The golf shoe according to claim 1, wherein the inter-cleat portion of the sole extends between the outer perimeter of the base portion of the one of the central, medial, and lateral cleats, and an outer perimeter of the base portion of a cleat that is situated outside of the at least one of the first row or the second row of cleats.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf shoe according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf shoe of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sole of the golf shoe of FIGS. 1-2;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of the sole of the golf shoe of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the sole of the golf shoe of FIGS. 1-3, with a plurality of cleats;

(6) FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of one of the cleats of FIG. 5;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleat of FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of the cleat of FIG. 7; and

(9) FIG. 9 is a section view of FIG. 4 taken along line 8-8 in the direction of a toe end of the shoe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a golf shoe 10 includes an upper 12 and a sole 14 extending from a toe end 16 to a heel end 18 and having a longitudinal length ‘l’. Referring to FIG. 3, the sole 14 has a foot bed 20, a mid-sole 22, and an outer sole 24. The foot bed 20 is the top portion of the sole 14 that is adjacent to the wearer's foot. Typically, in use, an inlay sole (not shown) will be placed on top of the foot bed 20. The mid-sole 22 is the portion of the sole sandwiched between the foot bed 20 and the outer sole 24. The mid-sole 22 is a reinforcing longitudinal element and may include a shank (not shown) to provide additional torsional stability to the sole 14.

(11) The outer sole 24 is the bottom portion of the sole 14 that is located below the mid-sole 22 and comes into contact with the ground. The outer sole 24 may have a thickness of between about 0.098 inch (2.5 mm) and about 0.118 inch (3 mm). The outer sole 24 has an outer surface 26 that extends across the bottom of the outer sole 24.

(12) Referring to FIG. 4, the sole 14 is divided into a forefoot 28, which includes a toe area 30 and a ball area 32, a mid-foot area 34, and a heel area 36. The outer sole 24 is substantially flat or horizontal, from the heel area 36 to the ball area 32. The outer sole 24 includes a curvature 38 along the toe area 30.

(13) Referring to FIG. 5, the outer sole 24 includes a first plurality of cleats 40 distributed along the forefoot 28 and a second plurality of cleats 42 distributed along the heel area 36. Each of the plurality of cleats 40, 42 includes a larger sized set of cleats 44 that are substantially encircled by a smaller sized set of cleats 46. The cleats 44, 46 are disposed on the outer surface 26 and extend downward therefrom. In an embodiment shown, the outer sole 24 has thirty-eight (38) of the larger cleats 44 substantially encircled by twenty (20) of the smaller cleats 46 in the ball area 32, and fourteen (14) of the larger cleats 44 substantially encircled by nine (9) of the smaller cleats 46 in the heel area 36. The total area of bottom surfaces 56, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, covered by the cleats is approximately 33% of the full outer surface 26 or also referred to as an outsole area. The preferred area coverage of the cleats lies in the range 25% to 40% of the outsole area 26. Cleat density is defined as a ratio of the number of cleats multiplied by the area of the cleat bottom surface 56 and divided by the full area of the outsole 26 and is important when considering walking comfort. Few large area cleats give poor walking comfort, while many small area cleats give good comfort but low grip. A trade off is needed, and the inventors have found that a cleat density equal to or above 0.25 and equal to or below 0.60 gives a good compromise between grip and balanced weight distribution. The preferred range is equal to or above 0.25 and equal to or below 0.40. The number of cleats should be chosen from the range between 40 and 100. In the current embodiment, there are 81 cleats covering approximately ⅓ of the outsole 26 surface area. This gives a cleat density of approximately 0.33.

