Abstract: Granules bonded to a sandal sole provide a high traction surface, even when wet. The granules are bonded to an upper surface of the sandal sole. The granules can be embedded in the sole or bonded to the sole with adhesive. The granules can be made of crushed rock or other hard materials. The granules can be present in selected weight-bearing areas of the sandal, such as the area supporting the foot ball, toes or heel. The granules may be present only in an area under the foot ball. The present sandal sole prevents the foot from slipping against the sandal sole, and thereby prevents damage to the sandal and prevents injury from falling.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe having a bottom surface that is adjacent to the ground in normal use. A sole, which is sufficiently durable and/or strong for long-term outdoor use, forms at least a portion of the bottom surface, and an upper portion extends above the sole. A plurality of small material particles are bonded to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the shoe.

Abstract: The ice spike for mountaineering is composed of a front frame and a rear frame joined to one another by a joining strip which comprises two parallel rows of holes spaced at regular intervals. Lengthwise adjustment of the ice spike is performed by the joining strip and a stud designed to be inserted in one of the holes of one of the two rows of the joining strip. The holes of the second row are offset longitudinally with respect to those of the first row, this enabling the length of the spike to be adjusted by one shoe size or by half a shoe size.

Abstract: A traction system for use on conventional flexible footwear is provided that includes both toe and heel sections that are independently attached to a wearer's footwear and are connected with a flexible linkage. The flexible linkage allows the traction system to move with the normal movement of the flexible footwear so as to provide a natural walking and running movement. The traction system provides numerous benefits over previously available crampon and other spiked traction systems, including flexibility, light weight, practical usability with a wide variety of footwear types—including highly flexible footwear such as running shoes, compactability, and ready adjustability between different sizes and types of footwear.

Abstract: An apparatus for walking on mud includes a shoe body made of a rigid material that floats in water, the shoe body including a generally horizontal top surface having a substantially greater area than an area of a sole of a foot of a user, the shoe body including a bottom portion having a bottom surface with a generally convex contour; a fastener attached to the top surface for attaching the apparatus to a foot of a user; and pegs attached to the bottom surface, the pegs extending downwardly away from the bottom surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a walking sole for converting any athletic shoe into a walking shoe. The sole includes an outer sole for conforming generally to the sole of an athletic shoe to provide traction for the wearer, and an elasticized upper for securing the outer sole to the lower exterior portion of the shoe. The outer sole is defined by a bottom layer of a durable material suitable for the sole of a walking shoe, and an upper layer sufficiently resilient to absorb the impression caused by a cleat when the walking sole is worn on a shoe with cleats and to return substantially to its original shape when the walking sole is removed from the shoe. The sole is used to convert any athletic shoe into a walking shoe so that athletic shoes can be worn throughout the day rather than requiring the wearer to carry a second pair of shoes when the wearing of athletic shoes will be required.

Abstract: Winter boots and shoes can be equipped with a removable traction attachment that facilitates easy non-slip motion on ice, snow, dirt, gravel, etc. The traction attachment can include an elastomeric panel fitting the sole of the boot or shoe, an integral front strap system fitting over the toe of the boot, and an integral rear strap system fitting snugly on the heel of the boot. The panel and strap systems have controlled elasticity, so that a given size attachment can fit a range of different size boots or shoes. Replaceable metal cleats are carried on downwardly protruding sections of the elastomeric panel, to provide traction assistance.

Abstract: A step-in binding system (20, 220) including a binding (24, 224) and an engagement member (26, 226) for securing a snowshoe to footwear (22). In one embodiment, the binding includes a pivotable latch (78) and a fixed latch (80), each having a pair of catches (116) for engaging a corresponding receiver (110) on the engagement member. The pivotable latch is pivotable between a closed position (CP) and an open position (OP) and is biased into the closed position by a helical rotational spring (100). The binding further includes an adjustment mechanism (32) extending between a toe member (28) and a heel member (30) that allows the distance between the toe and heel members to be selectively changed by a user. In another embodiment, the binding includes a pair of pivotable latches (278, 280), each biased into its closed position by two torsional rotational springs (300).

Abstract: An anti-balling system for a crampon (10) to prevent balling and snow accumulation during snow and ice climbing includes a plate (46, 50) attached to the bottom of the crampon. The plate can be rigid and can have a lower surface (54, 58) formed of a material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate. The plate can include at least one loop (62) integrally formed at a front of the plate to receive a front point (38) of the crampon. The plate can have a loop or window (96 or 232) to receive the center strap (22 or 220) of the crampon. The plate can be attached with bail ends (222 and 224) of a bail (214). The lower surface of the plate can include a plurality of protrusions (100) extending therefrom forming a plurality of raised section (104) and a plurality of edges (108) forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.

Abstract: A shoe pad to be worn by rooftop workers, such as roofing material installers, for added safety. A pad, made from a unitary cut or mold of sponge-like and firm material, such as composite or foam rubber, is designed to nearly mirror the shape of a worker's shoe or boot, such that a conventional shoe or boot may be inserted within the same. The pad is placed under a worker's shoe or boot, and secured with a plurality of adjustable straps. The pad may be safely secured to a worker's shoe or boot by tightening the adjustable straps, preparing the device for use.

Abstract: An article of footwear is shown having a bottom exposed surface with a number of threaded bores. An interchangeable sole element can be affixed to the bottom surface of the foot receiving member by means of threaded metal studs. The studs are sized and positioned with respect to the lower surface of the sole elements to allow the tips of the studs to extend beyond the lower surface of the sole element for a distance in the range of 2 to 5 millimeters to provide improved traction and support.

Abstract: A resilient anti-fatigue layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer includes a mat of fibers heat bonded together with a tight surface against the sole and a loose surface against the floor. The mat of fibers includes a generally flat portion shaped to match the bottom of the shoe and a plurality of tabs formed of the mat at the edges of the bottom portion and projecting beyond the edges of the bottom portion with at least one tab at the front, two tabs at the rear and at least one tab at each side, with each tab having attached thereto a respective strap. The straps provide a on each side a single strap which extends from the front side connection tab, through slots provided in a toe connection member to the rear side tabs, to the heel tabs and over the foot.

Abstract: An appliance for modifying the traction and noise generating characteristics of footwear, including a traction element, typically constructed of felt material, and an attachment system adapted to anchor the traction element to the bottom surface of footwear to restrain the traction element from longitudinal and transverse movement with respect to the footwear.

Abstract: A cleated boot attachment system for stalking game and/or for traveling to a fixed position to await game for use with hunting boots.

Abstract: An overshoe that is removably disposable on a user's shoe and provides a tread surface that enhances the user's footing on slippery surfaces. The tread surface has removable spikes that penetrate surfaces and forward-oriented and rearwards-oriented gripping ridges that grip the surface. The ease of pulling on and removing the overshoe is enhanced by using stretch zones that are placed to allow stretching of the overshoe to fit over a shoe or the like without compromising the snugness of the overshoe fit. A spike assembly for use with an overshoe that fits over a person's shoe and enhances a person's contact with the ground, includes a spike having a head operably coupled to a shank; and a button overmolded on the spike and having a neck for removable engagement in a bore defined in the overshoe. A method of minimizing slippage on a ground surface is further included.

Abstract: Full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers that one would wear over footwear to prevent slipping on slippery surfaces (comprising snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . ) comprising, a footwear attaching mechanism that partially or fully covers footwear and secures the surface gripping mechanism to the full or partial bottom sole of footwear. The full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers are easily/conveniently detached or attached to footwear, are inexpensive, lightweight, cosmetically appealing, adjustable, easy to store, makes it possible for the people to have surface gripping ability outside of the sports arena where special purpose or sporting surface gripping shoes (mountain boots, snow shoes, snow sandals, football, baseball, or golf cleats) are worn and reduces the number of injuries from falls on ice in the winter.

Abstract: An ice crampon for mountain climbing comprising a reinforcement 12B with a metal reinforcement, fitted with anchoring teeth 14, and a fastening device 30 comprising a lateral operating lever 32 forming a toggle joint for locking or unlocking the heel of the shoe along the pivoting direction of the operating lever 32.

Abstract: A fastening system for fastening a crampon to a mountain boot having a sole; the fastening system having at least one fastening seat formed in the sole of the mountain boot, and at least one fastening member carried by the crampon and which engages the fastening seat to fix the crampon to the mountain boot.

Abstract: A sports boot, particularly for ice climbing. The boot has an upper, a rigid sole directly fixed to the upper, and climbing crampons directly fixed to the rigid sole. The rigid sole can be made of a composite material or metal. It is provided with threaded inserts capable of receiving screws for fixing the crampons.

Abstract: Improved footwear and accessory devices, such as crampons, are disclosed for enhancing the performance of footwear under different conditions and, thus, providing more versatile footwear. The footwear has an outsole flex zone in a forefoot region that flexes during hiking and climbing in various terrains. The footwear also includes toe and heel attachment points for installation of an accessory, such as a crampon and, additionally, includes a midfoot attachment point for mounting of the accessory. The midfoot attachment point is preferably located between the outsole flex zone and the heel attachment point. A forefoot contact mechanism may also be provided in the footwear outsole that interacts with a rigid forefoot contact mechanism of the accessory to enhance the rigidity of the forefoot region when the accessory is mounted. A crampon accessory device for mounting on the footwear is also disclosed.

Abstract: A traction system for use on conventional flexible footwear is provided that includes both toe and heel sections that are independently attached to a wearer's footwear and are connected with a flexible linkage. The flexible linkage allows the traction system to move with the normal movement of the flexible footwear so as to provide a natural walking and running movement. The traction system provides numerous benefits over previously available crampon and other spiked traction systems, including flexibility, light weight, practical usability with a wide variety of footwear types—including highly flexible footwear such as running shoes, compactability, and ready adjustability between different sizes and types of footwear.

Abstract: A combined elbow and foot protector comprising strapping members (22, 24) for strapping of the protector to the body of the user, and a sole (10) attached to a flexible base (8). The sole (10) comprises at least two rigid sections (12, 14, 16) connected to each other by a flexible joining member (20) adapted to allow the sole to be easily bent until a front section (12) and a heel section (16) form a substantial angle with each other. The protector can be used either as a shoe strapped to the foot of the user, or as an elbow or knee protector strapped to the arm or leg of the user.

Abstract: A boot traction device or adapter that can be attached to the bottom of a person's footwear, which is removable, adjustable as well as lightweight. In manufacturing the present invention, a single style of sole plate can be configured for either a right or a left foot. The device can be adapted to fit onto any size of shoe or footwear and adjustable strap connectors are used to secure the adapter to the footwear. Threaded openings are provided for the attachment of gripping cleats or other devices to the adapter. Furthermore, the design of the adapter is such that an optional heel plate can be connected to the sole plate.

Abstract: A device that aids in the aeration of a lawn is provided that attaches to the bottom of ones shoes and provides for core aeration while performing other yard care tasks. A metal plate which is adjustable for various size shoes is provided with attachment straps for attachment to conventional outdoor footwear. Steel tubes approximately 2 inches long will protrude from the bottom of the plates, and are spring biased against the bottom plate such that the soil core is ejected during the natural stride of the wearer.