WO1997014325A1

WO1997014325A1 - Golf shoe cleat

Info

Publication number: WO1997014325A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/016307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonard A. Nosewicz; Mark Moore; Ford Wilson; Lawrence Welk
Original assignee: Coors Porcelain Company
Priority date: 1995-10-20
Filing date: 1996-10-18
Publication date: 1997-04-24
Also published as: AU7439796A

Abstract

A removable, non-penetrating golf shoe cleat (10) which includes a circular flange (13), a plurality of truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances (21) spaced apart from one another and disposed near the periphery, a plurality of V-shaped grooves (60) disposed about the periphery on a lower surface of the flange and a threaded stud (40) or screw extending from the center of the flange (13) for removably attaching the cleat (10) to the shoe.

Description

GOLF SHOE CLEAT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to snap in screw and washer arrangements and self threading screws, and in particular to their application to cleats for shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a non-penetrating removable cleat having a snap-in and self-threading screw suitable for use with golf shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, golfers require footwear that will provide them with a certain degree of traction, or grab, that will allow their feet to remain securely positioned in the ground while they carry through their swing. This need has been met by the traditional ground penetrating spiked cleat, but at the cost of damage to the golf course and particularly to the golf course putting greens. A traditional ground penetrating spiked cleat is usually in the foπrϊ of a protrusion extending from the sole of the shoe and culminating in a sharp peak or point. The spikes may be permanently fixed to the sole of the shoe or replaceable by fastening a threaded stud to a socket on the sole of the shoe. However, when participating in the game of golf during the fall and winter months, particularly in the northern states, golfers have been subjected to a ban on using traditional, ground penetrating spiked cleats.

In northern states, where the climate is highly variable over the seasons of the year, grass has a latent subsurface growth period. This period of latent growth is usually during the fall and winter months. When wearing traditional, ground penetrating spiked cleats while playing golf in the northern regions during the fall and winter months, a golfer may cause considerable damage to the subsurface grass growth on the greens, teeboxes and fairways of a golf course.

Some alternatives to spiked cleats have been designed to be non-penetrating to the ground. They may be in the form of a permanent sole of the sport shoe, or may be replaceable by use of a threaded stud in an existing socket on the sole of the shoe.

For Example, U.S. Patent No. 5,259,129 of Deacon et al. describes a removable cleat which consists of a plurality of traction ribs that emanate out from the center of the cleat in a radial fashion. These ribs are triangular in cross sectional shape and come to a point at the top.

German Patent No. 2,529,027, of Uhlk shows a removable cleat which includes a plurality of faceted pyramids of varying heights which appear to be tightly packed on the surface of the cleat.

U.S. Patent No. 4,885,851 of Peterson describes a permanent sole for golf shoes having ground-engaging protrusions distributed along the inner and outer marginal edges of the soles to enhance the stance of the golfer. The protrusions are pyramid-shaped.

U.S. Patent No. 3,583,082 of Jordan discloses a removable cleat which contains a number of bristles attached to the body of the cleat and extending downwardly from the surface of the shoe.

U.S. Patent No. 3,512,275 of Leavitt discloses a cleat arrangement with a series of wedge-shaped openings enlarging outwardly from the center of the cleat, having V-shaped bottom walls (the cleat being

inverted) , and having additional V-shaped recesses vertically disposed in each side wall.

U.S. Patent No. 2,491,596 of Zaleski et al. teaches a golf shoe spike which consists of a single, narrowly shaped, downwardly facing truncated cone.

U.S. Patent No. 3,487,563 of Austin discloses a sport shoe having a molded sole and provided with studs projecting from the soles thereof. The studs are narrowly shaped, downwardly facing truncated cones. Between these protuberances are grooves extending from the edge of the sole and extending inward partially across the sole. Each grove terminates at its inner end in a circular-shaped enlargement.

Italian Patent No. 467,815 of Castioni describes a cleat attached to the bottom of a sport shoe which consists of a series of concentric circular ridges around the center of the cleat.

