A-Traction Covers

Informative Presentation By:

Nilu Faiz

Joseph Maiorana

Joseph Schneider

2

Table of Contents

Slide # Subject

3 Problem Statement

4 Identifying the Problem

5-6 Surveys

7 Survey Results

8 Expert Interviews

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3

Step 1- Problem Statement

Spikes/Cleats become worn out when walking on asphalt to a

field/stadium/track.

Step 2- Brainstorming

Consider Source of Problem Deals with cleat shoes wearing away when

walking

Friction/ contact of shoe with track field surface

Athletes’ amount of shoe usage

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5

Background

Experience– Joe plays football– Joey played baseball

Knowledge from peer athletes – Conversations– Environment– Issues with track surface

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Hypotheses

Impossible/difficult to improve upon outside factors

So, Improve features of cleat shoe– Design & manufacture solution to fit on bottom of athletic cleats – Solution will provide protection so cleat shoe will last longer– This device will be effective when user is not using cleats for

their main purpose

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Step 3- Research/ Justifying the Problem

Surveys– Random distribution (50) – Peers with background to problem statement

Expert Feedback– Interview experts through email, in person contact

(7)

Online research– Patent searches– http://uspto.gov

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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

36 responses in accord that cleat shoes wear down to the point that it should be considered a problem

14 responses in accord that cleat shoes are not worn down enough to be a problem

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Contacting Experts

Interview: in person/email Agreement = spikes become damaged 5 of 7 interviewees also agree that having to

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

be valid First 3 helped justify problem statement Last 4 Provided feedback, tips in drafting

solution

Experts’ Credibility

Kyle Whittier– Athlete

football (2yrs) baseball (10yrs)

Chris Fenske– Athlete (track)– Sales Associate – Sport’s Authority

Kevin Whittier– 4 yr Sales Associate – Sport’s Authority

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Sample Email of Request

Overview of situation, why need advice Background behind problem Survey questions Asked for further information/knowledge on

design for solution

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Feedback Gained

Citation:Perron, Jr. “Soccer Shoe” United States Patent. 2009.

http://uspto.gov

Inventor: Perron, Jr.; J. Edward [Metairie, LA]

Patent Filed: March 31, 2005Patent Number: 7,487,604

Testimonial from Patent 1

Shoe cover insert innovation– enhances performance of soccer shoe

Conventional soccer shoes have problem with vertical component– design needs to be modified

Design includes an insert that:– cushion the foot– provide foot stability – motion control; reduce fatigue– extend the float time of a runner and – increase the jump height of the wearer– extends vertically.

Patent 1 cont’

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Justified Problem Statement

Conclusions based off research– Expert feedback– Patents– Online resources

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. EXISTS

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Step 4- Design Criteria

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

Design Criteria Cont’

Manufacturing Cost Material Ease of Use Storage Durability

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Safety Fit Weight Capacity Time-Saving Protection Physical Appeal

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Step 5: Possible Solutions

Each team member came up with 2 different solutions

Evaluated pros/cons, scored off of criteria screen

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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 groundPros

Ease in useEasily put on/offComfortable 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 onSmallFits on any sized shoe

ConsEasy to loseMay 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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Innovation Solution F: Spike Plug W/ 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

Step 6:Final Solution Derived

Decision- Making Matrix helped in evaluation of potential sol

Criteria:

Totals made after evaluation27

Manufacturing Cost Material Ease of Use Storage Durability

Decision Matrix

Solution

Appearance

Manufacturi

ng

Weight

Cost

Material

Ease of

use

Storage

Durability

Safety

Total

A + + + 0 + + + - 0 5B 0 + + + + + + + + 8C + 0 + 0 + + + - + 5D + + + 0 + - - + - 2E + + + 0 0 + - + - 2F + 0 + 0 0 0 + + + 6

Scoring: + Best option

- Worst option

0 No difference

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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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Solution Justification

Experts- Provided Feedback

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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)

(630) 665-3316

Marianny Kay Launched Cleatskins in 2008. Online product website

mkay@cleatskins.com

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Step 7: Design Parameters

INVENTOR DRAWINGS GO HERE

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Supplies and 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)

Material Cost

Proto-type Material Provided

Flip-flops Provided

Guerilla Glue Provided

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Tool Selection

Major Tools Prototype Machine Belt Saw

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Assembly Parts

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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Step 8: Assembly Process

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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Assembly Process

Suggested time of assembly: 2-3 days 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

Step 9- Test & Evaluate

Evaluate performance of cleat covers Individual from team make use of covers Estimated time: 2 days to perform test 3x Equipment needed:

– Team members– Data tables– Stopwatch– Weights– Prototype– Cleat shoes

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Testing Aspects

1. Safety Is it slippery? Is the cleat still balanced? Do spikes become damaged with application?

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

3. Weight Capacity Max amount covers can hold

Testing Aspects Cont’

3. Time-Saving Easier to slip-on rather than purchasing?

4. Performance Protect spikes from external surf?

5. Physical Appeal Product look effective? Attract customers?

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Testing Procedure

1. Safety

Wear spike coversWalk on different surfacesIf the cleats slip on surf, it fails

2. Weight Capacity

Wear spike coversAdd weights to the person to test the durability Record weight. Goal Capacity: 200 lbs.

Testing Procedure

3. Fit

Place spike covers on soleFail if covers fall off or become loose while walkingExamine if the spikes fit in given holes Examine if covers fit the sole of the cleats correctly (not too big and not too small)

4. Protection?

Wear the spike cover and walkSpikes shouldn’t become damaged in any way

Testing Procedure

5. Time-Saving Time starts when he/she begins to put on the spike cover. Time

finishes when he/she takes of the spike cover. Same person start a new time trial with spikes already on. Start the

time when he/she starts to remove the shoe. Stop the time when the other shoe is completely on.

Compare the times. If the spike cover time was faster than the shoe-to-shoe time, the test is passed.

6. Physical Appeal Test by giving the appearance of the product a score on a scale of 1-

10. (7 and above is a pass)

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Test Results: Cleat Covers

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

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Data ChartTesting Aspects Results

Safety PASS

Fit FAIL

Weight Capacity

Performance

Time-Saving

Physical Appeal

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Problems in 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

Unachievable to design solution to fit all types of spikes

We chose the Nike Haurachi as our model shoe

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Step 10: Refinement

Redo the measurements and drawings– Used micrometer– Calculations

Learned pressure does not help covers from staying attached– Over time, it will become loose

New Solution = Magnets

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Step 11: New Solution- Magnets

Magnets will be implanted into the 2nd layer of the product

They will make the fit of the product more efficient

Solves problem statement Cover protect spikes? Spikes still damaged with cover on? Eliminates need to change shoes?

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The A-Traction Cover

Currently, we are finishing the new prototype with the magnets

INSERT PIC

Data Chart

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Testing Aspects Results

Safety PASS

Fit

Weight Capacity

Performance

Time-Saving

Physical Appeal

Test Results: A-Traction Cover

Did the same person perform the testing procedure? Do the results reflect a problem with the testing

procedure? Do the results reflect a problem with the testing

criteria? Do the results reflect a problem with the materials

used for the prototype? Do the results reflect a problem with the quality of

the building process of the prototype? Do the results reflect a problem with the design of

the prototype?60

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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