U.S. patent application number 11/865091 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for removable shoe cover.
Invention is credited to Marcille Plank.
Application Number | 20090083993 11/865091 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40506590 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090083993 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plank; Marcille |
April 2, 2009 |
Removable Shoe Cover
Abstract
The present invention includes a removable shoe cover and method
for using the same. The removable shoe cover includes a front part
and a strap that can be used by placing the front part on the
anterior of a shoe and securing the strap around the posterior of
the shoe to maintain a snug fit. The removable shoe cover leaves
the heel of a shoe substantially exposed. The removable shoe cover
may also include removable sections on the top side, traction for
enhanced protection and performance, and one or more connections
for the strap to the front part or within the strap itself.
Inventors: |
Plank; Marcille;
(Independence, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAFKAS PATENT LLC
PO Box 43289
CINCINNATI
OH
45243-0289
US
|
Family ID: |
40506590 |
Appl. No.: |
11/865091 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/7.3 ; 36/7.1R;
36/72R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 13/08 20130101;
A43B 5/18 20130101; A43B 23/24 20130101; A43B 3/0078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/7.3 ; 36/7.1R;
36/72.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 1/10 20060101
A43B001/10; A43B 13/22 20060101 A43B013/22; A43B 3/16 20060101
A43B003/16 |
Claims
1. A removable shoe cover having an inner side and an outer side,
wherein said removable shoe cover comprises: a front part for
substantially covering an anterior of an upper and an anterior of
an outsole of a shoe, wherein said front part comprises a top side
and a bottom side; and a strap, wherein said strap is connected to
said front part and stretched around a posterior of a shoe to
maintain a snug fit, and wherein a heel is left substantially
exposed and not covered by said removable shoe cover.
2. The removable shoe cover according to claim 1, wherein said
front part and said strap are connected on the inner side and on
the outer side.
3. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein said
front part and said strap form a single, continuous piece of
material.
4. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein said
strap is connected to said strap or to said front part by one or
more of a means selected from the group consisting of Velcro.RTM.,
snaps, buckles, and hooks.
5. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein said top
side of said front part comprises one or more removable levels.
6. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein said
bottom part of said front part comprises an advanced traction
means.
7. The removable shoe cover according to claim 6, wherein said
advanced traction means is comprised of rubber or leather.
8. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein said
front part comprises a toe guard having said advanced traction
means, wherein said toe guard substantially covers said outer side
of said front part.
9. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2 comprising of
rubber or a rubber-like material.
10. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein said
removable shoe cover is individualized with an ornamental
design.
11. A method of preventing wear and tear in shoes comprising the
steps of: placing a removable shoe cover over a shoe, wherein the
removable shoe cover, having an inner side and an outer side,
comprises a front part for substantially covering an anterior of an
upper and an anterior of an outsole of a shoe, wherein said front
part comprises a top side and a bottom side, and a strap, wherein
said strap is connected to said front part and stretched around a
posterior of a shoe to maintain a snug fit, and wherein a heel is
left substantially exposed and not covered by said removable shoe
cover; and securing said strap around the posterior of said shoe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates generally to the field of
shoes and more particularly to a means preventing wear and tear in
shoes used for skateboarding.
[0007] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0008] In the construction of shoes the sole of the shoe is
designed to absorb wear that is normally encountered during walking
and running. The upper of the shoe, which surrounds the top of the
foot and the ankle, is generally made of fabric and is not designed
to encounter significant wear. When the upper of a shoe encounters
localized wear, the upper may become frayed or acquire a hole.
However, some activities may cause significant wear and tear on the
sole, in addition to the upper, resulting in premature failure of
the shoe. Premature failure of shoes is common in conjunction with
children since certain activities that children engage in do cause
abrasive wear to various parts of a shoe.
[0009] Skateboarding is an example of this type of activity.
Certain maneuvers involving a skateboard require rough contact
between a skateboarder's shoe and the ground and/or a skateboard.
This friction can quickly result in a hole on the sole or upper of
one shoe which would require premature replacement of a pair of
shoes.
[0010] In order to avoid this premature replacement, skateboarders
have been known to make fabric pads and tape or sew the same to
their shoes in the area where localized wear occurs. These fabric
pads quickly wear out and require replacement. Another way in which
skateboarders have tried to mitigate wear and tear is by using
special shoe glue to repair the shoe damage, but this noticeable
glue can be messy and perhaps unattractive to users. Many
skateboarders, however, resort to buying new shoes. Thus, it is
highly desirable to have a means for preventing the wear and tear
of shoes that is durable, adept at preserving the condition of
shoes, and less than expensive than replacing shoes.
SUMMARY
[0011] The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention
include a removable shoe cover having an inner side and an outer
side. The removable shoe cover comprises a front part for
substantially covering an anterior of an upper and an anterior of
an outsole of a shoe. The front part also comprises a top side and
a bottom side. The removable shoe cover also includes a strap,
which is connected to the front part and stretched around a
posterior of a shoe to maintain a snug fit. The removable shoe
cover leaves a heel substantially exposed and uncovered.
[0012] The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention
also include a method of preventing wear and tear in shoes
comprising a step of placing a removable shoe cover over a shoe,
wherein the removable shoe cover, having an inner side and an outer
side, comprises a front part for substantially covering an anterior
of an upper and an anterior of an outsole of a shoe. The front part
also comprises a top side and a bottom side. The removable shoe
cover also includes a strap, which is connected to the front part.
The removable shoe cover leaves a heel substantially exposed and
uncovered. The method of preventing wear and tear in shoes of the
present invention also comprises a step of securing the strap
around the posterior of the shoe to maintain a snug fit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are
described in the following detailed description in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a top side of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a bottom side of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED MATERIAL
[0020] In reference to the drawings, similar reference characters
denote similar elements throughout all the drawings. The following
is a list of the reference characters and associated element:
[0021] 10 front part
[0022] 20 strap
[0023] 30 removable sections
[0024] 40 toe guard
[0025] 50 inner side
[0026] 60 outer side
[0027] 70 top side
[0028] 80 bottom side
[0029] 90 shoe
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The drawings show for purposes of further illustration and
understanding, that the various exemplary embodiments of the
present invention include a removable shoe cover for preventing
wear and tear on shoes. Although all the embodiments as shown in
the illustrations display a left-footed design, embodiments of the
present invention also encompass a right-footed design.
[0031] FIG. 1 displays a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the
removable shoe cover of the present invention. A front part lo of
the removable shoe cover covers an anterior of an upper of a shoe
90. In using this exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the front part 10 is placed on the anterior of a shoe 90, and a
strap 20 is stretched around a posterior of the shoe 90 and secured
on the same to ensure a snug fit. In exemplary embodiments, the
strap 20 does not cover a heel on the shoe 90, and the heel is left
substantially exposed. Embodiments of the present invention include
several different sizes to fit a wide range of shoes 90.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the front part 10 and the strap
20 are connected on the inner side 50 and the outer side 60. In a
preferred embodiment, the front part 10 and the strap 20 form a
single, continuous piece of material. In exemplary embodiments, one
or more connection means are required within the body of the strap
20 or between the front part 10 and the strap 20. The connecting
means may be, for example, Velcro.RTM., snaps, buckles, hooks, or
any other similar type of connection.
[0033] FIG. 1 also displays removable sections 30 and a toe guard
40. The toe guard is displayed at a tip of the front part 10. The
toe guard 40 is comprised of an advanced traction means. In a
preferred embodiment, the advanced traction means is leather. In
other exemplary embodiments, the advanced traction means is, for
example, rubber or a rubber-like material. In other exemplary
embodiments, this advanced traction means extends from and is
continuous with an advanced traction means on a bottom side 80 of
the front part 10 of the removable shoe cover. The advanced
traction means allows for an enhanced performance by offering a
better grip completely around the shoe 90 that skateboarders use to
perform their stunts. FIG. 2 shows the bottom side 80 of the front
part 10 of an embodiment of the removable shoe cover and a bottom
of the shoe 90. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention where advanced traction means is comprised of rubber.
[0034] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show exemplary embodiments of the present
invention with two, one, and zero removable sections 30 in place,
respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the removable shoe cover
is initially equipped with removable sections that can be removed
if a user desires. Skateboarders, for example, may enjoy the
protection given by non-removable portions of the front part 10 of
the removable shoe cover while preferring to have less coverage
from the top side 70 of the removable shoe cover. Other users may
prefer easier access to shoelaces or greater foot movement. In
exemplary embodiments, the removable sections 30 may be removed by
tearing, cutting, or pulling. In exemplary embodiments,
perforations facilitate the removal of the removable sections
30.
[0035] In other exemplary embodiments, the removable shoe cover is
individualized by ornamental designs. Image-conscious users may
prefer to have individualized versions of the removable shoe cover
to match the shoe 90 or to differentiate themselves from peers.
[0036] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of
the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative,
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *