TRACTION ENHANCEMENT DEVICES AND RELATED PACKAGES OF TRACTION ENHANCEMENT DEVICES

Abstract

A traction enhancement device for installation to a sole of a shoe includes a generally rigid support layer having opposing first and second surfaces, an adhesive material coupled to the first surface of the support layer for coupling the traction enhancement device to the sole of the shoe, and a gritty material coupled to the second surface of the support layer for enhancing traction of the sole of the shoe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/898,160, filed on Oct. 31, 2013. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to traction enhancement devices and, more particularly, to traction enhancement devices that can be installed to soles of shoes to thereby help improve traction of the shoes on surfaces, as well as to packages of such traction enhancement devices.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Many types of men's and women's shoes, both new and used, have flat and/or smooth soles. And, because of the flat and/or smooth soles, users wearing such shoes often slip and/or slide when walking. As a consequence, the users may be hesitant when walking in the shoes and/or may even injure themselves if they slip and/or slide while walking.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to traction enhancement devices for shoes. In some example embodiments, such a traction enhancement device generally include a generally rigid support layer having opposing first and second surfaces, an adhesive material coupled to the first surface of the support layer for coupling the traction enhancement device to a sole of a shoe, and a gritty material coupled to the second surface of the support layer for enhancing traction of the sole of the shoe.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure also generally relate to shoes comprising such traction enhancement devices.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure also generally relate to packages of traction enhancement devices. In one example embodiment, such a package of traction enhancement devices generally includes a plurality of traction enhancement devices, where the traction enhancement devices configured to be coupled to soles of shoes to thereby help improve fraction of the shoes on surfaces, and a container for holding the plurality of traction enhancement devices. The container includes a body configured to receive the plurality of traction enhancement devices therein and a cover releasably coupled to the body for providing selective access to the plurality of traction enhancement devices received in the body.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a traction enhancement device of the present disclosure, shown coupled to a sole of a shoe;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the traction enhancement device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the traction enhancement device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is the bottom plan view of FIG. 3, with a release layer removed from the traction enhancement device to expose an adhesive material thereof for use in coupling the traction enhancement device to the sole of the shoe of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a package of traction enhancement devices of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an example embodiment of a traction enhancement device 100 including one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As will be described, the traction enhancement device 100 generally includes an adhesive based sheet, pad, etc. that can be quickly and easily installed (via a coupling portion 102) to a bottom portion of a shoe 104. In so doing, a traction portion 106 (e.g., an abrasive portion, etc.) of the traction enhancement device 100 helps make the shoe 104 more resistant to slipping, sliding, etc. when walking on surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fraction enhancement device 100 is configured to couple to a sole 108 of the shoe 104 for improving traction of the shoe 104 on surfaces when worn by a user. The illustrated shoe 104 is a lady's high-heel shoe, and the traction enhancement device 100 is shown coupled to a front portion 110 of the sole 108 of the shoe 104. Alternatively, the fraction enhancement device 100 could be coupled to a heel portion 112 of the sole 108 of the shoe 104, or to any other portion of the sole 108 of the shoe 104 within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, one traction enhancement device 100 could be coupled to the front portion 110 of the sole 108 of the shoe 104 and another traction enhancement device 100 could be coupled to the heel portion 112 of the sole 108 of the shoe 104. Further, the traction enhancement device 100 may be coupled to lady's shoes other than high-heel shoes, or to any desired men's shoes, or to any other desired shoes, for example, having flat and/or smooth soles (e.g., shoes with leather soles that are flat and/or smooth, etc.), etc. within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the traction enhancement device 100 could also be coupled to cowboy boots (e.g., along the backside and up heels of the boots, etc.) to provide improved traction (where, because of the nature of the boots being angled inwardly, walking heel to toe in the boots can be slippery without using the traction enhancement device 100).

The illustrated traction enhancement device 100 is relatively thin in size (FIG. 1). As such, the traction enhancement device 100 can be coupled to the sole 108 (e.g., the front portion 110, the heel portion 112, etc.) of the shoe 104 without interfering with walking and/or without affecting comfort, balance, etc. A user wearing the shoe 104, with the traction enhancement device 100 coupled thereto, will not feel the traction enhancement device 100 on the shoe 104 (e.g., the shoe 104 will not feel thicker at the sole 108, etc.). As an example, the illustrated traction enhancement device 100 may have a thickness of about 100 micrometers or less (e.g., about 50 micrometers or less, about 50 points or less, between about 47 micrometers and about 50 micrometers, etc.). However, it should be appreciated that thicker traction enhancement devices may be used within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in other example embodiments traction enhancement devices may have thicknesses greater than about 100 micrometers (e.g., about 300 micrometers or less, etc.) etc.

The illustrated fraction enhancement device 100 is also generally rectangular in shape (e.g., defines a generally rectangular shape, etc.). However, other shapes of traction enhancement devices may be used within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, other example embodiments of fraction enhancement devices may define generally square shapes, generally oval shapes, generally circular shapes, generally triangular shapes, etc. In addition, the illustrated traction enhancement device 100 may have any desired size (or may be cut, ripped, etc. to any desired smaller size) within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the traction enhancement device 100 may have a width dimension W of about 0.5 inches and a length L dimension of about 3.5 inches. However, other example embodiments of traction enhancement devices may have width dimensions greater than or less than about 0.5 inches and/or length dimensions greater than or less than about 3.5 inches within the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference now to FIGS. 2-4, the traction enhancement device 100 generally includes the traction portion 106 (FIG. 2) and the coupling portion 102 (FIGS. 3 and 4). And, a support layer 114 is provided to support the coupling portion 102 and the traction portion 106. The traction portion 106 is configured to provide the improved traction to the shoe 104 on surfaces when the shoe 104 (having the traction enhancement device 100 coupled thereto) is worn by a user. And, the coupling portion 102 is configured to couple the traction enhancement device 100 to the sole 108 of the shoe 104 (FIG. 1).

The fraction portion 106 of the traction enhancement device 100 includes a gritty material 116 (e.g., a friction-producing material, an abrasive material, etc.) that provides the improved fraction to the shoe 104 (e.g., to enhance the traction of the sole 108 of the shoe 104 on the surfaces when worn by a user, etc.). The gritty material 116 is applied (e.g., coupled, coated, etc.) to a first surface of the support layer 114 for defining the traction portion 106. The gritty material 116 can include any suitable material within the scope of the present disclosure including, for example, sand, gravel, shells, glass, scales, seeds, sandpaper, combinations thereof, etc. In addition, the gritty material 116 may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped, etc.) so as to provide the improved traction while, at the same time, inhibiting damage to delicate surfaces such as wood floors, etc. For example, the gritty material 116 of the traction portion 106 may be configured so that particles of the gritty material 116 have diameters of less than about 260 micrometers (e.g., about 190 micrometers or less, about 68 micrometers or less, about 46 micrometers or less, etc.). As an example, the traction portion 106 of the illustrated traction enhancement device 100 may include gritty material 116 that comprises multiple sand and gravel particles having an average diameter of less than about 50 micrometers.

In the illustrated embodiment, an adhesive material (e.g., a glue, a resin, a solvent based adhesive, a polymer dispersion adhesive, a contact adhesive, a hot adhesive, a synthetic adhesive, etc.) is used for coupling the gritty material 116 of the traction portion 106 to the first surface of the support layer 114. In other example embodiments, traction enhancement devices may include traction portions where gritty material 116 is instead impregnated, embedded, etc. into, onto, etc. surfaces of support layers of the traction enhancement devices.

