Traction Studs And Outsoles

Abstract

A traction stud comprises: a carrier comprising a post, a hollow defined by the post that opens at a distal end of the post, and a multi-pronged flange at a proximal end of the post; and a tip bonded in the hollow and extending past the distal end of the post. The carrier may be metal and/or the tip is ceramic. The multi-pronged flange may comprise two or more prongs, each prong having a first face, a second face, a thickness, and one or more holes extending from the first face to the second face, wherein the first and second faces are substantially perpendicular to the post. Outsoles comprise the traction studs and boots and/or overshoes comprise the outsoles. The traction studs are securely retained by polymeric material of the outsoles. The studs penetrate and/or grip slippery surfaces such as ice and packed snow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A traction stud for boots and overshoes comprising:
 a carrier comprising a post, a hollow defined by the post that opens at a distal end of the post, and a multi-pronged flange at a proximal end of the post; and   a tip bonded in the hollow and extending past the distal end of the post.   
     
     
         2 . The traction stud of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is metal, the tip is ceramic, or both. 
     
     
         3 . The traction stud of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-pronged flange comprises two or more prongs, each prong having a first face, a second face, a thickness, and one or more holes extending from the first face to the second face, wherein the first and second faces are substantially perpendicular to the post. 
     
     
         4 . The traction stud of  claim 1 , wherein the post and the tip are coaxial. 
     
     
         5 . The traction stud of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a unitary construction. 
     
     
         6 . The traction stud of  claim 1 , wherein the tip comprises a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of: an oxide of aluminum, zircon, silicon, titanium, tungsten; a metal carbide or nitride of aluminum, silicon, titanium, tungsten, zircon, or mixtures thereof; or a metal alloy selected from the group consisting of: bronze, brass, copper-nickel alloy, copper-aluminum alloy, or copper-beryllium alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The traction stud of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises a steel material and the tip comprises tungsten carbide. 
     
     
         8 . An outsole of a boot for traction in slippery conditions comprising:
 an outsole body comprising a first polymeric material and having an external surface; and   a plurality of traction studs of  claim 1  embedded in the first polymeric material and protruding from the external surface.   
     
     
         9 . The outsole of  claim 8 , wherein the first polymeric material comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). 
     
     
         10 . The outsole of  claim 8 , wherein the external surface comprises one or more integrally-formed features selected from the group consisting of: a toe, a heel, a heel strike, cleats, and bobs. 
     
     
         11 . The outsole of  claim 10 , wherein a first plurality of studs is located in a plurality of cleats, a second plurality of studs is located in a plurality of bobs, or both. 
     
     
         12 . A boot or overshoe comprising an upper and the outsole of  claim 8  affixed to the upper. 
     
     
         13 . The boot or overshoe of  claim 12  further comprising a midsole comprising a second polymeric material located between the outsole body and the upper. 
     
     
         14 . The boot or overshoe of  claim 13 , wherein the second polymeric material comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         15 . The boot or overshoe of  claim 13 , wherein the midsole comprises a midsole edge, a midsole lip, a toe cap, and a heel counter. 
     
     
         16 . A boot or overshoe for traction in slippery conditions comprising:
 an upper comprising a waterproof material;   an outsole comprising an outsole body comprising a first polymeric material and having an external surface and a plurality of traction studs embedded in the first polymeric material and protruding from the external surface, each stud comprising a carrier comprising a post, a hollow defined by the post that opens at a distal end of the post, and a multi-pronged flange at a proximal end of the post; and a tip bonded in the hollow and extending past the distal end of the post; and   a midsole comprising a second polymeric material, the midsole direct-attaching the upper and the outsole.   
     
     
         17 . The boot or overshoe of  claim 16 , wherein the waterproof material comprises a polyurethane-coated nylon, the first polymeric material is a TPU, the second polymeric material is a polyurethane, the carrier comprises a steel, and the tip comprises tungsten carbide. 
     
     
         18 . The boot or overshoe of  claim 16  further comprising one or both of a heel counter and a toe cap integral to the midsole. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a boot or overshoe for traction in slippery conditions, the method comprising:
 obtaining a plurality of traction studs, each stud comprising a carrier comprising a post, a hollow defined by the post that opens at a distal end of the post, and a multi-pronged flange at a proximal end of the post; and a tip bonded in the hollow and extending past the distal end of the post;   forming an outsole by injection molding a first polymeric material into a first mold cavity retaining the plurality of studs; and   affixing an upper to the outsole.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the carrier is metal, the tip is ceramic, or both. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein affixing the upper to the outsole comprises direct injecting a second polymeric material into a second mold cavity retaining the outsole and the upper thereby forming a midsole that direct-attaches the upper and the outsole. 
     
     
         22 . A method of providing traction in slippery conditions, the method comprising:
 forming a boot or overshoe of  claim 16 ; and   wearing the boot or overshoe for transport on the slippery surfaces.