SLIP GUARD

Abstract

A traction device that can be removably affixed to the bottom of footgear or which can be permanently installed in the bottom of the footgear a slip guard comprising a plate that can be affixed to the sole of footgear and a traction plate that can be removably affixed to the plate. The plate can be semi-permanently affixed to the bottom of the shoe by means of adhesive tape and the traction plate can be affixed to the plate by hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro. In a permanent embodiment the traction plate can be molded into the bottom of the footgear.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to removable devices that can be affixed to footgear to provide better traction in slippery conditions.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,740,208 to Dye discloses a circular friction pad affixed to the bottom of a shoe by a rivet. U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,401 to McDonnold discloses spaced side by side elongated traction members snap clamped to the sole of a shoe and made from a single length of spring metal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,574 to Weisbrick discloses a connector for footgear and a variety of specific step on devices using flexible gripping means such as hook and loop fasteners.

[0005] A need exists for a traction device that can be affixed to the bottom of a persons' regular footgear and which can be removed when not needed such as when entering a building or home. A further need exists for such a device that can be permanently affixed to the bottom of footgear for use when slippery conditions are routinely encountered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention meets the needs identified above by providing a slip guard comprising a plate that can be affixed to the sole of footgear and a traction plate that can be removably affixed to the plate. The plate can be semi-permanently affixed to the bottom of the shoe by means of adhesive tape and the traction plate can be affixed to the plate by hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro. In a permanent embodiment the traction plate can be molded into the bottom of the footgear.

[0007] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a view of removable slip guards affixed to the bottom of a pair of shoes.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a view of a built-in slip guard affixed to the bottom of a shoe.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the built in slip guard of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In FIG. 1 slip guard assembly 100 is shown affixed to the bottom of left shoe 10 and right shoe 12. Slip guard assembly 100 is the same for either a left or right shoe. Slip guard assembly 100 has panel 20, plate 30, tab 40 and a plurality of spikes 32. In FIG. 1, one hundred and thirty two spikes 32 are shown on plate 30. It should be understood that any number of spikes can be utilized and that the optimum number of spikes to be used is within the ordinary skill of a person skilled in the art. Such an optimum number of spikes would be in the range between at least one spike 32 to the maximum number of spikes 32 that could be affixed within a 2 inch diameter circle. In the preferred embodiment, plate 30 has a diameter of 2 inches and a thickness of 0.020 inches. Plate 30 is made from metal or impact-resistant plastic. Persons skilled in the art will be aware that the diameter and thickness can vary depending on the material used and the size of the footgear to which plate 30 is to be attached. Tab 40 is utilized to pull plate 30 off panel 20. When plate 30 is removed from panel 20, a panel cover (not shown) may be affixed to panel 20. The panel cover would have a wear resistant surface on one side and hook and loop fasteners on the other side. The panel cover would be affixed to panel 20 by engaging the panel cover hook and loop fasteners (not shown) with the panel hook and loop fasteners 26.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. Panel 20 has panel footgear side 27 and panel traction device side 28. Adhesive tape 22 has tape panel side 23 and tape footgear side 21. Both tape panel side 23 and tape footgear side 21 have adhesive affixed. Adhesive tape 22 is affixed to panel footgear side 27 of panel 20. Tape footgear side 21 is affixed to footgear 11. Plate 30 has bottom side 37 and fastener side 35. Hook and loop fastener 36 is affixed to fastener side 35. A plurality of spikes 32 are affixed to bottom side 37 of plate 30. Spikes 32 may be created by diamond cutting bottom side 37 of plate 30. Spikes 32 may be pyramidal in shape. Alternatively, spikes 32 may be conical in shape. Alternatively, spikes 32 may be molded into plate 30. Persons skilled in the art will be aware of multiple ways to affix spikes 32 to plate 30. Plate 30 is affixed to shoe 11 by engaging hook and loop fasteners 36 of plate 30 with hook and loop fasteners 26 of panel 20.

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts slip guard assembly 200 having plate 40 embedded in sole 16 of shoe 14. Slip guard assembly 200 is an alternative embodiment of slip guard assembly 100.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of embedded plate 40 in sole body 15 of shoe 14 (see FIG. 3). Embedded Plate 40 has first annular ring 44, groove 47 and second annular ring 46 embedded in sole body 15. Embedded plate 40 has embedded plate surface 41 which lies in the same plane as sole 16. Embedded plate spikes 42 function the same as spikes 32 in slip guard assembly 100 ((FIGS. 1 and 2). Spikes 42 may be created by diamond cutting bottom side 41 of plate 42. Spikes 42 may be pyramidal in shape. Alternatively, spikes 42 may be conical in shape. Alternatively, spikes 42 may be molded into plate 40.

[0016] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for improving the traction of footgear comprising:

a plate having a top, a bottom, a lower annular ring, a surface annular ring and a groove located between said lower annular ring and said surface annular ring; and

a plurality of spikes fixedly attached to said top.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 firther comprising a sole having a sole surface and a sole body;

wherein said sole body is molded around said circular plate so that said top lies in the same plane with said sole surface.

3. The spikes of claim 1 wherein said spikes are pyramidal in shape.

4. The spikes of claim 1 wherein said spikes are conical in shape.

5. The spikes of claim 1 wherein said spikes are cut from said top in a diamond pattern.

6. An apparatus for improving the traction of footgear comprising:

an adhesive panel with a footgear side and a traction device side;

a plate having a bottom side and a fastener side wherein the fastener side has a plurality of hook and loop fasteners;

a plate having a top and a bottom;

a plurality of spikes fixedly attached to said top;

a plurality of hook and loop fasteners fixedly attached to said bottom;

wherein said plain side of said plate is affixed to said footgear by footgear side of said adhesive tape; and

wherein said fastener side of said plate mates with said bottom of said plate.

7. The spikes of claim 6 wherein said spikes are pyramidal in shape.

8. The spikes of claim 6 wherein said spikes are conical in shape.

9. The spikes of claim 6 wherein said spikes are cut from said top in a diamond pattern.