The coupling portion 102 of the traction enhancement device 100 includes an adhesive material 118 (FIG. 4) for coupling the device 100 to the sole 108 of the shoe 104. The adhesive material 118 is applied (e.g., coated, coupled, etc.) to a second surface (generally opposing the first surface) of the support layer 114 for defining the coupling portion 102. Any suitable adhesive material 118 may be used within the scope of the present disclosure including, for example, pressure sensitive adhesive material, etc. A release layer 120 (FIG. 3) is provided over (e.g., cover, coupled to, etc.) the adhesive material 118 to protect the adhesive material 118 and/or inhibit the adhesive material 118 from inadvertently coupling to undesired surfaces prior to use. The release layer 120 is configured (e.g., sized, shaped, constructed, etc.) to be removed (e.g., peeled away, etc.) from the adhesive material 118 when desired to install, couple, etc. the traction enhancement device 100 to the sole 108 of the shoe 104. For example, left and right portions 120a, 120b of the release layer 120 (as viewed in FIG. 3) can be accessed at seam 122 and then peeled away from the adhesive material 118. With that said, it should be appreciated that the release layer 120 can be formed from suitable material including, for example, silicone material, wax paper material, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support layer 114 of the traction enhancement device 100 has a generally rectangular shape matching, defining, etc. the generally rectangular shape of the traction enhancement device 100. In addition, the illustrated support layer 114 is formed from a generally rigid material (e.g., a generally rigid paper material, other generally rigid materials, etc.). As such, the support layer 114 provides structure, rigidity, etc. to the traction enhancement device 100 (e.g., giving the traction enhancement device 100 a generally rigid structure, etc.). Further, because of this generally rigid configuration of the support layer 114, the traction enhancement device 100 is provided in a sheet or pad of material, as opposed to a roll. This helps the traction enhancement device 100 maintain its shape when being applied to the sole 108 of the shoe 104, and helps inhibit the device 100 from rolling or folding over on itself (e.g., as often occurs with less rigid materials such as those provided on rolls, etc.). With that said, it should also be appreciated that the traction enhancement device 100 is still flexible enough to track slight contours (e.g., contour 124, etc.) of the sole 108 of the shoe 104 when installed thereto, for example, to accommodate slight bends in the sole 108, etc. What's more, the generally rigid configuration of the support layer 114 also allows the traction enhancement device 100 to be creased, folded, etc. and torn to smaller sizes if needed without the use of blades, etc.

The illustrated traction enhancement device 100 is also configured for temporary use. For example, the gritty material 116 may be intended to wear off after one or two days of use, after which time it is contemplated that the sole 108 of the shoe 104 may be sufficiently scuffed from such use to provide sufficient fraction without further need for the traction enhancement device 100. At this time, any part of the traction enhancement device 100 remaining on the sole 108 of the shoe 104 (e.g., the support layer 114, etc.) can be removed (e.g., peeled off, etc.) and disposed. However, if enhanced traction is still desired, a new traction enhancement device 100 can be installed to the sole 108 of the shoe 104 for use. What's more, this process can be repeated as often as desired by a user wearing the shoe 104.

In other example embodiments of the present disclosure, traction enhancement devices may include sandpaper defining both support layers and traction portions. Adhesive materials may then be applied to the sandpaper, on sides of the sandpaper opposite the traction portions, to thereby define coupling portions for use in coupling the traction enhancement devices to soles of shoes. In these example embodiments, the sandpaper may have Coated Abrasive Manufacturers Institute (CAMI) grit designations of about 80 so as to provide improved fraction to the shoes while, at the same time, inhibiting damage to delicate flooring surfaces on which the shoes may be worn (e.g., wood floors, etc.). In still other example embodiments, traction enhancement devices may include sandpaper with CAMI grit designations of greater than about 80 (e.g., about 220, about 240, about 320, etc.) or with CAMI grit designations of less than about 80 (e.g., about 60, etc.) within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a package 230 of traction enhancement devices 200 include one or more aspect of the present disclosure. The traction enhancement devices 200 included in the package 230 may include any of the traction enhancement devices described herein (e.g., multiple ones of the traction enhancement device 100 previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, etc.), or any other suitable traction enhancement devices as desired.

As shown in FIG. 5, the package 230 includes the fraction enhancement devices 200 and a container 232 for holding, storing, etc. the traction enhancement devices 200. The container 232 includes a body 234 configured (e.g., sized, shaped, constructed, etc.) to receive the traction enhancement devices 200 therein, and a cover 236. The cover 236 is configured to releasably couple to the body 234 (e.g., via a pivotable coupling, a snap-fit coupling, etc.). As such, the cover 236 can be selectively coupled to the body 234 to help retain, protect, etc. the fraction enhancement devices 200 disposed within the body 234, and removed from the body 234 to provide access to an interior of the body 234 for removing traction enhancement devices 200, refilling traction enhancement devices 200, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the container 232 is sized to hold multiple traction enhancement devices 200 (e.g., about twenty traction enhancement devices 200, more than about twenty traction enhancement devices 200, less than about twenty traction enhancement devices 200, etc.). In addition, a footprint of the container 232 is sized substantially similar to a footprint of the traction enhancement devices 200 (e.g., having a width dimension of about 0.5 inches and a length dimension of about 3.5 inches, having width dimensions greater than or less than about 0.5 inches and/or length dimensions greater than or less than about 3.5 inches, etc.). As such, the container 232 is conveniently sized for portability and/or to be positioned, stored, etc. within a pocket, a purse, etc. And, the traction enhancement devices 200 in the container 232 are then readily available whenever they are needed. What's more, having the multiple traction enhancement devices 200 readily available in the container 232 makes replacement of the traction enhancement devices 200 on shoes easy. For example, when one fraction enhancement device 200 wears out, falls off a shoe, etc., another one can readily be installed.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Specific dimensions included herein are exemplary in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

