A-Traction Covers

Informative Presentation By:

Nilu Faiz Joseph Maiorana Joseph Schneider

Table of Contents

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

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Step 1- Problem StatementSpikes/Cleats become worn out

when walking on asphalt to a field/stadium/track.

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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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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

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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Market Survey1.Do your spikes/cleats on athletic shoes become worn

out after walking on asphalt/sidewalks? (If No, do not continue) Yes No

2.Which type of spikes/cleats do you use? Metal Rubber Plastic

3.What do you use spikes/cleats for? Check all that apply. Football Baseball Track & Field Soccer Golf Bicycling Work Other (please specify__________________________________)

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Market Survey4.Spikes/cleats become worn out or damaged due to:

Excessive use Poor design Friction with surface

5.On a scale of 1-5, do you feel your performance is lowered because of worn down spikes/cleats? [ 1= No, not at all. 5= Yes, definitely]1 2 3 4

56.Do you feel you need to replace your spikes/cleats

because of damages? Yes No

7.If yes to #3 how often do you feel you need to replace your spikes/cleats? Often Sometimes Very few times Other (please specify__________________________________)

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Market Survey8. Would you purchase a device that protects

the spikes/cleats from becoming worn down? Yes No

9. If a new design were to be created improving the spikes/cleats, which factor will be the most important upon purchase? Cost Quality Durability Appearance

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

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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

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Testimonial from Patent 1•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

Patent 1 Cont’• 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

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

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Design Criteria Cont’

•Manufacturing•Cost•Material•Ease of Use•Storage•Durability

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Safety Fit Weight

Capacity Time-Saving Protection Physical

Appeal

Step 5- Possible Solutions•Each team member came up with 2

different solutions

•Evaluated pros/cons, scored off of design criteria

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Solution A: Spike Covers

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• Blocks fit completely over the spikes

• Keeps spikes elevated above ground

• Reduces wear

Solution B: Spike Sandals

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• Sandal placed under cleat

• Velcro belt holds in place

Solution C: Rubber Sole

Pros ConsEase in useEasily put on/offComfortable to walk in

Special size for cleat required

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• A rubber sole slips on the bottom of cleat

• Keeps spikes off the ground

Solution D: Spike Plugs

Pros ConsEasy to put onSmallFits on any sized shoe

Easy to loseMay take too much time to put on

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• Rubber plugs put on spikes

• Keep spikes from touching ground

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

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Step 6- Final Solution Derived• Decision- Making Matrix helped in

evaluation of potential sol

• Criteria:

• Totals made after evaluation

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Manufacturing Cost Material Ease of Use Storage Durability

Decision MatrixSolution

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

Final Solution

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

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The Spike Cover• 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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SpecificationsWeight 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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Solution Justification

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Experts- Provided Feedback

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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

Marianny Kay Launched Cleatskins in 2008. Online product website

mkay@cleatskins.com

Step 7- Design Parameters42

Part A1

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Part B1

Supplies and Cost•The cost to make the product is fairly

cheap•Most of the project’s cost comes from

prototype machine•The cost to produce one spike cover (both

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

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Tool Selection•Major Tools

Prototype Machine

Belt Saw

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Assembly PartsPart Name Part Description

A1 Heel, Top layer. Made from plastic.

A2 Heel, Bottom layer. Made from Rubber

B1 Sole, Top layer. Made from plastic.

B2 Sole, Bottom layer. Made from rubber.

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Part A1- Top Layer

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• Made from plastic

• Heel of cleat cover

• 5/16” thick

• 3 slots

Part A2- Bottom Layer

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• Made from rubber

• Heel of cleat cover

• 5/16” thick

Part B1- Top layer

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• Made from plastic

• Sole of cleat cover

• 5/16” thick

• 6 slots

Part B2- Bottom Layer

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• Made from rubber

• Sole of cleat cover

• 5/16” thick

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 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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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 member▫ Data tables▫ Stopwatch▫ Weights▫ Prototype▫ Cleat shoes

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Testing Aspects1. Safety

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

2. FitDoes 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

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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 Procedure1.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 Procedure3. 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 Procedure5. 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 correctSpikes are different sizesAngles were incorrect

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Data Chart

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Testing Aspects

Results

Safety PASS

Fit FAIL

Weight Capacity

Fail Due to Fit

Performance Fail Due to Fit

Time-Saving Fail Due to Fit

Physical Appeal

Fail Due to Fit

Problems in Design•There should be two layers to the shoe

Plastic: serves as the protection of the spikeRubber: 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 drawingsUsed micrometerCalculations

•Learned pressure does not help covers from staying attachedOver 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

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Data Chart

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Testing Aspects

Results

Safety PASSFit PASSWeight Capacity

PASS

Performance PASS

Time-Saving PASS

Physical Appeal

PASS

Magnets- Test Results• The same person performed the test procedures.• The procedure successfully tested our product

revealing problems with our design. • The testing criteria helped organize the data that

we had been looking for. • The materials were appropriately chosen based

on the results of the testing.• There was no problem found while testing that

indicated a problem with the building process.• The results showed that the design met the

criteria effectively.

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Mass Production•It will be easy to mass produce our

product•Mold•Assembly

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AcknowledgmentsMike Barbanente

Greg Baker

Mike Joyce

Matt Wilhite

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