Traction Reducing Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus designed for retrofitting existing golf shoes. The disclosed apparatus is positioned on the outsole of the golf shoe worn on the golfer's back foot in the area which is below the big toe and the first and second metatarsal bones. The apparatus includes a traction reduction element and a connecting means. The traction reduction element includes a top surface and a smooth bottom surface. The connecting means is positioned on the top surface of the traction reduction element for the purpose of connecting the apparatus to the outsole.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a traction reduction element comprising a top surface, a smooth bottom surface and bottom edges, the traction reduction element being designed for affixation at least partially within an upper first and second metatarsal region of a golf shoe having an outsole, the golf shoe being designed to accommodate a golfer's back foot; and   a connecting means positioned on the top surface of the traction reduction element for connecting the traction reduction element to the outsole.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the apparatus is configured for use in connection with an existing cleat fitting system; the cleat fitting system comprising at least two complementary components; and   the apparatus is designed for affixation completely within the upper first and second metatarsal region.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the traction reduction element's smooth bottom surface is one of convex and flat. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the traction reduction element further comprising a height and a diameter; and   the connecting means further comprising a height and a diameter.   
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the connecting means is comprised of one of a Q-fit™ system, a Q-Lok™ system, a Fast Twist system, a traditional male/female threading system and a PINS™ (Performance Insert System) cleat fitting systems;   the traction reduction element comprises a height of ¼ inch and a diameter of between 1 inch and 1⅛ inches;   the connecting means comprises a height of ⅛ inch and a diameter of between ⅜ inch and ⅝ inch; and   the traction reduction element's smooth bottom surface further comprises two spaced apart holes for accommodating a cleat tightening tool.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the traction reduction element's smooth bottom surface is flat and the bottom edges are rounded. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the traction reduction element and connection means are comprised of a unitary wafer, the unitary wafer being designed for use in connection with an existing golf cleat, the golf cleat comprising an outer perimeter, an underbelly and a plurality of downward projecting prongs for gripping the ground, the unitary wafer comprising a top surface, a smooth bottom surface, a thickness and a means for accepting the existing golf cleat's plurality of downward projecting prongs;   wherein the connection means is comprised of the top surface of the unitary wafer provided with an adhesive for affixing the apparatus to one of the underbelly of the golf cleat and the outsole; and   the apparatus is designed for affixation completely within the upper first and second metatarsal region.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein:
 the unitary wafer comprises a thickness of greater than or equal to ⅛ inch;   the unitary wafer's smooth bottom surface is flat;   the top surface of the unitary wafer is provided with adhesive for affixing the apparatus to the underbelly of the golf cleat;   the means for accepting the existing golf cleat's plurality of downward projecting prongs is comprised of a plurality of indentations; and   the apparatus is designed for affixation completely within the upper first and second metatarsal region.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the smooth bottom surface comprises an outer edge; and   the unitary wafer further comprising an upturned peripheral lip positioned along the outer edge of the smooth bottom surface for covering the outer perimeter of the golf cleat.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein:
 the smooth bottom surface is convex;   the top surface of the unitary wafer is provided with adhesive for affixing the apparatus to the underbelly of the golf cleat; and   the apparatus is designed for affixation completely within the upper first and second metatarsal region.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein,
 the unitary wafer further comprises an outer perimeter, a stabilization cavity and an extended outer portion surrounding the stabilization cavity,   the stabilization cavity comprising an upper border, a lower border and a bottom surface which is provided with adhesive for attaching to the underbelly of the golf cleat, the stabilization cavity being designed to totally cover the existing golf cleat's underbelly and outer perimeter; and   the top surface of the unitary wafer is provided with adhesive for affixing the apparatus to the outsole.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 the upper border of the stabilization cavity is concentrically positioned relative to the outer perimeter of the unitary wafer; and   a means for accepting the existing golf cleat's plurality of downward projecting prongs is positioned along the lower border of the stabilization cavity.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 the upper border of the stabilization cavity is positioned off center relative to the outer perimeter of the unitary wafer;   the smooth bottom surface of the unitary wafer being eccentric in shape;   a means for accepting the existing golf cleat's plurality of downward projecting prongs is positioned along the lower border of the stabilization cavity; and   the apparatus is designed for affixation completely within the upper first and second metatarsal region.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the means for accepting the plurality of downward projecting prongs is comprised of one of a continuous trench and a plurality of indentations; and the top surface of the unitary wafer is provided with an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the means for accepting the plurality of downward projecting prongs is comprised of one of a continuous trench and a plurality of indentations; and the top surface of the unitary wafer is provided with an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein,
 the outsole comprising a plurality of existing golf cleats projecting therefrom, the plurality of golf cleats having a height relative to the outsole;   the traction reduction element and the connecting means are integral with the outsole and together comprise a raised portion comprising a height relative to the outsole which is equal to the height of the plurality of golf cleats.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the raised portion fills the upper first and second metatarsal region of the golf shoe. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the raised portion comprises a bottom surface that is one of flat or convex.