ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH A GROUND-ENGAGING MEMBER AND METHOD OF ALTERING A GROUND-ENGAGING MEMBER

摘要

An article of footwear provided with a ground engaging unit. The ground-engaging unit according to the present invention extends outwardly from a sole of the article of footwear, and has at least a portion that can be adjusted to present a varying height profile (i.e., a distance that the ground-engaging unit extends from the sole). The ground-engaging unit is preferably a single unit attached or otherwise fixed to the sole. It preferably includes a tip movably mounted on a base. The tip is selectively extendible or retractable with respect to the base. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tip and the base are threadedly engaged, such that the height of the tip is adjustable by rotating the tip relative to the base between predetermined positions. A locking mechanism may also be provided to fix the tip and base in a particular relative relationship.