U.S. patent application number 11/510003 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for footwear cover.
Invention is credited to Allan Hoch.
Application Number | 20080047169 11/510003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38983974 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080047169 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoch; Allan |
February 28, 2008 |
Footwear cover
Abstract
A shoe cover may protect the footwear, enclosed foot, and
adjacent parts of the lower limb from many hazards including
liquids, especially precipitation such as rain, sleet, or snow. The
disclosed footwear cover comprises two main parts: a lower part
without a sole that covers the upper and heel of the shoe, and an
upper part that covers the lower limb at or above the ankle. The
lower part is secured to the shoe by one or more securing members
that may pass around the sole of the shoe, a toe pocket, a securing
member adapted to accommodate the treads of a shoe if present, or
by an attachment on the shoe itself. The footwear cover is secured
about the lower limb of the user by a strap or other fastener on
the upper part of the footwear cover.
Inventors: |
Hoch; Allan; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG
745 FIFTH AVENUE- 10TH FL.
NEW YORK
NY
10151
US
|
Family ID: |
38983974 |
Appl. No.: |
11/510003 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/2R ;
36/7.1R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 1/0081 20130101;
A43C 11/1493 20130101; A43B 3/163 20130101; A43B 5/18 20130101;
A43B 7/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/2.R ;
36/7.1R |
International
Class: |
A41D 17/00 20060101
A41D017/00; A43B 3/16 20060101 A43B003/16 |
Claims
1. A footwear cover for covering a shoe, said footwear cover having
a front, a rear, a top and a bottom and a top opening and a bottom
opening, said footwear cover comprising: an upper part having an
upper overlapping portion and an upper overlapped portion, wherein
said upper overlapping portion and said upper overlapped portion
fasten to each with an upper fastening means; and a lower part
having a lower overlapping portion and a lower overlapped portion,
wherein said lower overlapping portion and said lower overlapped
portion fasten to each with a lower fastening means; wherein said
upper and said lower overlapping portions and said upper and said
lower overlapped portions overlap in a diagonal manner.
2. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper part
covers a lower limb of a wearer and the lower part covers a shoe of
the wearer.
3. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper part
prevents liquids from infiltrating the footwear cover at the top
opening.
4. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper part
and the lower part are constructed from the same material.
5. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper part
and the lower part are constructed form different materials and are
joined in a manner that prevents liquid from entering between the
two parts.
6. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper part
is constructed from an elastic material conformable to a wearer's
limb.
7. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said footwear
cover is constructed from a material selected from the group
consisting of lightweight, flexible, breathable water-repellent or
water proof materials and nylon.
8. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper
fastening means is selected from the group consisting of buttons,
snap buttons, hook and loop fasteners and zippers.
9. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower
fastening means is a single fastener selected from the group
consisting of buttons, snap buttons, hook and loop fasteners and
zippers.
10. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower
fastening means is a plurality of fasteners selected from the group
consisting of buttons, snap buttons and hook and loop
fasteners.
11. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at
least one securing member.
12. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least
one securing member attaches to itself or to securing attachments
on the footwear cover.
13. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least
one securing member is constructed from a material selected from
the group consisting of nylon, thin metal wire, plastic and an
elastic material.
14. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least
one securing member is a universal securing member or the at least
one securing member is constructed to match and fit within a tread
pattern of a specific shoe.
15. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
toe pocket for attaching the front of the footwear cover to the
shoe.
16. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 15, wherein the toe
pocket includes at least one securing member adapted to be received
within a grooved portion of a shoe tread.
17. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 15, wherein the toe
pocket is constructed from an elastic material, thereby conforming
to a toe portion of the shoe.
18. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 15, wherein the toe
pocket has openings in its bottom surface to allow shoe treads or
spikes to protrude through.
19. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 15, wherein a surface of
the toe pocket is designed to contribute to a traction of the shoe
between the shoe and the footwear cover or between the shoe and a
ground surface.
20. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
heel pocket, wherein the heel pocket includes at least one securing
member adapted to be received within the grooved portion of a shoe
tread.
21. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said footwear
cover attaches to a wearer's pant legs.
22. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
holding means into which a race chip may be placed or attached.
23. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
pocket for holding items.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to footwear covers used to
protect footwear, more particularly, to footwear covers that may be
used to protect sports shoes.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Footwear covers--spats, gaiters, and the like--have been
designed for various types of footwear to protect the footwear and
the wearer's limb from potential damage, soiling, or from any other
undesirable occurrence related to the use of the footwear. The
footwear itself is usually designed to enhance, or at least to not
impede the function of the wearer and the involved limbs. For
example, sports shoes are designed to have attributes such as
formfitting, lightweight, flexible, good surface traction, and
breathable. This is most appreciable with running shoes in which
lightweight and flexible materials that are permeable to moisture
(e.g., mesh webbing) are used in the upper of the shoe to provide
optimal ventilation. However, during sporting events or related
activities that occur in all types of weather, especially weather
involving precipitation, sports shoes and the wearer's
corresponding limbs are vulnerable to getting wet. At least two
disadvantages can result from liquid added to a shoe, sock, or
other related apparel that immediately affects the performance of
the shoe and its wearer; the liquid adds undesirable weight, and
increases the potential for bodily injury (e.g., blisters).
Footwear covers have been designed, in part, to solve these and
other disadvantages of shoe attributes or to address the
environment in which the shoes are worn. Prior art footwear covers
will now be discussed in more detail.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,607 (the "'607 patent"), discloses a
shoe cover for regular shoes that includes a sole portion. The
presence of a sole portion is additional material that adds weight
to the cover. The sole portion is also not fixed to the shoe. As a
result, mobility can occur between the shoe and the cover as well
as between the cover and the ground. Ultimately, this can
compromise the stability of a limb on the ground, and in foul
weather, slick surfaces may further compound this instability. The
present invention has a very limited sole portion comprising the
cover attachments only, and thus provides for direct contact
between the shoe and the ground surface.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,778 (the "'778 patent"), discloses a
molded footwear covering made of a semi-rigid material (e.g.,
plastic or rubber) with a generally vertical slit opening at the
heel and securing straps adjacent to this slit. An intended use for
the footwear covering disclosed in the '778 patent is to protect
the wearer from solid flying debris while performing activities
such as operating a chain saw. Such a footwear covering is
disadvantageous when the footwear cover is donned in situations
where there is a need for greater or quicker movement of the lower
limbs. The '778 footwear cover provides more weight and less
flexibility than a footwear cover made of a lightweight flexible
material such as a nylon fabric. The more rigid material would be
more likely to inhibit movement like the full flexion--in either
direction--of an ankle or the toes. Furthermore, this type of
cover, when subjected to these more involved movements, would be
highly susceptible to splitting, cracking, or general breakdown
especially in the ankle region and toe pocket.
[0007] The lower limb movements described above are common for the
everyday pedestrian as he or she walks on level ground, up stairs,
or if he or she lowers himself or herself to the ground. They are
even more common--as well as involve a greater range of motion--for
an athlete who may jump, squat, or run.
[0008] Another disadvantage of the patent '778 design is that its
vertical style slit opening with adjacent closure straps offers
little protection from liquids that can enter between the adjacent
edges of the covering's two sides. This problem is further
compounded during weather with precipitation because liquid may
easily pass through the cover's slit opening when a wearer's heel
region, and thus the slit opening, is positioned horizontally or
near horizontally (as happens when the wearer's knee is flexed
while walking, and more so while running).
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,895 (the "'895 patent"), discloses a
sports shoe cover made of nylon that attaches to the periphery of
the sole of a sports shoe by a hook and loop type fastener and
incorporates a rear entry and closure system with expanding pleats
of the second sheet portion.
[0010] The '895 patent's use of a hook and loop type fastener,
commonly known as VELCRO.RTM., to attach the cover to the sports
shoe has several disadvantages. First, a user's ability to use the
same cover with another shoe, which has a differently shaped sole,
is severely limited. Because the two sides of the hook and loop
type fastener must be aligned with each other to function properly,
the hook and loop attachment system requires affixing one side of
the fastener to the sole of the shoe and aligning it with the
corresponding side of the fastener affixed to the shoe cover. The
spacing or location of the fasteners is unlikely to be consistent
between sports shoes of different sizes and shapes, thus making it
difficult to use one cover with multiple, different shoes. Second,
the cover, including all of its components, is not easily or
completely removable when not in use. Removing the sides of the
fastener tapes that are affixed to the shoe sole diminishes their
future ability to attach properly to the sole. The reattachment and
realignment of the corresponding hook and loop fastener sides would
also be a tedious task each time the wearer decides to reuse the
cover. Third, the hook and loop attachment system has functional
limitations due to its location on the shoe sole. For example,
debris can become trapped in the hooks or loops of the fasteners,
thereby diminishing its attachment qualities. In addition, the sole
of a sports shoe, especially the foam type used in running shoes,
is often built to compress during use to function as a shock
absorber. The presence of an affixed adhesive structure that is not
meant to compress will either diminish the sole's cushioning
capability, or have its attachment to the sole adversely affected
by each compression of the sole.
[0011] Another disadvantage of the footwear cover of the '895
patent is the rear entry closure and expanding pleats system in
that it creates undesirable bunching and/or bulk of the cover
material at a location where greater freedom of motion is
essential. During sports activities, especially running, the ankle
region is a part of the lower limb that experiences a great deal of
movement in various directions and ranges of motion. The
combination of the above described attributes of the '895 patent
design and the expected movements of the ankle region will likely
lead to discomfort of, or even injury to, the wearer at the ankle
region. This potential hazard would be compounded further due to
the vertical direction of the hook and loop attachment system
disclosed in the '895 patent.
[0012] Therefore, a need exists for a footwear cover that provides
increased protection from falling liquids such as precipitation
that is lightweight, form-fitting, and is more flexible than prior
covers. In addition, a need exists for a footwear cover that
includes a universally applicable attachment means that can be used
by a person with multiple, different shoes, but particularly shoes
used in athletic events such as running.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is directed to a footwear cover that
will primarily protect the footwear and related limb portion from
falling liquid, such as precipitation. The present footwear cover
design is mainly intended to cover sports shoes but may be
universally applied to other footwear such as that donned by a
typical pedestrian. The present cover design aims to maintain the
function of the shoe and the wearer's limbs as much as
possible.
[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
predominantly open sole that maximally preserves the function of
the shoe sole.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a cover with
minimal direct or permanent attachment to the shoe.
[0016] An additional object of the invention is to secure the cover
to the shoe by means of one or a plurality of elastic straps or
bands, a toe pocket or toe attachment, and/or a heel pocket or heel
attachment. Eyelets, holes, loops or other embodiments of the cover
will allow for the use of said straps, bands, or other securing
attachments. Preferably, the straps, bands, or other attachments
pass about the arch of the shoe, or in the case of sports shoes or
the like, between the sole treads or sole spikes thus limiting
interference of the contact between the shoe sole and the
ground.
[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a cover
that is lightweight, flexible, and limits the entrance of liquid
while maintaining the directly abovementioned objects.
[0018] The various features of novelty that characterize the
invention are pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to
and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding
of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects
attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying
descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which corresponding
components are identified by the same reference numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The following detailed description, given by way of example
and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto,
will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and
parts, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an elevated side perspective view of a footwear
cover, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the footwear cover of FIG. 1
with the overlapping portions separated to depict the entry
opening, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 that depicts the
placement of a securing member about the arch of a shoe, according
to one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front section of FIG. 1
that depicts a securing member, according to one embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front section of FIG. 1
that depicts a toe pocket, according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided so that
this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully
convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0026] As seen in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the footwear
cover 50 has two main parts: an upper part 40 with an overlapping
portion 42 and an overlapped portion 43, and a lower part 20 with
an overlapping portion 22 and an overlapped portion 23. The front
portion 30 and heel portion 35 will correspond to the toe and heel
regions of footwear, respectively. The lower part 20 primarily
covers the shoe upper (the portion of a shoe that covers the sides
and top of a foot and attaches to the sole) and is preferably made
of a flexible material that is lightweight and water-repellent or
waterproof. More preferably, the material will also be breathable,
such as GORETEX.RTM. or a similarly treated nylon. The upper part
40 functions as a collar or sleeve around the lower limb of the
wearer, and serves to prevent liquid from passing under the cover
at its top opening.
