WO2016016738A1

WO2016016738A1 - Cycling shoe and related quick fit / release anchoring device

Info

Publication number: WO2016016738A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/053263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco GABUSI
Original assignee: Gabusi Francesco
Priority date: 2014-07-31
Filing date: 2015-05-05
Publication date: 2016-02-04

Abstract

An anchoring device and a quick fit/release cycling shoe are described. The device comprises a body integral with the pedal provided with at least one attaching element shaped so as to selectively and automatically switch between an engaging position and a releasing position. The cycling shoe comprises a coupling seat obtained in the thickness of the outsole. The attaching element is shaped so that, as it contacts the coupling seat, it switches between an engaging position and a releasing position in response to an engaging/disengaging movement, respectively, made by the user.

Description

"CYCLING SHOE AND RELATED QUICK

FIT/RELEASE ANCHORING DEVICE"

***

DESCRIPTION

Scope of the invention

The present invention relates to a cycling shoe and a corresponding anchoring device, of the quick fit/release type, for the anchorage to a bicycle pedal.

State of the art

Quick fit/release pedals for bicycle are known. Mainly, these comprise an attaching device - defining the bicycle pedal - shaped so as to be coupled with a corresponding attaching cleat, or toe-clip plate, arranged on the outsole of the cyclist shoe, i.e. the so-called 'cycling light shoe'.

The cleat protrudes with respect to the outsole of the cycling shoe and is integral therewith, being generally screwed to the outsole. The cleat snap fits into the attaching device of the pedal.

EP-A-2425732 describes a typical attaching cleat for cycling shoes.

The attaching device allows the user to form a quick fit/release shape coupling between the cleat and the pedal itself, in order to achieve a stable connection while pedaling, thus making the pedal thrust more effective.

The cleat, together with the cycling shoe, can be separated from the coupling device by a clockwise or counterclockwise twisting movement of the foot; this allows the user to place the foot on the ground if necessary.

However, the traditional attaching devices combined with pedals and the respective cycling shoes suffer from a drawback.

In fact, if the cyclist has to walk, the attaching cleat provided in the lower part of the cycling shoe makes the latter very uncomfortable. In fact, the cleat below the outsole forms a protrusion that prevents the outsole from completely leaning upon the ground. In practice, the cleat causes the toe of the cycling shoe to be constantly raised with respect to the ground while the rider is walking, thus making the walk particularly inconvenient and unnatural. Therefore, since one of the drawbacks of the currently available solutions is that the cycling shoes are not suitable for walking, their versatility is considerably limited. The cyclist is often forced to take along a pair of shoes suitable for walking and wear them when needed.

Alternative solutions not involving the use of attaching cleats have been proposed in order to overcome the above described drawback.

For example, WO 97/48301 describes an assembly comprising a sport shoe, mainly for skate boarding or surfing, provided with a circular hollow formed in the outsole and opening only downwards. The hollow is the housing seat of a complementarily shaped attaching device. In particular, the attaching device comprises radially movable fins which are pushed outward when the attaching device is inserted into the hollow of the cycling shoe, and the hollow comprises an undercut allowing the fins to snap fit thereon in order to achieve a shape coupling.

EP-A-0015803 describes a solution wherein the hollow in the cycling shoe outsole is provided with cantilever fins projecting inwards, and the attaching device fixed to the bicycle pedal is provided with countersinks having a shape corresponding to the fins. The achieved coupling is a bayonet-type fitting: the cycling shoe is leant upon the attaching device so that the latter is inserted into the hollow and the cycling shoe is rotated in order to achieve the constraint. By rotating the cycling shoe in the opposite direction, until the fins are at the countersinks of the attaching device, and then raising the cycling shoe, the separation can be achieved.

However, these solutions were not able to solve a cyclist problem relative to the convenience and speed in engaging and disengaging the cycling shoe with/from the pedal.

Typically, the rotational movement of the cycling shoe that allows to separate it from the pedal and lean the foot upon the ground, is considered inconvenient by cyclists. This is necessary whenever the cyclist must stop, for example, when he reaches a stop or at red lights. For this reason many cyclists try to maintain balance while standing still on the bicycle, without leaning their feet upon the ground.

On the other hand, the need of a more convenient and easy solution to be used for constraining and releasing the cycling shoe to/from the pedal has long since been felt.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cycling shoe and a corresponding anchoring device to anchor it to a bicycle pedal, which are able to solve the above described drawbacks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an assembly comprising a quick fit/release anchoring device and a cycling shoe which can be manufactured in a simple and cost effective manner.

Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention concerns a cycling shoe according to claim 1.

In particular, the cycling shoe comprises:

- an outsole, and

- a coupling seat obtained in the thickness of the outsole and shaped to define a shape coupling with an anchoring device combined with a bicycle pedal and provided with at least one movable attaching element.

Advantageously, unlike traditional solutions, the coupling seat opens laterally, namely towards the frame of the bicycle when the cyclist is on the saddle, and downwards and comprises at least one recess in which a respective attaching element of the anchoring device snap fits. In this way, the cyclist can disengage the cycling shoe from the pedal not by means of the usual rotating and raising movement, but by an easy horizontal movement of the foot.

The suggested solution makes much easier to release the cycling shoe from the bicycle pedal.

Preferably, the coupling seat is a straight nick and each recess is a niche or hollow formed in the outsole at the sides of the coupling seat. With this configuration:

- the cycling shoe can be coupled with the anchoring device, and therefore with the pedal combined therewith, by means of a vertical movement of the foot, by applying a pressure that causes the attaching elements of the anchoring device to snap fit to the corresponding recess, and - the cycling shoe can be disengaged from the anchoring device, and therefore from the pedal combined therewith, by means of an only horizontal and linear movement of the foot, by applying a thrust biasing the foot laterally away from the bicycle until the attaching elements of the respective anchoring device are released from the corresponding recess.

In the preferred embodiment, the coupling seat extends in a direction transverse with respect to the outsole and comprises a piloting portion facing the lying plane of the pedal in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis, a guide portion of the anchoring device acting as a track during the release, and at least one recess. Furthermore, a housing portion formed to house the body of the anchoring device and in order to act as a mark and countercheck during coupling, is provided.

In particular, the recess is arranged between the guide portion and the housing portion. If multiple recesses are provided, then these are also arranged between the guide portion and the housing portion.

The recess is a niche or a hollow obtained in the outsole at the sides of the guide portion and the housing portion.

In this embodiment the guide portion and the housing portion have a width less than the recess at which each attaching element comes back to the engaging position, as described in detail below.

Preferably, the piloting portion comprises substantially funnel-shaped side portions. During the engaging step, each attaching element rests at first against the side walls of the piloting portion. In the engaging movement in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pedal, the user applies a pressure which allows to overcome the elastic force of the spring and cause the attaching elements to retract. Therefore the latter, moving to the retracted position, engage the piloting portion, slide within the piloting portion until they snap fit into the respective recesses. Once the attaching elements are at the recesses, the spring causes them to come back to the projecting position so as to achieve the quick fit.

Instead, the guide portion has the function of countering the spring of the attaching element in the releasing step. In this case, when the user causes the disengagement movement in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the pedal, the attaching element is forced toward the guide portion and causes the attaching elements to move to the retracted position so that they allow the body to slide outward along the guide portion.

In particular, during the disengaging movement, the user on the saddle of the bicycle substantially moves the cycling shoe in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the pedal, i.e. orthogonal to the plane on which the bicycle frame lies.

In other words, during the engaging movement orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pedal, each attaching element moves to a retracted position by engaging the piloting portion until it intercepts the at least one recess at which it achieves the coupling - being biased by the spring.

On the other side, during the disengaging movement each attaching element initially coupled in the recess, by engaging the guide portion in a direction horizontal to the rotation axis of the pedal, moves to the retracted position in order to disengage from the coupling.

In particular, in the engaging step the above described head portions allow to guide the coupling of each attaching element thereby facilitating their engagement into the recess in response to the engaging movement of the user. Similarly, in the releasing step, the head portions allow the attaching element to be disengaged from the recess and engaged into the guiding portion in a direction outside the outsole in order to release the cycling shoe.

While sprinting, as the cyclist stands up on the pedals and tends to make also a lateral movement with his feet, the described solution prevents the unintentional disengagement of the cycling shoe from the pedal. The above described configuration allows the disengagement only if the movement of the foot is really in line with the axis of the pedal; while sprinting it does not happen, and the attaching portions do not escape from the recesses.

In an embodiment, the coupling seat is obtained, i.e. is shaped, in an insert fixed to the cycling shoe so as to be flush with the lower surface of the outsole that is the surface intended to touch the ground while walking. In an embodiment, the recesses are defined in one or more inserts that can be fixed to the outsole at the sides of the coupling seat, so as to be flush with the lower surface of the outsole.

Depending on the preferences of the cyclist, the insert can be fixed to the outsole in an advanced or retracted position. Therefore, the cycling position can be changed back and forth, as required.

Preferably, in the outsole there is a through hole next to at least one recess. The hole has dual capacity: it allows a tool to be inserted opposite to the attaching element accommodated in the recess itself, in order to release it if jammed, and acts as a discharge for waste, for example mud or soil attached to the outsole or bicycle pedal, which are effectively discharged through the hole itself.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to an anchoring device according to claim 7, intended to be coupled to the above described cycling shoe.

In particular, the anchoring device comprises:

- a body fixable to a bicycle pedal, wherein the body has a complementary shape with respect to the coupling seat obtained in the cycling shoe in order to make a shape coupling therewith;

- at least one attaching element combined with the body.

The attaching element is selectively movable with respect to the body between an engaging position and a releasing position. The displacement between the two positions allows the attaching element to be respectively engaged with and disengaged from corresponding recess of the coupling seat obtained in the cycling shoe, in response to a respective engaging/ disengaging movement made by the user.

Preferably at least one countering spring is provided, combined with the attaching element. In the engaging position, the attaching element protrudes automatically with respect to the body biased by the spring, and in the releasing position the spring is compressed and the attaching element retracts so as to be substantially flush with the body.

In particular, two attaching elements are provided as arranged opposite one another and combined with a countering spring arranged therebetween. According to a preferred embodiment, in the body a housing compartment is obtained for each attaching element, from which the attaching element protrudes in the engaging position and inside which the attaching element comes back in the releasing position. The attaching element is kept protruding outward in a transverse direction with respect to the housing compartment countered by the spring; this configuration is the engaging position. The attaching element can also come back inside the housing compartment; this configuration is the disengaging position.

Preferably, each attaching element comprises a head portion having a tapered surface which aids the insertion thereof into the coupling seat of the cycling shoe. Substantially, each attaching element is a wing-shaped insert comprising head portion on opposite ends. The head portions are tapered portions facilitating the coupling seat to engage and disengage with the cycling shoe.

According to another aspect of the invention is described the use, according to claim 12, of the above described anchoring device and cycling shoe.

The user is expected to cause, respectively, an engaging movement according to a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pedal and a disengaging movement of the cycling shoe according to a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the pedal.

More particularly, in the engaging movement each attaching element is thrust to the respective releasing position, substantially retracted into the body or flush therewith, in contact with the walls of the piloting portion until each element intercepts the corresponding recess.

At the recess, the attaching element - driven by the spring - moves automatically to the engaging position in order to achieve the coupling.

On the other hand, during the disengaging movement the attaching element, initially engaging the respective recess, is thrust to the releasing position when forcing it to counter the side walls of the guide portion.

Therefore, the body having the countering element in the retracted position can engage and slide outward along the guide portion in order to disengage the cycling shoe. According to another aspect of the invention, a pedal according to claim 13 comprising the above described anchoring device is described.

In a preferred embodiment, the pedal comprises a first and a second face opposed to each other, wherein the above described body is arranged both on the first and the second face.

Structurally, the pedal comprises a base portion and respective head portions which, being coupled with the base portion, define a respective housing compartment to house the attaching elements and the spring.

In detail, the base portion is shaped - on both faces - as a first half of the housing compartment and is integrally constrained, by screw means, to a respective head portion defining the second half of the housing compartment on the respective face. In the assembling step of the head portions to the base portion, the attaching means - arranged opposite one another - and the spring operatively arranged therebetween, are operatively inserted. The attaching elements are therefore staggered by height with respect to the base portion of the pedal so as to aid it to be engaged with/released from the coupling seat of the cycling shoe.

List of figures

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident from a review of the following specification of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, shown for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cycling shoe according to the present invention and the respective anchoring device, according to an arrangement in which the cycling shoe is separated from the pedal;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in figure 1, but according to arrangement in which the cycling shoe is coupled to the pedal;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the anchoring device shown in figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the anchoring device shown in figure 1;

- Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a bottom view of the pedal-cycling shoe assembly in the coupled arrangement, and of the outsole without pedal;

Figures 7 and 8 are respectively rear and side views of the pedal-cycling shoe assembly in the coupled arrangement;

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of an outsole of a cycling shoe according to the present invention;

Figures 11 and 12 are perspective and sectional views of the outsole shown in figure 9;

Figures 13 and 14 are perspective views, respectively exploded and not exploded, of a pedal which can be combined with the cycling shoe and the attaching device according to the present invention;

Figures 15 and 16 are perspective and abstract views of a pedal which can be combined with the cycling shoe and the attaching device of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring to figures 1 and 2 an assembly comprising an anchoring device 100 and a cycling shoe 2 is shown. The anchoring device 100 comprises in turn a body 10 provided with at least one attaching element 11 shaped so as to move with respect to the body 10 between an engaging position A and a releasing position B (not shown in detail), as described in detail below.

The cycling shoe 2 comprises an attaching portion 20 providing for a coupling seat 21 obtained in the thickness of the outsole 2a. The coupling seat 21 is substantially dug into the outsole 2a, therefore being coplanar therewith, so that no outer protrusion is defined thereby allowing the use of the cycling shoe even when not coupled with the pedal 1.

The displacement of the attaching element 11 with respect to the body 10 between the engaging position A and the releasing position B, and vice versa, allows it to be coupled and separated with/from a coupling seat 21 obtained in the cycling shoe 2. All this in response to a respective engaging/ disengaging movement dl, d2 caused by the user.

The engaging movement caused by the user is a linear movement of the cycling shoe 2 from top to bottom in a direction dl (fig. l) substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis Γ of the pedal 1. Advantageously, the disengaging movement caused by the user is instead a horizontal movement d2 (fig. 5) substantially parallel to the rotation axis Γ of the pedal 1.

Therefore, unlike traditional solutions, the cycling shoe 2 is disengaged by moving it horizontally outwards, a movement which is very natural, corresponding to spread legs apart.

As best shown in figures 3 and 4, the attaching element 11 is combined with a spring 12 and it goes in abutment therewith. In the embodiment shown, two attaching elements 11 opposite one another are provided; the spring 12 is operatively inserted therebetween. The attaching elements 11 are suitably shaped inserts, as described below.

The attaching elements 11 and the spring 12 are arranged in a housing compartment 13 (fig. 4) obtained in the body 10. Each attaching element 11 protrudes outward with respect to the housing compartment 13; this arrangement is the engaging position A.

Additionally, each attaching element 11 can come back into the housing compartment 13 during the coupling step to couple with the coupling seat 21. This arrangement is the releasing position B (not shown in detail).

In particular, the coupling seat 21 obtained in the outsole opens to one side, namely the side from which the device 100 must escape, and towards the ground and comprises respective recesses 23 for each attaching element 11.

The coupling seat 21 further comprises a piloting portion 24 (fig. 1) facing in use the pedal 1. Substantially, the piloting portion 24 is a portion having tapered walls, for example funnel-shaped walls, thereby allowing, in the engaging step, to counter the attaching elements 11 and the respective spring 12 in order to cause the attaching elements 1 1 to come back into the housing compartment 13 so that they can engage the respective recesses 23.

Furthermore, the coupling seat 21 is composed of a guide portion 22 (fig. 1 and 6) and a housing portion 22' (fig.5); these extend in a direction transverse to the outsole 2a of the cycling shoe 2. Substantially, the guide portion 22 is a portion laterally opened to the side of the outsole 2a and having parallel walls, which extends up to meet the pair of recesses 23. Also the housing portion 22' has parallel walls and is opposite to the guide portion 22 with respect to the recesses 23. The housing portion 22' substantially is an extension of the guide portion 22 and allows the corresponding portion of the body 10 to be contained therein and act as a mark for the proper coupling of the attaching elements 11.

The guide portion 22 acts on the attaching elements 11 and counters the spring 12 in the releasing step.

Advantageously, the recesses 23 have rounded or tapered walls 2Γ (fig. 1) intended to aid the attaching elements 11 to be released.

More particularly, in the engaging step the attaching elements 11 contact the piloting portion 24, which counters the action of the spring 12 and thrusts the latter into the retracted position in the housing compartment 13 until they intercept the recess 23 where they automatically come back, by snapping, into the protruding arrangement, i.e. in the engaging position A, in order to achieve the coupling between the pedal 1 and the cycling shoe 2.

On the other hand, in the releasing step, the attaching elements 11 are disengaged from the recesses 23 and travel the guide portion 22 towards the outside, in response to the disengaging movement caused by the user. Obviously one of the parameter determining the engaging/releasing force between the anchoring device 100 and the cycling shoe 2 is the calibration of the spring 12 that can be changed as required, for example based on the user weight. The spring can be a cylindrical spring or, alternatively, a cone spring having a greater diameter at the center and smaller diameter at the respective ends.

In the engaging movement the compression stroke of the spring 12 allows the attaching elements 11 to vertically enter the respective recesses 23 by means of the piloting portion 24 and, in the disengaging movement, to disengage themselves in a horizontal direction. In the last case the attaching elements 11, as they engage the side walls of the guide portion 22 by a countering action, move to the retracted position overcoming the elastic force of the spring 12.

From the structural point of view, each attaching element 11 is shaped as a wing-shaped insert and comprises, on its opposite ends, head portions 16. In the engaging step, the head portions 16 allow to lead the attaching elements 11 to be coupled by facilitating the engagement thereof with the recess 23 in response to the engaging movement orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pedal made by the user, and in the releasing step in response to the horizontal movement, i.e. parallel to the rotation axis of the pedal, made by the user.

Structurally, the above described substantially box-shaped coupling seat 21 obtained in the outsole 2a has a maximum size of about 18 mm wide by 8 mm high.

Preferably, the bottom portion 25 (fig. 1) of the housing seat 21 is tilted, having a height at the attaching point, i.e. at the recesses 23, of about 12 mm, whereas at the side of the outsole 2a, i.e. at the guide portion 22, it has a height of about 8 mm.

The described arrangement allows keeping the cycling shoe 2 effectively coupled with the pedal 1 even if the cyclist gets up from the saddle and pedals leaning forward, as happens in sprints. Although under these circumstances the cyclist applies on the pedals a force partially directed outwards, the attaching elements 11 do not protrude from the respective recesses 23 and the cycling shoe is well anchored to the pedal 1.

The section of the bottom portion 25 varies in order to define a ramp directed outward from the center of the outsole. This allows a side milling of as small as possible height so as to reduce the loss of stiffness of the shoe 2 itself, still allowing traditional cleats for mountain bike to be positioned.

In fact the outsole 2a of the cycling shoe 2, as above described, can be provided with connection holes, not shown in detail, for mounting known anchoring cleats. In this way the outsole 2 can be converted and adapted to any known connection. In order to make an anchorage according to the prior art, known cleats can be provided in addition to the anchoring device according to the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, as best shown in figure 4, the pedal 1 comprises a first face la and a second face lb opposite one another; the body 10, as previously described, is arranged on both the first la and the second lb face.

Structurally, the pedal 1 comprises a base portion 17 and respective head portions 18 which define, when coupled with the base portion 17, the housing compartment 13 to house the attaching elements 11 and the spring 12.

The base portion 17 is shaped on both faces la, lb as a first half of the housing compartment 13 and is integrally constrained, by screw means 19, to a respective head portion 18 defining the second half of the housing compartment 13. In the assembling step of the head portions 18 to the base portion, the attaching means 11 - arranged opposite one another - and the spring 12 operatively arranged therebetween, are operatively inserted. The attaching elements 1 1 are therefore raised with respect to the base 17 of the pedal 1.

Such an anchoring device 100 and the respective cycling shoe 2 provide for a quick fit/release system in which the coupling portion of the cycling shoe 2 is directly dug in the outsole 2a. The same cycling shoe 2, provided with the coupling seat 21 as described above, can be used as a common sport shoe, for mountain biking, cycling, walking or doing gymnastic, for example.

The anchoring device 100 overcomes the drawback given by known systems used to release the shoe from the pedal, that rely on a twisting movement of the foot and leg, whereas the present invention is characterized by a linear movement of the cycling shoe 2 that improves the safety, ease and quickness in disengaging, without any twisting of the limbs. Furthermore, the anchoring device 100 and the respective pedal 1 are universal for any shoe size from 30/32 to 44/46.

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of another example of a second outsole 2a of a cycling shoe according to the present invention (for the sake of simplicity, the rest of the cycling shoe is not shown). Also in this example, the coupling seat 21 is a hollow obtained in the thickness of the outsole 2a; an insert 30 is fixed to the outsole 2a so as to be anyway flush with the respective lower surface which is intended to touch the ground during walking. In the insert 30 there is at least one recess 31 for accommodating a corresponding attaching element 1 1. The insert 30 can be screwed to the outsole 2a; the numeral 32 is referred to the screws. Figures 11 and 12 are perspective and longitudinal section views of the outsole 2a shown in figures 9 and 10. As can be clearly seen in figures, there are two recesses 31 opposite one another. One of them is just obtained in the insert 30 whereas the other one in the outsole 2a. The recesses 31 are connected to the holes 40 that open at the lower surface of the outsole. A tool can be inserted through the holes 40 in order to release the respective attaching element 11 if jammed.

Figures 13 and 14 show a pedal 1 that can be combined with the system according to the present invention. To improve the clarity, the coupling portions 11 and the spring 12 which are placed in the housing 13 have been omitted. In its turn, the housing 13 is closed between the body 10 of the pedal 1 and the head portion 18, basically a cap which is screwed to the body 10.

Figures 15 and 16 show a pedal 1 that can be combined with the system according to the present invention. Figures 15 and 16 are deliberately schematic for the sake of simplicity. The pedal should be envisioned as comprising the above described anchoring system. However, in addition to the above described features, this pedal Γ is telescopic. In fact, the body 50 of the pedal can telescopically slide with respect to the shaft 51 fixed to the bicycle. The body 50 can be locked in the desired position along the axis Γ by bringing the hole 53 to overlap one of the holes 52 and by inserting a locking screw. This allows the cyclist to position the pedal 1 so as to be suitable for his/her physical features.

Claims

1. A cycling shoe (2) comprising:

an outsole (2a); and

a coupling seat (21) obtained in the thickness of the outsole (2a) and being shaped to define a shape coupling with an anchoring device (100) combined with a bicycle pedal and provided with at least one movable attaching element (11),

characterized in that

the coupling seat (21) opens laterally, namely towards the frame of the bicycle when the cyclist is on the saddle, and downwards, and comprises at least one recess (23, 31) in which a respective attaching element (11) of the anchoring device (100) snap fits,

so that the cyclist can disengage the cycling shoe (2) from the pedal (1) by means of a horizontal movement of the foot.

2. Cycling shoe (2) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling seat (21) is a straight nick and each recess (23, 31) is a niche or hollow formed in the outsole (2a) at the sides of the coupling seat (21), so that:

- the cycling shoe (1) can be coupled with the anchoring device (100), and therefore with the pedal (1) combined therewith, by means of a vertical movement of the foot, by applying a pressure that causes the attaching elements (11) of the anchoring device (100) to snap fit to the corresponding recess (23, 31), and

- the cycling shoe (1) can be disengaged from the anchoring device (100), and therefore from the pedal (1) combined therewith, by means of an only horizontal and linear movement of the foot, by applying a thrust biasing the foot laterally away from the bicycle until the attaching elements (11) of the respective anchoring device (100) are released from the corresponding recess (23, 31).

3. Cycling shoe (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the coupling seat (21) comprises:

- a piloting portion (24) facing the lying plane of the respective bicycle pedal (1), in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis ( ) of the pedal (1) itself, shaped so as to facilitate the vertical insertion of the anchoring device (100) into the coupling seat (21);

- a guide portion (22) of the anchoring device (100), acting as a track for the anchoring device (100) during the horizontal release,

- one or more recesses (23, 31), and

- a housing portion (22') to house the anchoring device (100) in the coupling seat (21),

wherein the recesses (23, 31) are arranged between the guide portion (22) and the housing portion (22'), and wherein the recesses (23, 31) are niches or hollows obtained in the outsole (2a) at the sides of the guide portion (22) and/or the housing portion (22').

4. Cycling shoe (2) according to any one of preceding claims 1-3, wherein the coupling seat (21) is shaped in an insert fixed to the cycling shoe so as to be flush with the lower surface of the outsole (2a), i.e. the surface intended to touch the ground while walking.

5. Cycling shoe (2) according to any one of preceding claims 1-4, wherein the recesses (23) are defined in one or more inserts that can be fixed to the outsole (2a) at the sides of the coupling seat (21) so as to be flush with the lower surface of the outsole (2a), i.e. the surface intended to touch the ground while walking.

6. Cycling shoe (2) according to any one of preceding claims 1-5, wherein there is a through hole (40) in the outsole (2a) next to at least one recess (31), the hole allowing a tool to be inserted opposite to the attaching element (11) accommodated in the recess (31) itself in order to unlock it if jammed, and allowing the debris that may have accumulated onto the outsole (2a) or onto the attaching element (11) to be discharged.

7. Anchoring device (100) intended to couple to the cycling shoe (2) according to the preceding claims, the anchoring device (100) comprising:

- a body (10) fixable to a bicycle pedal (1), wherein the body has a complementary shape with respect to the coupling seat (21) obtained in the cycling shoe (2) in order to make a shape coupling therewith;

at least one attaching element (11) combined with the body (10); wherein the attaching element (11) is selectively movable with respect to the body (10) between an engaging position (A) and a releasing position (B), and

wherein the displacement between the engaging position (A) and the releasing position (B), and vice versa, allows the attaching element (11) to be respectively engaged with and disengaged from a corresponding recess (23) of the coupling seat (21) obtained in the cycling shoe (2), in response to a respective engaging/disengaging movement made by the user.

8. Anchoring device (100) according to claim 7, comprising at least one countering spring (12), or an equivalent elastic element, combined with the at least one attaching element (1 1), wherein the attaching element (11) in the engaging position (A) protrudes automatically outside the body (10) biased by the spring (12), and in the releasing position (B) the spring (12) is compressed and the attaching element (11) is substantially retracted into the body (10) or flush therewith, and preferably two attaching elements (1 1) are provided and arranged opposite one another and combined with a single intermediate countering spring (12).

9. Anchoring device (100) according to any one of claims 7-8, in which in the body (10) a housing compartment (13) for each attaching element (11) is obtained, from which the attaching element (11) protrudes in the engaging position (A) and inside which the attaching element (11) comes back in the releasing position (B).

10. Anchoring device (100) according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein each attaching element (1 1) comprises a head portion (16) with a tapered, or piloting, surface, which aids the insertion thereof into the coupling seat (21) of the cycling shoe.

11. An assembly (100, 2) comprising the cycling shoe according to claims 1- 6 and the anchoring device (100) according to claims 7-10.

12. Use of the cycling shoe according to claims 1-6 and use of the anchoring device (100) according to claims 7-10, providing an engaging/ disengaging movement made by the cyclist respectively along a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pedal and a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the pedal,

- wherein in the engaging movement in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis (Γ) of the pedal (1), each attaching element (11), when contacting the piloting portion (24), is initially thrust to the respective releasing position (B), substantially retracted into the body (10) or flush therewith, to allow the body (10) of each attaching element (11) to slide until it intercepts the at least one recess (23), and

- wherein next to the at least one recess (23), the corresponding attaching element (11) moves automatically to the engaging position (A) to achieve the coupling by engaging the recess (23), and

- wherein during the disengaging movement each attaching element (11) initially engaging the respective recess (23), is thrust, by countering the guide portion (22), to the releasing position (B) to allow the body (10) to slide in the same guide portion (22) in a direction outwards and parallel to the rotation axis (Γ) of the pedal (1).

13. Pedal (1) comprising an anchoring device (100) according to claims 7-10.