US20220312888A1

US20220312888A1 - Shoe Protective Cover

Info

Publication number: US20220312888A1
Application number: US17/705,510
Authority: US
Inventors: John Buchek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-03-30
Filing date: 2022-03-28
Publication date: 2022-10-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe cover designed to cover and protect wrestling regulation wrestling shoes. The shoe cover is adapted to be worn over a regulation wrestling shoe thereby prohibiting the shoe from touching any surface and thus protecting the shoe from contamination due to debris, dirt, and pathogens. The shoe cover is flexible, stretchable, non-slipping and conforms to the shape of wrestling shoes. The shoe cover includes a strap for securing the shoe cover over the shoe and can be secured using a hook and loop fastener. The shoe cover includes an appearance of a shoe and can selectively be worn independently as a footwear or sandal. The shoe cover is easily worn by a wrestler and wrestling official when not on wrestling mats and can be removed before stepping onto the wrestling mat thereby preventing the wrestling mat from cross contamination.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/167,874, which was filed on Mar. 30, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear and footwear covers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel cover for protecting wrestling shoes from contamination. The shoe cover is designed to be worn by wrestlers and officials for preventing a wrestling mat from contamination due to dirty outsoles transferring dirt to the wrestling mat. The shoe cover wraps around a worn wrestling shoe and thus protects the shoe and outsole from becoming contaminated. The shoe cover can be worn upon leaving from the wrestling mat thereby protecting the wrestling shoe and outsole of same and can be removed before stepping onto the wrestling mat, thereby enabling clean shoes to be used on the wrestling mat. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, wrestlers wear regulation wrestling shoes on a wrestling mat. The regulation wrestling shoes are lightweight heelless shoes and are meant only for wearing on the wrestling mat. In fact, one general rule in wrestling is to wear regulation wrestling shoes only on the wrestling mat and not elsewhere. However, often, this rule is violated by wrestlers and the regulation wrestling shoes are worn by wrestlers even when they walk through the locker room or across the gymnasium floor. Commonly, regulation wrestling shoes are not removed by wrestlers in between their matches. This results in contamination of the wrestling mat because of the dirt, debris, pathogens, viruses, and bacteria transferred by the contaminated regulation wrestling shoes of wrestlers onto the mat. As a result, wrestlers can get contaminated due to pathogens and can fall ill. This problem is exacerbated in times of pandemics such as COVID 19. Also, tremendous effort and money is spent on disinfecting wrestling mats and removing dirt and debris therefrom.
Officials such as referees, announcers, and more can also contaminate the wrestling mat by stepping on the wrestling mat wearing contaminated footwear. Wrestlers and authorities desire a device and means for preventing contamination on wrestling mats due to contaminated footwear of wrestlers, officials, and more.
Current footwear covers are not adapted to be worn over regulation wrestling shoes and create problems for a wrestler while walking in locker rooms, gymnasiums, and other floors. Further, such covers cannot be used as a footwear themselves. People desire an improved cover that can be effectively used with regulation wrestling shoes.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that can be easily worn and removed by wrestlers and wrestling officials. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a wrestling shoe cover that prevents cross-contamination with germs, bacteria, and other debris that are found in locker rooms, gymnasiums, and other areas. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that is adapted and designed to cover regulation wrestling shoes. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved shoe cover that ensures the wrestling mat stays clean from dirt and other foreign particles. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that allows authorities to save money by eliminating frequent cleaning and disinfection of wrestling mats. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that can be used as a footwear by wrestling officials. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a wrestling shoe cover that can be easily worn and removed by a wrestler and thereby enable easy compliance to the rule of wearing regulation wrestling shoes only on the wrestling mat.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a wrestling regulation wrestling shoe cover. The shoe cover is designed to be easily worn, mounted, and removed for wearing over regulation wrestling shoes by wrestlers. The shoe cover has a shoe resemblance and can be worn as an independent footwear directly on the foot of a wearer (i.e. as a sandal). The shoe cover is especially designed to keep wrestling mats clean and protected from cross-contamination due to regulation wrestling shoes of wrestlers and footwear of officials coming into contact with a multitude of wrestling mats. The shoe cover accommodates a wrestling shoe and includes a toe cap, a vamp, a heel counter, a quarter, an insole, an outsole, a fastening strap having a hook fastener at a free end and is configured to releasably fasten to a loop fastener for securely accommodating the shoe, wherein the loop fastener is positioned on the quarter portion of the shoe cover. The regulation wrestling shoe is placed on the insole of the shoe cover and the outsole of the shoe cover protects the base of the wrestling shoe from touching the ground directly. The shoe cover includes a plurality of holes for providing flow of water and air therethrough.
In this manner, the wrestling shoe cover of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides wrestlers and officials with a cover (i.e. rubber cover) for their footwear that is designed to prevent the cross-contamination with germs, bacteria, and other debris that are found in locker rooms, gymnasiums, and other areas. The shoe cover is non-slipping and can be easily worn, mounted, and removed. The shoe cover can also function as a footwear by securing around a foot of a wearer. The shoe cover ensures that the wrestling mat stays clean and free of dirt and other foreign particles that can cause mat contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a wrestling regulation wrestling shoe cover (i.e. rubber shoe cover). The shoe cover is a one-piece structure for receiving and accommodating a wrestling shoe and comprising a toe cap, a vamp, a heel counter, a quarter, an insole, an outsole, a fastening strap having a hook fastener at a free end that is configured to releasably fasten to a loop fastener for securely accommodating the shoe, wherein the loop fastener is positioned on the quarter portion of the shoe cover. The regulation wrestling shoe can be placed on the insole wherein the outsole of the shoe cover protects the base of the wrestling shoe from touching ground directly.
In yet another embodiment, the shoe cover includes a plurality of holes for providing ventilation when the shoe cover is used as a footwear and for allowing flow of water when the shoe cover is used in a shower.
In yet another embodiment, the shoe cover is made from flexible and non-slipping rubber.
In yet another embodiment, the shoe cover is made from synthetic elastomeric rubber.
In yet another embodiment, the shoe cover is made from neoprene rubber.
In yet another embodiment, the strap includes a fastening mechanism selected from a group consisting of a buckle, a snap button, and a zipper.
In yet another embodiment, the shoe cover has at least one indicium indicating initials of a wearer's name for identification of the owner or team of the shoe cover.
In yet another embodiment, a flexible protective cover for wrestling shoes is disclosed. The shoe cover is configured to slip on over a wrestling shoe and is secured using a strap. The shoe cover is made from durable and non-slip rubber and is configured to receive and accommodate the wrestling shoe. The shoe cover includes a plurality of holes for allowing air and water to pass therethrough.
In yet another embodiment, an article of footwear is disclosed. The article of footwear comprising a toe cap portion, a vamp portion, quarter portion, heel counter portion; a throat line, quarter and heel portion defining a cavity for receiving a wrestling shoe; a tightening strap having a hook fastener that is configured to be releasably fastened to a loop fastener wherein the loop fastener is positioned on a portion of the quarter for securing around the received shoe.
In yet another embodiment, the article of footwear can function as an independent footwear and can be worn on a bare foot. In this manner, the article of footwear can be worn as a foot cover (i.e. sandal) and worn directly on a foot of the wearer.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a protective cover of the present invention adapted to cover wrestling shoes in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of one potential embodiment of the wrestling shoe cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a regulation wrestling shoe being received by one potential embodiment of the shoe cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a regulation wrestling shoe being received by one potential embodiment of the shoe cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a wrestler wearing one potential embodiment of the shoe cover of the present invention on both feet to cover and protect the regulation wrestling shoes during use in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that can be easily worn and removed by wrestlers and wrestling officials. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a wrestling shoe cover that prevents cross contamination with germs, bacteria, and other debris that are found in locker rooms, gymnasiums, and other areas. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that is adapted and designed to cover regulation wrestling shoes. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved shoe cover that ensures the wrestling mat stays clean from dirt and other foreign particles. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that allows authorities to save money by eliminating frequent cleaning and disinfection of wrestling mats. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shoe cover that can be used as a footwear by wrestling officials. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a wrestling shoe cover that can be easily worn and removed by a wrestler and thereby enable easy compliance to the rule of wearing regulation wrestling shoes only on the wrestling mat.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel flexible protective cover for covering wrestling shoes. The shoe cover is made from flexible and durable rubber and is configured to slip on over a wrestling shoe and is secured using a strap. The strap is configured to be secured using a hook and loop fastener. The shoe cover includes a one-piece structure and is configured to receive and accommodate the wrestling shoe. The shoe cover includes a plurality of holes for allowing air and water to pass therethrough. The shoe cover includes an appearance of a shoe and can be used as an independent footwear on any terrain. In this manner, the shoe cover can be worn as a foot cover (i.e. sandal) and worn directly on a foot of the wearer.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a flexible protective cover of the present invention adapted to cover wrestling shoes in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The flexible protective cover 100 of the present invention is designed to slip on over a wrestling (regulation) shoe by a wrestler to protect the regulation wrestling shoe from attaching or carrying bacteria, viruses, dirt, and more. More specifically, the shoe cover 100 is made from a durable and non-slip rubber and is flexible to easily slip on over a regulation wrestling shoe. The shoe cover 100 includes a one-piece structure and can be easily slipped on and off over any conventional wrestling regulation wrestling shoe.
The wrestling shoe cover 100 includes a toe cap 102 configured and designed to fit over a toe cap of a wrestling shoe. An appropriately shaped vamp 104 continues from the toe cap 102 and extends to the throat line 106. The shoe cover 100 includes a thin insole 108 that provides secure positioning of the outsole of a regulation wrestling shoe on the insole 108. For providing adequate heel support, the shoe cover 100 includes a heel counter 110 that can have a height, for example, from about 2 inches to about 4 inches.
