WO2007121527A1

WO2007121527A1 - Method and footwear for preparing a concrete floor

Info

Publication number: WO2007121527A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000527
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leslie Francis Ryan
Original assignee: Leslie Francis Ryan
Priority date: 2006-04-24
Filing date: 2007-04-24
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: AU2007242066A1

Abstract

An item of footwear for protecting a concrete floor from protective footgear during finishing is adapted to be worn attached to the protective footgear, and comprises a sole portion for engaging a tread surface of the protective footgear, an exterior surface for engaging a surface of the concrete floor and at least one attachment portion for attaching the item of footwear to the protective footgear. A method of preparing a concrete floor comprises finishing the concrete surface while wearing a protective footgear and an additional item of footwear attached to the protective footgear, which prevents the sole of the protective footgear engaging the concrete surface.

Description

METHOD AND FOOTWEAR FOR PREPARING A CONCRETE FLOOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and footwear for preparing a concrete floor.

4

Background of the Invention

Concrete floors generally require "finishing" to provide the desired surface qualities. Finishing a concrete floor typically involves workers walking upon the floor being finished while operating appropriate floor finishing tools, such as, for example a power float.

Workers finishing concrete floors may wear work boots, sometimes known as concreting boots, during the finishing process. Typically, such boots are designed for construction work and to provide a high level of grip and protection to the foot of the wearer in a variety of circumstances. In particular, boots with steel toe caps and/or gum boots may be used. The soles of such boots are likely to mark concrete floors being walked upon during the finishing process, and this is undesirable. There is therefore a need for an improved or at least an alternative method for preparing a concrete floor.

The inventor has found that such undesirable marking of concrete floors can be avoided or mitigated by having workers dispense with their boots during the finishing process and instead wear soft open footwear such as a sandal held on the foot by a strip that fits between the first and second toes of the wearer. Such sandals are sometimes referred to as flip flops or, in Australia, thongs. However, such footwear offers little protection to the wearer and is therefore generally unsuitable for use in a construction environment. Use of such footwear during concrete finishing may be dangerous and may be contrary to workplace health and safety regulations or legislation, breach of which can lead to significant fines . Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing a concrete floor said method comprising the step of finishing the concrete surface while wearing a protective footgear and an additional item of footwear attached to the protective footgear, said additional item of footwear providing a sole portion for engaging the concrete surface and for preventing at least part of a sole of the protective footgear engaging the concrete surface.

Preferably, the step of finishing the concrete surface comprises floating.

The step of finishing the concrete surface may comprise trowelling. The step of finishing the concrete surface may comprise sweeping.

The step of finishing the concrete surface may comprise applying a protective or aesthetic top layer.

Preferably, the protective footgear is a work boot.

Preferably, said method comprises wearing said work boot without said additional item of footwear while performing any one or more of the following steps: preparing a substrate for a concrete floor; preparing a form for a concrete floor; setting reinforcing mesh and/or reinforcing bars prior to providing concrete; providing concrete onto the substrate and/or into the form; screeding the concrete.

The method preferably includes the step of attaching the additional item of footwear to the work boot prior to finishing the concrete floor.

The sole portion of the additional item of footwear is preferably lesser in thickness than the sole of the work boot. The sole portion of the additional item of footwear is preferably not more than 1.5 cm thick.

The sole portion of the additional item of footwear preferably has an external surface which is formed so that providing said sole portion between the sole of the work boot and the concrete floor reduces the likelihood of inadvertently marking the concrete floor during finishing.

The sole portion of the additional item of footwear preferably has an external surface which is shaped so that providing said sole portion between the sole of the work boot and the concrete floor reduces the likelihood of inadvertently marking the concrete floor during finishing. Preferably, the sole portion of the additional item of footwear has an external surface for engaging the concrete surface, and said external surface does not have a grip configuration which is as pronounced as the grip configuration provided on the sole of the work boot. The sole portion of the additional item of footwear preferably has an external surface which is generally smooth.

The provision of a generally smooth sole surface with little or no tread can significantly reduce the likelihood of inadvertently marking the concrete floor during finishing.

In a preferred embodiment the physical characteristics of the material which forms the external surface of the sole portion of the additional item of footwear are selected in order to contribute to reducing the likelihood of inadvertently marking the concrete floor during finishing.

Preferably, the additional item of footwear is provided with one or more attachment elements for attaching to the work boot. Preferably, said one or more attachment elements are configured so that a considerable proportion of the surface of the work boot upper is exposed in use.

Preferably, said considerable proportion of the work boot upper includes at least 30 percent of the portion of the work boot upper which covers the foot of a wearer. (That is, the additional item of footwear preferably covers no more than 70 percent of the foot part of the work boot upper.) In a preferred embodiment, the attachment elements are straps which offer little or no protection to the work boot upper as a whole. Work boots are generally of robust construction and the primary purposes of the additional item of footwear (in a preferred embodiment of the method) are to provide protection to the floor being finished, and to be comfortable, rather than unduly encumbering, in use, rather than to provide protection to the work boot or work boot upper (although in some circumstances some protection of the work boot or work boot upper may be provided) .

The additional item of footwear is preferably in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an item of footwear adapted to be worn attached to an item of protective footgear, said item of footwear comprising a sole portion having an interior surface for engaging a tread surface of an outer sole of the protective footgear, an exterior surface for engaging a surface of a concrete floor and at least one attachment portion for attaching the item of footwear to the protective footgear.

Preferably the item of footwear is adapted to be worn attached to an item of protective footgear which is in the form of a workboot .

Preferably, the exterior surface of the sole portion is substantially flat. Preferably, the exterior surface has a front portion and a rear portion, the front and rear portions being substantially continuous. That is, the exterior surface preferably does not include distinct heel and front foot portions .

The exterior surface of the sole may comprise a grip configuration which has a depth of no more than 3 mm.

Preferably, the exterior surface of the sole portion is substantially smooth. Preferably, the exterior surface of the sole portion is formed from a synthetic material. The synthetic material may be a synthetic rubber. The synthetic material may be a resilient foam material.

In a preferred embodiment, the exterior surface of the sole is substantially flat and substantially smooth and formed from a synthetic material. Such a preferred embodiment is also adapted to provide protection to the floor from the grip of protective footgear over which the item of footwear is worn. Some known thongs or flip flops have suitable exterior sole characteristics.

In some embodiments, the footwear item is adapted to be attached to a concrete boot.

In some embodiments, the footwear item is adapted to be attached to a steel toe capped boot. In some embodiments, the footwear item is adapted to be attached to a gum boot.

In one embodiment, the footwear item is adapted to be worn over a boot comprising a laσeless waterproof upper which extends to just below the knee of a wearer. Such a boot may be of the type generally referred to as a gum boot and will be referred to as a gum boot herein, for convenience. For examples of gum boots of the type often worn for concreting, and which may be considered to fall within the category of concrete boots, see the 015 and 016 series gum boots sold by Blundstone Australia Pty Ltd.

The at least one attachment portion preferably comprises at least one strap. The, or at least one, strap may be provided with adjustment means for varying the effective length thereof and/or may be resiliently stretchable.

The at least one attachment portion preferably comprises at least one front attachment portion, coupled to the sole portion, for passing at least partially over a front portion of protective footgear in order to attach, or assist in attaching, the footwear item to said protective footgear. The front attachment portion may comprise at least one resilient strap member.

The front attachment portion may comprise first and second front attachment portions.

The front attachment portions may be movable relative to each other and securable in order to attach, or assist in attaching, the footwear item to said protective footgear. The first front attachment element may comprise a loop or buckle. The second front attachment element may comprise a strap adapted to pass through said loop or buckle.

The at least one attachment portion preferably comprises at least one rear attachment portion coupled to the sole portion and adapted to attach to a rear portion of said protective footgear. The rear attachment portion may comprise one or more elements adapted to pass at least partially around an ankle portion of a work boot.

The rear attachment portion may comprise one or more elements adapted to couple to a heel loop of said protective footgear.

In one embodiment, the rear attachment portion comprises a coupling element adapted to pass through a heel loop of protective footgear.

The rear attachment portion may comprise a fastener for securing the coupling of the coupling element to said heel loop. In such an embodiment, the footwear item is preferably adapted to be attached to the rear of a work boot by attachment to a heel loop of the workboot.

The footwear item in accordance with the second aspect of the invention is preferably used in a method in accordance with the first aspect. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided footwear comprising protective footgear and an additional item of footwear in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention coupled thereto. Preferably, the protective footgear is a workboot .

Preferably, the sole portion of the additional item of footwear extends outwardly beyond the sole of the work boot, most preferably around substantially the entire periphery of the sole of the work boot.

It should be appreciated that use of protective footgear in the form of a workboot is preferred, and is likely to enhance safety and facilitate compliance with health and safety regulations, but that other protective footgear, such as a protective shoe or work shoe, could be used. It should further be appreciated that statements and features made or described with reference to a workboot may in some embodiments (except where context dictates otherwise) also apply to use of, or in relation to, other protective footgear.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for preparing a concrete floor;

Figure 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of an item of footwear suitable for use in the method of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from one side of the item of footwear of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the item of footwear of Figures 1 and 2, attached to a gum boot;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the item of footwear of Figures 2 and 3, attached to a steel toe- capped work boot;

Figure 6 is a plan view from above of an alternative embodiment of an item of footwear suitable for use in the method of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from one side of the item of footwear of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the item of footwear of Figure 6, attached to a steel toe-capped work boot; and

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration showing the relative sizes of the sole of an item of footwear of

Figure 6 and the sole of a work boot to which the item of footwear may be attached.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments With reference to Figure 1 which shows a schematic block diagram, a preferred embodiment of a method for preparing a concrete floor is described. In particular, the illustrated method provides an acceptable level of protection for the feet of a user of the method in combination with a negligible, or at least acceptable, level of inadvertent marking of a floor during finishing. A method of preparing a concrete floor comprises wearing protective footgear, which in preferred embodiments is in the form of a workboot, although in other embodiments types of protective footgear other than workboots could be used.

The illustrated embodiment of a method for providing a concrete floor comprises the steps of wearing a work boot to prepare a substrate and/or form for receiving concrete to form a floor (block 10) ; wearing a work boot to set reinforcing mesh and/or one or more reinforcing bars on the substrate and/or in the form (bloσk 20) ; wearing a work boot to screed concrete provided to form a concrete floor (block 30) . In a preferred embodiment, these steps 10, 20, 30 are preferably performed wearing a work boot without any additional footwear provided thereover. To this extent, these steps 10, 20, 30 may be regarded as known in the forming of concrete floors. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that a step of providing concrete (not shown) onto the substrate (and/or into the form) will also be performed. It will also be appreciated that references to the wearing of a work boot include wearing of a work boot on each foot. It will further be appreciated that other protective footgear such as a protective workshoe could be used. It will further be appreciated that the steps 10, 20, 30 may be varied, for example the substrate may be prepared by a mechanical excavator rather than manually, in which the case the wearing of work boots might not be essential, and in some situations provision of reinforcing mesh and/or bars might not be required. It will further be appreciated that in a (non-preferred) method an item of footwear may be worn over the work boot during one or more of the above steps 10, 20, 30.

The preferred embodiment further comprises the step of attaching a footwear item to the work boot (block 40) and wearing the boot with the additional footwear item attached when finishing the floor (block 50) . In preferred embodiments, the footwear item is in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention and the work boot with the footwear item attached is in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention.

The steps of preparing a concrete floor as described above, but with the exception of the selection and use of footwear will be known per se to the person skilled in the art of producing concrete flooring, and will not be described in detail herein. For clarity, the step of finishing a concrete floor may include (but is not limited to) floating, trowelling, brushing and/or applying or treating a topping applied to the concrete in order to provide desired wear or appearance characteristics.

In preferred embodiments, the footwear item is in accordance with one of the embodiments described below. Although it should be appreciated that many variations are possible. In particular, the purpose of the footwear item is to wholly or partially protect the surface of the concrete floor from being marked or damaged by the work boot during finishing. Any suitable item of footwear fulfilling this purpose could therefore be substituted for the preferred embodiments described below, in the described method or other embodiments of a method for preparing a concrete floor.

An embodiment of an item of footwear suitable for use in the above mentioned method is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The item of footwear is, in this embodiment, in the form of a sandal-like item which will, for convenience, be referred to as over-sandal 100. However, use of the word sandal or over-sandal in this context is not intended to imply limitations which apply to a normal sandal. A normal sandal is for attaching to a foot of a wearer without a boot or similar protective footgear between the foot and the sandal. It will be appreciated that the dimensions, and the relative dimensions, of the sole and straps of normal sandals do not allow effective use with a boot. The over-sandal 100 comprises a sole portion which in this embodiment comprises outer sole 103 with a flat bottom providing a generally flat generally smooth exterior (bottom) surface 104. Providing the footwear item with an exterior sole surface which is generally flat, that is, which does not have distinct heel and fore foot portions, avoids an unnecessary exterior surface feature which could mark concrete and also helps provide a comfortable and natural feel to a wearer of a work boot. Work boots typically have a distinct heel part raising the heel of a wearer slightly relative to the front of the foot, so providing similar structure in the additional footwear item is unnecessary and could result in discomfort or an unfamiliar feel for the wearer.

Providing the footwear item with an exterior sole surface which is generally smooth, that is, which does not have prominent protruding features to enhance grip, also helps avoid providing exterior surface features which could mark the concrete. The exterior surface is preferably almost completely smooth to minimise marking, or may be provided with shallow, small scale grip features .

The sole portion preferably has a thickness which is relatively small compared to the thickness of the sole of a work boot. Work boots typically have fairly thick soles (to provide protection to the foot of a wearer) and use of a relatively small thickness sole portion on the additional footwear item helps prevent the combination of work boot and footwear item from feeling unduly cumbersome to a wearer. The over-sandal 100 further comprises an inner sole 105 for contact with the bottom tread surface of a boot and attachment means for attaching the over-sandal 100 to a boot. Many different forms of attachment means are possible and the disclosure of this document combined with a study of conventional footwear (including but not limited to sandals) will disclose or suggest many appropriate attachment means which may be arrived at by selecting an appropriate attachment means used for attaching known footwear to the foot of a user and adapting the attachment means to make it suitable for attaching the item of footwear to a work boot. Some other forms of attachment which are fundamentally different to known means for attaching footwear to a foot will also be appropriate for attaching footwear to a work boot, as will be discussed in due course.

In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the attachment means comprises a front attachment means 110 and a rear attachment means 120. In this embodiment, the front attachment means comprises fore and rear instep-side straps 111, 112 and fore and rear outer-side straps 116, 117. The instep-side straps 111, 112 and outer-side straps 115, 116 are attached at respective first ends to the inner and/or outer soles 103, 105 and can be connected at respective second ends to assist in attachment of the over- sandal 100 to a work boot. In the illustrated embodiment, the fore and rear instep- side straps are permanently mutually connected (for example by stitching or adhesive) and the fore and rear outer-side-straps 115, 116 are permanently connected, for example by stitching or adhesive. The instep-side straps are provided with an attachment loop 113 at the respective second ends thereof. The attachment loop 113 is provided with a tab (not shown) to facilitate connection to the instep-side straps 111, 112 for example by stitching 114. The outer- side straps are provided with a tightening strap 117 which, in use, passes through the attachment loop 113 and can be secured to itself and/or to one or both of the outer-side straps 115, 116. In a preferred embodiment, the strap is securable by means of a hook and loop fastener (such as that sold under the trade mark Velcro) although other fasteners such as one or more buckles or clasps could be used. It will be appreciated that the front attachment means may be adjusted to be tighter or looser, or to accommodate different sizes of work boots, by suitable operation of the tightening strap 117.

The rear attachment means 120 comprises an instep-side portion 121, an outer-side portion 122 and a central portion 123. The central portion is located substantially at the rearmost part of the over-sandal 100. The instep-side portion 121, outer-side portion 122 and central portion 123 are each attached at respective lower parts thereof to the outer sole 103 and/or inner sole 105 and are connected to each other by a connection portion 124 which extends between, and connects, upper portions thereof. The instep-side and outer- side portions are adapted to be coupled together by fastening means at or adjacent the front of an ankle portion of a boot so that the connection portion 124 extends at least partially around the ankle portion of the boot in order to assist in securing the over- sandal 100 to the boot (the portions 121, 122 and/or fastening means extending around the remainder of the ankle) . In the illustrated embodiment, the instep-side portion 121 and outer-side portion 122 are adapted to be coupled together by fastening means comprising a loop 125 attached to the instep-side portion 121 at the end thereof distal from the outer and inner soles 103, 105 (attached, for example, by stitching 126) and a tightening strap 127 attached to the outer- side portion 122 and adapted to pass through the loop 125 and be secured to the outer-side portion 122, for example by means of a hook and loop fastener.

The front and rear attachment means allow the over-sandal 100 to be attached to a work boot and substantially prevent the sole of the work boot from inadvertently lifting away from the inner sole 105 of the over-sandal 100 during use. The over-sandal 100 is further provided with a boot support portion 130 which projects upwardly from the sole portion and extends partially around the periphery of the over-sandal, in the illustrated embodiment around a heel portion. The boot support portion 120 helps to keep a work boot on the inner sole 105 during use and more specifically helps to prevent migration of the work boot off the rear of the over- sandal 100 during use. This is useful to help avoid the rearmost part of the heel portion of the sole of a work boot extending off the back of the over-sandal 100 and contacting and marking the concrete surface being finished. In some embodiments the boot support portion is not provided, as the sole of the workboot may be adequately retained against migration off the back of the over- sandal 100 by the rear attachment means and, in some preferred embodiments, particularly by a central portion (such as central portion 123) of the rear attachment means .

It will be appreciated that the inner sole 105 and one or more straps forming a front and/or rear attachment means (such as the fore and rear instep-side straps 111, 112, fore and rear outer-sides straps 115, 116, instep, outer and central portions 121, 122, 123 and connecting portion 124) may be fashioned as a single piece. In this case the upper parts of the elements forming a front and/or rear attachment means (such as the fore and rear instep- side straps 111, 112, fore and rear outer-sides straps 115, 116, instep, outer and central portions 121, 122, 123 and/or connecting portion 124) may be initially formed as distinct end parts distal from the inner sole 105, and then attached to each other, as appropriate, by stitching, gluing or some other suitable means. In some such embodiments the bottom surface (not shown) of the inner sole 105 could be attached, for example by use of an adhesive, to the upper surface (not shown) of the outer sole 103. (In another embodiment, a separate outer sole might not be required, in which case the bottom surface of the single sole would be adapted to contact the concrete being finished, and most of the item of footwear could be provided as a single unitary piece.)

