U.S. patent application number 10/998205 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for multipurpose metal traction device.
Invention is credited to Leni, Robert Jason.
Application Number | 20050145707 10/998205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34713748 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050145707 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leni, Robert Jason |
July 7, 2005 |
Multipurpose metal traction device
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 1/8" 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.
Inventors: |
Leni, Robert Jason;
(Roseville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert Jason Leni
2005A Inglis Way
Roseville
CA
95678
US
|
Family ID: |
34713748 |
Appl. No.: |
10/998205 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60525141 |
Nov 28, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
238/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
238/014 |
International
Class: |
E01B 023/00 |
Claims
I claim:
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.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional patent
application No. 60/525,141 filed on Nov. 28, 2003 entitled
Multipurpose metal traction device filed by:
[0002] Robert Jason Leni
[0003] Citizen of the United States of America
[0004] 2005A Inglis Way
[0005] Roseville, CA 95678
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a decorative metal
traction-enhancing device, in particular, to a traction-enhancing
device for foot platforms, including sports boards.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] Cutting both the adhesive and metal plate at the same time
can significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of creating the
current invention.
[0019] 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.
[0020] The traction devices themselves can be mounted on any smooth
flat surface.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] It is another object of the invention to improve the
aesthetics of surfaces needing traction.
[0025] 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
[0026] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a blank plate of metal.
[0029] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a blank plate of metal and a
blank piece of adhesive.
[0030] 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
[0031] 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.
[0032] The plate 110 is cut from a plate of metal, preferably
{fraction (1/16)}" to 1/8" 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
* * * * *