U.S. patent application number 11/197879 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-16 for shoe cover.
Invention is credited to Jacob Chee Tuck Pang, Adrian Shing Lueng Tan.
Application Number | 20060032084 11/197879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35798590 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060032084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pang; Jacob Chee Tuck ; et
al. |
February 16, 2006 |
Shoe cover
Abstract
A shoe cover for a shoe, the shoe cover comprising a lower
periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab. A
first edge extends from one end of the lower periphery has a strip
of projections and a slider with a tab. A second edge extends from
another end of the lower periphery also has a strip of projections.
The first and second edges are reversibly fastenable by pulling the
slider along the strips of projections of the first and second
edges. The strip of projections on the lower periphery is
reversibly fastenable to a strip of projections on a shoe. The tabs
on the sliders are interlockable where the sliders are pulled to
the end of the strips of projections.
Inventors: |
Pang; Jacob Chee Tuck;
(Singapore, SG) ; Tan; Adrian Shing Lueng;
(Maylands, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WELLS ST. JOHN P.S.
601 W. FIRST AVENUE, SUITE 1300
SPOKANE
WA
99201
US
|
Family ID: |
35798590 |
Appl. No.: |
11/197879 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60609014 |
Sep 9, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.1R ;
36/101 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 1/0027 20130101;
A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B 3/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/007.10R ;
036/101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/16 20060101
A43B003/16; A43B 3/24 20060101 A43B003/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 6, 2004 |
SG |
200404416-0 |
Claims
1. A shoe cover for a shoe said shoe cover comprising: a lower
periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab; a
first edge extending from one end of the lower periphery having a
strip of projections and a slider with a tab; a second edge
extending from another end of the lower periphery having a strip of
projections; wherein the first and second edges are reversibly
fastenable by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of
the first edge and the second edge; the strip of projections on the
lower periphery is reversibly fastenable to a strip of projections
on a shoe; and the tabs on each slider are interlockable where the
sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections
2. A shoe cover and shoe assembly comprising: the shoe cover of
claim 1; a strip of projections circumventing a shoe; wherein the
strip of projections on the lower periphery of said shoe cover is
reversibly fastened to a strip of projections on said shoe by
pulling along the strips of projections of said shoe cover and said
shoe; the first and second edges are reversibly fastened by pulling
the slider along the strips of projections of the first edge and
the second edge; and each slider is held in position by
interlocking of the tabs on each slider where the sliders are
pulled to the end of the strips of projections.
3. A shoe cover and shoe assembly comprising: a lower periphery of
the shoe cover having a strip of projections; a first edge of the
shoe cover extending from one end of the lower periphery having a
strip of projections and a slider with a tab; a second edge of the
shoe cover extending from another end of the lower periphery having
a strip of projections; a strip of projections circumventing the
shoe having a slider with a tab; wherein the strip of projections
on the lower periphery of the shoe cover is reversibly fastened to
a strip of projections on the shoe by pulling along the strips of
projections of the shoe cover and the shoe; the first and second
edges are reversibly fastened by pulling the slider along the
strips of projections of the first edge and the second edge; and
each slider is held in position by interlocking of the tabs on each
slider where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of
projections.
4. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 1 having holes for
shoelaces.
5. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 2 having holes for
shoelaces.
6. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 3 having holes for
shoelaces.
7. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein one tab has a male
coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element
adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
8. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 2 wherein one tab has a male
coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element
adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
9. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 3 wherein one tab has a male
coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element
adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
10. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 4 wherein one tab has a male
coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element
adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
11. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 5 wherein one tab has a male
coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element
adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
12. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 6 wherein one tab has a male
coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element
adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
Description
RELATED PATENT DATA
[0001] This patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 60/609,014 which was filed Sep. 9, 2004, and to Singapore
Patent Application No. 200404416-0 which was filed Aug. 6, 2004,
each of which is incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to footwear, more particularly to
shoes which are used daily for style and fashion
considerations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Shoes, have basic utilitarian considerations, also they are
associated style and fashion considerations. Decorative materials
and fabrics are used along with colour, ornamentation and
endorsements.