International Patent No. WO 91/03960 of Tanel et al. (Corresponding to International Application Number PCT/US90/05232) discloses a cleated sole for athletic shoes having a number of cleat nodes. Each cleat node is tapered to a blunt, rather than pointed, distal end.

U.K. Patent No. 2,223,294 of Cook et al. describes a sport shoe sole comprised of an array of fixed pimple studs and removable pimple studs. The pimple studs, whether fixed or removable, may have a rounded head on a cylindrical body or may have several facets loading to an end face.

Although the cleats described in the patents named above provide alternatives to traditional, ground penetrating golf shoe spikes, they have several drawbacks and limitations. One drawback is that a shoe with a non-penetrating permanent sole would require the golfer to purchase additional footwear for the fall and winter months. Another limitation is that some of the non-penetrating designs may not provide sufficient

"grab" for the golfer, while others may become loosened as the golfer walks or pivots through their swing. Still another potential drawback encountered is that some non-penetrating cleats may become clogged with grass or dirt when used.

Another drawback of the non-penetrating designs for golf shoe spikes available in the prior art is the "dimpling" effect they have on the golf course. By dimpling effect, it is meant that the cleats leave a dimpled indentation in the green, teebox or fairway rather than the spiked hole left by a traditional cleat. This effect has been attributed to the greater

surface area of the cleat in conjunction with the non- penetrating protrusions emanating therefrom. To many golfers and greens keepers, the dimpling effect presents an even greater problem on the golf course by both damaging the surface of the course and affecting the motion of a golf ball across that surface.

A desirable, non-penetrating cleat will provide an alternative to the traditional golf shoe spike, and will be removable so that it can be used interchangeably with the spike. The desirable cleat will provide the golfer with the traction, or grab, necessary to secure their stance through the swing, yet be non-damaging to the turf. It will remain secure against the sole of the shoe rather then loosening as the golfer pivots. The protuberances should be spaced apart from each other so to eliminate clogging the cleat with grass or mud. Further, a desirable non- penetrating golf shoe cleat will not dimple the surface of a golf course green.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a solution to problems presented with the prior art. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-penetrating, removable cleat suitable for use with golf shoes.

The non-penetrating cleat of this invention is removable, so it may be used interchangeably with the traditional ground penetrating spike on a golfer's shoe.

The protrusions are spaced apart from each other, so that mud and grass will not become clogged in the cleat while the golfer is walking on the course or swinging his or her club.

The protuberances are non-invasive to the ground, therefore eliminating damage to the latent, subsurface grass growth. However, the protuberances are designed high enough to provide the golfer with traction while staying secure on the sole of the shoe. Although non¬ invasive, the protuberances of the cleat of the instant invention are designed to be sharp enough to grip into the surface of the golf course green without leaving a spike mark or a dimple in the surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleat consists of a flat-topped threaded screw which is snapped through and secured into the center of the main cleat body. The regular, flat-topped screw snaps through a tapered hole in the center of the main cleat body, and when fully engaged creates a flat upper surface to the cleat from which the truncated pyramid shapes protrude axially therefrom. In another embodiment, the threaded stud is

replaced by a regular flat-topped screw, which is screwed through a threaded hole located in the center of the main cleat body. Like with the snap-in screw, the threaded screw fits into the threaded hole in the main cleat body, and when fully engaged creates, a flat upper surface to the cleat from which the truncated pyramid shapes protrude axially therefrom. In still another embodiment of the invention, the cleat consists of a main cleat body, a threaded stud, and several pyramid shape protuberances all molded from the same material in a single unitary fashion.

The cleat has a number of truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances on the generally flat traction surface of the main cleat body. On the bottom side of the cleat, there are a plurality of small, V-shaped protrusions. The V-shaped protrusions are disposed about the bottom surface of the cleat which contacts the sole of the shoe, providing a firm, secure contact between the cleat and the shoe. The V-shaped protrusions are disposed about the cleat surface with the pointed end of the V pointing inward toward the center of the cleat, while the open end of the V points out to the outer circumference.

In a preferred embodiment, the main cleat body and the truncated pyramid shaped protuberances are formed of a ceramic material which is both durable and

polished to a minimal extent. By minimal polishing, it is generally meant that the material used is polished to the point of removing excess material residue left over from the molding process, but the material does not become smooth to the point of being slippery when continuously scraped against concrete or cement surfaces about the golf course or parking areas. The threaded screw which snaps into the main cleat body is formed of a durable nylon or plastic material such as polypropylene. Alternatively, the cleat may be molded or otherwise formed of a durable plastic material or of a metal material such as aluminum, which is resilient against hard or frozen ground in colder temperatures.

In an alternative embodiment, the snap-in-screw is replaced with a threaded screw which engages a threaded hole and extends through the center of the main cleat body, protruding upwardly therefrom. In any of the embodiments, the threads of the screw or stud are sized to cooperate with the threads of the threaded hole in the sole of the golf shoe, so that the main cleat body may be affixed to the sole of the shoe by engaging the screw through the center of the main cleat body and into a threaded hole in the bottom of the shoe.

A series of truncated traction pyramids are formed on the upper surface of the main cleat body. The pyramids are triangular in cross section at the base

and peak, being truncated at the peak. They are disposed in a circular fashion near the perimeter of the main cleat body and are identical in size and shape.

By truncated pyramids disposed on the main cleat body, it is meant that more than one triangular shaped protrusion is located on the upper surface of the cleat. The protuberances are truncated before they reach a peak causing each to be flattened at the top. They are positioned near the periphery of the cleat with one of the points in the base pointing inward. The other two points of the triangular base point outward towards the perimeter of the main cleat body.

Additionally, in one embodiment, a pair of installation tool engagement holes are located at opposed points in the bottom surface of the flange. This is to provide consistency with conventional installation tools that allow the cleat body to be driven in and out of the threaded hole on the threaded stud and securely tightened against the sole of the shoe, thus allowing for easy replacement of the traditional spike. In other embodiments, the cleat is simply secured to the shoe using a small coin or a screwdriver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf shoe spike of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the golf shoe spike showing the traction surface.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf shoe spike.

FIG. 4 is a side, cross sectional view of the golf shoe spike depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an individual truncated triangular shaped protuberance.

FIG. 6 is a side, cross sectional view of an individual truncated triangular shaped protuberance.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a golf shoe spike showing the threaded stud and concave lower surface.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a golf shoe spike showing the screw attachment through the center of the main cleat body.

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the screw used as attachment.

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the snap-in-screw in the golf shoe spike of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the V-shaped protrusions on the flat bottom surface of the cleat.

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the truncated pyramid- shaped protuberances on the upper surface of the cleat and the V-shaped protrusions on the lower surface of the cleat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One embodiment of the golf shoe cleat of this invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1-7. Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the golf shoe cleat 10. As illustrated in this figure, the upper surface 14 of the main cleat body 10, is a generally flat surface from which several truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 extend. The protuberances 18 are distributed along the outer periphery of the upper surface 14 of the cleat 10. In one embodiment, a threaded stud 11 is formed on a concave lower surface 30 (illustrated in FIG. 4) of the main cleat body 10 and protrudes axially therefrom.

In an alternative embodiment, readily understood with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, threaded stud 11 may be replaced by a screw 40 that fits through the center of the cleat 10. In the alternative embodiment, the cleat 10 consists of a main cleat body and a regular, flat-topped screw 40. The main cleat body 10 has a threaded hole 11 through the center, generally .43" in diameter. Flat-topped screw 40 is about .26" high, and the head extends out at an angle of 82° from the threads of the screw. The screw 40 fits through the threaded hole 11 in the main cleat body 10 and, when engaged with the threaded hole (not shown) on the sole of the shoe, creates a flat upper surface 14 to the golf shoe cleat.

In still another embodiment, the threaded screw arrangement just described is replaced with a snap-in screw 42 as illustrated in FIG. 10. To this end, the threaded hole 11 in the main cleat body is replaced with a tapered hole (not shown) . With reference to FIG. 10, it can be seen that the snap-in-screw 42 consists of a head 44 having a tapered side edge 46, ending at a straight edge 48. A lip 50 extends about the circumference of the lower end of the head 44. The snap-in-screw 42 illustrated in FIG. 10 is attached to the main cleat body by inserting the stud 56 portion of the snap-in-screw 42 through the tapered hole in the center of the main cleat body 10 until the straight

edge 48 of the snap-in-s6rew 42 engages with the lower end of the taperedTiole and the lower lip 50 of the snap-in-screw 42 catches below the flat, lower surface 58 of the main cleat body 10, providing a firm engagement between the main cleat body 10 and the snap- in-screw 42.

It can also be seen with reference to FIG. 10 that the upper end 52 of the stud 56 is not threaded while the lower end 54 of the stud 56 is threaded. In general, the threaded holes in the sole of a golf shoe (not shown) are formed from a metal material such as aluminum, while in a preferred embodiment, the stud 56 of the cleat of the present invention is preferably formed of a nylon or plastic material. To fasten a removable cleat to the sole of a shoe, the threads of the stud of the cleat are engaged with the threads of the threaded hole in the sole of the shoe until all the threads in the stud are mated to the threads in the hole. In contrast, the cleat disclosed herein includes an upper portion of the stud 52 which is not threaded, so when the threaded nylon stud 56 of the cleat is engaged with the metal threads of the threaded hole in the shoe, the upper portion of the stud 52 will become threaded by the metal threads in the hole until the lower surface 58 of the cleat abuts the sole of the shoe. This self-threading feature of the stud 56 of the present invention creates a firm grip between the shoe and the cleat.

The cleat 10 disclosed herein may be manufactured from any suitable material, and may be assembled from two or more separate pieces. In a preferred embodiment, the cleat of the present invention is assembled from two parts. The main cleat body 10, including the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 21 and V-shaped protrusions 60, are all formed from a ceramic material having a composition similar to TTZ as manufactured by Coors Ceramic Company. The advantage of using the ceramic material is that ceramic wears well and does not polish to the extent other materials may. The ceramic surface does not typically become slick by the constant abrasion of the cleat on paved or cement surfaces. Additionally, ceramic material has the advantage that the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 21 do not get worn down as easily as they would if formed as a plastic or nylon material.

The TTZ ceramic of Coors Ceramic Company used in the preferred embodiment of the main cleat body has a density of 5.75 g/cc, a flexural strength of 620 Mpa, a fracture toughness of 11 Mpa^am", a stiffness to weight ratio of 35 Gpa/g/cc, a hardness between 74-79 Gpa using the Rockwell 45N test, a thermal shock resistance of 350-sC and a maximum use temperature of SOO-sC It is understood that these properties are not intended to be limiting but rather exemplary. It has been found that casting the main cleat body from a ceramic material

having these properties results in a product that is strong and durable, having greater resistance to chipping.

As was mentioned in connection with the self- threading feature of the stud, and illustrated in FIG. 10, the screw portion 42 of the cleat of the present invention is formed of a plastic or nylon material. This is advantageous because it has been found that engaging the nylon threads of the stud of the present invention with the generally metals threads of the threaded hole in the golf shoe provides a firmer grip between the shoe and the cleat than has been found when engaging a metal stud into a metal hole. However, there are many alternative embodiments and materials that could be used in manufacturing the cleat disclosed herein and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the threaded stud 11 or-screws 40 and 42 may be manufactured from a recyclable metal material such as aluminum, while the remainder of the cleat body 10 may be made of a synthetic plastic material. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cleat 10 is molded from a metal material, such as aluminum. The metal material is advantageously the same material used to manufacture the sockets, located on the bottom of the golf shoe, which receive the stud 11 or screw. The metal material which is quite resilient, recyclable,

and has the additional advantage of maintaining the cleat's traction, especially in times of lower temperature when the ground becomes hard or "fast".

Continuing now with the main cleat body, the upper and lower surfaces of cleat will be described. In one embodiment, the upper surface 14 of main cleat body 10, which can best be seen in FIG. 2, has a circumference of 3", based on a radius of 0.475". This is to provide a sufficient traction surface area for the cleat and adequate room for the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 21, when used instead of a traditional spike. In all embodiments, the upper surface 14 of the cleat is flat, which minimizes the potential for the cleat to leave a dimple mark in the surface of a green.

In one embodiment seen in FIG. 3, the lower surface 12 of the main cleat body 10 is slightly larger then the upper surface 14 resulting in a flange 13. This difference creates an angle between the flange 13 and the lower surface 12 of less than 90 degrees. The angle of the flange 13 and the fractional difference in the size of the upper 14 and lower 12 surfaces of the main cleat body 10 is best illustrated by FIG. 4, which shows a cross sectional view of the cleat 10.

Continuing the discussion with reference to FIG. 2, which illustrates a top view of one embodiment of

the cleat, it can be seen that the truncated, pyramid- shaped protuberances 18 are disposed around the perimeter of the bottom surface 14 of the main cleat body 10. FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 spaced apart from one another along the periphery of the cleat. Also seen in FIG. 2 are a pair of installation tool engagement holes 15, which will be discussed later. The truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 are formed about the periphery of the flange such that the triangular base points 19 are positioned to point outward along the perimeter of the lower cleat surface 14. The base side 16 of the pyramid-shaped protuberance 18 located between the triangle base points 19 may be straight as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In another embodiment not shown in the drawings but readily understood, the base side of the protuberance 16 may be slightly curved, causing the curved base of the triangle 16 and the curved edge of the flange 13 to run in parallel. It has been found that curving the triangular base so that it is parallel with the cleat's curved edge 13 apparently softens the angles of the pyramid-shaped protuberance 18 and thus contributing to the non-invasive nature of the protuberance 18. In either embodiment, the peak 20 of the triangular base of the truncated pyramid-shaped

protuberances 18 points inward to the center of the cleat.

Still referring to FIG. 2, with the orientation that the installation tool engagement holes 15 represent the horizontal or "x" axis and the center of the cleat is the origin, it can be seen that two of the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 are opposed to one another along the vertical, or "y" axis. It can further be seen that the remaining truncated pyramid- shaped protuberances 18 are located at positions of 30 degrees both above and below the horizontal axis. The spacing of the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 in this fashion prevents the bottom of the cleat 14 from becoming clogged with mud or grass. If the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 are densely packed on the bottom surface 14 of the cleat, grass or mud may become lodged in the spaces between them. However, spacing the protuberances 18 at a minimum distance from each other allows adequate traction for the shoe but does not grab the soil when the shoe is lifted.

In an alternative embodiment, the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 may be positioned at 45 degree angles above and below the horizontal axis. This positioning will also achieve the desired traction - while minimizing any clogging of the cleat with soil.

Indeed, any number of protuberances may be evenly spaced about the circumference, with the angles readily calculated by those skilled in the art. Any number between 2 and 13 (or more) would be workable.

A detailed view of the truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 can be seen in FIGS. 5-6. FIG. 5 provides a top view of the protuberance. In a preferred embodiment, each side 16 of the base triangle is 0.27". As the pyramid 18 extends outward from the cleat, it is truncated when it reaches a height of 0.182" creating a flat surface 21 rather than a reaching a point at the peak of the pyramid. The resulting upper triangle 17 has base sides which measure 0.25". The truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances 18 provide the cleat with traction, yet are generally non-invasive to the ground.

^* Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, which show a cross sectional view and side view of the cleat respectively, it can be seen that in one embodiment a threaded stud 11 is formed on the concave lower surface 12 of the main cleat body 10 and protrudes outwardly therefrom. It should be noted that FIGS. 3-4 are intended to be representational only and are not drawn to scale. The overall thickness of the main cleat body 10 may be thinner than indicated in the drawings, contributing to ^*

the cleat's ability to be non-damaging to the ground on which it is used.

In this embodiment, the threaded stud 11 is used as the cleat attachment. The threads 22 of the threaded stud 11 are sized to cooperate with the threads of the threaded hole in the hole of the golf shoe. This provides a strong engagement with the hole. In another embodiment, a regular, flat-topped screw inserted through a threaded hole in the main cleat body may be used as the cleat attachment rather than the threaded stud formed on the lower surface, as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 8-9. The preferred embodiment, which is a snap-in-screw is illustrated in FIG. 10, and will be subsequently discussed in greater detail. Optionally, other cleat attachment means may be used. For example, the stud may be a series of raised metal concentric circles to provide a snap fit engagement with the rim or hole of the golf shoe.

