[0001] This invention relates to the field of athletic shoe manufacture. More specifically,
it relates to an improved assembly for providing spiked soles on athletic shoes, particularly
on shoes designed for golfers.
[0002] It has long been understood that it is desirable to provide stability to the wearer
of athletic shoes designed for use in golf. Because the motion of the player in execution
of drives in the course of this game results in instability of footing, footwear has
been provided which as a means to secure the player to the ground during this manoeuvre.
Ordinarily, this is accomplished by providing, in the soles of shoes designed for
golfers, a pattern of metal spikes which become embedded in the turf, and thus provide
the player with a firm footing.
[0003] Traditionally, the spikes are secured to a rubber or synthetic shoe sole by means
of a flat metal plate bearing a series of pronged fasteners around its periphery,
and a tubular threaded female connector protruding from its centre toward the outside
of the shoe. The spike itself is contiguous with a threaded male connector, and is
provided with a metal flange containing two holes which permit insertion of a two-pronged
key. The two-pronged key, then, is used to turn the flange containing the spike and
male connector so as to secure the spike assembly to the receptacle assembly.
[0004] Because of the required number of spikes, the metal flange portions add considerable
weight to the shoe. Therefore, improvements have been made in the spike assembly by
using only a metal frame contiguous with the connector and spike, and embedding the
metal frame into a plastic or nylon flange. In this version of the spike assembly,
the lighter weight of the plastic or nylon results in a lighter shoe. One design of
this modification utilizes a plastic thread on the male connector, as well, but this
has proved clearly unsatisfactory due to inadequate strength. Another design provides
a metal male screw thread, and stabilizes the spike assembly by a series of three
fan blade projections from the connector/spike. This design provides two keyholes
for tightening the spike onto the receptacle, thus requiring large arc motions in
tightening it down.
[0005] U.S. 4,205,466 describes an all-metal spike and male connector assembly which fits
into a receptor having plastic threads; this document describes a receptacle and a
spike assembly having all of the features set out in respectively the first parts
of claims 1 to 5.
[0006] None
' of the foregoing designs is completely satisfactory. The pronged receptacle relies
on securing means which, because they bear directly against the surrounding material,
often cause tearing and weakening of the soles and become loose. The metal flanged
spike is unduly heavy; the plastic threaded connector, because of the weakness of
the material, tends to strip: the tri- bladed assembly has an uneven weight distribution
with respect to the two keyholes provided to secure the spike. The present invention
overcomes these deficiencies.
[0007] The present specification describes both an improved receptacle for the golf spike
assembly, and an improved golf spike assembly design. The receptacle may be secured
to the outer sole layer by injection moulding of material into cavities of the receptacle,
thus permitting the receptacle to be secured to an outer sole plate without the shear
forces associated with the pronged receptacle. The golf spike assembly is light weight,
is easily secured, and is highly reliable.
[0008] Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to an improved receptacle for a golf
spike assembly, which comprises a tubular, threaded, female connector which protrudes
from the centre of of surrounding dish member. The connector is disposed on the concave
side of the dish, and will project outward from the sole of the shoe.
[0009] Surrounding the connector, is a multiplicity of cylindrical cavities in the dish
which are radially spaced from the connector and which can accommodate injection molded
plastic, such as nylon polyamide. These cavities extend through the thickness of the
dish and are covered above the concave face of the dish, with a cap or "stopper" to
prevent excess material from being extruded from the outer face of the dish. These
stoppers are, preferably, integral with the base of the dish.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a golf spike assembly which comprises
a spike and a threaded male connector protruding from opposite faces of a flange wherein
the flange comprises a metal frame containing four regularly spaced perforations equidistant
from the centre of the frame; and in that the threaded male connector and the golf
spike are contiguous with, and protrude from, the centre of the frame and are made
of metal; characterized in that the frame is embedded in a curved dish constructed
of a synthetic material and disposed in said dish so that the connector projects from
the concave face of said dish and the spike from the convex face thereof; and in that
the dish contains four holes in communication with the perforations of the frame.