[0004] There is no satisfactory way of cleaning shoes thoroughly
within a reasonable amount of time when the upper portions of shoes
get soiled and/or stained. Generally shoes are washed and dried
conventionally at home or commercially. The upper portions of a
shoe may become worn or damaged through normal use. Thus the
fashion qualities and functional qualities of the shoe are
diminished and the useful life of the shoe is substantially reduced
through repeated washing and through normal use. As a practical
matter, once the shoes are too soiled, dirty or worn from use, they
get downgraded from everyday fashion use, and relegated to the
status of a work shoe, or are completely discarded.
[0005] Various attempts have been made to deal with this problem in
the prior art. Approaches have included providing changeable uppers
and sole structures so that the upper and the sole can be
independently mixed and matched.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,693 to Brown describes a slide fastener
or zipper which is utilized to attach the upper and sole of the
footwear together, however, the structural integrity of the
combination leaves much to be desired. Further, the zipper may be
easily damaged when used in such manner resulting in a complete
scrapping of the shoe or very expensive repairs required with very
few craftsmen capable of undertaking such a repair.
[0007] Another approach is to put simple covers on shoes. The shoe
cover alleviates the problem of the shoe becoming soiled and dirty
or too worn from use. The shoe cover forms a protective layer
around the shoe. The shoe cover can be changed when it becomes
soiled or worn from use.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,564 to Kettner describes a changeable
cover for the upper portion of an athletic shoe which includes a
tongue and lace eyelets all of which are fastened to the underlying
structure by means of combination of nylon hook and loop fasteners
of the Velcro TM type. However hook and loop fasteners become worn
out with normal use.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,248 to Samuels describes a protective
cover to add further protection to the toe and instep portions of
said shoes. The protective cover may be completely removed by
selectively operable attaching means, to provide access to the
entire body of the shoe for repair, cleaning etc. Alternatively,
the attaching means may be interrupted at the tip, so as to provide
a permanent connection of the protective cover to the shoe, but
still retaining the ability to swing the protective cover away from
contact with most of the shoe, so as to permit servicing. The
closure means and the attaching means may be a slide fastener or a
zipper. Alternatively, the fastening means known as Velcro TM may
be used. The protective cover provides an energy-absorbing portion
over a limited area for the purpose of protecting the foot of the
wearer. The protective cover does not completely cover the shoe
leaving parts uncovered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of this invention to provide a shoe cover
which forms a protective and fashionable layer over the surface of
a shoe upper and secured to the shoe by a system of fasteners which
overcomes the above disadvantages or provides the public with a
useful choice.
[0011] Accordingly in a first embodiment the present invention may
be said to consist in a shoe cover for a shoe said shoe cover
comprising:
[0012] a lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider
with a tab;
[0013] a first edge extending from one end of the lower periphery
having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab;
[0014] a second edge extending from another end of the lower
periphery having a strip of projections;
[0015] wherein the first and second edges are reversibly fastenable
by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first
edge and the second edge;
[0016] the strip of projections on the lower periphery is
reversibly fastenable to a strip of projections on a shoe; and
[0017] the tabs on each slider are interlockable where the sliders
are pulled to the end of the strips of projections
[0018] Accordingly in a second embodiment the present invention may
be said to consist in a shoe cover and shoe assembly
comprising:
[0019] the shoe cover of the first embodiment;
[0020] a strip of projections circumventing a shoe;
[0021] wherein the strip of projections on the lower periphery of
said shoe cover is reversibly fastened to a strip of projections on
said shoe by pulling along the strips of projections of said shoe
cover and said shoe;
[0022] the first and second edges are reversibly fastened by
pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first
edge and the second edge; and
[0023] each slider is held in position by interlocking of the tabs
on each slider where the sliders are pulled to the end of the
strips of projections.
