GB2596371A - Cycling shoe outsole - Google Patents

Abstract

An outsole 1 is provided for a cycling shoe having a cleat attached. The outsole comprises a resiliently deformable sole member 10 having a recess 6 positioned within the ball area 4 of the sole member to receive the entire thickness of a cleat 100 of a cycling shoe. The recess is at least as deep as the thickness of the cleat but not deeper than the depth of the outsole. The recess has a lip (12, Fig. 2) that extends over the apex 7 of the recess and the rearward of the recess is formed by a wall (11, Fig. 2). The recess may be of triangular shape and the rear wall may be flat. The heel area 2 of the outsole may be thicker than the ball area. A removable fastening (40, Figs. 3, 4) may extend through a channel 18 in the sole and have two ends 42, 44 that fasten over a cycling shoe to secure the outsole to it. The channel may extend through the ball area of the outsole and the ends of the fastening may comprise hook and loop fasteners. The outsole may comprise at least three layers that are adhered together.

Description

Cycling shoe outsole

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an outsole for a cycling shoe. Background to the Invention Typical cycling shoes these days have a rigid undersole which is bent slightly at the ball of the foot. Cleats are conventionally attached to this ball area using screws. The cleats are designed to releasably engage with specially designed cycling pedals, in a similar way as a ski boot might engage with a ski binding on skis. As such their forward parts have a flange which fits underneath a mating edge of the pedal. Their rearward parts have a similar flange which engages underneath of a rearward mating edge on the pedal which is moveably spring biased to allow for the cleat to be engaged with the pedal by just pressing downward and released by twisting the cleat outwards. The cleats are so designed to provide a means of temporarily attaching the foot of the cyclist to the pedal meaning that both downward and upward force is transmitted to the pedal. It makes pedalling more efficient. Some cleats, particularly those used in mountain bike shoes are "hidden" in that there is an area of undersole around the cleat which protects the cleat when the user is off the bike and not attached to the pedal. This prevents the cleats from wearing away whilst the user walks about. However, road cycling shoes use cleats which are exposed and when the cyclist walks about in their cycling shoes, the underside of the cleats wears away. Manufacturers of the cleats are aware of this and actually provide wear indicators on the cleats. Once the cleats have worn past a certain point they cease to function and are at risk of either not engaging with the pedal correctly or can release from the pedal uncontrollably. The user is then required to re-place the cleats for a new pair. Also, due to the fact that the cleats are exposed on the underside of the cycling shoes, means that walking around indoors or on hard surfaces is hazardous, due to the potential for slipping, and as the cleats are manufactured from a hard rigid material walking in them can often damage the floor. Another disadvantage of walking in cycling shoes with exposed cleats is that as the cleat sticks outwards from the underside of the sole, the ball of the -2 -foot is pushed upwards while the heel is in contact with the ground. This presents an awkward walking position which can be damaging to the body.

There has now been devised an outsole for a cycling show which overcomes and/or substantially mitigates the above referenced and/or other disad-

vantages with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an outsole for a cycling shoe having a cleat attached thereto, the outsole comprising a resiliently de-formable and compressible sole member having a recess extending from the uppermost surface of the sole member and positioned within the ball area of the sole member, the recess being at least as deep as the thickness of the cleat, the depth of the sole member being generally greater than the depth of the recess, the sole member having a lip which extends over the forward portion of the recess only, and the sole member having a wall forming the rearward por- tion of the recess extending from the bottom of the recess to the uppermost sur-face of the sole member and being perpendicular to the uppermost surface of the sole member.

The outsole according to the invention is advantageous primarily because when the cleat is engaged with the recess, the lip is engaged over the forward flange of the cleat and prevents the shoe from separating from the out-sole in the region between the toe area and the ball area of the outsole. The rear wall prevents the outsole from moving laterally with respect to the shoe. Furthermore, the configuration of the rear wall combined with the resilient de-formability and compressibility of the outsole provides a restrictive surface against which the rearward parts of the rigid cleat bear against in use. The lip combined with the rear wall are therefore surprisingly effective at holding the outsole in engagement with the underside of the cycling shoe in use (i.e. when the cleat is engaged with the recess and the user if off the bike), without any distortion to the recess. The cleat can be described as therefore mutually en-gaging with the recess. An advantage of this arrangement is that the user can insert their cleat into the recess and retain the outsole against the underside of the shoe with the forward edge underneath the lip and the rearward parts of the -3 -cleat bearing against the rear wall, without having to distort, squash, deform or stretch the material of the outsole. In use the rear wall of the sole member remains engaged with the rearward parts of the cleat by friction and prevents the remainder of the outsole from falling off the bottom of the cycling shoe when the user walks about. In other words, at the angle the foot is moved in normal walk-ing, the sole member does not bend sufficiently for the outsole to fall off the cleat. The frictional forces between the rear wall and the cleat (generated by the interaction between the compressible nature of the sole member, the configuration of the rear wall, and the rigid rear parts of the cleat) are greater than the to forces derived from the resilience in the outsole. Thus, the outsole stays in place in normal walking. This also makes putting the outsole on very easy and prolongs its life span, whilst also making manufacture surprisingly easy. It also means that the provision of a strap to secure the outsole to the cycling shoe is not necessary.

As the depth of the sole member is generally greater than the depth of the recess, the recess extends only partially through the sole member and there is a portion of the sole member underneath the recess. This provides a base to the recess to protect the base of the cleat in use. As a result, when the outsole is attached to the cleat when the user is off the bike it protects the exposed sur-face of the cleat from wear and tear. This prevents damage to the cleat. The whole outsole itself also protects the complete underside of the cycling shoe from damage. As the underside of the cleat is covered by the outsole then the risk of the user slipping on the floor they are walking on is greatly reduced. Also, as the recess receives the entire thickness of a cleat and the underside of the cycling shoe is juxta positioned against the uppermost surface of the outsole, this makes the outsole act like extra sole to the cycling shoe with the cleat integrated into the thickness of the outsole. Therefore, the toes of the user are not projected upwards during use and the user can walk more normally.

Another major advantage of the invention is that the undersole can be fit-ted to the underside of a cleated cycling shoe without the user having bend down to push the outsole onto the shoe with their hand. All the user has to do is tilt their foot forwards (i.e. towards the ground) into the recess so that the for- -4 -ward parts of the cleat engage under the lip and then when the user resumes a normal foot position, the rearward parts of the cleat will bear against the rear wall and all of the cleat will be encased within the recess. As explained above, friction holds the outsole in place. When the user wishes to remove the outsole he or she can do so without having to bend down. The resilient nature of the outsole combined with the rigid nature of the underside of the cycling shoe means that when the user tips their foot forward to an angle greater than that normally experienced in normal walking, the forces derived from the resilience of the outsole will overcome the frictional forces of the cleat against the rear-wall, and the outsole will spring flat out of the cleat. The user then simply needs to extract the tip of the cleat rearwards out from underneath the lip by motioning their foot rearwards.

The toe, ball, arch and heel are commonly known anatomical locations on the foot. The toe area, ball area, arch area and heel area are areas of the foot which include the toes, ball, arch and heel of the foot respectively. With ref- erence to a cycling shoe or the outsole of the invention the toe area, ball area, arch area and heel area of the shoe or outsole will refer to the areas of the foot that the shoe is in contact with or where the outsole is proximal to, respectively. For example, the ball area of the outsole will refer to the area that might typical-ly be underneath the ball of the foot.

It will be appreciated that as cleats on cycling shoes are located underneath the shoes, the outsole is designed to be worn on the cycling shoe underneath the sole of the cycling shoe. Therefore, it will have an uppermost surface of the outsole which refers to the surface in contact with the underneath of the sole of the cycling shoe in use, and a lowermost surface which is opposite the uppermost surface and which is in contact with the ground in use.

Forward and forwardly herein refers to in the direction of the toe area. Cleats on cycling shoes are directly similarly forwardly -i.e. towards the toes and the front edge of the feet/shoe and will be understood that the recess is aligned therewith. Rearward and rearwardly herein refers to in the direction of the heel area and is in the opposite direction to the forward or forwardly direction. -5 -

As most but not all cycling cleats are triangular in shape (for example cleats for off road cycling are square or star shaped), preferably the recess is substantially triangular in shape with a first apex of the triangle pointed forwardly and two rearward apices, the lip extending over the recess at the first apex, and the rear wall of the sole member joining the two rearward apices of the tri-angle. This means that the recess will fit most cycling cleats.

The rear wall may be curved for example to accept generally circular cleats. Preferably the rear wall is flat as it is recognised that most cycling cleats are triangular in shape and a flat surface provides the greatest bearing surface area to provide the most friction.

The heel area of the outsole may have a cross sectional thickness which is substantially the same as that of the ball area. With the recess taking all of the cleat thickness, this effectively presents the sole of the shoe parallel with the lowermost surface of the outsole. Therefore, in use, when the outsole is worn on the shoe, the user walks with a relatively flat sole. Preferably the heel area of the outsole is thicker in cross section than the ball area cross section of the out-sole. This presents the heel of the shoe higher than the ball area and therefore in use the user's foot is angled slightly downwards towards the floor, which is surprisingly comfortable. It relieves calf strain which is common problem with cycling.

Preferably the lip has a lowermost surface and a rearward surface which negatively matches the uppermost surface of the forward flange of the cleat and the wall of the cleat between the forward flange and the uppermost part of the cleat, respectively. Thus, the lip is configured to negatively match the forward parts of the cycling cleat. For example, where the wall of the cleat between the forward flange and the uppermost part of the cleat forms a convex curve, the matching rearward surface of the lip will be concave. This has the effect of retaining the cleat within the recess more solidly and positively. It also ensures that the entire forward parts of the cleat are retained below the upper surface of the sole member in use.

If the user requires for an even more secure engagement between the outsole and the shoe, there may be at least one removable fastening which is -6 -engageable within at least one opening which extends through the entire out-sole, the fastening having two opposite ends which are attachable to one another around a cycling shoe engaged between the fastening and the outsole to secure the cycling shoe to the outsole in use. The at least one fastening allows the user to fasten the shoe to the outsole. However, the at least one fastening is removable in that it can be extracted from the opening. On both outsoles, this means that the two outsoles can be placed substantially flat against one another, making them easy to pack, either for storage or within a cycling jacket for transport whilst cycling. The detached fastenings can be used to keep the two outsoles together. When the two outsoles are required again, the fastenings can simply be fed through the openings and engaged on themselves over the shoe once the cleat of the shoe is fitted within the recess. A plurality of fastenings may be used on each outsole, with each fastening having its own respective opening.

The openings for the fastenings may be anywhere through the outsole.

Preferably though the at least one opening extends through the ball area of the outsole. This has the effect that when the fastening is used in that position, the heel area of the outsole is brought into more secure engagement with the heel area of the shoe. So, combined with the engagement described above for the outsole without the fastening, this presents a surprisingly secure arrangement.

The opposite ends of the fastening may be attachable to one another using press studs, toggles, buttons or zips, or any other convention material fastening. Preferably the opposite ends of the fastening are attachable to one another by hook and loop fasteners. This provides a quick attachment and de-25 tachment mechanism and one which is very hard wearing. The fastening may be a strap.

In terms of manufacture the outsole may be manufactured by moulding, printing, grinding or sintering. The outsole may be manufactured from a single material or from multiple materials to allow for different hardness of materials in different positions of the outsole. For example, the parts in contact with the ground may need to have a different shore hardness than the parts in contact with the underside of the shoe. Preferably the outsole is made up of at least -7 -three layers. This means that each layer can be made using simple 2D cutting of the material used. Then when each layer is overlaid on top of one another, the shape of the outsole including the recess is formed. This dramatically reduces manufacturing costs whilst also allowing for different materials to be used at different levels/layers. Preferably each layer adhered together as this pro-vides a quick and simple method of attaching each of the layers.

Examples of materials the outsole may be manufactured from include but is not limited to flexible and compressible plastics materials, rubber and/or rubberised materials, cork, polymeric and composite materials or ethylene vinyl ac-etate, or flexible expanded foam such as neoprene.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with refer-ence to the drawings in which like numerals represent like parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the outsole, Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the outsole shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the out-sole, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the outsole, Figure 5 shows a plan view of the layers shown in the embodiment shown in figure 4.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of how the layers shown in figure 5 are arranged on top of one another, Figure 7 shows a cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in figure 4 and Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view of part of a further embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

In Figure 1 there is shown a plan view of an embodiment of the outsole generally designated 1. The outsole 1 comprises a sole member 10 having a heel portion 2, arch portion 3, ball portion 4 and toe portion 5. The outsole 1 is manufactured from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), which is a resiliently deformable material and is injection moulded as a single piece in this example. In other -8 -examples the outsole 1 is substantially as described herein but is manufactured from rubber, rubberised material, cork, or foam. Only the right outsole 1 is shown. A version of the outsole 1 for the left foot is also provided in this example but is not shown. The version for the left foot is a mirror image of the right version. Within the ball portion 4 there is a triangular shaped recess 6. The re-cess 6 has an apex 7 directed towards the toe portion 5 of the outsole 1. The recess 6 also has two rearward apices 8 and 9 which are opposite one another and are towards the arch portion 3 of the outsole 1. The recess 6 does not extend through the complete thickness of the outsole 1 and therefore below the recess 6 there is a portion of the ball portion 4 of the sole member 10. Figure 2 shows a cross section through the outsole 1 along line x-x shown in Figure 1. The rear of the recess 6 ends in a wall 11, which is a wall of the sole member 10, and which extends between the apices 8 and 9. Wall 11 runs at right angles to the uppermost surface 20 of the outsole 1.

The recess 6 is substantially uniform in thickness as can be seen in the cross sectional view shown in Figure 2. However, at the forward end of the recess 6 (i.e. at apex 7) there is a lip 12 which is part of the sole member 10 which extends over the edge of the recess 6. The lip 12 has a curved rearward wall 13 shaped to engage the upper forward wall 14 of a cycling cleat 100 which is shown installed within the recess 6 in Figure 1 and 2. The underside 15 of the lip 12 is flat and runs generally parallel to the uppermost surface 20. The forward edge wall 16 of the recess 6, which is the part underneath the lip 12, is formed into a curve, shaped to engage the lower forward wall 17 of a cycling cleat 100. The underside 15 of the lip also engages the flat edge 14b of the cleat which joins the upper forward wall 14 and the lower forward wall 17 of the cleat 100.

It will be appreciated that most cycling cleats are generally triangular in shape and have forward curved parts as described above. Therefore, in other examples of the invention the dimensions of the recess 6 may vary according to and to match the cleat being used. However, the features of the outsole 1 will remain constant. -9 -

