U.S. patent application number 10/371938 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-26 for boot traction enhancement system and method of making enhanced traction boots.
Invention is credited to Loughran, Frank.
Application Number | 20040163190 10/371938 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32868447 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040163190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Loughran, Frank |
August 26, 2004 |
Boot traction enhancement system and method of making enhanced
traction boots
Abstract
A method and device are presented for forming areas of enhanced
traction on boots, particularly fishing boots. The method includes
the method of applying adhesive and hardened particles to the
adhesive onto a boot. The method can also be used as part of the
process of fabricating a boot or as a kit to apply to an existing
boot.
Inventors: |
Loughran, Frank; (Kooskia,
ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DYKAS, SHAVER & NIPPER, LLP
P.O. BOX 877
802 WEST BANNOCK STREET, SUITE 405
BOISE
ID
83701
US
|
Family ID: |
32868447 |
Appl. No.: |
10/371938 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
12/146B ;
36/59R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43D 999/00 20130101;
B29D 35/142 20130101; A43B 13/26 20130101; A43B 5/08 20130101; A43B
13/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
012/146.00B ;
036/059.00R |
International
Class: |
A43C 015/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of treating boots for increased traction, comprising
the steps of: selecting an area of a previously fabricated shoe or
boot for formation of a gripping surface; applying an adhesive
material to said selected area of said shoe or boot; applying a
gripping material comprised of hard granules to said adhesive
before said adhesive cures; allowing said adhesive with embedded
gripping material to cure, forming a gripping surface on said shoe
or boot, whereby said gripping surface aids in reducing slipping on
wet surfaces.
2. The method of making boots of claim 1, which further includes
the step of providing a shoe or boot specifically made for fishing,
for treatment by the method.
3. The method of making boots of claim 1, which further includes
the step of providing sand as the gripping material, for embedding
in said adhesive material.
4. The method of making boots of claim 1, which further includes
the step of providing garnet particles as the gripping material,
for embedding in said adhesive.
5. The method of making boots of claim 1, which includes the step
of embedding said gripping material in said adhesive material so
that said hard granules partially protrude from said adhesive
material.
6. A method of making an enhanced traction fishing boot, comprising
the steps of: selecting an area of a previously fabricated shoe or
boot configured for fishing for formation of a gripping surface;
applying an adhesive material to said selected area of said shoe or
boot; applying a gripping material comprised of garnet granules to
said adhesive before said adhesive cures; allowing said adhesive
with embedded gripping material to cure, forming a gripping surface
on said shoe or boot, whereby said gripping surface increases
traction of said shoe or boot on wet surfaces.
7. The method of making boots of claim 6, which further includes
the step of using sand as the gripping material, for embedding in
said adhesive material.
8. The method of making boots of claim 6, which further includes
the step of providing garnet particles as the gripping material,
for embedding in said adhesive.
9. The method of making boots of claim 6, which includes the step
of embedding said gripping material in said adhesive material so
that said hard granules partially protrude from said adhesive
material.
10. A method of making an enhanced traction fishing boot,
comprising the steps of: fabricating a shoe or boot upper;
fabricating a shoe or boot lower with a sole embedded with hard
particles in a selected area for formation of a gripping surface;
attaching said boot lower to said boot upper, so that said gripping
surface is oriented to increase traction of said shoe or boot on
wet surfaces.
11. The method of making boots of claim 10, which further includes
the step of using sand as the gripping material, for embedding in
said adhesive material.
12. The method of making boots of claim 10, which further includes
the step of providing garnet particles as the gripping material,
for embedding in said adhesive.
13. The method of making boots of claim 10, which includes the step
of embedding said gripping material in said adhesive material so
that said hard granules partially protrude from said adhesive
material.
14. A boot traction enhancement system, for enhancing traction of a
fishing boot, which comprises: an adhesive material for application
to a fishing boot sole; a quantity of hardened particles for
application to said adhesive material; wherein said adhesive is
configured for application as a liquid to said fishing boot sole,
and is configured for adherence to said fishing boot sole, and
after application said adhesive is of a texture suitable for
securing of said quantity of hardened particles when they are
applied to said adhesive, with said adhesive formulated to cure
with said embedded hardened particles embedded therein and to
adhere securely to said fishing boot sole.
15. The boot enhancement system of claim 13, in which said gripping
material is sand, and said sand is embedded in said adhesive for
increased traction.
16. The boot traction enhancement system of claim 13, in which said
gripping material is garnet particles, and said garnet particles
are embedded in said adhesive for increased traction.
17. The boot traction enhancement system of claim 13, in which said
gripping material is comprised of hard granules which partially
protrude from said adhesive material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to boot soles and
methods of making boot soles, and more particularly relates to a
system and method for making enhanced traction boot soles
especially for fishing boots.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] It has been a long-standing problem that shoes and boots
need to have the best grip possible so that the user can travel
over rough and slippery ground without loosing his/her footing. One
of the areas in which this has been most necessary is for
fishermen, who are often stepping on submerged rocks, which have
been made smooth by the flow of water and have been made
additionally hard to stand on due to a layer of algae or slime that
can form in a stream.
[0005] Various methods have been employed to enhance the traction
of boots and shoes, especially for purposes of fishing. The fishing
boots referred to can be fishing waders, which comprise boots
attached to pants that typically extend to mid-thigh or chest.
Other fishing boots are approximately ankle high boots that are
worn on the outside of waterproof waders. The waterproof waders can
extend to the waist or chest. Boots for fishing have attempted to
increase the traction for the user by having a sole made of felt.
The felt has many fibrous connections and is thought to greatly
increase the traction on slippery surfaces.
[0006] Another traction device is through the use of a high
traction imprinted pattern on the sole of the boot. This can be in
the form of ridges, grooves, protruding nubbins or blocks, or any
number of surface textures built into the bottom of the boot. All
of these attempts to improve the traction of the boot are useful,
but further increase in traction is needed.
[0007] Another attempt at increasing the traction of the boots is
to have a material that is harder than the boot surface protruding
from the boot. This can be by screw-in metal studs or by metal
protrusions that attach to the sole in some way. Metal protrusions
or studs can increase traction in some situations, but a further
increase in traction is needed.
[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an increased
traction surface for boots or shoes, particularly fishing boots, in
which hard particles are bonded to the sole of the boot and in
which the hard particles protrude for increased traction. The
method and device of the invention is also intended to be
replaceable, and may be built into the original manufacture of the
boot, or may be added as an amendment to the existing boot.
[0009] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may
be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention includes a method for treating boots for
increased traction. This method of treating boots includes the step
of first selecting an area of a previously fabricated boot or shoe
on which to fashion a gripping surface. The next step involves
applying an adhesive material to the selected area of the shoe or
boot. The next step involves applying a gripping material made of
hard granules to the adhesive before the adhesive cures. The final
step in the process is allowing the adhesive with the embedded
gripping material to cure thus forming a gripping surface on the
bottom of the shoe or boot. This gripping surface aids in reducing
slippage upon wet surfaces.
[0011] The shoe or boot used in this method can also be a shoe or
boot that is specifically made for fishing, such as a fishing wader
or a boot that is worn with a fishing wader.
[0012] Sand may be used as the gripping material and is embedded in
the adhesive before it is cured. The gripping material can also be
formed from garnet particles, which would be embedded in the
adhesive before it cures. Other hard granules can also be used.
[0013] One method of embedding the gripping material in the
adhesive is to push the gripping material partly into the adhesive
so that the hard granules partly protrude from the adhesive
material and provide an enhanced traction gripping surface.
[0014] The invention also includes a method of making an enhanced
traction fishing boot that includes the steps of selecting an area
of a previously fabricated boot or shoe for formation of a gripping
surface, applying an adhesive material to the gripping surface,
applying a gripping material to the adhesive before the adhesive
cures, and allowing the adhesive with the embedded gripping
material to cure. This process forms a gripping surface on the
fishing shoe, whereby the gripping surface increases the surface of
the fishing shoe or boot on wet surfaces. This method can also be
utilized with sand, garnet particles, or other hard particles, and
the hard particles can be left partially protruding from the
adhesive.
[0015] The invention also includes a method of manufacturing a boot
or fishing boot, which includes the steps of fabricating an upper,
fabricating a lower in which the sole is embedded with hard
particles in a selected area to form a gripping surface, and
attaching the boot lower to the boot upper, so that the gripping
surface is on the bottom of the boot lower and is oriented to
increase traction of the shoe or boot on wet and slippery surfaces.
This process can utilize sand, garnet particles, or other hard
particles as a gripping material. The hard particles can be applied
so that they partially protrude from the adhesive material.
[0016] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the
following detailed description wherein I have shown and described
only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of
illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my
invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
modification in various obvious respects all without departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the
preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,
and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the method of making an enhanced
traction boot.
[0018] FIG. 2A is the first step of making an enhanced traction
boot.
[0019] FIG. 2B is the second step of making an enhanced traction
boot.
[0020] FIG. 2C is the third step of making an enhanced traction
boot.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a boot with an enhanced
traction region.
[0022] FIG. 4A shows the formation of the lower boot portion
utilizing the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4B shows the lower boot portion bonded to the upper
boot portion utilizing the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 4C shows the improved traction boot utilizing the
adhesive properties of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications
and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments
thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below
in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed,
but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications,
alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0026] FIGS. 1-4C show the method and the device of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows the general flow of the invention, which is designated
10. At Block 12, a region is selected on a fishing boot or shoe for
preparation to become a gripping surface. At Block 12, adhesive is
applied to the selected area of the sole of the boot to develop it
into a gripping surface. At Block 16, a gripping material is added
to the uncured adhesive. The gripping material can be any type of
hard particle, but sand and garnet particles are particularly
suitable for this purpose. At Block 18, the adhesive is allowed to
cure with the embedded and partially protruding gripping materials
found therein.
[0027] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show the sequence of preparing a
fishing shoe or boot, by the method of the invention. FIG. 2A shows
the step where an adhesive 38 is applied using an adhesive
applicator 22. The adhesive 38 is applied to the sole 40 of a
fishing boot 42. The adhesive applied in this way will form an
adhesive layer 32. In FIG. 2B, gripping material 26 is applied to
the uncured adhesive. The adhesive, combined with the gripping
material, forms a gripping surface 34 on the sole of the boot 42.
FIG. 2C shows a fishing boot 42 with two gripping surfaces 34, one
under the ball of the boot and one under the heal of the boot. Thus
configured, a fishing boot is made much more resistant to slipping,
and the application of the adhesive and gripping material also
improves the wear and durability of the boot, because when the
gripping surface 34 wears off, a new one can be applied to the
boot.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the sole 40 of a fishing boot
showing an adhesive layer 32 with embedded particles of gripping
material 26. Sand and garnet particles are particularly well suited
for this, but other hard particles could also be used.
[0029] The adhesive can be mixed with the gripping material before
application on the sole of the boot. In this form, the mixture of
the two components would be applied as a paste to the selected
gripping surfaces of the boot and allowed to cure. The formation of
the gripping surfaces could also be formed within a mold, which
forms the lower boot 44. In this form, a layer of adhesive mixed
containing gripping material would first be applied to the portion
of the mold that would later become the bottom of the boot. On top
of this adhesive layer would be formed the next layer of the lower
boot 44, which would be one or more additional layers of rubber or
other waterproof material.
[0030] FIGS. 4A-4C show the method of making a boot with gripping
surfaces of the invention. FIG. 4A shows the first step of a lower
boot 44 as formed. On the lower boot 44, gripping surfaces 34 are
formed by the use of adhesive and hard particles in the form of
gripping material. In FIG. 4B, the lower boot 44 is attached or
bonded to a boot upper 46. The final boot is shown in FIG. 4C as a
fishing boot with gripping surfaces, which improve the traction and
durability of the boot. A preferred adhesive for the process is a
commercially available RTV adhesive known as Shoe Goo, but other
adhesives would also be suitable. The preferred particle size for
this sand or garnet particles are of approximately one-eighth to
one-quarter inch in size. This particular adhesive may be cured at
room temperature, or elevated temperatures may be utilized to
hasten the curing of the adhesive, or as required by other
adhesives.
[0031] While there is shown and described the present preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that
this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied
to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the
foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *