DISPOSABLE SHOE COVER FOR ATHLETIC USE

Abstract

A disposable shoe cover for athletic use includes a unitary flexible material sheet folded into a shoe shape. The shoe shape defines a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening in the upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe. Surface gripping members are provided on the sole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/842,473 filed on Sep. 5, 2006 and 60/874,360 filed on Dec. 12, 2006. The contents of both said applications are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to footwear for golfing and other sports wherein specialized sole configurations are required for gripping a playing surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

By way of background, certain sports such as golf require shoes equipped with spikes or other gripping configurations on the soles thereof. Such footwear is not generally worn for normal use and may even be banned from certain indoor (or outdoor) areas in order to protect susceptible surfaces from scratching, marring or other damage. This is disadvantageous for athletes who do not desire to change their shoes prior to or following play, or who may be traveling and do not wish to pack an extra set of shoes. Accordingly, what is needed is an alternative footwear solution that overcomes the foregoing limitations and to enhances the current technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing problems are solved and an advance in the art is obtained by a disposable shoe cover for athletic use. The disposable shoe cover includes a unitary flexible material sheet folded into a shoe shape. The shoe shape defines a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening in the upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe. Surface gripping members are provided on the sole.

According to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the flexible material sheet may be maintained in the shoe shape by a front seam extending along a mid-portion of the upper from the shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of the sole, and by a rear seam extending along a mid-portion of the upper from a rearward portion of the shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward end of the sole. The front seam and the rear seam may each extend inwardly into an interior of the disposable shoe cover to improve the aesthetic appearance thereof. The flexible material sheet may be selected from the group consisting of fabric material and plastic sheet material, and may be water resistant. The foot-receiving opening may comprise an elastic band so that it may be expanded to receive a wearer's shoe. The gripping members comprise spikes and may be permanently or detachably mounted to the sole. In one configuration, the gripping members may be disposed on a forward portion of the sole and the disposable shoe cover may further comprise a heel member on a rearward portion of the sole. In another configuration, the gripping members may be disposed on forward and rearward portions of the sole. An optional insole may be provided having a textured upper surface for gripping a bottom of a wearer's shoe. One or more adjustable retention straps or retention bands may also be provided that are adapted to wrap around a forward portion of the upper to assist in securing the disposable shoe cover to a wearer's shoe. Alternatively, an adjustable seam may be provided on the upper.

In another aspect, a method is provided for forming the above-summarized disposable shoe cover. According to this method, a unitary flexible material sheet is selected and folded into a shoe shape. The shoe shape defines a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening in the upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe. Surface gripping members are provided on the sole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary disposable shoe cover that may be constructed in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1 with a portion thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1 showing a first exemplary sole configuration;

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1 showing a second exemplary sole configuration;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a patterned material sheet that may be used to construct the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the patterned material sheet of FIG. 5 following folding and sewing operations;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1 showing optional retention straps;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1 with a portion thereof broken away for clarity to show optional retention bands;

FIG. 9 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view showing an exemplary spike assembly that may be removably attached to the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view showing another exemplary spike assembly that may be removably attached to the disposable shoe cover of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a disposable shoe cover 2 for athletic use is shown. The disposable shoe cover 2 includes a unitary flexible material sheet 4 folded into a shoe shape 6. The shoe shape 6 defines a sole 8, an upper 10 and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening 12 in the upper that is adapted to receive a wearer's shoe 14. Surface gripping members 16 are provided on the sole.

The flexible material sheet 4 may be maintained in the shoe shape 6 by a front seam 18 extending along a mid-portion of the upper 10, from the shoe-receiving opening 12 toward a forward end 20 of the sole 8. A rear seam 22 may also be used that extends along a mid-portion of the upper 10 from a rearward portion of the shoe-receiving opening 12 toward a rearward end 24 of the sole 8. The front seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may each extend inwardly into an interior of the disposable shoe cover 2 to improve the aesthetic appearance of thereof.

The flexible material sheet 4 may be selected from any suitable material that is sufficiently low in cost that the disposable shoe cover 2 may be economically disposed of following a single use. The material is also preferably highly flexible such that, for example, the disposable shoe cover 2 can be easily folded or rolled up and placed in a wearer's golf bag. Exemplary materials include fabrics such as those used to make surgical boots. Thin plastic sheet material, which has the advantage of being waterproof, may also be used. Fabrics may also be water resistant, and if not, can be treated with a spray coating or the like so as to become water resistant or waterproof.

