US2313099A - Ice creeper - Google Patents

Description

H. N. SMITH ICE CREEPER Filed Aug. 19, 1942 Marh 9, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

March 9, 1943. H. N. SMITH 2,313,099

' ICE CREEPER Filed Aug. 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTO Harvey Patented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE lGranted under the act of March 3,1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an improved form of ice creeper adapted to be worn on the soles of boots or shoes to facilitate traction, especially on ice, but can be as effectively used on any other surface, where an effective traction engagement or foothold is necessary.

This device has been particularly designed to provide an ice creeper which may be easily attached or detached, as the occasion arises.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a framework for holding spikes or cleats, which is simple, flexible and economically manufactured, but at the same time will withstand the hard usage to which a device of this nature is subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which will conform to and lie flat against the bottom of the boot or shoe in such a manner that the wearing of the creeper will not prove a hindrance to the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is self-adjusting to most any size or style of footwear, instantly and automatically.

In order to accomplish a satisfactory support for the shoe that will rigidly hold the spikes or cleats firmly in position and yet will remove any undue strain upon the device, the spikes or cleats themselves form the pivot points, thereby practically removing all pressure strain from the framework itself.

It will be apparent that this particular form of construction is particularly adapted to the adjustment required in fitting such a device to a shoe, since it will readily adapt itself to a narrow or wide shoe with little efiort.

It is particularly important to point out the fact that this construction depends for its adjustment entirely upon a pivotal action, there being no slides present to become frozen when used in snow or ice.

In order to attach the ice creeper to the sole, it i preferred to provide two straps which will conform to the side of the shoe and a third strap to draw the aforementioned straps into close engagement with the side of the shoe. This construction will permit of conformity to any shape of sole, and a second set of straps adapted to pass under the instep, behind the heel, and. over the instep of the shoe will provide proper conformity to any shape of shoe. Obviously,

other flexible means may be used Without departing from the scope of the invention.

Th spikes or cleats may be of any shape or design which would adapt themselves to gripping the surfac on which the device is to be used;

the type shown, being used by way of illustration, however, is the most commonly known.

The device, being light, is also easily carried in the pocket and may be used with ease whenever the occasion arises. v

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the features of construction, arrangement of parts and combination of elements which will hereinafter be fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the means for attaching the device to the shoe.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spike or cleat pivot.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device, and

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals refer to similar parts, [0 represents the framework of the ice creeper, which is composed of two curved members I I having the ends thereof rolled over to hold and retain in place loop or link members I 2, through which are directed elongated straps l3. creeper is applied, are adapted to conform to the sides of the shoe and tighten over the upper of the shoe by strap M, which is fitted with a buckle l5.

The curved members I l are pivotally connected near their medial portion by means of plates l8 and spikes or cleats H, which are provided with integral reduced shanks l8 projecting upwardly through the plates l6 and curved members I l, the

upper end of the shank l8 being enlarged by flat I tening, as shown at l9, to pivotally connect members I l to plates l6 and secure the spikes or cleats II in a dependent position. The plates [6 ar pivotally connected at their opposite ends by means of an elongated flexible steel spring strip 20 which is reversed upon itself to form an enlarged portion 2| which is adapted to retain a link chain 22. The strip 20 and plates I 6 are likewise pivotally connected, as are the curved members I l' and plates I6, by means of a spike or cleat H. The link chain 22 is adapted to be connected at its end to the apex of triangular loops 23, which in turn are connected at the base thereof to straps 24 and 25 respectively. Strap 25 has a buckle 26 The straps 13, when the that it will not slip or work off but stay in its proper position. The curved members II and plates 16, being made of thin flexible steel, will easily conform to the shoe sole, and, being made of a light material, will be easily worn without any hindrance to the wearer.

In addition to the pivot spikes or cleats-1 1, additional spikes and cleats 28 may be positioned on the curved members H at the most'conven ient and advantageous position; a

It will be seen, therefore, that the invention contemplates an attachmentwhich'can be conveniently carried in'a persorispocket, having need'at various times for non slipping protection upon their boots andshoes. It 'is als'o obvious that the construction promotes easy application, since'it produces a device which is'si m'ple and fitted'for immediate attachment, removal or -adjustment, at a'mor'nnts notice. Itis to-be understood that the invention isacce'ptable with some changes or modifications withoutdepa'rting from the'principles and spirit of the invention and is'not to be limited to the precise arrangement and formation of the'sever'al parts 'herein shown' and described 'andbontemplated by the attached claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ice creeper of the class described, comprising a plurality of curved spike carrying members, the medial point of said curved members being pivotally connected by means of a plurality of plates, theen'd portions of said plates being pivotally connected by a pivot and a spring plate member, means attached to said curved member for adapting said ice creeper to conform to the sole of the boot or shoe, and a chain connected to'said spring plate member adapted to be connected to means for retaining said ice creeper in a fixed position on said boot or shoe sole.

2. An" ice creeper of the class described, comprising aplurality of curved spike carrying members and 'a plurality of secondary plates pivotally connected thereto, loops attached to said curved members, said loops having means attached thereto for retaining said ice creeper on the sole of the boot or shoe and means attached to said secondary plates for preventing the ice creeper from shifting.-

3. An ice creeper of the class described; comprising a'plurality of curved and flat plate members and a curved spring plate member,'the medial point of said curved members being pivotally connected to the end portion of said flat plate members, the opposite end portions of said flat plate members'being pivotally connected by a pivot to said spring plate member, means attached'to said curved membersand said spring plate member for retaining said ice creeperon the sole of the boot or shoe. v

HARVEY N. SMITH.

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