Patent Application
20110296711
This invention relates to footwear. More specifically, the invention relates to an overboot that is adjustable.
Alpine ski boots typically have hard plastic soles and attach to the binding at both toe and heel using bindings, which makes them slippery for use as footwear, when not attached to skis. This may lead to the user falling and getting injured or inconvenienced. Also, the sole and bottom binding plate of the ski boot may be damaged from walking across pavement or gravel, which over time may lead to the boots no longer fitting into the bindings properly. Additionally, ski boots are hard and covered in protrusions which can cause damage to car upholstery or carpeting. In addition, ski boots are heavy and are difficult to carry when not in use, usually requiring a large bag.
Boots for other winter sports, such as snowboarding, snowshoeing, skeleton, bobsledding encounter similar issues as those of ski boots.
Furthermore, other types of footwear, including but not limited to, dress shoes and sneakers, are not designed to withstand the elements and are not suitable for walking in the snow or rain, as they do not provide sufficient protection or traction and may be damaged by contact with water.
Solutions exist for ski boots which provide enhanced traction and walking ability, but they tend to be difficult to put on, do not provide protection for the ski boot other than the sole, do not make the ski boot easier to carry, and do not help to store the ski boot. Solutions exist for normal footwear, but they typically are difficult to put on, requiring the user to push the foot into a flexible rubberized overboot, which may or may not contain straps or buckles, and do not provide a secure, adjustable fit. Thus, the overboot is either too loose or too tight. If the boot is too loose, this allows the shoe inside the overboot to move around relative to the overboot, and thus impairs sure footing, which may lead to falls. If the boot is too tight, it is very difficult to get on and then is uncomfortable.
Currently, there are no overboots designed for the disabled skier, those with knee and/or foot problems, and/or that are easy for children to use.
An overboot is disclosed herein comprising an upper portion, the upper portion having a front, a rear, an inside, an outside, an interior, and a toe portion, wherein the upper portion is made substantially of an elastic or inelastic material and the interior volume defined by the upper portion shaped to compliantly engage a shoe or boot, wherein the upper portion having an opening to allow a foot wearing a shoe or a ski boot to enter the interior, wherein the rear of the upper portion is capable of forming an opening in order to ease the insertion of a foot of a user, wherein the rear opening has a closure means; a lower portion, the lower portion forming a heel and a sole, the lower portion being made of a rugged flexible material.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, an overboot further comprises an upper portion that approximates a ring, with the ring having an adjustable-length pull-cord disposed therewithin such that constriction of the length of the pull-cord similarly constricts the diameter of the ring.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, an overboot further comprises, the closure means is a flap that extends downwardly from a top portion of the rear of the overboot that folds over to cover the rear opening, wherein the flap is secured to the circumference of the rear opening by a first fastening means selected from the group consisting of snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, ties, and a combination thereof.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, an overboot further comprises the closure means being a pull string with a cinch device.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, an overboot further comprises the rear opening has at least one vertical slit, the vertical slit having an interior, the interior having a first side and a second side.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the vertical slit has a closure means selected from the group consisting of zippers, snaps, ties, hook & loop fasteners, and a combination thereof.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the vertical slit has a membrane connecting the first side and the second side of the interior.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the membrane is made of an elastic or inelastic, waterproof material, wherein the membrane allows the vertical slit to keep water from entering the interior of the overboot.
The overboot of claim 1 wherein the heel or the toe portion has a strap.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the sole has a plurality of protrusions extending downward therefrom for providing traction.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the front and rear portions of the profile of the sole are substantially arcuate, thereby defining a rocker sole.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an attachment means on the inside of the upper portion of the near the top opening for accepting a strap to connect more than one overboot to another.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, there are adjustable straps are secured at a first end and pass through a loop or a plastic ring placed at an opposing end and return along the length of the strap to be releasably fixed by a second fastening means.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the loop or the plastic ring is sewn to the fabric of the upper portion or is secured to a portion of the sole which is positioned on a side of the overboot.
According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the adjustable straps are made of an elastic or inelastic material.
In the figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the claims of the present document.
Various embodiments of the presently disclosed apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements.
Referring generally, to
The upper portion has an opening to allow a foot of a user wearing a shoe or ski boot to enter the interior. In one embodiment, the opening of the upper portion may have a means of closure. The means of closure may be a pull string with a cinch device. In an alternative embodiment, the means of closure may be a flap extending from the top of the rear of the overboot which folds over to cover the opening. The flap may be secured to the circumference of the opening of the upper portion by a fastening means, such as snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or ties. The flap may possess a pocket on the underside for storage of a shoulder strap or other items, such as foot warmers. The upper portion of the device may consist partially or entirely of an elastic material, such as Neoprene® so that the device more snugly fits the user.
The rear of the overboot opens in order to ease the insertion of the foot of the user. In one embodiment, the rear opening has one vertical slits. In another embodiment, the rear opening may have two vertical slits. The slits may be closed with zippers, snaps, ties, or hook and loop fasteners. In an embodiment having two slits being closed with zippers, the zipper pulls may be connected via a strap. The slit(s) may have a membrane connecting either side of the interior of the slit. This membrane may be made of either an elastic or inelastic, waterproof material, that allow the closed slits to keep water from entering the interior of the upper portion of the overboot, while still allowing the overboot to easily receive a ski boot.
The heel and/or toe of the overboot may have a strap for helping to pull the overboot onto the ski boot. The overboot may have one or more adjustable straps that reach from the rear or bottom of the overboot around the calf or over the foot for helping adjust the snugness of the overboot in order to ensure a secure fit. The straps may be secured at one end and pass through a loop or plastic ring placed at the other end, and return along the length of the strap to be releasably fixed by means of a hook and loop fastener, or a buckle. The straps may be secured to rings which are sewn to the fabric of the overboot, or they may be secured to a portion of the sole which comes up the side of the device. The straps may be of an elastic or inelastic material.
The sole of the overboot may be adhered via sonic welding, glue, or stitching. The sole of the device may have protrusions for providing traction. The front portion and rear portion of the sole may be connected via a middle portion which is designed by its geometry, or by virtue of the characteristics of the material, to have the ability to stretch in order to ensure a snug fit of the overboot. The sole may be injection molded or it may be die cut. It may be one piece, laminated, or comprised of several components. In one embodiment, the sole of the overboot is a rocker sole, rather than a flat sole. The rocker sole has a front to rear arch, with the interior of the sole being thicker and tapering at the ends. The rocker sole corrects the user's gait while walking. The rocker sole is firm and cushioned, reduces fatigue, and reduces the possibility of the user falling.
Rocker sole shoes have long been known for their therapeutic benefits. They can protect the heels and the balls of the feet from repetitive impact with concrete and hard surfaces. They can be helpful for those suffering from heel and arch pain. They can also be helpful for those suffering from arthritis in the big toe joint. They promote good posture and can improve circulation. Rocker soles tend to engage core muscles and can improve sense of joint position.
The overboot may include a ring or other method of attachment on the inside of the overboot near the top opening for accepting a strap which connects two of the overboots for carrying. The strap may be adjustable.
A method of using an overboot will now be described. First, an overboot is provided in a first condition, for instance as shown in
Although in the preceding sections, the subject of the present disclosure has referred to being shaped to accommodate a ski-boot. There are further embodiments within the scope of the appended claims that are shaped to accommodate other footwear including for instance, work boots, sneakers, dress shoes, and the like.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
This application claims priority to provisional application No. 61/351,420 filed on Jun. 4th, 2010 the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61351420 | Jun 2010 | US |