In a preferred embodiment of the over- sandal 100, the tightening strap 127 of the rear attachment means 120 is resilient being made of elastic or a similar material. This assists in maintaining secure contact with the ankle of a boot by keeping the risk of overtightening such a strap (and thereby causing discomfort) low.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the over-sandal 100 attached to a gum boot 140 and steel toe-capped work boot 150, respectively. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of footwear suitable for use in the above described method, in the form of over sole 200. The over sole 200 comprises an outer sole 203 having a substantially flat bottom surface 204. The over sole 200 further comprises an inner sole provided on top of the outer sole 203 and attached thereto by appropriate means such as an adhesive. The upper surface of the inner sole 205 is adapted to engage the tread of a work boot. The over sole 200 comprises a front attachment means 210 and a rear attachment means 220 for attaching the over sole to a work boot so that the over sole is conveniently retained attached to the work boot in use.

The front attachment means 210 comprises a forward strap member 211 aligned generally transverse to the long axis of the over sole and effectively attached to each lateral side of the over sole. The front attachment means further comprises a rear strap member 212 also aligned generally transversely relative to the over sole and effectively attached to each side thereof. The forward and rear strap members 211,212 are preferably made from a resilient or stretchy material, for example the type of elasticated strapping or webbing often used in the manufacture of shoes and boots. However, it will be appreciated that it is not absolutely necessary that they are formed of a resilient material and in the case where a resilient material is not used, a tightening or securing mechanism could be incorporated to facilitate secure attachment to a work boot. It will further be appreciated that although two such strap members are provided on the over sole 200 different numbers of strap members could be used: a single strap member could be used or three or more strap members could be used, in alternative embodiments. The strap members may be attached to the sides of the over sole 200 by any appropriate method but in the preferred embodiment, they pass through slots or apertures 206, 207, 208, 209 in the inner sole 205 and are secured between the inner sole and the outer sole for example by stitching, adhesive or any suitable construction method. For additional strength of construction, each strap member may be provided as a substantially continuous loop having a portion which passes between the inner sole 205 and the outer sole 203.

The rear attachment means 220 comprises a heel projection 223 which projects substantially perpendicular to the plane of the outer sole 203 and which is adapted to engage the rearmost part of a work boot. It will be appreciated that an angled or curved portion is provided where the heel projection 223 projects from the generally planar outer sole 203, and in the illustrated embodiment this is provided by a thickened portion 224 in order to provide the desired rigidity. At the end of the heel projection 223 which is distal from the outer sole 203 there is provided a securing member 225 in the form of a flexible element, in this case a strap of material, which is permanently attached at one end to an upper part of the heel projection 223. The free end of the strap of material may be attached to the heel projection 223 (or alternatively may be attached to a part of the strap of material or securing member which is closer to the point of attachment to the heel projection) by use of a securing mechanism 227. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing mechanism 227 comprises provision of a hook and loop fastener having a first element on the rear face of the heel projection 223 and a second, complementary, element at or adjacent the free end of the strap which forms the securing member 225. Alternative securing means could be used. The securing member 225 is adapted to attach the rear of the over sole to a work boot. This can be achieved by passing the securing member through a heel loop on the work boot and using the securing mechanism 227 to secure the securing member. To attach the overside 200 to a work boot having a heel loop the front of the work boot is first passed underneath the forward and rear strap members and then the rear attachment means is coupled to the heel loop as described above.

It will be appreciated that the securing member 225 could be replaced by other structures for securing to the heel loop of a work boot. For example, a clip, preferably attached to the sole portion by a resilient or adjustable strap, could be used. Figure 8 illustrates the over sole 200 attached to a steel toe-capped work boot 250, including illustrating the configuration of the securing member 225 having been passed through a heel loop 251 of the work boot 250. Figure 9 illustrates schematically the relative sole areas of an embodiment of an item of footwear for use in the above described method and a work boot. In particular, the footwear sole area 231 can be seen to be larger than the work boot sole area 230 and to extend outwardly beyond the sole of the work boot in all directions in use. This is desirable in order to reduce the likelihood of the sole of the work boot contacting the surface of the concrete being finished and to help distribute weight and reduce the likelihood of the edges of the footwear item marking the concrete, for example if the foot of a user is placed onto the concrete non- horizontally. However, this might not be strictly necessary in all circumstances: for example, it may be found with some work boots that the front (toe) area is unlikely to contact, or unlikely to mark, the concrete being finished even if it extends slightly beyond the periphery of the footwear item.

It will be appreciated that many alternative designs and structures of footwear in addition to those described with reference to Figures 2 to 8, could be provided for use in the above described method. Many different methods of or structures for attaching a suitable item of footwear to a work boot can be used. The embodiment of Figures 2 to 5 illustrates an attachment method and structure related to a known method used for attaching a sandal to a foot, and various other sandal- like structures or arrangements can be used. The embodiment of Figures 6 to 8 illustrates an alternative approach to attachment of an item of footwear to a work boot which differs from known methods of attaching footwear directly to feet. Other approaches are also possible. For example, it may be appropriate to use a suitable neoprene oversoσk or overboot suitably shaped to be worn over work boots and possibly provided with one or more zips or hook and loop fasteners to facilitate fitting and securing to the work boot and/or leg of a user. A further alternative could be to provide a synthetic sole attached to a thin stretchy fabric sock in much the same form as known slipper socks (which are essentially fabric socks with relatively rigid soles provided thereon in order to provide a wearer with a combination of a slipper and a sock) . It will be appreciated that known neoprene boots and known slipper socks are unlikely to be suitable for use over a work boot, but that the present discussion of such footwear in combination with the rest of the disclosure of this document amounts to an effective disclosure of how to provide an item of footwear suitable for use with the above described method comprising a sock- like resilient material and a sole for protecting concrete floors being finished from the work boots of a user. Various other forms of attachment mechanism for attaching a suitable sole to a work boot such as adhesive, sharpened members for protruding into the sole of the work boot or the like could also be provided although the described embodiments represent examples of the type of arrangement that is currently preferred. Although embodiments which protect the upper of the work boot are possible, it is preferred to avoid undue encumbrance of a wearer by attaching the additional footwear item by resilient and/or adjustable straps which leave a substantial proportion of the foot part of the boot upper exposed.

It will further be appreciated that references herein to concrete floors are intended to include concrete slabs and panels which are walked upon during a finishing process. That is preparation of various concrete panels, such as panels intended to purposes other than flooring but which are cast generally horizontally and walked upon during a finishing process, should be considered to fall within the scope of the words floor, flooring and the like.

It will further be appreciated that although in preferred embodiments protective footgear in the form of a work boot is used, in alternative embodiments other protective footgear, such as protective shoes, could be used. The description of preferred embodiments that refers to work boots should also be considered to disclose analogous features in relation to methods including, or additional items of footwear for use with, other items of protective footgear.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a concrete floor said method comprising the step of finishing the concrete surface while wearing a protective footgear and an additional item of footwear attached to the protective footgear, said additional item of footwear providing a sole portion for engaging the concrete surface and for preventing at least part of a sole of the protective footgear engaging the concrete surface.

2. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of finishing the concrete surface may comprise trowelling.

3. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in either preceding claim wherein the step of finishing the concrete surface comprises at least one of: sweeping, and; applying a protective or aesthetic top layer.

4. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said method comprises wearing said protective footgear without said additional item of footwear while performing any one or more of the following steps: preparing a substrate for a concrete floor; preparing a form for a concrete floor; setting reinforcing mesh and/or reinforcing bars prior to providing concrete; providing concrete onto the substrate and/or into the form; screeding the concrete.

5. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in claim 4 wherein method includes the step of attaching the additional item of footwear to the protective footgear prior to finishing the concrete floor.

6. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sole portion of the additional item of footwear is lesser in thickness than the sole of the protective footgear.

7. The sole portion of the additional item of footwear is preferably not more than 1.5 cm thick.

8. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sole portion of the additional item of footwear has an external surface which is formed so that providing said sole portion between the sole of the protective footgear and the concrete floor reduces the likelihood of inadvertently marking the concrete floor during finishing.

9. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in claim 8 wherein the sole portion of the additional item of footwear has an external surface for engaging the concrete surface, and said external surface does not have a grip configuration which is as pronounced as the grip configuration provided on the sole of the protective footgear.

10. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in claim 9 wherein the sole portion of the additional item of footwear has an external surface which is generally smooth.

11. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the additional item of footwear is provided with one or more attachment elements for attaching to the protective footgear, and said one or more attachment elements are configured so that a considerable proportion of the surface of the protective footgear upper is exposed in use.

12. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the additional item of footwear is provided with one or more attachment elements for attaching to the protective footgear, and said one or more attachment elements are straps which offer little or no protection to the work boot upper as a whole.

13. A method of preparing a concrete floor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the protective footgear is a work boot.

14. An item of footwear adapted to be worn attached to an item of protective footgear, said item of footwear comprising a sole portion having an interior surface for engaging a tread surface of an outer sole of the protective footgear, an exterior surface for engaging a surface of a concrete floor and at least one attachment portion for attaching the item of footwear to the protective footgear.

15. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 14 wherein the item of footwear is adapted to be worn attached to an item of protective footgear which is in the form of a workboot .

16. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 15 wherein the item of footwear is adapted to be worn attached to a workboot which is a concrete boot, a steel toe capped boot and/or a gum boot.

17. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16 wherein the exterior surface of the sole portion is substantially flat.

18. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 wherein the exterior surface has a front portion and a rear portion, the front and rear portions being substantially continuous with each other.

19. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18 wherein the exterior surface of the sole comprises a grip configuration which has a depth of no more than 3 mm.

20. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18 wherein the exterior surface of the sole portion is substantially smooth.

21. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 20 wherein the exterior surface of the sole portion is formed from a synthetic material.

22. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 21 wherein the exterior surface of the sole portion is formed from a synthetic rubber and/or a resilient foam material.

23. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 22 wherein the at least one attachment portion comprises at least one strap.

24. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 23 wherein least one strap may is provided with adjustment means for varying the effective length thereof and/or is be resiliently stretσhable.

25. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 24 wherein at least one attachment portion comprises at least one front attachment portion, coupled to the sole portion, for passing at least partially over a front portion of protective footgear in order to attach, or assist in attaching, the footwear item to said protective footgear.

26. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 25 wherein the at least one front attachment portion comprises first and second front attachment portions.

27. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 26 wherein the front attachment portions are movable relative to each other and securable in order to attach, or assist in attaching, the footwear item to said protective footgear.

28. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 27 wherein at least one attachment portion comprises at least one rear attachment portion coupled to the sole portion and adapted to attach to a rear portion of said protective footgear.

29. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 28 wherein the rear attachment portion comprises one or more elements adapted to pass at least partially around an ankle portion of a work boot.

30. An item of footwear as claimed in either of claims 28 or 29 wherein the rear attachment portion comprises one or more elements adapted to couple to a heel loop of said protective footgear.

31. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 30 wherein the rear attachment portion comprises a coupling element adapted to pass through a heel loop of protective footgear.

32. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 31 wherein the rear attachment portion comprises a fastener for securing the coupling of the coupling element to said heel loop.

33. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 32 when used in a method in accordance with any of claims 1 to 13.

34. A method in accordance with any of claims 1 to 13 comprising use of an item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 14 to 32.

35. Footwear comprising protective footgear and an additional item of footwear in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 32 coupled thereto.

36. Footwear as claimed in claim 35 wherein the protective footgear comprises a workboot.

37. Footwear as claimed in either of claims 35 or 36 wherein the sole portion of the additional item of footwear extends outwardly beyond the sole of the protective footgear around substantially the entire periphery of the sole of the protective footgear.

38. A method of preparing a concrete floor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

39. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 14, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 5, or Figures 6 to 8.