Footwear with retractable studs

Abstract

Footwear having retractable studs that provide enhanced traction on slippery surfaces when engaged. A pull cord attached to a plate within the sole of the shoe allows the studs to engage. The working parts of the shoe can be easily taken apart for cleaning or de-icing. An alternative embodiment of the shoe has a mechanism similar to that of a conventional ball point pen which is used to effectively engage or retract the studs.

1 . Footwear with retractable studs comprising: 
 a) a sole having a cavity therein, said sole adapted to receive a plurality of treads, said treads having retractable studs with a top portion and a bottom portion mounted and retained therein by a stud retainer;    b) a plate fitting within said cavity, said plate having holes which receive the top portion of said retractable studs when said studs are retracted, said plates slidably mounted in said cavity whereby movement of said plate in a rearward direction relative to said sole allows said plate to contact the top portion of said retractable studs, extending said bottom portion of said studs beyond the sole of the footwear to an engaged position.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which includes a plate retaining tread threadably connected to said sole and fitting through a hole in said plate, whereby the movement of said plate within said cavity is limited by said plate retaining tread.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of claim - 1  wherein said plurality of treads are threadably connected to said sole.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plate has a pull cord fastened thereto to facilitate movement of said plate in a rearward direction relative to said sole.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein a portion of said pull cord is fastened to the footwear with a hook and loop material when said retractable studs are retracted.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said stud retainer is a spring.  
   
   
       7 . Footwear with retractable studs comprising: 
 a) a sole having a cavity therein, said sole adapted to receive a plurality of treads, said treads having retractable studs with a top portion and a bottom portion mounted and retained therein by a stud retainer;    b) a plate fitting within said cavity, said plate having a flat portion and a cylindrical portion, said flat portion of said plate having holes which receive the top portion of said retractable studs when said retractable studs are retracted, said plate slidably mounted in said cavity, said plate having piston disposed in said cylindrical portion of said cavity, said piston engaging a wheel having a plurality of projections on its circumference and retained in said cylindrical portion of said cavity such that a forward movement of said piston allows said piston to disengage from the plurality of projections and said wheel to rotate thereby locking said piston in a fixed position and moving said plate rearwardly relative to said sole allowing said plate to contact the top portion of said retractable studs extending said bottom portion of said studs beyond the sole of the footwear to an engaged position.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  which includes a plate retaining tread threadably connected to said sole, said plate retaining tread fitting through a hole in said plate, whereby movement of said plate within said cavity is limited by said plate retaining tread.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said plurality of treads are threadably connected to said sole.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of claim  7 -wherein said stud retainer is a spring.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plate has two tracks.  
   
   
       12 . The footwear of  claim 7  in which a second forward movement of said piston allows said piston to disengage from the plurality of projections and said wheel to rotate thereby locking said piston in a fixed position and moving said plate forwardly relative to said sole allowing the top portion of said retractable studs to fit within the holes in said plate thereby withdrawing said retractable studs to a retracted position within said sole.  
   
   
       13 . The footwear of  claim 12  includes a plate retaining tread threadably connected to said sole, said plate retaining tread fitting through a hole in said plate, whereby movement of said plate within said cavity is limited by said plate retaining tread.  
   
   
       14 . The footwear of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of treads are threadably connected to said sole.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said stud retainer is a spring.