US20090235556A1

US20090235556A1 - Footwear Cover

Info

Publication number: US20090235556A1
Application number: US12/407,845
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicole Rose Reid
Original assignee: Nicole Rose Reid
Current assignee: Performance Fabrics Inc
Priority date: 2008-03-20
Filing date: 2009-03-20
Publication date: 2009-09-24
Also published as: USD762957S1; CA2658659C; CA2658659A1

Abstract

A footwear cover arranged to receive footwear article therein comprises a sole portion, a toe portion and a heel portion. Each of the toe and heel portions comprises a vertical wall portion in which the toe portion further comprises an upper resilient portion extending inwardly to receive the toe of the footwear article thereunder and the heel portion further comprises a plurality of horizontal ridges extending inwardly to engage the heel of the footwear article. The ridges terminate at respective inner free edges lying in a generally common vertical plane.

Description

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/038,258, filed Mar. 20, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a footwear cover which can be readily placed over or removed from a shoe or boot without the use of hands for covering footwear instead of removing them, for example when entering an indoor residence from an outdoor location.

BACKGROUND

In various instances persons may be required to remove footwear when entering a home or building. Various health and safety regulations indicate that if there is a hazard of foot injury in a working environment, appropriate safety footwear that meets regulations is expected to be worn. This typically means steel toed work boots or shoes must be worn by various workers including for example delivery persons, electricians, plumbers, etc. Customers of the services provided by such workers, however, commonly insist that dirty or wet footwear be removed before entering the home.
Currently, the only solution in the market place is a slip-on paper or plastic bootie or a rubber galosh manually pulled on over the boot. These solutions require persons to put down what they are carrying and pull on and off the bootie or galosh. This is difficult and unsafe when holding something heavy, i.e. a sofa or a stove. As well, the bootie and galosh are slippery and not custom fit to allow easy and safe movement indoors.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,328 belonging to Rosen et al. discloses an example of a shoe cover intended to cover the outdoor shoes of a person entering an indoor location. In a preferred embodiment, both heel and toe portions of the cover include a resilient shoe admission portion arranged to include an overhang surface forming an undercut area within which a portion of the shoe is received. When a user attempts to step into the shoe cover without the use of hands, the flexible nature of both the heel and toe portions typically results in one or both of the heel and toe collapsing under the shoe rather than receiving the shoe therein to be suitably retained on the shoe. Insertion of a shoe into the cover is accordingly awkward and difficult to manage. In further embodiments, a complex length adjustment mechanism is provided, however the heel and toe portions remain flexible with an undercut area therein to receive the sole of the shoe such that it is awkward to insert the shoe into the undercut area without collapsing the walls of the cover beneath the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a footwear cover for covering an article of footwear, the cover comprising:
a sole portion spanning between a toe end and a heel end and arranged for receiving the article of footwear thereon;
the sole portion being flexible so as to be arranged to allow walking when the article of footwear is supported thereon;
a toe portion formed at the toe end of the sole portion;
the toe portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the toe end of the sole portion and an upper portion spaced upwardly from the sole portion and extending from the perimeter wall portion inwardly towards the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to receive a full height of a toe of the article of footwear between the upper portion and the sole portion when the article of footwear is supported on the sole portion; and
a heel portion formed at the heel of the sole portion;
the heel portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to engage a heel of the article of footwear when the article of footwear is supported in the sole portion;
the wall portion of the heel portion comprising an inner surface extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions formed on the inner surface arranged to grip the heel of the article of footwear; and
the heel portion being stiffer than the toe portion.
The cover according to the present invention is designed for safe and easy use. When stepped into, toe first, the rear binding will lock the boot into place when the foot heel is pressed down. This will allow the person to simply slide their dirty boot, or shoe, or other type of footwear into the sole to walk safely and cleanly while indoors.
