US4375729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Footwear having retractable spikes
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-07-29
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Granted: 1983-03-08
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Expires: 2001-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Anti-skid spikes for use on shoes or boots, to provide firm footing on ice or snow. The spikes are readily extendable and retractable without the use of keys or tools, e.g., when entering a car or a house where floors and rugs might otherwise be damaged thereby. A mechanism for selectively extending and retracting the spikes is sealed within the sole and heel of the footwear to provide improved esthetics and to prevent interference with the mechanism, as by moisture and ice, when temperatures vary from hot to cold.
Inventors
- 👤 Wiley T. Buchanen, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:13
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43C; A43C15/00; A43C15/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
Footwear having retractable spikes, comprising: an elongated hollow member including a sole having a tread surface with a plurality of resilient normally recessed parts therein; a corresponding plurality of spikes secured to respective ones of said normally recessed parts, each spike having a length such that it does not normally extend beyond said tread surface; a slidably movable cam member disposed within said hollow member adjacent said sole and having a corresponding plurality of cam surface portions for (i) permitting said normally recessed parts of said sole to remain in a retracted position wherein said spikes do not extend beyond said tread surface, when said cam member is in a first longitudinal position, and (ii) urging said normally recessed parts toward said tread surface to cause said spikes to extend therefrom when said cam member is in a second longitudinal position; and actuating means disposed within said hollow member and operable via a flexible wall portion thereof, for moving said cam member between said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
Footwear having retractable spikes, comprising: an elongated hollow member including a sole having a tread surface with a plurality of resilient normally recessed parts therein; a corresponding plurality of spikes secured to respective ones of said normally recessed parts, each spike having a length such that it does not normally extend beyond said tread surface; a slidably movable cam member disposed within said hollow member adjacent said sole and having a corresponding plurality of cam surface portions for (i) permitting said normally recessed parts of said sole to remain in a retracted position wherein said spikes do not extend beyond said tread surface, when said cam member is in a first longitudinal position, and (ii) urging said normally recessed parts toward said tread surface to cause said spikes to extend therefrom when said cam member is in a second longitudinal position; and actuating means disposed within said hollow member and operable via a flexible wall portion thereof, for moving said cam member between said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said normally recessed parts of said sole is substantially less than the thickness of adjacent portions of said sole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The footwear according to claim 1, wherein said hollow member is sealed to keep out water and foreign matter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The footwear according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a spring means for urging said cam member from said first position to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The footwear according to claim 4, wherein said actuating means includes latch means for holding said cam member in said first position, against the tension of said spring means, said latch means being shiftable to release said cam member, whereby said spring means shifts said cam member to said second position to extend said spikes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The footwear according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said spikes are L-shaped, with one leg of each L-shaped spike secured to an inwardly inclined portion of the corresponding normally recessed part, so that the other leg thereof rotates from an initial retracted position to an extended position when said cam member is moved from said first position to said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
Retractable anti-skid spikes for footwear, comprising a sole including a flexible tread and spikes in said tread, said tread normally holding said spikes up in ineffective positions, said sole comprising a cavity containing a cam member shiftable from a first position to a second position for flexing said tread to extend said spikes in effective ground gripping positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
Retractable anti-skid spikes for footwear, comprising a sole including a flexible tread and spikes in said tread, said tread normally holding said spikes up in ineffective positions, said sole comprising a cavity containing a cam member shiftable from a first position to a second position for flexing said tread to extend said spikes in effective ground gripping positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein said cavity is hermetically sealed for keeping out foreign matter, and for thereby protecting said cam member and protecting space for the cam member to shift.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 7, and comprising a spring for shifting said cam member into said second position for flexing said tread and extending said spikes in effective ground gripping position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 9, wherein said cam member is shiftable from said second position to said first position, against the tension of said spring, for permitting reflexing of said tread and for thereby returning said spikes to normal ineffective positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination according to claim 10, and comprising a latch means for holding said cam member in said first position, against the tension of said spring, said latch means being shiftable to release said cam member, whereby said spring shifts said cam member to said second position for flexing said tread and extending said spikes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-07 | 1986-09-06 | 1987-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-07 | 1990-09-06 | 1991-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-07 | 1994-09-06 | 1995-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |