AU2021221585A1

AU2021221585A1 - A Cycling Cleat System

Info

Publication number: AU2021221585A1
Application number: AU2021221585A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bryn Friedmann
Original assignee: Kelpactive Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kelpactive Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2023-03-16

Abstract

The presern invention relates to a cycling cleat system which including a cleat and a mobile activator. The cleat is adapted in use to be removably fitted or retrofittable to a cycling shoe. The cleat is releasably attached to a clip-in pedal 5 via front and rear anchoring means. The cleat has a dislodging means which is connected to or integrated with the rear anchoring means. The mobile activator is adapted to remotely release the dislodgement means. Upon triggering of the mobile activator, the dislodging means becomes movable from a locking position where the cleat is securely interlocked with the clip-in pedal to an unlocking 10 position where the cleat is free to disengage from the clip-in pedal. 1/8 22 25 1 26 24 28 Figure 1 72 14 74 70 Figure 2

Description

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A Cycling Cleat System

Technical Field

This invention relates to a cycling cleat system. More particularly, the invention relates to a cycling cleat system which facilitates easy and safe disengagement of a cleat from a clip-in pedal.

Background Art

It is well recognised in the cycling industry that clip-in (also known as clipless) pedals offer many advantages such as increased control over the bike, increased power transference and provide greater confidence to the cyclist.

Clip-in pedals are typically made up of two main components: the pedal which attaches to the bike and provides a mechanism whereby the shoe cleat is able to attach, and the cleat which attaches to the sole of a cycling shoe. Conventionally, a spring mechanism is provided on the pedal allowing the cyclist to 'clip' the cleats on the shoes in and out of the pedals. With such a system, the cyclist's foot is to be pushed forward and down onto the pedal until the cleat 'clips' into place. The cyclist's foot will then remain attached to the pedal until he/she unclips, which is commonly done by twisting the cyclist's heel outwards until the cleat releases. As the unclipping exercise involves an unnatural twisting motion between the knee and ankle of a cyclist, it has been found that the cleats commonly available in the marketplace has a shortcoming that the use of such cleats over a prolong period of time is likely to cause collateral ligament sprain or tear injuries at the knee and/or ankle of the cyclist.

In addition to the above limitation, the disengagement of the cleat under unexpected conditions, ie. when stopping unexpectedly, is often difficult to achieve timeously and as a result the cyclist is unable to place their foot/feet on

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the ground leading to a fall. Novice cyclists also find the cleat system intimidating to use causing them to avoid adoption. Such falls can lead to multiple injuries ranging from lacerations to broken bones.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a cleat system which overcomes or at least ameliorates the abovementioned shortcomings or which may at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a cycling cleat system including: a cleat adapted in use to be removably fitted or retrofittable to a cycling shoe, the cleat being releasably attached to a clip-in pedal via front and rear anchoring means and having a dislodging means which is connected to or integrated with the rear anchoring means; and a mobile activator adapted to remotely release the dislodgement means;

wherein upon triggering of the mobile activator, the dislodging means becomes movable from a locking position where the cleat is securely interlocked with the clip-in pedal to an unlocking position where the cleat is free to disengage from the clip-in pedal.

Preferably, the cleat includes a case housing a release mechanism which is driven by the mobile activator to permit the dislodgement means to move from the locking position to the unlocking position. More preferably, the dislodging means includes a flap being pivotally hinged to the case. Even more preferably, the flap includes a tongue which is configured to interact with the release mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the release mechanism includes: an electromagnet adapted to be magnetised upon triggering of the mobile activator;

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a first fastening means which is ferromagnetic and movable between an engaging

position and a disengaging position; and a movable second fastening means; wherein when in the engaging position, the first ferromagnetic fastening means is interlocked with the second fastening means sandwiching at least a portion of the tongue therebetween so as to confine the tongue to a certain position thereby maintaining the flap in the locking position; wherein magnetisation of the electromagnet causes the first ferromagnetic fastening means to move to the disengaging position where the second fastening means is allowed to move when urged by the tongue as a result of pivotal movement of the flap into the unlocking position.

