Utility boot with interchangeable article carriers and method for using the same

Abstract

An article of footwear having multiple interchangeable article carriers. The article of footwear including two or more article carriers, having the same or different configurations, which releasably attach to the article of footwear. Each of the article carriers have a fastener for attaching to the article of footwear, and the article of footwear has two or more corresponding fasteners for accepting the article carriers. The fasteners on one article of footwear can all be the same configuration, or have different configurations on the same article of footwear. The article carriers can be released from the article of footwear and reattached to the same or a different corresponding fastener on the article of footwear allowing a user to customize his footwear.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of footwear worn by construction workers, hunters, fishermen, military soldiers, and persons of the like who would benefit from having a customizable boot with pockets for holding items conveniently and safely. More specifically, it relates to interchangeable article carriers of various configurations, a boot with the article carriers, and a method for using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore, footwear pockets are specifically shaped and designed to hold a particular item, such as a hand, handgun, scent dispenser, or small personal item. Commonly, a single pocket attaches to the footwear in a location determined by the manufacturer. Therefore, a user is limited to one footwear pocket in a predetermined location and has little flexibility for what he will hold in the pocket.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved footwear with article carriers that allows a user to customize his footwear to best serve his needs during a particular activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of this invention is to provide an article of footwear having multiple interchangeable article carriers of various shapes and sizes that allow a user to easily customize his footwear to conveniently hold items.

For example, a concrete layer often uses a trowel while doing cement work and needs need a convenient place to put the tool when not in use. If the tool is placed on the ground, it could pick up extraneous undesirable elements and be difficult to retrieve once he returns to the job. Thus, for convenience, many concrete layers slip the tool inside their rubber boot. However, storing the tool inside the boot can cause skin irritation if the caustic composition of the cement comes in contact with the worker's leg. The present invention has an exterior trowel pocket on a boot that would provide the concrete layer with a safe and convenient place to store his trowel while it was not in use.

Not only are exterior pockets desirable for holding trowels, but exterior boot pockets designed to hold other objects would allow a user to store items without interfering with the fit and comfort of the boot. Furthermore, the cement layer may have more than one tool and other items he wants to carry such as a water bottle, food, flashlight, cigarettes, etc. If the worker is not wearing a garment which allows him to store these items, he will have difficulty carrying them. The present invention provides for a boot having article carriers, or storage compartments, which vary in shape, material, and utility. For example, an article carrier having a cylindrical shape would be suited to hold a water bottle or flashlight, an article carrier having a flexible carrier body and a slot in the top would safely and handily carry a trowel, and an article carrier that is a small box would conveniently carry a sandwich or cigarettes.

As described, it is also useful to have the option of attaching more than one pocket on a boot. For example, a cement layer would benefit from having two trowel pockets, a water bottle pocket, and a small box attached to his boots. The present invention provides for a boot having multiple pockets.

Finally, a wearer of the boot may find that he does not need one of the pockets or one type of pocket for a particular job or period of time. The present invention allows the user the option of customizing a work boot so that it is designed for a particular activity or personalized to a user's preference. Furthermore, the user can periodically customize the boots by interchanging the pockets on the boots, deciding which pockets to attach and where to attach them for that activity. This gives a user the flexibility to decide where to store various items on an article of footwear that may be worn on, among other occasions, a construction job site, hunting expedition, fishing trip, military mission, or a mountain trek.

While existing boots are adapted to carry one item, such as a trowel, holster, or a small personal item, the user has typically been limited to one carrier unit on the boot, located in a predetermined location on the boot. Understandably, a user may prefer that both trowels be stored on one boot while his other articles are kept on the other. He may prefer his water be accessible from the back of the boot, or he may decide that he wants one boot to not have a pocket attached. When engaging in a different activity, he may want to set up the boots in a different manner. Accordingly, the present invention provides for a boot having multiple interchangeable pockets having shapes such as a cylinder, rectangle, box, or flexible pouch.

A first general aspect of the present invention provides a footwear article comprising:

a boot;

a plurality of article carriers releasably attached to said boot, wherein a first of said plurality of said article carriers is of a first configuration and a second of said article carriers is of a second configuration.

A second general aspect of the present invention provides a footwear article comprising:

a boot;

a plurality of fasteners for accepting interchangeable article carriers located on the exterior of said boot, wherein a first of said plurality of said fasteners is of a first configuration and a second of said fasteners is of a second configuration; and

at least one article carrier releasably attached to at least one of said plurality of fasteners.

A third general aspect of the present invention provides an article of footwear for customizably securing article carriers to a leg of a wearer comprising:

a boot having a plurality of fasteners, wherein said fasteners are located on the exterior of said boot; and

a plurality of article carriers adapted to releasably attach to any one of said plurality of fasteners.

A fourth general aspect of the present invention provides an article carrier for attachment to an article of footwear comprising:

a top opening to allow the insertion of an object;

a carrier frame, wherein said carrier frame has a plurality of openings and a cutout notch positioned in said top opening such that the article carrier is adapted to accept the handle of a tool; and

a fastener that releasably attaches to at least one of a plurality of corresponding fasteners on an article of footwear.

A fifth general aspect of the present invention provides a method comprising:

providing a footwear article having a plurality of fasteners for accepting an article carrier;

providing a plurality of article carriers, wherein a first of said plurality of article carriers is of a first configuration and a second of said plurality of article carriers is of a second configuration; and

releasably attaching any one of said plurality of article carriers to any one of said plurality of fasteners on said footwear article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a rear view of a typical utility boot with multiple interchangeable article carriers, a side view of a first embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, and a front view of a second embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier of the present invention, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of a typical utility boot with multiple fasteners for accepting interchangeable article carriers and two of a first embodiment of a fastener for accepting interchangeable article carriers, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of a typical utility boot with multiple fasteners for accepting interchangeable article carriers, a side view of two of the first embodiment of a fastener for accepting interchangeable article carriers, and a front view of a second and third embodiment of a fastener for accepting interchangeable article carriers, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an isometric view of a typical utility boot with multiple interchangeable article carriers and a front view of the first embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts an isometric view of a typical utility boot with multiple interchangeable article carriers and the first embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts an isometric view of the utility boot with multiple interchangeable article carriers, a isometric view of the third and a fourth embodiment of a fastener for accepting interchangeable article carriers, a rear view of a second embodiment of an article carrier, and an isometric view of the third embodiment of an article carrier;

FIG. 7 depicts a back view of a typical utility boot with multiple interchangeable article carriers, a side view of a first embodiment of a fastener for accepting an article carrier, and a front view of a fourth embodiment of an article carrier, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts an isometric view of a typical utility boot with multiple interchangeable article carriers and an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a rear view of a typical utility boot with multiple interchangeable article carriers, a side view of a first embodiment of a fastener for accepting an article carrier, and a front view of the second embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of an embodiment. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a typical utility boot 10 with multiple interchangeable article carriers, a side view of a first embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, and a front view of a second embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier of the present invention, in accordance with the present invention. A boot is an article of footwear that covers the whole foot and can extend all the way up the leg, but covers at least part of the lower leg. As shown in FIG. 1, the boot is generally designated 10. The boot 10 can be a combat boot, hiking boot, fisherman's boot, waders, concrete worker's boot, hunter's boot, work boot, or any article of footwear that covers the whole foot and at least part of the lower leg. The boot 10 can be made out of a waterproof material that will keep the wearer's foot dry and protected from moisture or other elements such as caustic material like cement. The boot 10 can be made or composed of leather, rubber, microfiber, plastic, nylon, etc., or composed of a combination of any of these materials. In addition, the boot can have any of a multitude of additional features which make it appropriate for a particular use. For example, the boot 10 may have a cinching mechanism 12 at the top cuff to keep out water, air, particles, and/or extraneous materials. The cinching mechanism 12 can be composed of elastic, a drawstring, a strap having a buckle, a hook and eye fastener, a hook and loop fastener, etc. The boot 10 may have a sole 14 having a heel 142 and tread 144 to prevent the wearer from slipping. The boot may have a steel toe, lining, insulation, insole, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the boot 10 has multiple configurations of article carriers that can concurrently be worn on the boot. FIG. 1 shows article carriers 20 and 30 on the boot 10. An article carrier is a device for holding, carrying, transporting, storing, or protecting items such as a gun, ammunition, tools, bow arrows, lures, fishing tackle, cigarettes, food, a water bottle, flashlight, keys, etc. The article carrier can hold a single item or a collection of items. It can be a pocket, strap, storage compartment, pouch, box, holster, key ring, clip, etc. The article carrier can be waterproof, insulated, or adapted to prevent crushing of the contents. The article carrier can be flexible and relatively conform to the shape of its contents. On the other hand, it can be made of a rigid material, such as plastic, that retains its shape when holding most items, or another material such as rubber, leather, fabric, or metal. The article carrier can be any one of a number of different shapes and may be specifically adapted and configured for specific uses and applications. For example, a first configuration or embodiment and a second configuration or embodiment are shown in FIG. 1 as a flexible article carrier 20 that relatively conforms to the shape of its contents and a cylindrical pocket 30. Both the first and second embodiments of article carriers 20 and 30 have an open top, or top opening, 22 and 32, and a carrier frame 24 and 34 which has a plurality of openings 26 and 36 in either the exterior sides or bottom or both the exterior sides and bottom of the carrier frame which allow the circulation of air or for material such as cement to drop out of the carrier. In addition, the article carriers each have a fastener 70 for releasably attaching to the boot 10. The fastener 70 is any device which attaches the article carrier to the boot 10, such as a snap, clip, strap, lace, button, hook, hook and eye fastener, hook and loop fastener, tie, and buckle, etc. The boot 10 has corresponding fasteners 72, 82, 92, which accept the fastener 70, 80, 90 located on the article carrier. FIG. 1 shows a side view of a clip fastener 70 and a partial view of the corresponding clip fastener reinforcer 721 may also be seen. The fastener reinforcer is a device that provides additional reinforcement to the mounting of the fastener on the boot. The fastener reinforcer 721 may be an extra layer of material such as leather, rubber, metal, plastic, or another suitable reinforcement material that is bonded, ultrasonically welded, riveted, glued, or attached to the side of the boot by any other suitable connection, including molding.

