External sole liner and method of manufacturing and using the same

Abstract

Footwear includes an external sole liner having a tread surface and an exposed adhesive layer. A cleat is bonded to the tread surface, and tapers in response to being bonded to the tread surface. The external sole liner can include multiple layers of liners which are separable from each other.

1 . Footwear, comprising:
 an external sole liner having a tread surface;   an exposed adhesive layer carried by the external sole liner opposed to the tread surface; and   a cleat bonded to the tread surface.   
   
   
       2 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the external sole liner includes multiple layers of liners which are separable from each other. 
   
   
       3 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the external sole liner includes a corrugation, and the cleat is bonded to the corrugation. 
   
   
       4 . The footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the cleat tapers in response to being bonded to the corrugation. 
   
   
       5 . The footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the corrugation includes a channel, and the cleat tapers in response to extending through the channel. 
   
   
       6 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the cleat includes first and second material layers, wherein a portion of the second material layer extends over a portion of the first material layer. 
   
   
       7 . Footwear, comprising:
 an external sole liner having a tread surface, the external sole liner including multiple layers of liners; and   a cleat bonded to the tread surface.   
   
   
       8 . The footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the liners are separable from each other. 
   
   
       9 . The footwear of  claim 8 , further including an adhesive layer carried by each liner. 
   
   
       10 . The footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the cleat is longitudinal with a length that extends along the tread surface. 
   
   
       11 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the external sole liner includes a corrugation having a channel, and the cleat tapers in response to extending over the channel. 
   
   
       12 . The footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the external sole liner includes a corrugation having a channel, and the cleat tapers in response to extending over the channel. 
   
   
       13 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the cleat includes first and second material layers positioned proximate to each other, the first and second material layers tapering in response to extending over the channel. 
   
   
       14 . Footwear, comprising:
 an external sole liner having a plurality of channels;   an adhesive layer carried by the external sole liner opposed to the channels; and   a cleat carried by the external sole liner, wherein the cleat is bonded to adjacent channels.   
   
   
       15 . The footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the external sole liner includes a plurality of liners which are separable from each other. 
   
   
       16 . The footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the cleat includes a first material layer with a portion which extends inside a channel and a portion which extends outside the channel. 
   
   
       17 . The footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the first material layer is longitudinal in shape and extends along the external sole liner. 
   
   
       18 . The footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the cleat includes a second material layer positioned proximate to the first material layer. 
   
   
       19 . The footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the first material layer surrounds the second material layer. 
   
   
       20 . The footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the second material layer is tapered in response to extending over the first material layer.