US20030145489A1

US20030145489A1 - Full or partial footweat attaching anti-slip surface gripper

Info

Publication number: US20030145489A1
Application number: US10/061,541
Authority: US
Inventors: Willis Major
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-01
Filing date: 2002-02-01
Publication date: 2003-08-07

Abstract

Full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers that one would wear over footwear to prevent slipping on slippery surfaces (comprising snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . ) comprising, a footwear attaching mechanism that partially or fully covers footwear and secures the surface gripping mechanism to the full or partial bottom sole of footwear. The full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers are easily/conveniently detached or attached to footwear, are inexpensive, lightweight, cosmetically appealing, adjustable, easy to store, makes it possible for the people to have surface gripping ability outside of the sports arena where special purpose or sporting surface gripping shoes (mountain boots, snow shoes, snow sandals, football, baseball, or golf cleats) are worn and reduces the number of injuries from falls on ice in the winter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to full or partial footwear attachments that one would wear over footwear comprising dress boots, casual boots, dress shoes, casual shoes, and sneakers to prevent falling on slippery surfaces (snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . ).

BACKGROUNG-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Currently, there are rubber slippers (galoshes) that one would put on over their footwear (including boats, sneakers, and other shoes) when going outside on a rainy or snowy day so that the rain or snow wont make one's footwear wet, or unclean.

This rubber slipper does not have satisfactory capability of preventing a person from slipping or falling on a slippery surface (such as snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . ).

In the “full form” of my invention, an anti-slip surface such as cleats, spikes, sandpaper like rough surfaces, etc . . . can be added to the bottom of these rubber slippers to significantly improve anti slip capability and prevent one from slipping on slippery surfaces. My invention also can be in the partial form in which it slips, straps, ties, buttons, locks, buckles, or snaps on to only a section of a casual or dressy footwear instead of over the entire footwear and provides surface gripping action with a lot of convenience.

There are sport shoes that make it easier for one to grip the grass such as football, baseball, and soccer cleats. There are also sport shoes that make it easier for one to hike up snowy mountains like mountain boats and walk in deep snow like snowshoes. There are also sport attachments to shoes that provide gripping action.

The above sport shoes may have gripping ability but are not easily applicable outside of the sports arena. They are too expensive, not conveniently transported, not pleasing to the eye, non compact, non stylish, too bulky, hard to store, take more time to put on, can not easily slip over everyday footwear, they can not be easily stored in small spaces, they can not be easily adjusted and they are simply not made to be used with casual or dress shoes worn by the everyday walking person.

There are also specific work shoes that help workers grip slippery surfaces. The problem with these work shoes is that you have to buy a separate pair of shoes and have to change from your dress or casual shoes into your working shoes, which is an inconvenience.

My invention can be slipped, strapped, tied, buttoned, locked, buckled, or snapped on the entire footwear or section of the casual or dressy footwear in a convenient way and still provide the worker with safe surface gripping action.

The above existing footwear and attachments do not address the needs of the casual walker who wants to be able to walk on slippery surfaces in a convenient way without slipping and falling down. The present footwear is inadequate in addressing the above needs of the everyday walking person.

Therefore, a significant need has arose for the “full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper” that can conveniently attach to people's exiting footwear and will prevent the people from slipping and falling on slippery surfaces. There is no need to take off people's existing shoes when wearing the “full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper” and after use they can be easily taken off the existing shoes, and stored away in small spaces such as a coat pocket, brief case, purse, etc . . . My invention is affordable like a disposable item but has the added benefit of being able to be reused over and over again. My invention is not only lighter but also more cosmetically appealing to the eye than the above existing sport shoes and anti slip shoes mentioned.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention the “full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper” comprises a footwear attaching mechanism, and a surface gripping mechanism.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the “full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper” described in my above patent are:

(a) to provide a way to prevent one from slipping or falling on slippery surfaces such on snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . .

(b) to provide a convenient way to attach slip prevention devices to existing casual and dressy footwear.

