Curved Bicycle Cleat Mounting Standard for Foot-Pedal Distance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleat mounting standards for bicycles, such as three-hole and four-hole designs, either require heavy adapter plates or increase the distance between the foot and pedal due to poor hole placement, and restrict rotational adjustment, leading to suboptimal power transfer and walking comfort.
Innovation Solution
A mounting standard featuring a contoured shim with elongated shim holes and internal nut assemblies that allow for forward and rearward adjustment without increasing foot-pedal distance, enabling rotational adjustment and reducing the need for additional fasteners, thus maintaining optimal foot-to-pedal alignment and aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a three-hole curved mounting standard is used, then the mounting holes follow the shoe sole curvature, but the mounting holes are poorly placed relative to the pedal axis requiring a thick adapter plate that increases weight and foot-pedal distance
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting standard uses a curved configuration that follows the natural curvature of the shoe sole, allowing direct mounting without thick adapter plates. The curved shape positions mounting holes optimally relative to the pedal axis while maintaining compatibility with the shoe sole geometry.
2Shape
If a three-hole curved mounting standard is used, then the mounting holes follow the shoe sole curvature, but the thick adapter plate prevents the pedal from being positioned as close as possible to the shoe sole reducing power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The curved mounting standard eliminates the need for thick adapter plates by directly accommodating the pedal assembly in the correct position. This reduces the distance between the pedal and shoe sole, optimizing power transfer from the user's foot to the pedal.
3Shape
If a four-hole mounting standard with planar contact area is used, then the mounting hardware is positioned out of the way allowing closer cleat-to-foot positioning, but the distance between cleat assembly and user's foot increases as the cleat is moved forward or rearward
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting standard uses a curved configuration that follows the shoe sole contour, allowing the cleat assembly to be positioned forward or rearward while maintaining a consistent distance from the user's foot. The curved shape compensates for positional changes, keeping the foot-pedal distance optimized for power transfer.
4Shape
If a four-hole mounting standard with planar contact area is used, then the mounting hardware is positioned out of the way, but the cleat assembly cannot be pivoted with respect to the shoe sole for rotational adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The curved mounting standard provides mounting holes arranged in a pattern that allows both forward/rearward positioning and rotational adjustment of the cleat assembly. The curved geometry enables pivoting motion while maintaining proper alignment with the pedal axis.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is embodied in a mounting standard for mounting a cleat assembly to a shoe sole having a curved underside portion and a plurality of mounting holes. The mounting standard is configured so that the cleat assembly can be moved forward or rearward with respect to the curved underside portion of the shoe sole without significantly affecting the distance between the cleat assembly and a user's foot. The present invention is also embodied in a shoe configured to receive a user's foot, the shoe comprising a shoe sole and a mounting standard.