Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a rubberized grip tape and more specifically, to a rubberized grip tape used for rock climbing. The rubberized tape providing, hand protection and increased friction and grip.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a rubberized grip tape and more specifically, to a rubberized grip tape having a tacky vulcanized rubber surface used primarily for rock climbing. 
         [0002]    Rock climbing in essence is pure sport, pitting man against nature, while using minimal amounts of equipment. The sports of rock climbing and bouldering, technical climbing with low vertical exposure, has exploded in the past decade, this is largely due to the advent of adventure sports and the development of indoor climbing gyms. In most cases a person can become involved in climbing by simply arriving at a local climbing gym, renting a pair shoes and getting on the artificial wall. Both natural walls with established routes, and gym climbing walls, have climbs that are rated for difficulty. A climber can chose a route suited for their personal skill level or chose a route that challenges their capability and requires multiple attempts to master. Basic equipment choices will allow climbers to ascend or conquer more difficult routes. Early in the sport of rock climbing, climbers used rigid soled mountaineering boots; these boots are effective if the climber can find a substantial surface to stand on or a significant crack that can be purchased with the toe of the boots. However, the stiffness of the boot did not allow for articulation of the foot for “smearing” against the rock, for inserting into small cracks or standing on small protrusions. The rating of difficultly of climbable routes skyrocketed once modern climbing shoes, with a flexible vulcanized rubber sole, were introduced. 
         [0003]    Climbing is mentally challenging, physically taxing and will cause “wear and tear” on the climber&#39;s body. Most significantly, the climber expects cuts and abrasions on the hands and fingers; especially when “crack climbing” or jamming and wedging the fingers into a vertical break in the rock as a climbing hold. For years climbers have resorted to using cloth medical tape, such as the tape disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,187,563 issued to Raymond E. Thomas, Jan. 16, 1940 (hereinafter, Thomas). The tape in Thomas is a loosely woven cotton fabric that is treated with a paraffin wax based emulsion for water repellency and has a natural rubber based adhesive back. The modern equivalent is woven cotton or synthetic fabric treated with a latex emulsion and has an adhesive back. Climbers will wrap each finger individually, protecting the finger tips and knuckles as necessary. A climber may also wrap finger joints to protect against sprains and ligament damage. The tape is inexpensive protection for the climber&#39;s hands and fingers, but it has limitations, including, unwrapping, wear, and reducing the climber&#39;s natural friction and grip. 
         [0004]    Climbers may also choose to use climbing chalk in order to dry sweating hands and to improve friction between their finger tips and the climbing hold or natural rock. Climbing gyms will on occasion remove the artificial holds and wash using soapy water to remove skin oil and climbing chalk residue to restore the hold texture. When climbing outdoors on well-established routes it is typically obvious where each reasonable hand hold or purchase is on the wall because of the chalk residue built up on the rock. For climbers this “connect the dots” method can become a crutch that eliminates some of the learning or creativity required to identify the best holds. For non-climbers and naturalists, the chalk marks on a natural rock face may be considered an eyesore, or in extreme situations, this may be considered defacing a natural treasure. 
         [0005]    What is needed is an inexpensive climbing tape that stays wrapped, does not wear through, aides a climber&#39;s natural finger friction and grip and may help eliminate or reduce the use of climbing chalk. 
         [0006]    An improved rock climbing tape may change rock climbing and a climber&#39;s ability, similar to the progress experienced following the introduction of specialized rock climbing shoes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A first embodiment of the present invention is a rubberized grip tape used for protection of the climber&#39;s hands and fingers. The tape can be wrapped individually around the finger tips and may be applied over the knuckles. The tape has a thin cross-section, allowing for multiple layers, or wraps of tape, without unduly inhibiting the climber&#39;s tactile sensation. The rubberized grip tape uses the same compound as, or similar to, the vulcanized rubber used on climbing shoes on the top surface, with a releasable adhesive on the bottom surface. The rubberized grip tape providing enhanced friction and gripping strength to the climber and resists wear due to abrasion. The releasable adhesive backing provides a secure attachment of the tape to the user&#39;s skin and will resist unwrapping even when exposed to moisture or sweat. 
         [0008]    The climbing tape can be created by spreading or spraying a thin layer of vulcanized rubber emulsion onto fabric based adhesive tape. The first embodiment of the present invention may also be suitable for other climbing and non-climbing applications, including, but not limited to, taping worn climbing shoes, providing a grip on an ice axe, providing a grip on an ascender, protecting the fabric and frame of a climbing ledge or platform, providing insulation on a backpacking stove, and providing grip or camouflage on a firearm. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the rubberized grip tape can be created by spreading or spraying a vulcanized rubber emulsion over a cotton or synthetic mesh support frame. After the emulsion has sufficiently cured, an adhesive is applied to the bottom surface. It is contemplated that the adhesive is one of, spread or sprayed on, or the adhesive is applied as a tape or film having adhesive on both surfaces. 
         [0010]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the rubberized grip tape can be created by blending reinforcement fibers into the vulcanized rubber emulsion and extruding or spreading the emulsion onto a release agent for curing. The reinforcement fibers may be a natural fiber such as, but not limited to, jute, hemp, coconut husk, or cotton. The reinforcement fiber may also be a synthetic such as nylon or Kevlar. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the rubber emulsion for the rubberized grip tape can be formed using a substantial amount of recycled materials. It is contemplated that the base rubber compound or granules can be ground rubber sourced from recycled rock climbing shoe soles, bicycle tires or automobile tires. A ground up bias ply tire may be used as a source for both rubber granules and for support matrix fibers reclaimed from the nylon or aramid belts. An emulsion can be created by blending the recycled rubber material and fibers along with a binding agent and solvent. 
