Golf shoe cleat

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a three-component releasable mounted cleat assembly for interlocking into a receptacle of a golf shoe A locking component is biasly inserted into an open receptacle in the shoe and has a geometric construction of downwardly extending tongues causes a requirement for a greater torque remove the cleat than was necessary to install it. An outer component which is coupled to the locking component provides a plurality of rigid posts extending outward for firmly gripping turf. The posts have an exterior wall surface extending vertically from a base and are confined within the outer perimeter of the base. An inner component is secured within the outer component and has a plurality of resilient legs extending outward in a radial direction and originating from a central area of the component.

1 . A cleat for interlocking with an open receptacle in a golf shoe, the cleat comprising:
 an inner component and an outer component;   the inner component comprising:   a plurality of resilient legs;   a plate for friction fitting to the outer component; and   a connecting element extending downwardly from a bottom face of the inner component; and   the outer component comprising:   a plurality of rigid posts; and   a slot for locking with the plate of the inner component.   
   
   
       2 . The cleat of  claim 1 , wherein the plate and slot for locking the components together are each rectangular. 
   
   
       3 . The cleat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of resilient legs each originate from a center area on a top face of the inner component and extend outwardly in a radial direction. 
   
   
       4 . The cleat of  claim 1 , wherein the cleat comprises means for screwing into a corresponding open receptacle in the shoe, the means comprising:
 a spiraling thread for screwing into the open receptacle of the golf shoe and a plurality of flexible lock tongues extending in a spaced manner downward a bottom surface of the cleat for compression-fitting within the open receptacle of the shoe, the lock tongues having a cam surface one side and a vertical surface on an opposite side,   wherein as the cleat is rotated in a first direction within the open receptacle, each of the lock tongues are biased into a retracted position against the open receptacle and then restore themselves once the locking member has been rotated in the first direction through about 60 degrees, such that a greater force must be applied to remove the cleat assembly than to install it.   
   
   
       5 . The cleat of  claim 1  wherein the rigid posts are equally spaced and the outer dimensions of the posts are maintained within the perimeter of the outer component. 
   
   
       6 . The cleat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of resilient legs are arcuately shaped and have a spoiler for added structural reinforcement and for aiding in removing debris. 
   
   
       7 . The cleat according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of resilient legs are four. 
   
   
       8 . The cleat according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer components made from a pliable thermoplastic urethane having a Shore A hardness in a range from 80 to 100. 
   
   
       9 . A cleat for interlocking with an open receptacle in a golf shoe, the cleat comprising:
 an inner component and an outer component;   the inner component comprising:   a rectangular plate for friction fitting to the outer component; and   a connecting element extending downwardly from a bottom face of the inner component; and   the outer component comprising:   a rectangular slot for locking with the plate of the inner component;   a locking component integral with and extending downwardly from the outer component, and having means for interlocking with the open receptacle of the shoe.   
   
   
       10 . The cleat according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner component includes a plurality of arcuately shaped resilient legs extending outwardly in a radial direction and originating from a circular area in a top face of the inner component. 
   
   
       11 . The cleat according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of resilient legs are 4. 
   
   
       12 . The cleat according to  claim 9 , wherein the outer component includes a plurality of equally spaced rigid posts, the outer dimensions of the posts maintained within the perimeter of the outer component. 
   
   
       13 . The cleat according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of rigid posts are 4. 
   
   
       14 . The cleat according to  claim 9 , wherein the means of the locking component for interlocking with the open receptacle of the shoe comprise:
 a spiraling thread for screwing into the open receptacle of the golf shoe and a plurality of flexible lock tongues extending in a spaced manner downward a bottom surface of the cleat for compression-fitting within the open receptacle of the shoe, the lock tongues having a cam surface one side and a vertical surface on an opposite side,   wherein as the cleat is rotated in a first direction within the open receptacle, each of the lock tongues are biased into a retracted position against the open receptacle and then restore themselves once the locking member has been rotated in the first direction through about 60 degrees, such that a greater force must be applied to remove the cleat assembly than to install it.   
   
   
       15 . The cleat according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner and outer components made from a pliable thermoplastic urethane having a Shore A hardness in a range from 80 to 100.