Climbing boots

Abstract

A band 30 which is preferably made of lightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal or other durable material, is placed around the top of boot 20. Attached to band 30 are two straps 40, extending down from band 30, under boot 20 just ahead of heel 25. Spike mount 50 is movably attached to strap 40. Spike 60 has a head 67 which fits into slot 55 in spike mount 50. In use, a worker wears the assembly 10, one on each boot 20. Spike 60 is installed in spike mount 50. The worker forces spike 60 into the pole, tree, or other object he or she desires to climb. In effect, this turns invention 10 into a “step”, allowing the worker to climb up and down as desired. When not in use, spike 60 can be removed from spike mount 50 and stored in spike holder 70.

Description

I FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to improved climbing boots.

II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 987,054 (1911) discloses spurs 8 on the bottom of a worker's shoe to engage a supporting surface for safety of the worker. U.S. Pat. No. 1,039,928 discloses spurs 10 for a similar purpose. U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,383 discloses members 11 and 12 having flanges 15, 16, 17 for attaching to working shoes 100. Members 15 and 16 include safety spikes 22 to engage the roof surface.

[0003] In none of the above devices are the spikes insertable during assent or descent or removable from the spike mount.

II SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A. Objects of the Invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide boots which enable a tree climber to easily climb and descend the tree or other structure.

B. Summary

[0005] The present invention is shown, as it will be used, includes a climbing assembly indicated at 10. The assembly 10 includes a band 30 which is preferably made of lightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal or other durable material, is placed around the top of boot 20. Attached to band 30 are is a strap 40, extending down from band 30, under boot 20 just ahead of heel 25, and up the other side. Spike mount 50 is movably attached to strap 40. Spike 60 has a hook end 65 which fits into slot 55 in spike mount 50. In use, a worker wears the band 30 and strap 40, one on each boot 20. Spike 60 is installed in spike mount 50 on strap 40. The worker forces spike 60 into the pole, tree, or other object he or she desires to climb. In effect, this turns band 30, 40, and spike 50 strap invention 10 into a “step”, allowing the worker to climb up and down as desired. When not in use, spike 60 can be removed and stored in spike holder 70.

III. THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a detail drawing of the spike used in the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2A is a detail drawing of the spike mount of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of the spike holder of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a left boot of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a detail side elevation view of the spike mount of the present invention used in the FIG. 4 embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a detail side elevation view of a spike used in the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a detail side elevation view of additional spikes which may be used in the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of the spike holder which may be used in the present invention.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention comprises includes a climbing assembly indicated at 10.

[0016] The assembly 10 includes a band 30 which is preferably made of lightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal, plastic or other durable material, is placed around the top of boot 20 having openings 22 for receiving laces (not shown).

[0017] Attached to band 30 are is a strap 40, extending down from band 30, under boot 20 just ahead of heel 25, and up the other side of boot 20.

[0018] Spike mount 50 comprises a plate 52 which is attached to strap 40 with fasteners 54 or an adhesvie 56.

[0019] Spike 60 has a body portion 62, a head portion 64 including a slot 65, which fits into slot 55 in spike mount 50, and a tapered end 67 to be used to be inserted into a tree or other structure upon which the user is climbing or descending.

[0020] In use, a worker wears the band 30 and strap 40, one on each boot 20.

[0021] Spike 60 is installed in spike mount 50 on strap 40.

[0022] The worker forces spike end 67 into the pole, tree, or other object he or she desires to climb, or descend from. In effect, this turns band 30, 40, and spike 50 strap invention 10 into a “step”, allowing the worker to climb up and down as desired.

[0023] When not in use, spike 60 can be removed from spike mount 50 and stored in spike holder 70 which may be located on the climber's belt (Not shown)by placing spike 60 into one of three holes 75.

[0024] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4-8.

[0025] This embodiment showing the left boot 120 comprises includes a climbing assembly indicated at 100.

[0026] The assembly 100 includes a band 130 which is preferably made of lightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal, plastic or other durable material, is placed around the top of boot 120 having openings 122 for receiving laces (not shown). Optional leather straps 124 and nylons straps 126, 127 may be provided on the boots. An enlarged heel 125 is also preferably provided.

[0027] Attached to band 130 are is a strap 140, extending down from band 130, under boot 20 just ahead of heel 125, and up the other side of boot 120.

[0028] Spike mount 150 comprises a plate 152 which is attached to strap 140 with fasteners 154 or an adhesvie 156. Spike 160 has a body portion 162, a head portion 164 including a slot 165, which fits into slot 155 in spike mount 150, and a tapered end 167, to be used to be inserted into a tree or other structure upon which the user is climbing or descending.

[0029] Spike 160 is installed in spike mount 150 on strap 140.

[0030] The worker forces spike end 167 into the pole, tree, or other object he or she desires to climb, or descend from. In effect, this turns band 130, 140, and spike 150 into a “step”, allowing the worker to climb up and down as desired.

[0031] When not in use, spikes 60 can be removed from spike mount 150 and stored in spike holder 170, which may be located on the climber's belt (not shown) by placing spike 60 into one of three holes 175.

Claims

1. An improved climbing boot comprising: a boot having a body portion and a top portion, a heel portion located below said body portion, and a foot portion extedning outwardly from said heel portion; at least one band placed around said top portion, at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion; at least one spike mount removably attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent.

2. An improved climbing boot according to claim 1 wherein the means for removably engaging said spike mount comprise a spike having a head end extending into a slot in said spike mount.

3. An improved climbing boot according to claim 1 wherein said band is made of durable material.

4. An improved climbing boot according to claim 3 wherein said durable material is selected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic

5. An improved climbing boot according to claim 1 wherein said durable material comprises lightweight aluminum material.

6. An improved climbing boot band and strap assembly comprising: at least one band adapted to placed around the top of aboot; at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion; at least one spike mount removably attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent.

7. An improved climbing boot strap assembly according to claim 6 wherein the means for removably engaging said spike mount comprise a spike having a head extending into a slot in said spike mount.

8. An improved climbing boot strap assembly according to claim 7 wherein said band is made of durable material.

9. An improved climbing bootstrap assembly according to claim 8 wherein said durable material is selected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic

10. An improved climbing boot strap assembly according to claim 9 wherein said durable material comprises lightweight aluminum material.

11. An improved climbing boot spike assembly comprising: at least one spike mount having means for removably attaching said spike mount to a climbing boot strap; said spike mount having at least one opening therein; and at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent.

12. An improved climbing boot spike assembly according to claim 11 wherein the means for removably engaging said spike mount comprise a head on said spike extending into a slot in said spike mount.

13. A method of ascending or descending a tree or other upwardly extending structure comprising: providing a boot having a body portion, a top portion, and a heel portion located below said body portion, a foot portion extedning outwardly from said heel portion; providing at least one band placed around said top portion, providing at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion; providing at least one spike mount removably attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and forcing at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount with having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent into said tree or other structure; and ascending and/or descending after placement of each spike into said tree or other structure.

14. A method according to claim 13 including removably engaging said spike mount with a spike having a head end extending into a slot in said spike mount.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein including forming said said band with strong and durable material.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said durable material is selected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic

17. A method according to claim 13 including: locating at least one band around the top of a boot; locating at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion; said strap having at least one spike mount attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and inserting at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount with sufficient force to support a climber during ascent or descent.

18. A method according to claim 17 including inserting into said spike mount a head extending into a slot in said spike mount.