CA2089221C - Retractable spike assembly for footwear sole or heel - Google Patents
Retractable spike assembly for footwear sole or heelInfo
- Publication number
- CA2089221C CA2089221C CA 2089221 CA2089221A CA2089221C CA 2089221 C CA2089221 C CA 2089221C CA 2089221 CA2089221 CA 2089221 CA 2089221 A CA2089221 A CA 2089221A CA 2089221 C CA2089221 C CA 2089221C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cam
- cavity
- assembly
- carrier plate
- peg
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
- A43C15/00—Non-skid devices or attachments
- A43C15/14—Non-skid devices or attachments with outwardly-movable spikes
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
Disclosed is a retractable spike assembly insertable into a cavity made for this purpose in the bottom surface of a footwear heel or sole, the assembly comprising spikes that can be extended whenever needed, such as on icy roads, rock or wet grass and to be pulled in when they are not wanted, such as inside ahouse. The spikes are mounted on a carrier plate extending parallel to a bottom plate extending flush with the bottom surface of the heel or sole when the assembly is mounted in the cavity. A guide pin rigidly connected to the bottom plate in the middle of the same is used to guide the carrier plate up and down. The upwards movement of the carrier plate is achieved with a compression spring mounted onto of the guide pin, the downwards movement being achieved with a cam held above the carrier plate. The cam is advantageously operated with a coin or any similar item thanks to a cylindrical peg inserted into a cylindrical through hole provided in a side wall of the cavity, the peg being held in the through hole by a locking pin. This retractable spike assembly is much simpler in structure and installation than the existing ones.
Description
~- 2089221 REI RACTABLE SPIKE ASSEMBLY FOR FOOTWEAR SOLE OR HEEL
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) field of the invention The present invention is concerned with an assembly of retractable spikes for use in the heels and/or soles of footwear articles, such as showes orboots, to make them non slippery whenever required.
More particularly, the invention is concerned with an improvement to 10 the structure of the retractable spike asse"~bly disclosed in Canadian patent No.
955,398 granted on October 1st, 1974 to the same Applicant.
b) brief description of the Prior art It is known that spikes can be used under certain conditions to prevent slipping. They are advantageous for pedestrians on icy roads, sportsmen or 15 ~sl,ennen on rock or wet grass, workmen on wooden scaffolding, lumbermen on logs, etc...
It is also known that the use of spikes under a footwear article is convenient and even dangerous for example on hard surfaces such as streets and sidewalls. Under certain circlJ" ,~ nces,spikes cannot be used as they may damage 2 o the surfaces, as in the case of the floor of a residence.
It has already been proposed to make spikes which are retractable within the heel or sole of a shoe so that they can be extended when needed and pulled in when they are not wanted. In this connection, reference can be made toU.S. patent Nos. 351,415 ~\NELLER); 1,361,078 (LYNN); 1,487,976 (ROSSI et al);
25 1,607,296 (NOEL); 2,920,404 (ROSS) and 3,343,283 ~HENRY).
The above mentioned Canadian patent No. 955,398 g,anled to the Applicant discloses a retractable spike assembly comprising a carrier plate to which a plurality of spikes, called "cleats", are secured. The plate and the cleats are sized and devised to be mounted within a cavity made in a heel or a sole. The assembly30 also comprises a plurality of compression springs urging the plate into retracted position within the cavity, and a rotatable cam mounted above the carrier plate and ~' 20892~1 engageable with a central part thereof in order to move it down in an extended position, where the cleats projects downwardly out from the heel or sole.
This arrangement ensures proper operation of the mechanism even if 5 it becomes clogged with mud. Indeed, even if the springs fail to retract the plate and spikes, the next contact with the grownd will do so. Another advantage of the assembly disclosed in this Canadian patent is that the carrier plate is allowed a certain amount of swing, ensuring that all the spikes will come in contact with the ground in the extended position.
The marginal portions of the carrier plate of the assembly disclosed in this Canadian patent are pe,foralecl for the passage of guide pins secured to a bottom plate, the springs being mounted around these guide pins. Thanks to this feature, the assembly forms a unitary structure which c~n be mounted as such into the heel or sole cavity either during manufacture ~,i the shoe, or later.
Moreover, the roldl~le cam of this prior art assembly comprises a shaft extending from the cavity to the side of the heel or sole, the shaft having one end flush with such a side and provided with a slot for turning it. With this arrangement, all that is visible is the slotted end of the shaft so that the appearance of the shoe is not arre~;led and there are not pro~ecting parts that may catch on 20 things or get broken off Turning of the shaft may be done with a coin so that no separate keys or tools are required.
The shaft also has a portion of reduced diameter at its end opposite its slotted end which forms a shoulder. A compression spring is located between the cam and the wall of the cavity at the slotted shaft end to urge the shoulder against 25 the opposite cavity wall.
Thus, the rel, aclable spike assembly disclosed in the above mentioned Canadian patent No. 955,398 granled in 1974 to the Applicant presents a variety of advantages of construction, inslalldlion and operation over the other mechanisms of the same type that were known at that time.
