Adjustable, detachable cleat securement apparatus

Abstract

An adjustable, detachable cleat support device panel and method of cleat securement to a shoe which also provide lateral and medial support to an ankle. The cleat securement device comprises, in some embodiments, a resilient body panel having a generally elongated rearwardly-protruding component that encapsulates the heel of the shoe. The device and allows cleats to pass through apertures, which may be circumscribed with a polymeric coating, on a base member of the device. The resilient body panel defines an open end. The detachable body panel adheres to the shoe through the use of a fastening mechanism such as hook-loop fastener. Stitching may provide enhanced stability. The present invention improves the fit of shoes, protects cleats from tire crumb, and provides orthopedic support to players' ankles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable, detachable, cleat securement device comprising:
 a first flexible, planar body panel defining a generally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface, the first flexible, planar body panel for circumscribing an exterior surface of a shoe of the wearer;   a second flexible, planar body panel defined by a generally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface, the second flexible, planar body panel affixed to the first flexible planar body panel for circumscribing a surface of the shoe of the wearer;   a planar base member affixed to the first flexible, planar body panel and the second flexible planar body panel defining a plurality of apertures for receiving cleats on a sole of the shoe;   wherein the first flexible, planar body panel and the second flexible planar body panel and the base member define a heel opening through which the heel of user protrudes;   a first protuberance cantilevering forward from the first flexible, planar body panel, the first protuberance comprises a rounded forward edge;   a second protuberance cantilevering forward from the second flexible, planar body panel, the second protuberance comprising a flat forward edge; and   fastening means affixed to the second flexible, planar body panel for affixed said second flexible, planar body panel to said first flexible, planar body panel.   
     
     
         2 . The detachable, cleat securement device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening means comprise a pad of hooks and a pad of loops. 
     
     
         3 . The detachable, cleat securement device of  claim 1 , wherein edges of the device defining the heel opening are stitched. 
     
     
         4 . The detachable, cleat securement device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures is four or more. 
     
     
         5 . A detachable, cleat securement device comprising:
 a first sidewall comprising a rearwardly-jutting component and an inferiorly jutting component, wherein the rearwardly-jutting component affixes to a second sidewall and the inferiorly jutting component affixes to a planar bottom surface;   a second sidewall comprises a rearwardly-jutting component which affixes to the planar bottom surface;   a planar base member defining a plurality of apertures for receiving cleats on a sole of the shoe;   wherein a heel opening is defined between the bottom surface and the rearwardly-jutting component through which the heel of user protrudes;   a first protuberance cantilevering forward from the first sidewall, the first protuberance comprises a rounded forward edge;   a second protuberance cantilevering forward from the second sidewall, the second protuberance comprising a flat forward edge positioning more distally from the second sidewall than the first protuberance positions from the first sidewall; and   a convex polymeric disk affixed to the second protuberance comprising a hook pad adapted to affix to a loop pad on first sidewall, wherein the loop pad is larger in area than the hook pad such that the hook pad may be selectively mated with a portion of the loop pad to adjust a size of the apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . The detachable, cleat securement device of  claim 6 , wherein the convex polymeric disk exceeds three square inches in diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The detachable, cleat securement device of  claim 6 , wherein the convex polymeric disk exceeds three square inches in diameter. 
     
     
         8 . A method of protecting cleats from crumb rubber and dirt and affixing cleats more securely to a wearer's foot, the steps of the method comprising:
 wrapping an inner surface of a shoe with a first flexible, planar body panel defining a generally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface;   affixing a second flexible, planar body panel to the first flexible planar body panel, the second flexible planar body panel defined by a generally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface,   wrapping an outer surface of the shoe with the second flexible;   affixing a planar base member to an inferiorly jutting component of the first flexible, planar body panel and the second flexible planar body panel, the planar base member defining a plurality of apertures for receiving cleats on a sole of the shoe;   wherein the first flexible, planar body panel and the second flexible planar body panel and the base member define a heel opening through which the heel of user protrudes;   affixing a first protuberance cantilevering forward of the first flexible, planar body panel to the first flexible, planar body panel, the first protuberance comprising a rounded forward edge;   affixing a second protuberance cantilevering forward of the second flexible to the second flexible, planar body panel, planar body panel, the second protuberance comprising a flat forward edge; and   fastening the second flexible, planar body panel to said first flexible, planar body panel such that said first flexible planar body panel and said second flexible planar body panel circumscribe the shoe and the ankle of a wearer and partially envelope a vamp of the shoe.   
     
     
         9 . The detachable, cleat securement device of  claim 8 , wherein the second, planar body panel is fastened to the first flexible planar body panel using a hook-loop fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The detachable, cleat securement device of  claim 8 , wherein the second, planar body panel is fabricated of one of nylon and leather.