U.S. patent application number 10/458916 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-11 for detachable noise reduction and traction enhancing element for footwear.
Invention is credited to Carlton, L. Wayne.
Application Number | 20030226281 10/458916 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29715460 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030226281 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carlton, L. Wayne |
December 11, 2003 |
Detachable noise reduction and traction enhancing element for
footwear
Abstract
An appliance for modifying the traction and noise generating
characteristics of footwear, including a traction element,
typically constructed of felt material, and an attachment system
adapted to anchor the traction element to the bottom surface of
footwear to restrain the traction element from longitudinal and
transverse movement with respect to the footwear.
Inventors: |
Carlton, L. Wayne;
(Montrose, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRIAN C. TRASK
3601 EAST HERMES DRIVE
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84124
US
|
Family ID: |
29715460 |
Appl. No.: |
10/458916 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60386993 |
Jun 10, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 15/10 20130101;
A43B 3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/7.6 |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An appliance for modifying the traction characteristics of
footwear, comprising a traction element constructed of felt
material; and an attachment system adapted releasably to anchor
said traction element to the bottom surface of said footwear, said
system being constructed and arranged to restrain said traction
element from transverse movement with respect to said bottom
surface.
2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein: said attachment system
comprises: a forward harness system arranged to interface with a
toe portion of said footwear; and a rear harness system arranged to
interface with a rear portion of said footwear.
3. The appliance of claim 2, wherein: said forward harness system
comprises a plurality of forward straps operably arranged to adjust
for a size of said footwear to embrace said toe portion between
said forward straps and a top surface of said traction element.
4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein: said rear harness system
comprises a spacer element disposed between said traction element
and an adjustable length restriction element.
5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein: said traction element
comprises a plurality of traction spikes.
6. The appliance of claim 2, wherein: said forward harness system
is mechanically fastened to said traction element.
7. The appliance of claim 2, wherein: said forward harness system
is adhesively bonded to said traction element.
8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein: said appliance comprises
structure arranged to carry a deliberately applied masking
scent.
9. A noise modifying element, for use in conjunction with footwear
having a sole, comprising: a traction element constructed of a
material that is softer, on an applicable hardness scale, compared
to material forming said sole; and an attachment system comprising
a plurality of straps adapted releasably to anchor said traction
element against undue movement with respect to said sole.
10. The traction modifying element of claim 9, wherein: said
attachment system is constructed and arranged to restrain said
traction element from transverse movement with respect to said
sole.
11. The traction modifying element of claim 9, wherein: said
traction element comprises a prismatic section of felt
material.
12. The traction modifying element of claim 9, wherein: said
attachment system comprises: a forward harness system arranged to
hold a toe portion of said footwear; and a rear harness system
arranged to hold a rear portion of said footwear.
13. In a waterproof boot having a sole, the improvement comprising:
a removable, traction-modifying oversole operably associable with
said sole to resist transverse motion of said oversole relative to
said sole.
14. The improvement of claim 13, wherein: said oversole comprises a
material that is deformable to conform, at least in-part, to a
shape of a rock on which a wearer of said boot may stand.
15. The improvement of claim 14, wherein: said oversole is affixed
to said boot, operably to resist transverse motion with respect to
a traction surface of said boot, by way of an adjustable strap
system.
16. The improvement of 15, wherein: said strap system comprises: a
forward harness system arranged to hold a toe portion of said boot;
and a rear harness system arranged to hold a rear portion of said
boot.
17. The improvement of claim 16, wherein: said rear harness system
comprises a flexible spacer element disposed between said oversole
and an adjustable length restriction element operable to encircle
an ankle area of said boot to resist accidental extraction of a
user's foot from inside said boot.
18. The improvement of claim 17, wherein: said forward harness
system comprises: a first strap disposed near a first edge of said
oversole; a second strap disposed near a second edge of said
oversole; and means to adjust an enclosing space, in which to
receive said toe portion, defined in-part by said first strap, said
second strap, and a portion of said oversole.
19. The improvement of claim 18, wherein: said oversole comprises a
prismatic member formed from a thickness of a nonwoven
material.
20. The improvement of claim 19, wherein: said prismatic member
comprises a section of felt mat.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of the filing date of Provisional Application Serial No.
60/386,993, filed Jun. 10, 2002, for "DETACHABLE TRACTION ELEMENT
FOR FOOTWEAR".
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to footwear, and particularly to
friction soles for footwear used in sporting and working
environments. It provides a detachable traction element which may
be attached to shoes or boots to provide friction characteristics
matched to changing circumstances of use.
[0004] 2. State of the Art
[0005] The traction and noise generating characteristics of the
sole components of footwear are of particular significance in
certain special purpose applications. The soles of shoes and boots
used for hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor pursuits, for
example, are conventionally constructed of materials regarded as
generally suitable for their intended environments of use. Those
materials are often not ideal for all use conditions, however.
Similar problems are presented by the soles of footwear used in
certain occupations, notably by roofers, warehousemen, construction
workers, members of Special Forces or SWAT teams, and others
confronted by changing or otherwise challenging use conditions. For
instance, it would be an improvement if footwear worn by Special
Forces teams could be quickly modified to dampen noise generated
while running on concrete, to reduce likelihood of alerting a
survailance target. In a similar application, hunters would benefit
from a device operable to reduce boot-generated noise during a
stalking attempt.
[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,023,859; 5,996,252; 5,799,418; 5,600,902;
5,024,008; 4,924,608; and 3,903,620 all relate generally to
expedients for enhancing the traction or noise generating
characteristics of specialized footwear. The disclosures of these
patents are incorporated by reference in this disclosure for their
respective teachings concerning the construction of footwear, the
special needs of certain use applications, and the materials
generally available to innovators in the field of footwear design.
It is known to apply supplemental soles to the bottom contact
surfaces of boots. Such supplemental soles are intended to improve
the traction characteristics of the boots for use in specific
circumstances. Relatively thin and stiff felt soles are sometimes
glued to the bottoms of "rubber" hip boots or waders, for example.
As used herein, the term "rubber" is intended to include any
material having properties similar to those of natural rubber,
including synthetic rubbers and other materials regarded by the
consumer as being rubber or rubber-like.
[0007] Available devices operable to change the characteristics of
commercially available footwear suffer from certain limitations.
The aformentioned glue-on felt wader soles provide a generally
stiff felt sole to provide increased wear and longer life of the
sole. However, the footprint of the felt sole is in conformance
with the size of the boot sole, and therefore provides a minimal
area for developing traction. The hard felt sole geerally fails to
conform adequately to certain rock surfaces to generate a desired
amount of traction. Devices constructed according to the disclosure
of the '418 patent are known detrimentally to increase the
temperature of a foot inside a boot on which such device is
mounted, can actually impair traction by providing a slippery fur
traction surface, and even fail to stay in an installed position on
a boot that is placed into aggressive service, such as in climbing
a hill.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a novel appliance for
modifying the traction characteristics of footwear. The appliance
of this invention is particularly useful in connection with hunting
boots, hiking boots, "rubber" overshoes and waders of the type used
by fishermen, hunters or others, while wading streams or traversing
other submerged areas. Certain embodiments of the invention can
reduce noise made while stalking prey. It is equally useful with
shoes or footwear used in contexts other than outdoor sports, such
as to reduce noise generated by heel strikes when running on
concrete.
[0009] The appliance of this invention is generally configured as a
sole element with suitable connection mechanisms to firmly and
reliably, although temporarily, fix the sole element against the
normal traction surface of footwear. The traction and noise
generating characteristics of the thus-modified footwear thereby
become those of the sole element. The characteristics contributed
by the removable sole will be dependant upon several factors,
including the physical properties of the materials of construction
of the sole and its dimensions.
[0010] Various materials of construction are within contemplation,
and proper selection depends, in part, upon the particular
application of interest. In the case of hip boots or waders, a
relatively soft and thick felt material is presently preferred to
improve over even commercially available waders having felt soles.
"Softer" and/or thicker materials are currently preferred for
traction elements attached to waders or hip boots, because they
provide improved traction on submerged rocky surfaces. "Dry land"
applications may also benefit from a more thick and soft traction
element, although thinner and stiffer soles are operable in certain
cases.
