WO2009005717A1

WO2009005717A1 - Footwear cover

Info

Publication number: WO2009005717A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/008009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Janice Hernandez; Gloria Harper
Original assignee: Janice Hernandez; Gloria Harper
Priority date: 2007-06-28
Filing date: 2008-06-27
Publication date: 2009-01-08

Abstract

A cover for footwear is provided. The cover includes a main body portion, a handle portion and a sole portion. The main body includes an edge defining an opening. The handle portion is located adjacent the opening and includes an aperture whereby a wearer can reach through the aperture to grasp the handle. The sole portion is operably coupled to the main body portion. The main body portion and the sole portion define an interior space which is sized to receive a piece of footwear.

Description

FOOTWEAR COVER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to covers for footwear, and in more particular applications, to waterproof covers for sneakers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -A-

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a cover for footwear; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cover for footwear;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative cover for footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT As illustrated in Figure 1 , a cover 20 for a piece of footwear (not shown) includes, generally, a main body portion 22 and a sole portion 24. The main body portion 22 and the sole portion define an interior space 26 of the cover 20 whereby a wearer may position a piece of footwear (not shown).

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 Figure 1, the tongue portion 28 is a substantially flat piece of the main body portion 22 that is oriented and positioned to cover the tongue portion and/or shoe laces of the footwear once inserted into the cover 20. In another form, referring to Figure 2, the tongue portion 28 may take the form as a gusset or gusset- like structure 33, or an easy flex fit panel. The gusset or easy flex fit panel 28 is also oriented and positioned to cover the tongue portion and/or shoe laces of the footwear once inserted into the cover 20.

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 Figure 4, or may be a multi-layered structure as shown in Figures 1 and 3. It should be noted that in the multi-layer form, the layers may comprise different materials, such as one material for providing support and rigidity and another layer providing water resistance. However, it should be understood that additional structure may also be included in the heel portion 30 and multiple structures may be combined into a common layer.

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 Figure 1, the edge 32 is continuous and does not overlap on itself. In this form, the edge 32 includes corners 40, which are formed as part of the tongue 28. In a relaxed form, as shown in Figure 3, the corners 40 urge the opening 34 to a relaxed position having a first size. The corners 40 permit the opening 34 to be deformed to an expanded position which has a second size larger than the first. In the expanded position, a piece of footwear may be more easily inserted through the opening 34 and into the interior space 26. Additionally, depending upon the materials chosen for the edge 32 and the main body portion 22, the opening 34 can also expand due to the elastic nature of the material.

An alternative form of the edge 32 and opening 34 is illustrated in Figure 2. In this form, the edge 32 cooperates with the gusset or easy flex fit panel 28 to permit the opening 34 to expand. Referring to Figure 2, the edge 32 is shown in a relaxed position wherein a portion 42 of the edge 32 is overlapping. In the form where the tongue portion is a gusset or easy flex fit panel 28, two portions 40 of the edge 32 can be overlapping. As seen in Figure 2, the portions 40 of the edge 32 are in a relaxed state wherein the opening 34 is in a relaxed position having a first size. The edge 32 can be manipulated into an expanded state wherein the portions 40 no longer overlap thus providing the opening 34 in an expanded position having a second size which is larger than the first size. In the expanded position, a piece of footwear may be more easily inserted through the opening 34 and into the interior space 26. Additionally, depending upon the materials chosen for the edge 30 and the main body portion 22, the opening 34 can also expand due to the elastic nature of the material. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that other forms of the edge 32 are also contemplated without the gusset or easy flex fit panel 28 wherein a portion 40 of the edge 32 is still overlapping in a relaxed state, such as by providing a single flap (not shown).

The sole portion 24 may take a variety of forms. For example, one embodiment of the sole portion 24 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. In this form, the sole 24 is relatively thick compared to the main body portion 22. In this form, the sole portion 24 is similar to the size of a conventional shoe or sneaker. In another form, as shown in Figures 2-3, the sole portion 24 is approximately the same thickness as the main body portion 22. The sole portion can include a textured and/or non-skid outer surface 50. This surface 50 will help prevent a wearer from slipping, especially when there is moisture on the ground. The surface 50 may be non-smooth.

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 Figure 1 , one form of the handle portion 52 is shown wherein the heel gill 54 is located in the heel portion 30. Another form of the handle portion 52 is shown in Figure 2 wherein a loop 56 is created to define the heel gill 54. In this form, the heel portion 30 can be a multi- layered structure to form the loop 56 or may simply be a single layer with the loop 56 adjacent the edge 32. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that other forms of the handle portion 52 are also contemplated.

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.

Claims

1. A cover for a sneaker comprising: a main body portion having an edge defining an opening, the edge 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; and a sole portion operably coupled to the main body portion, the main body portion and sole portion defining an interior space which is sized to receive the sneaker, the interior space being accessible through the opening.

2. A cover for a piece of footwear comprising: a main body portion having an edge defining an opening; a handle portion located adjacent the opening, the handle portion having an aperture whereby a wearer may reach through the aperture to grasp the handle; and a sole portion operably coupled to the main body portion, the main body portion and sole portion defining an interior space which is sized to receive the piece of footwear, the interior space being 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.

3. The cover of claim 2 wherein the handle portion is located on a heel portion of the body and the aperture is an opening in the heel portion.

4. The cover of claim 2 wherein the handle portion includes a loop of material operably coupled to the main body portion whereby the loop defines the aperture.

5. The cover of claim 2 wherein the main body portion and the sole portion are formed as an integral structure.

6. The cover of claim 2 wherein the main body portion has a first thickness and the sole portion has a second thickness substantially larger than the first thickness.

7. A cover for a piece of footwear comprising: a main body portion having an edge defining an opening, the edge 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; and a sole portion operably coupled to the main body portion, the main body portion and sole portion defining an interior space which is sized to receive the piece of footwear, the interior space being accessible through the opening.

8. The cover of claim 7 further comprising a handle portion located adjacent the opening whereby a wearer can grasp the handle to insert the piece of footwear through the opening in the expanded position and into the interior space.

9. The cover of claim 8 wherein the handle portion is located on a heel portion of the body and further includes an opening in the heel portion.

10. The cover of claim 9 wherein the handle portion includes a loop of material operably coupled to the main body portion whereby the loop defines an aperture.

11. The cover of claim 7 wherein the main body portion and the sole portion are formed as an integral structure.

12. The cover of claim 7 wherein the main body portion has a first thickness and the sole portion has a second thickness substantially larger than the first thickness.

13. The cover of claim 7, wherein the sole portion comprises an outer surface, said outer surface comprising non-skid patterns.

14. The cover of claim 7, wherein the sole portion comprises an outer surface, said outer surface being non-smooth.