[0024] Accordingly in a third embodiment the present invention may
be said to consist in a shoe cover and shoe assembly
comprising:
[0025] a lower periphery of the shoe cover having a strip of
projections;
[0026] a first edge of the shoe cover extending from one end of the
lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a
tab;
[0027] a second edge of the shoe cover extending from another end
of the lower periphery having a strip of projections;
[0028] a strip of projections circumventing the shoe having a
slider with a tab;
[0029] wherein the strip of projections on the lower periphery of
the shoe cover is reversibly fastened to a strip of projections on
the shoe by pulling along the strips of projections of the shoe
cover and the shoe;
[0030] the first and second edges are reversibly fastened by
pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first
edge and the second edge; and
[0031] each slider is held in position by interlocking of the tabs
on each slider where the sliders are pulled to the end of the
strips of projections.
[0032] Preferably the shoe cover has holes for shoelaces.
[0033] Preferably one tab has a male coupling element and the other
tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the
male coupling element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described
with reference to the drawings in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of the
present invention without holes for shoelaces and having a zip at
the heel portion;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe
cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces and having
a zip at the heel portion;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe of
the present invention without holes for shoelaces adapted to
receive the shoe cover of FIG. 3A;
[0038] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe
cover of the present invention without holes for shoelaces and
having a zip at the heel portion;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a shoe of the present invention without holes for shoelaces adapted
to receive the shoe cover of FIG. 4A;
[0040] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces
and having a zip at the heel portion;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a shoe of the present invention with holes for shoelaces adapted to
receive the shoe cover of FIG. 5A;
[0042] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces
and having a zip at the heel portion;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a shoe of the present invention without holes for shoelaces adapted
to receive the shoe cover of FIG. 6A;
[0044] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces
and having a zip at the heel portion of the shoe;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of the
present invention without holes for shoelaces and having the zip at
the front portion;
[0046] FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe
cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces and having
the zip at the front portion;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a rear view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of
the present invention with the first zip in use;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a rear view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of
the present invention with the first zip zipped and the second zip
in use;
[0049] FIG. 11 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a shoe
cover of the present invention with the first and second zips
zipped and the two zips interlocked;
[0050] FIG. 12A is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;
[0051] FIG. 12B is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;
[0052] FIG. 12C is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing two zips interlocked;
[0053] FIG. 13 is a rear view of an alternative preferred
embodiment of the present invention showing a shoe cover with the
first zip done and the second zip done and the two zips
interlocked;
[0054] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an alternative preferred
embodiment of the present invention showing two zips prior to being
interlocked;
[0055] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of an alternative preferred
embodiment of the present invention showing two zips
interlocked;
[0056] FIG. 15 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention showing a shoe cover with the first and second
zips zipped and the two zips interlocked;
[0057] FIG. 16A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips prior to being
interlocked;
[0058] FIG. 16B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips in the process of being
interlocked;
[0059] FIG. 16C is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips interlocked;
[0060] FIG. 17A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention showing two zips in the process of being
interlocked;
[0061] FIG. 17B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention showing two zips interlocked;
[0062] FIG. 18 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a
shoe cover of the present invention with the first and second zips
zipped and the two zips interlocked;
[0063] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips prior to being
interlocked;
[0064] FIG. 19B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips in the process of being
interlocked;
[0065] FIG. 19C is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention showing two zips interlocked;
[0066] FIG. 19D is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention showing two zips interlocked;
[0067] FIG. 20 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a
shoe cover of the present invention with the first and second zips
zipped and the two zips interlocked;
[0068] FIG. 21A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips prior to being
interlocked;
[0069] FIG. 21B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips in the process of being
interlocked; and
[0070] FIG. 21C is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing two zips interlocked.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0071] With reference to FIG. 1, a shoe cover 8, which is
discontinuous prior to use, is shown. The shoe cover 8 may be made
from any suitable material or fabric.
