U.S. patent application number 14/615998 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for shoe cover.
The applicant listed for this patent is THE FLOOR SHOW, LLC. Invention is credited to Donna Deseta, Stephanie Phillips.
Application Number | 20160227872 14/615998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56564812 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160227872 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phillips; Stephanie ; et
al. |
August 11, 2016 |
SHOE COVER
Abstract
A shoe cover for covering a shoe to present the look like the
wearer is wearing a different pair of shoes. The shoe cover
includes an upper piece configured to cover an upper portion of a
shoe of a wearer, the upper piece sized to cover the upper portion
of the shoe without being attached to the shoe while the shoe is
worn. The shoe cover includes a heel cover coupled to the upper
piece and configured to receive and cover a heel of the shoe. The
shoe cover includes a sole piece coupled to a bottom of the upper
piece and configured to grip surfaces as the wearer uses the shoe
cover. The shoe cover also includes a back counter piece coupled to
a bottom of the heel cover and configured to grip the surfaces as
the wearer uses the shoe cover.
Inventors: |
Phillips; Stephanie; (New
York, NY) ; Deseta; Donna; (New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE FLOOR SHOW, LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56564812 |
Appl. No.: |
14/615998 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/0078 20130101;
A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B 3/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20060101
A43B003/24 |
Claims
1. A shoe cover for a raised heel shoe comprising: an upper piece
configured to removably wrap around the raised heel shoe of a
wearer and sized and shaped to conform to the measurements of the
shoe so as to lay flat against the shoe while the shoe is worn, the
upper piece having an inner surface configured to contact a sole of
the shoe and side portions configured to cover the sides of the
shoe; a sole piece coupled to a bottom surface of the upper piece
and extending along the entire bottom surface of the upper piece
continuously from a toe to a heel of the shoe, the sole piece
having a ground contact portion at a toe end configured to contact
the ground and grip surfaces as the wearer uses the shoe cover and
a non-ground-contact portion at a heel side configured not to
contact the ground as the wearer uses the shoe cover; and a
gripping insert positioned between the sole of the shoe and the
inner surface of the upper piece so as to lay against and contact
the sole of the shoe without contacting the side portions of the
shoe cover.
2. (canceled)
3. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the upper piece includes a
seam along the sole of the shoe, the sole piece configured to cover
at least a portion of the seam.
4. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the sole piece is coupled to
the upper piece using an attachment means.
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the upper piece includes an
elastic band around a top of the upper piece configured to prevent
the shoe cover from slipping along the shoe of the wearer.
8. The shoe cover of claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes
glue.
9. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the sole piece is rubber.
10. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the sole piece matches the
shape and size of the bottom surface of the upper piece.
11. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the upper piece comprises a
seam along a back counter of the shoe.
12. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the upper piece comprises an
upper portion and a heel cover portion, the upper piece coupled to
the heel portion.
13. The shoe cover of claim 12, wherein the upper portion and the
heel cover portion are fabricated of a same material.
14. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the gripping insert is
positioned along a portion of the sole of the shoe configured for
contact with the ground when worn.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] There are several pairs of shoes that exist in most women's
closets. For example, there are the classic pump and the ballerina
slipper (otherwise known as `my flats`). And these two classics are
not just requisites for working women. They are considered the
basics for women of all ages, sizes, and shapes, be they working
women or not. Every woman wants a pair of pumps for dress and flats
for shopping and general comfort. These items are commonly bought
in plain colors that will coordinate with most of the clothes in
their closets.
[0002] Shoes come not only in every size, but also at every price.
Serviceable shoes exist at $25.00 and $2,500 and at all prices
there between. Women mostly buy the shoes they can afford, and,
very often these days, skimp somewhere in the budget to purchase
that extra pair to match a special outfit.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The field of the invention is costume design as it relates
specifically and exclusively to shoes.
[0004] This invention creates a wardrobe of changes for a prototype
shoe. It is specifically designed to alter the shoe's entire
appearance thereby making the prototype appear to be a different
shoe entirely. Each wardrobe change, or disguise, has everything
necessary to complete the effect of a shoe change, including a sole
of its own, allowing the wearer the same access to the street as
comfortably as with any other commonplace retail shoe. Having
slipped on the disguise, it appears to be the shoe itself, and
nobody can discern a difference.
[0005] There have been some patents granted for changing the
appearance of shoes.
[0006] Lin (U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,486) reveals a sandal comprised of
a sole and two straps. The straps can be exchanged using a complex
fastening device embedded in the sole. The difficulties attendant
with the device exist in addition to the limitation of this
application: two-strap sandals.
[0007] Bauer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,042) reveals a complicated
athletic shoe with a removable out-sole. The shoe includes an upper
portion designed to fit an individual foot and ankle of a
particular wearer, and is permanently attached to the insole. The
out-sole and insole are connected together by mating hook and pile
members. Bauer does not attach the upper portion directly the sole
base without an insole. Its purpose is to serve the athlete, not
the fashion conscious woman.
[0008] Hartung (U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,528) uses a fastening device (a
zipper), which attaches the upper to the sole, and extends at least
partially around the peripheral region of the sole to form a
barrier between the joining device and the interior space of the
shoe. It is a complicated and unsightly device.
[0009] Bailey (U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,369) uses fasteners for
attaching the shoe top to the shoe bottom. This again poses the
introduction of a third element--as do the others--which is a
system that can fail as well as an additional expense. Costly
fastening systems diminish the value of utilizing the footwear.
[0010] All of the above-mentioned patents represent systems with
third element attachments that are neither fail-safe nor cost
effective.
[0011] Shoes serve several purposes. The first is utilitarian.
Shoes protect ones feet. The second is style. Having shoes that
match outfits, or at least complement one's daily wardrobe, is very
much a part of looking stylish. Given our present-day style
consciousness, women are buying more shoes than even before.
Women's style footwear in 2013 generated revenue of $41.52 billion,
a 4 percent increase over the flat growth experienced in 2012
indicating women are increasingly interested in having their feet
fashionably dressed. It is difficult to have shoes to match every
item of clothing.
[0012] How does one acquire Oprah Winfrey's large shoe collection
with Little Orphan Annie's allowance? By having one prototype and
many disguises to cover or `costume` the prototype: Tiger striped
on Monday, Leopard-spotted on Tuesday, Two-toned on Wednesday,
Purple suede on Thursday, Polka-dots on Friday, and Red Satin for
that special occasion on Saturday night. The covers or costumes are
easily affordable and cost effectively produced.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0013] A shoe cover that is made to disguise the prototype pump,
the classic ballerina slipper and the everyday flat-heeled boot, or
high-heeled boot.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The following figures display the shoe cover and regarding
them will help the viewer to understand the assembly and the
outcome.
[0015] FIG. 1a is a side view of a shoe cover according to some
embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 1b is an exploded view of a shoe cover and a sole piece
attached to the shoe cover.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a view of an upper piece of a shoe cover.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view of a heel cover piece of a shoe cover.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top view of the upper piece.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a shoe cover with a sole piece
and an upper piece.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of a shoe cover and a raised-heel shoe
to be covered by the shoe cover.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a rear view of a shoe covered by a shoe cover.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a shoe covered by a shoe
cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0024] FIG. 1a is a side view of a shoe cover 100 according to some
embodiments. The shoe includes a heel 102. The heel 102 can be of a
size according to a style and or type of the shoe that the shoe
cover 100 is configured to fit around. For example, if the shoe
cover 100 is for a ballerina slipper, as shown in FIG. 1a, the heel
102 can be of a smaller size.
[0025] The shoe cover 100 can be of a specific design or pattern.
For example, the shoe cover 100 can have a leopard print pattern.
In various embodiments the shoe cover 100 can be shaped to cover
all or a portion of a shoe. For example, the shoe cover 100 can be
shaped to cover the shoe 110 (as shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b) such
that the tip of the shoe remains exposed. The shoe cover 100 can be
of a size to fit securely around a shoe or a portion of a shoe
without falling off during wear and without the use of affixing
means, such as hooks, zippers, Velcro.RTM., or adhesives. In
various embodiments, the shoe is configured to be fitted with a
plurality of different outer covers. In being configured to be
fitted with a plurality of different outer covers, a wearer of the
shoe can give the appearance that they are wearing different shoes
even though they are actually wearing the same shoe.
[0026] FIG. 1b is an exploded side view of a shoe cover 100 and a
sole piece 106 attached to the shoe cover 100. The sole 106 can be
comprised of an applicable material for protecting a foot of a
wearer of the shoe cover 100. Examples of applicable materials
include rubber, leather, plastics, man-made materials, and natural
materials. The sole 106 includes an attachment means 108 through
which the sole 108 is attached to the shoe cover 100. An attachment
means can include an applicable glue or adhesive. As illustrated in
FIG. 1b, sole piece 106 extends continuously along the entire
bottom surface 802 of shoe cover 100, from a toe to a heel 151 of
shoe 110. The toe of the shoe 110 is not illustrated in FIG. 1b as
it is covered by the shoe cover 100.
[0027] After taking measurements of the shoe last and the shoe
itself, the template for a shoe cover is created. For example, the
template for a shoe cover comprised of four separate pieces,
including the upper piece, heel cover, sole and back counter piece.
The template pieces are laid down onto the chosen fabric or
material and an outline of the template is drawn onto the material.
Once all pieces of the template have been drawn, they are cut out.
Alternatively, the template for a shoe cover can be comprised of
two or three pieces.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a view of an upper piece 200 of a shoe cover. The
upper piece 200 includes a back left piece 202 and a right counter
piece 204. The back left piece 202 and the right counter piece 204
are sewn together through a 1/4'' seam.
[0029] After the back left piece 202 and the right counter piece
204, are sewn together to form the upper piece 200, then the upper
piece 200 is folded in half along its central axis 206. The fold is
made where the left and right sides of the upper meet. The idea
mimics taking pieces of paper and folding them in half in the
portrait or horizontal position. Once the left and right sides of
the upper piece 200 meet they are pinned and sewn together with a
1/4'' sewing seam along the edge of the upper piece 200. The upper
piece 200 is sewn along the edge three quarters of the way around
before stopping, in order to leave an un-pinned and unsewn hole for
the heel of the shoe to pass through. For example, the hole can be
1'' in diameter. Then continue to sew up the back counter of the
upper piece 200 where the heel passes. Doing so leaves a seam on
the bottom part of the upper such that it is not viewed when it is
worn by a wearer.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a view of a heel cover piece 300 of a shoe cover.
In forming the shoe cover, the heel cover piece 300 and the upper
piece are turned inside out and the heel cover is attached to the
upper piece where the hole was left for the heel to pass through
using an applicable attachment means, such as stitching, glue, and
adhesive. The upper piece is attached to the heel cover piece 300
along line 302 shown in FIG. 3. The heel cover piece 300 can be
sewn with a 1/4'' seam along the top of the heel cover and then
folded in half where the two edges of the left and right sides of
the heel cover piece 300 meet. After the heel cover 300 is sewn
onto the upper piece, the upper piece and the heel cover 300 are
turned right side out.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a top view of the upper piece 200. The upper piece
has piece of elastic 402 sewn along the top so that the upper will
not slide off the top of the shoe. The elastic is sewn at least
three quarters of the way around the top of the upper piece. This
elastic is so thin and the seam so small the elastic is almost
invisible. This gives the fabric a gathered look but when stretched
out the gathering of the material is not visible.
[0032] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a shoe cover 100 with a sole
piece 106 and an upper piece 200. The sole piece can match the
bottom of the upper piece 200 to cover the entire bottom of the
upper piece 200, or be shaped to cover a portion of the bottom of
the upper piece 200. The sole piece 106 can be a 1/8'' thick rubber
sole matching the exact shape and size of the bottom of the upper
piece 200. The sole piece can be attached to the bottom of the
upper piece 200 through an applicable attachment means, such as
glue or an adhesive. The sole functions to cover a seam created
when folding the upper piece 200 to fit around a shoe. A gripping
insert 510 can be included within the cavity formed by the folding
of the upper piece 200. The gripping insert 510 can be configured
to engage a shoe of a wearer of the shoe cover to prevent slipping
of the shoe cover along the outer surface of the shoe. FIG. 5 also
illustrates inner surface 620. As shown in FIG. 5, gripping insert
510 may be positioned so as not to extend to the edges of inner
surface 620, and therefore not contact side portions 640 of upper
piece 200.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side view of a shoe cover 100 and a raised-heel
shoe 610 to be covered by the shoe cover 100. The shoe cover 100
includes a back counter piece 604. The shoe can include heel lift
piece 602 which can be coupled to the heel according to an
applicable attachment means, such as glue or adhesive. The heel
lift piece 602 can be a thin rubber grip or another applicable
material with a high coefficient of friction. FIG. 6 further
illustrates the toe 150, heel 151, sides 641, and sole 630 of the
shoe 610. The upper piece 200 of shoe cover 100 also includes side
portions 640 and inner surface 620. As shown in FIG. 6, sole piece
106 extends along the entire bottom surface (not illustrated in
FIG. 6) of the upper piece 200 from the toe 150 to the heel 151 of
the shoe 610. Sole piece 106 has a ground contact portion 107 at a
toe end 109 which contacts the ground when the shoe 610 and shoe
cover 100 are worn and a non-ground-contact portion 108 at a heel
side 111 which does not contact the ground when the shoe 610 and
shoe cover 100 are worn.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a rear view of a shoe 110 covered by a shoe cover
100. As illustrated in FIG. 7, and described above with respect to
FIG. 2, shoe cover 100 may have a seam 701 down the back continuing
to the bottom of the cover. FIG. 7 further illustrates sole piece
106 extending along a bottom of the shoe cover 100. The seam 701
along the bottom of shoe cover 100 cannot be seen because it is
covered by sole piece 106.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a shoe 110 covered by a shoe
cover 100. As illustrated in FIG. 7, and described above with
respect to FIG. 2, shoe cover 100 may have a seam 801 along the
bottom surface 802 of the upper piece.
* * * * *