GB2525927A

GB2525927A - Overshoe

Info

Publication number: GB2525927A
Application number: GB1408242.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samar Shams
Original assignee: BRIGHT MOON CREATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: BRIGHT MOON CREATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-09
Filing date: 2014-05-09
Publication date: 2015-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-09
Also published as: GB201408242D0; GB2525927B

Abstract

An overshoe (1) with a flexible protective cover and a sole (2) formed of a front part (2a) and a rear part (2b) made of rigid or resilient material. The two parts of the sole either abut each other or are spaced apart by a gap (4) of no more than 2cm and are hingeably connected allowing them to be folded towards each other for storage purposes. The overshoe can further include an insole with sections that are joined by a living hinge or connecting material. A heel-contacting member may be added in order to prevent unwanted sideways movement of a heel of a shoe. Elastic straps (13a) can act as tensioning means to hold the overshoe in place and an elastic strip (9) around opening (5) can grip a users leg. The overshoe is particularly adapted to protect high heel shoes that are being worn while the wearer is cycling.

Description

Overshoe The present invention relates to an overshoe.

A number of factors have led to an increase in people commuting to work using a bicycle. However, particularly when weather conditions are adverse and a road surface holds dirty water or snow the shoes of a person cycling can become sullied.

To address this many cyclists carry a spare pair of shoes, but this is not always practical or desirable. An alternative to carrying spare shoes is to wear protective overshoes whilst cycling. A number of different overshoes exist, but they can be difficult to cycle in. Overshoes are particularly difficult to use with high heels. Furthermore, any overshoes that are capable of containing a pair of high-heeled shoes afford such shoes no protection against damage to the heel of the shoe.

The present invention seeks to address this issue.

According to the present invention there is provided an overshoe having front and rear ends, sides and a main opening into which a shoe is to be inserted, the overshoe comprising: a flexible protective cover for the shoe; a sole that substantially extends between the front and rear ends formed of a rigid or resilient material; wherein the sole is formed of a front part and a rear part that abut each other or are spaced from each other by a gap of no more than 2cm, the gap extending between the sides of the overshoe; the front and rear parts of the sole are hingeably connected such that they may be folded towards each other for storage of the overshoe when the overshoe is not in use.

The provision of an overshoe with a sole having a front part and a rear part that abut each other or are spaced from each other by no more than 2cm allows for a user in high heels to pedal a bicycle as a platform spanning substantially the full length of the shoe is provided In some embodiments the front and rear parts of the sole are spaced from each other by a gap of no more than 1cm.

In some embodiments the front and rear pads of the sole are spaced from each other by a gap of no more than 5mm.

In some embodiments the front and rear parts of the sole are spaced from each other by a gap of around 2mm.

The smaller the gap the more of the underside of the shoe is protected by the sole.

In some embodiments the front and rear parts of the sole abut each other.

In some embodiments the front and rear parts of the sole are connected to each other by a living hinge.

In some embodiments the front and rear part is the sole are hingeably connected in the middle third of the overshoe between the front and the ends.

In some embodiments the front sole pad is no more than 20% longer than the rear sole pad.

In some embodiments the front sole pad is no more than 10% longer than the rear sole pad.

In some embodiments the front sole pad is substantially the same length as the rear sole part.

In some embodiments the rear sole pad is no more than 10% longer than the front sole pad.

In some embodiments the rear sole pad is no more than 20% longer than the front sole part.

In some embodiments the overshoe comprises an insole having front and rear pads that are hingeably connected to each other at a point adjacent where the front and rear pads of the sole are hingeably connected.

In some embodiments the front and rear parts of the insole are hingeably connected by the provision of a living hinge.

In some embodiments the front and rear pads of the insole are hingeably connected by the provision of a gap and a connecting material.

In some embodiments the insole is formed of a substantially rigid material.

The provision of an insole strengthens the platform by which a user may pedal a bicycle. Provision of a substantially rigid insole is most advantageous.

In some embodiments the overshoe comprises at least one rigid or resilient heel-contacting member adapted to abut the heel of a shoe.

In some embodiments a heel-contacting member is formed by the rear part of the sole comprising a raised portion adapted to abut the heel of the shoe.

In some embodiments a heel-contacting member is formed separately to the sole and is attached to the protective cover at the rear of the overshoe.

In some embodiments at least one heel-contacting member at least padially extends along the sides of the overshoe thereby limiting sideways movement of a heel of a shoe when the overshoe is in use.

In some embodiments the overshoe comprises at least one tensioning means adapted to tension the shoe against a heel-contacting member when the overshoe is in use.

In some embodiments the overshoe comprises the tensioning means comprises at least one strap securable over the shoe.

In some embodiments the tensioning means comprises a plurality of straps securable over the shoe.

In some embodiments the overshoe comprises an elastic strip around at least pad of the periphery of the main opening adapted to grip the leg of a user when the overshoe is in use.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a side view of an overshoe made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the overshoe of Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a view of the sole of the overshoe of Figure 1 Figure 4 shows a plan view of the overshoe of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-section through side of the overshoe of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-section through side of the overshoe of Figure 1 with a shoe inserted therein and pushing a bicycle pedal; Figure 7 shows a pair of overshoes made in accordance with the present invention and folded for storage purposes.

Referring to the drawings an overshoe 1 comprises a sole 2 and a flexible protective covering 3 defining a chamber for housing a shoe (not shown). The overshoe chamber may have a shoe inserted into it through opening 5.

Overshoe 1 comprises a fold 6 in protective covering 3 so as to allow opening to widen and narrow as necessary for a shoe to be inserted and removed from opening 5.

In the present embodiment protective covering 3 is formed of polyurethane coated polyester, but it will be apparent that any suitable flexible material might be employed.

Sole 2 is formed in two parts, front part 2a and rear part 2b that are glued on to a fabric sole backing 7 and the stitching that connects fabric sole backing 7 to protective covering 3.

Front and rear parts 2a, 2b are separated from each other by a gap 4 of approximately 2mm such that front and rear parts 2a, 2b are hingeably connected to each other by means of a connecting material on the form of fabric sole backing 7.

Rear part 2b of sole 2 comprises a raised portion 8 that extends out of the plane of rear part 2b of sole 2 towards opening 5 of overshoe 1 (when opening 5 is located in an in use' position).

Raised portion 8 of rear part 2b of sole 2 is adapted to contact the heel of a shoe when overshoe 1 is in use, thereby acting as a heel-stop and preventing the heel of the shoe from sliding off of rear part 2b of sole 2.

Raised portion 8 of rear part 2b of sole 2 is curved in shape such that it partially extends down the sides of rear part 2b of sole 2. By partially extending down the sides of rear part 2b of sole 2 raised portion 8 limits any sideways movement of a heel of a shoe thereby preventing any heel from sliding off of the side of rear part 2b of sole 2.

In the present embodiment sole 2 is formed of moulded rubber, but it will be apparent that any suitable rigid or resilient material might be employed.

Sole 2 extends between the front end 16 and rear end 17 of overshoe 1. Gap 4 is located within the middle third of the length between front end 16 and rear end 17.

In variations on the present embodiment for different shoe sizes small, medium and large versions of overshoe 1 are provided.

Front sole part 2a in all three sizes is around 14 cm in length whereas the length of the rear sole part 2b differs. For the small size, rear sole part 2b is around 12.2cm in length. For the medium size, rear sole part 2b is around 13.5cm in length. For the large size, rear sole part 2b is around 15.1cm in length.

Depending upon the shoe with which overshoe 1 is to be used protective covering 3 may extend any desired distance up the leg of a user, but in the present embodiment protective covering 3 is shown as being of a length such that it would terminate approximately above the ankle of a user.

Around part of the periphery of opening 5 is elastic strip 9 adapted to grip the leg of a user when overshoe 1 is in use, and thereby hinder or prevent protective covering 3 from slipping down the leg of the user.

Turning to figures 5 and 6, which show schematic cross-sections through overshoe 1, it can be seen that adjacent to raised portion 8 of rear part 2b of sole 2 is located an secondary heel-stop 10 that extends towards opening 5 and is attached to protective covering 3.

Secondary heel-stop 10 is formed of cellulose board and curved in shape so as to fit around the heel of a shoe and thereby limit any sideways movement of the heel of a shoe as well as preventing a heel from sliding off of the back of rear part 2b of sole 2.

Although in the present embodiment secondary heel-stop 10 is formed of cellulose board it will be apparent that any suitable rigid or resilient material might be employed.

Overshoe 1 further comprises insole 11 that is formed of a substantially rigid material, in the present embodiment a board of approximately 2mm in thickness and cut to the same shape as sole 2.

Insole 11 comprises a front part and a rear part that are hingeably connected to each other by means of a living hinge 12 formed in insole 11 adjacent gap 4.

Overshoe 1 further comprises elastic straps 1 3a, 1 3b, 1 3c that are adapted to hold overshoe 1 in place on a user's foot and to tension the heel of a shoe against raised portion B and heel-stop 10 such that the heel of the shoe is held firmly against raised portion B and/or heel-stop 10 depending upon the profile of the heel of the shoe.

Turning to overshoe 1 in use and Figure 6 and 7, it can be seen that the present invention is of particular benefit when the shoe with which it is used is a high heeled shoe 14, as sole 2 of the overshoe provides a platform that substantially protects the whole of the underside of shoe 14 and with which a user may apply pressure to a pedal 15 of a bicycle (not shown).

Turning to Figure 7, it can be seen that overshoes made in accordance with the present invention may also readily be stored by folding front part 2a of sole 2 towards the rear part 2b of sole 2 such that parts 2a and 2b lie stacked adjacent each other.

The provision of a hingeable insole 11 allows for overshoe 1 to be folded as described, but as insole 11 is formed of a substantially rigid material it also assists a user in pedalling a bicycle by strengthening rubber sole 2.

The above embodiment is by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. An overshoe having front and rear ends, sides and a main opening into which a shoe is to be inserted, the overshoe comprising: a flexible protective cover for the shoe; a sole that substantially extends between the front and rear ends formed of a rigid or resilient material; wherein the sole is formed of a front part and a rear part that abut each other or are spaced from each other by a gap of no more than 2cm, the gap extending between the sides of the overshoe; the front and rear parts of the sole are hingeably connected such that they may be folded towards each other for storage of the overshoe when the overshoe is not in use.
2. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein the front and rear parts of the sole are spaced from each other by a gap of no more than 1cm.
3. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein the front and rear parts of the sole are spaced from each other by a gap of no more than 5mm.
4. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein the front and rear parts of the sole are spaced from each other by a gap of around 2mm.
5. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein the front and rear parts of the sole abut each other.
6. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein the front and rear pads of the sole are connected to each other by a living hinge.
7. The overshoe of any preceding claim wherein the front and rear part is the sole are hingeably connected in the middle third of the overshoe between the front and the ends.
8. The overshoe of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the front sole part is no more than 20% longer than the rear sole part or is no more than 10% longer than the rear sole part.
9. The overshoe of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the front sole part is substantially the same length as the rear sole part.
10. The overshoe of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the rear sole part is no more than 10% longer than the front sole part or is no more than 20% longer than the front sole part.
11. The overshoe of any preceding claim wherein the overshoe comprises an insole having front and rear parts that are hingeably connected to each other at a point adjacent where the front and rear parts of the sole are hingeably connected.
12. The overshoe of claim 11 wherein the front and rear parts of the insole are hingeably connected by the provision of a living hinge.
13. The overshoe of claim 11 wherein the front and rear parts of the insole are hingeably connected by the provision of a gap and a connecting material.
14. The overshoe of any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the insole is formed of a substantially rigid material.
15. The overshoe of any preceding claim wherein the overshoe comprises at least one rigid or resilient heel-contacting member adapted to abut the heel of a shoe.
16. The overshoe of claim 15 wherein a heel-contacting member is formed by the rear part of the sole comprising a raised portion adapted to abut the heel of the shoe.
17. The overshoe of claim 15 wherein a heel-contacting member is formed separately to the sole and is attached to the protective cover at the rear of the overshoe.
18. The overshoe of any of claims 15 to 17 wherein at least one heel-contacting member at least partially extends along the sides of the overshoe thereby limiting sideways movement of a heel of a shoe when the overshoe is in use.
19. The overshoe of any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the overshoe comprises at least one tensioning means adapted to tension the shoe against a heel-contacting member when the overshoe is in use.
20. The overshoe of claim 19 wherein the tensioning means comprises at least one strap securable over the shoe or a plurality of straps securable over the shoe.
21. The overshoe of any preceding claim comprising an elastic strip around at least part of the periphery of the main opening adapted to grip the leg of a user when the overshoe is in use.
22. An overshoe substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.