[0011] Ideally, the traction element provides a larger footprint
than is provided by the original contact surface of the footwear to
which the traction element is attached. The thus-enlarged contact
surface provides increased traction and stability.
[0012] The traction element may be held against the bottom, or
contact surface of the original sole of the original footwear by
any convenient system of straps, laces, elastic bands and/or
comparable flexible strands. It is important that the attachment
system hold the traction element against undue movement in any
transverse direction. The term "transverse" is intended to include
any direction generally parallel the bottom of the original
sole.
[0013] Presently preferred coupling arrangements include a forward
component, comprising flexible straps anchored to the top of the
traction element in a pattern arranged to enclose the toe portion
of the foot enclosure of a boot or shoe. A forward most portion of
this component (usually, a single strap) firmly engages the forward
most portion of the foot enclosure. A rear component is similarly
constructed and arranged to capture the heel of the foot enclosure.
This rear component preferably includes a flexible link, connecting
an ankle strap to the heel-capturing elements. One flexible link
can be constructed as a "crow's foot" operable to resist lateral
motion of the footwear's heel. When the ankle strap is positioned
around the ankle portion of a foot enclosure, such as a boot, or
even of the ankle of the user, forward movement of the foot
enclosure with respect to the traction element is inhibited.
[0014] Straps, or structure of a retainer system, may incorporate
various mechanisms for making an adjustment in length to retain the
traction element in engagement with a foot enclosure, such as a
boot or wader. For example, an ankle strap may pass through an
aperture to double back on itself to be secured by a hook and loop
closure system. One operable hook-and-loop closure system that is
commercially available is commonly designated Velcro.TM.. Buckles,
including quick-release buckles, may also be utilized in an
adjustable retainer system.
[0015] Various modifications can be incorporated into the invention
to provide special characteristics. For example, scent pads may be
attached to or mounted within the traction element for hunting
applications. Scent may even be applied directly, such as by
spraying or pouring, to the traction element in certain cases.
Cleats or spikes may be mounted to protrude from the bottom of the
traction element. It is practical to provide the appliances of this
invention in coordinated sets, such as varying in thickness or some
other characteristic, thereby enabling a user to select traction
characteristics appropriate for changing conditions of use.
[0016] One embodiment of the invention can be described, in general
terms, as an appliance for modifying the traction characteristics
of footwear. Such an appliance typically includes a traction
element, or oversole, which can be constructed of felt material.
Oversoles can be characterized as prismatic members, typically
providing a larger footprint than the footwear. An attachment
system is provided releasably to anchor the traction element to the
bottom surface of footwear. Desirably, the attachment system is
constructed and arranged to restrain the traction element from
undue transverse movement with respect to the bottom surface of the
footwear.
[0017] A currently preferred attachment system includes a forward
harness system arranged to interface with a toe portion of the
footwear, and a rear harness system arranged to interface with a
rear portion of the footwear. The forward and rear harness systems
can be mechanically fastened, adhesively bonded, or both, to the
traction element. In one preferred embodiment, a forward harness
system includes a plurality of forward straps operably arranged to
adjust for a size of inserted footwear, and can adjust to embrace a
toe portion of the footwear between the forward straps and a top
surface of the traction element. A preferred rear harness system
includes a spacer element disposed between the traction element and
an adjustable length restriction element that can adjust to a size
of an ankle area. The spacer element can also serve to resist
lateral heel motion of the wearer's boot with respect to the
traction element. The restriction element additionally can be
arranged operably to resist accidental extraction of a user's foot
from inside the footwear.
[0018] Some traction elements, or oversoles, can include a
plurality of traction spikes to augment traction over a variety of
terrain. Certain traction enhancing appliances include structure
arranged to carry a deliberately applied masking scent. Sometimes
the traction element is employed directly to carry the scent. In
any case, a traction element is typically constructed of a material
that is softer, on an applicable hardness scale such as Vickers,
Brinell, Rockwell, Mohs, Durometer, or Shore, compared to material
forming the sole of the footwear.
[0019] The invention is particularly useful when embodied as an
oversole for use in combination with a waterproof boot, such as hip
boots, or waist-high or chest-high waders. In such case, the
oversole augments traction capability of the waterproof boot's
sole. The traction-modifying oversole is simply associated with the
sole, typically by way of an adjustable strap system, to resist
transverse motion of the oversole relative to a traction surface
the sole.
[0020] One exemplary strap system useful in application to waders
includes a forward harness system arranged to hold a toe portion of
the boot, and a rear harness system arranged to hold a rear portion
of the boot. A currently preferred forward harness system includes
a first strap disposed near a first edge of the oversole, a second
strap disposed near a second edge of the oversole, and means to
adjust an enclosing space, in which to receive the toe portion,
defined in-part by the first strap, the second strap, and a portion
of the oversole. A preferred rear harness system includes a
flexible spacer element disposed between the oversole and an
adjustable length restriction element operable to encircle an ankle
area of the boot. The restriction element may also operate to
resist accidental extraction of a user's foot from inside the
waterproof boot. In particular, such a restriction element is
particularly beneficial in use with rubber hip boots. Desirably,
the oversole includes a material that is deformable to conform, at
least in-part, to a shape of a rock on which a wearer of the
waterproof boot may stand. Operable oversoles can be formed as
prismatic members removed from a thickness of a nonwoven material,
such as felt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In the drawings, which illustrate what are currently
considered to be the best modes for carrying out the invention:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention attached
to a hunting boot;
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 mounted to a
rubber hip boot;
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment, which utilizes
laces as a portion of the connection system; and
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-section through an alternative traction
element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the invention,
generally indicated at 11, can be attached to a hunting boot 12.
The traction element 13 typically is manufactured from a thick felt
material, although a variety of other materials are also suitable.
Woven and nonwoven materials are operable, and an arrangement
including a plurality of laminated, or otherwise stacked, layers
may be preferred in certain cases. It has been determined that felt
made from natural and/or synthetic materials is operable. While not
generally critical to operation of the invention, the felt material
will typically range between about 1/4 inches to about 1 inch in
thickness. Traction elements 13 generally are cut from planar
sheets of a felt-type of material having a substantially uniform
thickness. Any operable manufacturing technique can be used to cut
individual traction elements 13 from the bulk sheet, including
cutting with scissors or water jet, and die punching.
[0027] An operable traction element 13 desirably provides a measure
of cushioning from, and conformity to, elements such as rocks
encountered underfoot. A traction element 13 is softer, on an
applicable hardness scale, compared to material forming a sole of a
boot, such as a rubber hip wader, on which the device 11 may be
worm. Traction element 13 generally enhances traction on slippery
surfaces, such as mossy rocks, and can muffle or reduce noise made
when a wearer steps on stones, dirt, twigs and dry sticks. In
general, traction element 13 can be regarded as a removable,
traction-modifying oversole that beneficially dampens noise related
to walking. In contrast, a glued-on felt sole, commonly found on
certain types of waterproof boots, is regarded as being permanently
attached to the boot.
[0028] In certain instances, the traction element 13 can conform to
the shape of a stick to resist breaking that stick as a wearer
steps on the stick. The sound generated by a breaking stick will,
most likely, be considerably muffled by the traction element 13.
Certain embodiments of the traction element also can muffle, or
reduce, the audible noise made by a heel strike upon the ground.
The invention can be embodied to be operable to reduce noise
generated by running on concrete or stalking through dry gravel. In
most cases, a traction element 13 will present a larger size
footprint to the ground than the footwear's own footprint size.
Larger sized traction elements 13 generally provide increased
traction and stability to the wearer of the augmented footwear.
[0029] Several forward strap lengths 20 may be included in a
forward harness arrangement, generally indicated at 22, which can
be adjusted to grip firmly against the toe 23 of the boot 12 or 30,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Straps 20 typically are manufactured
from lengths of a fabric webbing, such as cotton or nylon webbing.