In use the user who is wearing a cycling shoe engages the forward parts 17 of the cleat 100 on the underside of their shoe underneath the lip 12. Then the user angles their foot backwards into a normal stance. The rear parts of the cleat 100 then bear against the rear wall 11 and substantially all of the cleat 100 is contained within the recess 6, as shown in figures 1 and 2. The heel of the shoe engages with the heel portion 2. The underside of the cleat 100 is protected from the ground by the sole member 10 below the recess 6. With both the left and right outsole 1 attached to the left and right shoe respectively, the user is then free to walk about without risk of damaging the cleats 100, or the floor/ground thereunder. The outsole 1 is made of EVA which is not only resili-ently deformable, but spongy and therefore provides a degree of cushioning to the cycling shoe, increased stability on slippery floors, and thereby increasing user safety. The shoe is prevented from separating vertically from the area of the outsole 1 between the toe portion 5 and the ball portion 4 by engagement of the cleat 100 under the lip 12. The shoe is further prevented from moving later-ally backwards or forwards with respect to the outsole (i.e. towards the heel portion 2 or the toe portion 5), by the combined engagement of the rear parts of the cleat 100 against the rear wall 11. Also, as the recess 6 is shaped to accept the same shape as the cleat 100, in this example triangular, any twisting motion of the shoe with respect to the outsole 1 is also prevented. In normal walking mo-tion the frictional forces between the rear of the cleat 100 and the rear wall 11 are greater than the forces derived from the resilience in the EVA material of the outsole. In other words, the invention takes advantage of the increased friction generated in contact between rigid objects and compressible objects. In this case the cleat 100 is rigid, whilst the rear wall 11 is compressible, and therefore large frictional forces are generated thereto in normal use. This combined with the shape/configuration of the rear wall 11 means that in normal use these frictional forces are greater than the forces with which the remainder of the sole member is exerting in order to remain flat (and therefore disengaged with the cleat) as the user walks about (i.e the forces derived from the resilient nature of the sole member). Therefore, the outsole 1 remains in place, attached to the bottom of the shoe in use.

-10 -To remove the outsoles 1 the user simply tilts their foot forward to a position which is greater than that experienced during normal walking. At which point the forces derived from the resilience in the EVA material of the outsole 1 are greater than the frictional forces between the rear of the cleat 100 and the rear wall 11. The rear of the shoe and the rear part of the cleat 100 thereby separates from the heel portion 2 of the outsole 1 and the rear wall 11 of the recess 6. In other words, the sole member springs flat against the ground and partially disengages from the cleat 100. All the user then has to do is motion their foot rearwards and the forward parts for the cleat 100 disengage from un-derneath the lip 12. The user is then free to step out of the outsole 1.

In figure 2, which shows a cross section of the outsole 1, the internal parts are indicated by the hatched region for illustrative purposes only.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 3 the outsole 1 is substantially as described above but within the arch portion 3 of the outsole 1 there is a cen-tral channel 18. The central channel 18 is a channel that runs through the entire width of the sole member 10 in the arch portion 3, approximately midway between the uppermost surface 20 of the outsole 1 and lowermost surface 25. The channel 18 is rectangular in cross section and receives a Velcro® fastening 40 therethrough. In use the fastening 40 is fed through the channel 18. One end 42 of the fastening has a metal loop on it (not shown), whilst the opposite end 44 has a section of Velcro® hooks distal of a section of Velcro® loops on opposite sides of the fastener. The hook and loop sections may be oriented vice versa. After the user has attached the outsole 1 to their shoe, the free end of the fastening 44 is fed through the metal loop and pulled until the shoe is tight against the outsole 1. The free end is then fed back on itself so that the hook section of the Velcro® lays over the loop section and engaged thereto. The fastening 40 can be thus be tightened as required and attached to itself accordingly. The fastening 40 may also be configured without a metal loop, but the end 42 have the hook part of the Velcro® and the end 44 have the loop part of the Velcro®.

Then when the ends 42 and 44 of the fastening 40 are placed over each other over the shoe, then can be engaged together to keep the shoe in situ with the outsole 1. Other methods of fastening such as standard Velcro() without the metal loop or, button and hole or press studs are also possible. The fastening provides added security to the engagement of the outsole 1 to the bottom the shoe. This may be useful particularly for use on rough or uneven ground, or where running in the outsole 1 is required which presents the foot at much greater angles to the outsole 1, sufficient to cause release as described above.

Removal of the outsole is then by detaching the Velcro® fastenings and motioning their foot as described above. Advantageously the user can leave the fastenings 40 engaged with the channel 18 and as the outsoles are substantially flat, the left and right outsoles can be placed on top of one another and the fas-tenings of separate outsoles used to engage the two outsoles together. They can then be placed easily within the small confines of a cycling jacket or other transport medium due to their compact nature, ready for user again at the other end of the cycling journey.

