Traction device for footwear

Abstract

A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear includes an outer peripheral band; a traction area defined within the outer peripheral band; and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between the traction area and the outer peripheral band.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear, said traction device comprising:
 an outer peripheral band;   a traction area defined within said outer peripheral band; and   a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between said traction area and said outer peripheral band.   
     
     
         2 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , wherein said traction device is formed from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The traction device according to  claim 2 , wherein said outer peripheral band is stretchable so as to surround a toe portion, heel portion and opposing side portions of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         4 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , further comprising wire traction enhancing members encircling at least some of said plurality of resilient connecting strands. 
     
     
         5 . The traction device according to  claim 4 , wherein said wire traction enhancing members comprise a wire formed into a coil around at least some of said plurality of resilient connecting strands. 
     
     
         6 . The traction device according to  claim 5 , wherein said wire forming the coil has a non-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The traction device according to  claim 6 , wherein said wire has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The traction device according to  claim 6 , wherein said wire has a pentagonal cross-section. 
     
     
         9 . The traction device according to  claim 6 , wherein said wire has a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The traction device according to  claim 5 , wherein said coil has a non-circular configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear, said traction device comprising:
 an outer peripheral band;   a traction area defined within said outer peripheral band;   a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between said traction area and said outer peripheral band;   wire traction enhancing members encircling at least some of said plurality of resilient connecting strands, said wire traction enhancing members comprising a wire formed into a coil around at least some of said plurality of resilient connecting strands, said coil having a triangular shape.   
     
     
         12 . The traction device according to  claim 11 , wherein said wire forming the coil has a non-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The traction device according to  claim 12 , wherein said wire has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         14 . The traction device according to  claim 12 , wherein said wire has a pentagonal cross-section. 
     
     
         15 . The traction device according to  claim 12 , wherein said wire has a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The traction device according to  claim 11 , wherein said traction device is formed from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         17 . The traction device according to  claim 11 , wherein said outer peripheral band is stretchable so as to surround a toe portion, heel portion and opposing side portions of the article of footwear.