The shoe-receiving opening 12 may comprise an elastic band 26 formed by a pair of elastic band elements 26A and 26B. The elastic band 26 gathers the opening 12 around the upper portion of the wearer's shoe 14 during use while allowing the opening to be expanded to receive the wearer's shoe when the disposable shoe cover 2 is being put on and taken off.

The gripping members 16 may comprise spikes that are permanently or detachably mounted to the sole. Any suitable type of attachment may be used, including mechanical fasteners, adhesive, and sewing. If sewing is used, conventional sewing threads may be employed. Alternatively, medical suturing material could be used. Exemplary spike constructions are described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. Gripping members other than spikes, such as textured surface elements, bumps or other means, may also be provided on the sole 8. The gripping members 16 may be arranged in any desired fashion on the sole 8. FIG. 4A illustrates one exemplary arrangement wherein the gripping members 16 are implemented as spikes and are disposed only on a forward portion of the sole 8. An optional heel member 28 may then be provided on a rearward portion of the sole 8. FIG. 4B illustrates another exemplary configuration wherein the gripping members 16 are implemented as spikes and are disposed on forward and rearward portions of the sole 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, an optional insole 30 may also be provided. The insole 30 may have a textured upper surface for gripping a bottom of the wearer's shoe 14.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, fabrication of the disposable shoe cover 2 may begin by patterning the flexible material sheet 4 into an elongated, generally rectangular shape having a pair of long sides 32, a pair of short sides 34 and four rounded corner portions 36. The flexible material sheet 4 is folded lengthwise along a longitudinal centerline A-A that bisects the short sides 34. This produces the folded shape shown in FIG. 6 in which there is a fold line 38 and wherein the long edges 32, the short edges 34 and the corner portions 36 are substantially aligned in mutual overlapping relationship with each other.

The front seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may be formed by sewing, adhesive bonding, heat bonding, ultrasonic welding, etc., depending on the material used for the flexible material sheet 4. For sewing, conventional sewing or medical suturing material may be used. An adjustable seam may also be formed (see below). The front seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may both extend from the fold line 38 to the mutually aligned long edges 32 at locations that are spaced inwardly from the short edges 34 so that there will not be any openings at the front and rear ends of the finished product. The angle of the front seam 18 relative to the fold line 38 is preferably small to define the foot/toe-receiving portion of the disposable shoe cover 2. This angle also defines the location of the forward portion of the shoe-receiving opening 12. The angle of the rear seam 22 relative to the fold line 38 is preferably large to define the heel-receiving portion of the disposable shoe cover 2. This angle also defines the location of the rearward portion of the shoe-receiving opening 12. Surface gripping members are provided on the sole.

The elastic band elements 26A and 26B can be stitched or otherwise mounted on respective ones of the long edges 32. This operation is preferably performed with the elastic band elements 26A and 26B in a fully stretched condition. In this way, the elastic band elements 26A and 26B will contract after they are attached, causing the newly-defined shoe-receiving opening 12 to contract.

At this point, excess material that lies outside of the front seam 18 and the rear seam 22 may be trimmed off. The assembly of FIG. 6 may then be turned inside out to produce the final shoe shape 6 of the finished disposable shoe cover 2.

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide additional means for securing the disposable shoe cover 2 to the wearer's shoe 14. As shown in FIG. 7, one or more adjustable retention straps 40 may be provided that are adapted to wrap around a forward portion of the upper 10. Adjustable locking elements, such as hook and loop members 42, may be provided at the end of each retention strap segment so that the retention straps 40 can be tightened around the wearer's shoe 14. Another alternative is shown in FIG. 8, in which one or more retention bands 44 may be provided on the inside (or outside) of the forward portion of the upper 10. The retention bands 44 are preferably elastic so that they exert a retention force on a forward portion of the wearer's shoe 14.

Another way to provide additional securing means would be to make the seam 18 (FIG. 6) adjustable. This could be done by providing locking elements at the seam 18, such as hook and loop members, so that the edges that form the seam are adjustably overlapping for tightening and loosening.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, if the gripping members 16 are implemented as spikes, they can be designed to removably mount to the sole 8 of the disposable shoe cover 2. This provides the advantage of being able to change the type of spike being used, and/or to replace damaged or worn spikes. In FIG. 9, the illustrated gripping member 16 comprises a plastic spike assembly having an upper spike plate 46 situated on an upper side of the sole 8. The upper spike plate 46 has one or more downwardly extending spikes 48, preferably made of plastic, that extend through the sole 8. A retainer plate 50 is placed on the bottom side of the sole 8. The retainer plate 50 has apertures 51 that are adapted to receive and lockingly engage the base of each spike 48, such that the tip of each spike protrudes downwardly beyond the retainer plate. In FIG. 10, the illustrated gripping member 16A comprises a plastic spike assembly having an upper retainer plate 52 situated on the upper side of the sole 8. The upper retainer plate 52 has one or more downwardly extending snap lock prongs 54 that extend through the sole 8. A lower spike plate 56 is placed on the bottom side of the sole 8. The lower spike plate 56 has receptacles 58 that are adapted to receive and lockingly engage the prongs 54. The lower spike plate 56 also mounts a spike 60, preferably made of metal, that extends downwardly from the spike plate.

When it is desired to use the disposable shoe cover 2, the wearer stretches the elastic band 26 surrounding the shoe-receiving opening 12 and inserts his or her shoe 14 therein. The elastic band 26 is then released to gather the shoe-receiving opening 12 around the upper portion of the wearer's shoe 14. If the retention straps 40 are provided, they may be cinched down to snug the disposable shoe cover 2 onto the wearer's shoe 14. If the retention bands 44 are provided, they may be expanded during shoe insertion and will then snug down onto the wearer's shoe 14 due to their elastic properties. When the athletic activity has concluded, the disposable shoe cover 2 can be easily taken off and disposed of, or it may be saved for subsequent use. Advantageously, the design of the disposable shoe cover 2 allows it to be easily folded or rolled into a compact configuration and stowed in a suitable location.

Accordingly, a disposable shoe cover for athletic use has been disclosed. While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be apparent that many variations and alternative embodiments could be implemented in accordance with the teachings herein. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be in any way limited except in accordance with the spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A disposable shoe cover for athletic use, comprising:

a unitary flexible material sheet folded into a shoe shape;

said shoe shape defining a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening in said upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe; and

surface gripping members on said sole.

2. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible material sheet is maintained in said shoe shape by a front seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from said shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of said sole.

3. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 2 wherein said flexible material sheet is further maintained in said shoe shape by a rear seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from a rearward portion of said shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward end of said sole.

4. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible material sheet is selected from the group consisting of fabric material and plastic sheet material.

5. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible material is water resistant.

6. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shoe-receiving opening comprises an elastic band.

7. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 3 wherein said front seam and said rear seam each extend inwardly into an interior of said disposable shoe cover.

8. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gripping members comprise spikes.

9. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gripping member are permanently mounted to said sole.

10. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gripping members are detachably mounted to said sole.

11. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gripping members are only disposed on a forward portion of said sole and said disposable shoe cover further comprises a heel member on a rearward portion of said sole.

12. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gripping members are disposed on forward and rearward portions of said sole.

13. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an insole having a textured upper surface for gripping a bottom of a wearer's shoe.

14. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 further comprising securing means for adjustably securing said disposable shoe cover to a wearer's shoe.

15. A disposable shoe cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises one of an adjustable retention strap adapted to wrap around a forward portion of said upper, an elastic retention band extending around a forward portion of said upper, or an adjustable seam on said upper.

16. A method for forming a disposable shoe cover for athletic use, comprising:

selecting a unitary flexible material sheet;

folding said flexible material sheet into a shoe shape;

said shoe shape defining a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening in said upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe; and

providing surface gripping members on said sole.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein said flexible material sheet is turned inside out following said folding.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein said shoe receiving opening is formed by securing an elastic element around said opening.

19. A method in accordance with claim 16 further including forming a front seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from said shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of said sole, and a rear seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from a rearward portion of said shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward end of said sole.

20. A disposable shoe cover for athletic use, comprising:

a unitary flexible material sheet folded into a shoe shape;

said shoe shape defining a sole, an upper and a closed-loop shoe-receiving opening in said upper adapted to receive a wearer's shoe; and

surface gripping members on said sole;

said flexible material sheet being secured by a front seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from said shoe-receiving opening toward a forward end of said sole, and by a rear seam extending along a mid-portion of said upper from a rearward portion of said shoe-receiving opening toward a rearward end of said sole;

said flexible material sheet being selected from the group consisting of water resistant fabric material and plastic sheet material;

said shoe-receiving opening comprises an elastic band;

said front seam and said rear seam each extending inwardly into an interior of said disposable shoe cover;

said gripping members comprising spikes and being permanently or detachably mounted to said sole;

said gripping members being only on a forward portion of said sole and said shoe further comprising a heel member on a rearward portion of said sole, or said gripping members being on forward and rearward portions of said sole;

an insole having a textured upper surface for gripping a bottom of a wearer's shoe; and

an adjustable seam on said upper, or one or more adjustable retention straps or retention bands adapted to wrap around a forward portion of said upper, to assist in securing said disposable shoe covering to a wearer's shoe.