``- 208~221 OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has recently been discovered by the Applicant that the retractable S spike assembly disclosed in his Canadian patent No. 965,398 could still be made simpler in structure and thus much less costly to manufacture and install, whilekeeping the same efficiency in operation.
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a - retractable spike assembly insertable into a cavity made for this purpose in the bottom surface of a footwear heel or sole, which is of the same type as the one disclosed in Canadian patent No. 955,398, but is simpler in structure and installation while being as efficient in operation.
In accordance with the invention, this object is ach.~vcd with a retractable spike assembly comprising a bottorll plate extending flush with the bottom surface of the sole or heel when the assembly is mounted in the cavity. Aguide pin is rigidly connected to the bottom plate so as to project centrally upwardly with in the cavity when the assembly is mounted in the cavity.
The assembly also comprises a carrier plate e~lencling parallel to the bottom plate above the same, and at least two spaced apart spikes integral to and 2 0 dow. .~ardly projecting from the carrier plate. The spikes have lower ends extending through guiding holes provided for this purpose in the bottom plate.
The assembly further comprises a L-shaped member having a first, vertically upstanding arm and a second perpendicular arm extending parallel to the carrier plate. The first arm have one end rigidly attached to the carrier plate and 2~ another end integrally extended by the second arm which itself comprises a central hole sized to receive the guide pin. The L-shaped member is sized and attached to the carrier plate in such a way that the guide pin extends through the central hole of the second arm when the spikes extend through the guiding holes in the bottomplate.
A compression spring is mounted onto the guide pin between the bottom plate and the second arm of the L-shaped member to permanently push up the L-shaped member together with the carrier plate and spike.
In addition, the assembly comprises a cam rotatable about a rotation axis orthogonal to the bottom plate and to the guide pin, respecffvely. The cam has a central portion offset the rotation axis and two opposite end portions aligned with the rotation axis, the end portions of the cam acting as pivot means.
Cam-holding means are provided for pivotably holding the cam above the carrier plate in such a manner that, in one given angular position hereinafter called "extended position", the central portion of the cam positively engages the carrier plate and holds it down against the action of the compression spring, with the spikes projecting downwardly beyond the bottom surface of the heel or sole, and,in another given angular position perpendicular to the first one and hereinafter called "retracted position", the cental portion of the cam does not bear onto the carrier plate and let it free to move up under the action of the compression spring so as to retract the spikes within the cavity. Advantageously, the c~m holding means may comprisetwo opposite wings inlegral to the bottom plate, th~ wings upwardly extending within the cavity and facing each other when the assembly is mounted in the cavity, each of the wings comprising a round hole sized and posiboned to pivotably receive and hold one of the end portions of the arm.
Cam-actuating means are also provided. These means are accessiL,le and operable from one side of the heel or sole to pivot the cam between the extended and rebracted positions so as to move the spikes out of the cavity in operabve posibon and to retract them within the cavity, whenever required.
Advantageously, these cam-actuating means may comprise a cylindrical peg insertable into a cylindrical through hole provided in a side wall of the cavity, this through hole being aligned with the rotation axis of the cam when the assembly is inserted in the cavity, the peg having: an inner end operatively connectable to one of the end portions of the cam; an outer end extending flush with the one side of the heel or sole where the through hole opens, the outer end of the peg having a diametrically extending slot useful as a grip to rotate the peg and the cam connected thereto; and a locking groove peripherally exlendi,lg all around the peg in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.
In this particular embodiment, the peg may be held in the through hole by a locking pin insertable into a blind hole tangentially inlerse(;ling the through hole, ~ 208~221 this blind hole being positioned so that the locking pin, once inserted, engages the Iocking groove of the peg and locks this peg within the through-hole.
As can be appreciated, the retractable spike assembly accordi, Ig to the invention is much simpler in structure than the retr~ct~hlc cleat assembly disclosed in Applicant's Canadian patent No. 955,398. Indeed, it comprises only one singlecompression spring to move all the spikes in and out, and it needs no compression coil spring and bea,ings to hold the cam in operative position. Thanks to its structure, the peg used as cam-actuating means can be inserted in the through hole after inslallalion of the assembly into the cavity, thereby making the whole inst~4tion much easier to carry out.
The present invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following non-restrictive clesc~ lion of a prerer~e(l embodiment thereof, given with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom of a shoe heel with a r~t,actable spike assembly accorcling to the invention installed therein;2 0 Fig. 2 is a side elevational, cross-section view of the retractable spike assembly and shoe heel of Fig. 1, showing the spikes in r~l,a1led position; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to the one of Fig. 2, showing the spikes in extended position.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRt~thrttu EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The retractable spike ~sselllbly according to the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be inserted into a cavity 1 made for this purpose in the bottom surface 3 of a footwear heel or sole 5.
This assembly comprises a bottom plate 7 extending flush with the bottom surface 3 of the heel 5 when the assembly is mounted in the cavity, as isbetter shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In use, this bottom plate can be protected by an ` ~ ~08~221 undersole 3' fixed to the bottom surface 3 of the heel 5 after installation of the assembly.
A guide pin 9 is rigidly connected to the bottom plate 7 so as to project ce~,l,dlly upwardly within the cavity 1 when the assembly is mounted in the cavity.
The assembly also comprises a carrier plate 11 extending parallel to the bottom plate 7 above the same. The carrier plate 11 supports two s~ " "~ll ically spaced apart spikes 13 that are rigidly fixed thereto by screwing or welding in such a manner as to downwardly project towards and through the bottom plate, the spikes having lower ends extending through guiding holes 15, 15' provided for this purpose in the bottom plate 7 and the undersole 3' whenever present. The carrier plate also supports a L-shaped member 17 having a first, vertically upstanding arm 19 and asecond arm 21 that is perpendicuiar to the first one and extends parallel to thecarrier plate 11. As can be seen, the first arm 19 has one end rigidly attached to the carrier plate and another end integrally extended by the second arm 21 which comprises a central hole 23 sized to receive the guide pin 9. As is better shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the L-shaped member 17 is sized and attached to the carrier plate 11 in such a manner that the guide pin 9 extends through the central hole 23 of theseco, Id arm 21 when the spikes 13 extend through the guiding holes 15 made in the bottom plate 7. Advantageously, the carrier plate 11 and the L-shaped member 17 are made from the same metal sheet, by metal slall"~ing.
A compression coil spring 25 is mounted onto the guide pin 9 between the bottom plate 7 and the second arm 21 of the L-shaped member 17 to permanently push up this L-shaped member together with the carrier plate and spikes connected thereto.
The asse",bly further comprises a cam 27 rotatable about a rotation axis 29 orthogonal to the bottom plate and to the guide pin, respectively. The cam 27 has a central portion 31 of ~set the rotation axis and two opposite end portions 33 and 35 aligned with the rotation axis. The end portions 33, 35 which are preferably in the form of flat tabs, act as pivot means, as will be explained hereinafter.
Cam-holding means are provided for pivotably holding the cam 27 above the carrier plate 11 in such a manner that, in one given angular position shown in Fig. 3 and hereinafter called "e,~lended position", the edge of the central 208~221 portion 31 of the cam 33 positively engages the carrier plate 11 and holds it down against the action of the compression spring 25, with the spikes projecting 13 downwardly beyond the bottom surface 3 of the heel or sole 5, and, in another given angular position shown in Fig. 2, which is perpendicular to the first one and 5 hereinafter called "retracted position", the edge of the central portion 31 of the cam does not bear onto the carrier plate 11 and let it free to move up under the action of the compression spring 25 so as to retract the spikes 13 within the cavity.
P,ererably to cam holding means comprises two opposite wings 37, 39 that are integral to the bottom plate 7 and so positioned as to upwardly extend 10 within the cavity and face each other when the assembly is mounted in the cavity.
Each of the wings 37, 39 that are prererably made from the same metal sheet as the bottom plate by metal slamping, comprises a round hole 41, 43 sized and positioned to pivotably receive and hold one of the end portk)ns 33, 35 of the cam 27.
The holes 41, 43 are prererably positioned above the bottom plate at 15 such a height that the cam 27 may act as a retainer to limit the upwards movement of the carrier plate 11 when the same is moved in the r~l,a~ed position. This isshown in Fig. 2.
The assembly further comprises cam-actuating means accessihle and operable from one side 45 of the heel or sole 5 to pivot the cam 27 between the 20 extended and retracted positions and thus move the spikes 13 out of the cavity in operative position or to retract them within the cavity, whenever required.
As is shown in the accompanying drawings, the cam actuating means pr~r~:rably comprises a cylindrical peg 47 i"se~lable into a cylindrical through hole 49 provided in the side 45 of the heel or sole 5. Of course, this through hole is and 2S must be aligned with the rotation axis 29 of the cam 27 when the assembly is i"se, led in the cavity.
As is better shown in Fig. 1, the peg 47 has an inner end 51 operatively connectable to the end portion 33 of the cam. For this purpose, the inner end 51of the peg 47 is provided with a slot 53 that engages the adjacent tab 33 when the 30 peg is locked within the through-hole.
The peg 47 also has an outer end extending flush with the one side 45 of the heel or sole where the through hole 49 opens. This outer end 55 has a '- 2089221 diametrically slot 57 useful as a grip to rotate the peg and the cam connected thereto. Advantageously, the slot 57 in the outer end 55 of the peg 47 is sized to be engaged by, and grip the edge of a coin, whereby this coin can be used as a toolto ~ct(l~te the cam 27.
The peg 47 further has a tocking groove 59 peripherally extending all around it in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 29.
The peg 47 is held in position within the through hole 49 by means of a locking pin 61 insertable into a blind hole 63 tangentially intersecting the through hole 49 so that the locking pin, once i"se, led, engages the locking groove 59 of the peg 47 and locks this peg within the through-hole 49.
To make the installation easier and the peg and through-hole water-tight, use can be made of a sleeve 65 snuggably insertable into the through hole 49 for use as a water-tight lining for the peg. Of course, this sleeve 65 must be provided with a peripheral slot 67 to be locked by, and give room to the locking pin 61 to, lock the peg 47.
Also to make the installation easier, the bottom plate 7 is pre~erably made longer than the cavity 19 to act as a stopper when the assembly is insertedinto the cavity. In such a case, the wings 37 and 39 of the bottom plate are also sized so that their vertical edges may engage slots 69 provided in opposite corners of the cavity 1. This permits to center the assenlbly within the cavity with the rotation axis 29 of the cam 27 an alignment with the through hole 49.
In accordance with a further, particularly prere, l ed embodiment of the invention, the cam 27 is so positioned as to be rotatable in a direction "D" opposite to the L-shaped member 17 when it is rotated in the extended position. Thanks tothis feature, when the cam has reached and slightly passed the extended positionas is shown in Fig. 3, it is automatically locked in a neutral position by the combined action of the compression spring 25 and of the end of the L-shaped member 17 that is attached to the carrier plate 11. This prevents the spikes from inadvertentlyretracting, with the associated risk of accident.
Of course, slight modifications could be made to the above assembly without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Thus, for example, the ~iffe~e,ll structural elements such as the 208922i g carrier plate and the L-shaped me",ber could be assembled by welding rather thanmade by metal stamping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) field of the invention The present invention is concerned with an assembly of retractable spikes for use in the heels and/or soles of footwear articles, such as showes orboots, to make them non slippery whenever required.
More particularly, the invention is concerned with an improvement to 10 the structure of the retractable spike asse"~bly disclosed in Canadian patent No.
955,398 granted on October 1st, 1974 to the same Applicant.
b) brief description of the Prior art It is known that spikes can be used under certain conditions to prevent slipping. They are advantageous for pedestrians on icy roads, sportsmen or 15 ~sl,ennen on rock or wet grass, workmen on wooden scaffolding, lumbermen on logs, etc...
It is also known that the use of spikes under a footwear article is convenient and even dangerous for example on hard surfaces such as streets and sidewalls. Under certain circlJ" ,~ nces,spikes cannot be used as they may damage 2 o the surfaces, as in the case of the floor of a residence.
It has already been proposed to make spikes which are retractable within the heel or sole of a shoe so that they can be extended when needed and pulled in when they are not wanted. In this connection, reference can be made toU.S. patent Nos. 351,415 ~\NELLER); 1,361,078 (LYNN); 1,487,976 (ROSSI et al);
25 1,607,296 (NOEL); 2,920,404 (ROSS) and 3,343,283 ~HENRY).
The above mentioned Canadian patent No. 955,398 g,anled to the Applicant discloses a retractable spike assembly comprising a carrier plate to which a plurality of spikes, called "cleats", are secured. The plate and the cleats are sized and devised to be mounted within a cavity made in a heel or a sole. The assembly30 also comprises a plurality of compression springs urging the plate into retracted position within the cavity, and a rotatable cam mounted above the carrier plate and ~' 20892~1 engageable with a central part thereof in order to move it down in an extended position, where the cleats projects downwardly out from the heel or sole.
This arrangement ensures proper operation of the mechanism even if 5 it becomes clogged with mud. Indeed, even if the springs fail to retract the plate and spikes, the next contact with the grownd will do so. Another advantage of the assembly disclosed in this Canadian patent is that the carrier plate is allowed a certain amount of swing, ensuring that all the spikes will come in contact with the ground in the extended position.
The marginal portions of the carrier plate of the assembly disclosed in this Canadian patent are pe,foralecl for the passage of guide pins secured to a bottom plate, the springs being mounted around these guide pins. Thanks to this feature, the assembly forms a unitary structure which c~n be mounted as such into the heel or sole cavity either during manufacture ~,i the shoe, or later.
Moreover, the roldl~le cam of this prior art assembly comprises a shaft extending from the cavity to the side of the heel or sole, the shaft having one end flush with such a side and provided with a slot for turning it. With this arrangement, all that is visible is the slotted end of the shaft so that the appearance of the shoe is not arre~;led and there are not pro~ecting parts that may catch on 20 things or get broken off Turning of the shaft may be done with a coin so that no separate keys or tools are required.
The shaft also has a portion of reduced diameter at its end opposite its slotted end which forms a shoulder. A compression spring is located between the cam and the wall of the cavity at the slotted shaft end to urge the shoulder against 25 the opposite cavity wall.
Thus, the rel, aclable spike assembly disclosed in the above mentioned Canadian patent No. 955,398 granled in 1974 to the Applicant presents a variety of advantages of construction, inslalldlion and operation over the other mechanisms of the same type that were known at that time.
``- 208~221 OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has recently been discovered by the Applicant that the retractable S spike assembly disclosed in his Canadian patent No. 965,398 could still be made simpler in structure and thus much less costly to manufacture and install, whilekeeping the same efficiency in operation.
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a - retractable spike assembly insertable into a cavity made for this purpose in the bottom surface of a footwear heel or sole, which is of the same type as the one disclosed in Canadian patent No. 955,398, but is simpler in structure and installation while being as efficient in operation.
In accordance with the invention, this object is ach.~vcd with a retractable spike assembly comprising a bottorll plate extending flush with the bottom surface of the sole or heel when the assembly is mounted in the cavity. Aguide pin is rigidly connected to the bottom plate so as to project centrally upwardly with in the cavity when the assembly is mounted in the cavity.
The assembly also comprises a carrier plate e~lencling parallel to the bottom plate above the same, and at least two spaced apart spikes integral to and 2 0 dow. .~ardly projecting from the carrier plate. The spikes have lower ends extending through guiding holes provided for this purpose in the bottom plate.
The assembly further comprises a L-shaped member having a first, vertically upstanding arm and a second perpendicular arm extending parallel to the carrier plate. The first arm have one end rigidly attached to the carrier plate and 2~ another end integrally extended by the second arm which itself comprises a central hole sized to receive the guide pin. The L-shaped member is sized and attached to the carrier plate in such a way that the guide pin extends through the central hole of the second arm when the spikes extend through the guiding holes in the bottomplate.
A compression spring is mounted onto the guide pin between the bottom plate and the second arm of the L-shaped member to permanently push up the L-shaped member together with the carrier plate and spike.
In addition, the assembly comprises a cam rotatable about a rotation axis orthogonal to the bottom plate and to the guide pin, respecffvely. The cam has a central portion offset the rotation axis and two opposite end portions aligned with the rotation axis, the end portions of the cam acting as pivot means.
Cam-holding means are provided for pivotably holding the cam above the carrier plate in such a manner that, in one given angular position hereinafter called "extended position", the central portion of the cam positively engages the carrier plate and holds it down against the action of the compression spring, with the spikes projecting downwardly beyond the bottom surface of the heel or sole, and,in another given angular position perpendicular to the first one and hereinafter called "retracted position", the cental portion of the cam does not bear onto the carrier plate and let it free to move up under the action of the compression spring so as to retract the spikes within the cavity. Advantageously, the c~m holding means may comprisetwo opposite wings inlegral to the bottom plate, th~ wings upwardly extending within the cavity and facing each other when the assembly is mounted in the cavity, each of the wings comprising a round hole sized and posiboned to pivotably receive and hold one of the end portions of the arm.
Cam-actuating means are also provided. These means are accessiL,le and operable from one side of the heel or sole to pivot the cam between the extended and rebracted positions so as to move the spikes out of the cavity in operabve posibon and to retract them within the cavity, whenever required.
Advantageously, these cam-actuating means may comprise a cylindrical peg insertable into a cylindrical through hole provided in a side wall of the cavity, this through hole being aligned with the rotation axis of the cam when the assembly is inserted in the cavity, the peg having: an inner end operatively connectable to one of the end portions of the cam; an outer end extending flush with the one side of the heel or sole where the through hole opens, the outer end of the peg having a diametrically extending slot useful as a grip to rotate the peg and the cam connected thereto; and a locking groove peripherally exlendi,lg all around the peg in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.
In this particular embodiment, the peg may be held in the through hole by a locking pin insertable into a blind hole tangentially inlerse(;ling the through hole, ~ 208~221 this blind hole being positioned so that the locking pin, once inserted, engages the Iocking groove of the peg and locks this peg within the through-hole.
As can be appreciated, the retractable spike assembly accordi, Ig to the invention is much simpler in structure than the retr~ct~hlc cleat assembly disclosed in Applicant's Canadian patent No. 955,398. Indeed, it comprises only one singlecompression spring to move all the spikes in and out, and it needs no compression coil spring and bea,ings to hold the cam in operative position. Thanks to its structure, the peg used as cam-actuating means can be inserted in the through hole after inslallalion of the assembly into the cavity, thereby making the whole inst~4tion much easier to carry out.
The present invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following non-restrictive clesc~ lion of a prerer~e(l embodiment thereof, given with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom of a shoe heel with a r~t,actable spike assembly accorcling to the invention installed therein;2 0 Fig. 2 is a side elevational, cross-section view of the retractable spike assembly and shoe heel of Fig. 1, showing the spikes in r~l,a1led position; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to the one of Fig. 2, showing the spikes in extended position.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRt~thrttu EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The retractable spike ~sselllbly according to the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be inserted into a cavity 1 made for this purpose in the bottom surface 3 of a footwear heel or sole 5.
This assembly comprises a bottom plate 7 extending flush with the bottom surface 3 of the heel 5 when the assembly is mounted in the cavity, as isbetter shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In use, this bottom plate can be protected by an ` ~ ~08~221 undersole 3' fixed to the bottom surface 3 of the heel 5 after installation of the assembly.
A guide pin 9 is rigidly connected to the bottom plate 7 so as to project ce~,l,dlly upwardly within the cavity 1 when the assembly is mounted in the cavity.