(c) to provide slip prevention attachment to footwear for the everyday walker or worker

(d) to provide an inexpensive slip prevention attachment to footwear which helps to prevent one from slipping on a slippery surface

(e) to provide a lightweight slip prevention attachment to footwear

(f) to provide an easy storable slip prevention attachment to footwear

(g) to provide a better way to grip slippery surfaces with a slip prevention attachment to footwear

(h) to provide an adjustable gripping action slip prevention attachment to footwear for a variety of surfaces and depths

(i) to provide walkers with a safer feeling when walking over slippery surfaces

(j) to provide a reduction in the number of hospital visits, accidents, injuries, and deaths of people from falling on slippery surfaces, especially elderly people, pregnant women, infants, & injured people;

(k) to provide a way to help people walk safely at higher speeds during bad weather or on slippery surfaces and not slip and fall;

(l) to allow people to have slip prevent protection without spending unnecessary time to take off their existing footwear and to put on special purpose anti slip footwear

(m) to provide a more cosmetically appealing anti slip footwear attachment so that the attractiveness of the existing footwear is not dramatically reduced

(n) to provide a quick way for the slip prevention attachment to become detached from the footwear or disengaged so that the gripping section of my invention wont leave unwanted marks or scrapes on walking surfaces

Further objectives and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DRAWING FIGURES

In accordance with the present invention the “full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper” comprises a footwear attaching mechanism, and a surface gripping mechanism. [0030]
FIGS. [0031] 1 to 40 show some of the various configurations that the “full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper” can be comprised of, 1) front attaching surface gripper slipper, 2) middle attaching surface gripper slipper, 3) back attaching surface gripper slipper, 4) full cover attaching surface gripper slipper, 5) front attaching surface gripper slipper with additional ankle tie strap, 6) middle attaching surface gripper slipper with additional ankle tie strap, 7) back attaching surface gripper slipper with securing tie string, 8) full cover attaching surface gripper with securing tie string, 9) front attaching surface gripper slipper with securing tie string, 10) middle attaching surface gripper slipper with securing tie string, 11) back attaching surface gripper slipper with securing Velcro strap, 12) full cover attaching surface gripper with securing Velcro strap, 13) front attaching surface gripper slipper with securing Velcro strap, 14) middle attaching surface gripper slipper with securing Velcro strap, 15) back attaching surface gripper slipper with securing buckle, 16) full cover attaching surface gripper with securing buckle, 17) front attaching surface gripper slipper with securing buckle, 18) middle attaching surface gripper slipper with securing buckle, 19) back attaching surface gripper slipper with rotating grippers, 20) back attaching surface gripper slipper with rotating cover for grippers, 21) front attaching surface gripper slipper with rotating grippers, 22) front attaching surface gripper slipper with rotating cover for grippers, 23) middle attaching surface gripper slipper with rotating grippers, 24) middle attaching surface gripper slipper with rotating cover for grippers, 25) front attaching surface gripper strap on with securing tie string, 26) front attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro, 27) front attaching surface gripper strap on with securing buckle, 28) middle attaching surface gripper strap on with securing tie string, 29) middle attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro, 30) middle attaching surface gripper strap on with securing buckle, 31) back attaching surface gripper strap on with securing tie string, 32) back attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro, 33) back attaching surface gripper strap on with securing buckle, 34) simple attaching surface gripper with securing string or tacks, 35) attaching surface grippers with rotating grippers, 36) attaching surface grippers with rotating covers, 37) attaching surface grippers with securing zipper, snap belt, and snap button, 38) attaching surface gripper with rotating grippers, 39) various surface gripper cleat configurations, 40) various surface gripper sandpaper like rough texture gripping surface configurations

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0032] 010 full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper
[0033] 020 footwear attaching mechanism
[0034] 030 front band slipper attachment mechanism
[0035] 040 back band slipper attachment mechanism
[0036] 050 middle band slipper attachment mechanism
[0037] 060 full cover band slipper attachment mechanism
[0038] 070 front strap attachment mechanism
[0039] 080 back strap attachment mechanism
[0040] 090 middle strap attachment mechanism
[0041] 100 front string attachment mechanism
[0042] 110 back string attachment mechanism
[0043] 120 middle string attachment mechanism
[0044] 125 tacks/nails/inserts/screws/staple attachment mechanism
[0045] 130 securing string/strap
[0046] 140 securing Velcro
[0047] 150 securing buckle
[0048] 160 securing snap belt
[0049] 170 securing snap button
[0050] 180 securing zipper
[0051] 190 securing tacks/staple/inserts/screws/nails
[0052] 200 surface gripping mechanism
[0053] 210 surface grippers
[0054] 220 gripper support attachment
[0055] 225 gripper attaching means
[0056] 230 rotating mechanism
[0057] 240 rotating hinge with positional lock
[0058] 250 rotating hinge
[0059] 260 rotating cover
[0060] 270 rotating ball
[0061] 280 rotating loop
[0062] 290 rotating strap
[0063] 300 rotating member
[0064] 310 loop
[0065] 320 tie
[0066] 330 hole
[0067] 340 buttons
[0068] 350 attachment bracket
[0069] 360 attachment hole
[0070] 370 attachment threads
[0071] 380 attachment nuts
[0072] 390 attachment lever
[0073] 400 cylinder gripping mechanism
[0074] 410 block gripping mechanism
[0075] 415 ball gripping mechanism
[0076] 420 cone gripping mechanism
[0077] 430 spike gripping mechanism
[0078] 440 gripping mechanism crimping attachment
[0079] 450 gripping mechanism screwing attachment
[0080] 460 gripping mechanism molding attachment
[0081] 470 gripping mechanism welding attachment
DESCRIPTION—FIG. 4—Preferred Full Cover Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment [0082]
A preferred embodiment of the full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper is illustrated in FIG. 4 (full cover attaching surface gripper slipper). The full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper main parts generally comprise of a footwear attaching mechanism [0083] 20, and a surface gripping mechanism 200.
The footwear attaching mechanism [0084] 20, comprises a full cover band slipper attachment mechanism 60. This particular preferred band slipper 60, in FIG. 4 has material comprising rubber, plastic leather or other materials that are elastic so that the band slipper 60, can be stretched over the footwear while staying secure to the footwear. The shape of the band slipper 60, is similar to the shape of existing footwear. Alternative securing methods are shown in FIGS. 8, 12, and 16. The full cover attaching surface gripper slipper is being secured with a string/strap, Velcro, and a buckle respectively.
The [0085] surface gripping mechanism 200, comprises surface grippers 210, a gripper support attachment 220, and a gripper attaching means 225. The gripper support attachment 220, is the rigid or semi rigid medium between the band slipper 60 and the surface grippers 210. The gripper support attachment 220, can be on the outside bottom, inside bottom, or completely embedded into the bottom sole of the band slipper 60. The preferred location for the gripper support attachment 220, is the inside bottom of the band slipper 60. The gripper attaching means 225, is used to secure the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The gripping attachment means comprises a gripping mechanism crimping attachment 440, gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450, gripping mechanism molding attachment 460, gripping mechanism welding attachment 470, or other means of attaching the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The preferred gripper attaching means is a gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450. The surface grippers comprise of a plurality of shape & sizes of which some can be seen in FIGS. 39 and 40. The preferred shape is a cone gripping mechanism 420.
FIG. 29—Preferred Middle Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment (Middle Attaching Surface Gripper Strap on with Securing Velcro) [0086]
A preferred embodiment of the full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper is illustrated in FIG. 29 (middle attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro). The full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper main parts generally comprise of a footwear attaching mechanism [0087] 20, and a surface gripping mechanism 200.
The footwear attaching mechanism [0088] 20, comprises a middle strap attachment mechanism 90. This middle strap attachment mechanism 90, in FIG. 29 has material comprising rubber, plastic, leather, steel, aluminum, cloth or other materials. The preferred material is a tear resistant cloth. The shape of the middle strap attachment mechanism 90, is of rectangular shape and long enough to wrap around existing footwear. A loop 310, is attached to one end of the middle strap attachment mechanism 90, so that the other end of the middle strap attachment mechanism 90, can go through the loop and become secured to existing footwear. Alternative securing methods are shown in FIGS. 28, 30, and 37. The middle strap attachment mechanism 90, is being secured with a string/strap, a buckle, a zipper, a snap belt, and a snap button respectively.
The [0089] surface gripping mechanism 200, comprises surface grippers 210, a gripper support attachment 220, and a gripper attaching means 225. The gripper support attachment 220, is the rigid or semi rigid medium between the middle strap attachment mechanism 90, and the surface grippers 210. The gripper support attachment 220, location comprises the outside center bottom, inside center bottom, or completely embedded into the center bottom of the middle strap attachment mechanism 90. The preferred location for the gripper support attachment 220, is the inside center bottom of the middle strap attachment mechanism 90. The gripper attaching means 225, is used to secure the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The gripping attachment means comprises a gripping mechanism crimping attachment 440, gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450, gripping mechanism molding attachment 460, gripping mechanism welding attachment 470, or other means of attaching the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The preferred gripper attaching means is a gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450. The surface grippers comprise of a plurality of shape & sizes of which some can be seen in FIGS. 39 and 40. The preferred shape is a cone gripping mechanism 420.
FIG. 26—Preferred Front Footwear Attaching Anti Slip Surface Embodiment (Front Attaching Surface Gripper Strap on with Securing Velcro) [0090]
A preferred embodiment of the full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper is illustrated in FIG. 26 (front attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro). The full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper main parts generally comprise of a footwear attaching mechanism [0091] 20, and a surface gripping mechanism 200.
The footwear attaching mechanism [0092] 20, comprises a front strap attachment mechanism 70. This front strap attachment mechanism 70, in FIG. 26 has material comprising rubber, plastic, leather, steel, aluminum, cloth or other materials. The preferred material is a tear resistant cloth. The shape of the front strap attachment mechanism 70, is one rectangular shape part that is long enough to wrap around existing footwear from the right side of footwear to the left side. The other rectangular shaped part wraps from the bottom of the footwear, underneath and centered with the middle toes of the footwear and wraps around the top staying centered with the middle toes forming a harness like shape that contains the front section of the footwear. A loop 310, is attached to one end of the front strap attachment mechanism 70, so that the other end of the front strap attachment mechanism 70, can go through the loop and become secured to existing footwear. Alternative securing methods are shown in FIG. 25) front attaching surface gripper strap on with securing tie string, 27) front attaching surface gripper strap on with securing buckle and FIG. 37) a zipper, a snap belt, and a snap button securing the strap on attachment mechanism.
The [0093] surface gripping mechanism 200, comprises surface grippers 210, a gripper support attachment 220, and a gripper attaching means 225. The gripper support attachment 220, is the rigid or semi rigid medium between the front strap attachment mechanism 70, and the surface grippers 210. The gripper support attachment 220, location comprises the outside center bottom, inside center bottom, or completely embedded into the center bottom of the front strap attachment mechanism 70. The preferred location for the gripper support attachment 220, is the inside center bottom of the front strap attachment mechanism 70. The gripper attaching means 225, is used to secure the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The gripping attachment means comprises a gripping mechanism crimping attachment 440, gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450, gripping mechanism molding attachment 460, gripping mechanism welding attachment 470, or other means of attaching the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The preferred gripper attaching means is a gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450. The surface grippers comprise of a plurality of shape & sizes of which some can be seen in FIGS. 39 and 40. The preferred shape is a cone gripping mechanism 420.
FIG. 32—Preferred Back Footwear Attaching Anti Slip Surface Embodiment (Back Attaching Surface Gripper Strap on with Securing Velcro) [0094]
A preferred embodiment of the full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper is illustrated in FIG. 32 (back attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro). The full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper main parts generally comprise of a footwear attaching mechanism [0095] 20, and a surface gripping mechanism 200.
The footwear attaching mechanism [0096] 20, comprises a back strap attachment mechanism 80. This back strap attachment mechanism 80, in FIG. 32 has material comprising rubber, plastic, leather, steel, aluminum, cloth or other materials. The preferred material is a tear resistant cloth. The shape of the back strap attachment mechanism 70, is one rectangular shape part that is long enough to wrap around existing footwear ankle and the other rectangular shaped part wraps from the left backside of the footwear, underneath the heel and up on the back right side of the footwear until it reaches the first rectangular shaped part forming a harness like shape that contains back section of the footwear. A loop 310, is attached to one end of the back strap attachment mechanism 80, so that the other end of the back strap attachment mechanism 80, can go through the loop and become secured to existing footwear. Alternative securing methods are shown in FIG. 31) back attaching surface gripper strap on with securing tie string, 33) back attaching surface gripper strap on with securing buckle, and FIG. 37) a zipper, a snap belt, and a snap button securing the strap on attachment mechanism.
The [0097] surface gripping mechanism 200, comprises surface grippers 210, a gripper support attachment 220, and a gripper attaching means 225. The gripper support attachment 220, is the rigid or semi rigid medium between the back strap attachment mechanism 80, and the surface grippers 210. The gripper support attachment 220, location comprises the outside center bottom, inside center bottom, or completely embedded into the center bottom of the back strap attachment mechanism 80. The preferred location for the gripper support attachment 220, is the inside center bottom of the back strap attachment mechanism 80. The gripper attaching means 225, is used to secure the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The gripping attachment means comprises a gripping mechanism crimping attachment 440, gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450, gripping mechanism molding attachment 460, gripping mechanism welding attachment 470, or other means of attaching the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The preferred gripper attaching means is a gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450. The surface grippers comprise of a plurality of shape & sizes of which some can be seen in FIGS. 39 and 40. The preferred shape is a cone gripping mechanism 420.
FIG. 34—Preferred Bottom Tack Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment (Simple Attaching Surface Gripper with Securing String or Tacks) [0098]
A preferred embodiment of the full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper is illustrated in FIG. 34 (simple attaching surface gripper with securing string or tacks). The full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper main parts generally comprise of a footwear attaching mechanism [0099] 20, and a surface gripping mechanism 200. The footwear attaching mechanism 20, comprises a tack/nail/insert/screws/staple or string attachment mechanism 125. Securing tacks/staple/inserts/screws/nails 190 or a simple securing string/strap 130 is used to secure my invention to existing footwear. The securing tacks/staple/inserts/screws/nails 190, in FIG. 34 has material comprising steel, aluminum, or other metal materials. The securing string/strap 130, has material comprising leather, fabric, plastic, rubber or some other easy bendable material. The preferred securing method is a tack made out of material that comprises of non-rusting metal. The shape of the securing tacks 190, is such that the pointed end for piercing and sticking to the footwear bottom sole and a flat head end for holding the surface gripping mechanism 200, against the footwear bottom sole.
The [0100] surface gripping mechanism 200, comprises surface grippers 210, a gripper support attachment 220, and a gripper attaching means 225. The gripper support attachment 220, is the rigid or semi rigid medium that the surface grippers 210 are attached to and the support attachment 220 also will be held against the existing footwear bottom sole by way of the securing tacks/staple/inserts/screws/nails 190. The gripper support attachment 220, location comprises any location on the bottom sole of existing footwear. in which it gives the user the best gripping action. The gripper attaching means 225, is used to secure the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The gripping attachment means comprises a gripping mechanism crimping attachment 440, gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450, gripping mechanism molding attachment 460, gripping mechanism welding attachment 470, or other means of attaching the surface grippers 210, to the gripper support attachment 220. The preferred gripper attaching means is a gripping mechanism screwing attachment 450. The surface grippers comprise of a plurality of shape & sizes of which some can be seen in FIGS. 39 and 40. The preferred shape is a cone gripping mechanism 420.
FIGS. [0101] 1B-1L—Additional/Alternative Embodiments
There are many additional, alternative and combination of embodiments of my invention. There are alternative band slippers that use elastic means of securing the invention to ones footwear as seen in FIGS. [0102] 1-4. There are alternative embodiments of my invention which use various means of securing my invention to existing footwear such as in FIGS. 5-18, 25-34, and 37 where ankle tie straps, tie strings, Velcro straps, buckles, zippers, snap buckles, and snap buttons are used. Additional ways to rotate the surface grippers from underneath the footwear or cover the surface grippers so that they will not mark up the ground are shown in FIGS. 19-24, 35-36, & 38. The surface grippers comprise a plurality of shapes, sizes, configurations, materials and quantities, some of which can been seen in FIGS. 39 and 40.
Advantages [0103]
From the description above, a number of advantages of the “full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper” become evident: [0104]
(a) provides a way to prevent one from slipping or falling on slippery surfaces such on snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . [0105]
(b) provides a convenient way to attach slip prevention devices to existing casual and dressy footwear. [0106]
(c) provides a slip prevention attachment to footwear for the everyday walker or worker [0107]
(d) provides an inexpensive slip prevention attachment to footwear which helps to prevent one from slipping on a slippery surface [0108]
(e) provides a lightweight slip prevention attachment to footwear [0109]
(f) provides an easy storable slip prevention attachment to footwear [0110]
(g) provides a better way to grip slippery surfaces with a slip prevention attachment to footwear [0111]
(h) provides an adjustable gripping action slip prevention attachment to footwear for a variety of surfaces and depths [0112]
(i) provides walkers with a safer feeling when walking over slippery surfaces [0113]
(j) provides a reduction in the number of hospital visits, accidents, injuries, and deaths of people from falling on slippery surfaces, especially elderly people, pregnant women, infants and injured people; [0114]
(k) provides a way to help people walk safely at higher speeds during bad weather or on slippery surfaces and not slip and fall; [0115]
(l) allows people to have slip prevent protection without spending unnecessary time to take off their existing footwear and to put on special purpose anti slip footwear [0116]
(m) provides a more cosmetically appealing anti slip footwear attachment so that the attractiveness of the existing footwear is not dramatically reduced [0117]
(l) provides a quick way for the slip prevention attachment to become detached from the footwear or disengaged so that the gripping section of my invention wont leave unwanted marks or scrapes on walking surfaces [0118]
Operation (Preferred Full Cover Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment) [0119]
The full cover attaching surface gripper slipper is easily put on and worn in a similar way as footwear or a sock. The toe of one's footwear is slipped into the opening of the full cover attaching surface slipper gripper until it reaches the front and the back heel of the gripper is pulled up over the heel of the footwear. The elastic material of the gripper will cause the gripper to hug the footwear allowing it to stay on the footwear while walking. When walking on a slippery surface such as snow, ice, etc . . . the surface grippers will grip the slippery surface and provide the needed stability to avoid slipping and falling on the slippery surface. When not walking on a slippery surface the full cover attaching surface gripper slipper can be easily taken off of footwear and stored away. [0120]
Operation (Preferred Middle Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment) [0121]
The middle attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro is easily put on and worn in a similar way one would wear a watch over a wrist except you put the surface gripper over the mid section of one's footwear. The surface grippers are put underneath the footwear middle section and the Velcro strap is wrapped around the top middle section of the footwear. One side of the Velcro strap is put through the hole in the loop of the other Velcro strap and pulled in the opposite way across the top of the loop and pushed against the sticky Velcro side to secure the gripper to the footwear. The securing of the Velcro strap will cause the gripper to hug the footwear allowing it to stay on the footwear while walking. When walking on a slippery surface such as snow, ice, etc . . . the surface grippers will grip the slippery surface and provide the needed stability to avoid slipping and falling on the slippery surface. When not walking on a slippery surface the gripper can be easily taken off of footwear and stored away. [0122]
Operation (Preferred Front Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment) [0123]
The front attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro is easily put on and worn in a similar way one would wear a watch over a wrist except you put the surface gripper over the front section of one's footwear. The surface grippers are put underneath the footwear front section and the Velcro strap is wrapped around the top middle front section of the footwear. One side of the Velcro strap is put through the hole in the loop of the other Velcro strap and pulled in the opposite way across the top of the loop and pushed against the sticky Velcro side to secure the gripper to the footwear. The securing of the Velcro strap will cause the gripper to hug the footwear allowing it to stay on the footwear while walking. When walking on a slippery surface such as snow, ice, etc . . . the surface grippers will grip the slippery surface and provide the needed stability to avoid slipping and falling on the slippery surface. When not walking on a slippery surface the gripper can be easily taken off of footwear and stored away. [0124]
Operation (Preferred Back Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment) [0125]
The back attaching surface gripper strap on with securing Velcro is easily put on and worn in a similar way one would wear a watch over a wrist except you put the surface gripper over the back section of one's footwear. The surface grippers are put underneath the footwear back section and the Velcro strap is wrapped around ankle of the footwear. One side of the Velcro strap is put through the hole in the loop of the other Velcro strap and pulled in the opposite way across the top of the loop and pushed against the sticky Velcro side to secure the gripper to the footwear. The securing of the Velcro strap will cause the gripper to hug the footwear allowing it to stay on the footwear while walking. When walking on a slippery surface such as snow, ice, etc . . . the surface grippers will grip the slippery surface and provide the needed stability to avoid slipping and falling on the slippery surface. When not walking on a slippery surface the gripper can be easily taken off of footwear and stored away. [0126]
Operation (Preferred Bottom Tack Footwear Attaching Anti-Slip Surface Embodiment) [0127]
The simple attaching surface gripper with securing tacks is easily put on the bottom of footwear by hammering the raised tacks into the footwear after one has position the gripper in the desired location on the bottom sole of the footwear. The securing of the tacks will cause the gripper to hug the bottom sole of footwear allowing it to stay on the footwear while walking. When walking on a slippery surface such as snow, ice, etc . . . the surface grippers will grip the slippery surface and provide the needed stability to avoid slipping and falling on the slippery surface. When not walking on a slippery surface the gripper can be easily pried off of the footwear and stored away. [0128]
Operation of Additional/Alternative Embodiments [0129]
Additional/alternative embodiments of my invention slip on footwear in a similar as the above embodiments but have different securing means such as using strings, straps, buckles, zippers, snap buckles, snap buttons to secure my invention on footwear. The above securing methods will cause the gripper to hug the bottom sole of footwear allowing it to stay on the footwear while walking. When walking on a slippery surface such as snow, ice, etc . . . the surface grippers will grip the slippery surface and provide the needed stability to avoid slipping and falling on the slippery surface. When not walking on a slippery surface the gripper can be easily removed from the footwear and stored away. If you would like to keep the grippers attached to the footwear there are also grippers with covers that can be placed over the surface grippers and secured with Velcro or other means so that the grippers will no longer mark up a floor or walking surface. Other variations include having grippers that can be rotated from underneath the bottom of the footwear and strapped to the top of the footwear in a way that the grippers are pointed away from the footwear. Some models of my invention even have a hinge in which the grippers can be rotate from underneath the footwear and stay above the bottom sole of the footwear. [0130]
Conclusions, Ramifications, and Scope [0131]
Accordingly, the reader will see that the full or partial footwear attaching anti-slip surface gripper of this invention has advantages in that [0132]
(a) it provides a way to prevent one from slipping or falling on slippery surfaces such on snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . [0133]
(b) it provides a convenient way to attach slip prevention devices to existing casual and dressy footwear. [0134]
(c) it provides a slip prevention attachment to footwear for the everyday walker or worker [0135]
(d) it provides an inexpensive slip prevention attachment to footwear which helps to prevent one from slipping on a slippery surface [0136]
(e) it provides a lightweight slip prevention attachment to footwear [0137]
(f) it provides an easy storable slip prevention attachment to footwear [0138]
(g) it provides a better way to grip slippery surfaces with a slip prevention attachment to footwear [0139]
(h) it provides an adjustable gripping action slip prevention attachment to footwear for a variety of surfaces and depths [0140]
(i) it provides walkers with a safer feeling when walking over slippery surfaces [0141]
(j) it provides a reduction in the number of hospital visits, accidents, injuries, and deaths of people from falling on slippery surfaces, especially elderly people, pregnant women, infants, and injured people; [0142]
(k) it provides a way to help people walk safely at higher speeds during bad weather or on slippery surfaces and not slip and fall; [0143]
(l) it allows people to have slip prevent protection without spending unnecessary time to take off their existing footwear and to put on special purpose anti slip footwear [0144]
(m) it provides a more cosmetically appealing anti slip footwear attachment so that the attractiveness of the existing footwear is not dramatically reduced [0145]
(n) it provides a quick way for the slip prevention attachment to become detached from the footwear or disengaged so that the gripping section of my invention wont leave unwanted marks or scrapes on walking surfaces [0146]
Further objectives and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, the full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper's footwear attaching mechanism, and a surface gripping mechanism can have other shapes, such as circular, oval, trapezoidal, triangular, etc . . . They can be attached in a variety of ways, such as bolted, welded, molded, etc. They can be made out of various material, such as steel, aluminum, brass, plastic, etc. They can be placed in various locations around the footwear, back, front, middle, top, bottom of the footwear. There are also many variations of the full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper which are not contained in the drawings but are cover by my invention as being easily attaching/detaching, inexpensive, lightweight, more cosmetically appealing, and easy to store. [0147]
Thus the scope of the invention should be determine by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. [0148]

Claims

I claim:

1. A full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper that one would wear over a footwear to safely prevent slipping on a slippery surface (comprising snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . ) and that is more quickly/easily/conveniently attached to or detached from said footwear, is more compact, less expensive, more lightweight, more cosmetically appealing, smaller, easier to store or carry than existing special gripping shoes (mountain boots, snow shoes, snow sandals, sporting cleats, etc . . . ), and provides the everyday walker with a casual and more convenient way of obtaining anti slip prevention outside of the sport or hobby arena, comprising

(a) a footwear attaching mechanism whereby on the said full footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper, the said footwear attaching mechanism covers the entire bottom of said footwear extending above the sole ending below the ankle and whereby on the said partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper the said footwear attaching mechanism only covers a partial section of said footwear comprising the front, middle, or back section of said footwear

(b) a surface gripping mechanism whereby on the said full footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper the said surface gripping mechanism can cover all or a partial section underneath footwear and whereby on the said partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper the said surface gripping mechanism only covers a partial section underneath said footwear comprising the front, middle, or back section of said footwear

whereby when said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers are attached to said footwear using said footwear attaching mechanism the said footwear attaching mechanism secures said surface gripping mechanism against the bottom sole of said footwear,

whereby when said surface gripping mechanism is secured to the bottom sole of said footwear while the user walks across said slippery surface the said surface gripping mechanism makes contact with said slippery surface and provides anti slip friction to aid the user in becoming stable enough to prevent slipping and falling on said slippery surface.

2. The system claim of 1 wherein said footwear attaching mechanism comprising of a plurality of materials, shapes, sizes, members, member connecting means, locations around or attachments to said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper.

3. The system claim of 1 wherein the said surface gripping attachment mechanism comprising of a plurality of materials, shapes, sizes, members, member connecting means, locations around or attachments to said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper.

4. The system claim of 1 wherein the said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers are secured to footwear by means comprising of strings, Velcro, straps, buckles, snap buckles, snap button, zippers, tacks, nails, staples, screws, loops, elastic band etc . . .

5. The system claim of 1 wherein the said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface gripper's said gripping attachment mechanism comprises surface grippers, a gripper support attachment, and a gripper attaching means.

6. The system claim of 5 wherein the said surface grippers are attached to the gripper support attachment by a gripper attaching means comprising screwing, gluing, welding, molding, bolting, crimping, press fitting, spin joint connecting, enclosed between fabric by sewing the fabric, etc . . . and made from one or a plurality of pieces.

7. The system claim of 5 wherein the said surface grippers comprising of a plurality of materials, shapes, sizes, members, member connecting means, locations around or attachments to said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers

8. The system claim of 5 wherein the said gripper support attachment comprising of a plurality of materials, shapes, sizes, members, member connecting means, locations around or attachments to said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers

9. The system claim of 1 wherein the said full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers are used in the winter time by the everyday walking person, outside of the sports or hobby arena, to prevent one from slipping on snow or ice.

10. The system claim of 1 wherein the surface gripping mechanism and footwear attaching mechanism can be replaceable in which each item can be sold separately.