Traction control device

Abstract

A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear includes an outer peripheral band, a forefoot pod member disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, a heel pod member disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between the forefoot pod member and the outer peripheral band and between the heel pod member and the outer peripheral band, thereby connecting the forefoot pod member and heel pod member to the outer peripheral band. According to one aspect of the invention, at least some of the connecting strands define a non-linear configuration According to a further aspect of the invention, the forefoot pod member and heel pod member include a ground-engaging outsole surface having a non-slip tread configuration and the forefoot pod member and heel pod member further include a footwear engaging surface having an anti-fatigue tread configuration.

1 . A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear, said traction device comprising:
 an outer peripheral band;   a forefoot pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band;   a heel pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band; and   a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between said forefoot pod member and said outer peripheral band and between said heel pod member and said outer peripheral band, thereby connecting said forefoot pod member and heel pod member to said outer peripheral band;   wherein at least some of said connecting strands define a non-linear configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least some connecting strands define a serpentine configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a ground-engaging outsole surface having a non-slip tread configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The traction device according to  claim 3 , wherein said ground-engaging outsole includes a plurality of cylindrical elements. 
   
   
       5 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a footwear engaging surface. 
   
   
       6 . The traction device according to  claim 5 , wherein said footwear engaging surface includes an anti-fatigue tread configuration 
   
   
       7 . The traction device according to  claim 6 , wherein said anti-fatigue tread configuration defines a herringbone tread pattern 
   
   
       8 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least some of said connecting strands defining a non-linear configuration include a plurality of single strand elements. 
   
   
       9 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of connecting strands includes a plurality of compound strand elements. 
   
   
       10 . The traction device according to  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of compound strand elements define an open network of serpentine, arcuate, and straight connecting members. 
   
   
       11 . The traction device according to  claim 1 , wherein said traction device is formed from an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       12 . A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear, the article of footwear having a toe portion, a heel portion and opposing side portions, traction device comprising:
 an outer peripheral band;   a forefoot pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band;   a heel pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band; and   a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between said forefoot pod member and said outer peripheral band and between said heel pod member and said outer peripheral band, thereby connecting said forefoot pod member and heel pod member to said outer peripheral band;   wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a ground-engaging outsole surface having a non-slip tread configuration; and   wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a footwear engaging surface having an anti-fatigue tread configuration.   
   
   
       13 . The traction device according to  claim 12 , wherein said ground-engaging outsole surface defines a plurality of cylindrical elements. 
   
   
       14 . The traction device according to  claim 12 , wherein said anti-fatigue tread configuration includes a herringbone tread pattern. 
   
   
       15 . The traction device according to  claim 12 , wherein said traction device is formed from an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       16 . The traction device according to  claim 12 , wherein said outer peripheral band is stretchable so as to surround the toe portion, heel portion and opposing side portions of the article of footwear.