US2425208A - Overshoe-boot - Google Patents

Description

5, 1947. A. SHAFFER. 2,425,208

OVERSHOE-BOOT Filed Sept. 27, 1944 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Aug. 5, 1947 QVER HEQOE Alfred, Sha er, Mishawaka, Ind, assignor to Mi hwaka Rubb r and oo en a f u anew ihg Company, lyi ishawaka, 1 nd,, a corporation Application September 27, 1944, Serial No. 555,988

1 Claiml My invention relates to a combination overshoe-boot type of footwear which is adapted to be Worn optionally as a loosefitting boot Or as a close fitting overshoe or galosh, th upper thereof, like that of an ordinary rubber boot, ha in no opening down the front or otherwisesuch as ordinarily provided in overshoes, and galoshe to permit expansion of the upper for insertirgv the foot, but being circumferentially continuous and large enough to permit the foot to be readily inserted, so that it is essentially a, loose fitting boot and may be worn as such, the upper, how,- ever, being sufficiently flexible and arranged; to be conveniently folded and secured in a form fitting manner so that it may also be Worn as a form fitting overshoe or galosh if desired.

For this form fitting adaptation as an overshoe or galosh, a fastener, preferably of orna mental type, is employed for securing theupper in the folded close fitting form, said fastener being so arranged that it not only does not impair the utility or detract from the appearance of the overshoe-boot when used as a loose fitting boot but may serve as an ornamental feature thereof. Moreover, the top of the overshooboot is preferably formed in a manner to lend itself to the folding to the close fitting overshoe or galosh form and at the same time contribute style and attractiveness to the oVershoe-boot both in the loose fitting boot and close fitting overshoe forms.

While the invention, or certain features thereof, may be used in connection with footwear of other types, this invention is designed particularly for use in waterproof footwear ofthe type that is ordinarily worn over shoes, and is particularly advantageous therein as it insures a thoroughly waterproofed structure as the foot and leg covering are continuous and unbroken and devoid of any openings, inserts, or the like which are difiicult to seal and likely to cause leakage. Moreover, the invention provides an adaptability that is desirable in waterprooffootwear as it is sometimes desirable to wear such footwear loosely in the manner of a bootand at other times in a neat snug fitting manner.

The principal objects of my invention are, to provide an improved article of footwear which is adapted to be worn optionally as a loose fitting boot or in a snug form fitting manner; to, construct the footwear with a circumferentially continuous boot like upper which is large enough to permit insertion of the foot and is foldable to and fastenable in a snug form fitting form; to construct the upper so that it folds readil atthe forms; and to provide a structure which lends itself to thorough waterproofiing, and although devoid of any openings, inserts,

or the like, such as are customarily employed in form fitting waterproof footwear to permit expansion for insertionof the foot, is contractable to a snug form fitting form in which immunity to leakage is assured these and other objects being accomplished as more fully pointed out hereafter and as disclosed in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a combination overshoo -boot constructed in accordance with my invention and shown in the loose boot like form in which it may be worn;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the overshoebootin the contracted form fitting form in which it may be optionally worn; i 3 is a sectional View of the overshoe-boot upper taken on the line 33;of Fig. 1 and showing also in section the form on which the overshoe-boot is constructed;

Eig. d is a sectional view of the oVershoe-boot upper taken on the line l4 of Fig. 2 and showing the upper in the folded form fitting form; and Fig. 5 is, an enlarged fragmentary section of the overshoeeboot upper taken on the line 55 Q Fi i:

Referring to, the drawing, which shows a waterproof overshoeboot of the type to which the invention is particularly appliable and which is designed to be worn over the ordinary shoes, the referencen uneral 5 indicates the foot portion of the overshoe-boot which is of substantially conyentional overshoe or galosh construction with the heel l and forepart 8 of suitable shape to accommodate the type of shoes over which the overshoe-boot is intended to be worn, the illustrated structure having a high heel for high heel,- shoescornmonly worn by women.

It is to be understood of course that the foot portion 8, of the overshoe-boot may 'be of shapes diiferentthan that illustrated to conform to the particular types of shoes over which the overshoe-boot is intended to be worn and thatwhile the overshoe-boot illustrated is of a ladies type, the invention is not limited thereto.