Continuing the discussion now with reference to FIG. 4, which provides a cross sectional view of the cleat, it can be seen that in all embodiments, the upper surface 14 of the cleat 10 is flat, while in one embodiment the lower surface 12 of the cleat 10 consists of a concave center 30 and a flattened edge or lip 23. The diameter of the concave portion 30 of the lower surface 12 of the cleat 10 is slightly smaller

than the diameter of the entire lower surface 12 of the cleat, resulting in^" a lip 23 which encircles the circumference of the lower surface 12 of the cleat. The width of the lip 23 is generally 0.2". The lip 23 helps to provide firm engagement with the sole of the shoe as the cleat 10 is fastened to the shoe by the cleat attachment means.

In a particular embodiment, the height of the main cleat body 10, taken from the lip 23 of the lower surface 12 to the plane of the upper surface 14, is 0.25". It has been found that reducing the height of the main cleat body further enhances the non- penetrating feature of the cleat. For example, in another embodiment, reducing the height of the main cleat body to about 0.10" or 0.06" minimizes the likelihood for the entire upper surface 14 of the cleat to penetrate the ground. As discussed previously, the sides 25 of the main cleat body 10, from which the height is measured, angle inward slightly.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the concave bottom surface 30 of the main cleat body 10 is replaced with a flat surface 58, having a plurality of V-shaped protrusions 60 extending therefrom. This embodiment can be viewed with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 shows the alternative embodiment of the lower surface of the cleat, while FIG. 12 is a side

view of the alternative embodiment of the cleat. As seen with reference to FIG. 11, the V-shaped protrusions 60, have the pointed end of the V extending inward to the center of the main cleat body 10 while the open end of the V extends outward to the periphery of the lower surface 58. The V-shaped protrusions 60 are small, extending outward to a height that is approximately 1/6 of the height of the truncated pyramids 21 on the upper surface 14, as seen with reference to FIG. 12. The V-shaped protrusions 60 are intended to cut into the sole of the shoe or to create a firm friction-fit to the sole and help keep the cleat from turning once attached to the sole of the shoe. Any number between 2 and 13 V-shaped protrusions 60 are adequate for the bottom surface 58 of the cleat although a preferred embodiment has six V-shaped protrusions on the cleat's lower surface 58.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it can be seen that in one embodiment, a pair of installation tool engagement holes 15 are formed on the upper surface 14 of the cleat. The installation holes 15 extend through the body of the cleat 10, and through the lower surface 12 of the cleat, as seen with reference to FIG. 7. The pair of installation tool engagement holes 15 are located at opposed points in main cleat body 10. In a particular embodiment, the holes are set apart from each other at a distance of 0.534". This distance is

measured from the center of the first hole to the center of the second hole. In this embodiment, the radius of the circular holes is 0.106". This provides consistency with conventional installation tools that allow the cleat to be driven in and out of the threaded hole in the sole of the shoe, and securely tightened against the sole of the shoe.

In another embodiment, as readily seen with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the pair of installation tool engagement holes 15 are eliminated, and replaced by the single, regular, flat-topped screw which extends through the center of the main cleat body, as was previously described. By using a screw as the attachment means for fastening the cleat against the shoe, the need for a golfer to have a separate installation tool for his or her cleats is eliminated. The golfer may attach this embodiment of the cleat of this invention to the shoe by merely turning the screw with a coin, such as a dime, which is often carried by golfers to mark their ball while on the putting green. Optionally, the screw as attachment means for the cleat may be attached to the shoe using a straight edge or philips head screwdriver.

In use, the golfer simply removes the metal, spiked cleats from sole of his or her golf shoes using an installation tool, screwdriver or coin, and replaces

the spiked cleats with the cleat of the present invention. Preferably, the golfer snaps the snap-in- screw into the main cleat body and screws the entire unit into the shoe. The snap-in-screw approach is the preferred embodiment and eliminates the need for the golfer to use two hands when installing the cleat into the shoe. The golfer simply snaps the screw into the cleat and then threads the cleat/screw into the hole rather than having to position the main cleat body with one hand while threading the screw through the main cleat body and into the threaded hole with the other hand.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A removable cleat for a shoe, said cleat comprising: (a) a main cleat body having an upper surface and a lower surface, said main cleat body having a tapered hole extending through the center of said body, said tapered hole terminating in a straight edge about the lower end of said tapered hole; (b) a plurality of truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances spaced apart from one another on the upper surface of the main cleat body and located near the periphery of said surface, and

(c) a threaded stud having a flat upper surface a lower lip, and a tapered edge between said upper surface and lower lip, said tapered edge terminating at a flat edge abutting the lower lip, wherein said threaded stud is snapped into said tapered hole to provide secure engagement between said stud and said main cleat body, and wherein said threaded stud is for removably attaching the cleat to the shoe.

2. The cleat of claim l, further comprising a plurality of V-shaped protrusions spaced apart from one another on the lower surface of said main cleat body.

3. The cleat of claim 2, wherein said lower surface is flat.

4. The cleat of claim 2, wherein said lower surface is concave.

5. The cleat of claim 4, wherein said lower surface has a lip near the outer periphery.

6. The cleat of claim 3, wherein said upper surface is flat.

7. The cleat of claim 6, wherein there are between two and thirteen truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances.

8. The cleat of claim 7, wherein said truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances have a straight base.

9. The cleat of claim 8, wherein said truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances have a curved base.

10. The cleat of claim 8, wherein said main cleat body, said v-shaped protrusions and said truncated pyramid shaped protuberances are molded in a single unitary fashion from ceramic.

11. The cleat of claim 10, wherein said threaded stud is molded from plastic.

12. The cleat of claim 11, wherein said threaded stud is further comprised of a first threaded portion and a second non-threaded portion abutting said threaded portion, wherein said second portion becomes threaded when engaged with a threaded hole on the sole of a sport shoe.

13. The cleat of claim 8, wherein there are between two and thirteen v-shaped protrusions extending from the lower surface of said circular flange.

14. The cleat of claim 13, wherein there are six truncated pyramid-shaped protuberances.

15. The cleat of claim 14, wherein there are six v- sha"ped protrusions.

16. A snap-in-screw and washer comprising: a screw head having an upper surface, a lower lip and a tapered edge therebetween, said screw further comprising a threaded stud extending outward from the lower surface of the screw, wherein said tapered edge between the upper surface and lower lip is tapered inward toward the lower lip and terminating in a straight edge abutting the lower lip; and

a circular flange having an upper surface, a lower surface and a tapered hole extending therethrough; wherein said screw head is snapped into said tapered hole in said circular flange and said upper surface of said lower lip presses against said lower surface of said flange.

17. The snap-in-screw of claim 16, wherein said stud is further comprised of a first threaded portion and a second non-threaded portion.

18. A method of securing a cleat into a sports shoe, comprising: snapping a flat-headed screw having a partially threaded stud through a hole in a main cleat body, said main cleat body comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface having a plurality of V- shaped protrusions emanating therefrom;

- threading said partially threaded stud into a threaded hole on the sole of said sports shoe until said main cleat body abuts the sole of said sports shoe; and forming a plurality of V-shaped indentations on the sole of said shoe by contacting the sole of said shoe with said V-shaped protrusions; wherein said V- shaped indentations receive said V-shaped protrusions thereby preventing said main cleat body from turning when engaged with said shoe.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said threaded stud is formed of molde nylon and said threaded hole on said sports shoe is formed of metal.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step, after said threading step, of cutting threads into said non-threaded portion of said stud by contact with the threads in said threaded hole.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said V-shaped protrusions are disposed about said lower surface of said main cleat body such that the point of said V- shaped protrusions points to the center of said main cleat body.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said lower surface of said cleat has between two and thirteen V-shaped protrusions disposed about said lower surface.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein there are six V- shaped protrusions.