Boot topper

Abstract

A tube comprising a foldable decorative tubular portion comprising an inward turned portion and an outward turned portion. The outward turned portion includes a ornamental design thereon an/or a decoration extending therefrom.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/583,372, filed Jun. 28, 2004, entitled BOOT TOPPER.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sock with an inward turned decorative top that folds over the top of a boot to provide a decorative look.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the last several years, high fashion dress boots have become quite popular. Unfortunately, high quality boots are very expensive and people are often limited to owning one pair. In turn, one pair of boots only gives the owner a single style, limiting the flexibility of the boots and the ability to wear them frequently with various fashion outfits.

It would be desirable to have the ability to change the look or style of a pair of fashion boots in a simple, cost effective way. In one attempt, a boot cover was used to cover the entire leg of the boot. Although this does change the appearance of the boot, it also adds substantial cost (as the covers were typically made of leather) and may not be compatible with all types of dress boots. Others have attempted to provide decorative socks, using sock covers but these would not be useful for designer boots. Finally, others have attempted to combine socks with boot usage but only to prevent the sock from falling down. Specifically, a stay-up cuff is integrated into the top of the leg portion of the sock and includes an outwardly turned welt which covers the upper edge of a hiking boot to prevent the entry of dirt, snow, etc, into the boot. Although this may be a beneficial design, the sock does not provide any decorative or stylish features to be used with high fashion dress boots.

Accordingly, an apparatus is desired having the aforementioned advantages and solving and/or making improvements on the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a tube comprising a foldable decorative tubular portion comprising an inward turned portion and an outward turned portion. The outward turned portion includes an ornamental design thereon.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a tube comprising a foldable decorative tubular portion comprising an inward turned portion and an outward turned portion. A decoration extends from the outward turned portion of the inward turned welt.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of decorating a boot comprising providing a tube comprising a first section and a second section, with the second section having a decoration integrally attached to an end thereof. The method also includes pulling the boot over the first section of the tube, folding the second section over a top edge of the boot and exposing the decoration.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sock of the present invention, with a foldable decorative tubular portion of the sock unfolded.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sock of the present invention, with a top section of the foldable decorative tubular portion folded over.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a boot.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a boot incorporating the sock of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a leg tube, with a top section of the foldable decorative tubular portion folded over.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a cuff, with a top section of the foldable decorative tubular portion folded over.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left, rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The reference number 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a clothing tube embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, the clothing tube 10 comprises a sock 10′ that can be made of a variety of materials, including Nylon, Tactel Nylon, Micro Nylon, Microdenier Nylon, Micro Fiber, Spandex, Lycra, Lycra Spandex, Polyester, Cotton, Acetate, Rayon, Viscose, or Chenniel. The sock 10′ includes a foot portion 12 and a leg portion 14, with the foot portion 12 attached to one end of the leg portion 14. A foldable decorative tubular portion 16 is integrally attached to the leg portion 14 of the sock 10′ at an end opposite to the foot portion 12. The foldable decorative tubular portion 16 is at least partially made of a material that is partially elastic, including Nylon, Tactel Nylon, Micro Nylon, Microdenier Nylon, Micro Fiber, Spandex, Lycra, Lycra Spandex, Polyester, Cotton, Acetate, Rayon, Viscose, or Chenniel. The foldable decorative tubular portion 16 can also be at least partially made of the same material used in the foot portion 12 and leg portion 14. Further, the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 can include an ornamental design 17 thereon. The ornamental design 17 can comprise a design made on the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 that is viewable when a top section 34 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 is turned outward (see FIG. 2) and/or at least one decoration 20 attached to at least a top edge 18 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16. The at least one decoration 20 can include a variety of decorations know to those skilled in the art, including fur, beads, lace, bangles, feathers, stones, rhinestones or any other decoration. The ornamental design 17 can also comprise an image printed on the foldable decorative tubular portion 16, have the material of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 made into a design or decorations connected to the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 (e.g., fur, beads, lace, bangles, feathers, stones, rhinestones or any other decoration).

In the illustrated example, the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 is attached to leg portion 14 such that when the top section 34 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 is folded outward (turned over or cuffed), the ornamental design 17 and/or the at least one decoration 20 are outward facing, allowing others to view the ornamental design 17 and/or the at least one decoration 20 (see FIG. 2).

The illustrated sock 10′ of the present invention can be used with a typical boot 22 (FIG. 3). Usually, the design of boot 22 is fixed and not changeable. This can limit the usability of the boot 22 and limit its ability to match or be worn with other fashionable outfits. However, the sock 10′ can be worn in combination with the boot 22 as illustrated in FIG. 4 to allow the boot 22 to be worn with other fashionable outfits. In order to use the sock 10′ with the boot 22, the sock 10′ is positioned on a foot/leg of a person. Thereafter, the boot 22 is pulled over the foot portion 12 and the leg portion 14 of the sock 10′. The boot 22 may also be pulled over a lower section 32 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16. The top section 34 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 is then folded over (turned outward or cuffed) over a top edge 24 of the boot 22.

In the illustrated example, the elastic nature of the materials used in the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 allow the sock 10′ to fit tightly over the top edge 24 of the boot 22, thereby holding the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 in place, preventing the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 from slipping off, and allowing the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 to fit over various sizes of boots 22. By folding over the foldable decorative tubular portion 16, the ornamental design 17 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 and the at least one decoration 20 are exposed and visible. This gives boot 22 a different look, allowing a single boot design to take on different looks and feels depending on the design and decoration of sock 10′. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the at least one decoration 20 includes beads. However, as stated previously, it is contemplated that many other decorations could be used alone or in combination. Furthermore, the size, length and width of the at least one decoration 20 as well as the size and length of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 can be varied to further provide different appearances (covering more or less of the boot 22). By owning several different styles of the sock 10′, one could have several different looks with a single pair of fashion boots 22, which provides a simple, cost effective way to change looks.

The reference numeral 10a (FIG. 5) generally designates another embodiment of the present invention, having a second embodiment of the tube. Since the tube 10a is similar to the previously described tube 10, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 1-4 and FIG. 5, respectively, are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. The tube 26 of the second embodiment of the present invention comprises leg portion 14a and the foldable decorative tubular portion 16a. The tube 10a is essentially a sock 10′ without the foot portion 12 (similar to a leg warmer). The tube 10a has the leg portion 14a, with one end of the leg portion 14a being open ended 28 (instead of having the foot portion 12 as in the sock 10′ described above). Furthermore, the opposite end of the leg portion 14a is integrally connected to the foldable decorative tubular portion 16a. The foldable decorative tubular portion 16a functions in the same manner as explained above, providing the same ornamental features when turned outward or cuffed. Accordingly, the tube 10a functions in the same manner as the sock 10′, but without a foot portion 12 and potentially a shorter leg portion 14a. The length of the leg portion 14a can vary depending on the wants and needs of the user. For example, if warmth is desired, the leg portion 14a could essentially be the same length as the leg portion 14 of the sock 10′ of the first embodiment of the present invention. However, the leg portion 14a could also be very short, basically serving as an anchor for the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 to anchor the tube 10a to the leg of the user.

The reference numeral 10b (FIG. 6) generally designates another embodiment of the present invention, having a third embodiment for the tube. Since the tube 10b is similar to the previously described sock 10′, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 1-4 and FIG. 6, respectively, are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “b” in the numerals of the latter. The tube 10b is essentially just the foldable decorative tubular portion 16b, without the foot portion 12 or the leg portion 16 of the sock 10′. The tube 10b includes the foldable decorative tubular portion 16b as described above in the first embodiment of the present invention. When the top section 34 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16 of the tube 10b is folded over (turned outward or cuffed), the ornamental design 17 and/or the at least one decoration 20 are exposed. The tube 10b is designed to fit over the top edge 24b of the boot 22b and provide the same decorative features as explained above. The tube 10b is preferably at least partially elastic such that the bottom section 32 of the foldable decorative tubular portion 16b can either fit snuggly to the leg of the user or when a portion of the tube 10b is turned outward, the bottom section 32 and top section 34 of the tube 10b fit tightly around the top edge 24b of the boot 22b.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention. For example, it is contemplated that the tube 10 could be placed over an arm or a leg or a person. Furthermore, it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

1. A tube comprising:

a foldable decorative tubular portion comprising: an inward turned portion; and an outward turned portion;

the outward turned portion includes a ornamental design thereon.

2. The tube of claim 1, further comprising:

a leg portion attached to the foldable decorative tubular portion at a first end thereof; and

a foot portion attached to the leg portion at a second end of the leg portion.

3. The tube of claim 2, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion includes a first tubular portion end and a second tubular portion end, the first tubular portion end being connected to the leg portion;

at least one decoration extends from the second tubular portion end of the foldable decorative tubular portion.

4. The tube of claim 3, wherein:

the at least one decoration includes at least one of the following: fur, beads, lace, bangles, feathers, stones and rhinestones.

5. The tube of claim 2, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion comprises a partially elastic material.

6. The tube of claim 1, further comprising:

a leg portion attached to the foldable decorative tubular portion at a first end thereof.

7. The tube of claim 6, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion includes a first tubular portion end and a second tubular portion end, the first tubular portion end being connected to the leg portion;

at least one decoration extends from the second tubular portion end of the foldable decorative tubular portion.

8. The tube of claim 7, wherein:

the at least one decoration includes at least one of the following: fur, beads, lace, bangles, feathers, stones and rhinestones.

9. The tube of claim 6, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion comprises a partially elastic material.

10. The tube of claim 1, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion comprises a partially elastic material.

11. The tube of claim 1, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion includes at least one decoration extending from the outward turned portion.

12. The tube of claim 1, wherein:

the decoration includes at least one of the following: fur, beads, lace, bangles, feathers, stones and rhinestones.

13. A tube comprising:

a foldable decorative tubular portion comprising: an inward turned portion; and an outward turned portion; and

a decoration extending from the outward turned portion of the inward turned welt.

14. The tube of claim 13, further comprising:

a leg portion attached to the foldable decorative tubular portion at a first end thereof; and

a foot portion attached to the leg portion at a second end of the leg portion.

15. The tube of claim 14, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion includes a first tubular portion end and a second tubular portion end, the first tubular portion end being connected to the leg portion;

the decoration extends from the second tubular portion end of the foldable decorative tubular portion.

16. The tube of claim 14, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion comprises a partially elastic material.

17. The tube of claim 13, further comprising:

a leg portion attached to the foldable decorative tubular portion at a first end thereof.

18. The tube of claim 17, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion includes a first tubular portion end and a second tubular portion end, the first tubular portion end being connected to the leg portion;

the decoration extends from the second tubular portion end of the foldable decorative tubular portion.

19. The tube of claim 13, wherein:

the decoration includes at least one of the following: fur, beads, lace, bangles, feathers, stones and rhinestones.

20. The tube of claim 13, wherein:

the foldable decorative tubular portion comprises a partially elastic material.

21. A method of decorating a boot comprising:

providing a tube comprising a first section and a second section, the second section having a decoration integrally attached to an end thereof;

pulling the boot over the first section of the tube;

folding the second section over a top edge of the boot; and

exposing the decoration.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the tube further includes a leg portion connected to the first section.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the tube further includes a foot portion connected to the leg portion.