By providing a heel portion which is more rigid than the toe portion, a user can insert the toe of the article of footwear into the toe portion of the cover first, followed by the heel of the article of footwear such that the more rigid heel portion is unlikely to collapse beneath the article of footwear stepping into the footwear cover, thus overcoming some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore by arranging the heel portion to have a substantially vertical inner surface which is textured for gripping the article of footwear, the article of footwear is more readily inserted into the heel portion, also reducing the occurrence of the heel portion collapsing beneath the article of footwear stepping into the footwear cover.
Each protrusion preferably comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the toe portion, the ridges being vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion.
Each ridge may extend inwardly from the inner surface of the wall portion to an inner free edge arranged to engage the heel of the article of footwear in which the ridges project from the inner surface by an equal distance relative to one another such that the inner free edges of the ridges terminate at a common vertical surface curved about the heel portion.
Preferably the upper portion of the toe portion is more flexible and more resilient than the perimeter wall portion of the toe portion.
When there is provided side walls extending from opposing sides of the sole portion between the toe portion and the heel portion, the side walls preferably extend upwardly from the sole portion at an outward angle away from one another wherein the sole portion is stiffer and more rigid than the side walls.
There may be provided a release member integrally formed with the heel portion which projects rearwardly from the heel portion away from the toe portion at a location which is spaced upwardly from the sole portion adjacent a top end of the heel portion in which the release member is substantially rigid.
The release member is preferably formed of the same material as the sole portion, the release member being thicker than the sole portion so as to be rigid.
The heel portion preferably comprises a rigid member formed integrally of like material with the sole portion and the toe portion in which the heel portion is thicker than the sole portion and the toe portion such that the heel portion is more rigid than the sole portion and the toe portion.
The heel portion may also include an insertion surface extending upwardly and outwardly from a top end of the inner surface of the heel portion opposite the toe portion so as to be arranged for guiding insertion of the heel into the heel portion of the cover.
There may also be provided a release member integrally formed with the heel portion which projects rearwardly outwardly from the insertion surface of the heel portion at a location which is spaced upwardly from the sole portion adjacent a top end of the heel portion, the release member being substantially rigid.
The wall portion of the heel portion may comprise a rear wall extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposing sides of the sole portion integrally with the rear wall. Each ridge may be formed integrally at opposing ends with respective ones of the side walls such that the inner free edges of the ridges are joined to the side walls of the heel portion.
A bottom side of the sole portion may comprise a plurality of laterally extending grooves formed therein between opposing sides of the sole portion such that the sole portion is more flexible near the toe end than the heel end.
The wall portion of the toe portion may also comprise an inner surface extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions formed on the inner surface arranged to grip the toe of the article of footwear in which each protrusion on the toe portion comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the heel portion and the ridges are vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion.
Each ridge on the inner surface of the toe portion may comprise a plurality of slots formed therein to extend from an inner free edge of the respective ridge partway towards the inner surface upon which the ridge is supported.
According to a second aspect of the present invention a footwear cover for covering an article of footwear, the cover comprising:
a sole portion spanning between a toe end and a heel end and arranged for receiving the article of footwear thereon;
the sole portion being flexible so as to be arranged to allow walking when the article of footwear is supported thereon;
a toe portion formed at the toe end of the sole portion;
the toe portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the toe end of the sole portion and an upper portion spaced upwardly from the sole portion and extending from the perimeter wall portion inwardly towards the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to receive a toe of the article of footwear between the upper portion and the sole portion when the article of footwear is supported on the sole portion;
a heel portion formed at the heel of the sole portion;
the heel portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to engage a heel of the article of footwear when the article of footwear is supported in the sole portion;