As is customary in waterproof footwear the bottom of the overshoe-boot, including the sole, heel, and shank are of rubber of suitable thickness and suitably reinforced in the usual manner and the upper which is indicated generally at 9 comprises a lining I with an outer covering II of rubber thereon.

The foot portion 6 of the upper, which is generally reinforced at the toe and around the sole and around the heel and up the back in the usual manner is shaped so that when the foot and shoe are inserted therein it will cling thereto sufficiently to remain in place, whereas the portion of the upper 9 above the foot portion, is circumferentially continuous and sufficiently large and loose somewhat like an ordinary rubber boot, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the foot and shoe thereon may be readily inserted into the overshoe-boot.

This upper 9 which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is preferably of approximately the height of the upper of conventional overshoes and galoshes, while preferably light and flexible as pointed out hereinafter, is sufficiently self sustaining so that it will remain upright when the foot and leg of the wearer are inserted therein and may be worn as it is shown in Fig. 1 as a loose top boot.

However, the front of the loose, flexible upper 9 is so constructed that it will fold readily as shown in Fig. 2 to a form fitting form in which it fits snugly and neatly over the instep and around the lower portion of the leg of the wearer, and a tab I2 with fastener is arranged at approximately the juncture of the instep and lower leg portions, as shown in Fig. 2 to hold the upper 9 in this folded manner so that the overshoe-boot may be worn as a neat, close fitting overshoe or galosh when desired.

The tab I2 is permanently secured at the end I3 thereof to the upper 9 at an appropriate place to overlie the fold and the opposite end I4 of the tab is provided with a fastener for attachment to the upper beyond the fold. This fastener is preferably of the conventional snap fastener type with the female element I5 thereof on the tab I2 and the male element [6 being preferably small and of the same color as the upper 9 so that it is inconspicuous when exposed, as it is when the overshoe-boot is worn as a loose fitting boot as in Fig. 1.

For holding the loose end of the tab I2 in place when the overshoe-boot is in normal loose fitting boot form of Fig. 1, another male fastener element IT in provided on the upper 9 with which the female element I5 is engageable, and the arrangement of the tab I2 is such that when engaged with the fastener element H, the tab I2 is centrally disposed across the front of the upper and has the appearance of a decorative feature of the boot.

This tab I2 may have a decorative covering such, for example, as a crystal ornament I8 over the female fastener I5 to add to the attractiveness of the overshoe-boot and the tab itself is preferably of ornamental form so as to constitute a decorative and attractive feature of the overshoeboot in both the loose fitting and snug fitting forms thereof. Obviously a variety of arrangements of ornamental or decorative types may be employed in place of the disclosed tab I2 as, for example, it may be in the form of a bow or an ornamental buckle may overlie the tab I2 or even be used as the fastening means itself in place of the tab and snap fastener.

To facilitate the folding of the upper at the selected place at the front of the overshoe-boot the upper is formed with an inherent acute angled bend I 9 extending up the front from a point substantially at or slightly above the base of the instep to the top of the foot and this inherent bend I9 is of such a nature that when the tab I2 is pulled over to snap on the fastener element IS, the upper folds naturally along the bend I9 and lays neatly and compactly down against the side of the upper as indicated at I9 in Figs. 2 and 4. Moreover, this inherent bend I9 tends to some extent to hold the loose upper in upright position and gives to the upper a creased front appearance that is more pleasing and attractive than an ordinary rounded upper.

As a further means to facilitate folding of the upper at the selected place, and at the same time impart attractiveness to the overshoe-boot, the top of the overshoe-boot is notched as at 20 at opposite sides of the front at the place where the folded front doubles back against the side of the upper so that the upper tends to double back at the place where the notches are deepest and there is accordingly less length of stock to be bent. Preferably also the top of the boot is curved gracefully downward at each side to the respective notch as indicated at 2| and beyond the notches 20 the boot front tapers upwardly somewhat to a point 22 which is at a lower elevation than the main portion of the boot top so that it folds back against the side of the upper and substantially below the top thereof as shown in Fig. 2, and by reason of this notch 20, curve 2|, and front point 22 construction, the overshoe-boot not only has a unique and attractive top in the loose fitting boot form but in the folded close fitting form has a sort of collar like top with V-front which is desirable not only for its pleasing appearance but for comfort as well.

Obviously the upper and especially that portion thereof Where the folding occurs should be relatively thin and flexible so as to fold readily and avoid bulkiness. Preferably the entire upper, including the foot portion thereof, is relatively light weight, thin, and flexible with only such reinforcing as is necessary for strength and stiffening where and to the extent required so that the upper will fit neatly, fold readily and permit freedom of movement without chafing or discomfort. Preferably also the entire upper is stretchy so as to accommodate some variations in size of the shoe and leg on which it may be worn and insure a neat snug fit.

Such an upper may be made by using a lining ID of knitted fabric such as stockinet arranged to stretch most readily in a direction circumferentially of the upper and which, because of its loose texture may be shaped quite readily to the overshoe-boot shape including the foot portion thereof, and this lining is covered with a stretchy layer I I of rubber so that the composite lining and rubber which is relatively thin and quite flexible, stretches quite readily and thus may be distended if necessary in inserting the foot and shoe into the overshoe-boot and fits snugly on the inserted shoe so that the overshoe-boot is retained securely thereon in use.

Footwear of this character is commonly made on a last, the lining, rubber surfacing, sole, heel, reinforcings, etc., being assembled thereon after which the assembled structure is vulcanized while remaining on the last.

For the illustrated overshoe-boot a last is employed which as heretofore indicated is tapered at the front to form an angular ridge 23 extending up the front from approximately the base of the instep or somewhat thereabove to the top of the last so as to form the acute angular bend 19 at the front of the overshoe-boot, and the stretchy lining is applied on this last and lasted over an insole in the usual manner after which the reinforcing are applied and the overshoe-boot completed thereon in the usual manner and vulcanized, the tab 12 being also preferably secured at its end It to the assembled overshoe-boot at the time so that it becomes Vulcanized thereto. Preferably the tab 12 is secured to the upper 9 throughout the entire end portion I3 thereof up to the bend I9 so that it is loose only at and beyond the bend 19, as this arrangement tends to localize the folding at the bend l9.

The rubber surfacing l I may be calendered onto the lining material 10 before the latter is assembled on the last, as is well known in the industry, a relatively thin rubber surfacing preferably being employed, or the lining with the insole and reinforcings may be assembled on the last and the rubber surfacing ll then applied on the assembled lining by dipping the assembly in a rubber dispersion or by spraying the rubber dispersion thereon as is also well known in the rubber industry.

A rubber finishing strip 23 is preferably applied around the top of the overshie-boot before vulcanization, and the fastener element [5 may be applied to the tab and the fastener elements it and I l to the upper, either before or after vulcanization as desired.

In galoshes and overshoes of form fitting type as commonly made, the upper is slit or divided to provide an expansion opening so that the upper may be expanded for inserting the foot, and an expansible bellows like closure is usually provided for this opening and folds together at the inside of the upper when the expansion opening is closed together in the form fitting form in which it is intended to be worn.

Thus in conventional galoshes and overshoes the upper is not circumferentially continuous but is divided at the expansion opening and such galoshes or overshoes are not adapted to be worn in a loose manner as they are unsightly and uncomfortable unless closed. Moreover, the expansion opening of such galoshes and overshoes is difficult to seal satisfactorily and is oftentimes the source of leakage.

With my present construction, however, the upper is circumferentially continuous with no opening, insert, or the like which are likely to be a source of leakage, and accordingly the upper is completely waterproof in both the folded and non-folded forms. Moreover, because of the continuous unbroken upper, it is neat and attractive in the loose, unfolded form and accordingly may be worn in that manner as a loose fitting boot or it may be folded and Worn as a snug fitting galosh or overshoe in which form it also has a neat attractive appearance.

While I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, I am aware that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A bootee with a thin, flexible, elastically stretchy upper and having a snug elastically stretchy form fitting foot portion by which the bootee is securely held on the foot of the wearer, the portion of the upper above said foot portion being circumferentially continuous and loose fitting to admit the foot therethrough and foldable at the front along the instep and thereabove to snug fitting form, and means attached to the foldable portion at the upper end of the instep for folding said portion laterally against the front of the bootee and detachably fastenable to the bootee to hold said portion in snug fitting laterally folded position, said foldable portion having laterally spaced notches at the top where it folds laterally against the front of the bootee.

ALFRED E. SHAFFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,297,656 LHollier Sept. 29, 1942 1,840,241 Manville Jan. 5, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,240 Great Britain Sept. 14, 1916

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