FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a footwear accessory, more specifically, the present invention is a shoe sole protector that attaches to an existing shoe in order to increases the longevity of said shoe's tread as well as improve the traction of said shoe allowing to perform a plurality of activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that most footwear items, specifically shoes, include a bottom section commonly referred to as a sole. Soles are the ground contacting feature of a shoe that provides structural support and traction to the worn shoe. Soles offer a shoe with a semi rigid plate that serves as a mounting point for the upper material while reinforcing the lower portion of the shoe. The reinforced construction allows the sole to absorb the impact felt by stepping on ground imperfections, decreasing localized pressure points to the user's feet while walking. Additionally, the soles include treads that significantly increase a shoe's traction. Although most modern shoe soles offer a durable construction, the materials utilized such as natural rubber, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride, still wear down over time resulting in decreased structural support and traction. While many prior art, such as overshoes, have attempted to address this issue, they majority create several additional problems.
Overshoes are replacement soles for a shoe that increase the thickness of a sole and change the tread pattern. These replacement soles fit over the original soles and are held in place through the use of an upper retaining mechanism. Commonly, these replacement soles are constructed of a single material and are designed to fit a plurality of shoe sizes and types. Although these replacement soles change the tread pattern and offer a thicker sole to an existing shoe, many of these replacement soles lack the means of securely fastening to said existing shoes. By lacking a means of adequately securing the replacement sole to the shoe, the replacement soles are unable to prevent unwanted movement with the existing shoe, resulting in a sudden loss of stability to the wearer during said unwanted movement.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an attachable shoe sole protector that is able to securely engage to an existing shoe, offering improved traction and structural support while eliminating unwanted movement between said existing shoe and the present invention. The present invention comprises a shoe mount, a toe assembly, and a heel assembly. The shoe mount is provided as the portion of the present invention that peripherally attaches to the existing shoe. The toe assembly and the heel assembly are structural elements that utilize a rigid construction in order to reinforce the shoe mounts engagement with the existing shoe. The toe assembly and the heel assembly additionally include treaded portions that improve the traction of the existing shoe, enabling the wearer to use various types of shoes for a plurality of unintended activities. Through the arrangement of the aforementioned components the present invention is able to improve upon the limitations of the existing prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view displaying the attachable shoe sole protector with a plurality of laterally positioned decorative mounts as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view displaying the attachable shoe sole protector with the lateral printing surface as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top right perspective view displaying the interior component distribution of the attachable shoe sole protector as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a top left perspective view displaying the interior component distribution of the attachable shoe sole protector as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a left lateral view displaying an attached existing shoe engaged with the shoe mount through the use of that at least one shoe mount strap assembly as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view displaying the lower heel section tread and the lower toe section tread as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view displaying the component distribution of the shoe mount strap assembly, the toe assembly, and the heel assembly as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view displaying the attachable shoe sole protector's utilizing the adhesive material to attach to an existing shoe as per the current embodiment of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
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.
Referencing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention is an attachable shoe sole protector that increases the longevity of a shoe's sole while increasing the structural stability and the traction of said shoe. In the current embodiment of the present invention, the attachable shoe sole protector comprises a shoe mount 1, a toe assembly 15, and a heel assembly 18. The shoe mount 1 is the upper portion of the present invention that attaches to an existing shoe 23. The shoe mount 1 securely houses an attached existing shoe 23 enabling the toe assembly 15 and the heel assembly 18 to function as replacement soles. The toe assembly 15 is a frontally positioned assembly that provides structural support to the shoe mount 1 and serves as the replacement sole for the frontal portion of the attached existing shoe 23. The heel assembly 18 is a rearwardly positioned assembly that provides structural support to the shoe mount 1 and serves as the replacement sole for the rearward portion of the attached existing shoe 23. In the current embodiment of the present invention, the shoe mount 1 is positioned between the heel assembly 18 and the toe assembly 15. The toe assembly 15 is found coincident with at least two frontally positioned surfaces of the shoe mount 1, wherein the at least two frontally positioned surfaces of the shoe mount 1 would correspond to lateral and lower surfaces. The heel assembly 18 is found coincident with at least two rearwardly positioned surfaces of the shoe mount 1, wherein the at least two rearwardly positioned surfaces of the shoe mount 1 would correspond to lateral and lower surfaces.
Referencing FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, the shoe mount 1 is the upper portion of the attachable shoe sole protector that houses the attached existing shoe 23. The shoe mount 1 is found engaged between the toe assembly 15 and the heel assembly 18. In the current embodiment of the present invention, the shoe mount 1 comprises a shoe mount opening 2, an exterior surface 3, an interior surface 4, and a rigid lower section 6. The shoe mount opening 2 is the upper portion of the shoe mount 1 that is traversed by the existing shoe 23 prior to being attached. The shoe mount opening 2 facilitates accesses to the interior surface 4 of the shoe mount 1. The shoe mount opening 2 is found coincident with the exterior surface 3 and the interior surface 4. The shoe mount opening 2 is found parallel with the rigid lower section 6. The exterior surface 3 is the most visible portion of the shoe mount 1 that engages the toe assembly 15 and the heel assembly 18. The exterior surface 3 is perimetrically positioned on the lateral portion of the shoe mount 1. The exterior surface 3 is engaged to the toe assembly 15 resulting in the exterior surface 3 being positioned between the toe assembly 15 and the interior surface 4. Additionally, the exterior surface 3 is engaged to the heel assembly 18 resulting in the exterior surface 3 being positioned between the heel assembly 18 and the interior surface 4. The rigid lower section 6 is the lower portion of the shoe mount 1 that is coupled to the toe assembly 15 and the heel assembly 18. The rigid lower section 6 is found parallel with the shoe mount opening 2 below the positioning of the interior surface 4 and the exterior surface 3. The rigid lower section 6 is engaged to the toe assembly 15 resulting in the rigid lower section 6 being positioned between the toe assembly 15 and the interior surface 4. Additionally, the rigid lower section 6 is engaged to the heel assembly 18 resulting in the rigid lower section 6 being positioned between the heel assembly 18 and the interior surface 4. The interior surface 4 is the portion of the present invention that engages the existing shoe 23. The interior surface 4 is found positioned between the shoe opening and the rigid lower section 6. The interior surface 4 is bordered by the exterior surface 3 and the rigid lower section 6. The interior surface 4 forms an internal perimeter within the shoe mount 1. In the current embodiment of the present invention, the interior surface 4 comprises an adhesive material 5. Referencing FIG. 8, the adhesive material 5 is provided as a means of securing the existing shoe 23 to the shoe mount 1. The adhesive material 5 is layered on top of the interior surface 4. During use the adhesive material 5 binds with the existing shoe 23 positioned within the shoe mount 1. The engagement between the existing shoe 23 and the shoe mount 1 results in the adhesive material 5 being positioned between the interior surface 4 and the peripheral surface of the attached existing shoe 23. In the current embodiment of the present invention, the shoe mount 1 comprises shaped contours 7. The shaped contours 7 are arcuate features designed to complement shaped features of existing shoe 23. The shaped contours 7 additionally function as a means of sectioning regions of the shoe mount 1, wherein the shoe mount 1 is longitudinally divided into a toe section 8 and a heel section 9 by the positioning of the shaped contours 7. The shaped contours 7 create a distinct separation between the toe section 8 and the heel section 9. This division created by the shaped contours 7 provides the toe section 8 and the heel section 9 with a particular area that complements the positioning of the toe assembly 15 and the heel assembly 18, respectively. This section specific division results in the toe assembly 15 being coincident with the toe section 8, and the heel assembly 18 being coincident with the heel section 9.
Referencing FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the toe assembly 15 is a frontally positioned assembly that provides structural support to the shoe mount 1 and serves as the replacement sole for the frontal portion of the attached existing shoe 23. The toe assembly 15 is coupled to the toe section 8 of the shoe mount 1, wherein the toe assembly 15 specifically engages the exterior surface 3 and the rigid lower section 6 located on the toe section 8 of the shoe mount 1. In the current embodiment of the present invention the toe assembly 15 comprises a reinforced toe section sidewall 16 and a lower toe section tread 17. The reinforced toe section sidewall 16 is provided as the portion of the toe assembly 15 that engages the exterior surface 3. The reinforced toe section sidewall 16 adds a protective barrier to the exterior surface 3 that additionally functions as a structural support bracing the lateral portions of the toe section 8. The reinforced toe section sidewall 16 decreases the flexibility of the exterior surface 3 directly coupled to the toe assembly 15 in order to prevent torsion and compression during movement. The lower toe section tread 17 provides a barrier for the attached existing shoe 23 that increases the longevity of the attached existing shoe's 23 sole. Through the use of the lower toe section tread 17 the attached existing shoe's 23 soles avoid direct contact with the ground surface. Additionally, the lower toe section tread 17 functions as a ground contacting element that increases the traction of the attached existing shoe 23. The lower toe section tread 17 provides a particular tread pattern for the toe section 8 of the shoe mount 1 that allows for better gripping of ground surfaces.
Referencing FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the heel assembly 18 is a rearwardly positioned assembly that provides structural support to the shoe mount 1 and serves as the replacement sole for the rear portion of the attached existing shoe 23. The heel assembly 18 is coupled to the heel section 9 of the shoe mount 1, wherein the heel assembly 18 specifically engages the exterior surface 3 and the rigid lower section 6 located on the heel section 9 of the shoe mount 1. In the current embodiment of the present invention the heel assembly 18 comprises a reinforced heel section sidewall 19 and a lower heel section tread 20. The reinforced heel section sidewall 19 is provided as the portion of the toe assembly 15 that engages the exterior surface 3. The reinforced heel section sidewall 19 adds a protective barrier to the exterior surface 3 that additionally functions as a structural support, bracing the lateral portions of the heel section 9. The reinforced heel section sidewall 19 decreases the flexibility of the exterior surface 3 directly coupled to the heel assembly 18 in order to prevent torsion and compression during movement. The lower heel section tread 20 provides a barrier for the attached existing shoe 23 that increases the longevity of the attached existing shoe's 23 sole. Through the use of the lower heel section tread 20 the attached existing shoe's 23 soles avoid direct contact with the ground surface. Additionally the lower heel section tread 20 functions as a ground contacting element that increases the traction of the attached existing shoe 23. The lower heel section tread 20 provides a particular tread pattern for the toe section 8 of the shoe mount 1 that allows for better gripping of ground surfaces. Through the use of the lower toe section tread 17 the attached existing shoe's 23 soles avoid direct contact with the ground surface.
Referencing FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the current embodiment of the present invention, the attachable shoe sole protector is provided as a means of increasing the longevity of an existing shoe's 23 soles. A user can utilize any existing shoe 23 with the present invention. With an existing shoe 23, the user would select an appropriate shoe sole protector, wherein the appropriate shoe sole protector would correspond to an existing shoe's 23 size as well as the right or left sided shoe. Upon proper selection of the suitable attachable shoe sole protector, the user would orient the existing shoe 23 sole into alignment with the attachable shoe sole protector wherein, the user would position the existing shoe 23 into the shoe mount 1 aligning the toe portion of the existing shoe 23 with the toe section 8 of the shoe mount 1, and the heel portion of the existing shoe 23 with the heel section 9 of the shoe mount 1. With the existing shoe 23 in alignment with the shoe mount 1, the user would traverse the existing shoe 23 through the shoe mount opening 2. With the existing shoe 23 positioned within the shoe mount 1, the interior surface 4 would peripherally engage the exterior portion of the existing shoe 23, wherein the interior surface 4 engages the peripheral surface of the existing shoe 23 through the use of the adhesive material 5. With the shoe secured within the attachable shoe sole protector, the user would be able to utilize their shoe in a plurality of activities that includes but is not limited to sports related activities.
Referencing FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, in the current embodiment of the present invention, the toe assembly 15 and the heel assembly 18 each comprise a plurality of laterally positioned decorative mounts 21. The plurality of laterally positioned decorative mounts 21 are provided as a means of attaching aesthetic embellishments to the attachable sole protectors. The plurality of laterally positioned decorative mounts 21 can be provided as a complementary mount for a particular aesthetic embellishment or as a non-specific engagement for a plurality of aesthetic embellishments. The plurality of laterally positioned decorative mounts 21 are located on the reinforced toe section sidewall 16 and the reinforced heel section sidewall 19. Although, the plurality of laterally positioned decorative mounts 21 are not explicitly described as functioning as a modular system, it should be noted that the attachment of an aesthetic embellishment could be accomplished through the use of at least one laterally positioned decorative mount of the plurality of laterally positioned decorative mounts 21.
Referencing FIG. 2-4, in the current embodiment of the present invention, the shoe mount 1, the toe assembly 15, and the heel assembly 18 each comprise a lateral printing surface 22. The lateral printing surface 22 is provided as a means of enabling graphical designs to be printed onto the surfaces of the shoe mount 1, the toe assembly 15, and the heel assembly 18. The lateral printing surface 22 is positioned on the exterior surface 3 of the shoe mount 1. The lateral printing surface 22 is positioned on the toe section sidewall 16 of the toe assembly 15. The lateral printing surface 22 positioned on the heel section sidewall 19 of the heel assembly 18. Although the permanence of the graphical design and colors added to the lateral printing surface 22 is not explicitly described, it should be noted that the lateral printing surface 22 may be provided in a manner that allows temporary graphical designs and colors as well as more permanent graphical designs and colors.
Referencing FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shoe mount comprises at least one shoe mount strap assembly 10. The at least one shoe mount strap assembly 10 is provided as a means of retaining an attached existing shoe 23 to the shoe mount 1. The at least one shoe mount strap assembly 10 is provided as an integrated portion of the shoe mount 1 that engages the peripheral surface of the attached existing shoe 23. The at least one shoe mount strap assembly 10 comprises a shoe mount strap 11 and at least two strap guides 14. The shoe mount strap 11 is provided as the portion of the shoe mount strap assembly 10 that wraps around the peripheral surface of an existing shoe 23. The shoe mount strap 11 is able to accomplish this through the use of a detachable engagement mechanism. The attachable engagement mechanism is provided by the complementary engagement of a first strap end 12 and a second strap end 13 of the shoe mount strap 11. The first strap end 12 and the second strap end 13 are provided as oppositely positioned sections of the shoe mount strap 11. The at least two strap guides 14 are provided as the attachment means to secure the shoe mount strap 11 to the interior surface 4 of the shoe mount 1. The at least two strap guides 14 are coupled to the interior surface 4 of the shoe mount 1. The at least two strap guides 14 are arranged on the interior surface 4 in order to provide an alignment that permits them to function as a channel for the shoe mount strap 11. The at least two strap guides 14 are traversed by either the first strap end of the second strap end until both the first strap end 12 and the second strap end 13 are positioned in a manner that enables their complementary engagement.
In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the toe assembly 15 is provided with an extended configuration. The extended configuration of the toe assembly 15 additionally comprises a toe guard. The toe guard is positioned above the reinforced toe section sidewall 16 and spans the shoe mount opening 2 proximal to the toe section 8. The toe guard is a concave structure, whose concavity faces towards the heel section 9 of the shoe mount 1. The toe guard provides two additional inventive features to the toe assembly 15. The toe guard provides greater protection to the frontal portion of the existing shoe 23. The toe guard accomplishes this by adding a reinforced structure that covers the frontal portion of the attached existing shoe 23. The toe guard provides the shoe mount 1 with a more secure attachment with the attached existing shoe 23. The toe guard accomplishes this through relational positioning with the interior surface 4. The toe guard's concavity is found positioned coincident with the interior surface 4, resulting in a structural arrangement that partially covers the frontal portion of the existing shoe 23. This arrangement functions as a localized enclosure for the existing shoes 23 that reduces unwanted movement and improves the attachment between the existing shoe 23 and the attachable shoe sole protector.
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.
Patent Application
20140325875
