Cleat Covers By Nilu Faiz Joseph Maiorana Joseph Schneider

2 Table of Contents Slide # Subject 3Problem Statement 4Identifying the Problem 5-6Surveys 7Survey Results 8Expert Interviews 9

3 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 usage 4

5 Background Experience – Joe plays football – Joey played baseball Knowledge from peer athletes – Conversations – Environment – Issues with track surface

6 Hypotheses To attack situation: Impossible/difficult to change 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

7 Justifying the Problem Surveys – random distribution (50) – peers with background to problem statement Interviews- experts (3) – , in person contact Online research – Patent searches –

8 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

9 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? Would you use a device that protects the spikes/cleats from becoming worn down?  Yes  No

10 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

11 Contacting Experts Interview : in person/ 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 of Slide Overview of situation, why need advice Background behind problem Survey questions Asked for further information/knowledge on design for solution 12

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 13

Experts- Provided Feedback Marianne & Rick Kay – CleatSkins inventors Micheal Barbanente Bella Sutchar 14 ExpertLocationContact Greg BakerDick Pond Athletics (Schaumburg) Mike JoycePlay it Again Sports (Schaumburg) (847) Matt WilhiteDick Pond Athletics (Carol Stream) (630)

15 Feedback Gained from Experts

Citation: Perron, Jr. “Soccer Shoe” United States Patent Inventor: Perron, Jr.; J. Edward [Metairie, LA] Patent Filed: March 31, 2005 Patent 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’

18 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

19 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

20 Possible Solutions Each team member came up with 3 different solutions The team decided on the best solution

21 Solution A: Spike Covers Blocks fit completely over the spikes Keeps spikes elevated above ground Reduces wear

22 Solution B: Spike Sandals Sandal placed under cleat Velcro belt holds in place

23 Solution C: Rubber Sole A rubber sole slips on the bottom of cleat Keeps spikes off the ground Pros Ease in use Easily put on/off Comfortable to walk in Cons Special size for cleat required

24 Solution D: Spike Plugs Rubber plugs put on spikes Keep spikes from touching ground Pros Easy to put on Small Fits on any sized shoe Cons Easy to lose May take too much time to put on

25 Solution E: Retractable Cover Rubber membrane on outside Stretchy rubber material extended over sole Covers heel, kicking portion Rubber sleeve covers entire bottom

26 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. Performance 2. Practical/storage 3. Ease of Use 4. Manufacturing 5. Durability Totals are made after analysis to choose our best solution 27

28 Decision Matrix Soluti on Appe aranc e Manuf acturin g Weig ht CostMateri al Ease of use Stora ge Dura bility Safe ty Total A B C D E F Scoring: + Better than the other options - Worse than the other options 0 No measurable difference

29 Final Solution Based on the scores on the decision matrix, we chose our solution

30 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

31 The Spike Cover

32 Specifications WeightLess than 8 oz. MaterialRubber UsabilityCan be used with one hand StorageCan fit into sports bags Usability on Various Cleats Can be used on various types of cleats SizeVarious on foot size ColorBlack UseOn Cleats

33 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

34 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

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

36 Ease of Maintenance Primary tools needed  Computer with Inventor  Micrometer  Prototype machine  Belt Saw

37 Standardization Guerilla Glue Flip Flops

38 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

39 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)

40 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

41 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

42 Design Parameters

43 Expert Analysis

44 Assembly Parts Part NamePart Description A1Front, Top layer. Made from plastic. A2Front, Bottom layer. Made from Rubber B1Sole, Top layer. Made from plastic. B2Sole, Bottom layer. Made from rubber.

45 Drawings

46 Tool Selection Major Tools  Prototype Machine  Belt Saw

Supplies & Cost 47 MaterialCost Proto-type MaterialProvided Flip-flopsProvided Guerilla GlueProvided

48 Assembly Process 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

49 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

50 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?

51 Data Chart TestResult Fit Safety Weight Capacity Appearance Solving the Problem

52 Test Results Failed the fit test  Dimensions were not correct  Spikes are different sizes  Angles were incorrect

53 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

54 Magnets Magnets will be implanted into the second layer of the product. They will make the fit of the product more efficient.

55 Conclusion Currently, we are finishing the new prototype with the magnets

56 Mass Production It will be easy to mass produce our product Mold Assembly

57 Acknowledgments Mike Barbanente Greg Baker Mike Joyce Matt Wilhite