The assembly also comprises a carrier plate 11 extending parallel to the bottom plate 7 above the same. The carrier plate 11 supports two s~ " "~ll ically spaced apart spikes 13 that are rigidly fixed thereto by screwing or welding in such a manner as to downwardly project towards and through the bottom plate, the spikes having lower ends extending through guiding holes 15, 15' provided for this purpose in the bottom plate 7 and the undersole 3' whenever present. The carrier plate also supports a L-shaped member 17 having a first, vertically upstanding arm 19 and asecond arm 21 that is perpendicuiar to the first one and extends parallel to thecarrier plate 11. As can be seen, the first arm 19 has one end rigidly attached to the carrier plate and another end integrally extended by the second arm 21 which comprises a central hole 23 sized to receive the guide pin 9. As is better shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the L-shaped member 17 is sized and attached to the carrier plate 11 in such a manner that the guide pin 9 extends through the central hole 23 of theseco, Id arm 21 when the spikes 13 extend through the guiding holes 15 made in the bottom plate 7. Advantageously, the carrier plate 11 and the L-shaped member 17 are made from the same metal sheet, by metal slall"~ing.
A compression coil spring 25 is mounted onto the guide pin 9 between the bottom plate 7 and the second arm 21 of the L-shaped member 17 to permanently push up this L-shaped member together with the carrier plate and spikes connected thereto.
The asse",bly further comprises a cam 27 rotatable about a rotation axis 29 orthogonal to the bottom plate and to the guide pin, respectively. The cam 27 has a central portion 31 of ~set the rotation axis and two opposite end portions 33 and 35 aligned with the rotation axis. The end portions 33, 35 which are preferably in the form of flat tabs, act as pivot means, as will be explained hereinafter.
Cam-holding means are provided for pivotably holding the cam 27 above the carrier plate 11 in such a manner that, in one given angular position shown in Fig. 3 and hereinafter called "e,~lended position", the edge of the central 208~221 portion 31 of the cam 33 positively engages the carrier plate 11 and holds it down against the action of the compression spring 25, with the spikes projecting 13 downwardly beyond the bottom surface 3 of the heel or sole 5, and, in another given angular position shown in Fig. 2, which is perpendicular to the first one and 5 hereinafter called "retracted position", the edge of the central portion 31 of the cam does not bear onto the carrier plate 11 and let it free to move up under the action of the compression spring 25 so as to retract the spikes 13 within the cavity.
P,ererably to cam holding means comprises two opposite wings 37, 39 that are integral to the bottom plate 7 and so positioned as to upwardly extend 10 within the cavity and face each other when the assembly is mounted in the cavity.
Each of the wings 37, 39 that are prererably made from the same metal sheet as the bottom plate by metal slamping, comprises a round hole 41, 43 sized and positioned to pivotably receive and hold one of the end portk)ns 33, 35 of the cam 27.
The holes 41, 43 are prererably positioned above the bottom plate at 15 such a height that the cam 27 may act as a retainer to limit the upwards movement of the carrier plate 11 when the same is moved in the r~l,a~ed position. This isshown in Fig. 2.
The assembly further comprises cam-actuating means accessihle and operable from one side 45 of the heel or sole 5 to pivot the cam 27 between the 20 extended and retracted positions and thus move the spikes 13 out of the cavity in operative position or to retract them within the cavity, whenever required.
As is shown in the accompanying drawings, the cam actuating means pr~r~:rably comprises a cylindrical peg 47 i"se~lable into a cylindrical through hole 49 provided in the side 45 of the heel or sole 5. Of course, this through hole is and 2S must be aligned with the rotation axis 29 of the cam 27 when the assembly is i"se, led in the cavity.
As is better shown in Fig. 1, the peg 47 has an inner end 51 operatively connectable to the end portion 33 of the cam. For this purpose, the inner end 51of the peg 47 is provided with a slot 53 that engages the adjacent tab 33 when the 30 peg is locked within the through-hole.
The peg 47 also has an outer end extending flush with the one side 45 of the heel or sole where the through hole 49 opens. This outer end 55 has a '- 2089221 diametrically slot 57 useful as a grip to rotate the peg and the cam connected thereto. Advantageously, the slot 57 in the outer end 55 of the peg 47 is sized to be engaged by, and grip the edge of a coin, whereby this coin can be used as a toolto ~ct(l~te the cam 27.
The peg 47 further has a tocking groove 59 peripherally extending all around it in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 29.
The peg 47 is held in position within the through hole 49 by means of a locking pin 61 insertable into a blind hole 63 tangentially intersecting the through hole 49 so that the locking pin, once i"se, led, engages the locking groove 59 of the peg 47 and locks this peg within the through-hole 49.
To make the installation easier and the peg and through-hole water-tight, use can be made of a sleeve 65 snuggably insertable into the through hole 49 for use as a water-tight lining for the peg. Of course, this sleeve 65 must be provided with a peripheral slot 67 to be locked by, and give room to the locking pin 61 to, lock the peg 47.
