Carbide studs for stability and motive traction

Abstract

The present invention provides a traction device for a terrain engaging element. The traction device defines a stud having a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion and adapted to be secured into the terrain engaging element. A plurality of generally equally-sized carbide pellets are bonded together on and to the upper surface of the head. The carbide pellets are provided in multiple layers extending across the upper surface of the head. The carbide pellets may be provided in a stacked relationship to each other so that during use the carbide pellets are capable of being individually dislodged to reveal a carbide pellet of an underlying layer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 USC §119 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 554,484, filed Mar. 19, 2004, and incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to carbide stud-style devices for improving stability and traction, and more particularly to a device for improving stability and traction of footwear and other terrain engaging elements suitable for traversing rivers, snow, ice, or other slippery surfaces and wheeled or tracked vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Examples of footwear suitable for outdoor use over adverse terrain such as snow, ice, mud, rocks, etc., are well known. Accessory devices for such footwear are also known. Hobnails, screws and studs are examples of such accessory devices. Each of these accessory devices include significant limitations of use. Hobnails have been inserted into the soles of shoes or boots to prevent ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, an improved stud device for improving stability and motive traction under a variety of different terrains and environments is disclosed. A stud device according to the present invention includes head and shank portions with the shank portion being adapted to secure the device into a terrain engaging ele

Problems solved by technology

Each of these accessory devices include significant limitations of use.

Hobnails are typically short nails which tend to quickly wear on rock surfaces and are often inadvertently removed during use in mud, moss, rocks and ice.

Metal screws typically wear relatively quickly and, once worn, tend to slide on surfaces leading to a decrease in traction across certain flat surfaces such as concrete floors, etc.

Porcelain studs are relatively brittle and may be damaged by ground impact.

One limitation of tires studs in the propensity of the carbide or porcelain stud element to round over.

In certain applications, the rounded-over element may lead to an decrease in traction, such as on concrete floors or other flat surfaces.

One limitation of the studs according to Bergstrom is the tendency of the particles to fracture during use due to the relatively few contact points defined by the sharp edges of the particles.

The carbide fractures are typically uncontrolled and relatively large portions of the particles may be shed during a fracture.

Because of the tendency of shedding relatively large particle portions, Bergstrom's device is believed to wear relatively quickly leading to poor economy of use.

Additionally, the sharp edges of these studs may have a tendency to catch or snag on certain surfaces, such as carpet, which may lead to a tripping hazard.

Furthermore, the relatively few contact points result in high contact forces which may be damaging to certain floors, such as wood and tile floors.

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