CA2039611A1 - Traction aid - Google Patents
Traction aidInfo
- Publication number
- CA2039611A1 CA2039611A1 CA 2039611 CA2039611A CA2039611A1 CA 2039611 A1 CA2039611 A1 CA 2039611A1 CA 2039611 CA2039611 CA 2039611 CA 2039611 A CA2039611 A CA 2039611A CA 2039611 A1 CA2039611 A1 CA 2039611A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- base
- pair
- aid
- sole
- traction
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
TRACTION AID
ABSTRACT
Disclosed therein is a traction aid for use on an item of foot wear, the foot wear having a sole, the traction aid comprising a base for location against the sole, the base having a pair of opposed roughened surfaces, one of the roughened surfaces arranged to lie against the sole, and the other surface arranged to lie against a slippery surface, the base having a pair of opposed ends, a pair of strap means each of which is attached to a corresponding end, each of the straps having a free end portion, a pair of fastener means, each of which is attached to a corresponding free end portion, the base and. strap means being relatively thin thereby permitting the aid to fit inside a pocket for portability.
ABSTRACT
Disclosed therein is a traction aid for use on an item of foot wear, the foot wear having a sole, the traction aid comprising a base for location against the sole, the base having a pair of opposed roughened surfaces, one of the roughened surfaces arranged to lie against the sole, and the other surface arranged to lie against a slippery surface, the base having a pair of opposed ends, a pair of strap means each of which is attached to a corresponding end, each of the straps having a free end portion, a pair of fastener means, each of which is attached to a corresponding free end portion, the base and. strap means being relatively thin thereby permitting the aid to fit inside a pocket for portability.
Description
2~39611 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to foot wear, and more particularly to methods of improving the traction of foot wear on icy surfaces.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
It i8, of course, well known that moving about on icy surfaces, such as stairs, side walks and roads and also on oily floors can be hazardous. Traction on icy surfaces is usually provided by sprinkling sand or salt on the ice.
However, sanding and salting is unfortunately not always immediately available or properly applied to icy or slippery surfaces.
Efforts have bean made to provide traction aids to reduce the risk of slipping on slippery surfaces. These include spiked boots or strap-on studded soles. However, these conventional traction aids can be difficult to put on, are awkward to use and must be a specific size to fit particular sized footwear. They ~are also too bulky to be carried around in case a slippery condition arises. They are also not suitable for walking on wood or concrete floors that have become slippery due to spilt oil, etc. There i8 also a risk that the conventional 'strap-on' traction aids will slip alon~ the foot wear, thereby further ~ 30 risking injury.
:; 1 2~39~1 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel means of improving traction for foot wear and one which will obviate or mitigate the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention involves a traction aid for use on an item of foot wear, said foot wear having a sole, said traction aid comprising a base for location against said sole, said base having a pair of opposed roughened surfaces, ona of said roughened surfaces arranged to lie against said sole r and the other surface arranged to lie against a slippery surface, said base having a pair of opposed ends, a pair of strap means each of which is attached to a corresponding end, each of said straps having a free end portion, a pair of fastener means, each of which is attached to a corresponding free encl portion, said base and strap means being relatively thin thereby permitting s~id aid to fit inside a pocket for portability.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of improving traction for footwear, comprising the steps of:
providing a item of footwear with a sole;
~: providing a base for location against said sole;
providing on said base, a pair of opposed roughened ~urface~;
arranging said base so th~t one of said roughened ~urfaces ~ ~ '; : ' ' ~:
2~396~ 1 is to lie against said sole, while the other surface is to lie against a slippery surface, providing said base with a pair of opposed end3;
attaching each one of a pair of strap means to a corresponding end;
providing each of said straps with a free end portion;
attaching each one of a pair of fastener means to a corresponding free end portion; and shaping said base and strap means to be relatively thin thereby permitting base and said strap means to fit inside a pocket for portability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THiE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which: -Z5 Figure 1 is a top plan view of a traction aid;
: : Figure 2 i9 a side view of-the aid illustrated in figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view illustrating the aid of figure 1 in an 30: : operative position, .
~39~1 Figure 4 is a view illu~trating the aid of figure 1 in a storage position, Figure 5 is a perspective view of another traction aid; and Figure 6 i5 a fragmentary perspective view of the aid of figure 5 in another orientation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referrin~ to the figure~, there is provided a traction aid 10 having a base 12 with a pair of opposed ends 12a, 12b. A pair of flexible straps 14, 16, formed for example from elastic strap material, are respectively attached to the opposed ends 12a, 12b.
Each of the straps 14, 16 has a remote end 14a, 16a. Attached to the remote ends are complementary fasteners 18, 20, such as Velcro (a trademark).
The base 12 has a pair of opposed surfaces lZc, 12d. One surface 12c is intended to be placed again~t the sole of an item of footwear, for example a shoe. The other surface 12d i~
intended to be placed ag~inst the ground surface.
.
When not in use, the traction aid 10 can be ea~ily inserted into a waterproof wallet-type container and thus direGtly into the u~er'~ pocket or purse and will occupy a minimum of space.
It i~ easy to put on, ~imply by wrapping the straps 14, 16 around the foot wear and attaching the fasteners 18, 20. The use of 'velcro' or other similar fasteners permits the traction aid 10 to fit snugly on a wide range of foot wear. However, it may be ; appropriate to make several basic sizes, for example, one size : . ' ` - . , : ~ . , ., . ~ , . , . . . .` .: ' :
-` 2Q39~1 for children and another size for adults.
A particular feature of the traction aid 10 is the roughened texture of both surfaces 12c, 12d of the base 12. The textured surface 12d provides traction on slippery surfaces, while the textured surface 12d minimizes the risk of the traction aid 10 slipping along the foot wear.
The base 12 and straps 14 and 16 are in fact portions of a single piece of strap. A suitably course ~nd durable weather-proof sand paper is bonded directly onto the strap.
Another traction aid 30 is illustrated in figures 5 and 6.
In this case, the straps 32, 34 are integrally formed with the ba~e 36 from a mouldcd plastic~ material. The plastic material and the dimensions of the aid 30 should be selected to provide the strap 32, 34 with sufficient flexibility to permit the user to attach and use the aid 30 with a minimum of effort.
The base 36 has an upper surface 36a with a moulded textured finish 36b to provide traction between the sole of the footwear and the aid 30. The base 36 has a lower surface 36b with a 'cheese-grate' type element 38 fixed thereto.
~5 The textured surfaces can be provided in a variety of Whys including embedding a course grit in a substantially weather proof matrix material and then applying the resulting mixture to the base to give it a 'gritty' texture. If desired, the 'cheese-grate' type element or the moulded textured finish may be used on both upper and lower surfaces. However, the textured finish must be sufficiently course to provide a satisfactory .
~ .
2~6~
degree of traction.
Also contemplated i5 the use of a 'cheese-grate' element with a roughened surface on both sides so that it can be used as the base with the istraps being attached to either end thereof.
:
,~ ~ , , .
~ 30 ,:~ -: :
~ : 6
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to foot wear, and more particularly to methods of improving the traction of foot wear on icy surfaces.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
It i8, of course, well known that moving about on icy surfaces, such as stairs, side walks and roads and also on oily floors can be hazardous. Traction on icy surfaces is usually provided by sprinkling sand or salt on the ice.
However, sanding and salting is unfortunately not always immediately available or properly applied to icy or slippery surfaces.
Efforts have bean made to provide traction aids to reduce the risk of slipping on slippery surfaces. These include spiked boots or strap-on studded soles. However, these conventional traction aids can be difficult to put on, are awkward to use and must be a specific size to fit particular sized footwear. They ~are also too bulky to be carried around in case a slippery condition arises. They are also not suitable for walking on wood or concrete floors that have become slippery due to spilt oil, etc. There i8 also a risk that the conventional 'strap-on' traction aids will slip alon~ the foot wear, thereby further ~ 30 risking injury.
:; 1 2~39~1 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel means of improving traction for foot wear and one which will obviate or mitigate the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention involves a traction aid for use on an item of foot wear, said foot wear having a sole, said traction aid comprising a base for location against said sole, said base having a pair of opposed roughened surfaces, ona of said roughened surfaces arranged to lie against said sole r and the other surface arranged to lie against a slippery surface, said base having a pair of opposed ends, a pair of strap means each of which is attached to a corresponding end, each of said straps having a free end portion, a pair of fastener means, each of which is attached to a corresponding free encl portion, said base and strap means being relatively thin thereby permitting s~id aid to fit inside a pocket for portability.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of improving traction for footwear, comprising the steps of:
providing a item of footwear with a sole;
~: providing a base for location against said sole;
providing on said base, a pair of opposed roughened ~urface~;
arranging said base so th~t one of said roughened ~urfaces ~ ~ '; : ' ' ~:
2~396~ 1 is to lie against said sole, while the other surface is to lie against a slippery surface, providing said base with a pair of opposed end3;
attaching each one of a pair of strap means to a corresponding end;
providing each of said straps with a free end portion;
attaching each one of a pair of fastener means to a corresponding free end portion; and shaping said base and strap means to be relatively thin thereby permitting base and said strap means to fit inside a pocket for portability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THiE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which: -Z5 Figure 1 is a top plan view of a traction aid;
: : Figure 2 i9 a side view of-the aid illustrated in figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view illustrating the aid of figure 1 in an 30: : operative position, .
~39~1 Figure 4 is a view illu~trating the aid of figure 1 in a storage position, Figure 5 is a perspective view of another traction aid; and Figure 6 i5 a fragmentary perspective view of the aid of figure 5 in another orientation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referrin~ to the figure~, there is provided a traction aid 10 having a base 12 with a pair of opposed ends 12a, 12b. A pair of flexible straps 14, 16, formed for example from elastic strap material, are respectively attached to the opposed ends 12a, 12b.
Each of the straps 14, 16 has a remote end 14a, 16a. Attached to the remote ends are complementary fasteners 18, 20, such as Velcro (a trademark).
The base 12 has a pair of opposed surfaces lZc, 12d. One surface 12c is intended to be placed again~t the sole of an item of footwear, for example a shoe. The other surface 12d i~
intended to be placed ag~inst the ground surface.
.
When not in use, the traction aid 10 can be ea~ily inserted into a waterproof wallet-type container and thus direGtly into the u~er'~ pocket or purse and will occupy a minimum of space.
It i~ easy to put on, ~imply by wrapping the straps 14, 16 around the foot wear and attaching the fasteners 18, 20. The use of 'velcro' or other similar fasteners permits the traction aid 10 to fit snugly on a wide range of foot wear. However, it may be ; appropriate to make several basic sizes, for example, one size : . ' ` - . , : ~ . , ., . ~ , . , . . . .` .: ' :
-` 2Q39~1 for children and another size for adults.
A particular feature of the traction aid 10 is the roughened texture of both surfaces 12c, 12d of the base 12. The textured surface 12d provides traction on slippery surfaces, while the textured surface 12d minimizes the risk of the traction aid 10 slipping along the foot wear.
The base 12 and straps 14 and 16 are in fact portions of a single piece of strap. A suitably course ~nd durable weather-proof sand paper is bonded directly onto the strap.
Another traction aid 30 is illustrated in figures 5 and 6.
In this case, the straps 32, 34 are integrally formed with the ba~e 36 from a mouldcd plastic~ material. The plastic material and the dimensions of the aid 30 should be selected to provide the strap 32, 34 with sufficient flexibility to permit the user to attach and use the aid 30 with a minimum of effort.
The base 36 has an upper surface 36a with a moulded textured finish 36b to provide traction between the sole of the footwear and the aid 30. The base 36 has a lower surface 36b with a 'cheese-grate' type element 38 fixed thereto.
~5 The textured surfaces can be provided in a variety of Whys including embedding a course grit in a substantially weather proof matrix material and then applying the resulting mixture to the base to give it a 'gritty' texture. If desired, the 'cheese-grate' type element or the moulded textured finish may be used on both upper and lower surfaces. However, the textured finish must be sufficiently course to provide a satisfactory .
~ .
2~6~
degree of traction.
Also contemplated i5 the use of a 'cheese-grate' element with a roughened surface on both sides so that it can be used as the base with the istraps being attached to either end thereof.
:
,~ ~ , , .
~ 30 ,:~ -: :
~ : 6
Claims (5)
1. A traction aid for use on an item of foot wear, said foot wear having a sole, said traction aid comprising a base for location against said sole, said base having a pair of opposed roughened surfaces, one of said roughened surfaces arranged to lie against said sole, and the other surface arranged to lie against a slippery surface, said base having a pair of opposed ends, a pair of strap means each of which is attached to a corresponding end, each of said straps having a free end portion, a pair of fastener means, each of which is attached to a corresponding free end portion, said base and strap means being relatively thin thereby permitting said aid to fit inside a pocket for portability.
2. An aid as defined in claim 1 wherein said straps are integrally formed with said base.
3. A aid as defined in claim 1 wherein said roughened surface is provided by a layer of gritty material held in a matrix.
4. A aid as defined in claim 3 wherein said layer of gritty material is provided by a portion of substantially weather proof sandpaper.
5. A method of improving traction for footwear, comprising the steps of:
providing a item of footwear with a sole;
providing a base for location against said sole;
providing on said base, a pair of opposed roughened surfaces;
arranging said base so that one of said roughened surfaces is to lie against said sole, while the other surface is to lie against a slippery surface, providing said base with a pair of opposed ends, attaching each one of a pair of strap means to a corresponding end;
providing each of said straps with a free end portion;
attaching each one of a pair of fastener means to a corresponding free end portion; and shaping said base and strap means to be relatively thin thereby permitting base and said strap means to fit inside a pocket for portability.
providing a item of footwear with a sole;
providing a base for location against said sole;
providing on said base, a pair of opposed roughened surfaces;
arranging said base so that one of said roughened surfaces is to lie against said sole, while the other surface is to lie against a slippery surface, providing said base with a pair of opposed ends, attaching each one of a pair of strap means to a corresponding end;
providing each of said straps with a free end portion;
attaching each one of a pair of fastener means to a corresponding free end portion; and shaping said base and strap means to be relatively thin thereby permitting base and said strap means to fit inside a pocket for portability.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039611 CA2039611A1 (en) | 1991-04-02 | 1991-04-02 | Traction aid |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039611 CA2039611A1 (en) | 1991-04-02 | 1991-04-02 | Traction aid |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2039611A1 true CA2039611A1 (en) | 1992-10-03 |
Family
ID=4147323
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039611 Abandoned CA2039611A1 (en) | 1991-04-02 | 1991-04-02 | Traction aid |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2039611A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5357692A (en) * | 1993-08-23 | 1994-10-25 | Murray Richard F | Portable ice walking assistance device |
| US5485687A (en) * | 1994-03-28 | 1996-01-23 | Rohde; Gilbert | Anti-slip shoe attachment device |
| US5694704A (en) * | 1995-01-05 | 1997-12-09 | Kasbrick; Jerome J. | Removable shoe covering |
| US5737856A (en) * | 1996-10-21 | 1998-04-14 | Brockman; Raymond J. | Removable and replaceable cleat apparatus for footwear |
-
1991
- 1991-04-02 CA CA 2039611 patent/CA2039611A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5357692A (en) * | 1993-08-23 | 1994-10-25 | Murray Richard F | Portable ice walking assistance device |
| US5485687A (en) * | 1994-03-28 | 1996-01-23 | Rohde; Gilbert | Anti-slip shoe attachment device |
| US5694704A (en) * | 1995-01-05 | 1997-12-09 | Kasbrick; Jerome J. | Removable shoe covering |
| US5737856A (en) * | 1996-10-21 | 1998-04-14 | Brockman; Raymond J. | Removable and replaceable cleat apparatus for footwear |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |