U.S. patent application number 11/847975 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for disposable shoe cover for athletic use.
Invention is credited to Syde A. Taheri.
Application Number | 20080052957 11/847975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149564 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080052957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taheri; Syde A. |
March 6, 2008 |
DISPOSABLE SHOE COVER FOR ATHLETIC USE
Abstract
A disposable shoe cover for athletic use includes a unitary
flexible material sheet folded into a shoe shape. The shoe shape
defines a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening
in the upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe. Surface gripping
members are provided on the sole.
Inventors: |
Taheri; Syde A.;
(Williamsville, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALTER W. DUFT;LAW OFFICES OF WALTER W. DUFT
8616 MAIN ST
SUITE 2
WILLIAMSVILLE
NY
14221
US
|
Family ID: |
39149564 |
Appl. No.: |
11/847975 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60842473 |
Sep 5, 2006 |
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60874360 |
Dec 12, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.1R ; 36/73;
36/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/106 20130101;
A43B 5/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/007.10R ;
036/073; 036/074 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/16 20060101
A43B003/16; A43B 13/22 20060101 A43B013/22 |
Claims
1. A disposable shoe cover for athletic use, comprising: a unitary
flexible material sheet folded into a shoe shape; said shoe shape
defining a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening
in said upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe; and surface
gripping members on said sole.
2. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
flexible material sheet is maintained in said shoe shape by a front
seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from said
shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of said sole.
3. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 2 wherein said
flexible material sheet is further maintained in said shoe shape by
a rear seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from a
rearward portion of said shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward
end of said sole.
4. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
flexible material sheet is selected from the group consisting of
fabric material and plastic sheet material.
5. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
flexible material is water resistant.
6. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
shoe-receiving opening comprises an elastic band.
7. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 3 wherein said
front seam and said rear seam each extend inwardly into an interior
of said disposable shoe cover.
8. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
gripping members comprise spikes.
9. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
gripping member are permanently mounted to said sole.
10. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
gripping members are detachably mounted to said sole.
11. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
gripping members are only disposed on a forward portion of said
sole and said disposable shoe cover further comprises a heel member
on a rearward portion of said sole.
12. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
gripping members are disposed on forward and rearward portions of
said sole.
13. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 further
comprising an insole having a textured upper surface for gripping a
bottom of a wearer's shoe.
14. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 further
comprising securing means for adjustably securing said disposable
shoe cover to a wearer's shoe.
15. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
securing means comprises one of an adjustable retention strap
adapted to wrap around a forward portion of said upper, an elastic
retention band extending around a forward portion of said upper, or
an adjustable seam on said upper.
16. A method for forming a disposable shoe cover for athletic use,
comprising: selecting a unitary flexible material sheet; folding
said flexible material sheet into a shoe shape; said shoe shape
defining a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening
in said upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe; and providing
surface gripping members on said sole.
17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein said flexible
material sheet is turned inside out following said folding.
18. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein said shoe
receiving opening is formed by securing an elastic element around
said opening.
19. A method in accordance with claim 16 further including forming
a front seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from said
shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of said sole, and a
rear seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from a
rearward portion of said shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward
end of said sole.
20. A disposable shoe cover for athletic use, comprising: a unitary
flexible material sheet folded into a shoe shape; said shoe shape
defining a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening
in said upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe; and surface
gripping members on said sole; said flexible material sheet being
secured by a front seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper
from said shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of said sole,
and by a rear seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from
a rearward portion of said shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward
end of said sole; said flexible material sheet being selected from
the group consisting of water resistant fabric material and plastic
sheet material; said shoe-receiving opening comprises an elastic
band; said front seam and said rear seam each extending inwardly
into an interior of said disposable shoe cover; said gripping
members comprising spikes and being permanently or detachably
mounted to said sole; said gripping members being only on a forward
portion of said sole and said shoe further comprising a heel member
on a rearward portion of said sole, or said gripping members being
on forward and rearward portions of said sole; an insole having a
textured upper surface for gripping a bottom of a wearer's shoe;
and an adjustable seam on said upper, or one or more adjustable
retention straps or retention bands adapted to wrap around a
forward portion of said upper, to assist in securing said
disposable shoe covering to a wearer's shoe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of the filing date of U.S.
Provisional Application Nos. 60/842,473 filed on Sep. 5, 2006 and
60/874,360 filed on Dec. 12, 2006. The contents of both said
applications are incorporated herein by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to footwear for golfing and other
sports wherein specialized sole configurations are required for
gripping a playing surface.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] By way of background, certain sports such as golf require
shoes equipped with spikes or other gripping configurations on the
soles thereof. Such footwear is not generally worn for normal use
and may even be banned from certain indoor (or outdoor) areas in
order to protect susceptible surfaces from scratching, marring or
other damage. This is disadvantageous for athletes who do not
desire to change their shoes prior to or following play, or who may
be traveling and do not wish to pack an extra set of shoes.
Accordingly, what is needed is an alternative footwear solution
that overcomes the foregoing limitations and to enhances the
current technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The foregoing problems are solved and an advance in the art
is obtained by a disposable shoe cover for athletic use. The
disposable shoe cover includes a unitary flexible material sheet
folded into a shoe shape. The shoe shape defines a sole, an upper
and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening in the upper adapted to
receive a wearer's shoe. Surface gripping members are provided on
the sole.
[0007] According to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the
flexible material sheet may be maintained in the shoe shape by a
front seam extending along a mid-portion of the upper from the
shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of the sole, and by a
rear seam extending along a mid-portion of the upper from a
rearward portion of the shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward
end of the sole. The front seam and the rear seam may each extend
inwardly into an interior of the disposable shoe cover to improve
the aesthetic appearance thereof. The flexible material sheet may
be selected from the group consisting of fabric material and
plastic sheet material, and may be water resistant. The
foot-receiving opening may comprise an elastic band so that it may
be expanded to receive a wearer's shoe. The gripping members
comprise spikes and may be permanently or detachably mounted to the
sole. In one configuration, the gripping members may be disposed on
a forward portion of the sole and the disposable shoe cover may
further comprise a heel member on a rearward portion of the sole.
In another configuration, the gripping members may be disposed on
forward and rearward portions of the sole. An optional insole may
be provided having a textured upper surface for gripping a bottom
of a wearer's shoe. One or more adjustable retention straps or
retention bands may also be provided that are adapted to wrap
around a forward portion of the upper to assist in securing the
disposable shoe cover to a wearer's shoe. Alternatively, an
adjustable seam may be provided on the upper.
[0008] In another aspect, a method is provided for forming the
above-summarized disposable shoe cover. According to this method, a
unitary flexible material sheet is selected and folded into a shoe
shape. The shoe shape defines a sole, an upper and a closed-loop
shoe-receiving opening in the upper adapted to receive a wearer's
shoe. Surface gripping members are provided on the sole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary disposable
shoe cover that may be constructed in accordance with the
disclosure herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the disposable shoe cover
of FIG. 1 with a portion thereof broken away for clarity;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the disposable shoe cover of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the disposable shoe cover of
FIG. 1 showing a first exemplary sole configuration;
[0014] FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the disposable shoe cover of
FIG. 1 showing a second exemplary sole configuration;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a patterned material sheet
that may be used to construct the disposable shoe cover of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the patterned material
sheet of FIG. 5 following folding and sewing operations;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view the disposable shoe cover of
FIG. 1 showing optional retention straps;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the disposable shoe cover of
FIG. 1 with a portion thereof broken away for clarity to show
optional retention bands;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view showing
an exemplary spike assembly that may be removably attached to the
disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view showing
another exemplary spike assembly that may be removably attached to
the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a disposable shoe cover 2 for
athletic use is shown. The disposable shoe cover 2 includes a
unitary flexible material sheet 4 folded into a shoe shape 6. The
shoe shape 6 defines a sole 8, an upper 10 and a closed-loop
shoe-receiving opening 12 in the upper that is adapted to receive a
wearer's shoe 14. Surface gripping members 16 are provided on the
sole.
