Footwear wrap assembly
Embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention provide a wrap assembly that removably attaches to footwear of a person comprising a strap that is capable of supporting various complementary removable/attachable accessories that to the footwear.
The present application is a non-provisional application of provisional application 60/538,758, entitled “Tactical Boot Sleeve”, filed on Jan. 26, 2004. The present application claims priority to said provisional application, and incorporates its specifications by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a footwear wrap assembly and, more particularly, to footwear wrap assemblies adapted to removably attach to a user's footwear and are capable of supporting various removably attachable devices.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONVarious holster systems exist that allow a wearer to carry an item about the lower portion of their leg or near the ankle. However, these various systems are generally limited to holsters that are fixedly integrated to the system (thereby limiting the equipment or device to a specific article of manufacture). Additionally, the systems lack the capability of supporting more than one holster at a time.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALSSimilar reference numerals in the drawings denote similar elements throughout the several views; the figures in each of the views illustrate various embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, an attachable and detachable footwear wrap assembly having a strap suitable for use in supporting various accessories, such as equipment, devices, and/or receptacles adapted to hold such equipment and device, that may be removably coupled to the wrap assembly at least in part by the strap.
Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it may.
The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms, “footwear”, “shoe”, and “boot” if employed are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms, “foot wrap assembly”, “tactical boot sleeve”, and “boot sleeve” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms, “boot armor” and “Kevlar Bootie” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms “strap encasement” and “sleeve loop casing” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms “strap” and “adjustable sleeve-loop” are synonymous unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms “Boot armor secondary securing member” and “cinch” are synonymous unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms “adjustable loop assembly” and “attachment anchor” are synonymous unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms “wrap” and “foundation strap” are synonymous unless the context dictates otherwise.
The terms “anchor loop” and “sleeve loop” are synonymous unless the context dictates otherwise.
The strap 12 may be coupled to the wrap 2, and adapted to allow for the partial support, and removable attachment of, the accessories 34. The accessories 34 may be complementarily adapted for attachment to the strap 12 by the employment of an attachment means, including, but not limited to a strap encasement, belt loop, clip, complementary snaps, and/or a hook and loop fastener (such as Velcro®). Strap 12 may be sized of a sufficient width and thickness to provide support for the accessories 34 with respect to wrap 2. In various embodiments the accessories 34 can be a holster, a flashlight retainer, ammunition clip retainer, handcuff retainer, a knife sheath, a magnet, and/or a utility pocket. However, this list is not exhaustive and virtually anything that can be attached to the strap 12 can be an accessory 34.
In addition to the eyelets 8 supporting and securing the footwear wrap assembly 100 to the footwear 46 optionally one or more clip 5 may be used to couple the wrap 2 to a cuff 50 of the foot wear 46 (shown in
Strap 12 may have a strap first end 14 that may be adapted to removably couple to the wrap 2 at or near the first end 4, and a strap second end 16 can be fixedly attached to the wrap 2. Strap first end 14 may be detachably coupled using any number of suitable fasteners 7. Examples of suitable detachable fasteners include hook and loop fastener, button and buttonhole, snap, zipper, and the like. In other embodiments, strap second end 16 may also be detachably coupled to the wrap assembly 2 near second end 6. Further, strap 12 may be adapted to allow the one or more accessories 34 to be adjusted relative to the footwear, which may facilitate comfort and/or convenience of the user (not shown) wearing the footwear 46. The accessories 34 may slide along the strap 12 thereby adjusting the position of the accessory 34 for the comfort of the user.
The strap 12 may have a strap first side 27 and a strap second side 29. Strap first end 14 may be adapted to detachably fasten strap second side 29 to wrap 2 using a suitable detachable fastener 7, such as a hook and loop fastener like Velcro ®. Similarly, the wrap 2 may have a wrap first side 13 and a wrap second side 15. Wrap assembly first end 4 may be threaded through anchor hoop 11, and adapted to detachably fasten to wrap assembly second side 15 using a variety of suitable detachable fasteners 7, such as a hook and loop fastener like Velcro®. By adapting the fastening of wrap assembly first end 4 to the wrap second side 15 in such a manner, the wrap assembly first end 4 and the strap 12 may resist de-coupling. The de-coupling can be resisted by the wrap assembly first end 4, strap first end 14 and the wrap second side 15 pressing together against (not shown) boot 46, thereby adding compressive engagement as an additional securing mechanism. In one embodiment various portions of the wrap assembly 100 may be fabricated from elastic materials to allow for expansion and contraction of the wrap assembly complementary to the footwear 46. For example, anchor loop fastener 17 can be made from an elastic material to provide some complementary movement of the wrap assembly 100 for the comfort of the user as the foot flexes.
As discussed for an embodiment above, the number of eyelets 8 may vary depending on the footwear 46 size and configuration, as well as the amount of support needed for the accessories 34. Further, in some embodiments, there is no need for the wrap 2 to have eyelet 8 attachment means that extend much past the transition point on a boot 46 from substantially vertically positioned eyelets 8 to more horizontally positioned eyelets 8. Further, the configuration of the wrap 2 may be tailored to conform to the contours of the footwear 46 as well as the user's leg/ankle, in order to enhance comfort, stability and support.
Additionally in some embodiments, a secondary securing member 52 can be used to detachably couple the wrap 2 to one or more accessories 34 at a location away from the strap 2. Because certain accessories 34 may be larger in size (e.g. holster, flashlight holder, etc.), there may be a tendency for a portion of the accessory 34 to move relative to the footwear 46 at areas not secured by the strap 12. This secondary securing member 52 can prevent this relative movement of the accessories 34. For illustration, the secondary securing member 52 may comprise Velcro® which can be used to secure the lower portion of the wrap 2 and to a complementary portion of the accessory 34. Once the accessory 34 is threaded/attached on/to the strap 12, the Velcro® may detachably engage the lower portion of the accessory 34 to the lower portion of the wrap 2.
As discussed, in all of the various embodiments, some or all of wrap 2 and/or strap 12 may optionally be fabricated from an elastic material to allow for freedom of motion of a foot in the footwear 46 and flexing in a complementary fashion. Alternately, to provide additional protection to a user, the wrap 2 may be formed from a para-armid material, an armid material, or a blend of materials having similar characteristics to provide ballistics protection. In some of the embodiments, the wrap 2 may cover a smaller portion of the footwear, as shown in the embodiment depicted in
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described, without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A footwear wrap assembly comprising:
- a wrap adapted to removably attach to footwear; and
- at least one strap coupled to the wrap, the strap having a first end and a second end, the strap capable of supporting and removably attaching at least a portion of one or more accessories to the wrap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wrap has a wrap first end and a wrap second end, the wrap first and second ends having a plurality of eyelets for complementary interlacing with the footwear.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wrap is adapted to cover at least a portion of an upper portion of the footwear.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of eyelets comprises not more than five eyelets.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the wrap is fabricated from an elastic material.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the wrap is fabricated from a high strength material, further wherein the high strength material comprises at least in part, a material selected from the group consisting of aramid, para-aramid, meta-aramid, itspara-aramid, polybenzoxazoles, polybenzothiazoles, and combinations thereof.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wrap is further adapted to further removably attach to a cuff of the footwear.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the wrap adapted to removably attach to a cuff of the footwear comprises detachably coupling the wrap to the cuff of the footwear with at least one complementary detachable fastener selected from the group consisting of a clip, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button and hole, and combinations thereof.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the at least one strap first end is permanently secured to the wrap.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the at least one strap first end is detachably secured to the wrap.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a first portion and a second portion, each portion having the first end and the second end respectively, further wherein the first portion and the second portion comprises a third end and a fourth end, the third and fourth end are detachably coupled together.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein and the first end and the second end are permanently coupled to the wrap.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first end and the second end are detachably coupled to the wrap.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap is detachably coupled to the wrap using a detachable fastener selected from the group consisting of a buckle, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button and hole, and combinations thereof.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap first end and/or the strap second end is/are detachably coupled to the wrap using eyelets for complementary interlacing with the wrap and the footwear.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap is permanently secured to the wrap at a point between the first and second ends thereby creating a first strap portion and a second strap portion where each portion is adapted to engage a portion of the one of the one or more accessories such that the one or more accessories are removably attached to the footwear, and wherein the first and second ends are detachably coupled to the wrap.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap is adapted to allow the one or more accessories to be adjusted relative to the footwear suitable for the comfort of a user wearing the footwear.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more accessories comprises a selected one of a holster, a flashlight retainer, ammunition clip retainer, handcuff retainer, a knife sheath, a magnet, and a utility pocket.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a secondary securing member coupled to the wrap and adapted to at least partially secure the one or more accessories to the wrap at a location away from the strap.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the secondary securing member is a hook and loop fastener adapted for engagement with a complementary hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the accessory.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one wrap attachment anchor adapted to removably attach to the footwear, the wrap attachment anchor further comprises an anchor hoop, wherein the wrap has a wrap first end and a wrap second end and the first end is detachably coupled to the anchor hoop.
22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wrap further comprises a first side and a second side, the first side having a first camouflage pattern and the second side having a second camouflage pattern, further wherein the at least one strap comprises at least a first and a second strap, and the first strap is coupled to the first side of the wrap and the second strap is coupled to the second side of the strap.
23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a selected one of the one or more accessories comprises boot armor.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the boot armor comprises a cover for at least a portion of the footwear, the cover being, at least in part, fabricated from a high strength fabric.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the high strength fabric comprises, at least in part, a material selected from the group consisting of aramid, polybenzoxazoles, polybenzothiazoles, and combinations thereof.
26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the high strength fabric comprises at least in part a material selected from the group consisting of a para-aramid and a para-aramid fabric blend.
27. A boot wrap assembly comprising:
- a wrap, having a first end and a second end, adapted to removably attach to an upper portion of a boot, said first and second ends of the wrap having a plurality of eyelets for complementary interlacing with the boot;
- at least one strap coupled to the wrap, the strap having a first end and a second end, wherein at least the first is adapted to detachably couple to the wrap; and
- wherein the strap comprises a width and a thickness sufficient to support one or more accessories.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the strap second end is permanently secured to the wrap.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the strap second end is adapted to detachably couple to the wrap, further wherein the wrap and the first end of the strap comprises at least one complementary releasable coupling mechanism.
30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the releasable coupling mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a buckle, a snap, hook and loop fasteners, and a button and a buttonhole.
31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the strap is secured to the wrap at a point between the first and second ends, thereby creating a first strap portion and a second strap portion where each is adapted to engage a portion of the one or more accessories such that the one or more accessories are removably attached to the boot, and wherein the first and second ends are detachably coupled to the wrap
32. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a secondary securing member coupled to the wrap to at least partially secure the one or more attachments to the wrap at a location away from the strap.
33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the one or more accessories comprises a selected one of a holster, a flashlight retainer, ammunition clip retainer, handcuff retainer, a knife retainer, a magnet, and a utility pocket.
34. A footwear wrap assembly comprising:
- a wrap adapted to removably attach to footwear; and
- a strap coupled to the wrap, said strap capable of supporting the removable attachment of one or more accessories on the wrap, wherein at least a selected one of the one or more accessories comprises boot armor.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the boot armor further comprises a secondary boot armor securing member to secure at least a portion of the boot armor to the footwear.
36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the boot armor comprises a cover for at least a portion of the footwear, the cover being, at least in part, fabricated from a high strength fabric.
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the high strength fabric comprises, at least in part, a material selected from the group consisting of aramid, para-aramid, meta-aramid, itspara-aramid, polybenzoxazoles, polybenzothiazoles, and combinations thereof.
38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the high strength fabric comprises, in part, a material selected from the group consisting of a para-aramid and a para-aramid fabric blend.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 15, 2005
Inventor: Rick Correa (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 11/043,481