Abstract:
A wading boot sole in accordance with the present invention is designed like the top of a rock, allowing a person to use metal cleats recessed in the boot so as to avoid walking on the metal when walking from different fishing spots. An inner sole holds the boot together and acts as a mounting surface for the cleat base of the cleats in addition to providing a solid base for the boot. Gussets improve the strength of the cleat assembly. An outer bottom rim sole acts as the walking surface when not in the water, providing a smooth ride without sacrificing traction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/473,971 filed on Apr. 11, 2011 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Previous tread designs are flat on the bottom, which make wading difficult and dangerous. Felt bottom boots are common but help transport invasive aquatic species which can destroy a river. Newer designs have incorporated metal studs in a rubber sole but wear out fast. A need exists for eliminating felt but offering the most traction without wear when walking down a dirt road or any other surface than the river bottom. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The soles in accordance with the present invention are designed like the top of a rock, allowing a person to use metal cleats recessed in the boot so as to avoid walking on the metal when walking from different fishing spots. An inner sole holds the boot together. It acts as a mounting surface for the cleat base of the cleats. It also provides a solid base for the boot. An outer sole acts as the walking surface when not in the water. It provides a smooth ride without sacrificing fraction which is the most important aspect of a wading boot. Furthermore, it also keeps the teeth on the cleats from wearing out. The cleat base of the cleats mounts to the inner sole. This makes a solid connection and, as one piece, prevents the cleats from folding over. The angle supports or gussets improve the strength of the cleat assembly. The cleat assembly and the pattern in which they are arranged are necessary to make this product work. Cleat curves are intended to match the contour of river rocks, which are round not flat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the invention item  10  primary embodiment sole assembly intentionally omitting component  34  rubber matting for clarity. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the invention item  10  primary embodiment sole assembly illustrating component  22  cleat member only. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom perspective exploded view of the invention item  10  primary embodiment sole assembly illustrated intentionally omitting component  34  rubber matting for clarity. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the invention item  10  primary embodiment sole assembly intentionally omitting component  34  rubber matting for clarity. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of the invention item  10  primary embodiment sole assembly illustrated with component  34  rubber matting. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom view of the invention item  36  secondary embodiment sole assembly intentionally omitting component  34  rubber matting for clarity. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom view of the invention item  36  secondary embodiment sole assembly illustrated with component  34  rubber matting. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view shown in use. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  illustrates a section detail view of the invention along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention relates to a design for a wading boot sole  10  for fishing to provide maximum traction on slick river bottoms and eliminate the transfer of aquatic species. The sole  10  comprises an outer bottom rim sole  14  and an inner sole  16 . The inner sole  16  comprises a plurality of elongate cleat members  22  having first and second ends and including a base portion  30 , a grip portion  28  formed at an angle relative to the base portion  30  and first and second gussets  32  formed at the first and second ends and extending between the base portion  30  and the grip portion  28 . The grip portions  28  include a row of teeth extending along the grip portion  28  between the first and second ends. The plurality of elongate cleat members  22  extend approximately parallel and spaced apart from one another as seen in the  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 - 8 . As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  8 , the plurality of base portions  30  of the elongate cleat members  22  are surrounded by a matting  34  having top and bottom surfaces and preferably made from rubber. 
         [0015]    Cleat members  22  will be comprised of one of the materials selected from aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, steel, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, vanadium carbide, niobium carbide, carbon steel. In some embodiments, the dimensions will be 1/64″ to  ⅜″ thick,  1/16″ to 4″ wide, and 1″ to 8″ long. Cleat members  22  will span the total width of inner sole  16 . They will be a half-circle shape, from 1 degree radius to a 90 degree radius, or run straight. Members  22  vary from 1/16″ to 2″ in height. Cleat base  30  will be the mounting plate to attach the cleats to the inner sole  16  or frame members  26  by weld. The dimensions will be 1/16″ to ⅜″ thick, 1/16″ to 4″ wide. Between 1 and 100 teeth will be formed per grip member  28 . Gussets  32  will be placed on the outside edge of the cleat members  22  and in the middle on the opposite side of the cleat members  22 . The dimensions will be 1/64″ to ⅜″ thick, 1/32″ to 1½″ wide, 1/16″ to 1½″ long, and 5 degrees to 80 degree angle. They will act as supports for the cleat members  22 . 