(14) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each cleat 44, 46 has a cross-sectional shape that is essentially cross-shaped. More specifically, the cross-sectional shape is a cross 48 interlaid with and extending from a circle 50 (alternatively, “central part 50”) having a center point O. The cross-sectional shape of each cleat 44, 46 may also be described as a circle 50 having two pairs of diametrically opposed cross arms 52, 54 extending radially outward therefrom to respective terminal arm ends 52a, 54a. The diametrically opposed cross arms 52, 54 are substantially perpendicular to each other (i.e., arms 52, 54 may form a 90° angle with respect to center point O). The arms are connected by arc sections 53, and the number of arc sections 53 corresponds to the number of arms 52, 54. In this embodiment, four (4) arc sections 53 and four (4) arms 52, 54 are shown. Although there could be a greater or lesser number of arms and arc sections, four arcs and four arms provide superior traction results. The four arc segments are substantially concentric, i.e. they have the same center O, which is the geometrical middle point of the cleat, The arc segments 53 thus have the same radius of curvature r (=d/2), which is smaller than the distance L (=c/2) from the end 52a, 54a of a cross arm to the center. The radius r of the arc segments 53 can be decreased and increased; in the most extreme case it can be increased to the radius L corresponding to the length of the arms from their end 52a, 54a to the center O. In this case the cleat would simply have the shape of a conical cylinder. Each cleat 44, 46 includes a base portion 55 extending from the outer surface 26 and terminating in a bottom surface 56 which comes into contact with the ground. Each cleat 44, 46 is tapered from the outer perimeter 57 of the base portion 55 towards the bottom surface 56 such that the cross arm 52 has a larger width at the line where it meets the base surface 55 than at the bottom surface 56. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 8, there is a first inclination α of the base surface 55, and a second, steeper inclination β of the arm 52. The base surface 55 has the first inclination a of between 15 and 40 degrees with the horizontal plane defined as the outer surface 26, while the arm 52 has the second inclination β between 60 and 85 degrees with the horizontal plane or outer surface 26. A fillet radius 58 joins the cross 48 and the circle 50 with the outer surface 26 at the outer perimeter 57 of the base portion of each cleat 44, 46. As a result, the cross-section of each cleat 44, 46 decreases from the base portion 55 to the bottom surface 56. Because the cleat is integrally molded with the outsole, this gives a firm attachment and good stability especially during the golf swing, such firm attachment would not be obtained if the cleat was not integrally molded with the sole, but instead attached via a thread to a receptacle mounted in the sole. The firm grip is further enhanced through the tapering of the cleat.

(15) Each cross arm 52, 54 defines a cross arm length ‘c’ measured from one end of one of the arms (i.e., one of terminal ends 52a and 54a) to the other end of the corresponding arm. The cross arm lengths ‘c’ of each cross arm 52, 54 are substantially equal. The different sets of cleats 44, 46 have different cross arm lengths ‘c’, as for example 0.276 inch (7 mm) and 0.374 inch (9.5 mm). The different sets of cleats 44, 46 are substantially equally scaled by proportionally enlarging a diameter ‘d’ of the circle 50 and extending the length of the arms. A ratio of the cross arm length ‘c’ to the diameter ‘d’ of the circle 50 for each set of cleats 44, 46 is about 1.6.

(16) The arc segments 53 and the cross arms 52, 54 together define the bottom surface 56, which is substantially flat, wherein the arc segments and the arms are substantially flush with one another, i.e. there are no protrusions from the bottom surface, such that when the golf shoe is worn outside the golf course, the abrasive wear that would have resulted from such protrusions is minimized.

(17) Referring back to FIG. 5, one of the diametrically opposed arms 52, 54 is aligned with one of the diametrically opposed arms 52, 54 of an adjacent cleat 44, 46 along transverse rows 60. Some transverse rows, such as transverse row 64, may be curved and may intersect the central part (i.e., circle 50) of each cleat along the curved transverse row 64. Cleat 66 may be arranged at a midpoint of curved transverse row 64, such that the ends of curved transverse row 62 are closer to mid-foot area 34 than cleat 66. Referring to FIG. 9, the cleats 44, 46 are substantially equally spaced along the transverse rows 60. The spacing between each of the transverse rows 60 may vary. Some transverse rows 60 may be closer together, having a distance ‘a’ therebetween, and some transverse rows 60 may be further apart, having a distance ‘b’ therebetween.

