Cleat Attachment Flange and Receptacle Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction cleat and receptacle systems in athletic shoes have a large longitudinal profile, which increases the thickness of the shoe outsole, making it more expensive and less responsive to terrain, and often suffer from unreliable locking mechanisms that can loosen under lateral forces and lack precise rotational alignment.
Innovation Solution
A cleat and receptacle system with a reduced longitudinal profile, featuring thin attachment flanges and angularly spaced locking structures with convex ridges and concave recesses that provide a secure interference fit and tactile/audible feedback during installation, ensuring precise rotational alignment and enhanced retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded stem and socket arrangement is used to attach the cleat to the receptacle, then the attachment provides reliable longitudinal engagement, but the receptacle requires a large longitudinal profile (6 mm or greater) to accommodate the threaded engagement and locking components
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional zones: the cleat body with attachment flange, the receptacle cavity with locking teeth, and the outsole. This segmentation allows the locking teeth to be positioned at the distal end of the cavity, enabling a shorter overall receptacle length while maintaining reliable attachment through distributed locking points along the longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a purely longitudinal threaded engagement to a combination of longitudinal insertion and rotational locking. The locking teeth engage with corresponding features on the cleat body through rotational movement after axial insertion, adding a rotational dimension to the attachment process that enables secure locking in a shorter receptacle length
2Reliability
If locking components are provided on the receptacle and cleat to prevent inadvertent loosening, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the receptacle longitudinal dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking teeth are merged with the distal end wall of the receptacle cavity, forming an integrated structure rather than separate components. This merging eliminates the need for additional longitudinal space that would be required for separate locking mechanisms, achieving reliable locking in a compact receptacle design
Solution Approach 2:
The locking teeth are pre-positioned at the distal end of the receptacle cavity in a ready-to-engage configuration. When the cleat is inserted and rotated into place, the locking features on the cleat body automatically engage with these pre-positioned teeth, providing immediate locking action without requiring additional longitudinal travel or adjustment
3Ease of manufacture
If a larger receptacle longitudinal dimension is used, then the threaded engagement and locking components can be accommodated, but the outsole thickness increases making it more expensive and less responsive to terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle cavity is designed with thin-walled construction, utilizing the flexibility and strength of the outsole material itself to form the cavity walls. This allows the receptacle to be formed as an integral part of the outsole structure, minimizing additional material requirements and maintaining thin outsole profile while providing sufficient structural support for the attachment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle cavity serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the attachment interface for the cleat, houses the locking teeth, and acts as an integral structural component of the outsole. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall thickness and material costs while maintaining reliable attachment and locking functions
4Length of moving object
If the receptacle longitudinal dimension is reduced to permit a thinner outsole, then the cost and terrain responsiveness are improved, but the space available for threaded engagement and locking components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism employs a dynamic two-stage engagement process: first axial insertion of the cleat body into the receptacle cavity, then rotational movement to engage the locking teeth. This dynamic sequence allows the mechanism to achieve secure attachment in a shorter receptacle length by utilizing temporal separation of the engagement steps rather than requiring all components to fit simultaneously in a long receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle.