Interface support for bicycle shoe with cleat

Abstract

A support interface apparatus removably couplable to a cleated cycling shoe to enable the user to walk on an underlying substrate with minimal slipping on the substrate and/or minimal damage to the underlying substrate by the cleat. The apparatus includes a base pad and a cleat cavity located in the front portion of the base pad. The cleat cavity includes a perimeter, a base, and a cleat-retaining space established by the perimeter and the base. The cleat cavity is arranged for removably retaining the cleat of the cycling shoe therein so that the user may walk on the underlying surface without the heel and the cleat making direct contact with the underlying substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured to function as a support interface between a cycling shoe having a heel and a cleat and an underlying substrate to enable walking on the substrate with the cycling shoe on, the apparatus comprising:
 a base pad having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front portion, and a heel portion; and   a cleat cavity located in the front portion and the top surface of the base pad, the cleat cavity including a perimeter, a base, and a cleat-retaining space established by the perimeter and the base,   wherein the cleat cavity is arranged for removably retaining the cleat of the cycling shoe therein so that the user may walk on the underlying surface without the heel and the cleat making direct contact with the underlying substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base pad is formed of a top layer and a bottom layer, and wherein the cleat cavity is located in the top layer of the base pad. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the top layer is fabricated of thermoplastic urethane and the bottom layer is fabricated of ethyl vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the base pad is formed of a material or textured to enhance grip between the apparatus and the underlying substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of the cleat cavity includes a forward clip and a rear clip for removably securing the cleat of the cycling shoe in the space of the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the forward clip and the rear clip is formed of a perimeter ring and a lip extending inwardly into the space from the perimeter ring. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the lip of the rear clip is rounded to facilitate removal of the cleat from the cleat cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base pad has a length and a width approximating a length and a width of the cycling shoe.