(18) Along the longitudinal length l, each of the cleats 44, 46 is shifted in relation to the preceding and following cleats 44, 46. As a result, each cleat 44, 46 is perpendicularly offset from an adjacent cleat 44, 46 along the longitudinal length ‘l’.

(19) Referring back to FIGS. 7 and 8, the different sets of cleats 44, 46 also have different heights ‘h’. The height of the larger sized cleats 44 is greater than the smaller sized cleats 46. In one embodiment, the height ‘h’ of the cleats 44, 46 when measured from the outer surface 26 of the outer sole 24 may be 0.079 inch (2 mm) and 0.118 inch (3 mm), respectively. These heights ‘h’ could be increased further up to 0.079 inch (2 mm) to improve the grip. However, there is a trade off between having greater height of the cleat to improve grip and possibility of damaging the green.

(20) Referring back to FIG. 5, the highest cleats 44 are located along the ball area 32 of the forefoot 28 and along the heel area 36. The ball area 32 and the heel area 36 have cleats 44 with substantially the same height ‘h’ to provide even distribution across the outer sole 24 of any reaction forces caused by the cleats 44, 46 coming into contact with the ground. The number of cleats 44, 46 is relatively high and the cross arm length ‘c’ and height ‘h’ of the cleats 44, 46 is relatively small in comparison to the overall area of the outer surface 26.

(21) Referring back to FIGS. 7 and 9, the outer sole 24 may include an inter-cleat portion 59 located between the outer perimeter 57 of the base portion of one of the cleats 44, 46, and the outer perimeter 57 of the base portion of another cleat 44, 46 (e.g., an adjacent cleat 44, 46). Inter-cleat portion 59 may have a height ‘h2’ that is smaller than the height ‘h’ of cleats 44, 46.

(22) The mid-sole 22 can be fabricated from polyurethane or any other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sole 24 is molded from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). It is also contemplated that the outer sole 24 may be fabricated from rubber or polyurethane (PU) or any other suitable material.

(23) In operation, the outer sole 24 has a relatively high number of cleats 44, 46 with relatively low heights ‘h’. The relatively high number of cleats 44, 46 aids in evenly distributing any reaction forces across the outer sole 24 of the golf shoe 10. The relatively low heights ‘h’ of the cleats 44, 46 aid in distributing the weight of the golfer among the cleats 44, 46 and the outer surface 26 to prevent the cleats 44, 46 from excessively digging into a putting green. As the larger cleats 44 disposed in two critical areas of the shoe 10, the forefoot 28 and heel area 36, have the same height, there are no “prepressing” zones on the sole. An evenly distributed load across the golf shoe 10 allows the cleats 44, 46 to provide sufficient grip without causing an excessive amount of damage to the putting green.

(24) One advantage of the present invention is that the plurality of cross-shaped cleats 44, 46 allows the golf shoe 10 to achieve a firm grip on a putting green. The cross-shaped cleats 44, 46 counteract a twisting torque exerted on the sole 14 during a golf swing. A large number of cross-shaped cleats 44, 46 with a relatively small height ‘h’ gives the golf shoe 10 an improved grip.

(25) Another advantage of the present invention is that the outer sole 24 has no sharp internal corners or edges. The circle 50 connects the cross arms 52, 54 of the cross 48 to aid in sparing the putting green from damage by eliminating sharp internal corners or edges. The elimination of sharp internal corners also minimizes collecting mud and grass on the shoe 10 during use.

(26) A further advantage is that the golf shoe 10 can be used as a casual shoe. The shape, size, and location of the cleats 44, 46 eliminate the need for changing into other shoes before or after a round of golf. The cleats 44, 46 act together to distribute the load evenly across the outer sole 24 and into the foot to make walking on normal streets and other surfaces possible. The golf shoe 10 can be comfortably used outside the green, as for example while driving a car.

(27) Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and additions may be made thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although specific dimensions have been disclosed, the cross arm length ‘c’ and the height ‘h’ may be greater or less than the specific dimensions disclosed. Further, each of the larger and smaller sets of cleats 44, 46 may include more or less than the number disclosed above in each of the forefoot and heal area and in varying configurations.