Reusable Shoe Cover

Abstract

A reusable shoe cover that allows indoor cheerleading shoes to be worn outdoors without compromising the grip or structural stability of the indoor cheerleading shoe. The reusable shoe cover features an upper casing constructed from a stretchable material, such as elastane. The upper casing protects the upper of the shoe from outdoor elements, while a sole protector of the reusable shoe cover protects the outsole of the shoe, in addition to providing a gripping surface to ensure a user's safety. Both the sole protector and upper casing of the reusable shoe cover are made of flexible materials such that the reusable shoe cover can easily be rolled up, compressed, folded, etc. for storage. The reusable shoe cover can also be provided with a carrying case that is used to store and protect the reusable shoe cover when not in use.

Description

[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/732,090 filed on Nov. 30, 2012. The current application is filed on Dec. 2, 2013 while Nov. 30, 2013 was on a weekend.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to footwear. More specifically, the present invention is a shoe cover that is used to protect a shoe from outdoor elements such as rain, wind, and rough terrain. Furthermore, the present invention is reusable and can be compactly stored when not in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many shoes are designed and manufactured for the purpose of indoor use only. One type of shoe that falls into this category in particular is indoor cheerleading shoes. When exposed to outdoor elements, indoor cheerleading shoes can quickly become worn down and damaged. Exposing the outsole of the shoe to rough outdoor surfaces can cause the outsole to quickly deteriorate and loose grip, while elements such as wind and rain can damage the structure and stability of the body of the shoe. This can result in unsafe conditions when the indoor cheerleading shoes are used for exercises or routines as the worn down outsole may provide inadequate grip. Additionally, if the structure of the shoe is compromised inadequate support may be provided to a user's ankle and/or foot which can result in injury of the user. Thus it is critical for indoor cheerleading shoes to maintain appropriate grip and stability that is necessary for optimal and safe performance.

[0004] Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a reusable shoe cover that allows indoor cheerleading shoes to be worn outdoors. The reusable shoe cover features an upper casing made from a stretchable material that protects the upper of the shoe from outdoor elements and a sole protector that protects the outsole of the shoe and provides the user with a gripping surface. Both the sole protector and the upper casing of the reusable shoe cover are made of flexible materials such that the reusable shoe cover can easily be rolled up, compressed, folded, etc. for storage. The reusable shoe cover can also be provided with a carrying case used to store and protect the reusable shoe cover when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of the present invention with the top line portion being hemmed to the quarter covering portion.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a left side sectional view of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of a shoe positioned within the shoe receiving volume of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the present invention, showing the gripping surface being positioned opposite the vamp covering portion.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the present invention, showing the gripping surface being positioned opposite the quarter covering portion.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the present invention showing the upper casing collapsed onto the sole protector.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention being stored in a carrying case.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the sole protector having a heel opening.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a left side sectional view of the present invention having the heel opening.

[0015] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the sole protector being a knit polyester fabric with a polychloroprene based coating.

[0016] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the sole protector being a knit polyester fabric with a polyvinyl chloride based coating.

[0017] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the sole protector being a knit polyester fabric that is coated in a combination of polychloroprene and polyvinyl chloride.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention is a reusable shoe cover that is worn over top of an indoor cheerleading shoe and protects the shoe from outdoor elements that can reduce the life span of the shoe. The reusable shoe cover is used to protect a user's shoe from getting dirty and to prevent the shoe from falling apart. It is another function of the reusable shoe cover to provide traction in all types of weather. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reusable shoe cover is used to protect indoor cheerleading shoes, however, it is possible for the reusable shoe cover to be used with any other type of shoe. The reusable shoe cover is ideally used with shoes designed for indoor use, as these types of shoes are the most susceptible to damage caused from outdoor use.

[0020] The reusable shoe cover comprises an upper casing 1, an elastic band 4, and a sole protector 2. In reference to FIG. 1-2, the upper casing 1 is perimetrically connected to the sole protector 2, and together the upper casing 1 and the sole protector 2 delineate a shoe receiving volume 3 in which a shoe is positioned when the reusable shoe cover is in use. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper casing 1 is sewn to the sole protector 2, however, any other means may be used to attached the two components, such as using an adhesive or epoxy. The upper casing 1 of the reusable shoe cover is used to protect the upper of the indoor cheerleading shoe from being damaged by outdoor elements, such as rain, wind, snow, etc., while the sole protector 2 preserves the outsole of the shoe.

[0021] The upper casing 1 is made from a soft, stretchable material. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper casing 1 is made from elastane, however, it is possible for the upper casing 1 to be made from any other stretchable material. Additionally, the material of the upper casing 1 should be durable such that it will not easily rip or tear. As the material of the upper casing 1 is stretchable, a reusable shoe cover can be designed to fit a single shoe size or multiple shoe sizes. The upper casing 1 can be formed from a single sheet of material sewn in the shape of the upper of a shoe, or from multiple sheets of material sewn together in the shape of the upper of a shoe.

[0022] In further reference to FIG. 1-2, the upper casing 1 comprises a vamp covering portion 11, a quarter covering portion 12, and a top line portion 13. The vamp covering portion 11 forms the front of the reusable shoe cover, while the quarter covering portion 12 forms the rear of the reusable shoe cover. As such, the quarter covering portion 12 is positioned adjacent to the vamp covering portion 11. The top line portion 13 is positioned adjacent to the quarter covering portion 12 opposite the sole protector 2; forming the top edge of the reusable shoe cover. The top line portion 13 delineates a cover opening 14 of the reusable shoe cover through which a shoe is positioned into or out of the shoe receiving volume 3.

[0023] In reference to FIG. 3, the elastic band 4 is positioned around the cover opening 14 and is encased by the upper casing 1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top line portion 13 is hemmed to the quarter covering portion 12 in order to form a channel 15 in which the elastic band 4 is positioned. The elastic band 4 reinforces the upper covering around the cover opening 14, while still allowing the upper covering to be stretched when the reusable shoe cover is placed around a shoe.

[0024] In order to utilize the reusable shoe cover, the toe portion of a shoe is first inserted into the cover opening 14 at the top of the reusable shoe cover. The shoe is then slid inside of the reusable shoe cover while the upper casing 1 is simultaneously stretched around the shoe. The upper casing 1 of the reusable shoe cover then compresses and conforms to the upper of the shoe creating a secure attachment to the shoe, while the outsole of the shoe rests on the sole protector 2, as depicted in FIG. 4. The reusable shoe cover can quickly and easily be attached allowing users to travel outdoors without the need to remove their shoes.

[0025] The sole protector 2 of the reusable shoe cover serves two purposes. The first purpose of the sole protector 2 is to protect the outsole of a shoe from being damaged. Indoor cheerleading shoes require a strong grip for performing exercises and routines. This grip is provided by the outsole of the indoor cheerleading shoe, however, as the outsole of indoor cheerleading shoes is intended for indoor surfaces, the outsole can easily be damaged from walking on rough outdoor surfaces. This can lead to unsafe situations if the outsole of the indoor cheerleading shoe becomes too smooth such that adequate grip cannot be provided. Thus, the sole protector 2 of the reusable shoe cover allows a user to wear their cheerleading shoes outdoors without compromising the grip of the indoor cheerleading shoes.

[0026] The second purpose of the sole protector 2 is to provide the reusable shoe cover with traction. As such, the sole protector 2 comprises a gripping surface 21; the gripping surface 21 being positioned on the sole protector 2 opposite the covering portion. The gripping surface 21 can be positioned opposite the vamp covering portion 11, as shown in FIG. 5, opposite the quarter covering portion 12, as shown in FIG. 6, or along the entire sole protector 2 depending on the desired traction. The gripping surface 21 is formed by a plurality of nooks or a plurality of ridges that are positioned about the sole protector 2 in a unique gripping pattern in order to enhance the traction of the reusable shoe cover.

[0027] Ideally, the sole protector 2 is a knit polyester fabric having a rubberized coating, such that the sole protector 2 is able to provide ample traction in various weather conditions. The rubberized coating may be a polychloroprene based coating, as depicted in FIG. 11, or a polyvinyl chloride based coating, as depicted in FIG. 12; or the knit polyester fabric can be coated in a combination of polychloroprene and polyvinyl chloride, as depicted in FIG. 13. The rubberized coating ensures that the sole protector 2 is both waterproof and non-slip, such that the reusable shoe cover can be used in all weather conditions. It is also possible for the sole protector 2 to be constructed using any other number of materials, with preference given to those that are non-slip.

[0028] In reference to FIG. 7-8, as the upper casing 1 is made of a thin, soft material, the reusable shoe cover can easily be folded to a near flat configuration, where the majority of the reusable shoe cover thickness is derived from the thickness of the sole protector 2. In this way, the reusable shoe cover can easily be stored and transported when not in use. As the material of the upper casing 1 and sole protector 2 are both flexible, the reusable shoe cover can easily be folded, rolled, etc. into a smaller state such that it takes up less space while in storage. It is also possible for a specialized carrying bag or case to be used in conjunction with the reusable shoe cover, as shown in FIG. 6. The carrying bag or case can come in any number of shapes such as a tube, box, sphere, etc. The carrying bag or case can be made from a soft or rigid material. The carrying bag or case is used to protect the reusable shoe cover while not in use. Additionally, the carrying bag or case aides in preventing the reusable shoe covers from becoming lost or misplaced.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sole protector 2 further comprises a heel opening 22. In reference to FIG. 9-10, the heel opening 22 is positioned on the sole protector 2 opposite the cover opening 14 and provides an aperture through which the heel of a shoe can be positioned. In this way, the reusable shoe cover can be used with high heels. The reusable shoe cover is first slipped over the toe portion of a high heel shoe. As the reusable shoe cover is pulled over the high heel shoe, the heel of the high heel shoe is placed through the heel opening 22. The upper covering is then stretched into place around the remainder of the high heel shoe. The reusable shoe cover can be discretely carried by a user and used on an as needed basis in order to protect expensive high heels from inclement weather.

[0030] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A reusable shoe cover comprises: an upper casing; a sole protector; the upper casing comprises a vamp covering portion, a quarter covering portion, and a top line portion; the upper casing being perimetrically connected to the sole protector; the upper casing and the sole protector delineating a shoe receiving volume; the quarter covering portion being positioned adjacent to the vamp covering portion; the top line portion being positioned adjacent to the quarter covering portion opposite the sole protector; and the top line portion delineating a cover opening.

2. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an elastic band; the elastic band being positioned around the cover opening; and the elastic band being encased by the upper casing.

3. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 2 comprises: the top line portion being hemmed to the quarter covering portion in order to form a channel; and the elastic band being positioned within the channel.

4. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the sole protector comprises a gripping surface; and the gripping surface being positioned on the sole protector opposite the upper casing.

5. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 4 comprises: the gripping surface being positioned opposite the vamp covering portion.

6. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 4 comprises: the gripping surface being positioned opposite the quarter covering portion.

7. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the sole protector comprises a heel opening; and the heel opening being positioned on the sole protector opposite the cover opening.

8. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper casing is elastane.

9. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sole protector is a knit polyester fabric with a polychloroprene based coating.

10. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sole protector is a knit polyester fabric with a polyvinyl chloride based coating.

11. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sole protector is a knit polyester fabric coated in a combination of polychloroprene and polyvinyl chloride.

12. A reusable shoe cover comprises: an upper casing; a sole protector; an elastic band; the upper casing comprises a vamp covering portion, a quarter covering portion, a counter covering portion, and a top line portion; the upper casing being perimetrically connected to the sole protector; the upper casing and the sole protector delineating a shoe receiving volume; the quarter covering portion being positioned in between the vamp covering portion and the counter covering portion; the top line portion being positioned adjacent to the quarter covering portion opposite the sole protector; the top line portion delineating a cover opening; the elastic band being positioned around the cover opening; and the elastic band being positioned within the upper casing.

13. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the top line portion being hemmed to the quarter covering portion in order to form a channel; and the elastic band being positioned within the channel.

14. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the sole protector comprises a gripping surface; and the gripping surface being positioned on the sole protector opposite the upper casing.

15. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 14 comprises: the gripping surface being positioned opposite the vamp covering portion.

16. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 14 comprises: the gripping surface being positioned opposite the quarter covering portion.

17. A reusable shoe cover comprises: an upper casing; a sole protector; an elastic band; the upper casing comprises a vamp covering portion, a quarter covering portion, a counter covering portion, and a top line portion; the sole protector comprises a gripping surface; the upper casing being perimetrically connected to the sole protector; the upper casing and the sole protector delineating a shoe receiving volume; the quarter covering portion being positioned in between the vamp covering portion and the counter covering portion; the top line portion being positioned adjacent to the quarter covering portion opposite the sole protector; the top line portion delineating a cover opening; the elastic band being positioned around the cover opening; the elastic band being positioned within the upper casing; and the gripping surface being positioned on the sole protector opposite the upper casing.

18. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 17 comprises: the top line portion being hemmed to the quarter covering portion in order to form a channel; and the elastic band being positioned within the channel.

19. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 17 comprises: the gripping surface being positioned opposite the vamp covering portion.

20. The reusable shoe cover as claimed in claim 17 comprises: the gripping surface being positioned opposite the quarter covering portion.