U.S. patent application number 12/153605 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for overshoe for running.
Invention is credited to John S. Finch.
Application Number | 20090049711 12/153605 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40380829 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090049711 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Finch; John S. |
February 26, 2009 |
Overshoe For Running
Abstract
The overshoe for running is a protective and padded overshoe
adapted to be worn over a running shoe or the like in order to
provide additional shock absorption and padding for running on hard
surfaces, such as pavement, cement and the like. The overshoe is in
the form of a unitary body formed from a resilient material. The
unitary body includes a sole having opposed upper and lower
surfaces, and a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the
upper surface of the sole. The peripheral wall and the sole define
an open interior region adapted for receiving the shoe. The
overshoe is preferably dimensioned and configured to snugly receive
the shoe so that the overshoe is removably secured thereto during
use. An additional releasable fastener may be added for further
securing the unitary body to the shoe.
Inventors: |
Finch; John S.; (Raleigh,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
POST OFFICE BOX 15035, CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215-0035
US
|
Family ID: |
40380829 |
Appl. No.: |
12/153605 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60935610 |
Aug 21, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.6 ; 36/59R;
36/7.1R; 36/7.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 1/0036 20130101;
A43C 15/02 20130101; A43C 15/10 20130101; A43B 5/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/7.6 ; 36/59.R;
36/7.1R; 36/7.5 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/16 20060101
A43B003/16; A43C 15/00 20060101 A43C015/00; A43B 3/10 20060101
A43B003/10 |
Claims
1. A overshoe for running, comprising a unitary body formed from a
resilient material, the unitary body having: a sole having opposed
upper and lower surfaces and defining a periphery; a peripheral
wall extending upwardly from the periphery of the upper surface of
the sole, the peripheral wall and the sole defining an open
interior region adapted for receiving a shoe; and means for
securing the unitary body to the shoe; whereby the unitary body is
selectively and removably attached to the shoe in order to provide
additional padding and shock absorption therefor.
2. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 1, wherein said
peripheral wall includes a front portion adapted for at least
partially covering a front portion of the shoe, a pair of side
portions adapted for at least partially covering side portions of
the shoe, and a rear portion adapted for at least partially
covering a rear portion of the shoe, the upper surface of said sole
being adapted for supporting a sole of the shoe.
3. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 2, wherein said
means for securing said peripheral wall and said sole to the shoe
includes at least one strap secured to an upper edge of said
peripheral wall.
4. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 3, wherein said at
least one strap comprises a pair of straps fixed at lower ends
thereof to the pair of side portions of said peripheral wall and a
releasable fastener for releasably securing the pair of straps to
each other.
5. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 4, wherein the
releasable fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.
6. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 4, wherein a first
one of said pair of straps has at least one opening formed
therethrough, the overshoe further comprising an engaging member
secured to a second one of said pair of straps, the engaging member
being releasably received by the at least one opening.
7. The overshoe for running a recited in claim 6, wherein the at
least one opening comprises a plurality of openings, whereby the
user selectively and adjustably releasably engages the engaging
member with a selected one of the plurality of openings.
8. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 4, further
comprising: a front strap having opposed first and second ends, the
first end thereof being secured to the front portion of the
peripheral wall; and means for releasably securing the second end
of the front strap to the pair of straps.
9. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 8, wherein said
means for releasably securing the second end of the front strap to
the pair of straps comprises a hook member secured to the second
end of the front strap.
10. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 8, further
comprising: a rear strap having opposed first and second ends, the
first end thereof being secured to the rear portion of the
peripheral wall; and means for releasably securing the second end
of the rear strap to the pair of straps.
11. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 10, wherein the
rear strap is substantially Y-shaped, the second end of the rear
strap having a pair of free strap portions so that each said strap
portion is secured to a respective one of said pair of straps.
12. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 11, wherein each
said free strap portion has a rear engaging member secured thereto
for being releasably received within at least one aperture formed
through each of said pair of straps.
13. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of grooves are formed in the lower surface of the
sole.
14. The overshoe for running as recited in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of spikes are formed on the lower surface of the sole.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/935,610, filed Aug. 21, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to footwear, and particularly
to an overshoe for running that provides additional shock
absorption and padding for running on hard surfaces, such as
pavement, cement and the like.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] High impact exercise activities, such as running, can cause
pain or injury to the exerciser's feet and legs, particularly when
the exerciser is exercising on a relatively hard surface, such as
concrete. Although running shoes are provided with padded soles,
the padding is typically selected for use with a wide variety of
running surfaces, and for a wide variety of exercises, and in some
cases the padding provided in athletic shoes is inadequate to
provide cushioning for hard running surfaces. It would be desirable
to provide sufficient padding and shock absorption necessary for
reducing pain and injury with maximally hard surfaces, such as
concrete.
[0006] Although inserts for shoes are available, such padded
inserts may only be inserted and removed when the user is not
wearing his or her shoe. Thus, shoe removal, which may be
inconvenient if the user is exercising outdoors, is necessary. It
would be desirable to provide additional padding and sock
absorption for a running show that does not require the user to
remove his or her shoes. Thus, an overshoe for running solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The overshoe for running is a protective and padded overshoe
adapted to be worn over a running shoe or the like in order to
provide additional shock absorption and padding for running on hard
surfaces, such as pavement, cement and the like. The overshoe is in
the form of a unitary body formed from a resilient material.
[0008] The unitary body includes a sole having opposed upper and
lower surfaces, and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the
periphery of the upper surface of the sole. The peripheral wall and
the sole define an open interior region adapted for receiving the
shoe. The overshoe is preferably dimensioned and configured to
snugly receive the shoe so that the overshoe is removably secured
thereto during use.
[0009] The peripheral wall includes a front portion adapted for at
least partially covering a front portion of the shoe, a pair of
side portions adapted for at least partially covering the side
portions of the shoe, and a rear portion adapted for at least
partially covering the rear portion of the shoe, with the upper
surface of the sole being adapted for supporting a sole of the
shoe.
[0010] Further, the overshoe may be provided with at least one
strap secured to an upper edge of the peripheral wall for securing
the overshoe to the running or athletic shoe. Preferably, a pair of
straps is provided. The pair of straps are respectively fixed at
lower ends thereof to the pair of side portions of the peripheral
wall, and a buckle, hook and loop, or other releasable fastener is
provided for releasably securing the pair of straps to each
other.
[0011] The lower surface of the sole is preferably configured to
enhance frictional engagement with the running surface (such as a
sidewalk or the like). This configuring may be in the form of a
plurality of grooves formed in the lower surface, or may be in the
form of a plurality of spikes integrally formed with the lower
surface.
[0012] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an overshoe
for running according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view in section of a first embodiment of an
overshoe for running according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view in section of a second embodiment of
an overshoe for running according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a third embodiment of an overshoe
for running according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of a fourth alternative embodiment of
an overshoe for running according to the present invention.
[0018] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention is directed towards an overshoe for
running, designated generally as 10 in the drawings. As shown in
FIG. 1, the overshoe for running 10 is a protective and padded
overshoe adapted to be worn over a running shoe 12, athletic shoe,
or the like in order to provide additional shock absorption and
padding for running on hard surfaces, such as pavement, cement and
the like. The overshoe 10 is in the form of a unitary body formed
from a resilient material. Preferably, the material enhances
frictional engagement with the running surface and provides optimal
cushioning for the user's feet. One such exemplary material is foam
rubber, which has a relatively high coefficient of friction and may
be open- or closed-cell foam defining small internal air chambers,
providing a cushioning and shock absorption effect. In addition,
the sole may be formed with discrete air pockets defined therein,
if so desired, for additional cushioning. The foam rubber may be
specifically colored, or coated with a colored material, dependent
upon the user's needs. For example, reflective, phosphorescent or
luminescent material may be used, allowing a runner to be better
seen at night.
[0020] The unitary body includes a sole 20 having opposed upper and
lower surfaces, and a peripheral wall mounted on, and projecting
upwardly from, a periphery of the upper surface of the sole 20. The
sole 20 may be formed from a single layer of material, or multiple
layers. The peripheral wall and the sole 20 define an open interior
region adapted for receiving the shoe 12. The overshoe 10 is
preferably dimensioned and configured to snugly receive the shoe 12
so that the overshoe is removably secured thereto during use. The
usage of an elastic, resilient material, such as foam rubber, is
preferred, as described above, allowing for the resilient
attachment of the overshoe 10 to the shoe 12. Overshoes 10 may be
manufactured in a wide variety of shapes and sizes in order to
provide snug attachment to a wide variety of different shoes.
[0021] The peripheral wall includes a front portion 16 adapted for
at least partially covering a front portion of the shoe 12, a pair
of side portions 26 adapted for at least partially covering the
side portions of the shoe 12, and a rear portion 18 adapted for at
least partially covering a rear portion of the shoe 12, with the
upper surface of the sole 20 being adapted for supporting a sole of
the shoe 12.
[0022] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one strap for securing
the peripheral wall and the sole 20 to the shoe 12 may be provided.
Preferably, a pair of straps 14, 15 is provided. The pair of straps
14, 15 are respectively fixed at lower ends thereof to the pair of
side portions 26 of the peripheral wall, and preferably also a
releasable fastener 30 for releasably securing the pair of straps
14, 15 to each other. Releasable fastener 30 is shown as being a
hook and loop type fastener in FIG. 4, although it should be
understood that buckles or any suitable releasable fastener may be
used.
[0023] Also, the lower surface of the sole 20 is preferably
configured to enhance frictional engagement with the running
surface (such as a sidewalk or the like). This configuring may be
in the form of a plurality of grooves 22, shown in FIG. 2, formed
in the lower surface thereof in a manner similar to conventional
running shoes, or may be in the form of a plurality of spikes 24,
shown in FIG. 3, integrally formed with the lower surface.
[0024] As noted above, any suitable fastener may be used for
securing straps 14, 15. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, hook and loop
fasteners 30 are replaced by a plurality of openings 54 formed
through strap 14 for adjustably receiving an engaging member,
formed as a peg, 56. It should be understood that this fastener is
shown for exemplary purposes only, and that any suitable type of
releasable and adjustable fastener may be used, allowing for secure
adjustment about a variety of differing shoe and foot sizes.
[0025] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a front strap 40 may
further be added. Front strap 40 has opposed first and second ends,
with the first end being secured to the front 16 of the overshoe
10, and the second end having a hook member 42 secured thereto.
Strap 40, similar to straps 14, 15, is preferably formed from an
elastic and resilient material, allowing it to attach the user's
shoe and foot within the overshoe 10. In use, straps 14, 15 are
secured together and the hook member 42 releasably grasps the
joined straps 14, 15, securing the toe and tongue portions of the
user's shoe within overshoe 10. It should be understood that hook
member 42 is shown for exemplary purposes only and that any
suitable releasable fastener may be utilized.
[0026] Further, a rear strap may be secured to the rear portion 18
of overshoe 10. The rear strap 44 is preferably formed from an
elastic and resilient material, similar to that described above
with regard to front strap 40. As shown in FIG. 5, rear strap 44
preferably is Y-shaped, with a first end thereof being secured to
rear portion 18, and a second end terminating in two free end
portions. Each end portion 46, 48 has an engaging member 50,
similar to engaging member 56, secured thereto for releasable and
adjustable reception within openings 52, formed through straps 14,
15. In use, each end portion 46, 48 is stretched about a respective
side 26 of the overshoe 10, with engaging members 50 being received
within respective openings 52, allowing the rear and side portions
of overshoe 10 to be better secured to the user's shoe and
foot.
[0027] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *