Patent Application
20250000212
Conventional footwear (e.g., work boots, athletic shoes, ski boots, etc.) often provides inadequate traction under certain environmental conditions (e.g., inclement or slippery surfaces). For example, even work boots that often include a rugged tread pattern on the bottom of their soles may lack adequate traction on an icy surface, such as a frozen construction site or highway. The drawbacks of moving across a soft or slippery surface include increased risk of fall and potential injuries and/or inconvenience associated therewith. Traction devices that enhance traction can improve stability and reduce slipping in various environmental conditions.
The presently disclosed technology relates to a traction device, including a traction structure that underlies a user's footwear and a fastening mechanism. The traction structure includes a low durometer material, including a ground-engaging surface with beveled fore and aft ends, a high durometer material molded to the low durometer material, and ground-engaging gripping mechanisms protruding from the high durometer material and nested within the ground-engaging surface. The fastening mechanism is attached to the high durometer material and removably secures the traction structure to the user's footwear. A footprint of the traction structure spans a mid-foot region of the user's footwear. A majority of the footprint of the traction structure is encompassed by a footprint of the user's footwear.
Traction devices (also referred to as ice cleats or merely cleats) are typically worn over footwear (e.g., a shoe). However, traction devices can also be used without covering a shoe; instead, they can be used directly with a user's foot. The technology disclosed herein includes an apparatus and method of use for a removable beveled traction device that may be used with various footwear sizes and types. Specifically, the disclosed traction device comprises a traction structure, further comprised of a low durometer material and a high durometer material molded to the low durometer material where the high durometer material has a higher durometer measurement than the low durometer material. The traction device further comprises a fastening mechanism configured to secure the traction structure to a user's footwear. The fastening mechanism may include at least two straps: a fore strap securing the traction structure to the fore of a user's ankle and an aft strap securing the traction structure to the aft of the user's ankle. Other implementations may include greater or fewer straps. The traction device further comprises at least one gripping mechanism attached to a bottom surface of the traction structure. The technology disclosed herein provides a compact, industrial-strength walking device for adverse environmental conditions such as ice and snow that provides cold weather flexibility, enhanced traction, resists slippage, and fits easily and conveniently over many types of footwear. Thus, the disclosed traction device may be used on various ground surfaces in various weather conditions.
As shown in
In one implementation, the high durometer material 116 substantially takes the form of a plate, including lower protrusions configured to link together and secure the traction pins to the high durometer material 116 and upper protrusions configured to secure the fastening mechanism 104 to the high durometer material 116. In one implementation, the beveled ends 122, 124 are flexible such that the surface of the beveled ends 122, 124 may contact the ground surface across a range of angles of the bottom surface of the user's footwear 102 with the ground surface. The traction structure 112 may be approximately 6½″ long between the beveled ends 122, 124. The traction structure 112 may also be approximately 3¾″ wide across the shorter side of the bottom surface.
In one implementation, the traction structure 112 is concave to influence the interaction between the surfaces on the traction structure 112 that contact the ground. The traction structure 112 may be concave away from, or bend away from, the ground so that the middle of the traction structure more readily contacts the ground than the ends of the traction structure 112 near the beveled ends 122, 124. When not influenced by outside forces, the middle of the traction structure 112 may be closer to the ground and further from the user's footwear 102 than the ends of the traction structure 112 near the beveled ends 122, 124. Alternatively, the traction structure 112 may be concave towards, or bend towards, the ground so that the ends of the traction structure 112 near the beveled ends 122, 124 more readily contact the ground than the middle of the traction structure 112. In this implementation, when not influenced by outside forces, the middle of the traction structure 112 may be configured to be further away from the ground and closer to the user's footwear 102 than the ends of the traction structure 112 near the beveled ends 122, 124. The traction structure 112 may further be flexible such that outside forces acting on the traction structure 112 may influence the concavity of the traction structure 112.
A footprint of the traction structure 112 is designed to span a partial area of the user's footwear 102, including an area under the arch 138 of the user's foot within a mid-foot region of the user's foot. The footprint of the traction structure 112 is further designed to be substantially encompassed by the footprint of the footwear 102. However, the footprint of the traction structure 112 may not be fully encompassed by the footprint of the footwear 102. Parts of the traction structure 112 may extend beyond the edge of the footprint of the footwear 102. In various implementations, a majority of the footprint of the traction structure 112 is encompassed by the footprint of the footwear 102.
A fore beveled end 122 and an aft beveled end 124 facilitate a smoother step transition as the user repeatedly engages and disengages the traction device 100 as the user walks. More specifically, the surface of the fore beveled end 122 may create an angle of 15 to 60 degrees from the plane of the traction structure 112 towards the footwear 102. Similarly, the surface of the aft beveled end 124 may create an angle of 15 to 60 degrees from the plane of the traction structure 112 towards the footwear 102. The fore beveled end 122 may have a rounded shape, though it may also have other shapes (e.g., linear). Similarly, the aft beveled end 124 may have a rounded shape, though it may also have other shapes. The traction structure 112 is designed so that the user can rotate the traction structure 112 to the side or top of the footwear 102 when not in use. In one implementation, the traction device 100 is symmetrical across an axis between the center of the aft beveled end 124 and the fore beveled end 122. The traction device 100 may be symmetrical so that it can reside on either the user's left or right foot. The fore beveled end 122 may reside under the widest part of the footprint of the footwear 102 within the forefoot area of the footwear 102. The aft beveled end 124 may reside under the widest part of the footprint of the footwear 102 within the rearfoot area of the footwear 102.
The low durometer material 114 may be of various semi-rigid, resilient materials (e.g., rubber, plastic, plasticized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, etc.). In one implementation, the low durometer material 114 resides between the high durometer material 116 and the ground to provide greater traction, protect the high durometer material 116, and provide for greater structural integrity without compromising the flexible function of the traction device 100. In one implementation, the low durometer material 114 comprises a variety of protrusions (e.g., protrusion 144), ridges (e.g., ridge 154), or grooves that, in addition to the pin 118 (or other gripping mechanisms) further increase traction while the traction device 100 is in use. The traction structure's footprint may take on various shapes (e.g., rectangle, super ellipse, obround, etc.). The low durometer material 114 may be molded to the high durometer material 116. The high durometer material 116 is also a semi-rigid material (e.g., plastic, plasticized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, etc.) and has a higher durometer measurement than the low durometer material 114. This provides for structural integrity as well as flexible function of the traction device 100. In one implementation, the high durometer material 116 resides between the footwear 102 and the low durometer material 114. In one implementation, the traction structure 112 may comprise one or more additional low durometer materials connected by the high durometer material 116. The traction device 100 may also be made from lightweight materials to reduce the weight added to the footwear 102.
The fastening mechanism 104 secures the traction structure 112 to the user's footwear 102. The fastening mechanism includes at least one adjustable and/or elastic strap. The fastening mechanism 104 may include two straps: a fore strap 106 that secures the traction structure 112 to the fore of the user's ankle and an aft strap 108 that secures the traction structure 112 to the aft of a user's ankle. In one implementation, the fore strap 106 secures the anterior end of the traction structure 112 by extending over the vamp 132 of the footwear 102. In one implementation, the aft strap 108 secures a posterior end of the traction structure 112 by extending around the counter 136 of the footwear 102. In one implementation, the fore strap 106 and the aft strap 108 are secured to the traction structure 112 by looping around one or more bars (e.g., bar 142) molded into the lateral sides of the high durometer material 116. The fore strap 106 and aft strap 108 may be bands of various materials (e.g., rubber, nylon, polyester, etc.). In one implementation, the fore strap 106 and aft strap 108 are made of an elastic material (e.g., elastic nylon). In various implementations, one or both of the fore strap 106 and the aft strap 108 may be adjustable and/or elastic.
