U.S. patent application number 10/794614 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for waterproof protective overshoe for golf shoes.
Invention is credited to Culton, Dale M., Gava, Enrico G..
Application Number | 20050193596 10/794614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34912306 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050193596 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Culton, Dale M. ; et
al. |
September 8, 2005 |
Waterproof protective overshoe for golf shoes
Abstract
A waterproof protective overshoe or boot adapted to be worn over
a standard rubber or plastic cleated golf shoe, the overshoe having
a rugged outsole with a protruding patterned grid tread, a
resilient flexible conforming insole for receiving the rubber or
plastic cleats of a golf shoe into a corresponding number of
recesses formed by the cleats locking the golf shoe in place within
the protective overshoe, a double gusseted front creating a wide
opening mouth for ease of putting on or taking off the boot, and a
plurality of adjustable fasteners for securing the boot to the shoe
clad foot of a golfer, the boot being of unitary construction and
extending above the ankle of a golfer so as to be impervious to
water intrusion, particularly when worn in combination with rain
pants.
Inventors: |
Culton, Dale M.; (Emmaus,
PA) ; Gava, Enrico G.; (Allentown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sanford J. Piltch, Esq.
Suite 201
1132 Hamilton Street
Allentown
PA
18101
US
|
Family ID: |
34912306 |
Appl. No.: |
10/794614 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/135 ;
36/7.1R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/12 20130101; A43B
5/185 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/135 ;
036/007.10R |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/16 |
Claims
1. A waterproof protective overshoe adapted for fitting over a
rubber or plastic cleated golf shoe as worn by a golfer comprising
a sole portion integrally connected about the perimeter thereof to
a boot portion extending upward from the foot of the golfer, said
sole portion having a rugged outsole with a protruding patterned
grid tread and a resilient flexible conforming insole for receiving
the cleats of said golf shoe into a corresponding array of recesses
formed by said cleats locking the golf shoe in place, said boot
portion having a double gusseted front enabling easy insertion and
removal of said golf shoe and a plurality of adjustable fasteners
for securing said boot to the shoed foot of the golfer.
2. The waterproof protective overshoe of claim 1, wherein said boot
portion is manufactured from nitrile, SBR rubber, or equivalent
elastomeric material.
3. The waterproof protective overshoe of claim 1, wherein said
outsole is manufactured from 70A hardness rubber or equivalent
material.
4. The waterproof protective overshoe of claim 1, wherein said
insole is manufactured from soft rubber, vinyl nitrile, or
equivalent closed-cell energy absorbing material.
5. The waterproof protective overshoe of claim 1, wherein said boot
portion extends above the ankle of the golfer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to protective
waterproof overshoes. More particularly, the present invention
relates to protective boots or overshoes adapted to be worn over
rubber or plastic cleated golf shoes for the purpose of keeping a
golfer's feet dry when playing golf on a wet golf course and to
provide sufficient traction for play.
[0002] A conventional golf shoe is not waterproof and may have
moisture or water, when a golfer plays in the rain or on a course
that has been soaked by rainfall, seep into the shoe or overflow
the shoe sides. Additionally, sometimes a golfer begins a round of
golf on a clear day but rain or dew remains on the ground producing
a highly concentrated moisture seepage problem for which most golf
shoes are ill equipped to rebuff. The present invention is intended
for use in such situations.
[0003] While some more expensive golf shoes are designed to be
water resistant, they are typically low cut shoes that stop below
the ankle. Thus, even if such shoes do not allow water to penetrate
through the sole, the upper, or the seams, water may enter the
shoes from the mouth of the shoe below the ankle and the golfer's
foot and shoe will still get wet. Further, these water resistant
shoes are much more costly that conventional golf shoes having
leather or synthetic uppers.
[0004] Overshoes or boots made from elastomeric material are well
known in the prior art. However, many shortcomings are evident in
attempting to apply the typical overshoe to the golf scenario.
These challenges are overcome by the present invention. A typical
overshoe, made from rubber or other similar material, has a flimsy
sole that does not provide good traction, particularly on grassy or
muddy surfaces. Other overshoes, sometimes termed shoe jackets,
permit the sole of the enclosed shoe to be exposed and only cover
the upper portion of the shoe, thus providing an imperfect
waterproofing which may allow water to seep into the overshoe from
below.
[0005] Additionally, a boot or overshoe can be difficult to put on
over a regular shoe, and especially over a rubber or plastic
cleated golf shoe, which requires the overshoe to have a higher
instep height than does an ordinary shoe. Further, many overshoes
are only low cut, and do not extend above the ankle. A golfer will
normally want to wear both rain pants and waterproof shoes when
playing on a wet course or in the rain, and it is imperative that
the overshoe extend above the bottom of the cuff on the pants;
otherwise, water running down the rain pants can enter the mouth of
the shoe, and the entire purpose of wearing a waterproof overshoe
or boot is defeated. Further still, many boots or overshoes do not
secure snugly about a user's shoe, allowing the shoe to slide
around within the boot. A poorly secured overshoe may make it
uncomfortable and tiring to walk any significant distance and may
cause the user to be less surefooted on wet or dry surfaces.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,565 [Haley] discloses a low cut
elastomeric overshoe with a variety of interchangeable metal plates
for installation in the sole, the metal plates having sharp metal
projections or punched holes for creating traction on slippery or
icy surfaces. The drawbacks of this design are that it does not
extend above the ankle, that any holes in the metallic sole plates
will permit water intrusion, and that it has no internal means to
accommodate the spikes of a golf shoe.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,558 [Slusher] discloses an overshoe
particularly adapted for use with a spiked golf shoe. However, this
design includes openings to permit clearance for the spikes of the
golf shoe about which the overshoe is fitted. In addition to the
drawbacks of being low cut, this overshoe will permit intrusion of
water from below into the space between the overshoe and the golf
shoe, eventually allowing water to soak into the golf shoe and
cause the golfer's sock and foot to become wet.
[0008] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,333 [Tsen] discloses a golf
overshoe extending above the ankle with a partially open sole to
permit the protrusion of the golf shoe spikes. While this design
provides means to snug the rim of the overshoe against the golf
shoe sole to seal against water intrusion, such a seal is
necessarily imperfect. Further, this overshoe includes zippers down
both the front and rear to ease the insertion of a shoed foot
thereinto, the zippers being covered with flaps to protect against
rain intrusion. However, the flaps may not prevent water from
entering the overshoe if the golfer steps into a puddle or a
section of very soggy turf or very deep wet grass.
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a waterproof overshoe boot including a fully sealed and
integral sole, as well as fully sealed and integral uppers, so that
even if a golfer stands in a puddle of water, there will be no
intrusion or seepage of moisture to the golfer's foot. It is
another object of the present invention to provide a waterproof
overshoe boot capable of accommodating a standard rubber or plastic
cleated golf shoe, having sufficient instep clearance and including
a means to retain the golf shoe in position within the overshoe so
that the golf shoe will not slide around in the boot.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a waterproof overshoe boot that extends above the ankle so that
water running off of rain pants cannot enter the mouth of the
overshoe. It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a waterproof overshoe boot having a durable and rugged
cleated tread that provides a good grip on surfaces normally
encountered on a golf course, including wet grass, mud, sand, and
pavement. It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a waterproof overshoe boot that is easy for a golfer to put
on and take off without first needing to remove his conventional
rubber or plastic cleated golf shoes.
[0011] Other objects will appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a waterproof overshoe boot
specifically adapted for use with a conventional rubber or plastic
cleated golf shoe. The overshoe boot is of a unitary construction,
with the sole portion and boot portion forming an integral and leak
free enclosure. The inside of the boot includes a conforming insole
of sufficient depth and flexibility to encapsulate the rubber or
plastic cleats on the outsole of a conventional golf shoe, locking
the golf shoe in place, and preventing the golf shoe from sliding
around inside the boot. The conforming insole is also sufficiently
resilient to rebound to its original shape once the overshoe boot
is removed, so that a variety of golf shoe cleat patterns and types
can be accommodated in the same boot. Additionally, the instep
height of the overshoe is capable of fitting a cleated golf
shoe.
[0013] The upper portion of the overshoe boot of the present
invention extends over the foot to above the ankle, so that rain
water running off of rain pants will also run off the outside of
the boot. Also, the closure system of the boot provides for a snug
fit around the ankle that does not interfere with the pant leg of
the golfer. The boot sole is sufficiently thick to give structural
rigidity and to support a patterned grid tread similar to that
found on hiking overshoes. The outsole tread provides traction on
wet grass, in mud, in wet sand, and even on wet pavement.
[0014] The overshoe boot of the present invention is adapted for
easy entry of a golf shoe clad foot due to its double gusseted
opening front. A longitudinal expansion gap runs down the front of
the boot for almost its entire length, from the mouth to near the
toe. Bridging the expansion gap, and integrally connected along its
length, is a tongue in cooperation with two gusset flaps. When the
boot is worn, the gusset flaps and tongue tuck neatly back behind
the boot upper and inside the overshoe boot, which is fastened
closed by engaging a plurality of mating hook and loop tabs, or
another equivalent set of adjustable fasteners. The conforming
insole captures the golf shoe cleats, and since the boot upper is
waterproof due to its integral construction, the fasteners can be
adjusted by the user for comfort.
[0015] To enable insertion of a rubber or plastic cleated golf shoe
into the overshoe boot, the fasteners are disengaged and the boot
mouth opens widely as the tongue and gusset flaps unfold from
within the overshoe boot. When the boot is fully opened, a shoed
foot can readily be inserted thereinto with the cleated shoe sole
planted firmly into the conforming insole of the boot. A shoed foot
can be just as easily removed, by disengaging the fasteners and
lifting the foot out of the overshoe boot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the waterproof protective
overshoe for golf shoes of the present invention in the closed
state.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the waterproof protective
overshoe for golf shoes of the present invention in the opened
state, capable of receiving the shoed foot of a golfer.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the gripper outsole of the
protective overshoe for golf shoes of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partially broken away view showing the insole of
the protective overshoe for golf shoes of the present invention
conforming to the spikes of a standard golf shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is
not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
The various features and advantages of the present invention may be
more readily understood with reference to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
[0022] Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals
refer to like parts or elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a
perspective view of the waterproof protective overshoe boot for
golf shoes 10 in the closed state and in FIG. 2 a perspective view
of the overshoe boot 10 in the opened state. The golf shoe
protective overshoe 10 is a watertight boot of unitary
construction, comprising a sole portion 12 integral with a boot
portion 14. The overshoe 10 is preferably cast as a single piece,
to ensure structural integrity and imperviousness to water, but may
also be assembled from multiple panels fused together at the seams.
The overshoe 10 is manufacturable in incremental sizes to enable
the proper fit for the wide range of golfer foot and shoe
sizes.
[0023] The boot portion 14 comprises a boot shell 26 interconnected
along longitudinal seams to a tongue 16 by a pair of opposing
gusset flaps 22. When the overshoe 10 is in the closed position,
the gusset flaps 22 fold inward towards the user's ankle and foot,
overlapping the tongue 16, with the tongue 16 and flaps 22 tucked
underneath the boot shell 26 and the edges 24 of the boot shell 26
drawn into close proximity with each other, as shown in FIG. 1.
When the overshoe 10 is in the opened position, the gusset flaps 22
and tongue 16 unfold from underneath the boot shell 26, permitting
the mouth 28 of the boot portion 14 to open widely to facilitate
insertion or removal of the user's shoed foot from the overshoe
10.
[0024] As worn in the closed position, the protective overshoe 10
creates a lightweight waterproof enclosure to keep a golfer's foot
dry to well above the ankle. When used in combination with standard
rain pants extending below the ankle, the overshoe 10 will ensure
that a golfer's shoes and feet remain dry while the golfer is
outdoors in the rain, walking on rain-soaked terrain and through
shallow puddles.
[0025] As illustrated in the cut-away section of FIG. 4, the sole
portion 12 comprises a gripping outsole 30, a midsole 32, and a
conforming insole 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the outsole 30 has a
patterned or rugged tread 38, comprising an array or grid of
protrusions of various geometries to enable a golfer to achieve
solid non-slip footing and a firm grip on wet and slippery grass,
dirt, sand, or paved surfaces, while walking or playing a shot on
the golf course. The tread 38 provides the protective overshoe 10
traction equivalent to that obtained with a traditional rubber or
plastic cleated golf shoe. The sole 30 may be fabricated from 70A
hardness material that may be a rubber or equivalent polymeric
material, approximately 1/4" thick. The overshoe 10 is preferably
manufactured so that the boot shell 26 and the outsole 30 are
molded as one integral unit. Alternatively, sole portion 12 and the
boot portion 14 may be manufactured as separate pieces, with the
perimeter of the sole 30 then being sealed to the boot shell 26 to
provide an integral boot 10 that is impervious to water
penetration.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 4, the midsole 32 is a transitional
means to secure the conforming insole 34 to the gripping outsole
30, and is permanently affixed to the outsole 30. The inlaid
conforming insole 34 is permanently affixed to the midsole 32. If a
midsole 32 is not used, the insole 34 may be affixed directly to
the outsole 30.
[0027] The insole 34 is composed of a closed-cell energy absorbing
material, such as soft rubber, vinyl nitrile, or another equivalent
polymer composition including, without limitation, PVC, PE, EVA,
SBR, EPT closed-cell foam, and high density neoprene rubber. The
insole 34 has the ability to conform to accept the spike or cleat
design and pattern 42 of any rubber or plastic cleated golf shoe
40, holding the shoe 40, and consequently the golfer's foot, firmly
in position when the protective overshoe 10 is worn. Because the
insole 34 returns to its original shape when the golf shoe 40 is
removed, various golf shoes, having different cleat patterns, can
be used over the life of the boot 10, or from one round of golf to
the next. The insole 34 should have a thickness of approximately
{fraction (7/16)} inches in order to accommodate standard rubber or
plastic cleats.
[0028] The sole portion 12 is not intended to accommodate golf
shoes with metal spikes, which could potentially penetrate both the
insole 34 and the outsole 30. However, this is not viewed as a
limitation on the overshoe 10, since amateur golf courses do not
normally permit metal spikes, and the vast majority of golfers own
and wear golf shoes having only rubber or plastic cleats.
[0029] The boot shell 26 is fabricated from an integral piece of
flexible, durable, and waterproof material, such as nitrile, SBR
rubber, or an equivalent polymeric composition. The boot shell 26
is no less than {fraction (1/64)} inches thick, and preferably has
a thickness of at least {fraction (1/32)} inches. The boot shell 26
is preferably made from a single piece of material which may be
made to appear as separate panels for styling and aesthetic
purposes only. Alternatively, the boot shell 26 may be made from
multiple panels completely sealed at the seams, including a boot
toe 44, a boot upper 46, and a boot leg 48. The edges 24 of the
boot shell 26 create a central expansion gap longitudinally
bisecting the front of the boot leg 48, the boot upper 46, and
terminating in the boot toe 44. Spanning the expansion gap between
the edges 24 of the boot shell 26 is a tongue 16 flanked by
opposing paired gusset flaps 22. The tongue 16 and the gusset flaps
22, in combination with the boot shell 26, form a continuous and
seam-free expansion double gusset system 36 that is completely
waterproof whether in an open or closed state.
[0030] When the edges 24 are spread apart to the opened position as
shown in FIG. 2, the double gusset system 36 permits the mouth 28
to open so widely that a user may fully insert a shoed foot 40 into
the protective overshoe 10 and plant the cleats of the shoe 40 into
the conforming insole 34 without the need to slide the shoe 40. The
wide opening mouth 28 is an important feature of the boot portion
12, since the conforming nature of the insole 34 will not permit
the shoe 40 to be repositioned by sliding once the cleats 42 have
sunk into the insole 34. The positioning of the golf shoe 40 into
the conforming insole 34 by asserting downward pressure on the
insole 34 locks the golf shoe 40 in that position with the
cleat-accommodating areas of the insole 34 retaining the cleats
within formed recesses in the insole 34, thus preventing the golf
shoe 40 from sliding about within the protective overshoe 10.
[0031] When the shoed foot of a user is fully inserted into the
protective overshoe 10, the edges 24 may be pulled together to
retain the overshoe 10 on the user's foot. The overshoe 10 is
snugly secured to the user's foot by use of the two or more sets of
hook and loop fastening strips 18 and 20, cooperating mating tabs
which provide an adjustable means to fasten the boot shell 26 in
the closed position. Other equivalent fastening means may be used,
including buckles, straps, or laces, provided those fastening means
are accomplished without compromising the waterproof nature of the
boot. Since the waterproof seal is created by the integral
construction of the boot shell 26 with the tongue 16 and the gusset
flaps 22, it is not necessary to bring the edges 24 completely into
contact with one another; thus, the overshoe 10 may be fastened to
the user's foot for comfort.
[0032] In summary, the protective overshoe for golf shoes 10 is a
lightweight waterproof boot, easily donned by a golfer wearing
standard rubber or plastic cleated golf shoes. The double gusset
system 36 comprising the pair of gusset flaps 22 and the tongue 16
integrally connected to the boot shell 26 provide the overshoe 10
with a wide opening mouth 28 for easy entry of a shoed foot 40.
When the boot 10 is secured to a golfer's foot with the adjustable
fasteners 18 and 20, the gusset flaps 22 and tongue 16 fold neatly
beneath the boot shell 26 and against the golfer's ankle and
instep. The waterproof outsole 30, integrally sealed to the boot
shell 26, includes a patterned grid of gripping cleats 38 for sure
footing. The conformable insole 34 encapsulates the cleats 42 of
the golf shoe 40 into a number of formed recesses corresponding to
the number and placement of the cleats locking the shoe 40 in
position, thus preventing the golfer's foot from sliding around
inside the overshoe 10 while in use. Upon removal of the golf shoe
40 from the overshoe 10, the conforming insole 34 returns to its
original state so that multiple golf shoe cleat designs 42 may be
used with the same overshoe 10.
[0033] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
thereof and, accordingly, the described embodiments are to be
considered in all respects as being illustrative and not
restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as
indicating the scope of the invention as well as all modifications
which may fall within a range of equivalency which are also
intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *