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Cleat Covers

ByNilu Faiz

Joseph Maiorana Joseph Schneider

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Table of Contents

Slide #Slide # SubjectSubject

1 Title Page

2-3 Table of Contents

4 Problem Statement

5 Identifying the Problem

6-7 Surveys

8 Survey Results

9 Expert Interviews

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Problem Statement

Spikes/ Cleats become worn out when walking on asphalt to a field/stadium/track.

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Hypotheses

Design and manufacture a solution that will fit on the bottom of the cleats to protect the spikes from being worn out. This device will be used when the user is not using their cleats on the field or track.

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Identifying the Problem

Surveys

Interviews

Patent Search

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Background

Experience– Joe plays football– Joey played baseball

Knowing athletes – Conversations

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Surveys

Do you use metal, rubber, or plastic spikes? Metal Rubber Plastic

What do you use spikes/ cleats for? Check all that apply Football Baseball Track & Field Soccer Golf Work Other

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Surveys Cont’d

Do your spikes/cleats become damaged because of walking on asphalt/ sidewalks? Yes No

On a scale of 1-5, do you believe your performance decreases because of worn down spikes?

1 2 3 4 5 Would you use a device that protects the spikes/cleats from becoming

worn down? Yes No

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Survey Results

13 people agreed that spikes wear down to the point where it should be considered a problem

8 people agreed that spikes were not worn down enough to be called a problem

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Expert Interviews

Expert Location Contact

Greg Baker Dick Pond Athletics (Schaumburg)

Baker@yahoo.com

Mike Joyce Play it Again Sports (Schaumburg)

(847) 895-8914

Matt Wilhite Dick Pond Athletics (Carol Stream)

Phone: (630) 665-3316

Fax: (630) 665-3341

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Experts’ thoughts

Problem Statement is valid

Open to the idea of a solution

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Patent Research

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Interviews

Interviewed 3 people All three interviewees agreed that their

spikes become damaged 2 of 3 interviewees also agree that having to

bring multiple shoes to an event is annoying These interviews prove problem statement to

be valid

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Justified Problem Statement

Athletes need to wear a different pair of shoes while walking on anything other than their playing field, otherwise their spikes will become damaged or dulled.

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Solution should…

Protect spikes from becoming dull

Protect surfaces from damages

Eliminate the need to bring multiple pairs of shoes to events

Take less time than switching between shoes

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Possible Solutions

Each team member came up with 3 different solutions

The team decided on the best solution

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Solution A: Spike Covers

•Blocks fit completely over the spikes

•Keeps spikes elevated above ground

•Reduces wear

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Solution B: Spike Sandals

•Sandal placed under cleat

•Velcro belt holds in place

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Solution C: Rubber Sole

•A rubber sole slips on the bottom of cleat

•Keeps spikes off the ground

ProsEase in use

Easily put on/off

Comfortable to walk in

ConsSpecial size for cleat required

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Solution D: Spike Plugs

•Rubber plugs put on spikes

•Keep spikes from touching ground

ProsEasy to put on

Small

Fits on any sized shoe

ConsEasy to lose

May take too much time to put on

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Solution E: Retractable Cover

Rubber membrane on outside Stretchy rubber material extended over sole Covers heel, kicking portion Rubber sleeve covers entire bottom

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Final Solution: F

Spike Plug with Retractable Cover– Spike plugs easily attach to bottom of athletic

spike shoe – Retractable stretchy sleeve holds together spike

plugs Allows attachment of all five plugs without effort Retractable cover provides tight support all around shoe Prevents shoe laces from becoming untied

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Decision Matrix

Solution Effectiveness of design

DurabilityMin. Effort

More impact

Cost tomanufacture

Practicality (appealing

to consumer)

Total

Solution A: 4 4 3 4 3 18Solution B: 4 3 3 3 2 15Solution C: 4 3 3 3 4 17Solution D: 4 2 4 3 3 16Solution E: 4 3 2 2 3 14Solution F: 4 4 2 2 3 15

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Final Solution

Based on the scores on the decision matrix, we chose our solution

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The Spike Cover

A protective covering for the front and the back of the cleat

Keeps spikes from coming in contact with the ground

Has rubber bottoms for safety Easy to use Easy to store

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The Spike Cover

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Specifications

Weight Less than 8 oz.

Material Rubber

Usability Can be used with one hand

Storage Can fit into sports bags

Usability on Various Cleats

Can be used on various types of cleats

Size Various on foot size

Color Black

Use On Cleats

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Function

Protect spikes from becoming dull

Protect spikes from coming in contact with the ground

Eliminate the need to bring multiple pairs of shoes to events

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Form

The spike covers come in two parts The spike covers must be sized to fit onto

shoe Holes can hold spikes up to ¾” long

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Ergonomics

The two parts of the spike cover are shaped to the heal and to the front of the cleat.

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Ease of Maintenance

Primary tools needed Computer with Inventor Micrometer Prototype machine Belt Saw

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Standardization

Guerilla Glue

Flip Flops

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Durability

Layer 2 was added to the product to insure durability.– It will protect the plastic from scratches– Keep the plastic from getting worn out

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Cost

The cost to make the product is fairly cheap Most of the project’s cost comes from the

prototype machine The cost to produce one spike cover (both

parts) is about $25 (according to Stephen Buchs)

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Refining the design

There should be two layers to the shoe– Plastic: serves as the protection of the spike– Rubber: serves as a safety precaution and

increases durability of the product

There was no way of making a solution that could fit all spikes

We chose the Nike Haurachi as our model shoe

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Design Development

2 Parts to the solution– The front of the shoe– The sole of the shoe

Each part is divided into 2 layers– Top Layer: made of plastic– Bottom Layer: made of rubber

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Design Parameters

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Expert Analysis

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Assembly

Part Name Part Description

A1 Front, Top layer. Made from plastic.

A2 Front, Bottom layer. Made from Rubber

B1 Sole, Top layer. Made from plastic.

B2 Sole, Bottom layer. Made from rubber.

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Assembly (Cont’d)

Major Tools Prototype Machine Belt Saw

Material Prototype Material Rubber Shoe Glue

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Assembly (Cont’d)

Suggested time of assembly: 1 day Assembly procedure

1. Gather Materials

2. Use prototype machine to make layer 1 of both parts

3. Cut out layer 2 with belt saw

4. Use shoe glue to attach parts Part A1 to A2 Part B1 to B2

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Drawings

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Material List

Material Cost

Proto-type Material Provided

Flip-flops Provided

Guerilla Glue Provided

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Test Procedure

Fit Does the spike cover fall off? Do the spikes fit within the holes? Do the covers fit the portion of the shoe?

Safety Is it slippery? Is the cleat still balanced?

Weight Capacity Appearance

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Test Procedure (Cont’d)

Does the spike cover protect the spikes? Do spikes become damaged when wearing

the spike cover? Does it eliminate the need to change shoes? Is it faster to use the spike cover than to

bring an extra pair of shoes?

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Test Chart

Test Result

Fit

Safety

Weight Capacity

Appearance

Solving the Problem

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Test Results

Failed the fit test Dimensions were not correct Spikes are different sizes Angles were incorrect

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Fixing the Problem

Redo the measurements and drawings Realized that pressure is not the best way to

make the spike cover stay on. – Over time, it will become loose.

New Solution = Magnets

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Magnets

Magnets will be implanted into the second layer of the product.

They will make the fit of the product more efficient.

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Conclusion

Currently, we are finishing the new prototype with the magnets

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Mass Production

It will be easy to mass produce our product Mold Assembly

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Acknowledgments

Mike Barbanente

Greg Baker

Mike Joyce

Matt Wilhite