The traction device 100 may include at least one high visibility feature. The high visibility feature increases the visibility of the user. In one implementation, the high visibility feature may allow the user to be more visible and reduce accidents resulting from being unable to be adequately seen. The high visibility feature may include one or more high visibility colors, reflectors, or reflective surfaces on the traction device 100. In one implementation, at least one component of the traction device 100 is a high visibility color (e.g., neon green, bright orange, yellow). In one implementation, the fore strap 106 and the aft strap 108 are of a high visibility color.
The traction device 100 may further comprise one or more adjustment mechanisms (e.g., adjustment mechanism 110), wherein the tightness of the fore strap 106 and the aft strap 108 are adjusted. In one implementation, one buckle resides on the fore strap 106, and another buckle mechanism resides on the aft strap 108. The adjustment mechanisms may take various forms (e.g., conventional buckle, side release buckle, etc.). In one implementation, the adjustment mechanism 110 is a tri-glide slide made of plastic. In one implementation, the user can adjust the adjustment mechanisms such that the user controls the location of the traction structure 112 towards or away from an anterior end 130 of the user's footwear 102. In one implementation, the traction structure 112 is somewhat adjustable from side to side or back and forth. The presently disclosed technology is not limited to a traction structure 112 fixed in place. In other implementations, the fore strap 106 and the aft strap 108 are sufficiently elastic to omit the adjustment mechanism(s). In still further implementations, the fore strap 106 and the aft strap 108 are adjustable without a separate adjustment mechanism(s) (e.g., they may be hook-and-loop straps). Such straps may be textile or integrally formed using the low durometer material 114, for example. In one implementation, the traction device 100 can fit most foot sizes (e.g., one-size-fits-all or one-size-fits-most).
The pins (e.g., pin 118) are attached to a bottom surface of the traction structure 112. In one implementation, the gripping mechanisms each comprise one or more pins (e.g., pin 120), wherein the pins protrude from the high durometer material 116 and through a bottom surface of the traction structure 112 to contact a ground surface during use of the traction device 100. The pins are thus nested within the traction structure 112. The ground surface may be any surface the user wishes to use the traction device 100 to walk upon (e.g., ground, dirt, ice, metal, carpet). The size and shape of the pins can vary (e.g., cylindrical, rectangular, sawtooth, etc.). The pins provide traction in the traction device 100 and can vary in number. In the implementation shown in
The traction structure 212 resides on the bottom of the user's footwear 202 when the traction device 200 is used. Beveled ends 222, 224 are positioned towards the anterior and posterior ends of the footwear 202. The traction structure 212 comprises two parts: a low durometer material 214 and a high durometer material 216, the high durometer material 216 being molded to the low durometer material 214. As shown in
The low durometer material 214 may be a variety of semi-rigid, resilient materials (e.g., plastic, plasticized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, etc.). In one implementation, the low durometer material 214 resides between the high durometer material 216 and the ground to provide greater traction, protect the high durometer material 216, and provide greater structural integrity without compromising the flexible function of the traction device 200. In one implementation, the low durometer material 214 comprises a variety of protrusions (e.g., protrusion 244) or grooves (e.g., groove 254) in addition to at least one octagonal protruding portion (e.g., octagonal protruding portion 246) and the gripping mechanism 218 that further increases traction while the traction device 200 is in use. These protrusions may include a variety of shapes and forms (e.g., rectangle, triangle, circle, hexagon, octagon, arc, etc.). The footprint of the traction structure 212 may take on a variety of shapes (e.g., rectangle, super ellipse, obround, etc.).
A gripping mechanism 218 is attached to a bottom surface of the traction structure 212. In one implementation, the gripping mechanism 218 comprises one or more pins (e.g., pin 220), wherein the pins protrude from the high durometer material 216 and through a bottom surface of the traction structure 212 to contact a ground surface during use of the traction device 200. The pins are thus nested within the traction structure 212. In one implementation, the pins are set in the middle of a circular protruding portion (e.g., circular protruding portion 248) of the high durometer material 216, the circular protruding portion of the high durometer material 216 itself being circumscribed within the octagonal protruding portion of the low durometer material 214. The shape of the pins can vary (e.g., cylindrical, rectangular, etc.). The pins provide traction in the traction device 200 and can vary in number. In the implementation shown in
The fastening mechanism 304 is configured to secure the traction structure 312 to a user's footwear 302. The fastening mechanism 304 comprises at least two straps: a fore strap 306 that secures the traction structure 312 to the fore of the user's ankle and an aft strap 308 that secures the traction structure 312 to the aft of a user's ankle. In one implementation, the fore strap 306 secures the anterior end of the traction structure 312 by extending over the vamp 332 of the footwear 302. In one implementation, the aft strap 308 secures a posterior end of the traction structure 312 by extending around the counter 336 of the footwear 302.
Forward and rear facing ends of the traction structure 412 comprise a fore beveled end 422 and an aft beveled end 424, respectively, such that the low durometer material 414 facilitates a smooth step transition. The surface of the fore beveled end 422 may create an angle of 15 to 50 degrees upwards from a ground surface 411 plane. The surface of the aft beveled end 424 may create an angle of 30 to 60 degrees upwards from the ground surface 411 plane.
The low durometer material 414 may be a variety of semi-rigid, resilient materials (e.g., plastic, plasticized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, etc.). In one implementation, the low durometer material 414 resides between the high durometer material 416 and the ground to provide greater traction, protect the high durometer material 416, and provide greater structural integrity without compromising the flexible function of the traction structure 412. In one implementation, the low durometer material 414 comprises a variety of protrusions (e.g., protrusion 444) or grooves (e.g., groove 454) in addition to at least one octagonal protruding portion (e.g., octagonal protruding portion 446) and the gripping mechanism 418 that further increases traction while the traction device is in use. These protrusions may include a variety of shapes and forms (e.g., rectangle, triangle, circle, octagon, arc, etc.).
The low durometer material 414 is molded to the high durometer material 416. The high durometer material 416 is also a semi-rigid material (e.g., plastic, plasticized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, etc.) and has a higher durometer measurement than the low durometer material 414. This provides for structural integrity as well as flexible function of the traction structure 412. In one implementation, the high durometer material 416 resides above the bottom of the low durometer material 414 and between the ends of the low durometer material 414. In one implementation, the high durometer material 416 has a thickness of 7.0 mm. In one implementation, the traction structure 412 may comprise one or more additional low durometer materials connected by the high durometer material 416.
A gripping mechanism 418 is attached to a bottom surface of the traction structure 412. In one implementation, the gripping mechanism 418 comprises one or more pins, wherein the pins protrude from the high durometer material 416 and through a bottom surface of the traction structure 412 to contact a ground surface during use of the apparatus. The pins are thus nested within the traction structure 412. In one implementation, the pins are set in the middle of a circular protruding portion of the high durometer material 416, the circular protruding portion of the high durometer material 416 itself being circumscribed within the octagonal protruding portion of the low durometer material 414. The shape of the pins can vary (e.g., cylindrical, rectangular, etc.). The pins provide traction in the traction device and can vary in number. The pins may also be made of various materials (e.g., metal alloys, aluminum, tungsten, stainless steel, plastic, or other suitable materials).
The footprint 510 of the traction structure 500 spans a partial area of the user's footwear 502, including an area under an arch of the user's foot within the mid-foot region of the user's foot. The footprint 510 is substantially encompassed (but as illustrated, not necessarily fully encompassed) by the footprint 504 of the footwear 502. Parts of the traction structure 500 may extend beyond the edge of the footprint 504. For example, a first area 506 of the traction structure 500 under the medial arch of the footwear 502 extends beyond the footprint 504, and a second area 508 of the traction structure 500 under the lateral arch of the footwear 502 extends beyond the footprint 504. In various implementations, greater than 50%, 75%, or 90% of the footprint 510 of the traction structure 500 is encompassed by the footprint 504 of the footwear 502.
While the footprint 504 of the footwear 502 may have an indentation on either or both lateral and medial sides caused by the general shape of the user's foot, the footprint 510 of the traction structure 500 may not have any indentations on the lateral or medial sides. The lack of indentations in the traction structure 500 combined with indentations in the footprint 504 of the footwear 502 may result in sections of the footprint 510 of the traction structure 500 extending beyond the footprint 504 of the footwear 502, as illustrated. The footprint 510 may span a partial area of the user's footwear 502, with less than 10% (or less than 20% or less than 5%) of the area of the footprint 510 extending beyond the footprint 504. In other implementations, the entire area of the footprint 510 of the traction structure 500 may reside within the footprint 504 of the footwear 502.
The footprint 504 of the footwear 502 may vary widely depending on the type and size of the footwear 502. The shoe may be a standard boot or sneaker of a variety of men's or women's sizes, for example. Using a larger shoe with a larger footprint 504 may result in the footprint 510 of the traction structure 500 being smaller in comparison. Similarly, using a smaller shoe with a smaller footprint 504 may result in the footprint 510 of the traction structure 500 being larger in comparison.
A front fastening operation 604 fastens the fore strap to the footwear. The fore strap is extended around the fore end of the footwear so that the strap surrounds the footwear and resides on the vamp of the footwear. This secures the fore of the traction structure to the footwear. A rear fastening operation 606 fastens the aft strap to the footwear. The aft strap is extended around the aft of the footwear so that the strap surrounds the footwear and resides on the counter of the footwear. This secures the aft of the traction structure to the footwear. The front fastening operation 604 and the rear fastening operation 606 may be performed in a user's preferred order.
An adjusting operation 608 adjusts the fore strap and the aft strap to secure the traction structure to the footwear. In one implementation, an adjustment mechanism is adjusted so that the fore and aft straps firmly secure the traction device in place. If, after the fastening operations 604, 606, the traction device is positioned with reference to the footwear as desired and secured in place, the adjusting operation 608 may be omitted.
Once fastened, the removable beveled traction device is ready for use. A walking operation 610 takes the user across ground surfaces they wish to traverse (e.g., ice, snow, slippery surfaces, grass, rock, etc.). This walking operation 610 allows the user to benefit from the enhanced traction of the traction device. The traction device provides a compact, industrial-strength walking device for adverse environmental conditions such as ice and snow that provides cold weather flexibility, enhanced traction sole surfaces and protection, resists slippage, and fits easily and conveniently over many types of footwear. In various implementations, the operations 602, 604, 606, and 608 are performed prior to the walking operation 610, which may include operations 700 of
A rotating operation 612 rotates the traction structure when not in use. The traction structure may be rotated to a side or a top of the user's footwear, thereby placing the traction structure away from the ground surface and allowing the user to traverse a ground surface using the sole of their footwear without use of the traction device. The rotating operation 612 may be performed with the additional traction provided by the traction device is not desired, for example, when walking on sensitive surfaces that the traction device may damage. The rotating operation 612 may be reversed when the user wishes to use the traction device again to provide enhanced traction.
A first engaging operation 702 engages an aft beveled end of the traction structure with the surface. The user may position their foot such that the aft beveled end of the traction structure contacts the surface the user wishes to step upon. The surface of the aft beveled end may be flexible such that the surface of the aft beveled end may contact the surface across a range of angles of the bottom surface of the user's footwear with the surface. In one implementation, the aft beveled end is the first part of the traction device to contact the surface during the step.
A first pivoting operation 704 pivots the traction device about the aft beveled end of the traction structure. The traction structure may comprise an edge that is a part of or adjacent to the aft beveled end. During the step, the user may pivot the traction device about this edge such that the gripping mechanisms move closer to the surface. In one implementation, the transitional area between the aft beveled end and the rest of the traction structure is somewhat rounded. In this implementation, the user may pivot by rolling the traction device about the rounded edge. In one implementation, one or more gripping ridges exist on the aft beveled end that engage the surface. The user may pivot by pivoting the traction device about the gripping ridges. The aft beveled end may or may not remain engaged with the surface during the first pivoting operation 704. If the edge about which the user is pivoting is a part of the aft beveled end, the aft beveled end may remain engaged with the surface for all or part of the first pivoting operation 704.
In one implementation, the traction structure is flexible such that the traction structure flexes or bends during the first pivoting operation 704. The edge about which the user is pivoting may itself be flexible, bendable, or pliable. The flexibility of the edge and the traction structure may contribute to a smoother pivot or transition between the first engaging operation 702 and the second engaging operation 706. The smoothness of the pivot or transition may affect the user's perception of the smoothness of the stepping motion. In one implementation, the weight that the user contributes to the step flexes or bends the sole of the user's footwear, and the traction structure flexes or bends to better conform to the concavity of the footwear.
A second engaging operation 706 next engages a bottom surface of the tractional structure containing the gripping mechanisms with the ground surface. The user may position their foot such that the gripping mechanisms contact the ground surface. The bottom surface of the traction structure may become substantially parallel with the ground surface. The gripping mechanisms include pins that protrude from the secondary material and through the bottom surface of the traction structure and are thus surrounded by the traction structure. The gripping mechanisms may further include grooves, protrusions, or ridges that may be made from either the high durometer or the low durometer material. The second engaging operation 706 may occur after the first engaging operation 702.
A second pivoting operation 708 pivots the traction device about the fore beveled end of the traction structure. The traction structure may comprise an edge as a part of or adjacent to the fore beveled end. During the step, the user may pivot the traction device about this edge such that the gripping mechanisms move further away from the surface. The transitional area between the fore beveled end and the rest of the traction structure may be somewhat rounded. The user may pivot by rolling the traction device about the rounded edge.
Further, one or more gripping ridges exist on the fore beveled end that engage the surface. The user may pivot by pivoting the traction device about the gripping ridges. The fore beveled end may or may not remain engaged with the surface during the second pivoting operation 708. If the edge about which the user is pivoting is a part of the fore beveled end, the fore beveled end may remain engaged with the surface for all or part of the second pivoting operation 708.
The traction structure may be flexible such that the traction structure flexes or bends during the second pivoting operation 708. Further, the edge about which the user is pivoting may itself be flexible, bendable, or pliable. The flexibility of the edge and/or the traction structure may contribute to a smoother pivot or transition between the second engaging operation 706 and the disengaging operation 712. The smoothness of the pivot or transition may affect the user's perception of the smoothness of the stepping motion. In one implementation, the weight that the user contributes to the step flexes or bends the sole of the user's footwear, and the traction structure flexes or bends to better conform to the concavity of the footwear.
A third engaging operation 710 engages a fore beveled end of the traction structure with the surface. The user may position their foot such that the fore beveled end of the traction structure contacts the ground surface the user wishes to step upon. The surface of the fore beveled end may be flexible such that the surface of the fore beveled end may contact the surface across a range of angles of the bottom surface of the user's footwear with the surface.
A disengaging operation 712 disengages the traction device from the ground surface. The traction device is removed from contact with the surface by the user lifting their foot to guide the traction device away from the ground surface. The disengaging operation 712 may occur after the second pivoting operation 708. The fore beveled end is the last part of the traction device to contact the ground surface before the disengaging operation 712. The operations 700 may be performed in order and iterated with each step of the user's footwear.
The specific steps discussed with respect to each of the implementations disclosed herein are a matter of choice and may vary. The above specifications, examples, and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the invention. Since many implementations of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/510,963, entitled “ONE SIZE REMOVABLE CLEAT,” and filed on Jun. 29, 2023, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses or teaches.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63510963 | Jun 2023 | US |
