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  Reversible cleat with shock absorptionUSPTO Application #: 20060277800Title: Reversible cleat with shock absorption Abstract: The invention relates to a system for securing a reversible cleat having a securing mechanism, an anchoring mechanism adapted to be attached to a sole of a shoe, and a cleat having a first side and a second side and placed between the securing mechanism and the anchoring mechanism. The cleat is further supported by a spring proximately placed to the cleat for absorbing shock. The second side faces toward the anchoring mechanism when the securing mechanism is removably secured to the anchoring mechanism. The second side is repositioned to face away from the anchoring mechanism by removing the securing mechanism from the anchoring mechanism, removing and repositioning the cleat with the second side facing away from the anchoring mechanism, and removably securing the securing mechanism to the anchoring mechanism. (end of abstract) Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC - Stamford, CT, US Inventors: Kenneth Daniel Santos, Armand Savoie, James E. Issler USPTO Applicaton #: 20060277800 - 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 20060277800. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/759,672 filed Jan. 16, 2004, which application is currently pending. The present application also claims the benefits under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/675,667 filed Apr. 28, 2005, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a shoe having a removable, interchangeable, and reversible cleat with shock absorption. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In instances where improved traction may be desired, cleated shoes may have been provided because cleats may dig into a surface more easily than a flat sole. However, there may be situations where a user may wish to take off the cleated shoe, such as when the user may be leaving an athletic field and immediately entering an indoor area. In these scenarios, and in the event the user does not wish to be shoeless, the user may need to bring along another pair of shoes that do not have cleats. [0004] Therefore, to alleviate the need for some users to carry multiple pairs of shoes, some shoes may have removable cleats where the cleats may be fastened and unfastened to a sole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,809 to Savoie, U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,984 to Adam, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,980 to Adam may provide an example of a shoe with a cleat that may be removed from the sole. Removable cleats are typically desired when a user walks to and from surfaces where cleats are and are not needed, such as indoor and outdoor surfaces. Golfers typically must remove their shoes that have cleats, which may result in some golfers being shoeless, prior to entering a club house. Therefore, a shoe with removable cleats would enable golfers to enter a club house without removing the entire shoe. [0005] A possible disadvantage of a shoe with removable cleats is that the user may need to carry the removed cleats. A further disadvantage of the shoe with removable cleats is the user may, because the removed cleats are not fastened to the shoe, misplace one or more of the removed cleats. [0006] Additionally, although removable cleats may allow a user to switch between a cleated sole and a flat sole, a limitation may be that the shoe does not permit cleats to be interchanged with different kinds of cleats having different limitations. A shoe with the ability to have varying types of cleats may be useful when a user encounters varying surfaces upon which traction is needed, such as when the user encounters grass, mud, and/or gravel surfaces. Rather than changing shoes or between a cleated and uncleated shoe, it may be more convenient or cost effective to simply interchange cleats. Moreover, many types of cleats may be used with a single pair of shoes that permits the cleats to be interchanged, which may permit improved versatility, convenience, and cost effectiveness. [0007] U.S. patent application Publication No. US2003/0172551 to Lee appears to show a cleat that is rotatable. However, the rotatable cleat does not appear to be interchangeable or removable. Therefore, the shoe may be limited to two types of cleats. Moreover, Lee may be limited to a cleated shoe where the cleats are typically employed on a continuous basis. [0008] Another disadvantage of a cleated shoe is that the shoe may lack sufficient cushioning in the localized areas of the cleats. This may be due to the distribution of the wearer's weight being limited to the surface areas of the cleats instead of the entire bottom of the shoe, where the total surface areas of the cleats usually represent a fraction of the surface area of the entire bottom of the shoe. As a result, each cleat often transfers forces from the ground due to the impact of walking or running to localized areas of the foot, which may be painful, particularly over long periods of time. In order to alleviate these localized areas of pain where the cleats are located, increased cushioning may be needed. However, most shoes have a uniformly applied layer of cushioning across the entire inside surface of the shoe and do not normally account for the improper distribution of weight caused by the cleats. This problem may be exacerbated if, due to a lack of space or to reduce costs, the layer of cushioning is reduced in thickness. [0009] What is desired, therefore, is a shoe with a cleat that may be removed and interchanged with another type of cleat. What is also desired is a shoe that permits multiple types of cleats to be interchanged with one another to improve versatility, convenience, and cost effectiveness. A further desire is a shoe that permits cleats to be interchanged while reducing the likelihood of misplacing or losing cleats that are not being used. Yet another desire is a shoe with enhanced cushioning in the areas where the cleats are located. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a cleat that is removable and interchangeable with another cleat. [0011] It is also an object of the invention to provide a shoe that permits cleats to be interchangeable with other cleats having different limitations. [0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a shoe that utilizes a plurality of cleats, where each cleat has a first end that has different limitations from a second end and where a user may select either end to be used on a walking surface. [0013] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shoe that may be worn with or without cleats. [0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a shoe that utilizes a plurality of removable and interchangeable cleats, where each cleat has a first end having different limitations from a second end and where all cleats have different limitations from one another. [0015] These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a system for securing a reversible cleat having a securing mechanism, an anchoring mechanism adapted to be attached to a sole of a shoe, and a cleat having a first side and a second side and placed between the securing mechanism and the anchoring mechanism. The cleat is further supported by a spring proximately placed to the cleat for absorbing shock. The second side faces toward the anchoring mechanism when the securing mechanism is removably secured to the anchoring mechanism. The second side is repositioned to face away from the anchoring mechanism by removing the securing mechanism from the anchoring mechanism, removing and repositioning the cleat with the second side facing away from the anchoring mechanism, and removably securing the securing mechanism to the anchoring mechanism. [0016] In further embodiments, the system includes a moisture absorbing material proximate to the cleat for reducing moisture. The moisture absorbing material may be in addition to or instead of the spring. In some embodiments, the moisture absorbing material is attached to the spring. In an optional embodiment, a second moisture absorbing material is placed proximate to the cleat for absorbing moisture. The second moisture absorbing material is also interchangeable with the first moisture absorbing material. [0017] Optionally, the system includes a second spring proximate to the cleat for absorbing shock. The second spring is also interchangeable with the first spring. [0018] In some embodiments, the first and second sides each have at least one extension. More specifically, the anchoring mechanism has 3 pockets and the securing mechanism has 3 extensions. In other embodiments, a plurality of cleats are provided, each cleat of the plurality of cleats being removably interchangeable with each the cleat. [0019] In further embodiments, the securing mechanism has at least one tool receptacle, each one adapted to receive a tool for securing and unsecuring the securing mechanism. [0020] In another aspect of the invention, a system for securing a reversible cleat includes a securing mechanism, an anchoring mechanism adapted to be attached to a sole of a shoe, a cleat having a placed between the securing mechanism and the anchoring mechanism, a spring proximate to the cleat for absorbing shock, and a moisture absorbing material proximate to the cleat for absorbing moisture, wherein the cleat is removably secured to the anchoring mechanism by the securing mechanism. Continue reading... Full patent description for Reversible cleat with shock absorption Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Reversible cleat with shock absorption patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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