GB2379592A

GB2379592A - Shoe cover

Info

Publication number: GB2379592A
Application number: GB0122504A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guillaume Lyons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-18
Filing date: 2001-09-18
Publication date: 2003-03-19
Also published as: GB0122504D0

Abstract

An article of footwear 1 including a main element which comprises a sole 2 and an upper 3, a releasably detachable cover 10 comprising a body portion dimensioned to fit over the upper, and fastening means 16 provided on the main element and/or the cover which are adapted to hold the cover in place.

Description

SHOE COVER This invention relates to an article of footwear, for example a shoe, and to a readily detachable cover for use with it.

This invention is intended to provide an alternative to owning a variety of shoes for different purposes. In addition this invention provides a means to change the colour or style of a shoe to suit the wearer's mood or requirements.

According to the present invention an article of footwear includes a main element which comprises a sole and an upper, a releasably detachable cover comprising a body portion dimensioned to fit over the upper, and fastening means provided on the main element and/or the cover which are adapted to hold the cover in place.

Preferably, the cover comprises a front portion and two side portions extending to the rear therefrom. The front portion is adapted to be fitted to the forward facing surface of the upper of the article of footwear with which it is to be used. The two side portions extend along the sides of the article of footwear and are adapted to be fastened together at their outer ends, for example with a hook and loop (Velcro) type fastener, around the heel of the footwear, thereby securing the cover to the footwear.

The cover can also be provided with a continuous tongue on its inner surface, adjacent to the bottom rim, and the cooperating main element can be provided with a continuous groove around the sole, adjacent to its upper edge, which is adapted to receive the tongue on the cover.

The tongue and groove connection can be operated without the use of a tool, but is adapted to withstand the movements of an article of footwear during walking or running without coming apart. Therefore the cover can be readily attached and detached from the footwear, and held securely in position during use.

In a preferred embodiment the main element, for example a shoe, is provided with openings in its upper in the manner of a sandal.

Therefore the shoe can be worn without any cover when the user requires, for example during warm weather. Further the shoe can be of the known slip-on type with an elasticated section in its upper to aid fitting. With this arrangement there is no protruding attachment means on the upper, for example laces, which could foul the outer cover.

This invention also includes a detachable cover for an article of footwear which comprises a body portion dimensioned to fit of the upper of an article of footwear with which is it to be used and fastening means adapted to hold it in place.

The present invention can be performed various ways, but one embodiment will now be described with reference the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of an article of footwear in the form of a shoe according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a cover according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the shoe and shoe cover shown in Figure 1 and 2 fastened together; and, Figure 4 is a series of cross-sectional side views of a tongue and groove connection as featured on the shoe and shoe cover as shown in Figures 1-3 in various stages of operation.

In Figure 1 an article of footwear in the form of a shoe 1 according to the present invention comprises a sole 2 and an upper 3. The sole 2 is of a known type, but it is provided with a groove 4 which runs around its outer edge. The upper 3 is constructed from a known type of resilient plastics material, but it will be appreciated that it could

also be constructed from any known type of resilient fabric or other material. The upper 3 has openings 5 in its surface which provide ventilation to the shoe and allow greater freedom of movement. The upper also has an elasticated fabric section 6 across the top which can be stretched to allow the shoe to be donned by the wearer.

In Figure 2 a shoe cover 10 according to the present invention comprises a front section 11 and two side sections 12 and 13 (13 not shown) extending to the rear therefrom. The shoe cover 10 is dimensioned to fit over the upper 3 of the shoe 1 shown in Figure 1, and includes a tongue 14 provided on the inner surface 15 adjacent to the bottom rim, which is adapted to co-operate with the groove 4 provided on the sole 2 of the shoe 1 shown in Figure 1. Side section 12 is provided with the male section of a hook and loop Velcro type fastener 16 which is adapted to cooperate with a female section (not shown) on side section 13 when the two side sections 12 and 13 are wrapped around the heel of the shoe 1.

In Figure 3 the shoe 1 and shoe cover 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 have been fastened together. The front section 11 of the shoe cover 10 has been fitted over the upper 3 (not visible) of the shoe 1 and the side sections 12 (not visible) and 13 have been wrapped around the heel and fastened together by the male and female sections of the hook and loop Velcro type fastener 16. In addition the tongue 14 and groove 4 connection has been operated to secure the shoe cover 10 in place.

Figure 4 shows the steps required to operate the tongue 14 and groove 4. The tongue 14 is provided with a neck portion 20 and a head portion 21, and the groove 4 is provided with a corresponding abutments 22 and a head channel 23. As shown in Figure 4a the head portion 21 is constructed from a less resilient material than the sole 2, so that when the head portion 21 is pushed m the direction of arrow A onto the curved upper surfaces 24 of the abutments 22, the groove 4 opens. As shown in Figure 4b, when the head portion 21 has passed the abutments 22, the sole 2 returns to its natural form, and the flat lower surfaces 25 of the abutments 22 hold the head portion 21 inside the head channel

23. The shoe 1 is now ready for use. As shown in Figure 4c, the tongue 14 can be removed from the groove 4 when the lower lip 26 of the sole 2 is forced downwards by the appliance of finger pressure. The movement of the lower lip 26 forces the abutments 22 apart, allowing the head portion 21 to be removed from the groove 4.

It will be appreciated that the hook and loop Velcro type fastener and the tongue and groove connection described above, or any other suitable constructions, can be used with any known type of sole and with any known type of footwear upper, including sports shoes, formal shoes, casual shoes, sandals or boots.

A cover for an article of footwear is therefore provided which can be readily attached and removed from a co-operating shoe. In addition a shoe is provided with a readily detachable cover, which can be interchanged with other covers.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An article of footwear including a main element which comprises a sole and an upper, a releasably detachable cover comprising a body portion dimensioned to fit over the upper, and fastening means provided on the main element and/or the cover which are adapted to hold the cover in place.
2. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 1 in which the cover comprises a front portion and two side portions extending to the rear therefrom.
3. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 2 in which said front portion is adapted to be fitted to the forward facing surface of the upper.
4. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 3 in which said side portions are adapted to be fitted to the side surfaces of the upper.
5. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 4 in which the sole is provided with a groove extending around its side surface.
6. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 5 in which the cover is provided with a tongue extending around its inner surface, adapted to co-operate detachably with said groove.
7. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 6 in which the tongue and groove connection is adapted to remain in connection during the flexing of the sole during use.
8. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 7 in which the tongue and groove connection can be operated by hand.
9. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 8 in which the tongue is provided with a neck portion and a head portion.

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10. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 9 in which the groove is provided with a head channel adapted to co-operate with said head portion, and abutments adapted to co-operate with said neck portion, and in which said sole is constructed from a more resilient material than said head portion.
11. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 10 in which said abutments are provided with flat proximal surfaces adapted to hold the head portion within the head channel during flexing of the sole during use.
12. An article of footwear as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 11 in which the outer ends of said side portions are adapted to be fastened together around the rear facing surface of the upper.
13. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 12 in which the outer ends of said side portions are fastened together with a hook and loop (Velcro) type fastener.
14. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 13 in which the upper is provided with elastication means to aid fitting.
15. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 14 in which said elastication means are an elasticated fabric section provided on the upper-facing surface of the upper.
16. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 15 in which the upper is provided with openings in its surface in the manner of a sandal.
17. An article of footwear as claimed in Claim 16 in which the upper is constructed from a plastics material.

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18. A detachable cover for use with an article of footwear as set forth in any of the preceding claims 1-17 comprising a body portion dimensioned to fit to the upper of an article of footwear with which it is to be used, and fastening means to hold it in place.
19. A kit to form an article of footwear comprising a main element which comprises a sole and an upper, and a number of releasably detachable covers each including a body portion dimensioned to fit over the upper, and fastening means provided on the main element and/or the cover which are adapted to hold the cover in place.
20. An article of footwear substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
21. A detachable cover for use with an article of footwear substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.