Also to make the installation easier, the bottom plate 7 is pre~erably made longer than the cavity 19 to act as a stopper when the assembly is insertedinto the cavity. In such a case, the wings 37 and 39 of the bottom plate are also sized so that their vertical edges may engage slots 69 provided in opposite corners of the cavity 1. This permits to center the assenlbly within the cavity with the rotation axis 29 of the cam 27 an alignment with the through hole 49.
In accordance with a further, particularly prere, l ed embodiment of the invention, the cam 27 is so positioned as to be rotatable in a direction "D" opposite to the L-shaped member 17 when it is rotated in the extended position. Thanks tothis feature, when the cam has reached and slightly passed the extended positionas is shown in Fig. 3, it is automatically locked in a neutral position by the combined action of the compression spring 25 and of the end of the L-shaped member 17 that is attached to the carrier plate 11. This prevents the spikes from inadvertentlyretracting, with the associated risk of accident.
Of course, slight modifications could be made to the above assembly without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Thus, for example, the ~iffe~e,ll structural elements such as the 208922i g carrier plate and the L-shaped me",ber could be assembled by welding rather thanmade by metal stamping.
Claims (10)
1. A retractable spike assembly insertable into a cavity made in the bottom surface of a footwear heel or sole, said assembly comprising:
a bottom plate extending flush with said bottom surface when said assembly is mounted in the cavity;
a guide pin rigidly connected to the bottom plate, said guide pin projecting centrally upwardly within said cavity when the assembly is mounted in said cavity;
a carrier plate extending parallel to the bottom plate above the same, at least two spaced apart spikes integral to and downwardly projecting from the carrier plate, said spikes having lower ends extending through guiding holes provided in the bottom plate;
a L-shaped member having a first, vertically upstanding arm and a second perpendicular arm extending parallel to the carrier plate, said first arm having one end rigidly attached to the carrier plate and another end integrally extended by the second arm, said second arm comprising a central hole sized to receive the guide pin, said L-shaped member being sized and attached to the carrier plate insuch a way that the guide pin extends through the central hole of the second armwhen the spikes extend through the guiding holes in the bottom plate;
a compression spring mounted onto the guide pin between the bottom plate and the second arm of the L-shaped member to permanently push up said L-shaped member together with the carrier plate and spikes;
a cam rotatable about a rotation axis orthogonal to the bottom plate and to the guide pin, respectively, said cam having a central portion offset therotation axis and two opposite end portions aligned with said rotation axis, said end portions acting as pivot means;
cam-holding means for pivotably holding the cam above the carrier plate in such a manner that, in one given angular position hereinafter called "extended position", the central portion of the cam positively engages the carrier plate and holds it down against the action of the compression spring, with the spikes projecting downwardly beyond the bottom surface of the heel or sole, and, in another given angular position perpendicular to the first one and hereinafter called "retracted position", the central portion of the cam does not bear onto the carrier plate and let it free to move up under the action of the compression spring so as to retract the spikes within the cavity; and cam-actuating means accessible and operable from one side of the heel or sole to pivot the cam between the extended and retracted positions so as to move the spikes out of the cavity in operative position and to retract them within the cavity, whenever required.
a bottom plate extending flush with said bottom surface when said assembly is mounted in the cavity;
a guide pin rigidly connected to the bottom plate, said guide pin projecting centrally upwardly within said cavity when the assembly is mounted in said cavity;
a carrier plate extending parallel to the bottom plate above the same, at least two spaced apart spikes integral to and downwardly projecting from the carrier plate, said spikes having lower ends extending through guiding holes provided in the bottom plate;
a L-shaped member having a first, vertically upstanding arm and a second perpendicular arm extending parallel to the carrier plate, said first arm having one end rigidly attached to the carrier plate and another end integrally extended by the second arm, said second arm comprising a central hole sized to receive the guide pin, said L-shaped member being sized and attached to the carrier plate insuch a way that the guide pin extends through the central hole of the second armwhen the spikes extend through the guiding holes in the bottom plate;
a compression spring mounted onto the guide pin between the bottom plate and the second arm of the L-shaped member to permanently push up said L-shaped member together with the carrier plate and spikes;
a cam rotatable about a rotation axis orthogonal to the bottom plate and to the guide pin, respectively, said cam having a central portion offset therotation axis and two opposite end portions aligned with said rotation axis, said end portions acting as pivot means;
cam-holding means for pivotably holding the cam above the carrier plate in such a manner that, in one given angular position hereinafter called "extended position", the central portion of the cam positively engages the carrier plate and holds it down against the action of the compression spring, with the spikes projecting downwardly beyond the bottom surface of the heel or sole, and, in another given angular position perpendicular to the first one and hereinafter called "retracted position", the central portion of the cam does not bear onto the carrier plate and let it free to move up under the action of the compression spring so as to retract the spikes within the cavity; and cam-actuating means accessible and operable from one side of the heel or sole to pivot the cam between the extended and retracted positions so as to move the spikes out of the cavity in operative position and to retract them within the cavity, whenever required.
