US20050145707A1

US20050145707A1 - Multipurpose metal traction device

Info

Publication number: US20050145707A1
Application number: US10/998,205
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Leni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-28
Filing date: 2004-11-26
Publication date: 2005-07-07

Abstract

The present invention is a multipurpose metal traction device and a method of making the same. The invented traction device is made of metal, preferably {fraction (1/16)}″ to ⅛″ thick, preferably with decorative steel chromium alloys, such as stainless steel, or a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum or titanium. The present invention is created by taking a plate of the metal and applying a double-sided adhesive, preferably a high strength tape, to one of the surfaces of the plate or sheet and then cutting through one of the surfaces of the plate or sheet, said markings denoting a decoration. Said adhesive could be placed on the metal plate after the cutting of said plate. A computer could be used to guide the cutting equipment by following a preprogrammed template or path, and as such markings upon one of the surfaces of the plate or sheet would not necessarily be necessary. A plasma cutting torch, laser torch, water jet, punch and die or other cutting equipment is then used to make cuts along the markings made on the surface of the plate or sheet. Cutting the plate or sheet in such a manner results in the creation of openings through the plate, such openings when viewed together forming a decorative pattern and increasing the perimeter length and amount and number of edges available for the sole of the footwear to grip. Patterns that can be created using this method include lettering, silhouettes, and decorative artwork in general. The traction devices themselves can be mounted on any smooth surface providing an artistic decorative non-slip surface that does not require hardware to keep in place.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/525,141 filed on Nov. 28, 2003 entitled Multipurpose metal traction device filed by:

Robert Jason Leni
Citizen of the United States of America
2005A Inglis Way
Roseville, CA 95678

