Cleat Covers

ByNilu Faiz

Joseph Maiorana Joseph Schneider

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Table of Contents

Slide # Subject3 Problem Statement4 Identifying the Problem5-6 Surveys7 Survey Results8 Expert Interviews9

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Problem Statement

Athletes need to wear different pairs of shoes while walking on any other surface other than a playing field; otherwise their spikes/ cleats become dull or damaged.

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 usage4

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Background

Experience– Joe plays football– Joey played baseball

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

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Hypotheses

To attack situation: Impossible/difficult to change outside factorsSo, 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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Justifying the Problem

Surveys– random distribution (50) – peers with background to problem statement

Interviews- experts (3)– Email, in person contact

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

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

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

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Contacting Experts

Interview : in person/email All 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 Provided feedback, tips helped in drafting

solution

Sample Email of Slide

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

design for solution

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Experts- Justified Problem

Kyle Whittier– Athlete: football (2yrs) & baseball (10yrs)

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

Kevin Whittier– 4 year sales Associate – Sport’s Authority

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Experts- Provided Feedback

Marianne & Rick Kay– CleatSkins inventors

Micheal Barbanente Bella Sutchar

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Expert Location ContactGreg 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

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Feedback Gained from Experts

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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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 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

Final Solution Derived

Used decision making matrix to evaluate each of the features in final solution

Criteria:1. Performance2. Practical/storage3. Ease of Use4. Manufacturing5. Durability

Totals are made after analysis to choose our best solution27

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Decision Matrix

Solution

Appearance

Manufacturing

Weight

Cost

Material

Ease of

use

Storage

Durability

Safety

Total

A B C D E F

Scoring: + Better than the other options

- Worse than the other options 0 No measurable 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 RubberUsability Can be used with one handStorage Can fit into sports bagsUsability on Various Cleats

Can be used on various types of cleats

Size Various on foot sizeColor BlackUse 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 Parts

Part Name Part DescriptionA1 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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Drawings

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Tool Selection

Major Tools Prototype Machine Belt Saw

Supplies & Cost

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Material Cost

Proto-type Material Provided

Flip-flops Provided

Guerilla Glue Provided

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Assembly Process

Suggested time of assembly: 1 day Assembly procedure

1. Gather Materials2. Use prototype machine to make layer 1 of both

parts3. Cut out layer 2 with belt saw4. Use shoe glue to attach parts

Part A1 to A2 Part B1 to B2

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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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Data Chart

Test Result

FitSafety

Weight Capacity AppearanceSolving 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