Fabric Blank for a Decorative Shoe Sleeve and Fashion Footwear System

Abstract

A fabric blank for a decorative sleeve for a shoe includes a sheet including a leg extension section, an ankle section and a toebox section wherein (a) the leg section tapers from a first end to a second end at the ankle section, (b) the ankle section is concave at both sides between the ankle section and the toebox section, and (c) the toebox section is v shaped with a single, rounded apex.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the fashion field and, more particularly, to a fabric blank for a decorative shoe sleeve and a fashion footwear system wherein the shoe sleeve extends above the shoe and up the leg of the wearer.

BACKGROUND

This document relates to a new and improved decorative shoe sleeve that provides a number of benefits and advantages. The shoe sleeve is relatively inexpensive and eco-friendly. One can easily use different shoe sleeves, of different colors, fabrics, utilities and styles, to cover and stylize one pair of shoes for use with many different outfits and wear to many different occasions whether they are casual, business casual, semi-formal or formal.

The shoe sleeve comes in various lengths and sizes allowing one to custom fit the product to their legs. State of the art boots are purchased by shoe size, not leg size, even though as much as 90% of the product covers the legs. Currently standard boot sizing is a size 6 leg while over 80% of American women are not a size 6. The decorative shoe sleeves disclosed in this document cost significantly less than boots and better accommodate different leg lengths and sizes for a better fit and look. The shoe sleeve also accounts for different shoe shapes and lengths. Each sleeve is designed to fit most size 6-10+ women's shoes regardless of the toe box shape. So rounded toes boxes, square toe boxes, pointy toe boxes, platforms may all be accommodated by the same decorative sleeve.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits set forth herein, a decorative cover is provided for a shoe. The decorative sleeve comprises a body to cover an upper of the shoe. That body has (a) a toebox nest adapted to receive and cover a toebox of the shoe, (b) a heel aperture adapted to allow a heel of the shoe to project from the body, and (c) a leg extension adapted to extend up the leg of a wearer from the shoe. The leg extension may extend up substantially any portion of the leg of the wearer.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the decorative sleeve, the decorative sleeve further includes a tread carried on the body and adapted to underlie an outsole of the shoe.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the decorative sleeve, the decorative sleeve further includes an elastic section carried on the body and extending between the tread and the heel aperture. The elastic section is adapted to underlie a shank of the shoe extending between the outsole and the heel.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the decorative sleeve, the leg extension includes an open end adapted for inserting a foot through the leg extension into a throat of the shoe whereby one puts on the shoe covered with the decorative sleeve.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the decorative sleeve, the decorative sleeve further includes an elastic retainer extending around the open end whereby the leg extension is maintained in position on the leg of the wearer above the shoe.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the decorative sleeve, the decorative sleeve further includes an access opening in the body extending up the leg extension adjacent the heel aperture. A fastener may be carried on the body and adapted to allow one to open and close the access opening through which a shoe may be inserted and positioned within the sleeve. That fastener may comprise a zipper. A series of buttons or snaps or any other fastening structure appropriate for the purpose.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the decorative sleeve, the body may be made from a fabric material.

In accordance with an additional aspect, this document is directed to a shoe covered by the decorative sleeve described herein.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a fashion footwear system is provided. That fashion footwear system comprises a plurality of interchangeable decorative shoe sleeves wherein the plurality of decorative shoe sleeves have different aesthetic features to provide a variety of fashion looks. Each of the plurality of shoe sleeves include a body adapted to cover an upper of the shoe. The body has (a) a toebox nest adapted to receive and cover a toebox of the shoe, (b) a heel aperture adapted to allow a heel of the shoe to project from the body and (c) a leg extension adapted to extend up the leg of a wearer from the shoe.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the fashion footwear system, at least one of the decorative sleeves further includes a tread carried on the body and adapted to underlie an outsole of the shoe.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the fashion footwear system, at least one of the decorative sleeves further includes an elastic section carried on the body and extending between the tread and the heel aperture, the elastic section adapted to underlie a shank of the shoe extending between the outsole and the heel.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the fashion footwear system, at least one of the leg extensions includes an open end adapted for inserting a foot through the leg extension into a throat of the shoe whereby one puts on the shoe covered with the decorative sleeve.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the fashion footwear system, at least one of the decorative sleeves further includes an elastic retainer extending around the open end whereby the leg extension is maintained in position on the leg of the wearer above the shoe.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the fashion footwear system, at least one of the decorative sleeves further includes an access opening in the body extending up the leg extension adjacent the heel aperture. A fastener may be carried on the body and adapted to allow one to open and close the access opening through which a shoe may be inserted and positioned within the sleeve. That fastener may comprise a zipper or other appropriate means for this purpose.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the decorative sleeve, the body may be made from a fabric material.