[0027] In one embodiment, the upper part 40 and lower part 20 are
made from a single piece of the same material and therefore do not
require any joining or fastening together. In another embodiment,
the upper part and lower part are made of different materials. In
the latter, the upper part 40 is preferably made of a more flexible
and elastic material that stretches and conforms to the wearer's
limb (e.g., neoprene). In such an embodiment, the upper part 40 is
attached to lower part 20 in an overlapping manner that prevents
liquids from entering between the two parts of the cover. In
addition, the use of an appropriate waterproof material of seam
sealant may be used to attach the upper part 40 to the lower part
20 to prevent liquids from entering between the two parts of the
cover.
[0028] As depicted in FIG. 2, the footwear cover 50 is donned and
removed by means of an entry opening 1 that is created by the
overlapping portions 42 and 22 and the overlapped portions 43 and
23 and therefore does not require the wearer to remove any clothing
or footwear. The entry opening 1 may be created on the same side of
the cover, thus establishing a universal cover without right or
left sides or, in another embodiment, the opening 1 may be created
on opposite established right or left sides of the cover. As
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the overlapping and overlapped portions,
41 and 42, and 43 and 23, respectively, are fastened to each other
by fastening means 44 and 24. The overlapping portions and related
entry opening 1 are preferably formed diagonally to better prevent
the entrance of falling liquid between the overlapping portions of
the cover. As seen in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the
diagonal direction of the opening 1 may be more pronounced in the
lower part 20. In any embodiment of the present footwear cover 50,
the direction of the diagonal overlap may vary (e.g., the diagonal
may start at the bottom of the footwear cover and go towards the
back of the cover or the diagonal may start at the bottom of the
cover and go towards the front of the cover). In any event, as will
be apparent to those skilled in the art, any configuration that
prevents entry of liquid into the footwear cover may be used.
[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the upper
fastening means 44 is preferably comprised of a generally
horizontally positioned hook and loop attachment system or
fasteners such as VELCRO.RTM.. In combination with an upper part
40, preferably made of a neoprene type material, such an embodiment
of the design will be form-fitting with minimal material bunching
and will provide comfort, flexibility, and a tight closure at the
top opening of the upper portion to better prevent the entrance of
liquid. The upper fastening means may include buttons, snap
buttons, hook and loop fasteners, zippers or any other type of
fastening mechanism or means that fasten two pieces of material
together.
[0030] The lower fastening means 24 may be a single fastener or a
plurality of fasteners, such as a button, snap button or a small
hook and loop type fastener. The lower fastening means 24 may even
be a zipper. The main purpose of the lower fastening means 24 is to
secure the lower overlapping portion 22 to the overlapped portion
23. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, a securing member 10,
which is described below, also serves to secure the closure of the
opening 1 and its related overlapping portions. In another
embodiment, the fasteners 44 and 24 are one continuous fastener as
might occur with a hook and loop type fastener or zipper type
closure. The lower fastening means may include buttons, snap
buttons, hook and loop fasteners, zippers or any other type of
fastening mechanism or means that fastens two pieces of material
together.
[0031] The cover 50 may be secured to the shoe in a variety of
manners. As shown in FIG. 3, the preferred means to attach the
footwear cover 50 is with a securing member 10 that passes across
the sole of a shoe, preferably in the area of the shoe arch, or
in-between the shoe treads if present. In one embodiment, the
securing member 10 attaches to the footwear cover 50 on both sides
of the shoe at the cover's bottom edges. In another embodiment, the
securing member 10 passes over or through the footwear cover 50 and
attaches to itself or to provided securing attachments 6 on the
cover 50. To pass through the cover 50, eyelets 5 and/or securing
attachments 6, such as loops, may exist as part of the cover. These
components (eyelets 5 and securing attachments 6) are incorporated
in such a manner as to not significantly diminish the integrity of
the cover's 50 liquid protection feature.
[0032] The securing member 10 will preferably be a thin band or
string made of a nylon or elastic material but it may also be made
of a more rigid material such as thin wire or plastic. The securing
member 10 will tie or attach to itself, and/or tie or attach to the
cover 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the securing member(s) 10 may be
individually placed by the user to match the shoe tread, or can be
designed as a separate unit pre-configured to match the treads for
a particular shoe. In one embodiment, a shoe manufacturer may
create a shoe attachment 7, such as a small loop on the shoe
itself, to which a securing member 10 may be attached and removed
with ease.
[0033] The front portion 30 of cover 50 may attach to the toe area
of a shoe in the manner described above using one or more securing
members 10 and/or a shoe attachment 7. In another embodiment
depicted in FIG. 5, the front portion 30 secures to the footwear by
means of a small toe pocket 11. The toe pocket 11 is ideally formed
using a sheet of material, preferably oval or triangular in shape,
and preferably made of a lightweight, but durable elastic material.
The tip or front portion of a wearer's shoe would fit snugly into
this oval, cone or triangular-shaped toe pocket 11. Preferably, the
size of the toe pocket 11 is minimized to limit covering of the
sole 31 of the shoe. Although the tip of the shoe usually has less
contact with the ground and therefore does not contribute much to
traction, another embodiment offers a footwear cover with holes in
the toe pocket material that permits any shoe treads that exist, to
protrude through the toe pocket 11 to contact the ground. This
would allow for increased contact between the shoe sole and the
ground and hence increased traction, which may be more pertinent
for sports shoes where traction is more important and where the
shoes may have shoe treads or spikes. Another embodiment utilizes a
toe pocket with all or a portion of its inner, outer, or both
surfaces designed to establish traction between the toe pocket and
the sole 31 of the shoe, and/or between the toe pocket and the
ground surface. Such a condition may be accomplished through
original material selection or, by altering the original materials,
to allow for adhesive or grip-type properties of the toe pocket
material (e.g., an adhesive type coating, ridged rubber, or treads)
to be used.
[0034] The heel portion 35 may not have a direct securing means. It
may, however, secure to a shoe in any of the manners described
above for the front portion 30.
[0035] For shoes with randomly-placed treads or other sole
protuberances, there is an additional option for securing the front
portion 30 or heel portion 35 to the shoe. In such an embodiment,
the securing member 10 may be designed as a single unit that fits
in-between the pattern of the shoe treads of a particular shoe.
Preferably, the securing member or members are, or contain, rigid
or semi-rigid components, such as plastic, reinforced plastic, or
thin metal wire but may be made of string or strong filaments such
as the nylon used for fishing lines. The rigidity is meant to aid
in the placement of the securing member within the tread pattern to
ensure that it remains in place during use and to also minimize
breakage of the securing member itself.
[0036] The present invention may be enhanced further with
attributes beyond the design described above. An additional feature
of any embodiment of this cover is the ability to secure a race
chip such as the CHAMPIONCHIP.RTM. to the outside of the cover. In
one embodiment, this is accomplished by passing a securing member
10 through the race chip. Another embodiment establishes an
attachment loop, clip, or pocket on the cover in which the race
chip may be secured or placed in. The pocket may also serve to hold
other desired items such as identification cards, keys, or
money.
[0037] In another embodiment the footwear cover 50 may have a
mechanism (e.g., buttons, hook and loop fasteners, etc.) by which
the bottom of a wearer's pant legs may attach to the cover. This
overlap of apparel would offer additional protection from liquids
that may enter at the top opening of the upper part 40.
[0038] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described above in various embodiments, it will be readily
appreciated that various changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended
that the following claims be interpreted as including the
embodiments described herein as well as all equivalents
thereto.
[0039] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention and
modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is
to be understood that this invention is not limited to this precise
embodiment and modifications, and that other modifications and
variations may be effected by one skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
* * * * *