In another example of the invention shown in Figure 4, the outsole is substantially as described above, but is manufactured from three layers of EVA material which are superimposed on top of one another and attached together using adhesive. Again, as described above, other materials are also suitable and considered such as cork or rubber. The layers are a base layer 30 which is in contact with the ground in use, a top layer 50 which is in contact with the un- derside of the cycling shoe in use, and a mid-layer 40 which is sandwiched be-tween the base layer and top layer. Whilst the channel 18 is shown, this example may or may not have the channel as described. Each layer 30, 40 and 50 is substantially flat as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The base layer 30 is solid and does not have any openings in it. The mid layer 40 has a triangular shaped opening in the ball portion 4 which forms the lower half for the recess 6. Thus, it comprises the curved forward wall 16 and the lower half of the rear wall 11. The top layer 50 also has a triangular shaped opening in the ball portion 4 which forms the upper half of the recess 6. Thus, it comprises the curved wall 13 and the remainder of the rear wall 11. The channel 18, the channel is formed within the mid layer 40. Just rearwards of the opening in the mid layer, the mid layer has a rectangular shaped cut out across its width, which is approximately half its thickness. The cut out is positioned in the top half of the mid layer. Whilst -12 -it is described as a cut out, it might be a moulded or printed feature. The addition of the top layer 50 to the mid layer 40 covers this cut out and creates the channel 18 which is effectively a void that extends through the entire outsole 1 from one side to the other.

To manufacture the outsole 1 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, each layer is manufactured separately as shown in Figure 5. After manufacture the layers are arranged as shown in Figure 6. A layer of adhesive is applied to the top surface 32 of the base layer 30. The mid layer 40 is placed on top of the base layer 30 so that the edges of the base and mid layer line up. The mid layer thus adheres to the base layer. A layer of adhesive is applied to the top surface 42 of the mid layer, and then the top layer 50 is placed on top of the mid layer 40 so that the edges of the top, mid and base layers all line up. The top layer thus adheres to the mid layer, and thus all three layers are adhered together. When this happens, the recess 6 as described above is formed (see figure 7), with the bottom of the recess 6 being formed by the top surface 32 of the base layer 30. The top surface of the top layer 50 is the uppermost surface 20 of the outsole to which the shoe is in contact with in use. In figure 7, which shows a cross section of the outsole 1, the layers are indicated in part also by the hatched region, for illustrative purposes only.

Whilst adhesive is described as being used above, it is also applicable to use welding, vulcanisation, or mechanical fixation in order to adhere the layers together. Therefore, there may not be a layer of adhesive applied between the layers. The layers may simply be joined together by welding, for example by ultrasound welding, with a weld being formed between the base layer 30 and the mid layer 40, and the top layer 50 and the mid layer 40.

In another example (not shown) the outsole is substantially as described above, but the heel portion 2 is substantially thicker than the remainder of the sole member 10. This has the effect that when attached to the underside of the cycling shoe the user's heel is raised significantly with respect to the ball of their foot. This presents an even more comfortable walking position and is particular-ly suited to relieve calf strain.

-13 - In another example (not illustrated), the outsole is substantially as described above, but the recess is not triangular. It will be appreciated that some cleats may not be generally triangular in shape. Even so they will tend to always have a portion at the front to engage under the front part of the pedal and a por-tion at the back to engage with the rear of the pedal. In this example the recess is substantially circular. Again, the recess is substantially uniform in thickness to accept the full thickness of the cleat. At the forward end of the recess there is a lip which is part of the outsole which extends over the edge of the recess. The lip has a curved rearward wall shaped to engage the upper forward wall of a cy-cling cleat 100. The underside of the lip is flat and runs generally parallel to the uppermost surface. The forward edge wall of the recess, which is the part underneath the lip, is also formed into a curve shaped to engage the lower forward wall of a cycling cleat 100. Whilst the remaining sides, including the rear parts of the recess are generally perpendicular to the uppermost surface of the outsole, as the overall plan shape of the recess is circular, the rear wall of the sole member is not flat but curved. Thus, the rear wall forms a curved bearing surface perpendicular to the uppermost surface of the outsole against which the cleat 100 bears in use.

In another example shown in figure 8 the outsole 1 is substantially as de-scribed above, but the underside 15 of the lip 12 is angled upwardly. In other words it forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with the rearward wall 13 of the lip 12. Figure 8 shows a cut out of the sole member 10 in the forward portions of the recess 6. ( in all the embodiments described above the underside 15 of the lip 12 is approximately 90 degrees to the rearward wall 13 of the lip). All other aspects of the recess and the sole member 10 are the same as described above. The forward wall 16 of the recess remains substantially parallel for the rearward wall 13, and both are at right angles to the uppermost surface 20 of the sole member 10. It will be recognised that a number of cycling shoes have curved undersoles. This means that the cleats, when attached to the shoes, point generally upwardly. It means that with the embodiments shown in figure 1- 7, with some cleats, when the cleat 100 is engaged underneath the lip 12 and then the heel of the shoe engaged with the rear parts of the sole member 10, -14 -the cleat is angled upwardly as well. Thus, the flat edge 14b (see figure 2) is angled upwardly and tends to push/bend the lip upwards. With continued use of the outsole as described in figures 1-7, the upper most surface 20 of the outsole in the lip area rubs on the underside of the shoe. This damages the shoe and the lip 12, especially when the material of the sole member is resiliently deform-able, such as foam or cork. The embodiment shown in figure 8 allows for this, whilst still allowing the user to insert and retract their cleat 100 easily. When the user puts pressure down onto the heel the flat edge 14b is angled upwardly as usual, but as the underside 15 of the lip 12 is angled upwardly as well, the flat edge 14b engages flat against the underside 15. Thus, the flat edge 14b of the cleat 100 is engaged with and runs parallel with the underside 15. The lip is thus formed into a hook which the front part of the lip hooks under. This not only improves the retention of the cleat within the recess, but means that the lip 12 is not forced upward and is therefore not damaged by the underside of the shoe or by continual flexing.

Claims (11)

1. -15 -CLAIMS1. An outsole for a cycling shoe having a cleat attached thereto, the outsole comprising a resiliently deformable and compressible sole member having a recess extending from the uppermost surface of the sole member and po-sitioned within the ball area of the sole member, the recess being at least as deep as the thickness of the cleat, the depth of the sole member being generally greater than the depth of the recess, the sole member having a lip which extends over the forward portion of the recess only, and the sole member having a wall forming the rearward portion of the recess extending from the bottom of the recess to the uppermost surface of the sole member and being perpendicular to the uppermost surface of the sole member.
2. 2. An outsole according to claim 1, wherein in use, the frictional forc-es between the rear of the cleat and the rear wall are greater than the forces derived from the resilient deformability in the material of the outsole.
3. 3. An outsole according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the recess is substantially triangular in shape with a first apex of the triangle pointed forwardly and two rearward apices, the lip extending over the recess at the first apex, and the rear wall of the sole member joining the two rearward apices of the triangle.
4. 4. An outsole according to any preceding claim, wherein the rear wall is flat.
5. 5. An outsole according to any preceding claim, wherein the heel ar-ea of the outsole is thicker in cross section than the ball area cross section of the outsole.
6. 6. An outsole according to any preceding claim, wherein the lip has a lowermost surface and a rearward surface which negatively matches the uppermost surface of the forward flange of the cleat and the wall of the cleat between the forward flange and the uppermost part of the cleat, respectively.
7. 7. An outsole according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one removable fastening is engageable within at least one opening which extends through the entire sole member, the fastening having two opposite ends which -16 -are attachable to one another around a cycling shoe engaged between the fastening and the outsole to secure the cycling shoe to the outsole in use.
8. 8. An outsole according to claim 7, wherein the opening extends through the ball area of the sole member.
9. 9. An outsole according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the opposite ends of the fastening are attachable to one another by hook and loop fasteners.
10. 10. An outsole according to any preceding claim, wherein the outsole is made up of at least three layers.
11. 11. An outsole according to claim 10, wherein the layers are adhered fo together.