GB2486754A

GB2486754A - Footwear Cover

Info

Publication number: GB2486754A
Application number: GB1115574.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maria Sotiriou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-09
Filing date: 2011-09-09
Publication date: 2012-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-09
Also published as: GB201115574D0; GB2486754B

Abstract

A footwear cover 1 comprises a sole portion 3 to accommodate the sole of a shoe 2 and a cover portion 5 arranged to cover most of the shoe 2. The cover portion 5 includes a pair of flaps 11a, 11b each having an edge 13a, 13b facing the front of the footwear cover 1. The flaps 11a, 11b are arranged to be moved between an open position and a closed position with the flaps 11a, 11b being held together by fastening means 16 so as to retain the shoe 2 in the footwear cover 1. Each flap 11a, 11b has a notch 14a, 14b in a base portion of its said edge 13a, 13b so that a base portion 20a, 20b of the flap 11a, 11b does not substantially crease when the flap 11a, 11b is in its open position.

Description

FOOTWEAR COVER

The present invention relates to a cover for footwear, and more particularly a cover for preventing debris such as dirt or mud from falling from an item of footwear such as a shoe and dirtying the surroundings.

When footwear is worn on wet grass or earth the footwear is liable to collect much mud or dirt. If the person wearing muddy footwear is to go into a surrounding which is preferably not wanted to get dirty such as the inside of a building or a vehicle, the footwear should be cleaned before going inside. This may involve knocking mud or dirt off the footwear which may be time consuming and the person's hands may get dirty in trying to remove mud or dirt which is not readily coming off the footwear. Where the footwear comprises a shoe having a tread or studs on the sole, much more mud or dirt can be accumulated which is not easy to knock off the shoe and thus cleaning would take even more time.

Where muddy footwear such as a football boot is to be removed for only a short time such as when a child wearing the boots needs to go inside a building temporarily during a break in a football match or the child is being transported in a vehicle between sites, it is particularly inconvenient to spend time cleaning the footwear before the footwear is used again.

Also, wearing footwear like football boots inside a building or a vehicle may cause damage to the flooring of the building or vehicle or the flooring may damage the footwear (e.g. concrete flooring may damage plastic moulded studs of a football boot).

To overcome these problems, a wearer of a muddy shoe may place is shoe in a footwear cover comprising a bag. The bag is then secured around the leg of the wearer of the shoe by, say, an elasticated region or a tie. An example of such a bag is a disposable surgical cover for a shoe. It would take some time to put the bag around the shoe and later remove the shoe from the bag and a person is liable to get their fingers dirty in the process. Also, the bag may be liable to tear after repeated use.

Another type of footwear cover comprises a clog-like overshoe which has to be large enough to fit over a range of sizes of shoe. However, such an overshoe may consequently not be able to be secured properly to the shoe that it is covering and may be liable to fall off if care is not taken when walking with such overshoes on.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear cover to alleviate the above-mentioned problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a footwear cover comprising: a sole portion for a sole of a shoe placed in the footwear cover to be placed against; and a cover portion arranged to cover at least a substantial portion of the upper part, sides and rear of the shoe, the cover portion including a flap having an edge substantially facing the front of the footwear cover and the flap arranged to be moved between an open position wherein the shoe can be placed in the footwear cover and a closed position wherein the flap is arranged to cover at least a portion of an upper part of the shoe and be held by fastening means of the footwear cover so as to retain the shoe in the footwear cover, the cover portion having a notch in a base portion of said edge of the flap so that at least a base portion of the flap does not substantially crease when the flap is in its open position.

As a substantial portion of the upper part, sides and rear of a muddy shoe placed in the footwear cover is covered, this greatly reduces mud or dirt from the shoe dirtying the surroundings.

By simply having the fiap in its open position, placing the shoe in the cover and then closing and fastening the flap, a muddy shoe can be quickly placed in the footwear cover. By reversing this process the shoe can be quickly removed. By a person moving the flap, direct contact between the hands of the person and the muddy shoe is limited.

The length of the notch may be between V2% and 3% of the length of the footwear cover. The notch for the flap may incline downwardly at an angle of between 200 and 50° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground.

The sole portion may be large enough to contain the sole of a shoe when the sole is placed in the footwear cover. This prevents a shoe from overhanging the sole portion and thus not being fully supported by the sole portion hence avoiding instability when a person walks with the footwear cover.

The cover portion preferably includes two flaps, one flap being arranged to at least partially overlap the other flap when both flaps are in the closed position and both flaps having a said notch in the base portion of said edge of the flap facing the front of the footwear cover, one flap extending away from an outer side of the sole portion and the other flap extending away from an inner side of the sole portion. When both flaps are in the closed position, the fastening means may be arranged to secure one flap to the other. The length of the notch for the outer side flap may be longer than the length of the notch for the inner side flap. The length of the notch on the outer side flap may be between I % and 3% of the length of the footwear cover and the length of the notch on the inner side flap may be between %% and 2% of the length of the footwear cover. The notch for the outer side flap may incline downwardly at an angle of between 40° and 45° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground and the notch for the inner side flap may incline downwardly at an angle of between 20° and 50° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground.

An upwardly extending up may be provided at the front end of the sole portion. This would help prevent debris from leaving the front of the footwear cover. The lip may form part of the sole portion.

The sole portion of the footwear cover may comprise an insole to engage the sole of a shoe placed in the footwear cover, and an outsole to make direct contact with the ground.

The insole may be shaped to substantially match the shape of the underside of the sole of the shoe to be placed in the footwear cover. This enables the shoe to be more firmly secured to the footwear cover. The insole may comprise a material that moulds to substantially match the shape of the underside of a sole of the shoe when the shoe is placed in the footwear cover.

The insole may contain at least one recess for receiving at least one stud of a sports shoe such as a football boot. The insole may contain at least one recess for receiving a heel of a shoe.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a footwear cover according to one embodiment of the invention and containing a shoe for the left foot; Figure 2 is a plan view of the footwear cover; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the footwear cover; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the footwear cover with flaps of the cover in an open position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a footwear cover 1 is shown having a shoe 2 for the left foot placed in it. The footwear cover 1 has a sole portion 3 which the sole 4 of the shoe 1 (shown in dotted line in Figure 3) is placed against, and a cover portion 5 covering most of the upper part 6, lateral sides 7 and rear 8 of the shoe 2 and fixed to the sole portion 3. The cover portion 5 has lateral side regions 9 and a rear region 10 to cover most of the sides 7 and rear 8 of the shoe 2. The cover portion 5 has includes two flaps ha, lib extending away from the sole portion 3, one flap ha extending away from an outer side 12a of the sole portion 3 and the other flap hib extending away from an inner side 1 2b of the sole portion 3. Each flap 11 a, 11 b has an edge 13a, 13b (see Fig. 4) facing the front of the footwear cover 1 and each flap ha, hib has a respective notch 14a, 14b in a base portion of the edge 13a, 1 3b. The length of the notch 1 4a for the outer side flap 11 a is longer than the length of the notch 14b for the inner side flap hib. The notch 14a for the outer side flap ha inclines downwardly at a larger angle B relative to the horizontal when the sole portion 3 is on the ground than the notch 14b for the inner side flap 11 b. At the front end of the sole portion 3, there is an upwardly extending lip between thetwoflapsila, lib.

The flaps lie, lib are shown in a closed position in Figures I to 3 wherein the outer side flap 11 a is placed over the upper part 6 of the shoe 2 and the inner side flap lib, which extends slightly further from the sole portion 3, overlaps the outer side flap lie, the flaps lie, lib being held together by fastening means 16 in the form of a pair of VelcroRTM strips. The flaps 11 a, 11 b are fastened so that the shoe 2 is held tightly. Thus, the shoe 2 is retained in the footwear cover 1. The flaps ha, lib do not completely cover the upper portion 6 of the shoe 2 so that access is provided to the lace region 17 of the shoe 2 enabling the shoe 2 with the footwear cover I on it to be removed from the foot of the wearer.

The sole portion 3 comprises an inner sole portion or insole 18 to engage the sole 4 of the shoe 2 placed in the footwear cover 1, and an outer sole portion or outsole 19 to make direct contact with the ground. The insole 18 comprises a material that moulds or changes shape to substantially match the shape of the underside of the sole 4 of the shoe 2 placed in the footwear cover 1.

In order to remove the shoe 2 from the footwear cover 1, the inner side flap hi b is pulled away from the outer side flap hi a beneath and laid against the ground so that it is in an open position. The outer side flap iha is then pulled away from the upper part 6 of the shoe 2 50 that it also is in an open position (see Figure 4) and the shoe 2 can now be simply lifted out of the footwear cover 1.

The notch h4a, h4b in the base portion of the front edge h3a, i3b of each flap ha, iib prevents a base portion 20a, 20b of the flap iha, hib from creasing when that flap ii a, hi b is moved to its open position.

To place the shoe 2 in the footwear cover 1 the above process is simply reversed.

In a specific example of a preferred embodiment, the length I (see Fig. 4) of the notch 1 4a on the outer side flap 11 a is approximately 2% of the length L of the footwear cover I and the length 1' of the notch 14b on the inner side flap 11 b is approximately 1 % of the length L of the footwear cover 1. The notch 1 4a for the outer side flap ha inclines downwardly at an angle 0 of between 400 and 45° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion 3 is on the ground and the notch 14b for the inner side flap lib inclines downwardly at an angle 0 of between 20° and 50° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion 3 is on the ground. The wall thickness of the cover portion 5, and possibly the sole portion 3, would be approximately 2 mm with a shore A hardness of 55 (durometer scale). The material for the cover portion 5, and possibly the sole portion 3, would have a highly flexible characteristic, and would be slightly elastic when put under tension. This enables the footwear cover I to stretch over the shoe 2 and thus securely hold the shoe 2.

The footwear cover for a shoe for the right foot would be a mirror image of the footwear cover 1 for the shoe 2 for the left foot.

The cover portion 5 may be fixed to the sole portion 3 by glue or heat bonding. The cover portion 5 may comprise, for example, a plastics material, nylon or LycraRTM. The cover portion 5 and/or the sole portion 3 may comprise a washable and waterproof material. The sole portion 3 may comprise, for example, a plastics material, rubber or synthetic rubber or leather. The outsole 19 may have a non-slip and/or non-marking surface for engaging the ground.

There may be an intermediate layer between the insole 18 and outsoie 19 of the sole portion 3.

Although VelcroRTM has been used to fasten the flaps 11 a, 11 b together, any suitable form of releasable fastening means may be used such as buttons or poppers.

Wearing the footwear cover on footwear improves traction and safety and, where the footwear has studs, minimises damage to the studs when walking on hard surfaces.

In a modification of the footwear cover, the insole contains a recess for receiving a heel of a shoe. in another modification, the insole contains a plurality of recesses for receiving studs of a sports shoe.

Whilst particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A footwear cover comprising: a sole portion for a sole of a shoe placed in the footwear cover to be placed against; and a cover portion arranged to cover at least a substantial portion of the upper part, sides and rear of the shoe, the cover portion including a flap having an edge substantially facing the front of the footwear cover and the flap arranged to be moved between an open position wherein the shoe can be placed in the footwear cover and a closed position wherein the flap is arranged to cover at least a portion of an upper part of the shoe and be held by fastening means of the footwear cover so as to retain the shoe in the footwear cover, the cover portion having a notch in a base portion of said edge of the flap so that at least a base portion of the flap does not substantially crease when the flap is in its open position.
2. The footwear cover of claim 1, wherein the length of the notch is between %% and 3% of the length of the footwear cover.
3. The footwear cover of claim I or 2, wherein the notch for the flap inclines downwardly at an angle of between 200 and 50° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground.
4. The footwear cover of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cover portion includes two flaps, one flap being arranged to at least partially overlap the other flap when both flaps are in the closed position and both flaps having a said notch in the base portion of said edge of the flap facing the front of the footwear cover, one flap extending away from an outer side of the sole portion and the other flap extending away from an inner side of the sole portion.
5. The footwear cover of claim 4, wherein the length of the notch for the outer side flap is longer than the length of the notch for the inner side flap.
6. The footwear cover of claim 4 or 5, wherein the length of the notch on the outer side flap is between 1% and 3% of the length of the footwear cover and the length of the notch on the inner side flap is between 1/2% and 2% of the length of the footwear cover.
7. The footwear cover of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the notch for the outer side flap inclines downwardly at an angle of between 400 and 45° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground and the notch for the inner side flap inclines downwardly at an angle of between 20° and 50° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground.
8. The footwear cover of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein when both flaps are in the closed position, the fastening means is arranged to secure one flap to the other.
9. The footwear cover of any preceding claim, including an upwardly extending lip at the front end of the sole portion.
10. The footwear cover of any preceding claim, wherein the sole portion comprises an insole to engage the sole of a shoe placed in the footwear cover, and an outsole to make direct contact with the ground.
11. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insole is shaped to substantially match the shape of the underside of the sole of the shoe to be placed in the footwear cover.
12. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the insole comprises a material that moulds to substantially match the shape of the underside of a sole of the shoe when the shoe is placed in the footwear cover.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A footwear cover comprising: a sole portion for a sole of a shoe placed in the footwear cover to be placed against; and a cover portion arranged to cover at least a substantial portion of the upper part, sides and rear of the shoe, the cover portion including a flap extending away from the sole portion and having an edge substantially facing the front of the footwear cover and the flap arranged to be moved between an open position wherein the shoe can be placed in the footwear cover and a closed position wherein the flap is arranged to cover at least a portion of an upper part of the shoe and be held by fastening means of the footwear cover so as to retain the shoe in the footwear cover, the cover portion having a notch in said edge of the flap so that a base portion of the flap adjacent the sole portion does not substantially crease when the flap is in its open position.LI) 2. The footwear cover of claim 1, wherein the length of the notch is between O %% and 3% of the length of the footwear cover.3. The footwear cover of claim I or 2, wherein when the flap is in the closed position, the notch for the flap inclines downwardly at an angle of between 200 and 50° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground.4. The footwear cover of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cover portion includes two flaps, one flap being arranged to at least partially overlap the other flap when both flaps are in the closed position and both flaps having a said notch in said edge of the flap facing the front of the footwear cover for one shoe of a pair of shoes, one flap extending away from an outer side of the sole portion and the other flap extending away from an inner side of the sole portion, the inner side arranged to face the inner side of the sole portion of a footwear cover for the other shoe of the pair of shoes.5. The footwear cover of claim 4, wherein the length of the notch for the outer side flap is longer than the length of the notch for the inner side flap.6. The footwear cover of claim 4 or 5, wherein the length of the notch on the outer side flap is between I % and 3% of the length of the footwear cover and the length of the notch on the inner side flap is between %% and 2% of the length of the footwear cover.7. The footwear cover of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein both flaps are in the closed position, the notch for the outer side flap inclines downwardly at an angle of between 400 and 45° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground and the notch for the inner side flap inclines downwardly at an angle of C.J between 20° and 50° relative to the horizontal when the sole portion is on the ground. C1)0 8. The footwear cover of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein when both flaps I.!) are in the closed position, the fastening means is arranged to secure one flap to 0 the other.9. The footwear cover of any preceding claim, including an upwardly extending lip at the front end of the sole portion.10. The footwear cover of any preceding claim, wherein the sole portion comprises an insole to engage the sole of a shoe placed in the footwear cover) and an outsole to make direct contact with the ground.11. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insole is shaped to substantially match the shape of the underside of the sole of the shoe to be placed in the footwear cover.12. The footwear cover as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the insole comprises a material that moulds to substantially match the shape of the underside of a sole of the shoe when the shoe is placed in the footwear cover.