Patent Application
20090025253
This invention pertains to covers for footwear, and in more particular applications, to waterproof covers for sneakers.
Footwear, such as, for example, sneakers, can form an important aspect in an individual's appearance. Oftentimes children and young adults desire to have the latest and most fashionable sneakers. However, these sneakers generally are expensive. Additionally, footwear such as sneakers generally are susceptible to damage from moisture, including rain and snow. Therefore, care must be taken to protect footwear, such as sneakers from moisture, dirt, mud and the like.
Furthermore, footwear such as sneakers can be bulky and therefore difficult to protect from moisture, dirt, mud and the like. Conventional shoe covers are generally difficult to place around sneakers because of the size and shape of the cover. For example, an opening must be sufficiently large to permit the footwear to be inserted into the cover, yet still prevent moisture, dirt, mud and the like from entering the cover.
In one form, a cover for a piece of footwear is provided. The cover includes a main body portion, a handle portion and a sole portion. The main body portion has an edge defining an opening. The handle portion is located adjacent the opening and has an aperture whereby a wearer may reach through the aperture to grasp the handle. The sole portion is operably coupled to the main body portion. The main body portion and sole portion define an interior space which is sized to receive the piece of footwear. The interior space is accessible via the opening whereby a wearer may grasp the handle to insert the piece of footwear through the opening and into the interior space.
According to one form, a cover for a piece of footwear is provided. The cover includes a main body portion and a sole portion. The main body portion has an edge defining an opening. The edge is configurable between a relaxed position whereby a portion of the edge is overlapping such that the opening has a first size and an expanded position whereby the edge is not overlapping and the opening has a second size which is larger than the first size. The sole portion is operably coupled to the main body portion. The main body portion and sole portion define an interior space which is sized to receive the piece of footwear. The interior space is accessible through the opening.
In one form, the handle portion is located on a heel portion of the body and the aperture is an opening in the heel portion.
According to one form, the handle portion includes a loop of material operably coupled to the main body portion whereby the loop defines the aperture.
In one form, the main body portion and the sole portion are formed as an integral structure.
According to one form, the main body portion and the sole portion are separate components affixed to one another.
According to one form, the main body and the sole may be one piece, manufactured using an injection molded process. In a preferred embodiment, the injection molded process produces a single molded piece. In another preferred embodiment, the injection molded process acts to prevent moisture from being accumulated at the sole of the footwear. However, it must be understood that the main body and the sole may be manufactured using different manufacturing processes. In addition, the upper portion of the footwear may be of one thickness and the heel and sole of another thickness and or pattern.
According to one form, the sole may be constructed in such a manner as to prevent collection of dirt and debris in non-slip grooves. According to one form, the sole comprises a non-skid outer surface. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface comprises non-skid patterns to prevent slippage. Additionally, the outer surface may be non-smooth. The non-skid patterns can be any patterns that prevent slippage.
According to one form, the footwear may be disposable or non-disposable. The footwear may be multi-colored or clear.
In one form, the main body portion has a first thickness and the sole portion has a second thickness substantially larger than the first thickness.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings.
As illustrated in
In one form, the main body portion 22 includes a tongue portion 28, a heel portion 30 and an edge 32. The tongue portion 28 may take a variety of forms. For example, referring to
The heel portion 30 may also take a variety of forms. In one form, the heel portion 30 is a continuous part of the main body portion 22 and/or may be a separate component connected to the main body portion 22. Furthermore, the heel portion 30 may be a single layer of material, as shown in
The edge 32 defines an opening 34 to the interior space 26 whereby a wearer can insert a piece of footwear into the interior space 26. The edge 32 may also include a bead (not shown) to help prevent tearing of the edge 32. The edge 32, and thus the opening 34 can take a variety of forms. For example, referring to
An alternative form of the edge 32 and opening 34 is illustrated in
The sole portion 24 may take a variety of forms. For example, one embodiment of the sole portion 24 is illustrated in
The cover 20 may also include a handle portion 52 located adjacent the opening 34. The handle portion 52 includes an aperture or heel gill 54. The heel gill 54 may be covered on the inside by a lining to prevent moisture or dirt from getting in thru the heel gill opening, whereby a wearer may reach through the heel gill 54 to grasp the handle portion 52. The handle portion 52 can thus be used to help a wearer place a piece of footwear within the cover 20. The handle portion 52 may also take a variety of forms. For example, referring to
The cover 20 may be made from a variety of materials. For example, in one form, the cover 20 is manufactured from a rubber composition. In another form, the cover is manufactured from other forms of polymeric material. In one form, the cover 20 is manufactured from an elastic material such that the cover 20 can stretch to conform to the shape of a piece of footwear once inserted into the interior space 26. It should be understood that other materials may also be utilized for the cover.
Additionally, the cover 20 may include additional structure which may be formed as part of the material utilized to manufacture the cover 20 and/or may be added as supplemental structure. For example, the cover 20 may include support or reinforcing structure such as a rigid polymeric material at the heel portion 30. In yet another example, fibers may be included in the main body portion 22 to help prevent tearing.
The cover 20 can be manufactured by a variety of methods understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the cover 20 can be made by such processes as blow molding and injection molding. Furthermore, the cover 20 can be glued, thermally welded and the like. Furthermore, the cover 20 can be manufactured as a single unitary (integral) component. Alternatively the cover 20 can be made using a combination of separate components which are subsequently assembled. For example, in one form, the main body portion 22 and the sole portion 24 are manufactured separately and then glued or thermally welded to one another. In this manner, the cover 20 can be made from a variety of different components. For example, the heel portion 30, main body portion 22, sole portion 24 and tongue portion 28 can be all made of the same material or each made of different materials and then assembled.
It should be appreciated that for all of the disclosed embodiments there are many possible modifications. Additionally, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein may be utilized in conjunction with one another or separately.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60937553 | Jun 2007 | US |