         [0012]    One embodiment of the present invention the vulcanized rubber emulsion may include added natural material to increase the overall coefficient of friction. The nature material may be a rock product such as silica sand or pumice or an organic material such as crushed walnut hulls. 
         [0013]    One embodiment of the present invention, or rubberized grip tape may include designs or patterns in the rubberized surface. The patterns may include, but are not limited to, zigzag, waves, ripples or ribs. The pattern may also include basic shapes, such as, stars, diamonds, hearts or triangles. The pattern may include themed images such as a rock climbing, climbing equipment, or images from nature or art. The patterns may include logos, such as the logo for the manufacturer or for a climbing event sponsor. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the rubberized grip tape is multicolor or the color is customizable. In another embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the rubberized grip tape can be cut, grooved or siped. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the rubberized grip tape can be formed as a continuous strip on a roll. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the rubberized grip tape can be formed as pre-cut strips applied to a roll. In yet another embodiment, the rubberized grip tape can be formed as pre-cut strips applied to a releasable backer sheet. 
         [0017]    These and other features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth and will become more fully apparent in the detailed description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the disclosure may be learned by the practice of the methods or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate one embodiment of the present invention or rubberized grip tape; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention or rubberized grip tape formed on a support mesh; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention or rubberized grip tape formed using reinforcement fibers; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  illustrate one embodiment of the present invention or rubberized grip tape having a design surface; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention or rubberized grip tape formed as a sheet; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates one method of manufacture for the present invention or rubberized grip tape, and; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates one method of manufacture for the present invention or rubberized grip tape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0027]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with definitions set out below. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and the grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method processes. 
         [0028]    The disclosure relates to rubberized grip tape or more specifically to, rubberized grip tape used for rock climbing. 
         [0029]    Rubberized meaning to coat or cover with rubber, natural rubber, vulcanized rubber or an equivalent material as currently understood in the art or material yet to be developed. The rubberized coat having a high friction coefficient and comprised of a compound comparable to the sole of a rock climbing shoe. 
         [0030]    Emulsion meaning a liquid, semi-solid or a blend of liquids with one or more solids. 
         [0031]    Curing meaning the semi-solid emulsion sets up to a rubberized solid section. 
         [0032]    Tape meaning an elongate flexible strip having a first base material with a releasable adhesive on the bottom surface of the base material. 
         [0033]    Siped meaning the rubber surface is modified with thin cuts or grooves. 
         [0034]    Illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , is one embodiment of the present invention, rubberized grip tape  100 , having a rubberized emulsion grip surface  120  applied to a reinforced cloth backing  110  and including a releasable adhesive  130 . The backing material  110  can be a woven cotton or synthetic cloth or may be cotton or synthetic cloth that is treated with latex or similar emulsion. Releasable adhesive  130  is resistant to moisture, body oils, and sweat. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2A  is another embodiment of the present invention, or rubberized grip tape  100  formed by spreading or spraying a vulcanized rubber emulsion  120  over a support mesh  111 . The support mesh  111  can be formed using a natural or synthetic fiber mat. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2B  is another embodiment of the present invention, or rubberized grip tape  100  formed by spreading or extruding vulcanized rubber emulsion  120  which is structurally supported by reinforcement fibers  112 . Reinforcement fibers  112  may be natural fibers, such as but not limited to, cotton, jute, hemp, or coconut husk. Synthetic options include, but are not limited to, nylon and Kevlar. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  are another embodiment of the present invention, or rubberized grip tape  100  where the grip material is distributed in a pattern or design, such as zigzag  121 , scroll  122  or images such as the stars  123  shown in  FIG. 3C . It is contemplated that emulsion  120  is multicolor or the color is customizable. Images may be formed on tape  100  using a template cutout, form or may be stamped. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is yet another embodiment of the present invention, or rubberized grip tape  100  formed on a releasable backer sheet  200 . The rubberized emulsion  120  can be applied to individual adhesive strips separated by a cutline or margin  120 . This embodiment presents the advantage of precut strips and the ability to treat or spread vulcanized rubber emulsion  120  over the entire backer sheet  200  prior to curing. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is one embodiment of the present invention, or rubberized grip tape  100 , where a preformed emulsion strip  120  is mechanically attached to an adhesive film  130  by equipment such a press or rollers  300  as shown. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is one embodiment of the present invention, or rubberized grip tape  100  formed by removing preformed cloth tape  410  directly from a roll  400  or bulk spool (not shown) and applying rubber emulsion  500  directly to the cloth tape  410  using calibrated distribution. The rubber emulsion is spread evenly across the face of tape  410  using a spreader rod or roller  535 . Tape  410  will then travel a distance D which is set to allow sufficient time for emulsion  500  to dry prior to being spooled on a commercial sales roll  140 . The emulsion distribution system will include a bulk reservoir  505  a variable pressurization pump  510 , and a nozzle  520  having a specific orifice  525 . It is contemplated that the variable pressurization pump  510  may be a plunger assembly having a rack and pinion arrangement, or a plunger having a screw drive or the pressurization pump  510  may be a positive displacement pump such as a gear rotor pump. Proper distribution of the rubberized emulsion  500  is achieved where the emulsion  500  is spread in a uniform layer from edge to edge across the face of the cloth tape  410 . Controlling the spread of emulsion  500  can be achieved by adjusting the variable pressurization pump  510  output, changing the orifice  525  diameter or changing the rate of speed in which tape  410  is moved through the process. Additionally, the amount of the tension applied to tape  410 , plus the angle in which the tape  410  is pulled against spreader rod  535  can affect the quality of the final product. It is contemplated that emulsion  500  may include a curing agent which is reactive to ultra-violet light and an appropriate light source may be included in the system within the distance D. The use of a ultra-violet curing agent is expected to significantly reduce drying and overall process time.