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  Cleat for athletic shoeUSPTO Application #: 20070101618Title: Cleat for athletic shoe Abstract: A golf cleat and system includes cleats having a base and a plurality of barbs. Each barb preferably has a proximal end supported by the base and a distal end extending generally perpendicular from the base. A perpendicular surface is formed by the distal end extending from the base and preferably counters rotational movement of a shoe in a plane generally parallel to the ground during a golf swing. At least some of the barbs preferably have an angular surface between the distal end and the base. (end of abstract) Agent: Boyle Fredrickson Newholm Stein & Gratz, S.c. - Milwaukee, WI, US Inventor: Frederick B. Peake USPTO Applicaton #: 20070101618 - Class: 036134000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, Occupational Or Athletic Shoe (e.g., Roof Climbing, Gardening, Etc.), Athletic Shoe Or Attachment Therefor, Attachment (e.g., Weight For Shoe, Etc.), Cleat (e.g., Movable, Detachable, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070101618. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The present invention is directed to apparatus for improving traction, balance and stability during a golf swing, and more particularly, a cleat for attachment to the sole of a golf shoe configured to resist the rotational movement of a golfer's foot during a swing. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] The game of golf presents participants with a unique mixture of challenge and recreation. Overall, golf is widely embraced by the international population and there is a continual desire to overcome the challenges inherent in the game thus increasing a golfer's enjoyment of the sport. [0005] With an ever increasing population of golfers, professional and recreational alike, the sophistication of golf equipment has grown by leaps and bounds all in an effort to simplify this difficult sport. Golf clubs have taken advantage of different materials, such as graphite, and shapes to increase power and accuracy. Golf balls are also now made from a multitude of materials offering a golfers improved distance and accuracy. Even golf apparel has changed to keep the golfer comfortable and allow unrestricted movement of the golfer's body during a swing. Golf shoes too have seen an evolution over the life of the sport in material selection and design. The reason for this change in golf shoes can best be appreciated by first understanding a proper golf swing and then a review of at least partially advantageous golf shoes. [0006] A proper golf swing requires a good foundation, stability and balance, each of which is made more difficult due to the great deal of rotational movement in the body of a golfer. Note that, the description of a golfer's swing is often described hereinafter for a right handed golfer. As will be appreciated, the principles of a golf swing operate similarly for a left handed golfer. At the beginning, a right-handed golfer's weight is evenly distributed between both sides of a golfer's body. During the backswing the golf club is swung back towards the foot furthest from the pin, the rear foot. As the golf club travels back towards the rear foot, the golfer's upper body begins to rotate and thus the club follows, sweeping up and out a generally circular path. This, in turn, causes a rotation of the hips (rear) which influences the rear leg and ultimately the rear foot. Looking down, the front portion of a golfer's rear foot is apt to rotate out and the back portion of the rear foot is apt to rotate in, thus resulting in an overall clockwise (counter-clockwise for a left-handed golfer) rotation of the rear foot. The backswing continues until the club head reaches a desired point from which a downswing will impart a preferred force on the golf ball. [0007] The golfer is now ready to begin the downswing during which the golf club will sweep out a similar circular path traversed through the backswing until it strikes the ball. As the golfer executes the downswing, the cleats of the golfer's shoes preferably brace the golfer. Unfortunately, however, known soft spike-type cleats provide only minimal bracing, as the cleats often times "roll over" or otherwise give as the torque of the golfer's body during a swing exerts forces thereon, as described further below. [0008] During the follow through the golf club is carried forward and up causing a rotation in the upper body opposite the rotation of the backswing. During both the downswing and follow through weight is shifted towards the front leg. This action too causes a rotation in the front leg and ultimately the front foot. Looking down, the front portion of a golfer's front foot is apt to rotate out and the back portion of the front foot is apt to rotate in, thus resulting in an overall counterclockwise (clockwise for a left-handed golfer) rotation of the front foot. [0009] Spikes in the bottom sole of a golf shoe preferably operate to improve traction during these swing movements. If the spikes are successful then a golfer may see improved distance and accuracy. Many attempts have been made at designing spikes to serve this purpose each with inherent advantages and disadvantages. [0010] Originally, golf shoes were made with metal spikes attached to the bottom soles. These spikes provided an adequate brace against the different forces of each foot associated with a golf swing. However, extending substantially entirely orthogonally to the sole of the shoe, such spikes do little to counter the above-described rotational movement of the golfer's feet. Moreover, these metal spikes often leave spike marks behind causing excessive damage to the golf course, especially the greens. In fact, many golf courses have taken the step of banning golfers from using metal spikes on their shoes. Therefore, though providing generally adequate bracing capabilities, a great deal of effort has gone into developing alternative material spikes that provide improved bracing capabilities while minimizing the divots left behind. [0011] Many attempts have been made at using rubber spikes in the bottom sole of a golf shoe. These spikes have provided some bracing capabilities, and are more green friendly, but generally lack stiffness. Specifically, as noted previously, such spikes have a tendency to "roll-over" during play, and therefore do not adequately counter rotational movement of a golfer's foot. Moreover, as a result, the spikes often break or fray and thus have to be replaced all too frequently. [0012] As a golfer walks a golf course and the surrounding areas he encounters a multitude of surfaces; grass, sand, mud, rock, and cement, to name a few. Grass and mud often get caught in the spikes, especially as they roll over, thus causing the bracing provided by the shoes to be further compromised. With respect to harder surfaces, they have a tendency to wear down rubber spikes more quickly. For example, cement is likely the most damaging surface and it is often encountered when the golfer is entering and leaving the course. [0013] Most of these spikes have a circular base with multiple barbs extending from the base to the ground. Often these barbs are placed peripherally around the outside edge of the circular base forming a spike. However, many of these spikes have blunt, bulky barbs that are unable to penetrate the plethora of surfaces encountered on a golf course. In sum, these spikes cannot provide adequate resistance to the rotational movement of a golfer's feet associated with a golf swing. [0014] What is missing in the field of golf shoes and spikes is an apparatus which is appropriately designed to allow a golfer's shoe to engage one or more types of surfaces encountered on a golf course, provide improved bracing (e.g., minimize "roll over"), and resist and release appropriately in response to rotational movement of a golfer's feet during a golf swing, while also being readily retrofittable to most any golf shoe. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are obtained by a golf cleat with a base and a plurality of barbs. Each barb has a proximal end supported by the base and a distal end extending generally perpendicular from the base, although it may also extend at an acute angle with the base. A perpendicular surface is formed by the distal end extending from the base and is positioned to counter the rotational movement of a shoe in a plane generally parallel to the ground during a golf swing. At least some of the barbs have an angular surface between the distal end and the base. Preferably, the angular surface creates a circumferential angle that is between 40 and 50 degrees with the base. More preferably, the circumferential angle is approximately 45 degrees. The angular surface is not necessarily meant to be formed solely as a straight line, single angle surface. The angular surface may be a multiple angle, parabolic, or arcuate surface. Moreover, the present barbs, in contrast to the barbs of known cleats, have substantial thickness throughout a majority of their length and do not extend significantly outwardly from the perimeter of the base of the cleat. As a result, the present barbs are less likely to "roll over." [0016] In use, a golfer's shoe is in contact with any commonly encountered ground surface mentioned above. When a golfer prepares to swing a golf club he will firmly plant his feet on the ground. At this point the distal ends of the plurality of barbs on the golf cleat will pierce the ground surface below. The distal end is generally a point, but all that is required is that the distal end is narrower than the proximal end of each barb. Therefore, it is easier for the barb to slide into the ground surface below given its relatively narrow distal end and wider proximal end. Once engaged and as the golfer begins the backswing, the rear foot will experience the rotational forces mentioned above. As a result of this rotation, the perpendicular surface of the plurality barbs will be forced against the ground. Furthermore, the angled surface of the barbs allows the golf cleat to dig deeper into the ground during rotation, which in turn provides more resistance in the perpendicular surface. Preferably, the barbs deflect very little during this process and therefore provide adequate resistance to the rotational forces associated with a golf swing. The rotational forces encountered in the front foot during the downswing and follow through are also resisted primarily by the perpendicular