Boot accessory

Abstract

A boot accessory is provided having a wrap that is capable of covering at least a portion of an external surface of an upper leg of a boot. The wrap has first and second ends with at least one fastener located in proximity to the ends for removably securing the ends together. The wrap enhances the warmth of the boot and protects the upper leg portion from damage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/548,424, filed Feb. 27, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a boot accessory, and more particularly to a boot accessory having a wrap that is capable of covering at least a portion of an external surface of an upper leg of a boot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Boots are worn for many reasons, including for warmth, sports, casual, formal, combating weather and even solely for fashion. Boots that are worn as a fashion statement are often worn with shorter skirts or pants in order to display the boots. The exposure of the upper leg of a boot diminishes heat from a wearer's body. Furthermore, people sensitive to cold weather, or living in colder climates, need to channel more warmth to their legs than the average boot provides. Therefore, a need exists for a boot accessory that enhances the warmth of a boot, yet is also easily attachable and removable from the boot while still being aesthetically pleasing to the wearer.

Furthermore, exposure of the upper leg of a boot increases its risk of damage from abrasions and other consequences of use. A need exists for a boot accessory that protects the upper leg portion of a boot from damage, yet is also easily attachable and removable from the boot.

Another object of the invention is to create a boot accessory that can enhance the appearance of the boot. By decorating the boot raps with different designs, a single pair of boots can be given a variety of appearances when the owner would normally have to buy several boots to achieve the same result. The invention cuts down on the use of space to store multiple pairs of boots and is far more economical than owning several boots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a boot accessory is provided that includes a wrap that is capable of covering at least a portion of an external surface of an upper leg of a boot and thereby enhances the warmth of the boot and protects the upper leg portion from damage.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the wrap has first and second ends with at least one fastener located in proximity to the ends for removably securing the ends together. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener includes strips made of Velcro® or a similar fabric that forms a strong bond when the strips are pressed together. In another embodiment, the fastener includes at least one hook in proximity to the first end and at least one loop in proximity to the second end. In still another embodiment, the fastener includes a zipper. In yet another embodiment, the fastener is comprised of at least one snap. In yet still another embodiment, the fastener is comprised of at least one button in proximity to the first end and at least one slot for receiving the button in proximity to the second end. In another embodiment, the fastener includes at least one first string in proximity to the first end and at least one second string in proximity to the second end whereby the two strings may be tied together to secure the wrap around the upper leg portion of the boot. In still another embodiment, the fastener includes the first and second ends being tapered to form narrow portions of the wrap that may be tied together to secure the wrap around the upper leg portion of the boot. Alternately, any fastener known in the art may be used.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the wrap may cover less than half of the upper portion of the boot. Alternately, the wrap may cover more than half or even the entire upper portion of the boot.

In an alternate embodiment, the wrap may include at least one fastener capable of engaging a complementary fastener that is located on the boot to removably secure the wrap around the upper leg portion of the boot. In one embodiment, the fastener includes a hook and loop combination. In another embodiment, the fastener includes at least one button and slot combination. In still another embodiment, the fastener includes strings that tie the wrap to the boot. Alternately, any fastener known in the art may be used.

Numerous advantages may be realized by the present invention. For example, the wrap is easily attachable and detachable from a boot. This allows a person to attach the wrap when additional warmth is desired or when protection is needed. Similarly, the person can detach the wrap when it becomes hot or when protection is no longer needed.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a boot accessory in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the boot accessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a boot to which the boot accessory of FIG. 1 attaches;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a boot with the boot accessory of FIG. 1 attached;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a boot with an alternate embodiment of the boot accessory of FIG. 1 attached;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a boot that includes a fastener to which the wrap of FIG. 1 attaches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Throughout the following description, like numerals and letters refer to like parts or steps.

Referring to the figures generally, there is illustrated a boot accessory 10 in accordance with the invention. Boot accessory 10 includes a wrap 12 that is capable of covering at least a portion of an external surface 14 of an upper leg 16 of a boot 18 and thereby enhances the warmth of boot 18 and protects upper leg portion 16 from damage.

Wrap 12 has first and second ends 20 and 22, respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Both first and second ends 20 and 22 have at least one fastener 24 and 26, respectively, located in proximity to ends 20 and 22, respectively, for removably securing ends 20 and 22 together. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, fastener 26 of second end 22 is located on interior surface 28 of wrap 12 and fastener 24 of first end 20 is located on exterior surface 30 of wrap 12. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), fastener 26 of second end 22 can be located on interior surface 30 and fastener 24 can located on exterior surface 28. In another alternate embodiment (not shown) fasteners 24 and 26 can both be located on either exterior surface 28 or interior surface 30. Pursuant to the invention, when fasteners 24 and 26 engage, ends 20 and 22 are secured together, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Fasteners 24 and 26 can be any fastener combination known in the art and it is contemplated that fasteners 24 and 26 are sewn onto or otherwise attached or attachable to wrap 12. In the illustrated embodiment, fasteners 24 and 26 are a Velcro® or similar combination. Fastener 26 is illustrated as a strip of stiff hooks and fastener 24 is illustrated as a strip of soft loops. However, it is contemplated that fastener 26 can be a strip of soft loops and fastener 24 can be a strip of stiff hooks. When the strip of stiff hooks is pressed against the strip of soft loops, a strong bond is formed, thereby securing ends 20 and 22 together.