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative metal traction-enhancing device, in particular, to a traction-enhancing device for foot platforms, including sports boards.
The typical sports board, such as a snowboard or mountain board has two bindings that secure the rider to the board. When the rider needs to propel himself along flat terrain it is necessary to remove one foot from its binding and use that foot for propulsion. For short distances it is preferable to have a rest area on the board other than on the binding in order to rest the propulsion foot.
There are existing traction devices for the rest area, such as rubber mats known as stomp pads in a variety of designs, but none of these devices offer the same secure grip, aesthetic quality, or durability, in the same way as that provided by the traction device of present invention.
There is one prior article known that employs the use of adhesive stuck to the back of a rectangular piece of metal plate or sheet to provide traction, however this prior article does not employ the use of decorative cuts to increase the amount of edge or edges available for the sole of the footwear to grip. This existing rectangular piece of metal only has 16 linear inches of edge available for the sole of the footwear to grip. Since this prior article is in the shape of a rectangle it also does not employ the use of inside and outside contours to increase the perimeter length. Also, this prior article does not employ the new method of manufacture invented and instead is made by attaching the adhesive after the manufacture of the metal portion of the traction device. The new invented process reduces the overall manufacturing time of the new multipurpose traction device.
Traction enhancing devices of differing degrees of effectiveness are old and well known in various fields of art for various purposes. The following discussion provides a summary of devices of interest.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,908, issued to Vladimir S. Makarenko on Jan. 10, 1989, is a ski binding device that comprises rest pins attached to ski boots and corresponding holes on the ski for mating with the rest pins, and a lock for restraining the vertical movement of the boot. The device is designed for easily shifting the position of a ski boot on a ski. The differences between the ski binding device and the present invention include, among others, in that the present invention does not require a lock, nor does it restrain vertical movement. A restraint on vertical movement would be detrimental to the functionality of the current invention as a traction device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,091, issued to Michael H. Cook on Nov. 17, 1998, discloses cleats embedded in a flexible base for traction enhancement, especially on ice and snow. The cleats disclosed in the '091 patent differ from the current invention in that the traction device is made of artistically cut metal diamond plate. This design would be detrimental to the functionality of the '091 patent in its effort to gain traction on ice and snow. Also, the current invention is designed to attach to a substantially inflexible base, whereas the '091 invention is designed to be attached to a flexible base.
European Pat. No. 152017, published for Sartor Mariano on Aug. 21, 1985, discloses a heel plate structure for ski boots having a mushroom-shaped element being receivable into a depression. This European Application differs from the present invention in that the present invention does not utilize studs for traction, is not mushroom shaped, and does not have a heel plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,539, issued to James Barnes on Oct. 22, 2002 discloses a metal memorial monument and method for making the same. The metal memorial monument disclosed relates to metal monuments serving as or decorating, a gravestone or memorial and the method of manufacturing said monument. The current invention differs from the '539 patent in that it is not a monument.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,003,0137128A1, issued to Scott W. Raffo on Jul. 24, 2003 discloses a multipurpose traction device consisting of a single or plurality of studs of frustro-conical shape attached to a circular base section. The current invention differs from the multipurpose traction device in that the current invention does not utilize frustro-conical studs or a circular base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multipurpose metal traction device and method of making the same wherein the traction device comprises decorative holes and inside and outside contours comprising the outside and inside edges in the traction device. Said holes and contours effectively increase the inside and outside perimeter length and ratio of edge to surface area and the amount of edge or edges for enhancing traction between a person's footwear and the surface the person is standing upon, such as a platform or a sports board rider=s boot upon a sports board. With regard to the sports board application, a sports board typically has a top and bottom surface, and two bindings attached to the top surface. The multipurpose traction device typically consists of a plate of metal with adhesive attached to one surface with the plate cut in a decorative manner such that the perimeter=s contains both inside and outside contours and having at least 25 inches or more of edge for the sole of the footwear to grip. The inside and outside contours combine to increase the perimeter=s length of the traction edges of the multipurpose metal traction device. The inside and outside contours can include constant radius curves and variable radius curves, as well as sharp corners. Inside contours are opened away from the traction device and outside contours enclose the traction device. For example a rectangle, oval and circle only have outside contours on the external perimeter that enclose the surface area. By combining the use of inside and outside contours the traction length can be lengthened to provide more edge for the sole of the footwear to grip. In addition, the method of manufacture can include the placing of adhesive onto the plate of metal prior to the cutting of said traction device.
When a sports board rider positions his boot on top of a metal plate cut in a decorative manner with the outside perimeter having both inside and outside contours, the edges of the plate interact with the sole of the boot. The cut edges on the plate provide a rough surface for the boot to grip. This gives the sports board rider greater control of the board. These effects are seen where the multipurpose traction device is applied to other platforms, such as a ladder rung, boat, bicycle pedal, or stair step.
Cutting both the adhesive and metal plate at the same time can significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of creating the current invention.
The present invention is created by taking a plate of metal and attaching a double-sided adhesive to one of the surfaces of said metal plate and then making markings upon a surface of the plate or adhesive, said markings denoting a decoration. A water jet, plasma cutting torch, laser torch, punch and die, or other cutting equipment is then used to make cuts along the markings drawn on the surface of the plate or sheet. Rather than making markings upon the surface of the plate or sheet, a computer controlled cutting instrument could be used to follow a pattern from a preprogrammed template of a program. Cutting the plate in such a manner results in the creation of openings through the plate, said openings, when viewed together, forming a decorative pattern with inside and outside contours that increase the traction length and the amount of edge or edges on the material. Patterns that can be created using this method include lettering, silhouettes, and decorative artwork in general. The openings may represent a design of interest (for example, a flower, animal, likeness of a person, a tree, a landscape, a fish, a fraternal organization emblem, a cross, a star, a logo, an advertisement, or other design) either in the positive or negative, that is, with the object, person, or emblem cut out or with the background of the object person or emblem cut out. For instance a multipurpose metal traction device could be created having a logo of a company cutout to be placed on said company's snowboards or the stair steps at a company's place of business.
The traction devices themselves can be mounted on any smooth flat surface.
Accordingly, it is a principle object of the invention to provide improved traction between a sports board and the sole of a boot and reduced manufacturing time providing great cost savings of multipurpose traction devices.
It is a further object to disclose a device for improving the traction of footwear upon a variety of slick surfaces, such as ice, snow, mud, concrete, and metallic and non-metallic surfaces.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
It is another object of the invention to improve the aesthetics of surfaces needing traction.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a blank plate of metal.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a blank plate of metal and a blank piece of adhesive.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the multipurpose metal traction device attached to a snowboard according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multipurpose metal traction device 100 and a method of making the same comprised of a single or plurality of metal plates 110 which, as seen in FIG. 1, have decorative cutouts 120 as seen in FIG. 2 with inside contours 132 and outside contours 134, that effectively increases the traction length and the amount of edge or edges 130 to 25 inches or more.
The plate 110 is cut from a plate of metal, preferably {fraction (1/16)}″ to ⅛″ thick. Steel=s chromium alloys such as stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, such as Aluminum and Titanium are preferred for their durability and greater resistance to weathering and corrosion than ordinary steel or iron. Adhesive 150 in the form of tape or glue is placed on a planar surface of the plate or sheet metal prior to cutting. The manufacturer may also choose to use a textured metal, such as diamond plate or decking, rather than a smooth metal for its additional traction benefits and aesthetic qualities.
Preferably, a computer controlled cutting instrument would be used to cut the traction device out of the plate or sheet of metal. The computer controlled cutting instrument could be programmed to follow a preprogrammed template or path, thereby cutting along a path programmed into the computer but not actually marked upon the surface of the plate or sheet 110. The markings or path can comprise lettering, numbering, silhouettes, and other decorative patterns all of which are comprised of inside contours 132 and outside contours 134. Such cuts are completely through the plate or sheet 110, however texture and detail can be added by making additional, thin cuts through the plate or sheet 110 or etching or engraving the surface of the plate or sheet 110.
The cuts along the preprogrammed path result in waste scraps of metal, which are discarded, and a plate 110 having a new decorative shape with or without openings 160 cut in the shape of the preprogrammed path of the computer controlled cutting instrument leaving a decorative traction device with increased inside and outside perimeter=s length.
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are isometric views of two of many envisioned multipurpose decorative metal traction devices. The perimeter length and amount of edge or edges 130 is increased by the cutting path or template through the use of combining inside contours 132 and outside contours 134.
FIG. 3 is an isometric exploded view of a metal plate or sheet 110 and the adhesive 150 placed prior to the cutting of said metal plate. By placing the adhesive 150 on the metal plate 110 before cutting commences, assembly time of the multipurpose traction device is eliminated and significant cost savings is achieved.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the multipurpose decorative metal traction device attached to a snowboard according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view of a snowboard 170 with the multipurpose decorative metal traction device attached 100. Typically the bottom surface of the traction device will be attached to the top surface of a snowboard or other smooth surface.
Although the multipurpose decorative metal traction device 100 is described with reference to a snowboard, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the multipurpose decorative metal traction device 100 may be used with any surface where improved traction is desired, e.g. mountain boards, snow skates, snow decks, ladder rungs, bike pedals, stair steps, boats, RV units and other foot platforms.
In addition to the usefulness as a traction enhancing device, the multipurpose decorative metal traction device 110 is also an aesthetically pleasing logo, advertisement, or piece of artwork that can be displayed on surfaces not requiring traction.

Claims

1. A multipurpose traction device comprising in combination:

A planar metal plate,

said plate cut in a decorative pattern,

said plate having edges defining a perimeter or perimeters of said plate,

said perimeter=s including both inside contours and outside contours, such that the length of said perimeter=s is increased, thereby increasing the effective amount of edge or edges available to grip the sole of the users footwear; and

a fastener to couple said plate to a surface selected to have its traction enhanced.

2. The multipurpose traction device of claim 1, wherein said external edges including both inside contours and outside contours such that a length of said perimeter=s is increased to more than 25 inches in length.

3. The multipurpose traction device of claim 2, wherein said inside and outside contours include inside corners.

4. The multipurpose traction device of claim 3, wherein said inside corners include inside curves.

5. The multipurpose traction device of claim 4, wherein said inside curves include circular curves with a constant radius of curvature.

6. The multipurpose traction device of claim 4, wherein said inside curves include irregular curves with a variable radius of curvature.

7. The multipurpose traction device of claim 1, wherein one surface of the traction device is attached to a foot platform or any smooth surface.

8. The multipurpose traction device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of traction devices,

said plurality of tractions devices having more than 25 inches of perimeter=s length.

9. The multipurpose traction device of claim 1, wherein one surface of the traction device is attached by adhesive or tape, rivet, screw, bolt, glue, or nail.

10. A sports board traction device, comprising:

A board having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface being adapted for movement over a surface; and

a single or plurality of traction devices disposed on the top surface of the board, wherein each traction device comprises a planar metal plate, said plate cut in a decorative pattern, said plate having edges defining a perimeter of said plate, said perimeter=s including both inside contours and outside contours, such that the length of said perimeter=s is increased, thereby increasing the effective amount of edge or edges to 25 inches or more available to grip the sole of the users footwear; and a fastener to couple said plate to a surface selected to have its traction enhanced

11. The sports board traction device of claim 10, wherein the board is constructed and configured for movement over snow.

12. The sports board traction device of claim 10, wherein the board is constructed and configured for movement over a hard surface.

13. The sports board traction device of claim 10, wherein the board is constructed and configured for movement over water.

14. The multipurpose traction device mounted on surfaces not requiring traction for the purpose of artistic expression or advertisement.

15. A method of making a metal multipurpose traction device comprising the steps of:

Taking a plate of metal having at least one planar face;

Attaching adhesive to one of the surfaces of the metal plate or sheet;

marking said face of said plate with marks denoting a pattern;

cutting through said plate along said marks to form openings in the shape of said pattern.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein adhesive is attached to the plate or sheet prior to cutting said plate or sheet with a computer controlled laser cutter.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein adhesive is attached to the plate or sheet prior to cutting said plate or sheet with a computer controlled water jet.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein adhesive is attached to the plate or sheet prior to cutting said plate or sheet with a computer controlled plasma torch.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein adhesive is attached to the plate or sheet prior to cutting said plate or sheet with a punch and die.