US20160106178A1

US20160106178A1 - Shoe cover

Info

Publication number: US20160106178A1
Application number: US14/514,618
Authority: US
Inventors: Prescella Lanai Monger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-15
Filing date: 2014-10-15
Publication date: 2016-04-21

Abstract

A shoe cover is provided. The shoe cover may cover the upper of a shoe, such as a high heel shoe. A plurality of shoe covers may be provided with different designs and colors. The covers may be interchanged on the shoe to provide different styles of the shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoe cover and, more particularly, to an interchangeable shoe cover to provide multiple styles to a single shoe.
High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. High heels come in a wide variety of styles, and the heels are found in many different shapes, including stiletto, pump, block, tapered, blade, and wedge. Further, high heel shoes come in a wide variety of colors and designs. High heel shoes are expensive and therefore buying a variety of different styles is costly. Further, finding a matching high heel and transporting multiple high heels may be difficult. Shoes also take up a lot of closet space.
As can be seen, there is a need for an interchangeable cover that changes the style of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a shoe cover comprises: a stretchable material comprising an upper portion, a bottom portion, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein the upper portion is formed to substantially cover an upper of a shoe, wherein the upper portion forms an opening comprising an edge formed to substantially align with a topline of shoe, wherein the bottom portion is formed to at least partially cover a sole of a shoe.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention shown in use on a high heel shoe;

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of the present invention shown in use on a high heel shoe;

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view demonstrating insertion of shoe into a banded elastic cover;

FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a sole material on bottom portion shown in use;

FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a sole material on bottom portion;

FIG. 8 is a section view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention along line 8-8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a lower perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a sole material on bottom portion, heel cover and tip;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in use on a wedge shoe;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in use on a peep toe shoe; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in use on a flat shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes an elastomeric removable decorative cover for footwear, such as ladies' and children's footwear. The present invention may include a sock-like covering positioned over the exterior of a shoe. The material of the present invention may be waterproof spandex or other stretch fabrics. Since the present invention is made of stretch material, the cover easily molds to the shoe shape. The present invention may further include a fastener, such as a clip, and a bottom liner. The fastener allows the cover to firmly grip the shoe to prevent the cover from falling off. The bottom liner may grip the edge of the shoe, keeping the cover attached to the shoe. The present invention may further include out-sole or clear elastic straps on the bottom of the cover.
An individual may purchase a single pair of shoes and create multiple different styles using the present invention. The ability to reduce the amount of pairs of shoes needed to complete a wardrobe saves space in a closet as well as in a suitcase when traveling. The present invention may also reduce the time spent shopping for different pairs of shoes. Thus, the individual could have a wider-selection of shoes to match a plethora of ensembles. The shoe cover could be produced in sizes from small to extra-large to accommodate an array of shoes worn by girls and women. Further, the present invention may be in a wide array of colors with a multitude of designs or prints that could coordinate with outfits. Versions of this product could be positioned atop flat or heeled shoes. In addition, the present invention may be produced to accommodate pointed, rounded, or peep toe styles of women's shoes.
An even further objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shoe cover that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor. The present invention can be produced easily using conventional and readily available materials and manufacturing processes in a manner similar to socks and related apparel items. A textile manufacturer may use a computer to produce a pattern or optimal cutting layout to minimize waste. Production workers could use an electric knife or other cutting tool to cut the pieces from multiple layers of fabric or use a computer-controlled machine to do the cutting. Sewers may hem or otherwise stitch fabric pieces as desired as well as perform finish work. No new production technology is required, which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such shoe cover economically available to the buying public.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, the present invention includes a shoe cover 14. The shoe cover 14 may be made of a stretchable elastic material, such as elastomeric material, formed to wrap around and cover a shoe 10. The elastomeric material includes an upper portion and a bottom portion, as well as an inner surface and an outer surface. While in use, the upper portion is formed to substantially cover an upper of the shoe 10 and the bottom portion is formed to at least partially cover a sole of the shoe 10. Further, the upper portion includes an opening formed by an edge. The edge may substantially align with a topline of the shoe 10.
In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a clip 22. The clip 22 may aid in securing the shoe cover 14 to the shoe 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clip 22 may be attached to the shoe cover 14 at the edge of the opening. Further, the clip 22 may be near the rear portion of the shoe cover 14. Therefore, the clip 22 may secure the edge of the shoe cover 14 to the top line of the shoe 10. Other attachment mechanisms may be used, such as magnets, pins, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.
The bottom portion of the present invention may include multiple configurations. As illustrated in FIG. 2 through 5, the bottom portion may be formed of bands 16. In such embodiments, the upper portion may include a bottom edge having a first side and a second side. The bands 16 may connect the first side and the second side of the bottom edge. In certain embodiments, the bands 16 may crisscross to strengthen the bottom portion. Further, the crisscrossing bands 16 may extend from the tip of the shoe 10 to the rear portion of the shoe 10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9, the bottom portion may cover a substantial portion of the sole 42 of the shoe 10. In certain embodiments, the bottom portion may form an opening for the shoe or may cover the heel 12 of the shoe. The bottom portion may include a sole material 20. The sole material 20 may be similar material to the sole of the shoe 10. In certain embodiments, the sole material may be a rubberized material to add grip to the present invention. When the heel 12 is covered, the heel portion of the bottom portion may also include the sole material. In certain embodiments, when the shoe 10 is a high heel, the bottom portion may include a heel portion 26 in which the heel 12 of the high heel may fit within. The tip 28 of the heel portion 26 may also include the sole material.
As mentioned above, the present invention may be used with high heels shoes. However, the present invention may be used with a variety of different styled high heels and shoes. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12, the present invention may include a wedge shoe cover 32 for covering wedge shoes 30, a peep shoe cover 36 to cover peep shoes 34, and a flat shoe cover 40 to cover flat shoes 38. The outer surface of the cover 14 of the present invention may be clear to protect the shoes 10, or may include colors and designs to decorate the shoes. Therefore, the present invention may be used to decorate different shoes with different designs as well as protecting the original shoe's appearance while keeping the shoe 10 dry.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe cover comprising:

a stretchable material comprising an upper portion, a bottom portion, an inner surface, and an outer surface,

wherein the upper portion is formed to substantially cover an upper of a shoe, wherein the upper portion forms an opening comprising an edge formed to substantially align with a topline of shoe,

wherein the bottom portion is formed to at least partially cover a sole of a shoe.

2. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises a bottom edge, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a plurality of bands connecting the bottom edge together.

3. The shoe cover of claim 1, further comprising a clip attached to the edge of the upper portion, wherein the clip is configured to hook the edge of the upper portion to the shoe.

4. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is formed to substantially cover the sole of the shoe and forms an opening sized to receive a heel of the shoe.

5. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion comprises a sole material.

6. The shoe cover of claim 5, wherein the sole material is a rubberized padding.

7. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the shoe cover is formed to cover a high heel shoe.

8. The shoe cover of claim 7, wherein the bottom portion comprises a sole material sized to cover an entire sole of the high heel shoe, and a heel portion formed to fit around the heel.

9. The shoe cover of claim 8, wherein the heel portion comprises the sole material at a heeled tip.

10. The shoe cover of claim 9, wherein the sole material is a rubberized padding.

11. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is made of a clear material.

12. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises at least one of a color and a design.

13. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is an elastomeric material.

14. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is waterproof.