the wall portion of the heel portion comprising an inner surface extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions formed on the inner surface arranged to grip the heel of the article of footwear; and
each protrusion comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the toe portion, the ridges being vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a footwear cover for covering an article of footwear, the cover comprising:
a sole portion spanning between a toe end and a heel end and arranged for receiving the article of footwear thereon;
the sole portion being flexible so as to be arranged to allow walking when the article of footwear is supported thereon;
a toe portion formed at the toe end of the sole portion;
the toe portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the toe end of the sole portion and an upper portion spaced upwardly from the sole portion and extending from the perimeter wall portion inwardly towards the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to receive a full height of a toe of the article of footwear between the upper portion and the sole portion when the article of footwear is supported on the sole portion;
the upper portion of the toe portion is more flexible and more resilient than the perimeter wall portion of the toe portion;
a heel portion formed at the heel of the sole portion;
the heel portion being stiffer than the sole portion;
the heel portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to engage a heel of the article of footwear when the article of footwear is supported in the sole portion;
the wall portion of the heel portion comprising an inner surface extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions formed on the inner surface arranged to grip the heel of the article of footwear;
each protrusion comprising a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the toe portion, the ridges being vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion. each ridge extending inwardly from the inner surface of the wall portion to an inner free edge arranged to engage the heel of the article of footwear;
the ridges projecting from the inner surface by an equal distance relative to one another such that the inner free edges of the ridges terminate at a common vertically oriented surface curved about the heel portion;
the wall portion of the heel portion further comprising a rear wall extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposing sides of the sole portion integrally with the rear wall, each ridge being formed integrally at opposing ends with respective ones of the side walls such that the inner free edges of the ridges are joined to the side walls of the heel portion; and
a release member integrally formed with the heel portion which projects rearwardly from the heel portion away from the toe portion at a location which is spaced upwardly from the sole portion adjacent a top end of the heel portion, the release member being substantially rigid;
the release member is formed of the same material as the sole portion, the release member being thicker than the sole portion so as to be rigid;
the heel portion and the release portion being formed integrally of like material with the sole portion and the toe portion;
the heel portion and the release portion being thicker than the sole portion and the toe portion such that the heel portion and the release portion are more rigid than the sole portion and the toe portion.
Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the footwear cover.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the footwear cover according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the footwear cover according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevational view along the line 4-4 of the FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the footwear cover according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the footwear cover according to FIG. 1 from an opposing side.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are perspective views from opposing sides of the bottom of the footwear cover according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are perspective views of the heel portion shown separated from the sole portion of the footwear according to FIG. 1 as shown from above from two opposing sides.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are perspective views of the bottom of the heel portion according to FIG. 9 from opposing sides.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the heel portion according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the heel portion according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the heel portion according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the footwear cover.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the footwear cover according to FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a sectional side elevational view of the footwear cover according to FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the footwear cover from a toe end of the cover.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the footwear cover according to FIG. 19 from a heel end of the cover.

