Foot traction panel assembly for stair treads, steps, and walkways

Abstract

A foot traction panel assembly includes a panel body having an exposed top surface, opposing sides, and opposing ends. The panel body defines a number of slots extending between the opposing sides and opposing ends. A number of removable spiked inserts are adapted for being custom arranged adjacent selected slots of the panel body. Each of the spiked inserts has a base and a series of spaced apart rigid spikes attached to the base. The spikes are configured to extend vertically above the top surface of the panel body.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A traction panel assembly for mounting on an underlying surface, comprising:
 a panel body having an exposed top surface, a bottom surface, opposing sides, and opposing ends, and defining at least one slot extending between said opposing sides and opposing ends; and   at least one spiked insert adapted for being arranged adjacent the slot of said panel body, and said spiked insert comprising a base having a base flange configured to reside adjacent the bottom surface of said panel body, and a series of rigid spikes configured to extend vertically through the slot and above the top surface of said panel body.   
     
     
         2 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid spikes and base of said spiked insert are integrally formed together as a single homogenous unit. 
     
     
         3 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said spiked insert comprises between 3-8 rigid spikes. 
     
     
         4 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each rigid spike has a forward-pointing, generally V-shaped tip configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot of said panel body comprises 4-8 slots extending between said opposing sides and opposing ends. 
     
     
         6 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 5 , and comprising 4-8 removable spiked inserts adapted for being custom arranged within selected 4-8 slots of said panel body. 
     
     
         7 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel body further defines a plurality of corner openings adapted for managing surface-water runoff. 
     
     
         8 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel body has a low profile height of less than 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel body has a chamfered front edge extending between said opposing ends. 
     
     
         10 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 9 , and comprising a downwardly-turned lip formed along the front edge of said panel body. 
     
     
         11 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a bottom of panel body comprises a plurality of integrally formed structural ribs. 
     
     
         12 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of said panel body comprises an anti-slip surface texture. 
     
     
         13 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 1 , and comprising a fastener landing formed with said panel body, and having a fastener hole for receiving a fastener used to mount said traction panel assembly to an underlying surface. 
     
     
         14 . A traction panel assembly for mounting on an underlying surface, comprising:
 a panel body having an exposed top surface, a bottom surface, opposing sides, and opposing ends, and defining a plurality of slots extending between said opposing sides and opposing ends; and   a plurality of spiked inserts adapted for being arranged adjacent respective slots of said panel body, and each spiked insert comprising a base having a base flange configured to reside adjacent the bottom surface of said panel body, and a series of rigid spikes configured to extend vertically through the slot and above the top surface of said panel body.   
     
     
         15 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein each of said plurality of spiked inserts comprises 3-8 spaced apart rigid spikes. 
     
     
         16 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein each rigid spike has a forward-pointing, generally V-shaped tip configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of slots of said panel body comprises 4-8 slots extending between said opposing sides and opposing ends. 
     
     
         18 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 17 , and comprising 4-8 removable spiked inserts adapted for being custom arranged within selected 4-8 slots of said panel body. 
     
     
         19 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said panel body has a chamfered front edge extending longitudinally between said opposing ends. 
     
     
         20 . The traction panel assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the top surface of said panel body comprises an anti-slip surface texture.