OVERSHOE CLEAT PLATFORM ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED CLEAT

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. An overshoe cleat platform assembly and associated cleats, the overshoe cleat platform assembly removably attachable to a shoe and the overshoe cleat platform comprising: a toe portion including a sided toe portion platform to receive a toe portion of the shoe, the sided toe portion platform sides extending substantially vertically to retain the toe portion within a width of the sided platform, and the toe portion including at least two cleats mounted on a bottom surface of the toe portion platform; a heel portion including a sided heel portion platform to receive a heel portion of the shoe, the sided heel portion platform sides extending substantially vertically to retain the heel portion within a width of the sided platform, and the heel portion including at least two cleats mounted on a bottom surface of the heel portion platform; an overshoe connecting portion, the overshoe connecting portion operatively connecting the toe portion and the heel portion to the shoe; 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, wherein the toe portion and heel portion are each part operatively connected to a U shaped sizing mechanism to provide an adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform to accommodate multiple shoe size lengths.

2. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a flat name labelling surface located on the toe portion or heel portion.

3. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein the overshoe connecting portion is a webbing including one or more of flexible plastic bands, and nylon strapping.

4. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein the toe portion and heel portion are each part of a single expandable member of the overshoe cleat platform, and the single expandable member is operatively connected to the sizing mechanism to provide an adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform to accommodate multiple shoe size lengths.

5. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 4, wherein the sizing mechanism includes one of a knob, buckle, clasp, or straps to provide the adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform.

6. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein the toe portion and heel portion are distinct portions of the overshoe cleat platform, and the toe portion and heel portion each include a part of the sizing mechanism to provide an adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform to accommodate multiple shoe size lengths.

7. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 6, wherein the toe portion and heel portion slidably engage with each other to accommodate the multiple shoe size lengths.

8. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 6, wherein the sizing mechanism includes one of a knob, buckle, clasp, or straps to provide the adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform.

9. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein the overshoe connection portion extends over the shoe and attaches to the toe portion and heel portion at locations at least 1 inch from a bottom surface of the toe portion and heel portion.

10. An overshoe cleat platform assembly and associated cleats, the overshoe cleat platform assembly removably attachable to a shoe and the overshoe cleat platform comprising: a toe portion including a sided toe portion platform to receive a toe portion of the shoe, the sided toe portion platform sides extending substantially vertically to retain the toe portion within a width of the sided platform, and the toe portion including at least two cleats mounted on a bottom surface of the toe portion platform; a heel portion including a sided heel portion platform to receive a heel portion of the shoe, the sided heel portion platform sides extending substantially vertically to retain the heel portion within a width of the sided platform, and the heel portion including at least two cleats mounted on a bottom surface of the heel portion platform; an overshoe webbing connecting portion, the overshoe webbing connecting portion operatively connecting the toe portion and the heel portion to the shoe; and a webbing adjustment mechanism operatively associated with adjusting a tension of the overshoe webbing connecting portion to engage and attach the toe portion and heel portion to the shoe; wherein the toe portion and heel portion are each part of a single expandable member of the overshoe cleat platform, and the single expandable member is operatively connected to a U shaped sizing mechanism to provide an adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform to accommodate multiple shoe size lengths, the sizing mechanism including one of a knob, buckle, clasp, or straps to provide the adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform.

11. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 10, further comprising: a flat name labelling surface located on the toe portion or heel portion.

12. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 10, wherein the overshoe connecting portion is a webbing including one or more of flexible plastic bands, and nylon strapping.

13. The overshoe cleat platform assembly according to claim 10, wherein the overshoe connection portion extends over the shoe and attaches to the toe portion and heel portion at locations at least 1 inch from a bottom surface of the toe portion and heel portion.

14. An overshoe cleat platform assembly and associated cleats, the overshoe cleat platform assembly removably attachable to a shoe and the overshoe cleat platform comprising: a toe portion including a sided toe portion platform to receive a toe portion of the shoe, the sided toe portion platform sides extending substantially vertically to retain the toe portion within a width of the sided platform, and the toe portion including at least two cleats mounted on a bottom surface of the toe portion platform; a heel portion including a sided heel portion platform to receive a heel portion of the shoe, the sided heel portion platform sides extending substantially vertically to retain the heel portion within a width of the sided platform, and the heel portion including at least two cleats mounted on a bottom surface of the heel portion platform; an overshoe webbing connecting portion, the overshoe webbing connecting portion operatively connecting the toe portion and the heel portion to the shoe; and a webbing adjustment mechanism operatively associated with adjusting a tension of the overshoe webbing connecting portion to engage and attach the toe portion and heel portion to the shoe; wherein the toe portion and heel portion are distinct portions of the overshoe cleat platform, and the toe portion and heel portion each include a part of a U shaped connecting mechanism to provide an adjustable length of the overshoe cleat platform to accommodate multiple shoe size lengths, the toe portion and heel portion slidably engage with each other to accommodate the multiple shoe size lengths, and the

