Climbing boots

Abstract

A band 30 which is preferably made of lightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal or other durable material, is placed around the top of boot 20 . Attached to band 30 are two straps 40 , extending down from band 30 , under boot 20 just ahead of heel 25 . Spike mount 50 is movably attached to strap 40 . Spike 60 has a head 67 which fits into slot 55 in spike mount 50 . In use, a worker wears the assembly 10 , one on each boot 20 . Spike 60 is installed in spike mount 50 . The worker forces spike 60 into the pole, tree, or other object he or she desires to climb. In effect, this turns invention 10 into a “step”, allowing the worker to climb up and down as desired. When not in use, spike 60 can be removed from spike mount 50 and stored in spike holder 70.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved climbing boot comprising: 
 a boot having a body portion and a top portion,    a heel portion located below said body portion, and    a foot portion extedning outwardly from said heel portion;    at least one band placed around said top portion,    at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion;    at least one spike mount removably attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and    at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent.    
     
     
         2 . An improved climbing boot according to  claim 1  wherein the means for removably engaging said spike mount comprise a spike having a head end extending into a slot in said spike mount.  
     
     
         3 . An improved climbing boot according to  claim 1  wherein said band is made of durable material.  
     
     
         4 . An improved climbing boot according to  claim 3  wherein said durable material is selected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic  
     
     
         5 . An improved climbing boot according to  claim 1  wherein said durable material comprises lightweight aluminum material.  
     
     
         6 . An improved climbing boot band and strap assembly comprising: 
 at least one band adapted to placed around the top of aboot;    at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion;    at least one spike mount removably attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and    at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent.    
     
     
         7 . An improved climbing boot strap assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the means for removably engaging said spike mount comprise a spike having a head extending into a slot in said spike mount.  
     
     
         8 . An improved climbing boot strap assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said band is made of durable material.  
     
     
         9 . An improved climbing bootstrap assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said durable material is selected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic  
     
     
         10 . An improved climbing boot strap assembly according to  claim 9  wherein said durable material comprises lightweight aluminum material.  
     
     
         11 . An improved climbing boot spike assembly comprising: 
 at least one spike mount having means for removably attaching said spike mount to a climbing boot strap; said spike mount having at least one opening therein; and    at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent.    
     
     
         12 . An improved climbing boot spike assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the means for removably engaging said spike mount comprise a head on said spike extending into a slot in said spike mount.  
     
     
         13 . A method of ascending or descending a tree or other upwardly extending structure comprising: 
 providing a boot having a body portion, a top portion, and    a heel portion located below said body portion,    a foot portion extedning outwardly from said heel portion;    providing at least one band placed around said top portion,    providing at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion;    providing at least one spike mount removably attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and    forcing at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount with having sufficient strength to support a climber during ascent or descent into said tree or other structure; and    ascending and/or descending after placement of each spike into said tree or other structure.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  including removably engaging said spike mount with a spike having a head end extending into a slot in said spike mount.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein including forming said said band with strong and durable material.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said durable material is selected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13  including: 
 locating at least one band around the top of a boot;  
 locating at least one strap extending down from said band and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion;  
 said strap having at least one spike mount attached to said strap having at least one opening therein; and  
 inserting at least one spike having means for removably engaging said spike mount with sufficient force to support a climber during ascent or descent.  
 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  including inserting into said spike mount a head extending into a slot in said spike mount.