In another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24 and 26 can include at least one hook and at least one loop combination. In still another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24 and 26 can include a zipper mechanism. In yet another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24 and 26 can include at least one snap combination. In yet still another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24 and 26 can comprise at least one button and at least one slot for receiving the button. In another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24 and 26 can include at least one first string and at least one second string whereby the two strings may be tied together. In still another embodiment (not shown), first and second ends 20 and 22, respectively, are tapered to form narrow portions of wrap 12 that may be tied together. Alternately, fasteners 24 and 26 can include any fastener combination known in the art.

Pursuant to the invention, wrap 12 has a length 32 that is approximately equivalent to circumference 34 of upper leg portion 16 when ends 20 and 22 are secured together. Therefore, when fasteners 24 and 26 are engaged, wrap 12 is frictionally engageable with upper leg portion 16 of boot 18 and does not slide downward. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), wrap 12 can be one solid circular piece that can be pulled over boot 18.

Further, pursuant to the invention wrap 12 has a width 36 that can vary. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, wrap 12 has a width 36 that covers approximately the entire upper leg portion 16 of boot 18. In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, wrap 12 has a width 36 that covers approximately half of upper portion 16 of boot 18. In other embodiments (not illustrated), wrap 12 may include widths 36 that cover less than or more than half of upper leg portion 16 of boot 18.

Boot 18, as illustrated, further includes a seam 38 along upper leg portion 16 and a sole 40 on foot portion 42. It is contemplated that boot 18 can include any further characteristics and modifications as known in the art.

When wrap 12 is attached to boot 18, warmth is transferred from wrap 12 to boot 18 and, thereby, eventually to a wearer's leg. Furthermore, when wrap 12 is attached to boot 18, upper leg portion 48 is protected from damage. Because wrap 12 is easily attachable and removable from boot 18, a person can easily remove wrap 12 when it becomes hot or when protection of boot 18 is no longer necessary or desired.

In an alternate embodiment, wrap 12 is attachable to a boot 44 that includes a fastener 46, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Boot 44 further includes an external surface 48, upper leg portion 50 with a circumference 52 and seam 54 and a foot portion 56 with a sole 58. In this embodiment, one of or both fasteners 24 and 26 of wrap 12 is capable of engaging complementary fastener 46 located on boot 44 to removably secure wrap 12 around upper leg portion 50 of boot 44. Complementary fastener 46 may be one fastener or several fasteners and it is contemplated that complementary fastener 46 is sewn onto or otherwise attached or attachable to boot 44. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, complementary fastener 46 is a snap or button that engages with a reciprocal snap or button receiver on wrap 12. In another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24, 26 and 46 can include strips made of Velcro® or similar fabric combination that form a strong bond when pressed together. In yet another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24, 26 and 46 can include a hook and loop combination. In still another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24, 26 and 46 can include at least one button and slot combination. In yet still another embodiment (not shown), fasteners 24, 26 and 46 include strings that tie wrap 12 to the boot 38. Alternately, fasteners 24, 26 and 46 may include any combination known in the art.

In carrying out the invention, boots 18 and 44 can be of any size and material known in the art. It is contemplated that boots 18 and 44 can include sheepskin boots. Alternately, boots 18 and 44 can include leather, rubber, plastic or other boots. Furthermore, boots 18 and 44 can be of any height known in the art. Therefore, wraps 12 of varying widths 36 can adequately warm and protect boots 18 and 44 of varying heights.

Further, in carrying out the invention, wraps 12 can be made of various fabrics, including faux-fur, suede, corduroys, denim or any fabric known in the art.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes, modifications and rearrangements and such changes, modifications and rearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A boot accessory comprising:

a wrap capable of covering at least a portion of an external surface of an upper leg of a boot, said wrap having first and second ends with at least one fastener located in proximity to said ends for removably securing said ends together whereby said wrap enhances the warmth of said boot and protects said upper leg portion from damage.

2. The wrap of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one hook in proximity to said first end and at least one loop in proximity to said second end.

3. The wrap of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of a zipper.

4. The wrap of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one snap.

5. The wrap of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one button in proximity to said first end and at least one slot for receiving said button in proximity to said second end.

6. The wrap of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one first string in proximity to said first end and at least one second string in proximity to said second end whereby the two strings may be tied together to secure said wrap around said upper leg portion of said boot.

7. The wrap of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of said first and second ends being tapered to form narrow portions of said wrap that may be tied together to secure said wrap around said upper leg portion of said boot.

8. The wrap of claim 1 wherein said wrap covers less than half of the upper portion of said boot.

9. A boot accessory comprising:

a wrap capable of covering at least a portion of an upper leg of a boot, said wrap having at least one fastener capable of engaging a complementary fastener on said boot to removably secure said wrap around said upper leg portion of said boot whereby said wrap enhances the warmth of said boot and protects said upper leg portion from damage.

10. The wrap of claim 9 wherein said fastener is comprised of a hook and loop combination.

11. The wrap of claim 9 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one button and slot combination.

12. The wrap of claim 9 wherein said fastener is comprised of strings tying said wrap to said boot.