The dish may be a nylon base which contains four equispaced keyholes for use in tightening,
which are in communication with peripheral slots in the frame.
[0011] The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of an example illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figures 1A and 1 B are a bottom plan view and a sectional view, respectively, of the
receptacle.
Figures 2A and 2B are, respectively, plan views of a sole plate and a heel plate arrangement
suitable for containing the receptacles.
Figures 3A and 3B are, respectively, a bottom plan view and a side view of the golf
spike assembly of the invention.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the metal frame embedded in the spike assembly.
[0012] The invention can best be understood by reference to a specific preferred embodiment,
as illustrated in the drawings herein. This description, however, is intended to be
illustrative and not limiting. Any design within the scope of the appended claims,
although not specifically shown in the drawings, is to be considered a part of the
invention.
[0013] The improved receptacle of the invention is shown in Figures 1A 0 and 1B. Figure
1A shows a plan view of the metal dish which contains at its centre a protruding threaded
connector, 101. The connector is surrounded by a series of cavities spaced as positions
equidistant from each other and from the centre of the dish, as shown at 102. The
dish is cut in an irregular pattern to minimize 25 weight, but other overall shapes,
such, as a circular dish, are consistent with the invention. The features of the receptacle
are shown in Figure 1 B, which is a side view of the receptacle. As shown, the dish
itself, 103, is slightly concave. The dish is approximately 2-3 cm in its longest
dimension, 104, and is approximately 1-3 mm thick, as shown at 105. The dimension
105 need not be completely uniform across the face of the dish. The cavities, 106,
are shown capped with stoppers, 102. The cavities extend through the thickness of
the dish, and the stoppers are contiguous thereto. These cavities are most conveniently
formed by stamping the metal dish so that the stoppers are derived from the same blank
as the remainder of the base. Still referring to Figure 1B, the connector, 101, is
threaded internally, 107, so as to provide a receptacle for connection with the spike
assembly.
[0014] The receptacles shown in Figure 1 are mounted on the shoe by means of a nylon or
other synthetic sole plate in which they are embedded, as shown in Figures 2A and
2B. Figure 2A shows a suitable design for the front portion of the sole, designed
to bear seven receptacles at positions 201. The heel plate in this design is able
to accommodate four receptacles at positions 202 as shown in Figure 2B. The receptacles
are secured to the plates by injection molding of the plate material into the capped
cavities, 106. The molded projections within the cavities thus maintain the integrity
of the assembly, and because they do not rely on puncturing the plate, as do traditional
receptacles, the tendency of the plate to tear is less. The diameter of the cavities
designed to receive the injection molded material is approximately 2-5 mm.
[0015] Figures 3A and 3B show the front and side view of the finished spike assembly; Figure
4 shows the inner frame, which stabilizes it. Referring to Figure 4, 401 shows the
spike projecting from the centre of the frame toward the viewer; not shown, but in
the same position away from the viewer on the other side of the frame is the threaded
male connector. The frame itself, 402, is approximately 2-3 cm in diameter, as shown
at 403, and is approximately 1-4 mm in thickness (dimension not shown). The periphery
of the frame is provided with a series of 4 perforations, 404, which are shown at
equal distance from each other and from the centre, and which are designed to accommodate
the turnkey used to tighten the spike assembly. In addition, the frame perforations
are flanked by radial edges of extensions at 405 to prevent movement of the frame
within the assembly.
[0016] Position 401 in Figure 4.corresponds to position 301 in Figures 3A and 38. 3A and
3B show the frame embedded in the outer nylon dish, which provides the appropriate
surface area and finish, but with less increase in weight than a metal analog. Figure
3B shows a side view where the spike, 301, is indicated protruding from the convex
face of a curved nylon outer dish; and the threaded connector projects from the concave
face of this dish. The dimensions of the connector, 302, are matched to those of the
receptacle, shown in Figure 1B. Typically, the connector 302 has an outer diameter
of 3-6 mm, and the inner diameter of the receptacle connector shown in 1B at 107,
has an inner diameter corresponding to this dimension. Both connectors are about 0.4-1
cm long. The curved nylon base, 303, separates the connector from the spike, as shown
in Figure 3B.
[0017] Figure 3A shows the arrangements of the installation holes, 304, in the nylon base.
These are also arranged radially from the centre, and at equal distances. When the
frame of Figure 4 is embedded in the finished assembly of Figure 3A, the installation
holes, 304, are in communication with the perforations, 404, in the frame. Thus, the
entire assembly can be tightened onto the receptacle by inserting a key into the installation
holes. As there are four such holes, a doulbe-pronged key can be turned through a
small arc in effecting the fastening of the assembly. Further as the perforations
are provided with perpendicular edges, 405, the frame is precluded from moving within
the nylon outer dish.
1. An improved receptacle for a golf spike assembly, which comprises a tubular threaded
female connector (101) which protrudes from the centre of a surrounding dish member
(103), characterized in that the dish member is concave and said connector protrudes
from the concave face thereof, and in that the dish member further contains a multiplicity
of cylindrical cavities (106) radially spaced from the periphery of the connector
at the center, extending through the thickness of the dish, and each capped by a stopper
(102) above the concave face of the dish member.
2. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the dish has a diameter of substantially 2-3
cm.
3. The receptacle of claim 1 or 2 having the said cylindrical cavities disposed equidistant
from each other.
4. The receptacle of claim 1, or 3 embedded in an injection-moulded plate for attachment
to the sole of an athletic shoe.
5. An improved golf spike assembly which comprises a spike (301) and a threaded male
connector (302) protruding from opposite faces of a flange (303) wherein the flange
comprises a metal frame (402) containing four regularly spaced peforations (404) equidistant
from the center of the frame; and wherein the threaded male connector and the golf
spike are contiguous with, and protrude from, the centre of the frame and are made
of metal; characterized in that the frame (402) is embedded in a concave dish (30)
constructed of a synthetic material and disposed in said dish so that the conenctor
projects from the concave face of said dish and the spike from the convex face thereof;
and in that the dish contains four holes (304) in communication with the perforations
of the frame.
6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 and having a diameter of substantially 2-3 cm.
7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the perforations are flanked by
radial edges to prevent movement of the frame within the assembly.
8. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the synthetic material
is nylon.
9. An assembly according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the frame, spike, and connector
are formed from a single piece of metal.
1. Eine verbesserte Aufnahmevorrichtung für eine Golfdornbaugruppe, zu der ein rohrförmiges,
mit Innengewinde versehenes Vebindungsstück (101) gehört, das aus der Mitte eines
umgebenden Tellerteils (103) herausragt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Tellerteil
konkav ist und das genannte Verbindungsstück von seiner konkaven Fläche aus vorspringt
und daß das Tellerteil außerdem mehrere zylindrische Vertiefungen (106) in raidalem
Abstand von der Peripherie des in der Mitte angeordneten Verbindungsstücks aufweist,
die sich durch die Dicke des Tellers erstrecken und jeweils oberhalb der konkaven
Fläche des Tellerteils mit einem Stöpsel (102) abgedeckt sind.
2. Die Aufnahmevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Teller
einen Durchmesser von im wesentlichen 2 bis 3 cm hat.
3. Die Aufnahmevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die
genannten zylindrischen Vertiefungen in gleichen Abständen voneinander angeordnet
sind.
4. Die Aufnahmevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
sie in eine Spriztgußplatte zur Befestigung an der Sohle eines Sportschuhseingebettet
ist.
5. Eine verbesserte Golfdornbaugruppe mit einem Dorn (301) und einem mit Außengewinde
versehenen Verbindungsstück (302), die aus den einander gegenüberliegenden Flächen
eines Flansches (303) herausragen, wobei zu dem Flansch ein Metallrahmen (402) gehört,
der vier in gleichmäßigen Abständen angeordnete Bohrungen (404) in gleichmäßigen Abständen
von der Mitte des Rahmens aufweist, und wobei das mit Außengewinde versehene Verbindungsstück
und der Golfdorn an der Mitte des Rahmens anliegen, aus ihr herausragen und aus Metall
bestehen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Rahmen (402) in einen aus einem synthetischen
Material hergestellten konkaven Teller (303) eingebettet ist und in dem genannten
Teller so angeordnet ist, daß das Verbindungsstück von der konkaven Fläche des genannten
Tellers und der Dorn von seiner konvexen Fläche aus vorspringt, und daß der Teller
vier Löcher (304) aufweist, die mit den Bohrungen des Rahmens in Verbindung stehen.
6. Eine Baugruppe nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie einen Durchmesser
von im wesentlichen 2 bis 3 cm hat.
7. Eine Baugruppe nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bohrungen
von radialen Kanten flankiert sind, um eine Bewegung des Rahmens innnerhalb der Baugruppe
zu verhindern.
8. Eine Baugruppe nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das
synthetische Material Nylon ist.
9. Eine Baugruppe nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der
Rahmen, der Dorn und das Verbindungsstück aus einem einzigen Metallstück geformt sind.
1. Réceptacle perfectionné pour un ensemble de crampon pour le golf, qui comporte
un organe de raccordement femelle tubulaire taraudé (101), qui fait saillie à partir
du centre d'un organe périphérique en forme de coupelle (103), caractérisé en ce que
l'organe en forme de coupelle est concave et que ledit organe de raccordement fait
saillie à partir de la face concave de cet organe en forme de coupelle, et que l'organe
en forme de coupelle présente en outre une multiplicité de cavités cylindrique (106),
qui sont espacées radialement du pourtour de l'organe de raccordement situé au centre
et s'étendent sur l'épaisseur de la coupelle, et sont recouvertes chacune par un bouchon
(102), sur la face concave de l'organe en forme de coupelle.
2. Réceptacle selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la coupelle possède un diamètre
sensiblement égal à 2-3 cm.
3. Réceptacle selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel lesdites cavités cylindriques
sont équidstantes les unes des autres.
4. Réceptacle selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, inséré dans une plaque moulée par
injection destinée à être fixée à la semelle d'une chaussure de sport.
5. Ensemble perfectionné de crampon pour le golf, qui comporte une pointe (301) et
un organe de raccordement mâle fileté (302) faisant saillie à partir de faces opposées
d'une bride (303), et dans lequel la bride comporte un cadre métallique (402) présentant
quatre perforations (404) régulièrement espacées et équidistantes du centre du cadre;
et dans lequel l'organe de raccordement mâle fileté et la pointe sont adjacents au
centre du cadre, font saillie à partir de ce dernier et sont réalisés en métal; caractérisé
en ce que le cadre (402) est enchâssé dans une coupelle concave (303) réalisée en
un matériau synthétique, et est disposé dans ladite coupelle detelle sorte que l'organe
de raccordement fait saillie sur la face concave de ladite coupelle et que la pointe
fait saillie sur la face convexe de la coupelle; et en ce que la coupelle présente
quatre trous (304) qui communiquent avec les perforations du cardre.
6. Ensemble selon la revendication 5 et possédant un diamètre égal sensiblement à
2-3 cm.
7. Ensemble selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans lequel les perforations sont flanquées
de bords radiaux afin d'empêcher un déplacement du cadre dans ledit ensemble.
8. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, dans lequel le matériau
synthétique est du Nylon.
9. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 8, dans lequel le cadre,
la pointe et l'organe de raccordement sont réalisés sous la forme d'une seule pièce
métallique.