Cleat

Abstract

A cleated sole for footwear such as an athletic shoe designed for field sports, trail running or rugged walking. A midsole layer includes shock attenuating structures. The outsole includes a plurality of crossbeams formed as curved ground facing portions oriented from the medial to the lateral border of the sole. Cleats are mounted on the lower facing surface of the crossbeams. The outsole to midsole interface above each crossbeam is commensurate in shape to the lower facing curved surface of the crossbeam. Pressure created by a cleat striking the ground surface during use is diffused through the crossbeam, outsole and midsole into the wearer's foot. This moderates the cleat pressure pattern while providing side to side stiffness for the sole.

1 . A device for use in an article of footwear: a sole having a medial edge and a lateral edge, a midsole mounted below the sole, the midsole having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, an outsole mounted below the midsole, the outsole having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, a plurality of crossbeams formed on the second lower surface and extending between the medial and lateral edges, and a plurality of cleats mounted below the second lower surface, at least one of the cleats being carried by at least one of of the crossbeams at a cleat location.  
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , in which the second lower surface and the second upper surface are in substantially parallel relationship, and the outsole comprises a vertically thickened portion at the cleat location.  
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 2 , in which the one cleat comprises a spike.  
     
     
         4 . A device as  claim 1 , in which at least one of the plurality of crossbeams is radiused.  
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 4 , in which at least one of the plurality of cleats is substantially in the form of a truncated cone  
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1 , in which at least one of the plurality of crossbeams is of substantially constant cross-section and is substantially parallel to both the lateral and medial edges  
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1 , in which at least two of the plurality of cleats depend from one of said plurality of crossbeams.  
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 1 , in which at least one region of the outsole is rubber.  
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 1 , in which at least one region of the outsole is a plastics material.  
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 1 , in which at least one of the cleats and the outsole are formed of the same material.  
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 1 , in which the outsole further comprises at least one foramen.  
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which at least one of the foramen is located between the plurality of crossbeams.  
     
     
         13 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which the outsole includes a heel, and the is comprised of the foramen.  
     
     
         14 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which said outsole includes a midfoot and wherein said foramen is in said midfoot of said outsole.  
     
     
         15 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which the outsole includes a forefoot and wherein the foramen is in the forefoot of the outsole.  
     
     
         16 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which the outsole includes a toe area and wherein the foramen is in the toe area of the outsole  
     
     
         17 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which at least one of the plurality of crossbeams is oriented at a lateral to medial offset from the lateral edge to the medial edge.  
     
     
         18 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which at least one of the plurality of cleats is detachable from the outsole.  
     
     
         19 . A device as in  claim 11 , in which the outsole comprises a first notch positioned close to the medial edge and a second notch positioned close to the lateral edge.