U.S. patent application number 10/969298 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for elastic overshoe with modular sole pads.
Invention is credited to Earl J. Votolato.
Application Number | 20060005426 10/969298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34981284 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060005426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Votolato; Earl J. |
January 12, 2006 |
Elastic overshoe with modular sole pads
Abstract
An elastic overshoe includes a body having an upper portion and
a sole portion, and at least one pad attached to the sole portion.
The upper portion and the sole portion have an elasticity that is
greater than the elasticity of the pad. Additional pads can be
independently attached to the sole portion of the body, providing
desired combinations of slip and wear resistance.
Inventors: |
Votolato; Earl J.; (Newport
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT D. FISH;RUTAN & TUCKER LLP
611 ANTON BLVD 14TH FLOOR
COSTA MESA
CA
92626-1931
US
|
Family ID: |
34981284 |
Appl. No.: |
10/969298 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10889747 |
Jul 12, 2004 |
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10969298 |
Oct 19, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/16 20130101; A43B
13/16 20130101; A43B 3/26 20130101; A43B 13/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/007.3 |
International
Class: |
A43B 1/10 20060101
A43B001/10 |
Claims
1. An elastic overshoe having a flexible plastic body, and a first
independently applied sole pad that comprises at least one of a
material and tread pattern that is different from that of the
body.
2. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the first pad is disposed at a
ball portion of the body.
3. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the first pad is disposed at a
heel portion of the body.
4. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the body is provides a
waterproof barrier to water disposed at the sole of the
overshoe.
5. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one
different material from the first pad.
6. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the body formed of
thermoplastic rubber and the first pad is formed of nitrile
rubber.
7. The overshoe of claim 1, further comprising a second sole pad
affixed to the body.
8. The overshoe of claim 6, wherein the first and second sole pads
are both affixed to one of (a) a ball portion of the body and (b) a
heel portion of the body.
9. The overshoe of claim 1, further comprising at least three
additional sole pads affixed to a sole of the body.
10. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the first pad is affixed to
the body with an adhesive that allows the pad to be removed from
the body by a consumer.
11. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be
generic with respect to footedness.
12. An article of manufacture, comprising a package containing a
first slip-resistant sole pad applied against a removable backing,
and information regarding at least one of type of (a) slip or
wear-resistance provided, and (b) instructions on use of the
pad.
13. The article of claim 12, wherein the first sole pad is adhered
to the backing using an adhesive that forms permanent bond when
applied to a thermoplastic overshoe body.
14. The article of claim 12, further comprising a second sole pad
adhered to the backing.
15. The article of claim 12, further comprising second, third, and
fourth sole pads adhered to the backing.
16. A kit, comprising: an elastic overshoe body; and a plurality of
slip-resistant sole pads, each of which can be independently
affixed to the body.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein individual ones of the
slip-resistant sole pads are coupled to a removable backing using
an adhesive that forms a permanent bond when affixed to the
body.
18. The kit of claim 16, wherein the overshoe body and at least one
of the slip-resistant sole pads comprise at least one different
material.
19. The kit of claim 16, wherein the body is configured to be
generic with respect to footedness.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of utility patent
application Ser. No. 10/889747 filed Jul. 12, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to overshoes (shoe
covers).
BACKGROUND
[0003] Elastic overshoes of various types have been known for
decades. They are typically worn to keep the wearer's feet warm and
dry during cold and/or wet weather, but are also used in hospitals,
restaurants, factories, and other areas where floors may be
slippery.
[0004] Previously known overshoes generally comprise a unitary
construction, such as, for example, that found in a continuous
molded rubber product. This is done to facilitate construction of
the overshoe using a single, inexpensive molding process.
Unfortunately, in such cases both the upper portion and the sole
are necessarily made of the same material, which is then intended
to satisfy the competing needs of elasticity and grip.
[0005] One solution to these competing needs is to fashion the sole
with a raised tread pattern. Such tread patterns are designed to
improve traction and thus reduce the likelihood of the wearer
accidentally slipping. Although somewhat effective, the inherent
tradeoff resulting from the use of a given material usually means
that either the overshoe is insufficiently elastic (requiring
manufacture and stocking of many different sizes), or the overshoe
has insufficient traction.
[0006] There is yet a third tradeoff, namely that materials
satisfying both elasticity and traction can have undesirable
durability characteristics. Among other things previously known
overshoes tend to wear out prematurely, rip, or in some other
manner become dysfunctional.
[0007] Thus, there is still a need for an overshoe that has
adequate elasticity, as well as enhanced slip resistance, and high
durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides methods and apparatus in
which an elastic overshoe includes an upper portion, a sole
portion, and at least one gripping pad, where the upper portion and
the sole portion have an elasticity greater than that of the
pad.
[0009] The entire overshoe can advantageously be manufactured from
rubber or other polymers. Although all suitable materials are
contemplated, the upper and sole portions are preferably one
continuous piece of thermoplastic rubber, while the pad (or pads)
is/are formed of nitrile rubber. Various different thermoplastic
rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers, as well as other elastic
materials, are also contemplated.
[0010] In preferred embodiments an overshoe has a first pad
disposed at a ball portion of the sole, and a second pad disposed
at a heel portion of the sole. Both pads are affixed to the sole
portion using glue, or some other bonding mechanism. Since the ball
and heel of the overshoe are separated from one another, the
intervening section of the sole continues to have relatively high
elasticity.
[0011] The first and second pads can advantageously have a tread
pattern that enhances slip resistance, and indeed the material or
materials used for the pads can be chosen in part for improved wear
and slip resistance.
[0012] Especially preferred embodiments have three or more sole
pads. For example, a pair of sole pads can be positioned under the
ball of the foot, and another pair of sole pads can be positioned
under the heel of the foot. Separation of the members of each pair
by an elastic underlayer provides yet further accommodation for
different sized shoes. Significantly, providing different materials
and/or tread patterns for adjacent pads in a pair can improve slip
resistance in multiple situations. For example, one pad could
provide slip resistance for grease, while another pad could be
adapted to provide slip resistance on ice.
[0013] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention,
along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals
represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
the elastic overshoe of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the elastic overshoe
of FIG. 1, showing the first and second pads thereof.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an elastic overshoe having a
pair of front sole pads, and a pair of heel sole pads.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of perspective view of a set of
eight sole pads.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a package that includes a set of
overshoe pads removably coupled to a backing sheet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In FIGS. 1 and 2, an overshoe 1 generally comprises an upper
portion 10, a sole portion 20, a first pad 30, and a second pad
40.
[0020] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the upper portion 10 is
configured to slip over a regular shoe and to fit tightly
thereabout. To that purpose the upper portion 10 is advantageously
molded to fit overtop of a typically shaped athletic or dress shoe.
Various alternative embodiments are contemplated for women's shoes,
such as uppers that have a pointed front, but such embodiments are
not preferred. Upper portion 10 is also advantageously configured
to be generic with respect to footedness, i.e. the same overshoe
would work equally well with a right foot and a left foot. Among
other things, that feature reduces manufacturing and inventory
costs. As with other overshoes, the upper portion 10 slips over a
shoe (dress shoe, casual shoe, athletic shoe or other footwear) by
inserting the shoe into opening 13, and pulling the overshoe onto
the shoe. The overshoe may be removed by simply pulling it off of
the shoe.
[0021] The upper portion 10 and sole portion 20 are preferably one
continuous piece of elastic material. As used herein, the term
"elastic" refers to something that stretches to a significant
extent, and then substantially returns to its original shape.
Preferred elastic materials include various forms of rubbers or
other polymers, including especially thermoplastic rubbers. Various
different thermoplastic rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers are
suitable.
[0022] Alternatively, the upper portion 10 and sole portion 20 can
be comprised of different materials, or different blends of the
same materials, and then attached by adhesives, ultrasonic welding,
or by any other suitable methods. As used herein, the term
"adhesive" includes all manner of adhering substances, regardless
of whether they are natural or artificial, and regardless of
whether they form a temporary or permanent bond. In production
versions a manufacturer would likely overmold the pad(s) into the
sole, or affix the pad(s) using a mechanical attachment such as a
retaining button used in beach foot thongs, where the thong is
attached through the sole and is anchored in place by a small
portion of material fanning out the bottom the sole.
[0023] With particular reference to FIG. 2, a first pad 30 is
disposed at the ball 17 of the sole portion 20. Similarly, a second
pad 40 is disposed at the heel 18 of sole portion 20. Optionally,
an arch 14 is formed in the bottom or sole 20 of the overshoe,
intermediate the toe 17 and the heel 18.
[0024] The first pad 30 and the second pad 40 can be formed of any
suitable material or materials that provide(s) advantageous wear
and slip resistance. The presently preferred material comprises
nitrile rubber.
[0025] The first pad 11 and the second pad 12 may be attached to
the upper portion 10 by any suitable means. For example, the first
pad 11 and the second pad 12 may be attached to the upper portion
10 by glues, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, overmolding, retaining
button, and so forth. Alternatively, the first pad 11 and the
second pad 12 may be molded into the upper portion 10. This may,
for example, be accomplished by a co-molding process wherein the
first pad 11 and the second pad 12 are provided as inserts for the
mold with which the upper portion 10 is fabricated.
