Switchable shoe spike

Abstract

A switchable shoe spike ( 6 ) for a shoe, including a central hub ( 7 ) having a first and second side, at least one of which includes a spike ( 5 A) projecting therefrom, engagement means ( 10 ) for enabling the mounting of the shoe spike to a sole of the shoe, and support means ( 12 ) for positioning the shoe spike in a first or second position ( 5 B) corresponding with an exposure of the first or second side, wherein the support means positions the shoe spike through rotation about the central hub.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A switchable shoe spike for a golf shoe, including a central hub having a first side from which a metal spike projects and a second side from which a plastic or rubber spike projects, engagement means for enabling the mounting of the shoe spike to a sole of the shoe, and support means for positioning the shoe spike in a first or second position corresponding with an exposure of the first or second sides wherein the support means positions the shoe spike through rotation about the central hub.  
     
     
         1 . The switchable shoe spike according to  claim 1 , wherein the support means includes a pin passing through the shoe spike to the engagement means and about which the shoe spike can selectively rotate from the first position to the second position and vice versa.  
     
     
         2 . The switchable shoe spike according to  claim 1 , wherein the support means includes at least one stub axle connected to the shoe spike and the engagement means and about which the shoe spike can selectively rotate from the first position to the second position and vice versa.  
     
     
         3 . The switchable shoe spike according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support means further includes locking means for preventing the shoe spike from rotating.  
     
     
         4 . The switchable shoe spike according to  claim 4 , wherein the locking means includes at least one spring loaded plunger extending radially from a peripheral edge of the central hub and engageable with a recess in the engagement means or the sole.  
     
     
         5 . The switchable shoe spike according to  claim 4 , wherein the locking means includes at least one spring loaded ball bearing in the engagement means and a cooperating recess in a peripheral edge of the central hub.  
     
     
         6 . The switchable shoe spike according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means includes an insert mounted in a cavity in the sole.  
     
     
         7 . The switchable shoe spike according to  claim 7 , wherein the engagement means further includes a member selectively engageable with the insert.  
     
     
         8 . The switchable shoe spike according to  claim 8 , wherein the connection of the pin to the engagement means is located on the member.  
     
     
         9 . The switchable shoe spike according to claims  8  or  9 , wherein the recess in the engagement means is located in the member.  
     
     
         10 . The switchable shoe spike according to claims  8 ,  9  or  10 , wherein the member includes a ring adapted to selectively engage the insert through a rotational sliding engagement parallel to the sole.  
     
     
         11 . A shoe having a plurality of switchable shoe spikes in a sole wherein each switchable show spike includes a central hub having a first side from which a metal spike projects and a second side from which a polymer spike projects, engagement means for enabling the mounting of the shoe spike to a sole of the shoe, and support means for positioning the shoe spike in a first or second position corresponding with an exposure of the first or second side, wherein the support means positions the shoe spike through rotation about the central hub.  
     
     
         12 . The shoe according to  claim 12 , wherein the support means includes a pin connected to the central hub and the engagement means and about which the shoe spike can selectively rotate from the first position to the second position and vice versa.  
     
     
         14 . The side according to  claim 12 , wherein the support means includes at least one stub axle connected to the shoe spike and the engagement means and about which the shoe spike can selectively rotate from the first position to the second position and vice versa.  
     
     
         15 . The shoe according to  claim 12 ,  13  or  14 , wherein the support means further includes locking means for selectively preventing the shoe spike from rotating.  
     
     
         16 . The shoe according to  claim 15 , wherein the locking means includes a spring loaded reciprocating plunger extending radially from a peripheral edge of the central hub and engageable with a recess in the engagement means or the sole.  
     
     
         17 . The shoe according to any one of  claims 12  to  16 , wherein the engagement means includes an insert mounted in a void in the sole.  
     
     
         18 . The shoe according to  claim 17 , wherein the engagement means further includes a member selectively engageable with the insert.  
     
     
         19 . The shoe according to  claim 18 , wherein the connection of the pin to the engagement means is located on the member.  
     
     
         20 . The shoe according to claims  18  or  19 , wherein the recess in the engagement means is located in the member.  
     
     
         21 . The shoe according to  claims 18  to  20 , wherein the member includes a ring adapted to selectively engage the insert through a rotational sliding engagement parallel to the sole.  
     
     
         22 . A switchable shoe spike as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.  
     
     
         23 . A switchable shoe spike as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.