However, other materials are operable as a strap, nonexclusively
including sections formed from leather, rubber, and flexible
composites of two or more materials. An operable forward harness
can be arranged as a substantially enclosed cage or housing having
a rearward-facing major aperture into which a toe end of footwear
can be inserted. Such a cage desirably operates similar to a
Chinese finger-puzzle to hold an inserted toe portion of footwear.
In connection with waterproof boots, one advantage provided by a
retainer harness formed from straps, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3,
is that the appliance 11 inherently contains void areas adapted for
draining water when the user moves to dry ground. A harness system
desirably is rugged, to withstand abrasion from contact with ground
elements, and to resist water currents.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, forward harness system 22 is
arranged to embrace a forward, or toe portion, of footwear, such as
hunting boot 12, between the straps 20 and the traction element 13.
Straps 20 preferably are mechanically fastened to a traction
element 13, such as by sewing, or riveting. Alternatively, straps
20 can be affixed to a traction element 13 by adhesive bonding
techniques. However, it is further recognized that a combination of
adhesive and mechanical elements may be employed to attach a strap
20 to a traction element 13.
[0031] An alternative forward harness arrangement can be made from
metal, or other materials. One example of a forward harness system
including a metal component is a forward harness having a wire bale
adapted for reception at a welt area of a boot toe 23. Such a bale
is commonly employed, for example, on certain models of crampons.
As a different alternative, one or more metal bands or fabric
straps can be arranged to form a pliable restraint that closes down
as footwear is further inserted in a forward direction into captive
engagement in the pliable restraint.
[0032] A rear harness arrangement, generally indicated at 25, may
be regarded as capturing the heel of the boot 12, or a rear portion
of the footwear. Rear harness arrangement 25 typically includes a
spacer element 26 connected to an ankle strap 27 that desirably is
adjustable in length. Ankle strap 27 can be regarded as one
embodiment of an adjustable length restriction element. The
restriction element 27 may also operate to resist accidental
extraction of a user's foot from inside a waterproof boot. In
particular, such a restriction element 27 is particularly
beneficial in use with waders having a boot-foot, such as rubber
hip boot 30. In such service, it is beneficial to be able to cinch
down, or to reduce in circumference, strap 27 to resist lifting of
a user's heel relative to the boot. Rear harness 25 can be affixed
to a traction element 13 with the same techniques used for the
forward harness 22. It is within contemplation for an alternative
rear harness to include a spacer holding a toggling buckle for
interface of a buckle element with a welt area at a rear of
footwear, such as a boot 12.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 mounted to a
rubber hip boot 30. FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment,
generally indicated at 40, which utilizes laces 44 as a portion of
the footwear-connection system. Closing and adjusting mechanisms
associated with harness arrangements operable to hold a traction
element in association with a particular size footwear include
buckles of all types, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro.TM.,
and friction mechanisms.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section through an alternative
traction element, generally indicated at 50. Traction element 50
includes a plurality of traction spikes 52 arranged to protrude
from a bottom surface of traction sole 13. Spikes 52 can be affixed
to the traction element 50 using the illustrated mechanical
interference fit, or by any other operable construction techniques
known in the art of shoemaking. A plurality of traction spikes 52
can be arranged into any desired pattern distributed in any
operable configuration over the footprint area defined by traction
sole 13. A rivet holding a strap 20, or a spacer 26, affixed to the
traction element 13 can also be arranged to operate as a spike
52.
[0035] An appliance 11 can be arranged to carry a deliberately
applied masking scent. A scent-carrying pad can be attached to the
appliance 11, or the traction element 13 can sometimes operate to
carry the applied scent.
[0036] Appliances 11 typically are manufactured in a range of sizes
to accommodate footwear of different sizes. However, each size of
appliance 11 desirably will accommodate a selected range in size of
footwear. The forward and rear attachment assemblies, 22 and 25
respectively, desirably adjust in a size or a length to fit the
appliance to footwear of various sizes.
[0037] While the invention has been described in particular with
reference to certain illustrated embodiments, such is not intended
to limit the scope of the invention. The present invention may be
embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit
or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be
considered in all respects only as illustrative and not
restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by
the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All
changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
* * * * *