Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
s
TRACTION DEVICE
The present invention relates to an anti-slip device
in the form of a crampon to be positioned on the shoe or boot
of the user to provide a traction grip on slippery surfaces
such as ice or snow, mud or frost, or metal plating, or other
hard flooring surfaces. The present invention is also useful
on slippery surfaces such as wax floors to minimize the incidence
of slipping and falling and in this embodiment it is useful for
people of advancing age.
The present device is particularly well suited for
working around oil drilling rigs where very slippery conditions
exist and where the requirement for pcsitive traction is high,
and the use of the present invention will result in considerable
savings of time and expense for continually slipping drains the
strength ~and endurance of the worker, resulting in poor product-
ivity while increasing the risk of accidents.
A feature of the invention is that it is adjustable in
size, fitting all size boots and shoes, and it is also easily in-
stalled and removed as desired. The structure can be used on
ships or in construction, by athletes, or other people, parti-
cularly older citizens, who are prone to slipping and sliding.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to
a traction device for attachment to a boot or shoe to increase
walking or working traction, comprising a body portion adapted
to be positioned against the sole and/or heel of the boot and
strap means to secure the device in position, and traction means
secured to the body portion, the iraction means having an up-
per traction area for contact with the boot or shoe and a lower
traction area for contact with the ground or other surface.
Additionally, the invention relates to a traction de-
vice for attachment to a boot or shoe to increase walking or
working traction comprising a forward body portion having strap
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means for securement around the toe portion of the boot and in-
terconnected rearward body portion for securement around the
heel and ankle portion of the boot, the forward and rearward body
portions both having traction means fixedly secured thereto,
the traction means having upwardly directed traction areas for
contact with the boot and downwardly directed traction areas for
contact with the ground or other surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in further
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present
invention secured around the toe portion of a boot;
Figure 2 is a top view of the embodiment shown in Fig-
ure 1 in flattened position;
Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the embodiment
shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a further embodiment of a gripping plate
shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3;
Figure 5 is a further embodiment of gripping means;
Figure 6 is a side view of a further embodiment of
the inventive concept;
Figure 7 is a top view of the embodiment shown in
Figure 6 in flattened position;
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a lower friction plate
in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 9 is a sectional view along lines 9-9 of Fig-
ure 8;
Figure 10 is a further embodiment of an upper plate
structure as shown in Figure 6;
Figure 11 is a side sectional view of gripping means
which may be used for example in the heel area of the embodi-
ment shown in Figure 6;
F.igure 12 is a further embodiment of the present
traction device in flattened bottom view;
Figure 13 is a side sectional view taken along lines
13-13 of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a further embodiment of the invention
shown in side view and in position on a boot;
Figure 15 is a top view of the embodiment as shown in
Figure 14 showing the device in flattened position;
Figure 16 is a still further embodiment of the present
invention in side view; and
Figure 17 is a top view of the embodiment as shown in
Figure 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings will now be described in
detail and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
With reference now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the traction
device consists of a body member 2 having opposed securing straps
4, one strap being provided with a metal hook 6 for engagement
into one of the openings 8 provided on a metal piece 10 at the
end OL the other strap 4. A traction plate generally shown at
12 is secured to the body 2 in a manner as shown in Figure 3.
The plate 12 has a number (five as shown in Figure 2) of open-
ings 14, the sides 16 of which project downwardly and flare
outwardly and end in traction points 18. The upper surface
of the traction plate 12 is provided with a number (four as
shown in Figure 3) of upwardly extending traction projections 20
which are shown in the form of triangular pyramids which have
pointed upper ends as shown in Figure 3.
The device as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is positioned
on a boot in a manner as shown in Figure 1, and the upwardly
extending pyramidal traction projections 20 provides traction
between the sole of the boot and the device itself, whereas
the lower traction points 18 provide sharp pointed contact be-
f~ ;
2,~
tween the traction device and the ground (or flooring or plank-
ing) upon which the user is walking or working. The general
provision of providing downwardly projecting points to increase
friction contact with a flooring or ground surface is well known,
but it is equally important that friction exist between the sole
of the boot or shoe and the traction device itself to avoid
respective movement between the boot and the traction device.
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This contact between the traction device and the boot of the
user is important for it minimizes any stress or stretching on
strap 4 and acts to prevent the device from "moving" around on
- to the side of the foot of the user.
The body 2 and the straps 4 are preferably made of
rubber strapping and if the device is to be used around oil wells
or be subject to petroleum or diesel fuel contamination the
rubber will suitably be treated to resist deterioration from
these sources. The body 2 and straps 4 could be of other mater-
ial such as leather, but suitably compounded rubber and/or plas-
tics material is to be preferred for these latter materials are
less susceptible to deterioration under most outdoor working
conditions.
The traction plate 12 may be of stamped metal construc-
tion with the downward points 18 being formed by downward punch-
ing or forming of the metal plates and the upper points 20 could
be formed by punching the metal plate upwardly into the desired
configuration. In the arrangement shown in Figures 2 and 3, the
metal plate 12 is secured to the body and strapping by suitable
vulcanization and/or bonding. Alternatively, of course, the
plates can be adhesively secured to the body of the traction de-
vice.
A modification of the traction plate is shown in Fig-
ure 4, and in this arrangement a separate upward projection 20'
is welded to the plate 12 after forming of the plate, or both
the plate and the projection 20' may be independently bonded or
vulcanized to the rubber body material 2.
In alternative construction, a metal plate 12 could,
before being deformed, be simply positioned on rubber strapp-
ing and then deformed into the configuration as shown in Fig-
ure 4 to provide the necessary securement between the plate and
the strapping.
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A further embodiment of gripping means is shown in
Figure 5, and in this embodiment individual gripping sleeves 22
havin~ serrated or pointed upper and lower edges are provided
- and these will be secured by vulcanizing the rubber around the
individual sleeve.
If the structure according to Figures 1 to 5 is to
be used in harsh environments such as around oil wells and gen-
eral outdoor use, it is preferred that the plate 12 be of metal
material. ~owever, the plate 12 of the friction sleeves 22 may
be of plastic or other material if the traction device is to be
used for example by elderly people walking on waxed or other
slippery floors such as in hospitals, homes, and the like.
Figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the pre-
sent traction device, and in the embodiment shown in these Fig-
ures, traction areas are provided for both the heel and sole of
the boot of the user. In Figures 6 and 7, the body and strapping
encircling the toe portion of the boot is shown by the numerals
2 and 4, respectively, whereas the body and strapping for the
heel area is shown by the numerals 2' and 4' as shown. To pro-
vide securement of the traction device to the boot, the ends ofthe straps 4' are preferably looped as shown to receive a
strap 24 encircling the ankle of the user. The forward 2 and
rearward 2' body portions may suitably be sacured together by
an integrally molded strap 26 which may be reinforced by the
provision of an overlying bonded or vulcanized portion 28 as
shown in Figures 6 and 7.
The forward and rearward portions of the traction
device shown in Figures 6 and 7 are provided with traction areas
34 and 12, respectively. However, the traction areas may differ
from the traction area shown in Figures 2 and 3. In the toe
area of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, upper and lower
traction plates 34 and 36 respectively are shown, with the lower
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traction plate 36 bein~ shown in enlarged view in Figures 8 and
9 and with the upper traction plate 34 being shown in enlarged
view in Figure 10. When using the upper 34 and lower 36 trac-
tion plates, the plates are secured in respective positioning
on the body portion 2 by suitable rivets 38. The upper 34 and
lower 36 plates may, as desired, be of metal or plastic material
and, for example, the upper 34 may be of plastic and the ]ower
plate 36 of metal.
The traction plate provided on body portion 2' may
be similar to the traction plate 12 discussed. Alternatively,
the traction plate provided on the body portion 2' may be indi-
vidual metal or plastic sleeves 22 having upper and lower trac-
tion points 18 as shown for example in Figure 11, and as dis-
cussed above with respect to Figure 5.
A further variation of the inventive concept is shown
in Figures 12 and 13, and in this embodiment, the body portion
is shown by numeral 2, and the straps by numeral 4, but in this
embodiment securement is by a simple strap and buckle arrange-
ment. The traction plate which is generally indicated at 40
has upper 42 and lower 44 traction pointsO The lower traction
points 44 extend downwardly through suitable openings 46 pro-
vided in the body 2 in a manner as shown in Figure 13.
The traction plate 40 of Figures 12 and 13 may be of
plastic material suitably injected or molded to desired shape,
and the plates may be secured to the body 2 by vulcanization
and/or bonding. The plastic of plates 40 may be of varying
hardness depending upon use conditions. For example, the plas-
tic material can be quite soft if the traction device is to be
used by the elderly in walking around on slippery or waxed foors,
or the plastic may be somewhat tougher if the traction device
is to be used out of doors. It will be appreciated, however,
that the traction plate 20 may be of metal construction for use
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in more hostile environments, and in the case of metal, it too
can be secured to the body 2 by suitable bonding and/or vulcan-
ization and/or riveting or other suitable securement means.
- It will be appreciated that the embodiment as shown
in Figures 12 and 13 may be molded as an integral unit and that
with such arrangement the upper 42 and lower 44 traction points
could be molded integrally with the body portion 2. This arrange-
ment will be of relatively soft plastic material suitable for
use by elderly people.
The preceding Figures show various means for secur-
ing the traction device to a boot. Other means for securement
are of course possible and a Velcro (registered trade mark) fast-
ening is quite suitable for indoor or limited outdoor use. Al-
ternatively, one strap end could be provided with protruding
molded rubber or plastic knobs to be selectively received within
holes provided in the other strap end to provide for quick and
easy coupling.
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, .
A further embodiment of the inventive concept is
illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. This device is adapted for
use over a boot on either foot, and consists of a central body
portion 2 and integral toe 4 and heel 4' encircling straps which
are equipped with suitable fastening means such as dome fasteners
48. The body portion 2 and straps 4 and 4' may be cut from a blank
of rubber or rubber-like sheet material having some elasticity
so that the straps may be tightened somewhat during fastening of
the dome fasteners to snugly secure the device to a boot or shoe
of a user. Toe and heel traction plates 12 are provided and these
may be of the same construction according to previously discussed
embodiments in Figures 2, 3, 7, and 8. The traction plates 12
may be secured to the body portion by suitable means such as
adhesive and/or rivets or alternatively the traction plates could
be molded integrally with the body portion during a molding op-
eration.
The body portion may be molded or cut in a flattened
configuration such as shown in Figure 15 having separated heel
components 50 as shown in Figure 15. After molding or cutting,
the straps 4' and the heel segments 50 are folded upwardly in
edge to edge relationship where they are secured together by a
suitable insert 52 such as shown in Figure 14. The insert may be
secured to the heel segments and adiacent portions of the straps
4' by any suitable means such as by adhesives, or rivets or the
like.
A further embodiment of the inventive concept is il-
ustrated in attached Figures 16 and 17. In this embodiment,
traction plates 12 are secured within and to an overshoe 54
which is of a size to snugly engage over the boot or shoe of
the user. Traction plates 12 are secured within and to the toe
rubber arrangement 54 and as indicated above, this may be accom-
plished during the molding manufacture of the overshoe or the
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traction plates may thereafter be secured in position by suit-
able adhesives and/or rivets.
The overshoe may be made of any suitable materials such
as rubber or plastic and will be of a size to snugly encircle the
main boot or shoe of the user. The traction plates may as indi-
cated above be of me~al or plastic materials and their attach-
ment to the overshoe may be as discussed above with respect to
any of the preceding Figures.
Tracti~n plates in accordance with the invention and
which are of metal may be advantageously magnetized for use on
steel platforms or flooring.
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