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 shows an overshoe cleat platform assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the overshoe cleat platform assembly including a rear cleat platform 101A including spikes/cleats 102, a front cleat platform 101B, and a web and cover assembly including straps 204 and 205 to attach the entire overshoe cleat platform assembly to an athletic type of shoe 301.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary overshoe cleat platform assembly shown in FIG. 1, this view further illustrating strap feed through holes or grommets 106 and 107 to route the attachment straps 204 and 205, e.g., velcro strap, from the webbing and cover assembly, over the shoe 301, through another set of strap feed through holes (not shown) back over the shoe 301 for securing the shoe 301 to the cleat platform 101.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of a cleat platform arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this figure also showing a toe/heel connecting mechanism or length strips 110 which adjustably connect the heel cleat platform 101A to the toe cleat platform 101B. A length adjustment knob assembly 120 provides length adjustment of the cleat platform thereby accommodating a range of shoe length sizes.

[0011] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are more detailed views of the cleat platform assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, further illustrating details of the length adjustment mechanism 110 and 120 and the mating relationship of the rear and front cleat platforms 101A and 101B with the webbing and cover assembly 201.

[0012] FIGS. 5A and 5B are top views of the cleat platform which shows a nominal shortest cleat platform length (FIG. 5A) and longest or extended cleat platform length (FIG. 5B).

[0013] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show further details of the webbing and cover assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure,

[0014] FIG. 7 show a back/heel attachment strap 121 for securing, in part, the cleat platform assembly to a user's shoe collar with a clasp or flexible tab 122, the back/heel attachment strap also including a label 131 to, for example, identify the owner of the shoes or cleat platform assembly.

[0015] FIGS. 8A and 8B are additional and more detailed views the back/heel attachment strap 121 and label 131, showing these components integrated with the webbing and cover assembly 201.

[0016] FIGS. 9A and 9B are a top view (FIG. 9A) and a bottom view (FIG. 9B) which shown a cleat platform assembly including a width adjustment mechanism 410A, 410B, 420A, and 411A, 411B and 420B to provide a width adjustment of the cleat platform to accommodate a range of shoe widths according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 10A and 10B are top views of the cleat platform shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B which shows a nominal narrowest cleat platform width (FIG. 10A) and widest or extended cleat platform width (FIG. 10B).

[0018] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are top views of a cleat platform according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, this embodiment including a cleat platform length adjustment mechanism and a cleat platform width adjustment mechanism, where FIG. 11A shows the cleat platform at a nominal or narrowest width and extended length, FIG. 11B shows the cleat platform at a nominal or shortest length and extended width, and FIG. 11C shows the cleat platform at an extended length and extended width.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] This disclosure and the exemplary embodiments described herein provide an overshoe cleat platform, including cleats, to attach to an athletic shoe, such as a tennis shoe, sneaker, etc. The overshoe cleat platform includes one or both of a length adjustment mechanism and width adjustment mechanism, thereby enabling the cleat platform assembly to accommodate a range of shoe lengths and widths and reducing the number of times a youth athlete is required to purchase new cleats as the youth ages and his/her feet grow.

[0020] The overshoe cleat platform assembly (EasyCleat) disclosed is an attachable product that makes a regular sneaker, a cleat. The EasyCleat is able to attach to a shoe and transform the shoe to a cleated shoe, thereby providing a practical and relatively inexpensive cleat product. This benefit/advantage of the EasyCleat is especially important to children who are learning and trying out sports, and older kids who are playing a sport that requires a cleat for fun and are not serious about it. The EasyCleat generally has the same number of spikes, and types of traction that a conventional cleated shoe normally includes.

[0021] The EasyCleat has multiple features besides the use of traditional spikes on the bottom. The EasyCleat is a little longer and wider than the shoe length and width of which its attached to. If you are trying to put the EasyCleat on a size 6 shoe, example, design of the EasyCleat is ever, ever so slightly bigger, for example a centimeter or so.

[0022] A webbing design on all sides (extending along the perimeter) of the EasyCleat attaches the entire cleat platform, i.e. EasyCleat, to the bottom of a shoe, and the webbing and affixed strap hold the cleat platform securely to a shoe. In other words, the shoe should is not able to wiggle or move within the EasyCleat. The webbing design also includes limitations in height from the bottom of the shoe, for example 1 inch, where the wearer can kick a ball without any interference from the EasyCleat webbing.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, shown is an overshoe cleat platform assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the overshoe cleat platform assembly including a rear cleat platform 101A including spikes/cleats 102, a front cleat platform 101B, and a web and cover assembly including straps 204 and 205 to attach the entire overshoe cleat platform assembly to an athletic type of shoe 301.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment, straps 201 and 204 are made of a velcro material and are attached to the webbing on the left side of the cleat platform. The highest strap 204 is ? to 1 inch below the straps or laces of the shoe to which the cleat platform is attached. The second, i.e., lower strap 205 is located approximately ? to 1 inch from the upper strap 204.

[0025] The webbing 202 is made of a strong, slightly stretchable material, for example a nylon or polypropylene fabric. The webbing has a top strip portion and a lower strip portion, whereby a continuous zigzagging WWW webbing pattern connects the top and lower webbing portions.

[0026] A cover made of a light, i.e., translucent or see-through, material connects the webbing to the rims of the cleat platform. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cover is made of a nylon or polypropylene fabric.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, shown is an exploded view of the exemplary overshoe cleat platform assembly shown in FIG. 1, this view further illustrating strap feed through holes or grommets 106 and 107 to route the attachment straps 204 and 205, e.g., velcro strap, from the webbing and cover assembly, over the shoe 301, through another set of strap feed through holes (not shown) back over the shoe 301 for securing the shoe 301 to the cleat platform 101.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 3, shown is a top view of a cleat platform arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this figure also showing a toe/heel connecting mechanism or length strips 110 which adjustably connect the heel cleat platform 101A to the toe cleat platform 101B. A length adjustment knob assembly 120 provides length adjustment of the cleat platform thereby accommodating a range of shoe length sizes. The length strips 110 are elongated U shaped plastic or metal strips which connect to the center of a knob assembly 120 located near the center of the back heal portion. The knob is also located on an external surface of the cleat platform. When the knob is turned, for example to the left, the length strip(s) are drawn outward, thereby shortening the cleat platform by drawing the front cleat platform 101B towards the rear cleat platform 101A. When the knob is turned, for example to the right, the length strip(s) are pushed outward, thereby lengthening the cleat platform by pushing the front cleat platform 101B away from the rear cleat platform 101A.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the length strips 110 are a single elongated U shaped plastic or metal strip which is fixed to the center of a threaded knob assembly 120 located near the center of the back heal portion. The strips are fixed within the platform, and the webbing covers the platform of the knob, so only the knob face is exposed. In other words, the knob 120 is interconnected with the length straps. It's one piece, with the length straps being in the platform. When the knob is turned, it pulls or pushes the strips 110 which shorten or lengthen the platform thereby providing an adjustment to a range of shoe length sizes.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the length adjustment mechanism can adjust the EasyCleat to accommodate a range of a ? to full size. In other words, according to one embodiment, a shoe size of 6-6.5 or 6-7 can be accommodated by a single model of EasyCleat.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment, the length adjustment knob includes two separating parts to enable width adjustment of the cleat platform as will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, shown are more detailed views of the cleat platform assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, further illustrating details of the length adjustment mechanism 110 and 120 and the mating relationship of the rear and front cleat platforms 101A and 101B with the webbing and cover assembly 201.

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, shown are top views of the cleat platform which shows a nominal shortest cleat platform length (FIG. 5A) and longest or extended cleat platform length (FIG. 5B). According to a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, L.sub.1 is the overall length of the EasyCleat at its shortest length, for example, 6 inches; G.sub.L1 is gap length when the EasyCleat at its shortest length, for example 0 inches; L.sub.2 is the overall length of the EasyCleat at its longest length, for example 7 inches; and G.sub.L2 is the overall gap length of the EasyCleat at its longest length, for example, 1 inch.

[0034] With reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, shown are further details of the webbing and cover assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

[0035] As shown in the FIGS., the webbing 201 includes strap loops/strap rings/strap clasps/strap buckles 221/222/223/224 to attach the strap 204/205 for securing the EasyCleat to a shoe. The strap 204/205, according to one example, includes a Velcro strip, folded back at one end to make a loop 232 and attached at 233. According to one exemplary embodiment, the loop 232 is permanently attached to loops 221/223 or, alternatively, loops 222/224.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 7, shown is a back/heel attachment strap 121 for securing, in part, the cleat platform assembly to a user's shoe collar with a clasp 122, the back/heel attachment strap also including label 131 to, for example, identify the owner of the shoes or cleat platform assembly. One example material for the label 131 is plastic where a wearer can use a permanent marker to identify the owner of the EasyCleat.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the backstrap is a hard plastic strip that connects to the top of the webbing and is vertically aligned along the rear of the EasyCleat and extends over the rear collar of the shoe.

[0038] The bottom part of the backstrap is attached to the back heel of the EasyCleat. There is then a strip of plastic vertically extending up, for example, approximately 2 inches. According to an exemplary embodiment, the top of the backstrap is shaped like a relatively large paper clip with enough separation to attach to the topline of a shoe. To attach the EasyCleat to a shoe, i.e. the topline, the wearer bends the top of the strip so that the top part of the paperclip feature, or gap between the two walls is facing downwards, then it is connect to the topline/outer rim of the shoe. The wearer's fingers can stretch it out, and then clip, or the wearer can slide it on the ridge of the top part of the shoe topline.

