Sole Plate Assembly

Abstract

A sole plate assembly comprises a removable plate ( 2; 5 ) having one or more projections ( 12 ) for providing grip, means for engaging a periphery of the removable plate ( 2; 5 ) so as to secure the periphery to the sole ( 9 ), and user actuable means ( 8 a; 8 b ) for removably securing the removable plate ( 2; 5 ) to the sole ( 9 ).

1 . A sole plate assembly for an item of footwear having a sole, the assembly comprising:
 a. first and second removable plate sections, each having one or more projections for providing grip,   b. a fixed plate, fixed or fixable directly or indirectly to the sole, and having an aperture into which the first and second removable plate sections fit such that outer peripheries thereof engage an edge of the aperture,   c. a securing plate, fitting between the first and second plate sections within the aperture, for engaging inner peripheries of the first and second plate sections, and   d. a user actuable fixing for removably securing the securing plate to the sole.   
     
     
         2 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the securing plate is tapered and is slidable into a corresponding tapered space between the first and second plate sections, so as to force the outer peripheries of the first and second plate sections against the edges of the aperture of the sole plate. 
     
     
         3 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a front end of the securing plate has a tongue that fits within a slot located at a front side of the aperture of the fixed plate so as to secure the front end of the securing plate to the fixed plate. 
     
     
         4 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the user actuable fixing comprises a locking bolt or screw. 
     
     
         5 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plate sections are joined by a flexible bridge. 
     
     
         6 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a further removable plate is slidable into a second aperture in the fixed plate so that a periphery of the further removable plate engages an edge of the second aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the further removable plate comprises a removable heel plate. 
     
     
         8 . A sole plate assembly for an item of footwear having a sole, the assembly comprising:
 a removable plate having one or more projections for providing grip,   a fixed plate, fixed or fixable to the sole, for engaging an inner periphery of the removable plate so as to secure the removable plate directly or indirectly to the sole, and   a user actuable fixing for removably securing the removable plate directly or indirectly to the sole.   
     
     
         9 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the removable plate and the fixed plate are substantially coplanar. 
     
     
         10 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein an outer periphery of the removable plate is arranged to engage the sole, or a part fixed to the sole. 
     
     
         11 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the user actuable fixing is arranged to removably secure the removable plate to the fixed plate. 
     
     
         12 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the removable plate is approximately C-shaped in plan and has first and second ends for engagement with the user actuable fixing. 
     
     
         13 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the removable plate or sections are substantially coplanar with the fixed plate. 
     
     
         14 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the or each removable plate or plate section comprises semi-rigid material. 
     
     
         15 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the semi-rigid material comprises or includes one or more of a thermoplastic material and a composite fibre-based material. 
     
     
         16 . An item of footwear including the sole plate assembly of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the removable plate or sections are substantially coplanar with the fixed plate. 
     
     
         18 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the or each removable plate or plate section comprises semi-rigid material. 
     
     
         19 . The sole plate assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the semi-rigid material comprises or includes one or more of a thermoplastic material and a composite fibre-based material. 
     
     
         20 . An item of footwear including the sole plate assembly of  claim 8 .