As shown in FIG. 2, an isometric view of a typical utility boot 10 with fasteners for accepting interchangeable article carriers, there may be two or more of a first embodiment of a corresponding fastener 72 for accepting interchangeable article carriers, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 the corresponding fastener 72 on the boot may be a clip which corresponds to a fastener 70 on any one of a plurality of configurations of article carriers so that the article carrier may releasably attach to the boot. The fastener 72 can be located anywhere on the boot and is not limited to the locations depicted in the drawings.

While FIG. 2 shows that there may be a plurality of a first embodiment of a fastener, there may also be a plurality of configurations of fasteners on the boot 10. FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of a typical utility boot 10 with multiple fasteners for accepting interchangeable article carriers, a side view of two of the first embodiment of a corresponding fastener 72 for accepting interchangeable article carriers, and a front view of a second and third embodiment of a corresponding fastener, 82 and 92, for accepting interchangeable article carriers, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the second embodiment of a corresponding fastener 82 is a slot which would accept a hook on the article carrier and the third embodiment of a corresponding fastener 92 is a snap. FIG. 3 also shows fastener reinforcers 721, 821, 921, which are located on the boot and provide additional attachment support to the fasteners.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an isometric view of a typical utility boot 10 with multiple interchangeable article carriers and a front view of the first embodiment of an article carrier 20, in accordance with the present invention. Article carrier 20 has a flexible body that relatively conforms to the shape of the object it holds. A similar embodiment of an article carrier, shown in FIG. 6, is a solid front article carrier 40 having a carrier frame 44 with a front piece 442 which is substantially solid in that it has no large openings. The front piece 442 can be made of the same or different material as the carrier frame. The solid front article carrier 40 also has an open top, or top opening, 42, and a plurality of openings 46 on either the exterior sides and bottom or both the exterior sides and bottom of the carrier frame 44 which allow the circulation of air or for material such as cement to drop out of the carrier. There can also be openings on the bottom of the carrier frame 44 that are holes to allow for aeration or drainage of materials like water, chemicals, or cement.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the flexible article carrier 20 and solid front article carrier 40 can have a cutout notch 28, 48 positioned at the top 22, 42 of the article carrier so that the article carrier 20, 40 can conveniently and securely accept the handle of a tool such as a trowel, scrub brush, or drill. The cutout notch 28, 48 can be different sizes. For example, the cutout notch 28, 48 can extend into the carrier frame 20, 40 so that it creates a deep slot or short slot. The cutout notch 28 in FIGS. 4 and 5 is representative of a deep slot, and the cutout notch 48 shown in FIG. 6 is representative of a short slot. The cutout notch 28, 48 can be adapted to accept a handle that hooks into the notch 28 as shown in FIG. 4 where the flexible article carrier 20 is shown holding a trowel tool having a first type of handle that has one side of the handle attached to the tool, or, as shown in FIG. 5, the cutout notch can be adapted to accept another type of handle in which both sides of the handle are attached to the tool so that at least one side of the handle is enclosed in the flexible article carrier 20.

FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of the second embodiment of an article carrier, a cylindrical article carrier 30. FIG. 6, in combination with FIG. 1, illustrates that a particular embodiment of article carrier may attach to more than one location on the boot 10 since each figure shows a cylindrical article carrier 30 attached in a different location on the boot 10. FIG. 6 also depicts the third embodiment and a fourth embodiment of a corresponding fastener on the boot 10. The third embodiment of a corresponding fastener is a snap 92, and the fourth embodiment of a corresponding fastener is a strap 102 which fits securely around the leg of the boot 10. The strap 102 can be combined with a snap which secures the strap in place on the boot 10. The strap can be leather, elastic, canvas, or any material suitable for securing an article carrier to a boot.

FIG. 7 depicts a front view of a fourth configuration or embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 7 shows an article carrier 50, having an open top, or top opening, 52, and a carrier frame 54 which has a plurality of openings 56 in either the exterior sides and bottom or both the exterior sides and bottom of the carrier frame. The plurality of openings 56 allow the circulation of air or for material such as cement to drop out of the carrier. In addition, FIG. 7 shows a vice 58 which secures the contents of the article carrier. The vice can be any feature which secures the contents of the carrier such as a strap, cover, lid, hook and eye fastener, hook and loop fastener, button, magnet, tie-string, elastic, etc. The fastener 92 which attaches the article carrier to the boot 10 is also shown in FIG. 7. There can be one or more fasteners used per article carrier and there can be one or more configurations of fasteners used per article carrier.

FIG. 8, an isometric view of a typical utility boot 10 with multiple interchangeable article carriers, shows a fifth configuration or embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a rectangular article carrier, or box carrier 60 that generally resembles an enclosed box. The box carrier 60 can be of a solid construction or have one or more openings 66 that would allow air circulation or drainage. The box carrier 60 has a top opening 62, a box frame 64, and can have a vice or cover 68 for securing the contents of the article carrier. The cover 68 can be constructed of the same or different material as the box frame 64 and can fit securely or loosely over the top opening 62. The cover 68 can have a cover fastener 682 that is a buckle, snap, lace, button, magnet, hook and eye, hook and loop, strap, etc. which secures the cover 68 over the box top opening 62. The box frame 64 can have a corresponding cover fastener 642 which attaches to the cover fastener 682. The corresponding fastener 642 is a fastening unit that corresponds to the cover fastener 682, thus, it can be a buckle, snap, button, magnet, hook and eye, hook and loop, strap, etc. While there can be a cover fastener, the box carrier can also not have a cover fastener. The box carrier 60 can be composed of a flexible or generally rigid material. The generally rigid material composition would prevent crushing of the contents up to reasonable application of pressure. Thus, the box carrier 60 can be constructed of rubber, plastic, metal, leather, or another material suitable to hold items. The box carrier can have a fabric casing and could be a frame having openings with a fabric casing. The cover 68 can be attached to the box frame 64 by a hinge or can be detachable from the box frame 64.

FIG. 9 shows a rear view of a typical utility boot 10 with multiple interchangeable article carriers, a side view of a first embodiment of a corresponding fastener 72 for accepting an article carrier, and a front view of the second embodiment of an interchangeable article carrier, a cylindrical article carrier 30, in accordance with the present invention. A portion of fastener 80 can been seen beyond the cylindrical article carrier 30. There can be one article carrier attached to a boot 10 having a plurality of fasteners on the exterior of the boot 10.

It should be understood that article carriers 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 releasably attach to the boot 10 via any one of a plurality of configurations of fasteners, for example, 70, 80 and 90, on the article carrier which attach to corresponding fasteners, for example, 71, 81 and 91, on the boot 10. The article carriers 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 may be releasably attached via a fastener 70, 80, and 90 to a corresponding fastener 71, 81, and 91 on the boot 10. Once attached, each article carrier may be released from the boot 10 and reattached to the same or another one of the plurality of corresponding fasteners on the boot 10. Typically, the user chooses a setup using the configurations of article carriers and locations to attach them according to the combination which provides the most convenience for performing a particular activity. For example, a cement worker would commonly choose the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in which a cylindrical article carrier 20 which would conveniently hold a water bottle and a flexible article carrier 30 which would conveniently hold a trowel were attached to the boot 10.

Claims

1. A footwear article comprising:

a boot;

a plurality of article carriers releasably attached to said boot, wherein a first of said plurality of said article carriers is of a first configuration and a second of said article carriers is of a second configuration.

2. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said boot is a combat boot, hiking boot, fisherman's boot, waders, concrete worker's boot, hunter's boot, work boot, or any article of footwear that covers the whole foot and at least part of the lower leg.

3. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said boot is waterproof.

4. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said boot is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, rubber, microfiber, plastic, nylon, metal, fabric, or any combination of said materials.

5. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said boot further comprises:

a cinching mechanism at the top of said boot.

6. The footwear article of claim 5, wherein said cinching mechanism is either elastic, a drawstring, a strap having a buckle, a hook and eye fastener, a hook and loop fastener, or tie.

7. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein said boot further comprises:

a sole, having a heel and tread.

8. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers is flexible and relatively conforms to the shape of its contents.

9. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers is a cylindrical pocket.

10. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers is selected from the group consisting of a pocket, strap, storage compartment, pouch, box, holster, key ring, and clip.

11. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers is adapted to prevent crushing of the contents.

12. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers is insulated.

13. The footwear article carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers is rectangular.

14. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers has a cutout notch positioned at the top of said article carrier such that the article carrier is adapted to accept the handle of a tool such as a trowel, scrub brush, or drill.

15. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers has a vice which secures the contents of the article carrier.

16. The footwear article of claim 15, wherein said vice is selected from the group consisting of a strap, cover, lid, hook, hook and eye fastener, hook and loop fastener, lace, button, magnet, tie, and elastic.

17. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers further comprises:

a fastener for releasably attaching said article carrier to said boot.

18. The footwear article of claim 17, wherein said fastener selected from the group consisting of a snap, clip, strap, lace, button, hook, hook and eye fastener, hook and loop fastener, tie, and buckle.

19. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers further comprises:

a top opening; and

a carrier frame having a plurality of openings.

20. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers further comprises:

a front piece which has no large openings.

21. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of article carriers is constructed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of leather, rubber, microfiber, plastic, nylon, metal, fabric, or any combination of said materials.

22. An article of footwear comprising:

a boot;

a plurality of fasteners for accepting interchangeable article carriers located on the exterior of said boot, wherein a first of said plurality of said fasteners is of a first configuration and a second of said fasteners is of a second configuration; and

at least one article carrier releasably attached to at least one of said plurality of fasteners.

23. The footwear article of claim 22, wherein said first of said plurality of fasteners and said second of said plurality of fasteners are selected from the group consisting of a snap, clip, strap, lace, button, hook, hook and eye fastener, hook and loop fastener, tie, and buckle.

24. The footwear article of claim 22, further comprising:

a fastener reinforcer attached to said boot.

25. The footwear article of claim 24, wherein said fastener reinforcer is leather, rubber, metal, plastic, or another suitable reinforcement material, and wherein said fastener reinforcer is bonded, ultrasonically welded, riveted, glued, or attached to the side of the boot by any other suitable connection, including molding.

26. The footwear article of claim 22, such that said at least one article carrier is selected from the group consisting of a pocket having an open top and a plurality of openings, a pocket having a cylindrical shape, and a pocket that is in the shape of a box.

27. An article of footwear for customizably securing article carriers to a leg of a wearer comprising:

a boot having a plurality of fasteners, wherein said fasteners are located on the exterior of said boot; and

a plurality of article carriers adapted to releasably attach to any one of said plurality of fasteners.

28. The article of footwear of claim 27, wherein said plurality of article carriers further comprise:

at least one corresponding fastener which corresponds to at least one of said fasteners on said boot.

29. An article carrier for attachment to an article of footwear comprising:

a top opening to allow the insertion of an object;

a carrier frame, wherein said carrier frame has a plurality of openings and a cutout notch positioned in said top opening such that the article carrier is adapted to accept the handle of a tool; and

a fastener that releasably attaches to at least one of a plurality of corresponding fasteners on an article of footwear.

30. The article carrier of claim 29, wherein said carrier frame is adapted to prevent crushing of the contents.

31. The article carrier of claim 29, wherein said carrier frame is selected from the group consisting of leather.

32. A method comprising:

providing a footwear article having a plurality of fasteners for accepting an article carrier;

providing a plurality of article carriers, wherein a first of said plurality of article carriers is of a first configuration and a second of said plurality of article carriers is of a second configuration; and

releasably attaching any one of said plurality of article carriers to any one of said plurality of fasteners on said footwear article.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

releasing any one of said plurality of article carriers; and

releasably attaching said any one of said plurality of article carriers to any one of said plurality of fasteners on said footwear article.