Non-Slip Outsole for Winter Shoes

Abstract

An outsole for a shoe includes i) a main tread to be secured to a shoe, the main tread having a sole portion and a heel portion, ii) at least one non-slip element integrated to the main tread and being positioned within one of the sole and heel portions; and iii) a retractable crampon, including at least one spike, that is mounted to the other one of the sole and heel portions of the main tread. The retractable crampon is movable between a deployed position, wherein the at least one spike extends from the main tread, and a retracted position, wherein the at least one spike is prevented from contacting the ground by the main tread.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outsole for a shoe comprising:
 a main tread to be secured to a shoe; the main tread having a sole portion and a heel portion;   at least one non-slip element integrated to the main tread and being positioned within one of the sole and heel portions; and   a retractable crampon, including at least one spike, that is mounted to the other one of the sole and heel portions of the main tread; the retractable crampon being movable between a deployed position, wherein the at least one spike extends from the main tread, and a retracted position, wherein the at least one spike is prevented from contacting the ground by the main tread.   
     
     
         2 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-slip element is positioned within the sole portion and the retractable crampon is mounted to the heel portion. 
     
     
         3 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-slip element includes a plurality of non-slip-elements. 
     
     
         4 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-slip element is made of a polymer blend material. 
     
     
         5 . The outsole of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer blend material is Vibram Arctic Grip™. 
     
     
         6 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable crampon is mounted to the other one of the sole and heel portions of the main tread via a bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The outsole of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket is removably secured to the other one of the sole and heel portions of the main tread via fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The outsole of  claim 6 , wherein the main tread further having a central portion that extends along both the sole and heel portions and a peripheral portion that surrounds the central portion; the bracket being positioned on the central portion of the heel portion. 
     
     
         9 . The outsole of  claim 6 , wherein the retractable crampon is pivotally secured to the bracket so as to be movable between the retracted and deployed positions. 
     
     
         10 . The outsole of  claim 9 , wherein the retractable crampon includes a spiked portion having two side faces and including the at least one spike on one of the two side faces, and a connecting portion that extends from the spiked portion and that pivotally connects the spiked portion to the bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The outsole of  claim 10 , wherein the spiked portion further includes a tab to help moving the retractable crampon between the retracted and deployed positions. 
     
     
         12 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the main tread includes a recess for receiving the retractable crampon in its retracted position. 
     
     
         13 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the main tread further having a central portion that extends along both the sole and heel portions and a peripheral portion that surrounds the central portion; the at least one non-slip element being positioned within the central portion of the one of the sole and heel portions thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the main tread is made of a rubber material. 
     
     
         15 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the main tread further includes a shank portion between the sole and heel portions. 
     
     
         16 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sole and heel portions comprises lugs. 
     
     
         17 . A shoe equipped with the outsole of  claim 1 .