FOOTWEAR COVER

Abstract

A cover for closing off access to the mouth of a boot. The cover is a generally tubular member that forms a cap at a first end and a skirt that extends outwardly away therefrom. The cap and skirt define a bore sized to receive the neck of the boot therein. At least one annular gripping region is provided in the cover and is expandable to allow the cover to receive the top end of the boot and contracts to sealingly grip the neck of the boot. The gripping region preferably includes an elastic material that is either retained in an annular pocket in the skirt or sewn directly onto the skirt fabric. When engaged with the boot, no part of the cover extends into the interior thereof. The cover is also provided with a removal strap and one or more elastic loops that are design to receive a sock therethrough.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a standard utility application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/879,708, filed Jan. 10, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to footwear. More particularly, the invention relates to a protective cover for footwear. Specifically, the invention relates to a protective cover that is useful for closing off access to the interior of a boot to prevent undesirable matter, such as insects, small creatures and moisture, from entering therein

2. Background Information

One of the problems that soldiers and hunters face is that they frequently are in environments where scorpions, spiders and venomous snakes are present. These and other creatures have a tendency to seek out dark enclosed places to hide and boots are one such favored environment. As a result, many soldiers and hunters have resorted to tightly lacing up their boots in an attempt to close off the mouth of the boot and to thereby prevent insects and such from entering into the interior. Additionally, it is undesirable for moisture, such as rain water, to enter the interior of the boot. For soldiers, however, there are occasions where there is a need for them to put their boots on in a hurry and having them laced tightly shut is extremely problematic. There is therefore a need for a device to close the mouth of a boot quickly and effectively but, at the same time, be just as quickly and easily removed therefrom.

A variety of boot and shoe covers have been proposed in the prior art. Some of these covers have been designed to protect only part of the boot upper and sole. These include the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D328,180 issued to Medina et al and D343,043 issued to Campbell. Other proposed covers cover just the sole region of the boot, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,586 issued to Roosli. Still others cover just the upper part of the boot, such as the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,287 issued to Garcia and U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,867 issued to Harton.

A number of other covers are designed to cover the mouth of the boot. An example of this is the cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,382 issued to Skinner. The Skinner device comprises a pair of linked semicircular caps which are secured by a clip mechanism to a pair of boots. Each cap sits over the top of one of the boots in the pair and the clip mechanism holds the pair of boots in abutting contact with each other. The caps of this device are fairly rigid in nature. Consequently, this cover cannot be flattened for packing and transport as would be required by military personnel. The positioning of the cap on the boot is also finicky as the upper portion of the boot has to fit within the perimeter of the cap or the device doesn't work properly. The inflexible nature of the cap might also permit insects to crawl up the boot and under the cap wherever the boot and cap do not perfectly fit together.

Another device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,737 issued to Burtoff, is designed for use with military-issue boots and includes flaps that are stitched onto the boots. The flaps are provided with a zippered closure which may be zipped and unzipped as needed. One of the problems with this device is that the flaps have to physically be sewn onto the boot. A second problem is that in sandy regions, such as desert regions, zippered closures can malfunction because grains of sand become lodged between the teeth of the zipper.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,553 issued to Smithdeal, discloses a cover that fits around the top of a boot and closes off the top. In a first embodiment, the cover comprises a deformable insert that is connected to a skirt. The insert is placed through the mouth and into the neck of the boot. The skirt is attached to the upper end of the insert and when the insert is in position, the skirt is pulled downwardly over the exterior surface of the boot neck. The insert is made of plastic, is filled with a soft foam and is designed to deform and take on the shape of the boot's neck so that nothing can get passed the insert. This embodiment would be unsatisfactory from a military standpoint because of the size of the insert and the space issues that soldiers face. A second embodiment of the cover comprises a molded plastic or metal cap that has a closure portion, which fits over the mouth, and a groove formed around the perimeter of the cap and is adapted to receive the top edge of the boot therein. This second embodiment is again a little finicky for soldiers to be fussing with as the upper edge of the boot has to be fed into the groove or the device will not properly seal off the mouth. Yet another version of the cover has a downwardly extending flange that is positioned around the exterior of the boot and is secured in place by hook and pile fasteners. Such fasteners also become problematic in the type of environment that soldiers frequently find themselves in as they can pick up materials which prevent the hook and pile fasteners from adequately interlocking with each other.

There is therefore a need in the art for an improved device for covering the mouth of a boot that can be quickly and easily applied and removed and which shuts off the mouth so that undesirable matter such as insects, small creatures and moisture cannot enter the interior of the boot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention comprises a cover for closing off access to the mouth of a boot. The cover is a generally tubular member that forms a cap at a first end and a skirt that extends outwardly away therefrom. The cap and skirt define a bore sized to receive the neck of the boot therein. At least one annular gripping region is provided in the cover and is expandable to allow the cover to receive the top end of the boot and contracts to sealingly grip the neck of the boot. The gripping region preferably includes an elastic material that is either retained in an annular pocket in the skirt or sewn directly onto the skirt fabric. The cap is sized to cover the neck and mouth of the boot and to close off access to the boot interior. The cap does not necessarily tightly fit over the top end of the boot but preferably is of uneven height so that different upper edges of various boots can be accommodated by the cover. When engaged with the boot, no part of the cover extends into the interior thereof. Preferably, at least the first end of the cover is manufactured from one of a breathable and waterproof fabric. The fabric used preferably is also easily foldable into a planar member to enable the cover to be easily packed. The cover is also provided with a removal strap that can be used to quicky and easily pull the cover off the boot. Preferably, the removal strap is made from an elastic material. The exterior surface of the cover is further provided with one or more elastic loops, each of which is sized to receive a sock therethrough. This allows the socks to dry and be kept off the ground while doing so. It also ensures that the soldier or hunter can immediately find their socks in an emergency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boot that is closed off by a cover in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section of the cover engaged over the top end of the boot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a boot 10 that includes a sole 12, an upper portion 14 and a neck region 16. Neck region 16 includes a mouth (not shown) through which a person's foot is introduced into the interior (not shown) of the boot 10.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a protective cover for closing off access to the boot's interior, said cover being generally indicated by the number 18. Cover 18 is a generally tubular member having a wall that defines an interior bore. The wall is closed at one end and open at the other. The closed end of the wall comprises a cap 20 and a substantially tubular skirt 22 extends downwardly and outwardly away from cap 20 and terminates in an outermost end 22a that defines an opening 23 therein. Cap 20 is designed to fit loosely over the top end 24 of neck 16 and skirt 22 is designed to abut the outer surface of the neck 16 of boot 10. The looser fitting cap 20 creates a bigger surface area for evaporation of liquids from within the interior of boot 10. Furthermore, not all boots have exactly the same shaped top end 24 and the looseness of the fabric used in cap 20 accommodate a wide variety of differently shaped boots 10.

Cover 18 preferably is manufactured from a soft, flexible fabric that is very easily collapsed or folded into a thin, planar package for packing purposes. Cover 18 may be manufactured from a washable and weatherproof fabric such as a durable nylon mesh. This fabric is breathable and allows for moisture to evaporate from the interior of boot 10 therefore allowing proper ventilation of the boot so that the interior materials can dry out. If the interior of the boot is closed off such as by tightly lacing the laces or stuffing the neck 16 with socks or an insert such as that disclosed in the previously referenced patent to Smithdeal, then an unhygienic environment can be created within the boot interior if wet as bacteria, fungus and molds can thrive in this type of environment. Lack of ventilation and moist interior materials also tends to cause the boot to develop unpleasant odors over time. Cover 18 may also be made from a waterproof poly-cotton fabric that prevents moisture, such as rain water, from entering the interior of the boot. It is not necessary that the entire cover 18 be manufactured from the same fabric, but it can instead be made from two or more different fabrics. At least cap 20, however, should be manufactured from either a breathable fabric or a waterproof fabric. Skirt 22 preferably is integrally formed with cap 20 but it can, instead, be formed from one or more separate pieces of fabric that are sewn or otherwise connected to cap 20. Furthermore, skirt 22 may be manufactured from one or more pieces of a fabric different to that used for cap 20.