surface of the plurality of barbs in this same manner. Importantly, as a cleat system it is configurable to be readily retrofitted to any golf shoe available with a simple change of cleats. [0017] In accordance with an aspect of the invention the golf cleat has a circular base with an outer edge. A plurality of barbs is preferably placed along the outer edge of the circular base and the angular surface extends at least substantially circumferentially of the base. In one embodiment, there is an even number of barbs such that each barb is placed opposite an identical barb. In yet another embodiment, the angular surface extends circumferentially in one direction for a left footed shoe and in an opposite direction for a right footed shoe. Preferably, the angular surface of the plurality of golf cleats for the left shoe extends clockwise from the distal end to the proximal end when looking down through the top of the shoe. Therefore, the angular surface of the plurality of golf cleats for the right shoe extends counterclockwise from the distal end to the proximal end when looking down through the top of the shoe. Furthermore, the plurality of barbs may be integrally formed with the base. In such an embodiment, the base and plurality of barbs are preferably made from an elastomeric material with sufficient stiffniess to 1) engage the ground and maintain the integrity of the angle to prevent the force of rotation from rolling the barb over, and 2) release the ground upon completion of the golf swing. [0018] According to another aspect of the invention the base has a means for removably securing the golf cleat to the bottom sole of a shoe. Preferably, in yet another embodiment of the invention, the means for removably securing the golf cleat to the bottom sole of the shoe is a threaded screw. [0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, a golf cleat has a base, a means for removably securing the golf cleat to the bottom sole of a shoe, and a plurality of barbs. The base has a back surface and a ground surface located opposite the back surface. The means for removably securing the golf cleat is located on the back surface of the base. Each barb has a proximal end connected to the ground surface and a distal end extending generally perpendicular from the ground surface. At least some of the barbs have an angular surface generally between their proximal and distal ends, which creates an angle with the ground surface that is preferably between 40 and 50 degrees. More preferably, this angle is approximately 45 degrees. In order to increase simplicity and ease of manufacture, preferably the barbs and base are integrally formed. The golf cleat may also be manufactured from an elastomeric material with sufficient stiffness to engage the ground. Furthermore, with respect to one aspect of the invention, the means for removably securing the golf cleat to the shoe is preferably a threaded screw. [0020] In still another embodiment, the invention is a golf cleat system. A left shoe has a bottom sole and a plurality of removable golf cleats connected to the bottom sole. Each golf cleat has a plurality of barbs that are preferably all oriented to resist counterclockwise rotation of the shoe. A right shoe has a bottom sole and a plurality of golf cleats connected to the bottom sole. Each golf cleat has a plurality of barbs that are configured and oriented to resist clockwise rotation of the shoe. Together, the shoes prevent rotational movement of a golfer's foot during a golf swing. These golf cleats may also be made from an elastomeric material [0021] According to one aspect of the invention, all the golf cleats on each shoe have a base and a plurality of barbs. Each barb has a proximal end connected to the base and a distal end extending generally perpendicular from the base. This forms a perpendicular surface. The barbs also have an angular surface between the distal end and the base. The perpendicular surface of the barbs on the left shoe preferably resist counterclockwise movement and the perpendicular surface of the barbs on the right shoe preferably resist clockwise movement. [0022] According to still another aspect of the invention, each bottom sole of the shoes has a front and rear portion and each plurality of cleats have a plurality of front portion golf cleats and a plurality of rear portion golf cleats. The plurality of front portion golf cleats is connected to the front portion of the bottom sole and the plurality of rear portion golf cleats is connected to the rear portion of the bottom sole. On the left shoe, the plurality of front portion cleats resist counterclockwise rotation of the front portion of the bottom sole and the plurality of rear portion cleats resist counterclockwise rotation of the rear portion of the bottom sole. On the right shoe, the plurality of front portion cleats resist clockwise rotation of the front portion of the bottom sole and the plurality of rear portion cleats resist clockwise rotation of the rear portion of the bottom sole. Continue reading... Full patent description for Cleat for athletic shoe Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cleat for athletic shoe patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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