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 method for assembling a traction panel assembly on an underlying surface, said method comprising:
 positioning a panel body of the traction panel assembly on the underlying surface, the panel body having an exposed top surface, a bottom surface, opposing sides, and opposing ends, and defining at least one slot extending between the opposing sides and opposing ends;   arranging at least one spiked insert adjacent the slot of the panel body, wherein the spiked insert comprises a series of rigid spikes configured to extend vertically through the slot and above the top surface of the panel body; and   retaining the spiked insert at the slot without direct attachment of the spiked insert to the underlying surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the spiked insert comprises between 3-8 rigid spikes. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each rigid spike has a forward-pointing, generally V-shaped tip configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot of the panel body comprises 4-8 slots extending between the opposing sides and opposing ends. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , and comprising custom arranging 4-8 removable spiked inserts within selected 4-8 slots of the panel body. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel body further defines a plurality of corner openings adapted for managing surface-water runoff. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel body has a low profile height of less than 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel body has a chamfered front edge extending between the opposing ends. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the panel body has a downwardly-turned lip formed along a front edge of the panel body. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel body has an underside comprising a plurality of integrally formed structural ribs. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the panel body comprises an anti-slip surface texture. 
     
     
         12 . A method for assembling a traction panel assembly on an underlying surface, said method comprising:
 positioning a panel body of the traction panel assembly on the underlying surface, the panel body having an exposed top surface, a bottom surface, opposing sides, and opposing ends, and defining a plurality of slots extending between the opposing sides and opposing ends;   custom arranging at least one spiked insert adjacent a selected one of the slots of the panel body, wherein the spiked insert comprises a series of rigid spikes configured to extend vertically through the slot and above the top surface of the panel body; and   retaining the spiked insert at the slot without direct attachment of the spiked insert to the underlying surface.