2. The retractable spike assembly of claim 1, wherein said cam-actuating means comprises:
a cylindrical peg insertable into a cylindrical through hole provided in a side wall of the cavity, said hole being aligned with the rotation axis of the cam when the assembly is inserted in the cavity, said peg having an inner end operatively connectable to one of the end portions of the cam, an outer end extending flush with said one side of the heel or sole where the through hole opens, said outer end having a diametrically extending slot useful as a grip to rotate the peg and the cam connected thereto; and a locking groove peripherally extending all around the peg in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis; and a locking pin insertable into a blind hole tangentially intersecting said through hole in said side wall of the cavity, said blind h ole being positioned so that the locking pin, once inserted, engages the locking groove of the peg and locks said peg within the through-hole.
a cylindrical peg insertable into a cylindrical through hole provided in a side wall of the cavity, said hole being aligned with the rotation axis of the cam when the assembly is inserted in the cavity, said peg having an inner end operatively connectable to one of the end portions of the cam, an outer end extending flush with said one side of the heel or sole where the through hole opens, said outer end having a diametrically extending slot useful as a grip to rotate the peg and the cam connected thereto; and a locking groove peripherally extending all around the peg in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis; and a locking pin insertable into a blind hole tangentially intersecting said through hole in said side wall of the cavity, said blind h ole being positioned so that the locking pin, once inserted, engages the locking groove of the peg and locks said peg within the through-hole.
3. The retractable spike assembly of claim 2, wherein the end portions of the cam are in the form of flat tabs, and wherein the inner end of the peg isprovided with a slot that engages the adjacent tab when the peg is locked within the through-hole, whereby the required operative connection of the peg to the cam isachieved.
4. The retractable spike assembly of claim 3, wherein said cam actuating means also comprises:
a sleeve insertable into the through hole for use as a lining for the peg said sleeve being provided with a peripheral slot to give room to said locking pin.
a sleeve insertable into the through hole for use as a lining for the peg said sleeve being provided with a peripheral slot to give room to said locking pin.
5. The retractable spike assembly of claim 4, wherein the slot in the outer end of the peg is sized to be engageable by, and to grip an edge of a coin, whereby said coin can be used as a tool to actuate the cam.
6. The retractable assembly of any one of clams 1 to 5, wherein said cam holding means comprises two opposite wings integral to said bottom plate, said wings upwardly extending within the cavity and facing each other when the assembly is mounted in the cavity, each of the wings comprising a round hole sized and positioned to pivotably receive and hold one of the end portions of the cam.
7. The retractable assembly of claim 6, wherein the bottom plate is longer than the cavity so to act as a stopper when the assembly is inserted into the cavity, and wherein the wings of said bottom plate have vertical edges engageable into slots provided in opposite corners of said cavity so as to center said assembly within said cavity with the rotation axis of the cam in alignment with the through hole made in said side wall of the cavity.
8. The retractable assembly of claim 6, wherein the bottom plate and wings on the one hand, and the carrier plate and the L-shaped member, on the other hand, are made from a same metal sheet by metal stamping.
9. The retractable assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 and 8, wherein the cam is held by the cam-holding means at such a distance above the bottom plate that said cam may also act as a retainer to limit the upwards movement of the carrier plate when the same is free to move in the retracted position, and wherein said cam is so positioned as to be rotatable in a direction opposite to the L-shaped member when it is rotated in the extended position, whereby, when said cam has reached and slightly passed the extended position, it is automatically locked in a neutral position by the combined action of the compression spring and of the one end of said L-shaped member attached to the carrier plate.
10. A footwear comprising a retractable spike assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 and 8.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2089221 CA2089221C (en) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-02-10 | Retractable spike assembly for footwear sole or heel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2089221 CA2089221C (en) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-02-10 | Retractable spike assembly for footwear sole or heel |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2089221A1 CA2089221A1 (en) | 1994-08-11 |
| CA2089221C true CA2089221C (en) | 1996-07-09 |
Family
ID=4151139
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2089221 Expired - Fee Related CA2089221C (en) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-02-10 | Retractable spike assembly for footwear sole or heel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2089221C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1712148A1 (en) * | 2005-04-14 | 2006-10-18 | Ilio Fanetti | Retractable antislip device for footwear |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5870838A (en) * | 1997-08-04 | 1999-02-16 | Khayat; Renee. | Retractable spike system for a footwear sole |
| CN107637912A (en) * | 2017-10-30 | 2018-01-30 | 杨中臣 | A anti-skidding dual-purpose shoe in ice and snow day with and its form dual-purpose shoe |
-
1993
- 1993-02-10 CA CA 2089221 patent/CA2089221C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1712148A1 (en) * | 2005-04-14 | 2006-10-18 | Ilio Fanetti | Retractable antislip device for footwear |
| WO2006109335A1 (en) * | 2005-04-14 | 2006-10-19 | Ilio Fanetti | Universal antislip claw for footwear |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2089221A1 (en) | 1994-08-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |