Systems and methods for a micro-adjustable traction element for footwear

Abstract

Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a micro-adjustable traction element are disclosed herein. The micro-adjustable traction element system includes an outsole for positioning along a substrate of a shoe. The outsole secures a traction element to the outsole while enabling positional micro-adjustment of the traction element along the outsole. In one embodiment of the micro-adjustable traction element system, for each traction element positioned along the outsole, the outsole includes a receiver element configured for variable positioning within a pocket of the outsole to receive the traction element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe, comprising:
 an outsole defining a planar surface and a pocket, wherein the planar surface defines a slot that communicates with the pocket; and   a traction element configured for variable positioning along the slot of the outsole.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a receiver element disposed within the pocket and configured for variable positioning along the slot, wherein the receiver element defines a planar body and a threaded aperture through the planar body for receipt of the traction element.   
     
     
         3 . A system, comprising:
 an outsole defining a planar surface and having a pocket, wherein the planar surface defines a slot that communicates with the pocket;   a receiver element configured for variable positioning within the pocket, wherein the receiver element defines a planar body and a threaded aperture defined through the planar body; and   a traction element defining a traction portion and an anchor portion, wherein the anchor portion is configured for insertion through the slot of the outsole to couple with the receiver element.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the threaded aperture of the receiver element is configured to receive the anchor portion of the traction element. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a spacer element defining a traction element aperture and configured to engage the slot of the outsole and the receiver element such that the receiver element is secured within the pocket at a selected position when the spacer element is coupled with the slot of the outsole.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the spacer element defines a spacer body including a spacer platform that is configured to engage the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer platform defines a first retainer extending from the spacer platform and is configured to engage the receiver element. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer platform includes a first sub-platform that defines a first retainer and wherein the spacer platform includes a second sub-platform, the first sub-platform and the second sub-platform being separated by the traction element aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second sub-platform defines a second retainer extending from the second sub-platform and configured to engage the receiver element. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the traction element aperture is located at a first distance from a center of the spacer element. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the traction element aperture is located at a second distance from a center of the spacer element. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the traction element aperture is located at a third distance from a center of the spacer element. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the traction element aperture is located at a center of the spacer element. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the spacer element is one of a plurality of spacer elements, wherein each spacer element of the plurality of spacer elements are respectively configured to fix the receiver element and the traction element at a different position along the slot of the outsole. 
     
     
         15 . A method for coupling a traction element at a selected position within an outsole of a shoe, comprising:
 providing a traction element system, comprising:
 an outsole having a pocket and a planar surface, the planar surface defining a slot that communicates with the pocket; 
 a receiver element positioned within the pocket, wherein the receiver element defines a threaded aperture; 
 a spacer element defining a traction element aperture and configured to engage the slot of the outsole and the receiver element such that the receiver element is fixed within the slot when the spacer element is coupled with the slot of the outsole; and 
 a traction element defining an anchor portion configured for insertion through the traction element aperture of the spacer element and the slot of the outsole to couple with the receiver element; 
   positioning the receiver element at a selected position along the slot;   inserting a spacer element into the slot such that the spacer element engages the receiver element and the slot and fixes the receiver element at the selected position along the slot; and   coupling the anchor portion of the traction element with the threaded aperture of the receiver element.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 adjusting a position of the traction element along the slot.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 decoupling the traction element from the receiver element and the traction element aperture; and   removing the spacer element from the slot.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 re-positioning the receiver element to a second selected position along the slot; and   coupling a second spacer element with the receiver element and along the slot, the second spacer element being configured to fix the receiver element at the second selected position.   
     
     
         19 . A method for variable positioning of a traction element along an outsole, comprising:
 providing a traction element system, comprising:
 an outsole defining a pocket and a planar surface, wherein the planar surface defines a slot that communicates with the pocket; 
 a receiver element disposed within the pocket and configured for variable positioning along the slot, wherein the receiver element defines a planar body and a threaded aperture through the planar body; and 
 a traction element defining a traction portion, an anchor portion and a flange between the anchor portion and the traction portion, wherein the anchor portion is configured for disposal through the slot and for coupling with the receiver element; and 
   coupling the traction element with the receiver element such that the planar body of the receiver element and/or the flange of the traction element couple against the planar surface of the outsole.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 decoupling the traction element from the receiver element and the threaded aperture;   re-positioning the receiver element from a first position along the slot to a second position along the slot; and   re-coupling the traction element with the receiver element.