Preferably, the first and second fastening means are received and confined in a compartment partially defined by first and second opposing walls. More preferably, the first fastening means includes an L-shaped lever having long and short arms and being pivoted at a corner where the long and short arms meet. Even more preferably, the second fastening means includes an elongate lever including first and second ends and being pivoted at the first end. The elongate lever is preferred to also include an aperture located near the second end, the aperture being adapted in use to receive part of the short arm of the L-shaped lever.

The elongate lever is preferred to further include a recess adapted to receive the portion of the tongue sandwiched between the first and second fastening means. In a preferred embodiment, the short arm includes a bend at its distal end, the bend being configured to catch hold of the second end of the second fastening means when the first and second fastening means are in an interlocked state. Preferably, upon magnetisation of the electromagnet, the L-shaped lever is caused to pivot resulting in the long arm being drawn towards the first wall and the bend of the short arm disengaging from the second end of the elongate lever.

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Consequently, the elongate lever is set free to pivot towards the second wall when urged by the tongue.

The release mechanism is preferred to include a first biasing means located in between the first wall and the long arm of the L-shaped lever, the first biasing means being capable of absorbing the pivotal movement of the long arm when the L-shaped lever is drawn by the magnetised electromagnet into the disengaging position and urging on the long arm so as to cause the L-shaped lever to return to the engaging position.

Preferably, the release mechanism includes a second biasing means located in between the second wall and the elongate lever, the second baising means being capable of urging the elongate lever against the tongue thereby causing the flap to return to the locking position.

In a preferred embodiment, the rear anchoring means includes a lip adapted in use to engage a first corresponding part of the clip-in pedal to provide rear anchoring. Preferably, the lip extends from the rear of the flap.

Preferably, one or more protectors are provided on the dislodging means.. More preferably, the one or more protectors include a pair of projecting tags located on the respective sides of the flap.

Preferably, the front anchoring means includes an enlarged outwardly projecting tag adapted to engage a second corresponding part of the clip-in pedal to provide front anchoring.

Preferably, the mobile activator includes a radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth transmitter which upon activation is adapted to magnetise the electromagnet housed in the case of the cleat. More preferably, the mobile activator includes a button which may be pressed to trigger releasing of the dislodging means. Even

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more preferably, the mobile activator includes a strap which may be used to form a loop around the handlebar of a bike.

Optionally, the mobile activator may include a microcontroller capable of providing additional features such as contribution to the overall power consumption and illumination of the push-button, LCD lightings.

Brief Description of the Invention

The various aspects of the invention will now be described in connection with non-limiting examples thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleat of a cleat system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a mobile activator which forms part of the cleat system;

Figure 3 is perspective view of the cleat of Figure 1 fitted on the sole of a cycling shoe;

Figure 4 is perspective view of the cleat of Figure 1 with a cut out showing the interior of the electromagnet compartment and a partially see-through view illustrating the parts underneath the tongue;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cleat of Figure 1 illustrating the L-shaped lever being drawn into a disengaging position by the magnetised electromagnet;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cleat of Figure 1 illustrating the L-shaped lever in the disengaging position and the elongate lever in a free to move state;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from top of the cleat of Figure 1 illustrating the flap in an unlocking position;

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Figure 8 is a perspective view from the side of the cleat of Figure 1 illustrating the

flap in the unlocking position;

Figure 9 is a side view of a cyclist on a bike using the cleat system of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a magnified view of the area labelled B of Figure 9 showing the mobile activator of the cleat system;

Figure 11 is a magnified view of the area labelled A of Figure 9 showing the cleat of Figure 1 being in engagement with the clip-in pedal of the bike;

Figure 12 is a magnified view of the area labelled A of Figure 9 showing the cleat of Figure 1 being in disengagement from the clip-in pedal of the bike;

Figure 13a is a close-up side view of the cleat of Figure 1 being in engagement with the clip-in pedal;

Figure 13b is a close-up cross sectional view of the cleat of Figure 1 being in engagement with the clip-in pedal; and

Figure 13c is a close-up cross sectional view of the cleat of Figure 1 illustrating the cleat in the process of disengaging from the clip-in pedal with the flap in the unlocking position.

Detailed Description of and Best Methods for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 and 9, a cycling cleat system 10 is shown including a cleat 12 and a mobile activator 14. As best shown in Figure 3, the cleat 12 is adapted in use to be removably fitted or retrofitted to the sole 16 of a cycling shoe 18 (see Figure 9, 11, 12 and 13a to c). When in use, the cleat 12 is releasably attached to a clip-in pedal 20 via front and rear anchoring means. The cleat 12 has a dislodging means which in the present embodiment is in the form of a flap 26 integrated with the rear anchoring means.

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As shown in Figures 1, 11 and 12, the rear anchoring means is in the form of a lip 25 extending from the rear end of the flap 26. In use, the underside 27 of the lip 25 clips under a corresponding part of the clip-in pedal 20 so as to provide rear anchoring of the cleat 12 to the pedal 20 as shown in Figures 13a, b and c. The corresponding part of the clip-in pedal 20 is in the form of a catch 29 (see Figures 11, 12, 13a, b and c) configured to engage the lip 25 so as to hold the flap 26 captive when the flap 26 is in a locking position, as best shown in Figure 13a. In the present embodiment, a pair of projecting tags 22 & 24 are provided on the opposing sides of the flap 26 respectively. The projecting tags 22 & 24 are designed to come into contact with the ground once the cyclist sets foot on the ground. As such, the projecting tags 22 & 24 function as plastic protectors keeping the core of the cleat 12 off the ground to prevent wear and tear as the cyclist moves around. The front anchoring means is in the form of an enlarged outwardly projecting tag 28 which in use engages another corresponding part of the clip-in pedal 20 to provide front anchoring. The other corresponding part is also in the form of a catch 31 as best shown in Figure 13b and c.

Turning to Figure 4, the cleat 12 also has a case 30 which houses a release mechanism 32 which is driven by the mobile activator 14 to permit the dislodgement means, ie. the flap 26, to move from a locking position to an unlocking position. The flap 26 is pivotally hinged to the case 30 and includes a tongue 34 which is configured to interact with the release mechanism 32.

The mobile activator 14 is designed to remotely release the flap 26. Upon triggering of the mobile activator 14, the flap 26 becomes movable from a locking position (see Figures 4 & 13a & b) where the cleat 12 is securely interlocked with the clip-in pedal 20 to an unlocking position (see Figures 7 & 8, 12 & 13c) where the cleat 12 is free to disengage from the clip-in pedal 20.

Referring to Figures 4 to 8, the release mechanism 32 has an electromagnet 36 and first and second fastening means which are in the form of an L-shaped lever

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38 and an elongate lever 40 respectively. It is important to note that the first fastening means or at least part thereof must be made of or include a ferromagnetic material. The electromagnet 36 is configured to be magnetised upon triggering of the mobile activator 14. The L-shaped lever 38 is movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position. The elongate lever 40 is also movable. As shown in Figure 4, when in the engaging position, the L shaped lever 38 is interlocked with the elongate level 40 sandwiching a portion of the tongue 34 therebetween so as to confine the tongue 34 to a certain position

thereby maintaining the flap 26 in the locking position. Magnetisation of the electromagnet 36 which is received and concealed in another compartment 42 (see Figure 4) causes L-shaped lever 40 to move to the disengaging position where the elongate lever 40 is allowed to move when urged by the tongue 34 as a result of pivotal movement of the flap 26 into the unlocking position.

As best shown in Figures 4 to 6, the L-shaped lever 38 and elongate 40 are received and confined in a compartment 44 which is partially defined by first and second opposing walls 46 & 48 (see Figure 8). The L-shaped lever 38 has long and short arms 50 & 52 and being pivoted at a corner 54 where the long and short arms 50 & 52 meet. The elongate lever 40 has first and second ends 56 & 58 and is pivoted at the first end 56. The elongate lever 40 has an aperture 60 located near the second end 58. The aperture 60 receives part of the short arm 52 of the L-shaped lever 38. The elongate lever 40 has a recess 62 which is configured to receive the portion of the tongue 34 sandwiched between the L-shaped lever 38 and elongate lever 40. As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the short arm 52 has a bend 64 at its distal end. The bend 64 is configured to catch hold of the second end 58 of the elongate lever 40 when the L-shaped lever 38 and elongate lever 40 are in an interlocked state. Upon magnetisation of the electromagnet 36, the L shaped lever 38 is caused to pivot resulting in the long arm 50 being drawn towards the first wall 46 and the bend 64 of the short arm 52 disengaging from

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the second end 58 of the elongate lever 40. Consequently, the elongate lever 40

is set free to pivot towards the second wall 48 when urged by the tongue 34.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 6, the release mechanism 32 also includes a first biasing means which is in the form of a coil spring 66. The coil spring 66 is located in between the first wall 46 and the long arm 50 of the L-shaped lever 38. The coil spring 66 is capable of absorbing the pivotal movement of the long arm 50 when the L-shaped lever 38 is drawn by the magnetised electromagnet 36 into the disengaging position and urging on the long arm 50 so as to cause the L-shaped lever 38 to return to the engaging position. The release mechanism 32 also includes a second biasing means which is also in the form of a coil spring 68 located in between the second wall 48 and the elongate lever 40. The coil spring 68 is capable of urging the elongate lever 40 against the tongue 34 thereby causing the flap 26 to return to the locked position.

It should be noted that the mobile activator 14 and cleat 12 of the cleat sytem 10 communicate via radio frequency or Bluetooth. Referring to Figures 2, 9 & 10, the mobile activator 14 has a built-in radio frequency (RF) transmitter or Bluetooth which upon activation is adapted to magnetise the electromagnet 36 housed in the case 30 of the cleat 12. The mobile activator 14 has a button 70 which may be pressed to trigger releasing of the flap 26. The mobile activator 14 also includes a strap 72 which is used to form a loop 74 around the handlebar 76 of a bike. Furthermore, it is comtemplated that the mobile activator 14 may include a microcontroller capable of providing additional features such as contribution to the overall power consumption and illumination of the push button and LCD lightings etc.

Referring to Figures 4 to 8, 9 and 12, in operation, the cleat system 10 of the present invention can be triggered by pressing on the button 70 of the mobile activator 14. The mobile activator 14 then transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal to magnetise the electromagnet 36. Subjected to the electromagnetic force, the

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L-shaped lever 38 pivots towards the first wall 46 which causes the L-shape lever 38 to disengage from the elongate lever 40 which is now set free to move. By this stage, as soon as the cyclist, who is wearing the cycling shoe to which the cleat 12 is attached, lifts his heel, the flap 26 is free get into a tilted position as shown in Figure 13c as the tongue 34 pushes the elongate lever out of its natural position. The pivotal movement of the flap 26 essentially results in disengagement of the lip 25 from the catch 29 of the clip-in pedal 20 which is followed by disengagement of the front anchoring means as well. Consequently, the cleat 12 is totally detached from the clip-in pedal 20 without requiring any twisting motion of the heel or ankle of the cyclist.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the cleat system has been described, it will be appreciated by a skilled person in the art that the cleat system of the present invention offers at least the following advantages:

1. it enables a cyclist to detach his/her foot from a clip-in pedal without making any unnatural motion; 2. it is easy to install and use; and 3. it offers the cyclist both options of detachment by twisting the heel and triggering the mobile activator of the present invention.

It will be appreciated by person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative but not restrictive.

Claims

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1. A cycling cleat system including: a cleat adapted in use to be removably fitted or retrofittable to a cycling shoe, the cleat being releasably attached to a clip-in pedal via front and rear anchoring means and having a dislodging means which is connected to or integrated with

the rear anchoring means; and a mobile activator adapted to remotely release the dislodgement means; wherein upon triggering of the mobile activator, the dislodging means becomes movable from a locking position where the cleat is securely interlocked with the clip-in pedal to an unlocking position where the cleat is free to disengage from the clip-in pedal.

2. The cycling cleat system of claim 1, wherein the cleat includes a case housing a release mechanism which is driven by the mobile activator to permit the dislodgement means to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.

3. The cycling cleat system of claim 2, wherein the dislodging means includes a flap being pivotally hinged to the case.

4. The cycling cleat system of claim 3, wherein the flap includes a tongue which is configured to interact with the release mechanism.

5. The cycling cleat system of claim 4, wherein the release mechanism includes: an electromagnet adapted to be magnetised upon triggering of the mobile activator; a first fastening means which is ferromagnetic and movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position; and a movable second fastening means; wherein when in the engaging position, the first ferromagnetic fastening means is

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interlocked with the second fastening means sandwiching at least a portion of the

tongue therebetween so as to confine the tongue to a certain position thereby maintaining the flap in the locking position; wherein magnetisation of the electromagnet causes the first ferromagnetic fastening means to move to the disengaging position where the second fastening means is allowed to move when urged by the tongue as a result of pivotal movement of the flap into the unlocking position.

6. The cycling cleat system of claim 5, wherein the first and second fastening means are received and confined in a compartment partially defined by first and second opposing walls.

7. The cycling cleat system of either claim 5 or 6, wherein the first fastening means includes an L-shaped lever having long and short arms and being pivoted at a corner where the long and short arms meet.

8. The cycling cleat system of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second fastening means includes an elongate lever including first and second ends and being pivoted at the first end.

9. The cycling cleat system of claim 8, wherein the elongate lever also includes an aperture located near the second end, the aperture being adapted in use to receive part of the short arm of the L-shaped lever.

10. The cycling cleat system of either claim 8 or 9, wherein the elongate lever further includes a recess adapted to receive the portion of the tongue sandwiched between the first and second fastening means.

11. The cycling cleat system of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the short arm includes a bend at its distal end, the bend being configured to catch hold of the second end of the second fastening means when the first and second fastening means are in an interlocked state.

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12. The cycling cleat system of claim 11, wherein upon magnetisation of the electromagnet, the L-shaped lever is caused to pivot resulting in the long arm being drawn towards the first wall and the bend of the short arm disengaging from the second end of the elongate lever.

13. The cycling cleat system of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the release mechanism includes a first biasing means located in between the first wall and the long arm of the L-shaped lever, the first biasing means being capable of absorbing the pivotal movement of the long arm when the L-shaped lever is drawn by the magnetised electromagnet into the disengaging position and urging on the long arm so as to cause the L-shaped lever to return to the engaging position.

14. The cycling cleat system of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the release mechanism includes a second biasing means located in between the second wall and the elongate lever, the second baising means being capable of urging the elongate lever against the tongue thereby causing the flap to return to the locking position.

15. The cycling cleat system of anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the rear anchoring means includes a lip adapted in use to engage a first corresponding part of the clip-in pedal to provide rear anchoring.

16. The cycling cleat system of claim 15, wherein the lip extends from the rear of the flap.

17. The cycling cleat system of anyone of the preceding claims, wherein one or more protectors are provided on the dislodging means.

18. The cycling cleat system of claim 17, wherein the one or more protectors include a pair of projecting tags located on the respective sides of the flap.

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19. The cycling cleat system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front anchoring means includes an enlarged outwardly projecting tag adapted to engage a second corresponding part of the clip-in pedal to provide front anchoring.

20. The cycling cleat system of any one of claims 5 to 19, wherein the mobile activator includes a radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth transmitter which upon activation is adapted to magnetise the electromagnet housed in the case of the cleat.

21. The cycling cleat system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile activator includes a button configured to be pressed to trigger releasing of the dislodging means.

22. The cycling cleat system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile activator includes a strap adapted to form a loop around the handlebar of a bike.

23. The cycling cleat system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile activator includes a microcontroller capable of providing additional features contribution to one or more of the following: the overall power consumption, illumination of the push-button and LCD lightings.