EP0222859B1

EP0222859B1 - Sport shoe sole structure

Info

Publication number: EP0222859B1
Application number: EP86903390A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tauno Koskela
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-05-17
Filing date: 1986-05-19
Publication date: 1990-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2006-05-19
Also published as: WO1986006592A1; FI851978A0; DE3668539D1; FI851978L; EP0222859A1

Abstract

A sport shoe sole structure in which the anti-slip device is fixed to the sole from the inside with a flanged threaded shank (4) inserted through the sole and in which the top part of the anti-slip device (8) fits into a recess in the outer surface of the sole.

Description

This invention relates to a sport shoe sole structure comprising a sole and anti-slip devices of cylindrical shape at the top on the sole, in which structure there is a seating with a flange and a threaded shank threaded from the inside through an opening in the sole smaller than the diameter of the flange, and in which anti-slip device there is a threaded seat to take the threaded shank for fastening the anti-slip device to the shank, the sole having a recess into which the top part of the anti-slip device fits when the anti-slip device is in its place.
The structure is particularly well suited to football boots.
The main part of a football boot stud nowadays is a threaded steel shank. Fixed to the sole is a steel disc threaded internally to take the shank (see CH-A-260 071).
A construction like this makes the boot very heavy. In order to reduce the weight, attemps are being made to make the sole as thin as possible. This, however, is not recommended as the studs then hurt the soles of the feet.
This method is also unpleasant because it is rigid. It does not allow the stud to absorb impacts. Modern-day studs may also cause injuries to other players, particularly if the moulding over the steel shank has worn away.
The modern-day construction is, in addition, very expensive to produce.
Other ways of attaching studs have also been suggested, but no really successful solution has yet been found. Either the method has had the drawbacks mentioned above, or else the construction has been too weak or too complicated.
Patent specification GB 1 399 147, for example, describes a structure consisting of a pillar with internal and external threads and adapted to extend through the sole. The external thread receives a retaining washer and the internal thread is adapted to receive the threaded steel shank of a stud. The stud has a moulded covering fitting into the retaining washer. This construction is, however, very complicated and expensive.
GB-A-1 939 239 describes a stud for a footgear having a flange member, a screw-threaded boss on one side of the flange member and a spike on the other side of the flange member. The boss is screwed into the sole and a locking member in the form of an arched tongue integral with the flange member comprise a tip which is piercing into the sole when the stud is screwed into the other direction. The stud completely is made out of a metal.
Patent specification SE 379 923 describes a structure in which the stud is screwed onto a threaded steel shank extending through the sole. On the outer sole there is a platform and washer to take the stud.
Withoutthe threaded steel shank this construction would not withstand powerful lateral impacts, which in football can reach a force of nearly 200 kg. Also the stud platform and washer weaken the support reaction here.
Another weakness of the models referred to above is the plurality of places for joints and grooves to which mud particles easily attach themselves. The number of particles steadily increases until larger lumps are formed, which increase boat the weight of the and reduce grip.
Patent application DE 2 542 116 describes a structure in which the inner face of the stud carries a cylindrical threaded socket and in the middle of it a threaded shank extending above the cylinder. The sole of the boot has a corresponding threaded shank to take the cylinder and in the middle of it a threaded socket for the stud shank. In addition the inner face of the study may have a ringlike projection and on the sole of the boot a similarly shaped recess to take it. Being made of plastic, however, this model has not shown itself to be sufficiently durable.
US-A-1 724 365 describes an athletic shoe provided with cleats. Every cleat has a shank adapted to snugly fit in an aperture in the sole. The shank is formed with a longitudinal bore and a screw is threaded into the bore from the inner portion of the sole. The head of the screw is projecting from the inner face of the sole and that makes it discomforta- ble for the user. Furthermore, the cleats can twist off.
The purpose of this invention is to achieve a light but strong construction for an anti-slip device that is lighter than those in use at the moment but at the same time offers sufficient support in which no steel parts need to be used and in which a fixation of the anti-slip is assured.
To this end, the essential feature of this invention is that the anti-slip device has a tongue-like projection and on the sole a locking place for the projection for locking the anti-slip device into place or, alternatively, a projection on the sole and a locking place on the anti-slip device.
The sole structure described here is best made from some suitable plastic materials. This makes the boot much lighter than conventional football boots, which have steel supports, yet the sole of the boot can still be made thick enough to be comfortable. The structure described in this invention still gives sufficient support thanks to the flange on the threaded shank and the recessing of the anti-slip devices into the sole. The strength of the structure has also been confirmed in actual games.
The structure described here can be made to provide the right amount of flexibility. This makes the boots more comfortable to play in and reduces strain on the feet. The absence of steel in the studs also reduces the danger of other players being injured.
The locking mechanism for the anti-slip device described in the invention ensures that the studs stay exactly in place. This is particularly advantageous with the highly effective three-sided studs mounted so that one side faces directly backwards towards the heel. The tongue also increases flexibility, particularly by reducing the force of impacts coming from the side.
The structure described in this invention is easy to produce.
The invention is illustrated in terms of one particular mode of performance in more detail by the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 a and 1 b show separate parts of the structure,
Figure 2 is a plan view of the location of the stud and seating in the sole of the football boot,
Figure 3 is a sectional view from Figure 2 taken at point A,
Figure 4 is a sectional view from Figure 3 taken at point B,
Figure 5 is a sectional view from Figure 2 taken at point C.

The main parts of the sole structure (Figure 1 a) are: the sole of the boot 1, the stud 2, and the stud seating 3. The parts are best made from suitable plastic materials. The studs are best made from a softer material than the sole.
The stud seating (Figure 3) has a threaded shank 4, which is inserted from inside through a threaded socket 5 of appropriate size for the shank 4 in the sole, and the flange 6 which fits into a recess in the inner surface of the sole. The flange 6 is shaped in such a way that the stud seating 3 cannot turn in the sole 1 (Figure 1 b). The inner part of the sole is made in the form desired.
The stud has a threaded seat 7 for the threaded shank 4. The top part 8 of the stud is cylindrical and fits tightly into the recess 9 on the outside of the sole. The stud is shaped like a regular tetrahedron with one side facing directly backwards towards the heel when the stud is in place.
The stud and seating are best designed in such a way that a small gap remains between the end of the threaded shank 4 and the threaded seat 7 of the stud. In this way the top part 8 of the stud is sure to fit tightly into the recess 9 in the sole. If the threading is very tight, it may be necessary to make a small air vent in the stud in order to make it easier to thread it into place.
The flange 6 of the seating should be thicker towards the centre. This reduces the chance of it breaking.
The edges of the stud carry projections 10 which fit tightly against the sole. On the underside of the projection 10 is a tongue 11 running perpendicular to the tongue. The sole has a locking place 12 for the tongue 11. When the stud is screwed into place, the sole yields slightly, becoming concave, and the projection 10 also gives so that the tongue 11 can move from one locking place 12 to another. In order to make it easier to move the tongue its leading edge 13 tapers more gently than the back edge. When the foot presses down on the sole, the sole does not yield and the stud remains in place. The stud can be removed when necessary using the appropriate tool.
Between the flange of the stud seating 6 and the sole it is best to leave a small gap. This gives the sole some elasticity which makes it easier to move the tongue 11 from one locking place 12 to another. The elasticity also absorbs impacts striking the stud at right angles.
The projections 10 also have a static effect, improving the stud's grip in all directions; they also give the lock greater flexibility against strong impacts. The sides of the stud also have a lip 14 which presses tightly against the sole. The sole has been rounded off by 2-6 mm where it meets the edge of the lip 14. Thanks to the lip and the rounding off, mud does not easily cling to this point. The lip also increases flexibility in the vertical direction.
A low platform with a gently tapering edge to take the stud has been made on the sole.
In other respects the boot can be made as required for its intended purpose and the materials to be used.

Claims

1. A sport shoe sole structure comprising a sole and anti-slip devices of cylindrical shape at the top (8) on the sole, in which structure there is a seating (3) with a flange (6) and a threaded shank (4) threaded from the inside through an opening in the sole smaller than the diameter of the flange, and in which anti-slip device there is a threaded seat (7) to take the threaded shank for fastening the anti-slip device to the shank, the sole having a recess (9) into which the top part (8) of the anti-slip device fits when the anti-slip device is in its place characterized in that the anti-slip device has a tongue-like projection (11) and on the sole a locking place (12) for the projection for locking the anti-slip device into place or, alternatively, a projection on the sole and a locking place on the anti-slip device.

2. The structure described in claim 1 in which the lower face of the edge (10) of the anti-slip device carries a tongue-like projection (11).

3. The structure described in claim 2 in which the edge of the anti-slip device carries a sideways facing projection (10) on the underside of which is a tongue-like projection (11).

4. The structure described in any of claims 1-3 in which the anti-slip device has a lip (14) which fits against the outside of the sole when the anti-slip device is in place.

5. The structure described in claim 4 in which the corner between the lip and the sole is rounded off.

6. The structure described in any of claims 1-5 in which three of the tongue-like projections (11) and the locking places designed to take them (12) are located in different parts of the anti-slip device.

7. The structure described in any of claims 1-6 in which there is a gap between the end of the threaded shank (4) and the stud.

8. The structure described in any of claims 1-7 in which there is a gap between the flange (6) of the seating and the sole of the shoe.

9. The structure described in any one of claims 1-8 in which the diameter of the opening for the threaded shank (4) in the sole is as big as the thickness of the shank.

10. The structure described in any one of claims 1-9 in which the anti-slip device is a three-sided stud.