In the present embodiment, the shoe cover 100 includes an outsole 112 having a height or thickness from about 0.10 inches to about 0.40 inches, for example. In other embodiments, the shoe cover 100 may not have an outsole. For securing the shoe cover 100 over a regulation wrestling shoe, the shoe cover 100 includes an elastic tightening strap 114. The strap 114 includes a hook fastener 116 at its free end 1140 and the hook fastener 116 is configured to releasably fasten to the loop fastener 118 positioned on quarter 122 of the shoe cover 100. The strap 114 securely wraps the shoe cover 100 over a shoe and the flexible cover 100 protects the regulation wrestling shoe from dirt, debris, and contamination. The strap 114 includes a plurality of holes 115 therethrough to prohibit entrapment of moisture under the strap 114.
The shoe cover 100 can also be used as a footwear on soft surfaces such as beaches. The shoe cover 100 includes a plurality of holes 120 positioned on insole 108 and the toe cap 102 that prohibits water from stagnating inside the shoe cover 100 when the shoe cover 100 is used as independent footwear while in the shower or at the beach. In this manner, the shoe cover 100 can be worn as a foot cover (i.e. sandal) and worn directly on a foot of the wearer.
It should be noted that often times regulation wrestling shoes worn by wrestlers on a wrestling mat have dirt and debris that can contaminate the wrestling mat. Further, a lot of time is spent by wrestlers and support staff to wipe their shoes before stepping onto the wrestling mat but the shoe cover 100 of the present invention can be easily slipped on and worn over regulation wrestling shoes when the wrestler is not on the wrestling mat and can be easily removed by unfastening the strap 114 before stepping onto the wrestling mat.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the shoe cover 100 can have any other fastening means such as a zipper, a buckle, a clip, a snap button, and more for releasably securing the strap 114 for securing a wrestling shoe inside the shoe cover 100. The strap 114 includes a plurality of holes 115 therethrough to prohibit entrapment of moisture under the strap 114.
The shoe cover 100 is also configured to be worn by wrestling officials such as an announcer or a referee during a wrestling match. The shoe cover 100 can be worn by officials as a footwear or over their footwear. The shoe cover 100 is designed as a revolutionary product for wrestling industry that not only maintains safety of players and officials, keeps wrestling mats free of foreign particles but also helps in implementing effective regulations and rules. The shoe cover 100 can come in a variety of sizes, designs, and colors to meet requirements of wrestlers and officials.
FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the wrestling shoe cover 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the outsole 112 includes a plurality of holes 120 allowing water and dirt to be easily removed from the shoe cover 100. Also, when the shoe cover 100 is worn as a footwear, the holes 120 provide ventilation and prohibit entrapment of moisture. Preferably, the outsole 112 and the insole 108 are thin layers thereby enabling a wearer to easily wear the shoe cover 100 over a shoe.
The shoe cover 100 conforms to any conventional regulation wrestling shoe and is easily strapped around using the strap 114. The shoe cover 100 is flexible and can be folded and stretched. Further, the shoe cover 100 is machine washable and can be easily wiped.
The shoe cover 100 can have a trademark, logo, school colors, and/or initials of a wrestler, or any other indicia 202 at least on the heel counter 110 and the outsole 112. It should be noted that the indicia 202 can be on any other portion of the shoe cover 100 as per preferences of a user.
It will be appreciated that the shoe cover 100 is configured for use in conjunction with a wide range of conventional wrestling shoes existing in the marketplace. Thus, as described above, the shoe cover 100 is a specialized cover made especially for use in connection with such shoes. Further, the shoe cover 100 is waterproof and water repellant thereby prohibiting the regulation wrestling shoe worn inside the shoe cover 100 from getting wet.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective views showing a regulation wrestling shoe being received by the shoe cover 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, a user wearing a wrestling shoe 300 can slip on the shoe cover 100 over the shoe 300. More specifically, the strap 114 is required to be in an unfastened position, thereby allowing a user to insert the shoe 300 into the shoe cover 100. The shoe 300 can be easily inserted while being worn on a foot 302 of the wearer.
The shoe cover 100 is flexible to easily conform around the shoe 300 and the user can stretch the heel counter 110 and the quarter 122 to insert the shoe 300 inside the shoe cover 100. Once the shoe 300 is placed inside the shoe cover 100, then, the strap 114 is fastened as illustrated in FIG. 3B by releasably fastening the hook fastener 116 and the loop fastener 118 for securely wrapping the shoe 300 by the shoe cover 100. With the strap 114 fastened, the user can walk and perform activities normally while protecting the shoe 300 from being contaminated with dirt, debris, pathogens and more.
FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a wrestler wearing the shoe cover 100 on both legs for covering and protecting the regulation wrestling shoes in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the shoe cover 100 is designed for covering shoes mounted to the right foot and left foot for both the right leg 402 and the left leg 404, respectively. The shoe cover 100 can be available commercially in pairs for covering and accommodating a pair of shoes 406, 408. The shoe cover 100 is easily worn when a wrestler, for example, walks through the locker room or gymnasium floor and can be removed when the wrestler has to step onto the wrestling mat.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “wrestling shoe cover”, “flexible protective shoe cover”, “cover”, and “shoe cover”, are interchangeable and refer to the wrestling shoe protective rubber cover 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the wrestling shoe protective rubber cover 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the wrestling shoe protective rubber cover 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the wrestling shoe protective rubber cover 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the wrestling shoe protective rubber cover 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the wrestling shoe protective rubber cover 100 can be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe cover to protect a wrestling shoe, the shoe cover comprising:

a one-piece structure having a toe cap, an insole, an outsole, a vamp, a throat line, a fastening strap and a heel counter;

wherein said vamp extends from said toe cap to said throat line;

wherein said shoe cover comprises a non-slip rubber;

wherein said toe cap of said shoe cover is sized and configured to fit over a toe cap of the wrestling shoe; and

further wherein said outsole comprises a thickness ranging between 0.10 inches and 0.40 inches, inclusive.

2. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein said fastening strap comprises a hook and loop fastener.

3. The shoe cover of claim 2, wherein said heel counter comprises a height ranging between 2 inches and 4 inches, inclusive.

4. The shoe cover of claim 3, wherein said fastening strap is elastic and comprises a plurality of continuous openings.

5. The shoe cover of claim 4, wherein said toe cap comprises a plurality of continuous openings.

6. The shoe cover of claim 5, wherein said insole and said outsole comprise a plurality of continuous openings.

7. The shoe cover of claim 6, wherein said shoe cover is machine washable.

8. The shoe cover of claim 7, wherein said shoe cover is waterproof.

9. The shoe cover of claim 8, wherein said heel counter is stretchable.

10. The shoe cover of claim 1, wherein said fastening strap comprises a fastener selected from a group consisting of a zipper, a buckle, a clip and a snap button.

11. A flexible protective footwear convertible from a shoe cover to a sandal, the flexible protective footwear comprising:

a one-piece structure having a toe cap, an insole, an outsole, a vamp, a throat line, a fastening strap, and a heel counter;

wherein said vamp extends from said toe cap to said throat line;

wherein said protective footwear comprises non-slip rubber;

wherein said toe cap of said flexible protective footwear is sized and configured to fit over a toe cap of a shoe and selectively configured to fit directly over a foot of a wearer; and

wherein said insole and said outsole comprise a plurality of continuous openings.

12. The flexible protective footwear of claim 11, wherein said outsole comprises a thickness ranging between 0.10 inches and 0.40 inches, inclusive.

13. The flexible protective footwear of claim 12, wherein said fastening strap comprises a hook and loop fastener.

14. The flexible protective footwear of claim 13, wherein said heel counter is stretchable and comprises a height ranging between 2 inches and 4 inches, inclusive.

15. The flexible protective footwear of claim 14, wherein said fastening strap is elastic and comprises a plurality of continuous openings.

16. The flexible protective footwear of claim 15, wherein said toe cap comprises a plurality of continuous openings.

17. The flexible protective footwear of claim 16, wherein said protective footwear is machine washable and waterproof.

18. A flexible protective footwear convertible from a shoe cover to a sandal, the flexible protective footwear comprising:

wherein said vamp extends from said toe cap to said throat line;

wherein said toe cap of said protective footwear selectively configured to fit over a toe cap of a shoe and selectively configured to fit directly over a foot of a wearer; and

wherein said toe cap, said fastening strap, said insole, and said outsole each include a plurality of holes therethrough.

19. The flexible protective footwear of claim 18, wherein said outsole comprises a thickness ranging between 0.10 inches and 0.40 inches, inclusive.

20. The flexible protective footwear of claim 19, wherein said fastening strap comprises a fastener selected from a group consisting of a hook and loop, a zipper, a buckle, a clip and a snap button.