Carbide studs for stability and motive traction

Abstract

The present invention provides a traction device for a terrain engaging element. The traction device defines a stud having a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion and adapted to be secured into the terrain engaging element. A plurality of generally equally-sized carbide pellets are bonded together on and to the upper surface of the head. The carbide pellets are provided in multiple layers extending across the upper surface of the head. The carbide pellets may be provided in a stacked relationship to each other so that during use the carbide pellets are capable of being individually dislodged to reveal a carbide pellet of an underlying layer.

1 . A traction device for a terrain engaging element, said traction device comprising: 
 a head portion defining an upper surface and a lower surface;    a shank portion extending from the head portion and adapted to be secured into the terrain engaging element; and    a plurality of generally equally-sized carbide pellets bonded together on and to the upper surface of the head, said carbide pellets being provided in multiple layers extending across the upper surface of the head, and said carbide pellets being in a stacked relationship to each other so that during use said carbide pellets are capable of being individually dislodged to reveal a carbide pellet of an underlying layer.    
   
   
       2 . The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the head portion is permanently secured to the shank portion.  
   
   
       3 . The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the head portion and shank portion are separable.  
   
   
       4 . The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the head portion includes a recessed area into which the plurality of carbide pellets are received.  
   
   
       5 . The traction device of  claim 4  wherein the recessed portion is defined by an upwardly extending wall.  
   
   
       6 . The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the terrain engaging element is footwear.  
   
   
       7 . The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the head portion includes a plurality of notches defined around a perimeter of the head portion.  
   
   
       8 . The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the carbide pellets are between a 16 to 32 standard mesh size.  
   
   
       9 . A traction device for a terrain engaging element, said traction device comprising: 
 a head portion defining an upper surface and a lower surface;    a shank portion extending from the head portion and adapted to be secured into the terrain engaging element;    a plurality of generally equally-sized carbide pellets; and    an alloy which bonds the carbide pellets together on and to the upper surface of the head, said carbide pellets being provided in multiple layers extending across the upper surface of the head, and said carbide pellets being in a stacked relationship to each other so that during use said carbide pellets are capable of being individually dislodged to reveal a carbide pellet of an underlying layer.    
   
   
       10 . The traction device of  claim 9  wherein the head portion is permanently secured to the shank portion.  
   
   
       11 . The traction device of  claim 9  wherein the head portion and shank portion are separable.  
   
   
       12 . The traction device of  claim 9  wherein the terrain engaging element is footwear.  
   
   
       13 . The traction device of  claim 9  wherein the head portion includes a plurality of notches defined around a perimeter of the head portion.  
   
   
       14 . The traction device of  claim 9  wherein the carbide pellets are between a 16 to 32 standard mesh size.  
   
   
       15 . A traction device for a terrain engaging element, said traction device comprising: 
 a head portion defining an upper surface and a lower surface;    a shank portion extending from the head portion and adapted to be secured into the terrain engaging element; and    a plurality of carbide elements bonded to the upper surface of the head, each of said carbide elements being similarly configured and generally symmetrically aligned relative to the center of the head portion.    
   
   
       16 . The traction device of  claim 15  wherein the head portion is permanently secured to the shank portion.  
   
   
       17 . The traction device of  claim 15  wherein the carbide elements are defined by a plurality of planar surfaces and edged therebetween.  
   
   
       18 . The traction device of  claim 15  wherein the head portion includes a recessed area into which the plurality of carbide pellets are received.  
   
   
       19 . The traction device of  claim 15  wherein the carbide pellets are between a 16 to 32 standard mesh size.