[0026] The area of the sole 16 located intermediate the first pad
11 and the second pad 12, at approximately the arch of the wearer's
foot, is advantageously comprised of a substantially elastic
material, which assists in allowing the overshoe to accommodate a
variety of shoe sizes.
[0027] It is also worthwhile to appreciate that any desired number
of materials may be used to form the upper portion 10, the first
pad 11, and the second pad 12. The first pad 11 can be made from a
different material with respect to the second pad 12. Further, the
first pad 11 and/or the second pad 12 may be formed of more than
one material.
[0028] The overshoe of the present invention need not be limited to
two pads. Any desired number of pads may be utilized. Thus, an
overshoe of the present invention may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8 or more pads.
[0029] The upper portion 10 may alternatively be configured such
that it covers a larger portion of a regular shoe that would be
covered by the overshoe of FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper portion 10 may
alternatively be configured to cover all or a portion of a shoe or
boot.
[0030] As with the upper portion 10, sole portion 20 is
advantageously configured to be generic with respect to footedness,
i.e. the same overshoe would work equally well with a right foot
and a left foot. This has the advantage of requiring only a single
mold shape. It has the additional advantage of easily allowing a
substitute overshoe to replace a damaged regular shoe without
consideration as to which (right or left) regular shoe it
replaces.
[0031] Preferably, one size of the overshoe of the present
invention fits a plurality of sizes of regular shoes. It is
contemplated that two sizes of the overshoe of the present
invention will fit most of the adult shoe sizes.
[0032] In FIG. 3 an overshoe 300 generally includes a body 310, a
front or "ball" pair of sole pads 310, and a rear or "heel" pair of
sole pads 320. The body 310 advantageously comprises a single piece
of relatively elastic plastic molded from a suitable material as
discussed above, and provides a waterproof barrier to water
disposed at the sole of the overshoe. The front pair of sole pads
310 comprises left 310A and right 310B members that can be
substantially identical with respect to material and tread, or can
be different from one another. The same is true of the left 320A
and right 320B members of the rear sole pads 320. Thus, each of the
four pads 310A, 310B, 320A, and 320B can have the same or different
characteristics from each of the other pads. Thus, one or more of
the pads could provide slip resistance for grease, while another
one or more of the pads could be adapted to provide slip resistance
on ice.
[0033] In FIG. 4 a set of overshoe pads 400 comprises four front
410A-D and four rear 420A-D pieces. Here again, the separation of
the pieces can readily accommodate different or similar materials
and tread patterns. The concept should be viewed here in its most
general aspect. The various figures should be taken to mean that
overshoes are contemplated that have 2, 3, or 4 front sole pads,
but only a single rear sole pad. All other reasonably viable
embodiments are contemplated as well, including for example an
overshoe that includes only a single independently applied sole
pad, most likely to either the ball or the heel sole area.
[0034] As discussed above, it is contemplated that the various sole
pads can be affixed to the body in any suitable manner, including
by gluing, sonic welding, and so forth. It is even contemplated
that sole pads could be replaceable by an end user, (i.e.
consumer). To that end, individual pads could be packaged in boxes
or otherwise, so that one may have a box of left front pads for
slip resistance on grease, and a box of right front pads for slip
resistance on grass.
[0035] Also contemplated are sets of sole pads affixed to a peel
off backing, as in FIG. 5. There, a set of pads 500 generally
includes a backing sheet 505, and peel off pads 510A-B and 520A-B.
Each of the pads can advantageously have a pre-applied adhesive
layer on their backsides. The adhesive can allow removal of the pad
from the overshoe body, or more preferably, the adhesive is such
that it bonds the pad to the overshoe body in a manner that is
permanent (i.e. cannot be removed without damaging at least one of
the pad and the body). In FIG. 5 the pads and backing sheet are
included in a cellophane package 530, with information 532
regarding type of slip or wear-resistance provided, and/or
instructions on use of the pads. Alternative packaging can include
a box containing a plurality of pads. It is also contemplated that
the adhesive need not be pre-applied. For example, a kit can
contain overshoe bodies, pads, and a tube of adhesive. Where the
adhesive is pre-applied, a kit can include a pair of overshoes as
in FIG. 3, as well as pads as in FIGS. 4 or 5.
[0036] In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, the use of
independently applied sole pads either (a) during manufacture or
(b) as sold to consumers allows considerable interchange-ability,
so that the same pads could be applied to different size overshoe
bodies, and so that worn out sole pads can be replaced. The
strategy of using independently applied sole parts is also
contemplated to reduce the need for large inventories, and to
reduce manufacturing and storage costs.
[0037] Thus, specific embodiments and applications of improved
overshoe have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to
those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those
already described are possible without departing from the inventive
concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to
be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.
Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims,
all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner
consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises"
and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements,
components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the
referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or
utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps
that are not expressly referenced.
* * * * *