US 2015/0305447 A1 · Interchangeable Chassis For Cleated Footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear including cleat sets and/or cleat members can include provisions for maximizing traction between a chassis and multiple types of ground surfaces. In some embodiments, a chassis can include cleat sets and/or cleat members disposed in different locations to achieve maximum traction on multiple types of surfaces. In other embodiments, a chassis can include distinct types of cleat sets and/or cleat members that each maximize traction for a distinct type of surface. Each chassis includes a distinct type of cleat configuration. Different cleat configurations may be used to provide varying degrees of traction. In some embodiments, the chassis can include varying levels of flexibility, to provide user with options to customize the stiffness and support of the article of footwear.

Claims37

Dependent claims

An article of footwear, comprising:

a forefoot region;
a set of removable cleats;
a plurality of cleat receptacles for receiving removable cleats from the set of removable cleats;
at least one chassis;
the at least one chassis including two members, wherein the two members are connected by two cross-members;
the at least one chassis including a mounting portion to permit attachment to the article of footwear, the mounting portion including a plurality of through-holes, wherein the number of through-holes correspond to the number of cleat receptacles, wherein each through-hole and each cleat receptacle are configured to receive one removable cleat from the set of removable cleats;
and wherein at least one portion of the underside of the article of footwear in the forefoot region is exposed when attached to the chassis.

4 more elements

A kit of parts, comprising:

a footwear pair comprising two articles of footwear, wherein each article of footwear in the pair includes a plurality of cleat receptacles for receiving removable cleats;
a chassis set including one or more complementary pairs of candidate chassis;
each candidate chassis including two members, the two members being connected by two cross-members;
each candidate chassis including a mounting portion to permit attachment to the article of footwear, the mounting portion including a plurality of through-holes, wherein the number of through-holes correspond to the number of cleat receptacles, and the diameter of each through-hole is greater than the diameter of each cleat receptacle;
a flange being disposed around each through-hole;
at least one set of removable cleats comprising a plurality of removable cleats, each removable cleat including a fastener portion;
and
wherein a segment of the fastening portion is disposed within a cylindrical void within the flange.

5 more elements

A chassis for an article of footwear, comprising:

a forefoot region and a heel region;
two members, including a lateral member and a medial member;
the two members each substantially extending from the forefoot region to the heel region;
the medial member being disposed along the medial side of the chassis and the lateral member being disposed along the lateral side of the chassis;
the medial member comprising a medial rearward portion and a medial forward portion, wherein the medial rearward portion and medial forward portion form a continuous piece;
the lateral member comprising a lateral rearward portion and a lateral forward portion, wherein the lateral rearward portion and lateral forward portion form a continuous piece;
the lateral forward portion and the medial forward portion each being disposed in the forefoot region;
the medial forward portion extending from the medial rearward portion in a forward direction;
the lateral forward portion extending from the lateral rearward portion in a forward direction;
the lateral member and the medial member being connected by two cross-members, the two cross-members comprising a first cross-member and a second cross-member;
the first cross-member connecting the medial rearward portion with the lateral rearward portion along their forward ends;
the second cross-member connecting the medial rearward portion with the lateral rearward portion along their rearward ends;
the first cross-member and the second cross-member each generally disposed across the width of the chassis;
and
one or more through-holes disposed along the lateral member, and one or more through-holes disposed along the medial member.

12 more elements

A method for assembling an article of footwear comprising:

selecting a chassis from a group of chassis candidates;
wherein each chassis candidate corresponds to the same side of a complementary pair of footwear;
wherein each chassis in the group of chassis candidates includes a plurality of through-holes,
wherein each chassis in the group of chassis candidates includes two members, the two members being connected by two cross-members;
wherein each member includes a forward portion and a rearward portion;
wherein the forward portion includes a narrow bridge region that widens into a circular region, the circular region being disposed substantially near the forward end of the forward portion, and a through-hole being disposed along the circular region;
associating the selected chassis with the article of footwear;
selecting a removable cleat set from a group of candidate removable cleat sets;
attaching the selected chassis to the article of footwear using at least one removable cleat of the selected removable cleat set;
the article of footwear including a plurality of cleat receptacles for receiving removable cleats;
the number of through-holes corresponding to the number of cleat receptacles;
and
thereby attaching the selected chassis to the article of footwear using the selected removable cleat set.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interchangeable Chassis For Cleated Footwear

Life of this patent

Interchangeable Chassis For Cleated Footwear

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37