A pair of spaced-apart first and second gripping regions or bands 26, 28 are provided in skirt 22. Bands 26, 28 preferably are made from a stretchy, elastic fabric or a material that can expand as cover 18 is positioned over top end of boot 10, but which returns to its original, non-expanded length and shape when in place around neck 16. Gripping bands 26, 28 cause skirt 22 to tightly abut the exterior surface of neck 16 and seal off access to the mouth thereof. A suitable fabric for bands 26, 28 is an elastic nylon. Preferably, each band 26, 28 is sewn into an annular pocket formed within skirt 22. The pockets can be formed from an additional layer of fabric that is sewn to either the interior or exterior surface of cover 22. Band 28 is sewn onto skirt 22 a spaced distance away from the closed end of the cover that forms cap 20. Band 26 is sewn onto skirt 22 proximate the outermost end 22a thereof and a spaced distance from cap 20. Band 26 therefore circumscribes the opening 23 into the interior of cover 18. Bands 26, 28 are separated from each other by a region 30 of the wall of skirt 22. It will be understood that while bands 26, 28 are each shown as sewn into a pocket, one or both bands 26, 28 may, alternatively, be sewn directly onto the fabric that makes up skirt 22 and not be covered by a second layer of fabric.

Bands 26, 28 are designed to be sufficiently tight enough that cover 18 fits tightly over neck 16. Even that part of the neck 16 that includes the tongue (not shown) and laces 31 is tightly shut off by bands 26, 28. A gap 32 may be formed between region 30 and the exterior surface of neck 16. This gap 32 aids in ensuring that any insects or creatures that accidentally make it past band 28 will become entrapped between bands 28 and 26 and will not be able to get into the interior of boot 10.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, cover 18 is provided with an elastic removal strap 34. Strap 34 may be looped, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, or it may be a length of fabric that extends outwardly away from one of the cap or skirts 20, 22. Strap 34 is designed and positioned such that the soldier may pull removal strap 34 upwardly and outwardly in the direction of arrow “A” (FIG. 3) to pull cover 18 completely off of boot 10. Strap 34 may be made from an elastic material or from any other suitable fabric and is sewn onto the nylon mesh of cover 18.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, at least one, and preferably two, loops 36, 38 of fabric extend outwardly away from cover 18. Loops 36, 38 preferably extend outwardly away from cap 20, but may alternatively be sewn onto skirt 22 of cover 18. Loops 36, 38 preferably are made from an elastic material. The soldier can insert a sock 40, 42 into each one of loops 36, 38 so that the socks 40, 42 are suspended a distance above the ground and away from boot 10. This allows socks 40, 42 to dry more easily than they would if hung over boot 10 or left on the ground.

Cover 18 is designed for use specifically with military and civilian style boots. The cover is sized to fit over boots that have a neck 16 that is approximate 6-7 inches in width and 6-7 inches in height. Both band 26 and 28 preferably are between ¾ and 1½ inches in width, and preferably are 1 inch in width. Band 26 preferably is around 12 inches in total circumferential length and band 28 preferably is around 10 inches in total circumferential length. Thus, band 28 fits more tightly around neck 16 of boot 10 than does band 26.

Cover 18 is used in the following manner. When a soldier or hunter takes his boots off and wishes to close up the mouth in the top thereof, he grasps cover 18 and, using his fingers, stretches band 28 so that it lengthens. Band 28 has an initial circumference of ten inches, but band 28 is stretched beyond ten inches to around twelve inches in circumference in order to engage top end 24 of boot 10. Keeping his fingers in place, he positions cover 18 so that the top end 24 of neck 16 of boot enters opening 23 in cover 18. He slides cover downwardly in a direction opposite to arrow “A” in FIG. 3. As band 26 engages top end 24 of boot 10, it expands from an initial circumference of about twelve inches to enable it to slide over and around neck 16. Once band 26 has moved downwardly to a point that it lies a spaced distance beneath top end 24, the solider releases his grip on cover 18. Bands 26, 28 then contract around neck 16 and tightly grip the same. At this point, the mouth (not shown) of the boot is completely covered. Preferably, the inner surface 20a of cover 20 does not contact top end 24 of boot 10, but it can do so. The soldier can place his socks 40, 42 into loops 36, 38 by putting a single finger into one of loops 36, 38 and pulling away from boot 10, causing the elastic material thereof to stretch and expand the hole 36a, 38a formed therein. The associated sock 40, 42 is then drawn through the respective hole 36a, 38a. The loop 36, 38 is the released and sock 40, 42 is gripped thereby.

When socks 40, 42 are needed, one end thereof is pulled and the remaining portion of the sock slides out of loop 36, 38. When the soldier needs to use boot 10, he grasps strap 34 and pulls upwardly in the direction of arrow “A”. This causes cover 18 to slide upwardly in the same direction and to slide off the boot 10. Because the cover 18 is made of a flexible nylon mesh, it may be collapsed, rolled or folded for packing with the soldier's equipment.

It will be noticed from the figures that cover 18 may be formed in the shape of a beret, having areas in the cap 20 that are of greater height than others. So, for instance, the area indicated by the number 50 is of the greatest height and the area 52 is of lesser height. This helps cover 18 to engage a variety of differently shaped upper ends.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are by way of an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a boot, where the boot has a neck with a mouth at a top end thereof, said cover comprising;

a substantially tubular member having a wall defining a bore therein, said wall having a closed first end and a second end remote therefrom which defines an opening to the bore; which opening is adapted to receive the top end of the boot therethrough;

a first annular gripping region provided in the tubular member; and

a second annular gripping region provided in the tubular member a spaced distance from the first gripping region; said gripping regions being movable between an expanded position where the top end of the boot is receivable through the opening, and a contracted position where the gripping regions sealingly engage the neck of the boot whereby a portion of the first end of the wall extends across the mouth of the boot and substantially none of the first end extends into the interior of the boot.

2. The protective cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the first gripping region is of a first circumference and the second gripping region is of a second circumference and the first circumference is greater than the second circumference.

3. The protective cover as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping regions includes an elastic fabric.

4. The protective cover as defined in claim 3, wherein the wall includes at least one pocket and the elastic fabric is sewn into the pocket.

5. The protective cover as defined in claim 3, wherein the elastic fabric is sewn directly onto the wall.

6. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the portion of the first end of the wall is manufactured from one of a breathable fabric and a waterproof fabric.

7. The cover as defined in claim 6, wherein the portion of the first end of the wall is manufactured from one of a nylon mesh fabric and a waterproof poly-cotton fabric.

8. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the cover is manufactured from a flexible fabric that is foldable into a substantially planar member.

9. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the wall is formed from a single length of fabric.

10. The cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the wall is formed from more than one piece of fabric that are secured together, and at least the first end of the cover is made from one of a breathable fabric and a waterproof fabric.

11. The cover as defined in claim 2, further including a removal strap extending outwardly from the wall.

12. The cover as defined in claim 11, further including a pair of spaced apart loops extending outwardly away from the wall.

13. The cover as defined in claim 12, wherein the loops are manufactured from an elastic material and are each adapted to retain a sock therein.

14. The protective cover as defined in claim 3, wherein each of the first and second gripping regions is between ¾ and 1½ inches in width.

15. In combination:

a boot having a neck with a mouth at a top end thereof and defining an interior adapted to receive a foot therein;

a cover for sealing off access to the interior of the boot; and wherein said cover includes: a substantially tubular member having a wall defining a bore, said wall having a closed first end and a second end remote therefrom which defines an opening to the bore; and a first annular gripping region provided in the tubular member and being movable between an expanded position and a contracted position; and when the first gripping region is in the expanded position, the top end and neck of the boot are receivable through the opening; and when in the contracted position the first gripping region sealingly engages the neck and the first end of the cover extends across the mouth of the boot and no part of the cover extends into the interior of the boot.

16. The combination as defined in claim 15, wherein at least the first end of the tubular member is manufactured from one of a breathable and a waterproof fabric.

17. The combination as defined in claim 15 further comprising

a second annular gripping region provided in the tubular member spaced a distance from the first gripping region; whereby a section of wall extends between said first and second gripping regions.

18. The combination as defined in claim 15, further comprising a removal strap extending outwardly from proximate the first end of the tubular member.

19. The combination as defined in claim 18, further comprising at least one elasticized loop extending outwardly from proximate the first end of the tubular member, said loop being adapted to receive a sock therethrough.

20. The combination as defined in claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping regions comprises an elastic member that engages the wall of the tubular member, and wherein the elastic member is one of retained within a pocket formed in the wall of the tubular member and sewn directly onto the wall.