FIG. 21 is a partly section perspective view of the inner surface of the toe portion of the cover according to FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the cover according to FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the cover according to FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the cover according to FIG. 19.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view along the line 25-25 of FIG. 24.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a footwear cover generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Although various embodiments are described in the following, the common features of each will first be described herein.
The cover 10 is particularly suited for use with an article of footwear 12 typically comprising a sole 14 having a heel 16 at one end and a toe 18 at the opposing end. A suitable upper 20 of the footwear typically includes a toe, for example a steel toe cup in a work boot, and sides which surround a foot of a wearer. An opening is provided in the upper 20 for receiving the foot of the person therethrough. When referring to an article of footwear 12 as described herein, the footwear is generally understood to comprise any form of footwear which includes for example shoes, work boots of various configurations as well as athletic shoes or dress shoes of various configurations, etc.
The cover 10 includes a sole portion 22 which receives the sole 14 of the article of footwear supported thereon in use. The sole portion 22 spans from a toe end 24 to a heel end 26 for supporting the toe and heel of the article of footwear respectively thereon. The sole portion 22 is sufficiently flexible to allow walking motion of an article of footwear supported thereon. The sole portion 22 is also sufficiently stiff that it retains the desired shape of the cover when the article of footwear is removed from the cover. Typically the sole portion 22 comprises a dense rubber like material.
Protrusions 28 are provided on the bottom side of the sole portion 22 to provide a gripping texture.
The cover 10 also includes a toe portion 30 at the toe end of the sole portion which retains the toe of the article of footwear on the sole portion. The toe portion generally comprises a perimeter wall portion 32 and an upper portion 34. The perimeter wall portion 32 extends upwardly about a perimeter of the toe end of the sole portion so as to be substantially upright in orientation relative to the sole portion. The wall portion 32 is curved about a vertical axis centered at the toe end of the sole portion so as to be curved about the toe of an article of footwear received therein.
The upper portion 34 extends from a top end of the perimeter wall portion 32 inwardly towards the heel end 26 of the sole portion at a location spaced above the sole portion. The upper portion 34 is thus suited for receiving the toe of the article of footwear between the upper portion 34 and the sole portion therebelow. The upper portion 34 is thinner than the wall portion 32 so as to be more flexible and resilient than the wall portion. Accordingly the upper portion 34 is readily arranged to conform about a shape and height of the toe of the article of footwear received therein. Protrusions 34 forming a gripping texture are provided on an underside or inner surface of the upper portion 34 of the toe portion 30 for better engaging and gripping the toe of the article of footwear received therein.
The cover 10 also includes a heel portion 38 comprising a rigid member supported at the heel end 26 of the sole portion. The heel portion 38 is arranged to be more rigid and stiffer than both the toe portion and the sole portion to prevent the heel portion from collapsing when an article of footwear is stepped into the footwear cover.
The heel portion 38 includes an inner surface 40 which extends substantially vertically upward from the heel end of the sole about a perimeter of the sole at the heel end thereof for engaging about the heel of the article of footwear to grip and retain the article of footwear within the footwear cover. The upright inner surface 40 of the heel portion is a vertically oriented surface which is curved about a vertical axis centered at the heel end of the sole portion for surrounding and being curved about the heel of an article of footwear received in the heel end of the cover.
The inner surface 40 includes protrusions 42 formed thereon for gripping the heel of the article of footwear received in the footwear cover. Each protrusion 42 comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge extending across the inner surface 40 and following the curve thereof about the vertical axis at the heel end of the sole portion. The protrusions 42 are vertically spaced relative to one another so as to be located at various heights from the sole portion for alignment and engagement over the top edge of a heel of various heights of soles received within the cover.
All of the protrusions 42 project outwardly from the substantially vertical inner surface 40 an equal distance for evenly gripping the various heights of the articles of footwear received within the cover. The protrusions 42 or ridges extend generally horizontally inward from the vertical inner surface of the wall portion towards the toe portion to respective inner free edges in which the inner free edges of the ridges terminate at a common vertically oriented surface curved about the heel portion so as to be arranged to engage the heel of the article of footwear
The heel portion 38 further includes an insertion surface 44 which extends upwardly and outwardly away from the toe end of the sole portion from the inner surface 40 above the protrusions 42 thereon. The insertion surface 44 thus guides insertion of a heel into the heel portion when a toe of the article of footwear is already received in the toe portion of the cover.
The heel portion 38 further includes a release member 46 which is formed integrally with the inner surface 40 and the protrusions thereon. The release member 46 projects rearwardly and outwardly from the heel portion 38 beyond the heel end of the sole portion at a height of the insertion surface 44, above the protrusions 42. The release member 46 includes a top surface 48 which extends substantially horizontally outward from the heel portion 38. The release member 46 also includes a bottom surface 50 which is sloped rearwardly and upwardly away from the sole portion from the heel end thereof to the outer free end of the top surface 48 of the release member 46 to form a gusset of material between the rear end of the release member and the rear surface of the wall portion of the heel portion for strengthening the release member. The increased thickness of the release member ensures that the release member is rigid to assist in removal of the cover from an article of footwear.
The sole portion also includes side walls 52 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the cover between the toe portion 30 and the heel portion 38 along both sides of the sole portion. Each side wall 52 is sloped at an upward and laterally outward angle away from one another as they extend upwardly from the sole portion for easing of insertion of an article of footwear received therebetween. The side walls 52 are thinner than the sole portion so as to be arranged to be more flexible than the sole portion and thus accommodate various widths of articles of footwear received therebetween.
According to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 14, the heel portion is formed of a different material than the sole portion and toe portion 30 so as to be substantially rigid. The release member 46, the inner surface 40, and the protrusions 42 of the heel portion are all integrally formed together of the same material having a rigidity which is greater than the material of the sole portion or the toe portion of the cover. The heel portion 38 may be attached to the sole portion using a suitable adhesive or by integrally molding the sole portion about the heel portion for example. When formed of dissimilar materials, the heel end of the sole portion extends upwardly along an outer side of the heel portion 38 up to a bottom of the release member 46.
In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the heel portion 38, the release member 46, the sole portion, the toe portion along with the remaining components are formed of a common material so that they are all integrally molded together. The rigidity or flexibility of the various components relative to one another in the footwear cover may also be varied by varying the thickness or other properties of the material relative to one another. Typically the wall portion of the heel portion, the release member and the insertion surface are all formed so as to have a greater thickness than the sole portion or the toe portion so as to be substantially rigid while the sole portion and the toe portion remain flexible despite being formed of similar material.
As shown in FIG. 16, the wall portion of the heel portion comprises a rear wall 70 extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion and a pair of side walls 72 extending upwardly from opposing sides of the sole portion integrally with the rear wall and to a height which is greater than the side walls 52 spanning between the heel and toe ends of the cover. Each ridge in this instance is formed integrally at opposing ends with respective ones of the side walls such that the inner free edges 74 of the ridges are joined to the side walls of the heel portion.
As shown in FIG. 18, the wall portion of the toe portion may also comprise an inner surface 40 extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions 42 formed on the inner surface which are arranged to grip the toe of the article of footwear. Each protrusion on the toe portion also comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the heel portion substantially identically to the ridges of the heel portion so that the ridges are vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion, extend at a downward and inward incline, terminate at respective inner free edges in a common vertical plane, and are joined to respective side walls of the toe portion at the inner free edges thereof.
As shown in FIG. 17 the tread pattern in the bottom side of the sole portion includes gaps which define a pair of laterally extending grooves 76 formed to extend between opposing sides of the sole portion. In this manner, the sole portion is more flexible at an intermediate portion of the sole in alignment with the ball of the foot of the user, nearer to the toe end than at the heel end.
In further embodiments as compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 16 through 18, the toe portion can be enlarged, the side walls may be greater in height, the heel portion can be made stiffer, the ridges can be made deeper, and more ridges could be added. The horizontal ridges in the heel and toe portions preferably remain formed to be made of a ductile elastomeric material.
In further embodiments, various inserts maybe provided within the mold about which the material is molded for varying the rigidity or flexibility of various parts of the cover so as to provide the functions noted above.
Typically the cover will be made available as a pair comprising a right cover and a left cover which are mirror images of one another and which conform to respective right side and left side articles of footwear. The top profile of the right and left covers will have an accentuated contoured shape to show and differentiate the right from the left cover. The right and left covers will typically have a large recessed and engraved symbol “R” or “L” on the inner surface of the inner sole to differentiate the covers. The symbols or the covers may be provided with different colours integrally molded or applied with stickers to further assist users in differentiating the covers.
Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 19 through 25, a version of the footwear cover 10 is shown for being supported on a left-sided one of a pair of shoes or boots, in which the toe portion of the sole is enlarged towards an in-step to accommodate a common shape of footwear. A corresponding second footwear cover which is symmetrical to the illustrated left-sided version is typically provided together therewith as a pair. A symbol indicating the left cover is shown on the inner surface of the inner sole to assist in differentiating the cover.
In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the cover 10 is substantially identical to the previous embodiment with regard to the construction of the upright wall portion at both heel and toe ends which support horizontally extending ridges defining protrusions 42 thereon. The protrusions 42 in the toe portion of FIGS. 19 through 25 differ from the embodiment of FIGS. 16 through 18 in that a plurality of slots 90 are provided in the ridges formed at the inner free edge thereof at spaced positions therealong such that each slot extends partway inward from the inner free edge towards the inner surface supporting the ridges thereon. Within each ridge, a plurality of the slots 90 are evenly spaced apart in the lateral direction between opposing inner and outer sides of the cover.
The slots formed in the ridges at the toe portion ensure that the ridges at the toe portion are more resilient and more easily deformed than the corresponding ridges or protrusions at the heel portion of the cover. In this manner a user can insert the toe of their article of footwear into the toe portion of the cover first to compress the ridges in the toe portion against the inner surface of the upright wall of the toe portion as much as possible prior to insertion of the heel into the heel portion of the cover.
The more resilient nature of the ridges in the toe portion permit the cover 10 to provide a snug fit through a range of sizes of footwear received therein so that each cover 10 can accommodate a couple of sequential sizes of footwear or some half sizes in-between.
The embodiment of FIG. 19 also differs from the previous embodiment in that the sole portion includes an arch 92 formed therein. Each arch 92 comprises a raised channel spanning laterally across the bottom of the sole portion between the opposing inner and outer sides. The inner surface of the sole portion includes a corresponding ridge which locates the recessed channel therebelow such that the ridge similarly spans laterally across the sole portion. The location of the arch 92 is positioned closer to the heel end of the cover but at a location forward towards to toe portion relative to the heel receiving area at the heel end such that the heel of a typical work shoe or work boot can be received between the arch 92 and the upright end wall of the heel portion for aligning the arch 92 of the cover with the typical arch found in many forms of footwear.
The cover 10 according to FIG. 19 further comprises an aperture 94 formed in the release member which extends substantially vertically through the release member between the top and bottom sides thereof for receiving a hook or other suitable retainer member therethrough for hanging the footwear cover as may be desired. In some embodiments a suitable retainer clip can be fastened to the aperture 94 which permits the footwear to be clipped onto a belt of a user for quick release when it is desired to use the cover.
According to either embodiment, when entering an indoor residence while wearing outdoor work boots for example a user can readily attach and remove the footwear cover relative to the articles of footwear without the use of hands by inserting the toe of the article of footwear into the toe portion such that the upper portion 34 thereof resiliently forms about the toe of the article of footwear, followed by the heel of the article of footwear being stepped into the heel portion 38 which is substantially rigid and has a substantially vertical inner surface so as to prevent the collapse thereof relative to the article of footwear stepping into the cover. The vertically spaced protrusions on the inner surface of the heel portion evenly grip articles of footwear having heels of varying heights to retain the article of footwear within the cover once the heel of the article of footwear is fully stepped into the heel portion of the cover. The side walls 52 and the toe portion are sufficiently flexible to accommodate various sizes and shapes or configurations of boots received in the cover.
To subsequently remove the covers from the footwear, the user steps on the top surface of the release member which pulls the integrally formed inner surface of the heel portion 38 away from the heel of the article of footwear received in the cover so that the heel can first be lifted out of the cover followed by the toe of the article of footwear being removed from the toe portion.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sole and sides of the boot cover will be made of a firm rubber with varying thicknesses designed for ease of use, safety, and flexibility. The type and thickness of the rubber may change as well as other materials may be added to the sole of the boot cover as the product is refined and further enhanced.
The sides of the boot cover are comprised of the same material as the sole although the type and thickness of the rubber may change as well as other materials may be added as the product is refined and further enhanced. The sides of the boot cover are angled slightly outward to allow for easy entrance of the booted foot. By angling the sides slightly outward the chance of the foot pushing down the sides when the foot enters the cover is reduced. This feature lends to the goal of using the boot cover hands free. The height and degree of the outward angle of the sides may change.
The toe of the cover is comprised of the same material as the sole although the type and thickness of the rubber may change as well as other materials may be added as the product is refined and further enhanced. The toe is designed with the opening on an upward angle. The size and angle of this opening may change.
The sole, sides, and toe of the boot cover will typically be a light color such as taupe, white, or off-white that deters from scuffing floors of a home or building and is visible to persons upon which the cover is being worn.
In some embodiments, the series of ridges are on a downward angle that sits in the heel of the boot cover. These ridges will grab the lip on the back of the boot or shoe entering the cover. Once the entering boot/shoe is pressed all the way down to the heel of the cover it will not be able to lift as the ridge closest to the lip of the shoe and will prevent it from lifting out of the cover.
The release can be attached or be part of the heel portion which defines a locking mechanism to retain footwear in the cover. The release when depressed or pushed down by the hand or other foot will push the heel of the boot cover (containing the locking mechanism) away from the booted foot in the cover and allow the booted foot to lift out of the cover.
Other uses of the cover according to the present invention include: gardeners or others not wanting to remove their footwear when entering a building; curlers; and using boot/shoe cover to protect clean footwear from dirty environments.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A footwear cover for covering an article of footwear, the cover comprising:

a sole portion spanning between a toe end and a heel end and arranged for receiving the article of footwear thereon;

the sole portion being flexible so as to be arranged to allow walking when the article of footwear is supported thereon;

a toe portion formed at the toe end of the sole portion;

the toe portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the toe end of the sole portion and an upper portion spaced upwardly from the sole portion and extending from the perimeter wall portion inwardly towards the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to receive a full height of a toe of the article of footwear between the upper portion and the sole portion when the article of footwear is supported on the sole portion; and

a heel portion formed at the heel of the sole portion;

the heel portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to engage a heel of the article of footwear when the article of footwear is supported in the sole portion;

the wall portion of the heel portion comprising an inner surface extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions formed on the inner surface arranged to grip the heel of the article of footwear; and

the heel portion being stiffer than the toe portion.

2. The cover according to claim 1 wherein each protrusion comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the toe portion, the ridges being vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion.

3. The cover according to claim 2 wherein each ridge extends inwardly from the inner surface of the wall portion to an inner free edge arranged to engage the heel of the article of footwear, the ridges projecting from the inner surface by an equal distance relative to one another such that the inner free edges of the ridges terminate at a common vertically oriented surface curved about the heel portion.

4. The cover according to claim 2 wherein the wall portion of the heel portion comprises a rear wall extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposing sides of the sole portion integrally with the rear wall, each ridge being formed integrally at opposing ends with respective ones of the side walls such that the inner free edges of the ridges are joined to the side walls of the heel portion.

5. The cover according to claim 1 wherein a bottom side of the sole portion comprises a plurality of laterally extending grooves formed therein between opposing sides of the sole portion such that the sole portion is more flexible near the toe end than the heel end.

6. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the toe portion is more flexible and more resilient than the perimeter wall portion of the toe portion.

7. The cover according to claim 1 wherein there are provided side walls extending from opposing sides of the sole portion between the toe portion and the heel portion, the side walls extending upwardly from the sole portion at an outward angle away from one another wherein the sole portion is stiffer and more rigid than the side walls.

8. The cover according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a release member integrally formed with the heel portion which projects rearwardly from the heel portion away from the toe portion at a location which is spaced upwardly from the sole portion adjacent a top end of the heel portion, the release member being thicker than the sole portion so as to be rigid.

9. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the wall portion of the toe portion comprises an inner surface extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions formed on the inner surface arranged to grip the toe of the article of footwear, each protrusion on the toe portion comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the heel portion, the ridges being vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion.

10. The cover according to claim 9 wherein each ridge on the inner surface of the toe portion comprises a plurality of slots formed therein to extend from an inner free edge of the respective ridge partway towards the inner surface.

11. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the heel portion is formed integrally of like material with the sole portion and the toe portion, the heel portion being thicker than the sole portion and the toe portion such that the heel portion is more rigid than the sole portion and the toe portion.

12. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the heel portion includes an insertion surface extending upwardly and outwardly from a top end of the inner surface of the heel portion opposite the toe portion so as to be arranged for guiding insertion of the heel into the heel portion of the cover.

13. A footwear cover for covering an article of footwear, the cover comprising:

a toe portion formed at the toe end of the sole portion;

the toe portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the toe end of the sole portion and an upper portion spaced upwardly from the sole portion and extending from the perimeter wall portion inwardly towards the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to receive a toe of the article of footwear between the upper portion and the sole portion when the article of footwear is supported on the sole portion;

a heel portion formed at the heel of the sole portion;

each protrusion comprises a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the toe portion, the ridges being vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion.

14. The cover according to claim 13 wherein each ridge extends inwardly from the inner surface of the wall portion to an inner free edge arranged to engage the heel of the article of footwear, the ridges projecting from the inner surface by an equal distance relative to one another such that the inner free edges of the ridges terminate at a common vertically oriented surface curved about the heel portion.

15. The cover according to claim 13 wherein there is provided a release member integrally formed with the heel portion which projects rearwardly from the heel portion away from the toe portion at a location which is spaced upwardly from the sole portion adjacent a top end of the heel portion, the release member being substantially rigid.

16. The cover according to claim 15 wherein the release member is formed of the same material as the sole portion, the release member being thicker than the sole portion so as to be rigid.

17. The cover according to claim 13 wherein the wall portion of the heel portion comprises a rear wall extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposing sides of the sole portion integrally with the rear wall, each ridge being formed integrally at opposing ends with respective ones of the side walls such that the inner free edges of the ridges are joined to the side walls of the heel portion.

18. The cover according to claim 13 wherein the heel portion is formed integrally of like material with the sole portion and the toe portion, the heel portion being thicker than the sole portion and the toe portion such that the heel portion is more rigid than the sole portion and the toe portion.

19. The cover according to claim 13 wherein the heel portion includes an insertion surface extending upwardly and outwardly from a top end of the inner surface of the heel portion opposite the toe portion so as to be arranged for guiding insertion of the heel into the heel portion of the cover.

20. A footwear cover for covering an article of footwear, the cover comprising:

a toe portion formed at the toe end of the sole portion;

the toe portion comprising a perimeter wall portion extending upwardly from the toe end of the sole portion and an upper portion spaced upwardly from the sole portion and extending from the perimeter wall portion inwardly towards the heel end of the sole portion so as to be arranged to receive a full height of a toe of the article of footwear between the upper portion and the sole portion when the article of footwear is supported on the sole portion;

the upper portion of the toe portion is more flexible and more resilient than the perimeter wall portion of the toe portion;

a heel portion formed at the heel of the sole portion;

the heel portion being stiffer than the sole portion;

the wall portion of the heel portion comprising an inner surface extending substantially vertically upward from the sole portion and protrusions formed on the inner surface arranged to grip the heel of the article of footwear;

each protrusion comprising a substantially horizontally extending ridge projecting inwardly from the inner surface towards the toe portion, the ridges being vertically spaced apart from one another at differing distances from the sole portion.

each ridge extending inwardly from the inner surface of the wall portion to an inner free edge arranged to engage the heel of the article of footwear;

the ridges projecting from the inner surface by an equal distance relative to one another such that the inner free edges of the ridges terminate at a common vertically oriented surface curved about the heel portion;

the wall portion of the heel portion further comprising a rear wall extending upwardly from the heel end of the sole portion and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposing sides of the sole portion integrally with the rear wall, each ridge being formed integrally at opposing ends with respective ones of the side walls such that the inner free edges of the ridges are joined to the side walls of the heel portion; and

a release member integrally formed with the heel portion which projects rearwardly from the heel portion away from the toe portion at a location which is spaced upwardly from the sole portion adjacent a top end of the heel portion, the release member being substantially rigid;

the release member is formed of the same material as the sole portion, the release member being thicker than the sole portion so as to be rigid;

the heel portion and the release portion being formed integrally of like material with the sole portion and the toe portion;

the heel portion and the release portion being thicker than the sole portion and the toe portion such that the heel portion and the release portion are more rigid than the sole portion and the toe portion.