         [0016]    The inner sole  16  also comprises a plurality of elongate frame members  26  extending generally perpendicular to the elongate cleat members  22 . The plurality of elongate frame members  26  are also surrounded by the rubber matting  34  which includes a plurality of boot drainage holes  24  formed therein. The elongate frame members  26  act as a mount and cross-brace for cleat base members  30 . The cleat frame members  26  will be comprised of one of the materials selected from aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, steel, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, vanadium carbide, niobium carbide, carbon steel. The dimensions will be ⅛″ to 5″ wide, 1/64″ to ¼″ thick. Length will depend on boot size. They will be positioned either horizontal, or parallel to the outer bottom rim sole  14 . In some embodiments, the frame members  26  are not present. As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  8 , the of elongate frame members  26  are also preferably surrounded by matting  34 . 
         [0017]    An outer bottom rim sole  14  surrounds the matting  34  and is defined by an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the outer bottom rim sole  14  is spaced apart from the top surface of the matting  34  in a first direction and the bottom surface of said outer bottom rim sole  14  is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the matting  34  in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction. A plurality of metal studs  18  are formed on the bottom surface of the outer bottom rim sole  14 . 
         [0018]    The outer bottom rim sole  14  provides a walking platform for use other than the river bottom. Where the recess at the matting  34  allows the cleat teeth to be protected when walking down the highway or dirt road. The cleat members  22  may be welded to the inner sole  16  that would be the shape of the recessed part of the sole and tit up inside the outer bottom rim sole  14 . 
         [0019]    The bottom surface of the outer bottom rim sole  14  is spaced apart from the row of teeth in a first direction such that when the bottom surface of the outer bottom rim sole  14  is placed on a foreign surface, the teeth are spaced apart from the foreign surface to prevent scratching thereof and to prevent dulling of the teeth. 
         [0020]    The dimensions for the inner sole  16  will be 1/64″ to 1″ thick, and shaped to match the bottom of the boot. It will act as a mounting platform for the cleat members  22 . There will be ⅛″ to 1″ holes  24  cut in the inner sole  16  and covered from the backside with PVC reinforced mesh to allow the water to drain from the bottom of the boot. 
         [0021]    The outer bottom rim sole  14  will be comprised of rubber. The dimensions will be ⅛″ to 2½″ wide, ⅛″ to 2½″ thick, and wrap around the whole outside of the boot. This will act as the walking surface when a user is out of the water. There will also be from 1 to 30 studs  18 , comprising of one of materials selected from aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, steel, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, vanadium carbide, niobium carbide, carbon steel, spaced as desired in the outer bottom rim sole  14  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 - 8 . Outer sole  14  of rubber. 
         [0022]    In construction, first the inner sole  16  would be cut and shaped to match the bottom of the boot  12 . Then holes would be cut in the inner sole  16  at the desired places and covered with PVC reinforced mesh from the top side, so it is sandwiched between the bottom of the boot and the inner sole  16 . Next the cleat members  22  are cut to size and the teeth are cut out. Then the cleat members  22  can be welded to the inner sole  16  in the desired pattern. Then the gussets  32  should be inserted in their desired spots and welded. Next the outer bottom rim sole  14  will be molded out of rubber and the studs  18  inserted in their desired positions. Then the whole outer bottom rim sole  14  will be pressed on the bottom of the boot. Then rubber matting  34  will be inlayed over the inner sole  16  to protect the cleat base  30  and gussets  32  from rocks. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the cleat members  22  are replaceable. To use the invention, a user places the soles on their feet to cross the slickest river bottom. It would be excellent for older people who enjoy fly-fishing. 
         [0024]    While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.