We tackle a 30 year old traction dilemma.

Modern slip-resistant outsoles attempt to match the waves on a surface to improve traction. Unfortunately this type of approach does not slow or stop a slip-in-progress. Regular rubber slip-resistant outsoles are effective when there is a moisture situation but ineffective when a contaminant is present (UF CIR869). 

The footwear industry and research scientists have been struggling with traction issues for decades. Too much traction causes injuries from torsional forces and too little traction has created a slip and fall injury epidemic.

Our patent-pending system addresses the dilemma by separating traditional traction from emergency traction. The additional GripTec traction is only engaged if a dangerous slip begins, which prevents a number of potential challenges with getting our product to market.

If you walk, you are at risk of encountering a slip that could lead to a disabling or even deadly fall. An estimated 15 billion pairs of footwear are produced each year and GripTec would improve and compliment many of the current designs. 

GripTec offers financial and social rewards.

GripTec is a promising project that has received impressive reviews from leading safety scientists, footwear industry experts, and intellectual property consultants. The work shoe shown below comes with slip-resistant outsoles, which are complemented by the GripTec heel attachment. The orange base shape is coated with GripTec to create emergency traction. The GripTec material provides micron sized blades that pierce and grip the floor surface during the natural response to a slip-in-progress. The traction material is thinner than a hair; therefore the base shape can be much thinner than the sample shown.

The foot angle shown does not occur when walking or running, however, it does occur naturally during a slip. The piercing blades are a novel solution for the footwear industry.

Globally over 424,000 fatal falls occur annually and 37 million people are severely injured as a result of a fall (WHO). Many of those falls started with a slip. In the United States 17,000 people die each year from a slip related falls. The yearly U.S. expense for slip injuries is more than $30 billion (NSC). A death from an on-the-job slip and fall is estimated to cost an average of $940,000 on top of the victim’s family’s loss and trauma. Falls obviously are an epic problem and GripTec offers an innovative solution.