Systems and methods for a micro-adjustable traction element for footwear
AssigneePride Manufacturing Company, LLC
InventorsJohn Robert Burt, Lee Paul Shuttleworth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a micro-adjustable traction element are disclosed herein. The micro-adjustable traction element system includes an outsole for positioning along a substrate of a shoe. The outsole secures a traction element to the outsole while enabling positional micro-adjustment of the traction element along the outsole. In one embodiment of the micro-adjustable traction element system, for each traction element positioned along the outsole, the outsole includes a receiver element configured for variable positioning within a pocket of the outsole to receive the traction element.
Claims20
A shoe, comprising:
- an outsole defining a planar surface and a pocket, wherein the planar surface defines a slot that communicates with the pocket;
- and
- a traction element configured for variable positioning along the slot of the outsole.
A system, comprising:
- an outsole defining a planar surface and having a pocket, wherein the planar surface defines a slot that communicates with the pocket;
- a receiver element configured for variable positioning within the pocket, wherein the receiver element defines a planar body and a threaded aperture defined through the planar body;
- and
- a traction element defining a traction portion and an anchor portion, wherein the anchor portion is configured for insertion through the slot of the outsole to couple with the receiver element.
A method for coupling a traction element at a selected position within an outsole of a shoe, comprising:
- providing a traction element system, comprising:
- an outsole having a pocket and a planar surface, the planar surface defining a slot that communicates with the pocket;
- a receiver element positioned within the pocket, wherein the receiver element defines a threaded aperture;
- a spacer element defining a traction element aperture and configured to engage the slot of the outsole and the receiver element such that the receiver element is fixed within the slot when the spacer element is coupled with the slot of the outsole;
- and
- a traction element defining an anchor portion configured for insertion through the traction element aperture of the spacer element and the slot of the outsole to couple with the receiver element;
- positioning the receiver element at a selected position along the slot;
- inserting a spacer element into the slot such that the spacer element engages the receiver element and the slot and fixes the receiver element at the selected position along the slot;
- and
- coupling the anchor portion of the traction element with the threaded aperture of the receiver element.
A method for variable positioning of a traction element along an outsole, comprising:
- providing a traction element system, comprising:
- an outsole defining a pocket and a planar surface, wherein the planar surface defines a slot that communicates with the pocket;
- a receiver element disposed within the pocket and configured for variable positioning along the slot, wherein the receiver element defines a planar body and a threaded aperture through the planar body;
- and
- a traction element defining a traction portion, an anchor portion and a flange between the anchor portion and the traction portion, wherein the anchor portion is configured for disposal through the slot and for coupling with the receiver element;
- and
- coupling the traction element with the receiver element such that the planar body of the receiver element and/or the flange of the traction element couple against the planar surface of the outsole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.