With that said, example embodiments have been provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “forward,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A traction enhancement device for a shoe, the traction enhancement device comprising:

a generally rigid support layer having opposing first and second surfaces;

an adhesive material coupled to the first surface of the support layer for coupling the fraction enhancement device to a sole of a shoe; and

a gritty material coupled to the second surface of the support layer for enhancing traction of the sole of the shoe.

2. The traction enhancement device of claim 1, wherein the support layer comprises a generally rigid paper material.

3. The traction enhancement device of claim 1, wherein the gritty material comprises sand and/or gravel material.

4. The traction enhancement device of claim 1, wherein the gritty material comprises multiple particles, and wherein an average diameter of the multiple particles is less than about 50 micrometers.

5. The fraction enhancement device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive material coupling the gritty material to the second surface of the support layer.

6. The traction enhancement device of claim 1, further comprising a release layer coupled to the adhesive material, the release layer configured to be removed from the adhesive material when installing the traction enhancement device to a sole of a shoe.

7. The traction enhancement device of claim 6, wherein a thickness of the traction enhancement device is about 50 micrometers or less.

8. The traction enhancement device of claim 1, wherein the support layer has a generally rectangular shape.

9. A shoe comprising the traction enhancement device of claim 1.

10. A traction enhancement device for a sole of a shoe for improving traction of the sole of the shoe on surfaces when the shoe is worn by a user, the traction enhancement device comprising:

a rigid support layer formed from paper, the support layer having opposing first and second surfaces;

an adhesive material coupled to the first surface of the support layer for use in coupling the traction enhancement device to a sole of a shoe;

a release layer coupled to the adhesive material, the release layer configured to be removed from the adhesive material when coupling the traction enhancement device to the sole of the shoe; and

a gritty material comprising multiple sand and/or gravel particles coupled to the second surface of the support layer, the multiple sand and/or gravel particles having diameters of less than about 50 micrometers.

11. The traction enhancement device of claim 10, further comprising an adhesive material coupling the gritty material to the second surface of the support layer.

12. The traction enhancement device of claim 10, wherein a thickness of the traction enhancement device is about 50 micrometers or less.

13. The traction enhancement device of claim 10, wherein a thickness of the traction enhancement device is between about 47 micrometers and about 50 micrometers.

14. The fraction enhancement device of claim 10, wherein the traction enhancement device defines a generally rectangular shape with a width dimension of about 0.5 inches and a length dimension of about 3.5 inches.

15. A shoe comprising the traction enhancement device of claim 10.

16. A package of traction enhancement devices, the package comprising:

a plurality of traction enhancement devices, the traction enhancement devices configured to be coupled to soles of shoes to thereby help improve traction of the shoes on surfaces; and

a container for holding the plurality of traction enhancement devices, the container having a body configured to receive the plurality of traction enhancement devices therein and a cover releasably coupled to the body for providing selective access to the plurality of traction enhancement devices received in the body.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of traction enhancement devices comprises:

a rigid support layer formed from paper, the support layer having opposing first and second surfaces;

an adhesive material coupled to the first surface of the support layer for use in coupling the traction enhancement device to a sole of a shoe;

a release layer coupled to the adhesive material, the release layer configured to be removed from the adhesive material when coupling the traction enhancement device to the sole of the shoe; and

a gritty material comprising multiple sand and/or gravel particles coupled to the second surface of the support layer, the multiple sand and/or gravel particles having diameters of less than about 260 micrometers.

18. The package of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of traction enhancement devices further comprises an adhesive material coupling the gritty material to the second surface of the support layer.

19. The package of claim 18, wherein a thickness of each of the plurality of traction enhancement devices is between about 47 micrometers and about 50 micrometers.

20. The package of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of traction enhancement devices defines a generally rectangular shape with a width dimension of about 0.5 inches and a length dimension of about 3.5 inches.