# US 5,704,256 A · Device for fastening a shoe on a pedal, and shoe and pedal with such a device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,256 A - Document ID: US5704256A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/535,187 - Filed: 1995-10-27 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1993-05-10 - Inventors: Bertrand De Lattre - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704256A ## CPC - B62M 3/086: {Attachments between shoe and pedal other than toe clips, e.g. cleats (shoes for cyclists A43B5/14)} - A43B 1/0054: {provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances} - A43B 5/14: Shoes for cyclists - Y10T 74/217: with toe or shoe clips - B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16) - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A device for fastening a shoe to a pedal, e.g., a bicycle pedal, is light in weight and allows a cyclist to walk comfortably when wearing the shoes. The fastening device includes a magnetic element attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal. A metallic element, which cooperates with the magnetic element, is attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal. A spacer system is capable of moving the shoe and the pedal away from each other in a direction increasing an airgap between the magnetic element and the metallic element. The spacer system includes circumferential ramps carried by at least one of the shoe and the pedal, such that relative rotation of the shoe and the pedal causes movement of the shoe and the pedal away from each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for fastening a shoe to a pedal, comprising: a magnetic element attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal; a metallic element attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal; and a spacer system capable of moving the shoe and the pedal away from each other in a direction increasing a magnetic airgap, wherein the spacer system comprises circumferential ramps carried by at least one of the shoe and the pedal, and wherein relative rotation of the shoe and the pedal causes said movement of the shoe and the pedal away from each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of longitudinal abutment means and transverse abutment means provided between the shoe and the pedal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the circumferential ramps are complementary shaped ramps attached to the shoe and the pedal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the circumferential ramps are independent of the magnetic circuit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein there is a circumferential clearance between the circumferential ramps which are complementary. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein a sole of the shoe has a guide member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element comprises a plurality of magnets disposed parallel to an axis transverse to at least one of the shoe and the pedal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element and metallic element facing the magnetic element are offset circumferentially. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is attached to the shoe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fastening device of claim 9, wherein the magnetic element comprises a plurality of magnets carried by the shoe and by the pedal, and wherein the magnets are arranged in successively alternating polarity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is attached to the pedal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fastening device of claim 11, wherein the magnetic element comprises a plurality of magnets carried by the shoe and by the pedal, and wherein the magnets are arranged in successively alternating polarity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is surrounded by an amagnetic ring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fastening device of claim 13, wherein some of the circumferential ramps are carried by the amagnetic ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is covered by a protective plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fastening device of claim 15, wherein the protective plate comprises a polepiece. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the polepiece has bevels. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The fastening device of claim 16, wherein some of the ramps are carried by the polepiece. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the pedal comprises a metal plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The fastening device of claim 19, wherein the metal plate is attached to a bushing adapted to receive a pedal spindle. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The fastening device of claim 19, wherein the metal plate is a cup having a cylindrical rim carrying some of the circumferential ramps. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The fastening device of claim 19, wherein the metal plate covers a bottom of a cup having a cylindrical edge. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The fastening device of claim 22, wherein the cylindrical edge has some of the circumferential ramps which are complementary to other circumferential ramps which are carried by the shoe. ### Claim 24 A shoe which can be fastened to a pedal by a fastening device, wherein the fastening device comprises: a magnetic element attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal; a metallic element attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal; and a spacer system capable of moving the shoe and the pedal away from each other in a direction increasing a magnetic airgap, wherein the spacer system comprises circumferential ramps carried by at least one of the shoe and the pedal, and wherein relative rotation of the shoe and the pedal causes said movement of the shoe and the pedal away from each other. ### Claim 25 A pedal which can be fastened to a shoe by a fastening device, wherein the fastening device comprises: a magnetic element attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal; a metallic element attached to at least one of the shoe and the pedal; and a spacer system capable of moving the shoe and the pedal away from each other in a direction increasing a magnetic airgap, wherein the spacer system comprises circumferential ramps carried by at least one of the shoe and the pedal, and wherein relative rotation of the shoe and the pedal causes said movement of the shoe and the pedal away from each other.