Shoe cover device

Abstract

A shoe cover device is disclosed for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, the device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons. The device includes a protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, the cover having a first and a second edge. An edging tape has a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, the edging tape being folded such that the first side lies over the second side of the tape so that the tape defines a channel for the reception therein of the first edge of the protective cover. A row of stitches extend between the first termination and the second termination of the tape so that the cover is attached to the tape by the row of stitches. An expandable member has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity being secured to the first termination of the edging tape and extending from the first termination. The second extremity of the member is secured to the second termination of the edging tape and extends from the second termination. The arrangement is such that the tape and the expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that the cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe. Also, a strap has a first and a second end, the first end of the strap being fastened to the first extremity of the expandable member. The second end of the strap is fastened to the second extremity of the expandable member. The strap, in use of the device, extends around the heel of the shoe so that the cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of the expandable member and the strap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cover device for protecting a shoe. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shoe cover device for protecting the top surface of a shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Various chemicals are typically used in hair salons and barber shops for treating customer's hair. However, such chemicals can have a damaging effect on a stylist or barber's shoes if any of the chemical is spilt thereon. Stylists and barbers often wear expensive shoes that can cost several hundred dollars. However, even if the shoes are not particularly expensive, the spillage of chemicals or hair thereon can be a source of considerable annoyance to a stylist or barber.

[0005] Although for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,416 to Hands describes a shoe cover for protecting costly shoes, the cover is relatively complex in structure and therefore rather expensive to manufacture.

[0006] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problem associated with the prior art shoe cover arrangement.

[0007] Also, because of the unique arrangement of the components of the shoe cover device according to the present invention, the cost of manufacture thereof is reduced.

[0008] Therefore, it is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a shoe cover device that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art arrangements.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention contained herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a shoe cover device for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, the device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair and any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons. The device includes a protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, the cover having a first and a second edge. An edging tape has a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, the edging tape being folded such that the first side lies over the second side of the tape so that the tape defines a channel for the reception therein of the first edge of the protective cover. A row of stitches extend between the first termination and the second termination of the tape so that the cover is attached to the tape by the row of stitches. An expandable member has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity being secured to the first termination of the edging tape and extending from the first termination. The second extremity of the member is secured to the second termination of the edging tape and extends from the second termination. The arrangement is such that the tape and the expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that the cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe. Also, a strap has a first and a second end, the first end of the strap being fastened to the first extremity of the expandable member. The second end of the strap is fastened to the second extremity of the expandable member. The strap, in use of the device, extends around the heel of the shoe so that the cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of the expandable member and the strap.

[0011] In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the cover is fabricated from a translucent material and the cover is of a flexible material. Preferably, the cover is fabricated from a plastics material.

[0012] The second edge of the cover is of semi-elliptical shape so that the cover entirely covers the top surface of the shoe and the tape is fabricated from woven material.

[0013] The first face of the tape contacts the cover in a vicinity of the first edge of the cover and the folded tape defines a crease which is disposed closely adjacent to the first edge of the cover.

[0014] Moreover, the tape has a length from the first to the second termination which is the same as a further length of the first edge of the cover.

[0015] Also, the row of stitches extends from the first termination to the second termination of the tape and the expandable member is fabricated from elastic cloth.

[0016] Additionally, the strap is stretchable and is preferably fabricated from elastic cloth.

[0017] Many modifications and variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description contained hereinafter taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, such modifications and variations fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the shoe cover device according to the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cover device shown in FIG. 1 removed from the shoe in order ore clearly to show the parts thereof;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover device shown in FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

[0023] FIG. 6 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but viewed from the opposite side.

[0024] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe cover device generally designated 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe cover device 10 is for a shoe 12 having a top surface 14 and a heel 16, the device 10 protecting the top surface 14 of the shoe 12 from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cover device 10 removed from the shoe 12 in order more clearly to show the parts thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover device 10 includes a protective cover 18 of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface 14 of the shoe 12, the cover 18 having a first and a second edge 20 and 22 respectively.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover device 10 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover device 10 includes an edging tape which is generally designated 24.

[0028] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the tape 24 has a first and a second face 26 and 28 respectively and a first and a second side 30 and 32 respectively. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the tape 24 has a first and a second termination 34 and 36 respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the edging tape 24 is folded such that the first side 30 lies over the second side 32 of the tape 24 so that the tape 24 defines a channel 38 for the reception therein of the first edge 20 of the protective cover 18. A row of stitches 40 extend between the first termination 34 and the second termination 36 of the tape 24 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that the cover 18 is attached to the tape 24 by the row of stitches 40. As shown in FIG. 3, an expandable member 42 has a first and a second extremity 44 and 46 respectively, the first extremity 44 being secured to the first termination 34 of the edging tape 24 and extending from the first termination 34. The second extremity 46 of the member 42 is secured to the second termination 36 of the edging tape 24 and extends from the second termination 36.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the arrangement is such that the tape 24 and the expandable member 42 cooperate together to define therebetween an opening 48 for the removable insertion therein of the top surface 14 of the shoe 12 so that the cover 18 is releasably secured about the top surface 14 of the shoe 12.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but viewed from the opposite side. As shown in FIG. 6, a strap 50 has a first and a second end 52 and 54 respectively, the first end 52 of the strap 50 being fastened to the first extremity 44 of the expandable member 42. The second end 54 of the strap 50 is fastened to the second extremity 46 of the expandable member 42. The strap 50, in use of the device 10, extends around the heel 16 of the shoe 12 so that the cover 18 is firmly located over the top surface 14 of the shoe 12 by an interaction of the expandable member 42 and the strap 50.

[0031] In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the cover 18 is fabricated from a translucent material and the cover 18 is of a flexible material. Preferably, the cover 18 is fabricated from a plastics material.

[0032] The second edge 22 of the cover 18 is of semi-elliptical shape so that the cover 18 entirely covers the top surface 14 of the shoe 12 and the tape 24 is fabricated from woven material.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the first face 26 of the tape 24 contacts the cover 18 in a vicinity of the first edge 20 of the cover 18 and the folded tape 24 defines a crease 56 which is disposed closely adjacent to the first edge 20 of the cover 18.

[0034] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the tape 24 has a length L from the first to the second termination 34 and 36 respectively which is the same as a further length L′ of the first edge 20 of the cover 18.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the row of stitches 40 extends from the first termination 34 to the second termination 36 of the tape 24 and the expandable member 42 is fabricated from elastic cloth.

[0036] Additionally, the strap 50 is stretchable and is preferably fabricated from elastic cloth.

[0037] In operation of the device according to the present invention, the user slips the toe of the shoe through the opening so that the expandable member extends under the in-step of the shoe and the strap is pulled up around the heel of the shoe so that the protective cover is firmly secured over the top surface of the shoe for protecting such upper surface of the shoe.

[0038] The present invention provides a unique shoe cover device that is both inexpensive to manufacture and easily secured to a shoe.

Claims

1. A shoe cover device for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, said device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons, said device comprising:

a protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, said cover having a first and a second edge;

an edging tape having a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, said edging tape being folded such that said first side lies over said second side of said tape so that said tape defines a channel for the reception therein of said first edge of said protective cover;

a row of stitches extending between said first termination and said second termination of said tape so that said cover is attached to said tape by said row of stitches;

an expandable member having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said first termination of said edging tape and extending from said first termination, said second extremity being secured to said second termination of said edging tape and extending from said second termination, the arrangement being such that said tape and said expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that said cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe; and

a strap having a first and a second end, said first end of said strap being fastened to said first extremity of said expandable member, said second end of said strap being fastened to said second extremity of said expandable member, said strap, in use of the device, extending around the heel of the shoe so that said cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of said expandable member and said strap.

2. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said cover is fabricated from a translucent material.

3. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said cover is fabricated from a flexible material.

4. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said cover is fabricated from a plastics material.

5. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said second edge of said cover is of semi-elliptical shape so that said cover entirely covers the top surface of the shoe.

6. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said tape is fabricated from woven material.

7. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said first face of said tape contacts said cover in a vicinity of said first edge of said cover.

8. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said folded tape defines a crease which is disposed closely adjacent to said first edge of said cover.

9. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said tape has a length from said first to said second termination which is the same as a further length of said first edge of said cover.

10. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said row of stitches extends from said first termination to said second termination of said tape.

11. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said expandable member is fabricated from elastic cloth.

12. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said strap is stretchable.

13. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 12 wherein

said strap is fabricated from elastic cloth.

14. A shoe cover device for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, said device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons, said device comprising:

a translucent protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, said cover having a first and a second edge;

an edging tape having a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, said edging tape being folded such that said first side lies over said second side of said tape so that said tape defines a channel for the reception therein of said first edge of said protective cover;

a row of stitches extending between said first termination and said second termination of said tape so that said cover is attached to said tape by said row of stitches;

an expandable member having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said first termination of said edging tape and extending from said first termination, said second extremity being secured to said second termination of said edging tape and extending from said second termination, the arrangement being such that said tape and said expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that said cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe; and

a strap having a first and a second end, said first end of said strap being fastened to said first extremity of said expandable member, said second end of said strap being fastened to said second extremity of said expandable member, said strap, in use of the device, extending around the heel of the shoe so that said cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of said expandable member and said strap.

15. A shoe cover device for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, said device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons, said device comprising:

a protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, said cover having a first and a second edge;

an edging tape having a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, said edging tape being folded such that said first side lies over said second side of said tape so that said tape defines a channel for the reception therein of said first edge of said protective cover;

a row of stitches extending between said first termination and said second termination of said tape so that said cover is attached to said tape by said row of stitches;

an expandable member having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said first termination of said edging tape and extending from said first termination, said second extremity being secured to said second termination of said edging tape and extending from said second termination, the arrangement being such that said tape and said expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that said cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe;

a strap having a first and a second end, said first end of said strap being fastened to said first extremity of said expandable member, said second end of said strap being fastened to said second extremity of said expandable member, said strap, in use of the device, extending around the heel of the shoe so that said cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of said expandable member and said strap;

said cover being fabricated from a translucent flexible plastics material;

said second edge of said cover being of semi-elliptical shape so that said cover entirely covers the top surface of the shoe;

said tape being fabricated from woven material;

said first face of said tape contacting said cover in a vicinity of said first edge of said cover;

said folded tape defining a crease which is disposed closely adjacent to said first edge of said cover;

said tape having a length from said first to said second termination which is the same as a further length of said first edge of said cover;

said row of stitches extending from said first termination to said second termination of said tape;

said expandable member being fabricated from elastic cloth; and

said strap being fabricated from elastic cloth.