In accordance with an additional aspect, a fabric blank for making a decorative sleeve for a shoe, comprises, consists of or consists essentially of a fabric sheet including a leg extension section, an ankle section, a heal section, and a toebox section wherein (a) the leg extension section generally tapers from a first end to a second end at the ankle section, (b) the ankle section is concave at both sides, and (c) the toebox section is substantially v-shaped with a single, rounded apex.

The ankle section may form a waist having a width of between 14.5 cm and 16.0 cm. The heal section may comprise a reverse curve at both sides. In at least some of the many possible embodiments, the toebox section has an edge that continuously curves.

In other embodiments, a fabric blank for a decorative sleeve for a shoe, comprises, consists of or consists essentially of a sheet including a leg extension section, an ankle section, a heal section, and a toebox section wherein (a) the ankle section is concave at both sides, (b) the heal section includes a reverse curve at each side thereof and (c) the toebox section is substantially v-shaped.

The ankle section may form a waist having a width of between 14.5 cm and 16.0 cm.

The toebox section may have an edge that is a continuous curve with no straight section.

In accordance with still another aspect, a method is provided for forming a decorative sleeve for a shoe from a fabric blank having a leg extension section, an ankle section, a heal section, and a toebox section. The method comprises, consists of or consists essentially of: (a) forming a leg extension from at least an upper portion of the leg extension section, (b) adding a releasable fastener (e.g. a zipper) joining sides of the ankle section and a lower portion of the leg extension section, and (c) adding a rubber sole extending at least partially along the toebox section.

The forming of the leg extension may include bringing together sides of the leg extension section and sewing the sides together. In at least some embodiments, the method may further include adding an elastic panel immediately forward of the heal section. In some embodiments, the method further includes cutting out a foot arch section from the fabric blank and adding the elastic panel immediately forward of the heal section.

In the following description, there are shown and described several different embodiments of the decorative shoe sleeve and the fashion footwear system. As it should be realized, the decorative shoe sleeve and fashion footwear system are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the decorative sleeve and fashion footwear system as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawing figures and descriptions should be regarded as being illustrative in nature rather than restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the fabric blank, the decorative sleeve and the fashion footwear system and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a high heel shoe of the type that might be covered by the decorative sleeve.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one possible embodiment of the decorative sleeve that is adapted to cover a shoe such as that shown in FIG. 1 and extend up the leg of the wearer above the knee onto the thigh.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view illustrated the decorative sleeve covering a high heel shoe such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the decorative sleeve and high heel shoe illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a planar fabric blank for making the decorative shoe sleeve illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.

Reference is now made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the decorative sleeve and fashion footwear system, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a high heel shoe 10 of the type that may be covered with the decorative sleeve 12 illustrated in FIG. 2. The high heel shoe 10 includes an upper 14. Upper 14 includes a toebox 16, a vamp 18 a counter 20 and a throat 22. The shoe 10 also includes an outsole 24, a shank 26, a heel 28 and an insole lining 30.

The toebox 16 is the part of the upper 14 that covers and protects the toes of the wearer. The vamp 18 is the part of the upper 14 that may cover any portion of the top of the foot of the wearer between where the toes connect to the foot and the leg connects to the foot. The counter 20 is the part of the upper 14 behind the heel of the wearer's foot. The counter 20 is adapted to stiffen the back of the shoe 10. The throat 22 is the top opening in the upper that allows one to slip the shoe 10 over the foot.

The outsole 24 is the portion of the shoe 10, underlying the toes of the wearer that makes contact with the ground. The shank 26 is the part of the shoe 10 that extends between the outsole 24 and the heel 28, sitting under the arch of the wearer's foot. The heel 28 is the portion of the shoe 10 that is positioned under the heel of the wearer. Finally, the insole lining 30 is positioned inside the shoe 10 above the outsole 24, the shank 26 and the heel 28.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2-4 which illustrate the decorative sleeve 12. The decorative sleeve 12 includes a body 32 adapted to cover the upper 14 of the shoe 10. More specifically, the body 32 has a toebox nest 34 that is adapted to receive and cover the toebox 16. Advantageously, the toebox nest 34 is shaped and adapted to allow for seamless fit with many different shoe toebox shapes. The body 32 also includes a heel aperture 36 that is adapted to allow the heel 28 of the shoe 10 to project from the body. In addition, the body 32 also has a leg extension 38 that is adapted to extend up the leg of the wearer above the shoe 10/shoe upper 14. The leg extension 38 may be long enough to extend up the ankle, over the calf, above the knee or even onto the thigh.

The decorative sleeve 12 may incorporate a wide variety of aesthetic features in order to provide a wide range of fashion looks. For example, the body 32 of the decorative sleeve may be made of various colors (e.g. red, blue, green, purple), from various materials having different textures (e.g. different fabrics, such as rayon, nylon, polyester, polyester blends, cotton, velour, silk, velvet, vinyl, leather and the like) and different patterns (solid colors, stripes, plaids, prints and the like), and include various ornamentation (e.g. buttons, snaps, indicia and the like) to provide a desired look. For many applications, it is preferred to use water resistant, wind resistant, windproof or waterproof fabrics. For many applications, it is preferred to use a fabric with a stretch percentage of 20 percent or greater. Useful fabrics include, but are not limited to polyurethane (synthetic emulational leather), vinyl, polyurethane vinyl, nylon, neoprene, satin and most fabrics with a grams per square meter (gsm) of 75 or more.

A tread 40 may be carried on the body 32. The tread 40 may be made of rubber or other skid-resistant material. As illustrated, when the decorative sleeve 12 is properly positioned over the shoe 10, the tread 40 underlies the outsole 24 of the shoe. The tread 40 may be secured to the body 32 by any appropriate means known in the art including, but not necessarily limited to stitching and/or adhesive.

An optional elastic section 42 may be carried on the body 32. Such an elastic section 42 may extend between the tread 40 and the heel aperture 36 so as to underlie the shank 26 of the shoe 10 when the decorative sleeve 12 is properly positioned over the shoe. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the elastic section 42 may close a forward extension 44 of the heel aperture 36. The elastic section 42 functions to (a) allow one to more easily position the decorative sleeve 12 over the shoe 10

• • and (b) allow the body 32 of the sleeve to fit more snuggly over the shoe 10 for a smooth, sleek look.

The upper end 46 of the leg extension 38 is open so as to be adapted for inserting a foot through the leg extension into the throat 22 of the shoe 10 whereby one may put on the shoe when covered with the decorative sleeve. A retainer 48 of elastic or other material (note elastic band on inside surface of the body 32 in the illustrated embodiment) may extend around the open end 46. Such a retainer 48 functions to comfortably hold the leg extension 38 up on the leg of the wearer in the desired position.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the body may also include an optional access opening 50 that may extend from an area near or adjacent to the heel aperture 36 up the leg extension 38. Such an access opening 50 may be used to easily position a shoe 10 inside the decorative sleeve 12 so that it is not necessary to manipulate the shoe down from the open end 46 through the full length of the leg extension 38. A fastener 52 carried on the body 32 is adapted to allow one to open and close the access opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 52 is a zipper. It should, of course, be appreciated that zipper may be replaced by another fastener suitable for the intended purpose, such as a series of snaps and/or buttons, a hook and loop fastener or the like.

As should also be appreciated from a review of the above, a fashion footwear system 100 is also provided. The fashion footwear system 100 includes a plurality of decorative shoe sleeves 12 of the type described above and illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The plurality of decorative shoe sleeves 12 have different aesthetic features, as noted above, to provide a variety of different fashion looks. The plurality of decorative shoe sleeves 12 are all interchangeable so that one pair of shoes 10 may be covered by any one of the decorative shoe sleeves and given a wide range of different fashion looks. This greatly increases wardrobe and fashion options while requiring the purchase of only a single pair of shoes. As a result, it is possible to have a great many wardrobe options while saving money on shoes.

In use, one first selects the decorative sleeve 12 that one wishes to wear over the shoe 10. Next one manipulates the shoe 10, either through the open end 46 and down the leg extension 38 or through the optional access opening 50 so that the toebox 16 is received and held in the toebox nest 34 and the heel 28 passes through and projects from the heel aperture 36. The stretch of the elastic section 42, forward of the heel aperture 36, helps one to manipulate the shoe into a properly seated position within the decorative sleeve 12 while also ensuring that the body 32 of the sleeve snuggly hugs the shoe upper 14 so as to provide a smooth and unruffled appearance. When the shoe 10 is properly seated inside the sleeve 12, the tread 40 underlies the outsole 24, the elastic section 42 underlies the shank 26 and the heel 28 is exposed through the heel aperture 36.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which illustrates a planar fabric blank 100 from which the decorative sleeve 12 for a shoe 10 may be made. The fabric blank 100 is a sheet of appropriate material, such as the fabrics previously disclosed, that includes: (a) a leg extension section, generally designated by reference numeral 102, (b) an ankle section, generally designated by reference numeral 104, (c) a heal section, generally designated by reference numeral 106, and (d) a toebox section, generally designated by reference numeral 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the leg extension section 102 generally tapers from a first end 110 to a second end 112 at the ankle section 104. The ankle section 104 is concave at both sides (see concavities 114, 116), forming a waist 128. The heal section 106 includes a reverse curve 118 at each side thereof (note the first curved portion 122 turning in a first direction and the second curved portion 124 turning in a second, opposite direction). When the fabric blank is assembled into the sleeve 12, the heel aperture 36 is formed by the reverse curves 118. The toebox section 108 is substantially v-shaped with a single, rounded apex 126. In some embodiments, the toebox section 108 could be substantially U-shaped.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the waist 128 has a width of between 13.0 cm and 30.0 cm, 14.0 cm and 17.0 cm, between 14.5 cm and 16.0 cm or between 15.2 cm and 15.8 cm. The toebox section 108 has an edge that is continuously curved.

Also disclosed is a method of making or forming a decorative sleeve 12 for a shoe 10 from a fabric blank 100, having a leg extension section 102, an ankle section 104, a heal section 106, and a toebox section 108. As noted above, the leg extension section 102 tapers from a first end 110 to a second end 112 at the ankle section 104. The ankle section 104 has concavities 114, 116 at the sides thereof. The toebox section 108 is v-shaped with a single, rounded apex 126 as illustrated by the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. When assembled into the sleeve 12, the toebox section 108 forms the toebox nest 42 of the finished sleeve 12.

The method generally includes the steps of: (a) forming a leg sleeve or leg extension 38 from at least an upper portion of the leg extension section 102, (b) adding a fastener, such as the zipper 52, joining sides of the ankle section 104 and a lower portion of the leg extension section 102, and (c) adding a rubber sole or tread 40 extending at least partially along the toebox section 108. The forming of the leg extension 38 may be accomplished by bringing together sides 130, 132 of the leg extension section 102 and sewing the sides together. The zipper 52 may be opened to aid in inserting a shoe 10 into the decorative sleeve 12 as noted above.

The method may further include adding the elastic panel or section 42 immediately forward of the heal section 106 and, more particularly, the reverse curves 118. As described above, the elastic panel or section 42 functions to allow the decorative sleeve 12 to flex and fit around various size shoes 10, such as size 6 to size 10 shoes. The method may also further include cutting out a foot arch section from the fabric blank 100 and adding the elastic panel or section 42 immediately forward of the heal section 106. The method may also include adding an elastic retainer 48 along a first end or upper edge of the leg extension section 102.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. A fabric blank for a decorative sleeve for a shoe, comprising: a sheet including a leg extension section, an ankle section, a heal section, and a toebox section wherein (a) the leg extension section tapers from a first end to a second end at the ankle section, (b) the ankle section is concave at both sides, and (c) the toebox section is v-shaped.

2. The fabric blank of claim 1, wherein the ankle section forms a waist.

3. The fabric blank of claim 2, wherein the waist has a width of between 14.5 cm and 16.0 cm.

4. The fabric blank of claim 1, wherein the heal section includes a reverse curve at each side thereof.

5. The fabric blank of claim 4, wherein the toebox section has a rounded apex.

6. The fabric blank of claim 5, wherein the toebox section has an edge that continuously curves.

7. A fabric blank for a decorative sleeve for a shoe, comprising: a sheet including a leg extension section, an ankle section, a heal section, and a toebox section wherein (a) the ankle section is concave at both sides, (b) the heel section includes a reverse curve at each side thereof and (c) the toebox section is v-shaped.

8. The fabric blank of claim 7, wherein the ankle section forms a waist.

9. The fabric blank of claim 8, wherein the waist has a width of between 14.5 cm and 16.0 cm.

10. The fabric blank of claim 9, wherein the toebox section has a continuously curved edge.

11. The fabric blank of claim 9, wherein the toebox section has a single, rounded apex.

12. A method of forming a decorative sleeve for a shoe from a fabric blank having a leg extension section, an ankle section, a heal section, and a toebox section, the method comprising: forming a leg extension from the leg extension section;adding a releasable fastener joining sides of the ankle and lower leg extension section; andadding a rubber sole extending at least partially along the toebox section.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the forming of the leg extension includes bringing together sides of the leg extension section and sewing the sides together.

14. The method of claim 13, further including adding an elastic panel immediately forward of the heal section.

15. The method of claim 13, further including cutting out a foot arch section from the fabric blank and adding an elastic panel immediately forward of the heal section.

16. The method of claim 12, further including forming a toebox nest from the toe section wherein the toebox nest is adapted to receive a toebox of a shoe to be covered by the decorative sleeve.

17. The method of claim 12, further including adding an elastic retainer around an upper edge of the leg extension section.