Device for retractable piston cleats

Abstract

A retractable piston cleat system which includes at least one inverted ramp in contact with and positioned to transition at least one piston cleat between a retracted and an extended position when a lever arm, or similar device, is moved between a first and a second position. In another embodiment, multiple inverted ramps are used to simultaneously transition multiple piston cleats between retracted and extended positions.

1 . A retractable piston cleat system comprising:
 at least one inverted ramp wherein said at least one inverted ramp includes at least a first portion, a second portion and a third portion;   at least one piston cleat in contact with said inverted ramp, said piston cleat including a spring positioned so that at least a portion of said spring is positioned around at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said piston cleat;   and a lever arm which when activated causes said inverted ramp to transition between said first portion through said second portion and to said third portion thereby causing said piston cleat to move from a first position to a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The retractable piston cleat system of  claim 1  wherein said piston cleat is retracted when said inverted ramp is in said first position. 
     
     
         3 . The retractable piston cleat system of  claim 1  wherein said spring is compressed and said piston cleat is retracted when said inverted ramp is in said first position. 
     
     
         4 . The retractable piston cleat system of  claim 1  wherein said retractable piston cleat system is contained within a removable device. 
     
     
         5 . The retractable piston cleat system of  claim 1 , wherein said retractable piston cleat system is contained within footwear. 
     
     
         6 . The retractable piston cleat system of  claim 1 , wherein said retractable piston cleat system is contained within a tire. 
     
     
         7 . The retractable piston cleat system of  claim 1 , including a sole and wherein said first portion of said inverted ramp is closest to the sole. 
     
     
         8 . The retractable position cleat system of  claim 1 , further including a coordinating device where said coordinating device is attached to at least two inverted ramps. 
     
     
         9 . The retractable position cleat system of  claim 1 , further including at least one inverted ramp which includes at least a fourth portion and a fifth portion. 
     
     
         10 . The retractable position cleat system of  claim 9 , wherein said fourth portion and fifth portion of said inverted ramp permit the piston cleat to be extended a different length than those association with said first position and said second position. 
     
     
         11 . A method of moving a piston cleat between an extended position and a retracted position, said method comprising the steps of:
 positioning at least one inverted ramp such that the head of said piston cleat is in contact with a portion of said inverted ramp;   connecting a lever arm to said inverted ramp such that movement of the lever arm causes movement to said inverted ramp;   positioning a spring around a longitudinal axis of said piston cleat;   wherein movement of said lever arm in a first direction causes said inverted ramp to move such that a highest portion of said inverted ramp is positioned above the head of said piston cleat;   wherein movement of said lever arm in a second direction causes said inverted ramp to move such that a lowest portion of said inverted ramp is positioned above the head of said piston cleat;   compressing a spring positioned around said longitudinal axis of said piston cleat when said lever arm is moved in such that said lowest portion of said inverted ramp is positioned above the head of said piston cleat;   extending a bottom of said piston cleat such that a portion of said piston cleat is exposed when the lowest portion of said inverted ramp is positioned above the head of said piston cleat; and   retracting said piston cleat such that no portion of said piston cleat is exposed when the highest portion of said inverted ramp is positioned above the head of said piston cleat.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein positioning said piston cleat over said inverted ramp in said first position results in the piston cleat being retracted. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein positioning said piston cleat over said inverted ramp in said first position results in said spring being compressed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said method of moving said piston cleat is contained within footwear. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said method of moving said piston cleat is contained within a tire. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further including attaching said coordinating device to at least two inverted ramps.