[0022] The flexible material sheet 4 may be maintained in the shoe
shape 6 by a front seam 18 extending along a mid-portion of the
upper 10, from the shoe-receiving opening 12 toward a forward end
20 of the sole 8. A rear seam 22 may also be used that extends
along a mid-portion of the upper 10 from a rearward portion of the
shoe-receiving opening 12 toward a rearward end 24 of the sole 8.
The front seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may each extend inwardly
into an interior of the disposable shoe cover 2 to improve the
aesthetic appearance of thereof.
[0023] The flexible material sheet 4 may be selected from any
suitable material that is sufficiently low in cost that the
disposable shoe cover 2 may be economically disposed of following a
single use. The material is also preferably highly flexible such
that, for example, the disposable shoe cover 2 can be easily folded
or rolled up and placed in a wearer's golf bag. Exemplary materials
include fabrics such as those used to make surgical boots. Thin
plastic sheet material, which has the advantage of being
waterproof, may also be used. Fabrics may also be water resistant,
and if not, can be treated with a spray coating or the like so as
to become water resistant or waterproof.
[0024] The shoe-receiving opening 12 may comprise an elastic band
26 formed by a pair of elastic band elements 26A and 26B. The
elastic band 26 gathers the opening 12 around the upper portion of
the wearer's shoe 14 during use while allowing the opening to be
expanded to receive the wearer's shoe when the disposable shoe
cover 2 is being put on and taken off.
[0025] The gripping members 16 may comprise spikes that are
permanently or detachably mounted to the sole. Any suitable type of
attachment may be used, including mechanical fasteners, adhesive,
and sewing. If sewing is used, conventional sewing threads may be
employed. Alternatively, medical suturing material could be used.
Exemplary spike constructions are described in more detail below in
connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. Gripping members other than spikes,
such as textured surface elements, bumps or other means, may also
be provided on the sole 8. The gripping members 16 may be arranged
in any desired fashion on the sole 8. FIG. 4A illustrates one
exemplary arrangement wherein the gripping members 16 are
implemented as spikes and are disposed only on a forward portion of
the sole 8. An optional heel member 28 may then be provided on a
rearward portion of the sole 8. FIG. 4B illustrates another
exemplary configuration wherein the gripping members 16 are
implemented as spikes and are disposed on forward and rearward
portions of the sole 8.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, an optional insole 30 may also be
provided. The insole 30 may have a textured upper surface for
gripping a bottom of the wearer's shoe 14.
[0027] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, fabrication of the disposable
shoe cover 2 may begin by patterning the flexible material sheet 4
into an elongated, generally rectangular shape having a pair of
long sides 32, a pair of short sides 34 and four rounded corner
portions 36. The flexible material sheet 4 is folded lengthwise
along a longitudinal centerline A-A that bisects the short sides
34. This produces the folded shape shown in FIG. 6 in which there
is a fold line 38 and wherein the long edges 32, the short edges 34
and the corner portions 36 are substantially aligned in mutual
overlapping relationship with each other.
[0028] The front seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may be formed by
sewing, adhesive bonding, heat bonding, ultrasonic welding, etc.,
depending on the material used for the flexible material sheet 4.
For sewing, conventional sewing or medical suturing material may be
used. An adjustable seam may also be formed (see below). The front
seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may both extend from the fold line 38
to the mutually aligned long edges 32 at locations that are spaced
inwardly from the short edges 34 so that there will not be any
openings at the front and rear ends of the finished product. The
angle of the front seam 18 relative to the fold line 38 is
preferably small to define the foot/toe-receiving portion of the
disposable shoe cover 2. This angle also defines the location of
the forward portion of the shoe-receiving opening 12. The angle of
the rear seam 22 relative to the fold line 38 is preferably large
to define the heel-receiving portion of the disposable shoe cover
2. This angle also defines the location of the rearward portion of
the shoe-receiving opening 12. Surface gripping members are
provided on the sole.
[0029] The elastic band elements 26A and 26B can be stitched or
otherwise mounted on respective ones of the long edges 32. This
operation is preferably performed with the elastic band elements
26A and 26B in a fully stretched condition. In this way, the
elastic band elements 26A and 26B will contract after they are
attached, causing the newly-defined shoe-receiving opening 12 to
contract.
[0030] At this point, excess material that lies outside of the
front seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may be trimmed off. The assembly
of FIG. 6 may then be turned inside out to produce the final shoe
shape 6 of the finished disposable shoe cover 2.
[0031] In some cases, it may be desirable to provide additional
means for securing the disposable shoe cover 2 to the wearer's shoe
14. As shown in FIG. 7, one or more adjustable retention straps 40
may be provided that are adapted to wrap around a forward portion
of the upper 10. Adjustable locking elements, such as hook and loop
members 42, may be provided at the end of each retention strap
segment so that the retention straps 40 can be tightened around the
wearer's shoe 14. Another alternative is shown in FIG. 8, in which
one or more retention bands 44 may be provided on the inside (or
outside) of the forward portion of the upper 10. The retention
bands 44 are preferably elastic so that they exert a retention
force on a forward portion of the wearer's shoe 14.
[0032] Another way to provide additional securing means would be to
make the seam 18 (FIG. 6) adjustable. This could be done by
providing locking elements at the seam 18, such as hook and loop
members, so that the edges that form the seam are adjustably
overlapping for tightening and loosening.
[0033] Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, if the gripping members 16
are implemented as spikes, they can be designed to removably mount
to the sole 8 of the disposable shoe cover 2. This provides the
advantage of being able to change the type of spike being used,
and/or to replace damaged or worn spikes. In FIG. 9, the
illustrated gripping member 16 comprises a plastic spike assembly
having an upper spike plate 46 situated on an upper side of the
sole 8. The upper spike plate 46 has one or more downwardly
extending spikes 48, preferably made of plastic, that extend
through the sole 8. A retainer plate 50 is placed on the bottom
side of the sole 8. The retainer plate 50 has apertures 51 that are
adapted to receive and lockingly engage the base of each spike 48,
such that the tip of each spike protrudes downwardly beyond the
retainer plate. In FIG. 10, the illustrated gripping member 16A
comprises a plastic spike assembly having an upper retainer plate
52 situated on the upper side of the sole 8. The upper retainer
plate 52 has one or more downwardly extending snap lock prongs 54
that extend through the sole 8. A lower spike plate 56 is placed on
the bottom side of the sole 8. The lower spike plate 56 has
receptacles 58 that are adapted to receive and lockingly engage the
prongs 54. The lower spike plate 56 also mounts a spike 60,
preferably made of metal, that extends downwardly from the spike
plate.
[0034] When it is desired to use the disposable shoe cover 2, the
wearer stretches the elastic band 26 surrounding the shoe-receiving
opening 12 and inserts his or her shoe 14 therein. The elastic band
26 is then released to gather the shoe-receiving opening 12 around
the upper portion of the wearer's shoe 14. If the retention straps
40 are provided, they may be cinched down to snug the disposable
shoe cover 2 onto the wearer's shoe 14. If the retention bands 44
are provided, they may be expanded during shoe insertion and will
then snug down onto the wearer's shoe 14 due to their elastic
properties. When the athletic activity has concluded, the
disposable shoe cover 2 can be easily taken off and disposed of, or
it may be saved for subsequent use. Advantageously, the design of
the disposable shoe cover 2 allows it to be easily folded or rolled
into a compact configuration and stowed in a suitable location.
[0035] Accordingly, a disposable shoe cover for athletic use has
been disclosed. While various embodiments of the invention have
been shown and described, it should be apparent that many
variations and alternative embodiments could be implemented in
accordance with the teachings herein. It is understood, therefore,
that the invention is not to be in any way limited except in
accordance with the spirit of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *