U.S. patent application number 11/970304 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for footwear cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to CAMCO ONE INDUSTRIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Jimmy G. Camarillo.
Application Number | 20080163516 11/970304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39593051 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080163516 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Camarillo; Jimmy G. |
July 10, 2008 |
FOOTWEAR COVER
Abstract
A cover for closing off access to the mouth of a boot. The cover
is a generally tubular member that forms a cap at a first end and a
skirt that extends outwardly away therefrom. The cap and skirt
define a bore sized to receive the neck of the boot therein. At
least one annular gripping region is provided in the cover and is
expandable to allow the cover to receive the top end of the boot
and contracts to sealingly grip the neck of the boot. The gripping
region preferably includes an elastic material that is either
retained in an annular pocket in the skirt or sewn directly onto
the skirt fabric. When engaged with the boot, no part of the cover
extends into the interior thereof. The cover is also provided with
a removal strap and one or more elastic loops that are design to
receive a sock therethrough.
Inventors: |
Camarillo; Jimmy G.; (New
Braunfels, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100, 4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Assignee: |
CAMCO ONE INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
39593051 |
Appl. No.: |
11/970304 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60879708 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/136 ; 36/50.1;
36/51; 36/7.1R; 36/72R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 11/00 20130101;
A43B 23/06 20130101; A43B 7/125 20130101; A41D 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/136 ; 36/7.1R;
36/51; 36/50.1; 36/72.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/00 20060101
A43B023/00; A43B 3/16 20060101 A43B003/16; A43B 11/00 20060101
A43B011/00; A43B 13/22 20060101 A43B013/22 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for a boot, where the boot has a neck with a
mouth at a top end thereof, said cover comprising; a substantially
tubular member having a wall defining a bore therein, said wall
having a closed first end and a second end remote therefrom which
defines an opening to the bore; which opening is adapted to receive
the top end of the boot therethrough; a first annular gripping
region provided in the tubular member; and a second annular
gripping region provided in the tubular member a spaced distance
from the first gripping region; said gripping regions being movable
between an expanded position where the top end of the boot is
receivable through the opening, and a contracted position where the
gripping regions sealingly engage the neck of the boot whereby a
portion of the first end of the wall extends across the mouth of
the boot and substantially none of the first end extends into the
interior of the boot.
2. The protective cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
gripping region is of a first circumference and the second gripping
region is of a second circumference and the first circumference is
greater than the second circumference.
3. The protective cover as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one
of the first and second gripping regions includes an elastic
fabric.
4. The protective cover as defined in claim 3, wherein the wall
includes at least one pocket and the elastic fabric is sewn into
the pocket.
5. The protective cover as defined in claim 3, wherein the elastic
fabric is sewn directly onto the wall.
6. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the portion of the
first end of the wall is manufactured from one of a breathable
fabric and a waterproof fabric.
7. The cover as defined in claim 6, wherein the portion of the
first end of the wall is manufactured from one of a nylon mesh
fabric and a waterproof poly-cotton fabric.
8. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the cover is
manufactured from a flexible fabric that is foldable into a
substantially planar member.
9. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the wall is formed from
a single length of fabric.
10. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the wall is formed
from more than one piece of fabric that are secured together, and
at least the first end of the cover is made from one of a
breathable fabric and a waterproof fabric.
11. The cover as defined in claim 2, further including a removal
strap extending outwardly from the wall.
12. The cover as defined in claim 11, further including a pair of
spaced apart loops extending outwardly away from the wall.
13. The cover as defined in claim 12, wherein the loops are
manufactured from an elastic material and are each adapted to
retain a sock therein.
14. The protective cover as defined in claim 3, wherein each of the
first and second gripping regions is between 3/4 and 11/2 inches in
width.
15. In combination: a boot having a neck with a mouth at a top end
thereof and defining an interior adapted to receive a foot therein;
a cover for sealing off access to the interior of the boot; and
wherein said cover includes: a substantially tubular member having
a wall defining a bore, said wall having a closed first end and a
second end remote therefrom which defines an opening to the bore;
and a first annular gripping region provided in the tubular member
and being movable between an expanded position and a contracted
position; and when the first gripping region is in the expanded
position, the top end and neck of the boot are receivable through
the opening; and when in the contracted position the first gripping
region sealingly engages the neck and the first end of the cover
extends across the mouth of the boot and no part of the cover
extends into the interior of the boot.
16. The combination as defined in claim 15, wherein at least the
first end of the tubular member is manufactured from one of a
breathable and a waterproof fabric.
17. The combination as defined in claim 15 further comprising a
second annular gripping region provided in the tubular member
spaced a distance from the first gripping region; whereby a section
of wall extends between said first and second gripping regions.
18. The combination as defined in claim 15, further comprising a
removal strap extending outwardly from proximate the first end of
the tubular member.
19. The combination as defined in claim 18, further comprising at
least one elasticized loop extending outwardly from proximate the
first end of the tubular member, said loop being adapted to receive
a sock therethrough.
20. The combination as defined in claim 15, wherein at least one of
the first and second gripping regions comprises an elastic member
that engages the wall of the tubular member, and wherein the
elastic member is one of retained within a pocket formed in the
wall of the tubular member and sewn directly onto the wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a standard utility application claiming priority
from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/879,708, filed Jan.
10, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This invention generally relates to footwear. More
particularly, the invention relates to a protective cover for
footwear. Specifically, the invention relates to a protective cover
that is useful for closing off access to the interior of a boot to
prevent undesirable matter, such as insects, small creatures and
moisture, from entering therein
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] One of the problems that soldiers and hunters face is that
they frequently are in environments where scorpions, spiders and
venomous snakes are present. These and other creatures have a
tendency to seek out dark enclosed places to hide and boots are one
such favored environment. As a result, many soldiers and hunters
have resorted to tightly lacing up their boots in an attempt to
close off the mouth of the boot and to thereby prevent insects and
such from entering into the interior. Additionally, it is
undesirable for moisture, such as rain water, to enter the interior
of the boot. For soldiers, however, there are occasions where there
is a need for them to put their boots on in a hurry and having them
laced tightly shut is extremely problematic. There is therefore a
need for a device to close the mouth of a boot quickly and
effectively but, at the same time, be just as quickly and easily
removed therefrom.
[0006] A variety of boot and shoe covers have been proposed in the
prior art. Some of these covers have been designed to protect only
part of the boot upper and sole. These include the devices
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D328,180 issued to Medina et al and
D343,043 issued to Campbell. Other proposed covers cover just the
sole region of the boot, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,965,586 issued to Roosli. Still others cover just the upper
part of the boot, such as the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,445,287 issued to Garcia and U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,867 issued to
Harton.
[0007] A number of other covers are designed to cover the mouth of
the boot. An example of this is the cover disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,182,382 issued to Skinner. The Skinner device comprises a
pair of linked semicircular caps which are secured by a clip
mechanism to a pair of boots. Each cap sits over the top of one of
the boots in the pair and the clip mechanism holds the pair of
boots in abutting contact with each other. The caps of this device
are fairly rigid in nature. Consequently, this cover cannot be
flattened for packing and transport as would be required by
military personnel. The positioning of the cap on the boot is also
finicky as the upper portion of the boot has to fit within the
perimeter of the cap or the device doesn't work properly. The
inflexible nature of the cap might also permit insects to crawl up
the boot and under the cap wherever the boot and cap do not
perfectly fit together.
[0008] Another device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,737 issued
to Burtoff, is designed for use with military-issue boots and
includes flaps that are stitched onto the boots. The flaps are
provided with a zippered closure which may be zipped and unzipped
as needed. One of the problems with this device is that the flaps
have to physically be sewn onto the boot. A second problem is that
in sandy regions, such as desert regions, zippered closures can
malfunction because grains of sand become lodged between the teeth
of the zipper.
[0009] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,553 issued to Smithdeal,
discloses a cover that fits around the top of a boot and closes off
the top. In a first embodiment, the cover comprises a deformable
insert that is connected to a skirt. The insert is placed through
the mouth and into the neck of the boot. The skirt is attached to
the upper end of the insert and when the insert is in position, the
skirt is pulled downwardly over the exterior surface of the boot
neck. The insert is made of plastic, is filled with a soft foam and
is designed to deform and take on the shape of the boot's neck so
that nothing can get passed the insert. This embodiment would be
unsatisfactory from a military standpoint because of the size of
the insert and the space issues that soldiers face. A second
embodiment of the cover comprises a molded plastic or metal cap
that has a closure portion, which fits over the mouth, and a groove
formed around the perimeter of the cap and is adapted to receive
the top edge of the boot therein. This second embodiment is again a
little finicky for soldiers to be fussing with as the upper edge of
the boot has to be fed into the groove or the device will not
properly seal off the mouth. Yet another version of the cover has a
downwardly extending flange that is positioned around the exterior
of the boot and is secured in place by hook and pile fasteners.
Such fasteners also become problematic in the type of environment
that soldiers frequently find themselves in as they can pick up
materials which prevent the hook and pile fasteners from adequately
interlocking with each other.
[0010] There is therefore a need in the art for an improved device
for covering the mouth of a boot that can be quickly and easily
applied and removed and which shuts off the mouth so that
undesirable matter such as insects, small creatures and moisture
cannot enter the interior of the boot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The device of the present invention comprises a cover for
closing off access to the mouth of a boot. The cover is a generally
tubular member that forms a cap at a first end and a skirt that
extends outwardly away therefrom. The cap and skirt define a bore
sized to receive the neck of the boot therein. At least one annular
gripping region is provided in the cover and is expandable to allow
the cover to receive the top end of the boot and contracts to
sealingly grip the neck of the boot. The gripping region preferably
includes an elastic material that is either retained in an annular
pocket in the skirt or sewn directly onto the skirt fabric. The cap
is sized to cover the neck and mouth of the boot and to close off
access to the boot interior. The cap does not necessarily tightly
fit over the top end of the boot but preferably is of uneven height
so that different upper edges of various boots can be accommodated
by the cover. When engaged with the boot, no part of the cover
extends into the interior thereof. Preferably, at least the first
end of the cover is manufactured from one of a breathable and
waterproof fabric. The fabric used preferably is also easily
foldable into a planar member to enable the cover to be easily
packed. The cover is also provided with a removal strap that can be
used to quicky and easily pull the cover off the boot. Preferably,
the removal strap is made from an elastic material. The exterior
surface of the cover is further provided with one or more elastic
loops, each of which is sized to receive a sock therethrough. This
allows the socks to dry and be kept off the ground while doing so.
It also ensures that the soldier or hunter can immediately find
their socks in an emergency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, are set forth in the following description and are
shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed
out and set forth in the appended claims.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boot that is closed off by
a cover in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section of the cover engaged over
the top end of the boot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a boot 10 that
includes a sole 12, an upper portion 14 and a neck region 16. Neck
region 16 includes a mouth (not shown) through which a person's
foot is introduced into the interior (not shown) of the boot
10.
[0017] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
protective cover for closing off access to the boot's interior,
said cover being generally indicated by the number 18. Cover 18 is
a generally tubular member having a wall that defines an interior
bore. The wall is closed at one end and open at the other. The
closed end of the wall comprises a cap 20 and a substantially
tubular skirt 22 extends downwardly and outwardly away from cap 20
and terminates in an outermost end 22a that defines an opening 23
therein. Cap 20 is designed to fit loosely over the top end 24 of
neck 16 and skirt 22 is designed to abut the outer surface of the
neck 16 of boot 10. The looser fitting cap 20 creates a bigger
surface area for evaporation of liquids from within the interior of
boot 10. Furthermore, not all boots have exactly the same shaped
top end 24 and the looseness of the fabric used in cap 20
accommodate a wide variety of differently shaped boots 10.
[0018] Cover 18 preferably is manufactured from a soft, flexible
fabric that is very easily collapsed or folded into a thin, planar
package for packing purposes. Cover 18 may be manufactured from a
washable and weatherproof fabric such as a durable nylon mesh. This
fabric is breathable and allows for moisture to evaporate from the
interior of boot 10 therefore allowing proper ventilation of the
boot so that the interior materials can dry out. If the interior of
the boot is closed off such as by tightly lacing the laces or
stuffing the neck 16 with socks or an insert such as that disclosed
in the previously referenced patent to Smithdeal, then an
unhygienic environment can be created within the boot interior if
wet as bacteria, fungus and molds can thrive in this type of
environment. Lack of ventilation and moist interior materials also
tends to cause the boot to develop unpleasant odors over time.
Cover 18 may also be made from a waterproof poly-cotton fabric that
prevents moisture, such as rain water, from entering the interior
of the boot. It is not necessary that the entire cover 18 be
manufactured from the same fabric, but it can instead be made from
two or more different fabrics. At least cap 20, however, should be
manufactured from either a breathable fabric or a waterproof
fabric. Skirt 22 preferably is integrally formed with cap 20 but it
can, instead, be formed from one or more separate pieces of fabric
that are sewn or otherwise connected to cap 20. Furthermore, skirt
22 may be manufactured from one or more pieces of a fabric
different to that used for cap 20.
[0019] A pair of spaced-apart first and second gripping regions or
bands 26, 28 are provided in skirt 22. Bands 26, 28 preferably are
made from a stretchy, elastic fabric or a material that can expand
as cover 18 is positioned over top end of boot 10, but which
returns to its original, non-expanded length and shape when in
place around neck 16. Gripping bands 26, 28 cause skirt 22 to
tightly abut the exterior surface of neck 16 and seal off access to
the mouth thereof. A suitable fabric for bands 26, 28 is an elastic
nylon. Preferably, each band 26, 28 is sewn into an annular pocket
formed within skirt 22. The pockets can be formed from an
additional layer of fabric that is sewn to either the interior or
exterior surface of cover 22. Band 28 is sewn onto skirt 22 a
spaced distance away from the closed end of the cover that forms
cap 20. Band 26 is sewn onto skirt 22 proximate the outermost end
22a thereof and a spaced distance from cap 20. Band 26 therefore
circumscribes the opening 23 into the interior of cover 18. Bands
26, 28 are separated from each other by a region 30 of the wall of
skirt 22. It will be understood that while bands 26, 28 are each
shown as sewn into a pocket, one or both bands 26, 28 may,
alternatively, be sewn directly onto the fabric that makes up skirt
22 and not be covered by a second layer of fabric.
[0020] Bands 26, 28 are designed to be sufficiently tight enough
that cover 18 fits tightly over neck 16. Even that part of the neck
16 that includes the tongue (not shown) and laces 31 is tightly
shut off by bands 26, 28. A gap 32 may be formed between region 30
and the exterior surface of neck 16. This gap 32 aids in ensuring
that any insects or creatures that accidentally make it past band
28 will become entrapped between bands 28 and 26 and will not be
able to get into the interior of boot 10.
[0021] In accordance with another feature of the present invention,
cover 18 is provided with an elastic removal strap 34. Strap 34 may
be looped, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, or it may be a length of
fabric that extends outwardly away from one of the cap or skirts
20, 22. Strap 34 is designed and positioned such that the soldier
may pull removal strap 34 upwardly and outwardly in the direction
of arrow "A" (FIG. 3) to pull cover 18 completely off of boot 10.
Strap 34 may be made from an elastic material or from any other
suitable fabric and is sewn onto the nylon mesh of cover 18.
[0022] In accordance with yet another feature of the present
invention, at least one, and preferably two, loops 36, 38 of fabric
extend outwardly away from cover 18. Loops 36, 38 preferably extend
outwardly away from cap 20, but may alternatively be sewn onto
skirt 22 of cover 18. Loops 36, 38 preferably are made from an
elastic material. The soldier can insert a sock 40, 42 into each
one of loops 36, 38 so that the socks 40, 42 are suspended a
distance above the ground and away from boot 10. This allows socks
40, 42 to dry more easily than they would if hung over boot 10 or
left on the ground.
[0023] Cover 18 is designed for use specifically with military and
civilian style boots. The cover is sized to fit over boots that
have a neck 16 that is approximate 6-7 inches in width and 6-7
inches in height. Both band 26 and 28 preferably are between 3/4
and 11/2 inches in width, and preferably are 1 inch in width. Band
26 preferably is around 12 inches in total circumferential length
and band 28 preferably is around 10 inches in total circumferential
length. Thus, band 28 fits more tightly around neck 16 of boot 10
than does band 26.
[0024] Cover 18 is used in the following manner. When a soldier or
hunter takes his boots off and wishes to close up the mouth in the
top thereof, he grasps cover 18 and, using his fingers, stretches
band 28 so that it lengthens. Band 28 has an initial circumference
of ten inches, but band 28 is stretched beyond ten inches to around
twelve inches in circumference in order to engage top end 24 of
boot 10. Keeping his fingers in place, he positions cover 18 so
that the top end 24 of neck 16 of boot enters opening 23 in cover
18. He slides cover downwardly in a direction opposite to arrow "A"
in FIG. 3. As band 26 engages top end 24 of boot 10, it expands
from an initial circumference of about twelve inches to enable it
to slide over and around neck 16. Once band 26 has moved downwardly
to a point that it lies a spaced distance beneath top end 24, the
solider releases his grip on cover 18. Bands 26, 28 then contract
around neck 16 and tightly grip the same. At this point, the mouth
(not shown) of the boot is completely covered. Preferably, the
inner surface 20a of cover 20 does not contact top end 24 of boot
10, but it can do so. The soldier can place his socks 40, 42 into
loops 36, 38 by putting a single finger into one of loops 36, 38
and pulling away from boot 10, causing the elastic material thereof
to stretch and expand the hole 36a, 38a formed therein. The
associated sock 40, 42 is then drawn through the respective hole
36a, 38a. The loop 36, 38 is the released and sock 40, 42 is
gripped thereby.
[0025] When socks 40, 42 are needed, one end thereof is pulled and
the remaining portion of the sock slides out of loop 36, 38. When
the soldier needs to use boot 10, he grasps strap 34 and pulls
upwardly in the direction of arrow "A". This causes cover 18 to
slide upwardly in the same direction and to slide off the boot 10.
Because the cover 18 is made of a flexible nylon mesh, it may be
collapsed, rolled or folded for packing with the soldier's
equipment.
[0026] It will be noticed from the figures that cover 18 may be
formed in the shape of a beret, having areas in the cap 20 that are
of greater height than others. So, for instance, the area indicated
by the number 50 is of the greatest height and the area 52 is of
lesser height. This helps cover 18 to engage a variety of
differently shaped upper ends.
[0027] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0028] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
are by way of an example and the invention is not limited to the
exact details shown or described.
* * * * *