US20100236104A1

US20100236104A1 - All purpose Footwear

Info

Publication number: US20100236104A1
Application number: US12/383,248
Authority: US
Inventors: Judith Gutman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-23
Filing date: 2009-03-23
Publication date: 2010-09-23

Abstract

An all season footwear apparatus encompassing a flexible body member comprising an upper body portion and a lower body portion, wherein the flexible lower body portion comprises a boot heel and a boot sole piece. The apparatus also comprises a flexible retainer mechanism disposed outwardly on said flexible body member and designed to coexist with the flexible body member so as to for a cuff and render the flexible retainer mechanism invisible to the naked eye.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new boot construction method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an invisible zipper boot construction providing an enhanced comfort fit enabling adaptation to a variety of different weather conditions with a rubber sole and slight heel for both casual and formal wear.
2. Description of the Related Art
The fashion industry has been producing different variations of boots for the last three decades, and has continually strived for the right balance of fashion and comfort. Individuals and companies have employed differing variations of fabric and style, but have yet to achieve construction of a lightweight transitional all season shoe or boot. Retail stores currently offer a spring/summer selection of footwear that is generally limited to leather or canvas shoes, along with athletic shoes and sandals. Further, these same retail stores offer a fall/winter selection that is limited to heavyweight athletic shoes and heavy suede or leather winter boots. There are no stylish lightweight alternative for early fall weather conditions.
Footwear developed for winter and cold weather conditions is generally knee-high and of a stiffer stature, thus not allotting flexibility or versatility, and subsequently far too heavy to wear in the spring and summer into early fall, especially with a dress or skirt. On the other hand, the calf-high boots designed for spring/summer lack the style to wear in more formal settings and are generally designed for casual wear. Further, the majority of footwear on the market that encroaches above the ankle and on to the legs of a user are routinely stationary and do not allow for changes in style. The few designers that offer this flexibility have exposed zippers and/or laces that many people find unflattering and/or undesirable.
It is also conventionally recognized that certain knee-high ladies boots are constructed from continuous elastomeric fabric along a standardized calf-region thereby allowing a user to grip a top member of a boot-top rim and pull upwardly away from a user's heal allowing the boot top to fit in place. Unfortunately, constructions involving elastomeric calf regions provide a number of detriments to ultimate user comfort, long wear, and adaptability to differing user physical shapes. Additionally, such constructions necessarily originate with a defined “common-shape” construction that also necessarily leaves out members of the populace who have particularly large, narrow, or distending calf-shapes. Further, because of the stiff and rigid nature of knee-high boots people shy away from purchasing them in fear of not being able to wear them on a variety of occasions.
Further, boots currently on the market that are designed to be comfortable and worn for casual occasions are limited to flat soles. The boots that do have heels are generally much more rigid because of the belief it provides more support. Further, the calf-high boots on the market that do contain heel have an exposed zipper and are generally made out of polyester. These designs and materials are neither fashionable nor comfortable and are not designed for less formal settings. In summary, investigation of these disclosed devices illustrates that presently, there is no singular footwear known in the art that meets the requirements stated herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. A primary object of the present invention is to provide footwear that is warmer than a sandal, lighter than a boot, more stylish than a sneaker, and more comfortable than a shoe.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a zipper boot that is an alternative to summer and winter weather footwear.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a zipper footwear construction that allows for the adaptive use wearing the footwear as either cuffed or un-cuffed while providing a pleasing outer appearance.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a zipper boot construction that preserves an attractive boot-appearance when in a cuffed position as comfort or style demands.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a boot that is lightweight with a durable outer area for cooler weather conditions, but still fashionable.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a small heel on a boot that can be worn in both formal and casual settings, yet be comfortable.
Another objective is to provide a sleek and versatile alternative to uncomfortable heals and ugly athletic shoes.
The instant invention, as described further herein, relates to an invisible zipper boot construction which provides an enhanced comfort-fit for a user and a ready adaptation of the boot to a variety of different of styles of wear. A top half, invisible zipper allows the users to easily slide the boot on while also providing the ability to use the upper portion zipper to provide additional leg receptive space. Securing the zipper secures the boot in position. After the boot is secured in position, the user zips the zipper to an optimal comfort-fit position on their calf. The zipper is positioned where it is for both functional and design reasons. The instant invention as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the all purpose footwear in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a left side view of the boot of the instant invention comprising, a sole and an upper body portion attached to the sole;

FIG. 2 illustrates a right side view of the instant boot member having a flexible body, said flexible body including an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said flexible lower body portion comprising a boot heel and a boot sole piece;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front side view of upper portion further defining an open instep region including a zipper attachment disposed along the top front half of the portion of the upper body;

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear side view of upper portion further defining an open instep region including a zipper attachment disposed along the top front half of the portion of the upper body; and,

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of the instant boot illustrating the hidden zipper embodiment due to the flexible folded mechanism.

FIG. 6 illustrates a left side view of the instant boot illustrating the toe guard and end of the hidden zipper embodiment due to the flexible folded mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe or boot 1 comprising, a sole or sole piece 3 and an upper body portion 2 attached to the sole or sole piece 3. The upper body portion 2 defines a volume for receiving a wearer's foot. FIG. 2 illustrates a boot body member 1 having a flexible body, said flexible body including an upper body portion 2 and a lower body portion 5, said flexible lower body portion carrying a boot heel 4 and a boot sole piece 3. FIG. 3 illustrates the upper portion 2 further defining an open instep region 2 including an invisible zipper attachment 6 disposed along the top front half of the portion of the upper body 2.
FIG. 3 further illustrates a zipper 6 imbedded within said flexible body member, extending downwardly a distance from a top edge of said upper body portion 2 to a position just above the toe guard. In fully open condition, the zipper 6 enables user leg entry access to said body member; and a one and one-half to one and three quarter inch low heel 4 that extends from the back portion of the boot in order to enable a small amount of height to the user.
FIG. 1 further illustrates a boot structure 1 with a zipper 6 extends downwardly longitudinally of the boot 1 structure and parallel to the front of a user's leg. FIG. 1 illustrates a boot 1 structure with which said upper portion 2 constitutes a flexible member is of a natural material in which said natural material is a soft, breathable, quilted cotton material. FIG. 1 illustrates a boot 1 structure in which the top-half portion zipper 6 enables the top half of said boot 1 structure to be turned down and into a two inch convertible cuff 7. FIG. 1 further illustrates a boot 1 structure in which the inner fabric matches in both color and style the outer fabric to allow for a seamless transition between the full length boot and the convertible cuff 7.
FIG. 1 illustrates a boot 1 structure in which a toe guard 8 to protect the toes of a human foot from externally imposed forces, said toe guard in communication with the sole piece 3. The toe guard 8 may be constructed from the same flexible robust polymeric materials (such as rubber) as the sole piece 3, including a variety of polymers or even composite materials such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber systems.
FIG. 1 also illustrates a boot 1 structure wherein said toe guard 8 is disposed to match the rubber sole 5 of the boot in color and material. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the boot structure 1 includes an upper body portion 2 and a lower body portion 5; providing said lower body portion 5 with a boot heel 4, a boot toe guard 8 and a boot sole piece 3; providing said body member with a first zipper 7 extending downwardly from a top edge of said body upper portion 2 to a terminus location above the toe guard 8 of said upper portion 2, said zipper 7 and as shown in FIG. 3. In the fully open condition 2 as said body member enabling user leg entry access to said body member; and providing said body member the ability to turn the top portion of boot structure 1 into a convertible cuff enabling user both different comfort and style options. FIG. 1 illustrates a boot structure 1 wherein said boot structure 1 narrows at the base and the toe comes to point for sleekness and is quilted with distinctive diagonal contrast stitching.
FIG. 4 illustrates a rear side view of upper portion further defining an open instep region including a zipper attachment disposed along the top front half of the portion of the upper body.
FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of the instant boot illustrating the hidden zipper embodiment due to the flexible folded mechanism and the cuff mechanism 9 of the upper portion in the hidden zipper position.
FIG. 6 illustrates a left side view of the instant boot illustrating the toe guard 21 and lower end point 20 of the hidden zipper embodiment due to the flexible folded mechanism.

Claims

1. A lightweight transitional all season shoe comprising:

a lower base portion comprising an angular rear portion, wherein said base portion which does not contact a human foot;

a retaining portion in communication with said lower base portion, said retaining portion disposed to cover and protect a human foot;

a substantially flexible and substantially cylindrical upper portion in communication with said base portion, said substantially flexible and substantially cylindrical upper portion disposed to cover and protect a human ankle; and,

a closure mechanism disposed substantially longitudinally, commencing at the topmost segment of said upper portion of said substantially flexible and substantially cylindrical upper portion and extending to an upper portion of said retaining portion.

2. The lightweight transitional all season shoe of claim 1 wherein said substantially flexible and substantially cylindrical upper portion may be wrapped over to cover said closure mechanism zipper.

3. The lightweight transitional all season shoe of claim 1 further comprising a soft, breathable, fabric.

4. The lightweight transitional all season shoe of claim 3 wherein said soft, breathable, fabric is selected from the group consisting of quilted cotton, brocade, satin and nylon.

5. The lightweight transitional all season shoe of claim 1 further comprising a toe guard mechanism.

6. The lightweight transitional all season shoe of claim 5 wherein said toe guard mechanism and said lower base mechanism comprise the same material.

7. The lightweight transitional all season shoe of claim 1 wherein said substantially flexible and substantially cylindrical upper portion comprises diagonal contrast stitching.

8. The lightweight transitional all season shoe of claim 1 wherein said substantially flexible and substantially cylindrical upper portion comprises a convertible cuff mechanism.

9. A boot comprising:

a sole portion;

an upper attached to said sole portion, wherein said upper defines a volume for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper further defining an open instep region including a invisible zipper attachment disposed along the top front half of the portion of the upper;

a boot body member having a flexible body, said flexible body including an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said flexible lower body portion carrying a boot heel and a boot sole piece;

a zipper located within said flexible body member extending downwardly a distance from a top edge of said upper body portion two inches, said zipper in fully open condition on said body member enabling user leg entry access to said body member; and

a heel comprising a height in the range of one and one-half to one and three quarter inch, said heel that extending from the back portion of the boot.

10. The boot of claim 9, wherein said zipper extends downwardly in a longitudinal disposition of the boot structure and parallel to the front of said user's leg.

11. The boot of claim 9, wherein said flexible member is of a natural material.

12. The boot of claim 11, wherein said natural material is a soft, breathable, quilted cotton material.

13. The boot of claim 12, wherein a top-half portion zipper enables the top half of said boot structure to be turned down and into a two inch convertible cuff.

14. The boot of claim 13 wherein an inner fabric matches in both color and style as the outer fabric to allow for a seamless transition between the full length boot and the convertible cuff.

15. The boot of claim 9, further comprising a toe guard to protect the toes of a human foot from externally imposed forces.

16. The boot of claim 15, wherein said toe guard comprises a material identical to that of the sole.

17. The boot of claim 9 wherein said boot narrows at the sole portion and forms a point.

18. The boot of claim 9 wherein said boot is quilted with distinctive diagonal contrast stitching.

19. A boot comprising a hidden retainer mechanism comprising:

a boot body member comprising a flexible body, said flexible body including an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said flexible lower body portion carrying a boot heel and a boot sole piece; a flexible retainer mechanism disposed outwardly on said flexible body member and extending downwardly a distance from a top edge of said upper body portion to a terminus location thereof proximal above said sole piece, said retainer mechanism in fully open condition on said body member enabling user leg entry access to said body member, said retainer mechanism being zipped to full closure position to secure the boot to said user calf and an upper portion of said body and said flexible body rolled to create a cuff in order to cover said retainer mechanism.