# US 2019/0166955 A1 · Footwear Traction Devices and Systems and Mechanisms for Making Durable Connections to Soft Body Materials > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0166955 A1 - Document ID: US20190166955A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/017,734 - Filed: 2018-06-25 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-17 - Assignees: Kahtoola, Inc. - Applicants: Kahtoola, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher Bunch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190166955A1 ## CPC - A43C 15/061: {Ice-gripping devices or attachments, e.g. ice-cleats, ice-creepers} - A43C 15/02: attached to the sole - A43C 15/04: attached to the heel - A43C 15/063: {with ice-gripping means projecting from the front foot region} - A43C 15/066: {with ice-gripping means projecting from the heel area, e.g. ice spurs} - A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL ## Abstract The present disclosure is directed toward a device that can be worn over footwear to provide traction, such as on slick or slippery surfaces, in snow, or on ice. Described embodiments include footwear accessory devices comprising at least one cleat that provides traction but does not add significantly to the profile of the footwear during use. The present disclosure is also directed toward to connecting bodies that can be used to couple objects to a stretchy material. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-58. (canceled) ### Claim 59 A footwear securing member comprising a section of a first material, the section having at least atop surface and a bottom surface, the footwear securing member comprising at least one connecting body of a second material, the connecting body comprising a hub being configured to connect to an object, the hub having a proximal end and a distal end, the hub extending at least partially between the top surface and the bottom surface and a flange radially projecting from the hub, the flange being encapsulated by and bonded with the first material. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the first material is softer than the second material. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the flange has an outer edge and an interior region and comprises at least one aperture within the interior region, the first material occupying the apertures. ### Claim 62 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the hub has a thickness defined by the distance between the proximal end and the distal end, that is at least 1.5 times a thickness of the flange at an outer edge. ### Claim 63 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the hub has a thickness defined by the distance between the proximal end and the distal end, that is at least 2 times a thickness of the flange at an outer edge. ### Claim 64 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the hub has a thickness, defined by the distance between the proximal end and the distal end that is at least 3 times a thickness of the flange at an outer edge. ### Claim 65 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the surface of the flange is fused with the first material. ### Claim 66 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the outer lateral surface of the hub is at least partially surrounded by and bonded with the first material. ### Claim 67 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the outer lateral surface of the hub is at least partially surrounded by and fused with the first material. ### Claim 68 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the hardness of the first material is in the range of about Shore A 25 to 65, or is within an equivalent range on a different hardness scale. ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) The footwear securing member of claim 68, wherein the hardness of the second material is about at least Shore A 70 or harder, or has an equivalent minimum hardness on a different scale. ### Claim 70 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the hub has a shape of a cylindrical sleeve. ### Claim 71 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, wherein the footwear securing member comprises a plurality of connecting bodies. ### Claim 72 (depends on 59) The footwear securing member of claim 59, further comprising a toe bail reinforcement comprising a first toe bail hub and a second toe bail hub spaced apart from each other, each hub configured to connect to an object and having a proximal end, a distal end and an intermediate section therebetween; a toe bail flange radially projecting from each hub within the respective intermediate region; and a bridge piece extending between the first toe bail hub and the toe bail second hub. ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) The footwear securing member of claim 72, wherein at least one of the toe bail flanges defines at least one aperture within the interior region. ### Claim 74 (depends on 72) The footwear securing member of claim 72, wherein the toe bail flanges and the bridge are encapsulated by the first material. ### Claim 75 (depends on 74) The footwear securing member of claim 74, wherein the toe bail reinforcement is of the second material which is harder than the first material. ### Claim 76 (depends on 75) The footwear securing member of claim 75, wherein the toe bail flanges and bridge piece are fused with the first material. ### Claim 77 (depends on 75) The footwear securing member of claim 75, wherein the toe bail flanges and bridge piece are bonded with the first material. ### Claim 78 (depends on 75) The footwear securing member of claim 75, wherein the toe bail hubs each have a shape of a cylindrical sleeve.