Patent Application
20050183285
The invention relates to shoe coverings and particularly to a protective covering for all types of shoes which resists moisture, sand and foreign particles from entering the shoe in the inside of the covering.
There is a need for individuals who perform activities in difficult terrain (e.g. creek beds) to protect not only their shoes, but their lower legs, ankles and feet from moisture, sand and/or other foreign particles. Previous attempts to perform at least some of these functions suffered from a number of shortcomings.
Wheeler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,566 invention discloses a shoe protector, which offers protection to the lower leg or part of the shoe. The disclosed shoe cover was designed primarily to protect the wearer's legs and/or feet in an industrial environment, such as in a foundry where there is molten material. The cover is formed of a relatively non-flexible material with a zipper, with a strap, and with no flexibility to the wearer. The cover is not designed to be moisture-proof or to keep out foreign material such as sand. The cover protects only the feet and the ankles. The cover is placed over the top of the shoe or boot.
Diaz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,493 describes a show case for people working with chain saws or other tools where his lower part of his body may be put in danger by contact with the tool. The shoe cover is made of a woven material and is held together with a buckle around the back of the ankle. The shoe cover is not moisture proof, but attaches to efficiently keep out foreign particles such as sand.
Falguere, U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,359 also discloses a covering for protecting the upper part of a shoe. It employs a zipper to hold the protector together, which may decrease the life of the product due to possible environment corrosion. Zippers are also prone to sticking in an environment that is sandy or muddy eliminating the usage of the protector.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,637 discloses an adaptable protective legging for protecting motorcycle and bicycle riders from rain and wet roads. Its design does not, however, appear to protect the shoes, ankles and legs from water and sand when fully or partially submerged.
In solving the above problems and making the Sand Guard Protective Shoe Cover is offering a shoe protector that is made of a flexible and waterproof material. A polycarbonate material such as neoprene may be a particularly useful material for this applicant. The cover is formed to fit over the top of a shoe or boot extending up the lower shin and calf and wrapping around these areas. It is held in place by one or more web straps under the arch of the shoe and a fastener (e.g. velcro) running up the edges of the protective shoe cover. Optionally, the web straps may include downward facing protrusion and/or means for removing and attaching such protrusion to the strap (e.g. “soft spikes” as used in golf shoes.).
During outdoor activities, the shoe cover provides a seal that keeps moisture, sand, small stones and debris from entering into the shoes (including the lace and tongue areas) and eliminating irritating the wearer's feet. The Sand Guard Shoe Protector is preferably made of flexible Neoprene, or similar stretchable material, a braided strap and a Velcro fastener. It may be worn during any activity such as, fishing, hiking, camping or canoeing that may introduce moisture or foreign particles into the wearer's shoes. The Shoe Protector also protects one's lower shin, calf, ankle and achilles area from cuts and abrasions caused by contact with foreign objects such as rocks, sticks, coral or grasses.
The option of protrusions or cleats protruding downwardly from the web straps may be useful in a situation where the cover is worn in an environment in which a slippery or muddy condition exist.
The aforementioned and other aspects of the present invention are described in the detailed description and attached illustrations which follow.
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The area between the first side flap 22 and the second side flap 23 is divided into three regions: an ankle portion 6 adjoining the top edge of the body 30; a toe portion 12 adjoining a central portion of the bottom edge 11, and a transition portion 4 located between the ankle portion 6 and the toe portion 12.
The shoe cover body 30 is arranged so that its ankle portion 6 will be tightly stretched over the ankle of the user when the shoe cover is assembled. (See
Two or more portions of the body 30 adjoining the bottom edge 11 of the shoe cover body in the top portion region will serve as connection points 7 or web connections for a web 10 which is adapted to slip over the sole of the shoe and stretch the cover body 30 to fit tightly over the ankle. In a preferred embodiment the web connector 7 may be made of velcro and strips of velcro which will be provided at the ends of the web 10. The web 10 may be constructed with any flexible and yet relatively non stretchable material such as for example rubber or nylon. The portion of the web 10 which connects with the body 30 may be widened (not shown) to provide more even stretching of the material of the body 30. In the preferred embodiment the web 10 is formed of a strip of woven nylon. Alternatively, the web 10 may be permanently attached to the shoe cover body during manufacturing by means of such, for example as an adhesive or heat molding, but any connecting attachment means may be used.
Although the present invention has been described in various embodiments and the various embodiments have been provided as examples of implementations of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular shape, size, embodiment or configuration. On the contrary, the aspects of the present invention can be embodied in various manners within the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein.
