Spike protector

Abstract

Spike Protector with a foamed rubber sole plate, an elastic side wall and a semi-elastic top wall to that can snuggly retain the front half of a standard running shoe and at the same time keep the cleats from said running shoe from touching a hard surface such as cement or wood flooring or the like thereby protecting said cleats from damage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of athletic equipment, and more particularly to a Spike Protector.

[0002] Shoes with spikes are worn by people who participate in various sports such as track and field, football and baseball. Although spikes are helpful when participating in a sport, once the sport activity is completed the person may need to walk off the field or track and onto a hard surface such as cement. This activity can damage or break the cleats. Many times will walk on their heals to avoid damaging the cleats located under the toe portion of the shoe. This process of walking on the heals can strain a runners' calf muscles or ankles.

[0003] There is a need therefore, for an easily install and removable covering that can protect spikes while a person is wearing a shoe such as is worn by track and field runners and the like. The spike cover should easily adapt to a variety of shoe sizes and spike patterns.

[0004] A number of patents have been filed that disclose the art of a removable outsole for sports and the like. For example U.S. Pat. No. 2,076,316 by Beals teaches a sole portion and a plurality of straps for holding the sole onto a sports shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 2,547,812 by Carabatsos discloses a half sole and attached straps for holding the half sole onto a shoe. However, none of the prior art discloses a cleat protector that is made of a foam rubber sole plate and elastic and semi-elastic side wall materials as well as a standard zipper closure so that no rear strap is needed to removably retain the cleat protector assembly to a track shoe. It should also be noted that the patents sited above are now in the public domain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary object of the invention is to provide a protector for shoes with spikes so that a person can wear the shoe and not damage the cleats while walking on surfaces such as cement.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a spike protector that is easy to install or remove from a shoe with spikes.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a spike protector that can easily adapt to fit a variety of shoe sizes and cleat patterns.

[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0009] Spike Protector comprising: a foam rubber half sole plate, an upper half shoe covering assembly comprised of an elastic lower side wall portion that is fixedly attached to the sole, and a semi-resilient cloth material that is fixedly attached to said elastic portion on one edge and attached at the opposite edge to a standard zipper closure located at the center of said half shoe assembly. The spike cover is compact enough that it can easily be carried in a persons pocket or gym bag. The cleat cover top portion is resilient enough to fit a variety of shoe sizes.

[0010] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spike cover of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the spike cover of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the spike cover of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the spike cover of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the spike protector of the present invention 100. Sole portion 2 is made of foamed rubber or closed cell polyethelyne or the like so that the cleats of a runners shoe can sink into the sole 2 material and not pass through to the bottom of the sole material 2. Experiments have shown that a sole thickness of approximately one inch is appropriate for retaining the spikes of a standard track shoe. A denser form of rubber can be placed at the lowest portion of the sole to prevent the spikes from penetrating the sole bottom. Elastic material 4 is typical of the type of material found in elastic waste bands for garments and the like. Elastic material 4 is fixedly attached to the sole plate 2 on one edge and to a less elastic but still resilient cloth material 6 that covers a major portion of top, front, spike retaining half of the user's track shoe. Semi-elastic cloth portion 6 is joined together by standard zipper type closure 8. In this way the user can easily slip his or her track shoe into the present invention 100 while the zipper 8 is opened and then close the zipper 8 so that cloth portion 6 is drawn in and around the user's track shoe in a snug fitting manner so that the user's track shoe can not easily slip out of the cleat protector of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a top view of the present invention 100. This view shows that the cloth portion 6 goes far enough back 20 to retain the widest part of a standard track shoe thereby acting to securely retain the user's track shoe without the need of a back strap. The combination of resilient materials 4, 6 allow the present invention to fit on a variety of sizes of track shoes. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the present invention 100. Thick sole portion 2 is clearly seen. The connection of resilient material 4 to the sole 2 at one edge and semi-resilient cloth material 6 at the other edge is clearly seen. Zipper closure 8 is shown holding the two halves of shoe cover 6 together. FIG. 4 shows the underside of sole 2 where a standard pattern of protrusions 10 helps the user from slipping on pavement or other surface while walking and wearing the present invention 100.

[0017] In the above described and illustrated way, the spike cover of the present invention can be worn by anyone who wishes to protect his or her cleats while walking on a hard surface such as cement. The cleat cover is easy to put on and to remove and fits a variety of sizes of shoes and cleat styles.

[0018] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Spike Protector comprising:

a resilient half sole plate made of foamed rubber or foamed polyethelyne or the like, an elastic material such as found on a garment waste band, a semi-elastic cloth material and a zipper type closure;

said elastic material attached the the side walls of said half sole

said semi-elastic cloth material attached to said elastic material and said zipper type closure forming a closure on the top portion of said semi-elastic cloth material allowing the user to snuggly fit said cleat protector onto the front half of a standard track shoe.