US1722840A - Creeper or antislip device for shoes - Google Patents

Description

July 0 1929- I v. c. coNoVER ,7

CREEPER 0R ANTISLIP DEVICE FOR SHOES I File d Feb. 8, 1927 v avwavll oz' 002' afono ver I Patented July 30, 1929' voonHIs CHARLES CONOVER, OF NORTH crAnRYrown, NEW YORK.

CREEPER OR ANTISLIP DEVICE FOR SHOES.

Application filed February 8, 1927.

' sidered in connection with theillustrated forms that are shown in the drawing, wherein, i

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved creeper showing it applied to a shoe; I

Figure 2 is a plan view of the creeper shown in Figure 1, a part of the fastening element therefor being omitted; and

Figure 3 is a side View, in elevation, corresponding to Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing and to i the illustrated embodiment of the invention shown therein, my improved creeper preferably is made of a single piece of rust-proof sheet metal, so that it can readily be bent to engage and hold itself in place on the-sole of a shoe. Herein, I have shown it as comprising a longitudinal strip 11 (see Figure 2), adapted to be held against the bottom of the shoe sole, and extending from the ball of the foot to the toe. Integral with the strip 11 are transverse strips 12 and 13, the transverse strip 12 being somewhat longer than the strip 13 to correspond with the increased width of the shoe sole at the rear end of the strip 11..

As best shown in Figure 8, I prefer to puncture the strips 11, 12 and 13 with numerous holes 1 f providing jagged projections or ends 15 to grip the ice, or other surface. These perforations resemble an ordinary kitchen grater surface, and leave that portion of the strips which engage the bottom of the sole smooth.

In order to provide means for attaching the creeper to the edges of the soles of the shoes of different widths; in other Words, to make the creepers easily adaptable to shoes of different sizes within a limited range, I pro vide upstanding arms or tabs 16 on the ends of the transverse strips 12 and 13, as well as the forward end of the main strip 11. As

Serial No. 166,751.

clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, these arms 16 are bent substantially at right angles to the strips, and at their upper terminals have eyes 17, in the form of loops, bent to receive 7 a strap 18 threaded through all of them, and extending rearwardly to be attached around the rear end of the shoe. strap eyes bent slightly inwardly toward the shoe, and arranged at such height above the perforated strips as to permit them to grip over the top edge of the sole. This arrangement, in some instances, would be adequate for holding the creeper on a shoe, but I prefer to utilize a strap which conveniently may be made of leather or may be elastic, as may seem preferable.

To prevent the ends or edges of the loop eyes 17 from cutting the strip, I prefer to make them slightly curved in contour, so that they present a smooth surface throughout to the strap.

Upon putting on a pair of my improved creepers, the wearer will usually insert, his shoes into the rear ends until the front end of the sole strikes the front tab or arm 16. Then, if the armson the cross strips 12 and 13 do not engage the edges of the soles, he will bend them either by hand or with a suitable tool. so that the creepers will thereafter be adapted to the particular pair of shoes to which'they are applied. Then, the strap or elastic band is secured around the rear end of the shoe by means of a buckle, or other suitable iastening element, to'insure that the creeper will not slip off forwardly from the shoe.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that my improved creeper may be made very easily and economically by cutting and punching operations. Moreover, they are each made of a single piece of sheet metal,

thereby avoiding any assembling operationsof a multiplicity of elements. Further, they can be sold very cheaply, and are very reliable lIl use. I

Having thus described one illustrative-em- I have shown the V branches adapted to engage the edge of the shoe sole, eyes formed on the upper ends of the upstanding arms and adapted to overlap the edges of the sole, and astrap threaded through said eyes to engage the rear portion of the shoe and hold the device thereon, said eyes presenting curved Walls to the strap to prevent the edges thereof from cutting the strap and overlapping the edges of the shoe sole.

In testimony that I olaimthe foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

Voonrns CHARLES ooNovER.

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