US20060086002A1

US20060086002A1 - Wearable reusable shoe covers

Info

Publication number: US20060086002A1
Application number: US11/043,484
Authority: US
Inventors: Don Vickers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-18
Filing date: 2005-01-27
Publication date: 2006-04-27
Also published as: WO2006081266A1

Abstract

A wearable, removable foot cover for covering a workman's boot or shoe, the foot cover comprising a liquid impermeable top cover, made as a continuous piece, the top cover having: (1) a top part, the top part covering a boot or shoe, the top part having sufficient height to cover a boot or shoe up the top of the boot or shoe, or to cover a boot or shoe up to the pant's cuff of the workman. The top part of the cover is preferably made from a material such as CORDURA® and also has: (2) a bottom part, or liquid impermeable sole, made from a material such as Tuff Tech© that covers the bottom part of the wearer's boot or shoe that is permanently attached or fixed to the top part. The wearable foot cover is attached to the wearer's foot by an elastic opening that secures the cover to the wearer's foot. As a variation another embodiment of the invention includes a strap that is attached to the heel or back of the top part. The strap may be stepped upon to facilitate removal of the cover without the wearer using the wearer's hands.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/870,582 entitled Wearable Shoe Covers, filed on Jun. 18, 2004, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention disclosed herein is related to working apparel; more specifically the invention is a reusable, wearable shoe cover.

BACKGROUND

Workmen who build repair or enhance homes and office spaces are required to keep neat and tidy the spaces they work in; however, while on the job, they are constantly in contact with dirty surfaces or soiling materials that will ruin or stain flooring and carpets. A typical scenario is that of a workman that unintentionally walks or steps in mud, concrete, paint or other materials, then must walk across a carpet or spotless floor. In most cases, the workman repeatedly puts-on and removes shoes as he or she re-enters a house or office space.
It is clear that any means of protecting the home or office space from work-site and work material contamination is an absolute requirement of a worker. And an even more worthwhile protection means is one that eliminates time required to remove and put-on work-shoes or boots.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, herein is disclosed a wearable shoe-cover, for the purpose of shielding a workplace, such as an office or home, from the effects of dirt, detritus or staining materials.
In an exemplary embodiment, the wearable shoe-cover comprises a wearable foot covering, for the purpose of covering a shoe or boot, the foot cover secured to a wearer's foot by a an elastic expandable opening. The wearable foot covering is placed over a boot or shoe and is secured to the wearer's foot by elastic in the opening, which permits the wearer to quickly put on and take off the wearable foot covering.
In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, the wearable shoe-cover worn on a first foot and includes a strap fastened to the heel of the foot cover, the strap used to hold the foot cover in place by lifting the first foot up and out of the foot cover, while the foot cover is held in place by a second foot placed on top of the strap.
In the drawings and description that follow, the system and method disclosed in an exemplary embodiment will be seen to have several objects and advantages, the first being a shoe-cover that is tough and durable, and is able to withstand the rigors of being worn over work-shoes or boots that have been in contact with caustic materials.
Another object and advantage of the invention is a wearable shoe-cover that is attractive and presentable.
A second object is a wearable shoe-cover that may be washed and used again and again.
And another object and advantage of the invention is a wearable shoe-cover that is inexpensive to make.
And yet another object and advantage of the invention is a wearable foot covering that can be quickly put on over a boot or work-shoe and can also be removed quickly by using the strap to hold the foot cover in place while it is removed.
The objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the disclosure to follow. In the disclosure reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made in details of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the embodiment comprising a reusable, wearable shoe-cover.
FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment in place over a work shoe, the foot cover fitting tightly over the shoe, and secured by the elastic opening.
FIG. 3 shows a variation of the exemplary embodiment, which includes the strap for holding the foot cover while it is removed.
In the drawings, each element is labeled with a three-digit number, where the first digit corresponds to the drawing or figure number, and the second and third digit designate an element in the embodiment of the invention. For example, 110 labels element 10 of the invention's embodiment in FIG. 1. In the figures, the following elements are labeled:
10 the top part of the wearable foot cover that covers the top outside of the wearer's shoe or boot.
20 the sole of the foot cover that encloses the soles of the wearer's shoe or boot.
30 the elastic opening that secures the wearable foot cover to the wearer's shoe or boot.
40 the strap used to hold the foot cover while it is removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An Exemplary Embodiment of the Wearable Foot Cover
With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment 100 of the wearable foot-cover is shown. The exemplary embodiment 100 comprises a wearable covering for a workman's boot or shoe, the covering comprising: (1) a top part 110, the top part covering the outside top of a boot or shoe, the top part 110 having sufficient height to cover a boot or shoe up the top of the boot or shoe, or to cover a boot or shoe up to the pant's cuff of the workman. The wearable foot covering also has: (2) a bottom part or sole 120 covering the bottom of a shoe or boot. The top part 110 is permanently attached or fixed to the sole or bottom part 120 that covers the bottom part of the wearer's boot or sole.
The wearable foot cover has an elastic opening 130 that permit the wearer to quickly put on and remove the shoe cover. The elastic opening 130 expands to permit the wearer's foot access to the cover and then, when released, grips the wearer's ankle and secures the shoe cover to the wearer.
FIG. 2 shows the wearable foot cover 200 worn over a workman's boot.
The wearable shoe is made from materials having very high resistance to tears and punctures resulting from objects encountered in the work place; therefore the wearable shoe is able to hold contaminants inside when the wearer is inside a home or office that must be kept pristine. With reference to FIG. 1, the top part 110 is made from CORDURA® Nylon. Excellent results, with respect to tolerance to sharp and pointed objects, are obtained when the top covering material is made from CORDURA, which is lightweight, abrasion-resistant and durable, and is more puncture/tear resistant than leather, vinyl or standard nylon and more abrasion resistant than cotton canvas, vinyl, standard nylon or ballistic nylon.
With reference to FIG. 1, the sole 120 is made from a liquid-impervious plastic material having small cleats or similar means for gripping and preventing the wearer from slipping. An exemplary material is Toughtek®.
The foot covering 100 is made by cutting the top and soles according to a pattern and then permanently fastening the top front part by sewing the soles to the top part.
A Variation of the Exemplary Embodiment
With reference to FIG. 3, a variation of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 further includes a strap 340 that is permanently attached to the heel or back part of the top part 310. The strap 340 is used to quickly remove the cover without causing the wearer to use the wearer's hands in the removal process.
When the wearer wishes to remove the cover, the wearer places the other foot on the strap 340 and presses down while lifting the foot having the wearable cover. The elastic opening 320 yields allowing the foot to be removed from the wearable covering 300.
Use of the Foot Cover
An exemplary manner in which the wearable foot cover is used is: (1) the foot cover is kept inside an entry-way or door of a place, and is put on by a workman before entering a place, and; (2) the workman removes the foot cover upon exiting the place.

DISCLOSURE SUMMARY

A single exemplary embodiment and a variant of the embodiment of the invention has been disclosed. It will be appreciated that the embodiments is directed to a removable foot cover that will protect a place from a worker's shoes or boots, and is inexpensive to use and effective, and that the full scope and description of the invention is given by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A wearable foot covering for protecting a floor from contamination by detritus from a worn shoe or boot, the foot covering adapted to fit over and cover the shoe or boot worn by a wearer, the foot cover comprising:

a liquid impermeable top part, with an elastic opening for receiving the worn shoe or boot, the top part secured to the wearer's foot by the elastic opening; and

a liquid impermeable sole permanently attached to the top part, the foot covering sole on the outside and covering the shoe or boot, when the foot covering is worn;

whereby detritus from the worn shoe or boot are prevented from contaminating the floor.

3. The foot cover of claim 1, wherein the liquid impermeable top part is made from CORDURA®.

4. The foot covering of claim 1, further including a trap attached to the heel of the top part, whereby the strap is held in place to facilitate removal of the foot covering.

5. A method for protecting a floor from contamination by detritus from a worn shoe or boot, the method comprising:

providing a foot covering adapted to fit over and cover the shoe or boot worn by a wearer, the foot cover comprising:

a liquid impermeable top part with an elastic opening for receiving the worn shoe or boot, the foot covering secured to the wearer's foot by the elastic opening; and

a liquid impermeable foot covering sole permanently attached to the top part, the foot covering sole on the outside and covering the shoe or boot, when the foot covering is worn; and

placing the foot covering over the worn shoe or boot by inserting the foot into the elastic opening;

releasing the elastic opening to secure the foot covering to the shoe or boot;

whereby detritus from the worn shoe or boot are prevented from contaminating the environment.

6. The method of claim 4, further including removing the foot cover when away from the environment.

7. The method of claim 5, further including adding a strap to the heel of the top part, whereby the strap is held in place to facilitate removal of the foot covering.