[0072] Suitable materials include soft leather, substitute leather,
nylon velveteen, velvet, jaconet, toweling, lycra, BK cloth,
garment, any mesh cloths (such as plastic mesh cloth, anti-slip
foaming mesh cloth, sandwich mesh cloth, elastic mesh cloth and
various triangular, quadrangle, hexagonal, rhombus or square shaped
double-color mesh cloth), PVC, neoprene, suede and various plastic
and other polymer variants. The shoe cover 8 in use has a specific
orientation as illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3 shows a shoe cover 8
orientated to fit onto a shoe 22. Further description of the shoe
cover 8 will be based on this orientation. Relating to FIGS. 3 to 6
and FIGS. 3B to 6B the shoe cover 8 comprises a front portion 10.
The lower periphery 12 has a strip of projections running along its
entire length. The strips of projections form one half of a normal
zipper connection and may be attached by sewing or by other
methods. A slider 14 is engaged with the strip of projections 12
and is movable from one end of the strip of projections 12a to the
end of the strip of projections 12b. A tab 15 is connected to the
slider 14 for pulling on the slider 14. An upper periphery 13 on
the shoe cover 8 does not have a strip of projections and
corresponds to the portion of the shoe 28, which encircles the
ankle of a user.
[0073] A first edge 16 extends upwards from one end 18a of the
lower periphery 12 to the other end 18b at the upper periphery 13.
A second edge 18 extends upwards from the other end of the lower
periphery 12 to the upper periphery 13. Both the first edge 16 and
the second edge 18 have a strip of projections. The strips of
projections are attached in the same manner as discussed earlier. A
slider 20 is engaged with the strip of projections on the first
edge 16 and is movable along the entire length of the strip of
projection from one end 16b, 18b at the junction with the upper
periphery 13 to the other end at the junction 16a, 18a with lower
periphery 12. A tab 19 is connected to the slider 20 for pulling on
the slider 20. The first edge 16 and the second edge 18 are at the
end of the shoe cover, which corresponds with the heel 24 of the
shoe 22. The shoe cover 8 in FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of
the present invention with the shoe cover having holes 21 for
shoelaces and can be used with a slip on shoe to change the look to
a shoe with shoelaces.
[0074] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, a shoe cover 8 is
positioned over a shoe 22 forming a protective layer. The shoe
cover 8 is formed to match the shape and structure of the shoe 22.
A strip of projections 26 is positioned on and extends completely
around the shoe 22. The strip of projections 26 may be positioned
on the shoe upper 23 or on the sole 27 but is preferably positioned
at the seam joining the shoe upper 23 and the sole 27. At the seam
the strip of projections 26 is in the least obtrusive position on
the shoe 22. This position helps to make the projection 26 less
obvious in use.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6 and 6A different
combinations are illustrated by which the shoe cover 8 may be used
with the shoe 22. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 4A the shoe cover 8
can be fitted onto a shoe 22 with holes 29 for laces. In FIGS. 5
and 5A both the shoe cover has holes 21 and the shoe has holes 30
for shoelaces which are aligned correspondingly when the shoe cover
8 is fitted onto the shoe 22. FIGS. 6 and 6A show a combination
with only the shoe cover 8 having the holes 21.
[0076] An alternative embodiment of the shoe cover 8 is shown in
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. In this embodiment the first edge 16 and the
second edge 18 are at the end of the shoe cover 8, which
corresponds to the toe portion 25 of the shoe 22. The rear portion
32 of the shoe cover 8 corresponds with the heel portion 24 of the
shoe 22. The shoe cover 8 in FIG. 8 has holes 21 for shoelaces
while the cover 8 shown in FIG. 7 does not.
[0077] With reference to FIG. 9, a shoe cover 8 is illustrated
partially fastened onto a shoe 22. The strip of projections on the
lower periphery 12 of the shoe cover 8 is aligned to the strip of
projections 26 on the shoe 22 and fastened together by pulling the
slider 14 over them. The slider 14 is pulled from its initial
position 16b at the heel portion 24 around the front portion 25 of
the shoe 22 to return to the heel portion 24, which is the end
point 16a. In this way the shoe cover 8 is attached to the shoe 22
along the entire length of the strip of projections 26 and thus
completely around the shoe 22. The upper periphery 13 also becomes
aligned to the ankle portion 28. It is to be understood that the
initial position of the slider 14 may be at any point on the strip
of projections 26, which will also be its eventual end point. Such
a cover is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The location of the start/end
point is related to the positions of the first edge 16 and the
second edge 18. Thus the start point is on the first edge 16 and
the end point is on the second edge 18. It is to be understood that
the opposite configuration is also possible. The slider 14 attached
to the shoe cover 8 joins to the projections 26 of the shoe 22 in
the normal manner like joining the zip of for example a jacket.
[0078] With reference to FIG. 10, the shoe cover 8 is on the shoe
22 and the slider 14 is at its end position 12b. The strip of
projections on the first edge 16 and the second edge 18 are aligned
and fastened by pulling slider 20 over them from its initial
position 16b, 18b at the junction with the upper periphery 13
towards the other end 16a, 18a at the junction with the lower
periphery 12. Near to its end point the slider 20 eventually comes
into contact with the slider 14. At this position the shoe cover 8
completely covers the shoe upper 23 and thus forms protective layer
over the shoe upper 23. To ensure that sliders 14 and 20 remain in
place the tabs 15, 19 of the sliders 14, 20 are interlocked.
[0079] It is to be understood that a shoe 22 may be selectively
attached to any one of a number of shoe covers 8, which are of
different designs, different colour combinations or different
configuration. Another advantage of the shoe cover 8 is that it
will facilitate maintaining the appearance of the shoe 22
underneath the shoe cover 8. The shoe cover 8 of the present
invention may be put on the shoe 22 while the shoe 22 is worn.
[0080] With reference to FIG. 11, in a preferred embodiment of the
tabs 19, 15 according to the invention are interlocked thereby
maintaining the sliders in place. FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate the
process by which the tabs 19, 15 become interlocked.
[0081] One tab 42 has a male protrusion, which fits into and is
grasped by a corresponding female opening in slider 40 when the two
sliders are interlocked. Both tabs are circular in shape. FIGS. 13,
14A and 14B show an alternative preferred embodiment with the
sliders 40, 42 having rectangular shapes.
[0082] FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 16A shows a tab 44 with a rod shaped connection.
The second tab 46 is adapted to receive the rod shaped connection.
With reference to FIGS. 16B and 16C, the rod shaped connection of
the first tab 44 slides into the second tab 46. With reference to
FIG. 17A, the rod shaped connection is inserted into the tab 46.
The tabs 44, 46 become interlocked by moving the tabs from a
position where they are perpendicular to each other to a position
where they are in a level plane. FIG. 17B show the tabs in a level
plane.
[0083] FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. With reference to FIG. 19A, a first tab 48 has an
extension with a flange within. The flange is flexible and has an
abutment surface. With reference to FIG. 19B, the entire extension
is insertable into the second tab 50. As the first tab 48 is
inserted into the second tab 50 the flange comes into contact with
and is pushed away from a surface of the second tab 50. One side of
the second tab 50 has a hole and as the first tab 48 is inserted
further the flange clears the surface of the first tab 50 and
springs into the hole with its abutment surface coming into contact
with the first tab 50. With reference to FIGS. 19C and 19D the tabs
are interlocked.
[0084] FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. With reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B, the tabs 52, 54 are
adapted to be partially inserted into each other. In this position
the tabs are not in the same plane. With reference to FIG. 21C, the
tabs are moved to an interlocking position by pushing the tabs into
a level plane.
[0085] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates,
many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and
applications of the invention will suggest themselves without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are
purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense
limiting.
* * * * *