Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"Ice Gripl)er's"
Disclosure
Field of Invention
A device attached to either Lady's or Men's shoes or boots, to prevent slipping on ice or
other slippery surfaces.
Back~round of Invention
Device's to help people increase stability when walking on icy surfaces have been
documented with patents as far back as 1870. Although there have been numerous
attempts to develop a satisfactory solution to this problem, known prior art does not fully
answer the needs for this problem with a commercially viable and cost effective solution.
Known Prior Art
All Known Prior Art Devices have cleats or spikes that wear down quickly reducing the
effectiveness of the devices. Most attach to the soles or heels with straps or belts.
Only a few use the instep, but require permanent attachment with rivets and are elaborate
and costly devices and which don't appear to have ever been commercially m~n~lf~ctured.
US Classes 36/62, 36,61
References Cited:
US ~'atents Doclmlents Class
#4,745,692 -. 5/1988 Kua-Chan Lise 36/61
#2,920,403 - 0/1960 L'etoile 36/61
#2,968,878 - 01/1961 King 36/61
#1,292,212- 01/1919 Zaun 36/61
General State of the Art
Attachment of the devise to a boot or shoe. i.e. Elastic Straps, Belts and buckles,
Clamps around the sole, Rivets to the sole. Straps and buckles are bulky and usually
difficult to attach and detach particularly on foot wear. The elderly find this particularly
difficult because of a loss of agility and find attaching devices to foot wear particularly
difficult.
Simplicity of design for cost effectiveness Complex mechanical devices that require an
expensive manufacturing process, mean that only that one pair of shoes or boots would
have the device attached. Some previous patents, required that the device be fitted into the
heal. A costly and very limiting design particularly as only the pair of boots with the device
attached would be of any benefit.
Convenience of use: for a person who may find it difficult to attach or remove the
device to footwear because of his or her age or strength. Also the necessity of removing
the device because it was difficult to use when walking on hard surfaces such as roads, or
sidewalks where there might be only periodic patches of ice or other slippery material.
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Detailed Summarv of Invention
Refers to Fig. #1
"Ice Grips" consist of 1 plate 1 approximately 2 1/4 wide by 1 1/2 long . Each plate has 4
spikes 2 which are hardened steel with a thread extending 3/16" into the thickness of the
plate material. The balance of the length, "7l32", is shaped like the tip of a drill bit. . The
spikes which have a socket type head for easy removal and replacement, have a 3/8 inch
shank and a 1/8 " head for a total length of 1/2". The plate itself is 4/32 on the forward
edge 4 (towards the toe of the foot wear) and 12/32 on the heel side 5 forming a tapered
plate. There are 4 spikes on the heel side of the plate. The spikes are meant to be
replaceable as the points will gradually wear during a season or two of regular use.
The spikes are meant to clear the heel of a boot or shoe by 5/32" 6, it is this very short
clearance and the fact that they are attached to an instep instead of a sole or heal which
allows the user to leave the cleats in place when walking on non snow covered road or
sidewalk surfaces with or without Icy surfaces. The spikes do not have sharp points that
would catch on the floor carpets or pedals of a car, but will afford security on outdoor ice
because of their unique (drill bit tip shape. 6)
The user is rarely aware of their attachment when walking as there is little or no feeling of
anything being attached to the footwear. The sound of the cleat spikes hitting concrete is
the only reminder when walking on non ice or snow covered surfaces. The soles and heals
still have full adhesion from their treads when walking on smooth concrete, steel or tile,
elimin~ting the hazards that would arise from other patents in this class.
The spikes bite into the ice when walking and secure the walker until the weight is
transferred to the next foot. Approximately 5/32" of each spike is intended to penetrate
and adhere to the icy surface.
There are 4 spikes/studs on the heel portion of the sole plate, the two outer most spikes
are approximately 1/32 higher the the two inner spikes in order to provide greater stability
on a convex shaped instep of the sole.
The ice grips are attached to the instep with Velcro (TM) type material 3, just before the
heel of the shoe or boot.
Note:. Icy outdoor arens such as stnirs, sidewalks and driveways ~Vl~iCl1 are particulnr1y
dangerous to all people, especia11y for older people nnd represent tlte types ofconditions ~v~ere Ice Gripper's excel.
Recommended Types of Footwear:
A large percentage of boots or shoes with soles with raised heals (3/8" to 1/2"), of
ladies or men's snows boots can use this device .
Adhesive Recommendations:
The self adhesive Velcro(TM) strips are a type which quickly form a bond with the surface
to which it is attached and continues, over a period of several hours, to cure and build
strength,.
Velcro (TM) is a registered Trade Mark of Velcro Canada Inc., Bramlea, Ontario
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The Velcro (TM) hooks and loops do not lose more then 50% of there strength evenwhen wet. The Velcro(TM) attachment device supplies several times the amount of
adhesion required when dry. The over design means that the reduced strength caused by
water does not effect the usefulness of the "Ice Grips"
Note: The Velcro(TM) strip must be s placed at the front edge of the Wedge shaped plate
which will greatly reduce snow and ice buildup which could cause the Wedge shaped plate
to release.
The Velcro strips eliminate the need for inconvenient and cumbersome straps of rubber~
leather or even Velcro loop type cinch - straps to secure the Ice Grip Plate to the instep.
Although only a single en1bodime7lt of the present invention has been described and
illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiment and
includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.
Summarv
These "Ice Grips" are attached with a strip of Velcro (TM) fastener to the instep of the
shoes, or boots soles.
1. One strip of the loop Velcro (TM) is permanently attached across the sole of the instep
just ahead of the heal. This strip must at all times be covered with either the Ice Grip
or the spare protective cover supplied.
2. Each wedge shaped "Ice Grip" fits into this instep area just before the heel of each
boot or shoe and attaches to this strip with hook Velcro(TM).
3. The walking surface of each shoe or boot is then relatively level to the ground
4. A formation of 4 Ice Picks extend about 3/32" past the walking surface of each boot
or shoe..
5. The '~Ice Grip" is aff1xed or detached from the strip of Velcro(TM) which was applied
across the insteps width, see item 1..
Velcro (TM) is a registered Trade Mark of Velcro Canada Inc., Bramlea, Ontario.
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