[0039] With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, shown are additional and more detailed views the back/heel attachment strap 121 and label 131, showing these components integrated with the webbing and cover assembly 201.

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, shown are a top view (FIG. 9A) and a bottom view (FIG. 9B) which show a cleat platform assembly including a width adjustment mechanism 410A, 410B, 420A, and 411A, 411B and 420B to provide a width adjustment of the cleat platform to accommodate a range of shoe widths according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

[0041] As shown, the width strips 410A and 410B run across the cleat platform. Each set of width strips is located on a separate distinct cleat platform portion, i.e. the left cleat platform portion 401A and 401B. On the bottom of the cleat platform, the strips are connected together using a knob arrangement which is accessible to the wearer of the shoes and EasyCleat.

[0042] When the knob 420A/420B is turned, for example to the left, the width strip(s) are drawn towards each other, thereby reducing the width of the cleat platform by drawing the left cleat platform 401B and right cleat platform 401A towards each other When the knob 420A/420B is turned, for example to the right, the strip(s) are pushed away from each other, thereby increasing the width of the cleat platform by pushing the left cleat platform 401B and rear cleat platform 401A away from each other. In other words, the 2 width straps 410A/410B basically operate as the length strip(s) mechanism including the length straps, except the straps are attached to a knob or threaded knob located at the bottom of the platform. Also, for the width adjustment knobs, the wearer feels a click, or some sort of resistance as the knob is turned providing an indication of an incremental width adjustment level, for example level 1, level 2, etc. Because the spikes extend beyond the bottom of the EasyCleat platform, there is a void between the bottom base of the platform ends of the spike. In other words, the void between the ground surface and the bottom base of the platform provides clearance for the width adjustment knobs such that the knobs will not interfere with the wearers playing.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, a threaded tapered knob is used to adjust the EasyCleat width, where the width strips 410A/4108 push away from each other (widening) as the knob 420A/420B threads into the cleat platform, and the width strips 410A/410B can be pulled towards each other as the knob 420A/420B threads out of the cleat platform.

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the width adjustment mechanism can adjust the EasyCleat to accommodate a range of a full increment or two in shoe size width. In other words, according to one embodiment, a shoe size of 6C to 6E can be accommodated by a single model of EasyCleat.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, shown are top views of the cleat platform shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B which shows a nominal narrowest cleat platform width (FIG. 10A) and widest or extended cleat platform width (FIG. 10B).

[0046] With reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, shown are top views of a cleat platform according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, this embodiment including a cleat platform length adjustment mechanism and a cleat platform width adjustment mechanism, where FIG. 11A shows the cleat platform at a nominal or narrowest width and extended length, FIG. 11B shows the cleat platform at a nominal or shortest length and extended width, and FIG. 11C shows the cleat platform at an extended length and extended width.

[0047] In operation, a user of the EasyCleat will adjust the length of the cleat platform while the EasyCleat is at a minimize or nominal width. Then, after adjusting the cleat platform length, the user adjusts the width of the EasyCleat, i.e., cleat platform.

[0048] Provided below is a non-exhaustive table of reference characters used in this specification and accompanying drawings.

TABLE-US-00001 No. Description (all Labels) 101 cleat platform 101A rear cleat platform 101B front cleat platform 102 spikes/Cleats 106 strap feed through portion, grommet (Rear) 107 strap feed through portion, grommet (Front) 110 toe/heel connecting mechanism; length strips 120 length adjustment knob assembly 121 back/heel strap 122 back/heel strap clasp 131 label 201 web and cover assembly 202 webbing/strapping 203 mesh; cover 204 strap; Velcro strap; hook and loop strap; lacing; buckled strapping; lacing 205 strap; Velcro strap; hook and loop strap; lacing; buckled strapping; lacing 221 strap loop; strap ring; strap clasp; strap buckle 222 strap loop; strap ring; strap clasp; strap buckle 223 strap loop; strap ring; strap clasp; strap buckle 224 strap loop; strap ring; strap clasp; strap buckle 231 strap; velcro strip; hook and loop strap 232 looped end 233 connection point; sewn end; 301 shoe 401A cleat platform left 401B cleat platform right 410A rear left connecting mechanism; rear left width strip 410B rear right connecting mechanism; rear right width strip 411A front left connecting mechanism; rear left width strip 411B front right connecting mechanism; rear right width strip 420A rear width adjustment knob assembly 420B front width adjustment knob assembly 501A rear left cleat platform 501B rear right cleat platform 501C front left cleat platform 501D front right cleat platform

[0049] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

[0050] The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.