Patent ID: 6256908
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: A43B,A43C,A63C

Abstract:
A terrain-engaging cleat or crampon for enhancing traction on a flexible boot or shoe, comprising:a platform including an upper surface with a footbed of size and configuration to receive the bottom of a front portion of a flexible boot or shoe, under the ball of a user's foot, such that the heel of the boot or shoe extends behind the platform, the platform having a forward end and a back end, and the cleat or crampon being without any further platform surface for engagement with the bottom of a user's boot behind said back end,a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from edges of the platform, including left and right side teeth and at least two frontal teeth, the frontal teeth extending forward from the platform and lying in at least one plane which is obliquely angled relative to the platform, and including an angled tooth on each side of the crampon, between the side tooth and the frontal teeth, each angled tooth having a generally flat face that is angled obliquely relative to a line between the forward and back ends of the platform of the crampon such that the angled teeth afford traction for the crampon in both the forward/back direction and in lateral directions, the platform and teeth being integrally formed together of a stainless steel stamping, and wherein each angled tooth comprises a neck extending down through a bend from the edge of the platform, with a stiffener pleat formed in the bend, extending from the platform down into the flat face of the tooth for increased strength through the bend, and the flat face of the tooth being substantially wider than the neck portion, and the angled tooth being formed into an ice-engaging point at a bottom edge of the tooth, the point being essentially directly beneath the stiffener pleat so that stress in the angled tooth from the user's weight bearing on the crampon is resisted by the stiffener pleat, anda harness assembly secured to the platform, extending laterally outwardly from forward and rearward locations on the platform, and including strap means for engaging over the top of a user's boot including generally over an arch region of the boot, with strap connecting means for engaging the strap means firmly on the boot.