Insulating Boot Cover

Abstract

An insulating footwear cover is provided for fitting over an article of footwear to shield same from outdoor elements. The cover includes an upper, and a wear-resistant sole portion extending beneath the bottom of the boot or shoe. The sole portion additionally overlaps a portion of the sides of the upper providing a wear-resistant patch over areas of the cover that are most susceptible to wear.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to insulating covers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wear-resistant insulating cover for a boot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various forms of insulating apparel are commonly worn by individuals in cold weather to extend enjoyment of outdoor activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and tobogganing. This apparel typically includes innerwear such as moisture wicking socks, shirts, and pants, as well as outerwear such as parkas, gloves, snow pants, and the like. In addition, many products are available to provide supplementary heat and/or insulation to the extremities. Particularly with respect to winter footwear, insulating covers have been developed for ski boots, skates, and snowshoes.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,220 provides a thermal ski boot cover made of elastomeric fabric, which covers primarily the toe portion of the boot, with the fabric ends of wrapped around the back of the foot and secured using releasable attaching means such as hook and loop fasteners. A bottom strip is present, which is sewn to each side of the boot cover and extends under the ski boot to hold the cover in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,687 describes a ski boot muff for use in cold weather. The muff covers the entire ski boot except the toe and heel bindings, and preferably closes with a side zipper. The sole portion is sewn to the cover and extends under the foot.

Existing boot covers typically provide a bottom surface which is seamed to the sides of the cover near the base of the foot. As such, these seams are prone to wear due to abrasion of the seam against the ski, or against the ground or floor when the boot cover is worn without the ski. Further, the sole portion or bottom strap of existing boot covers is typically made of an elasticized fabric to accommodate a range of boot sizes. This elasticized bottom portion is therefore often stretched to accommodate the boot and is therefore further prone to wear upon repeated use.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide a durable boot cover for insulating a foot within a boot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous boot covers.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an insulating cover for fitting over a boot, the cover comprising: an insulating upper for placement over a portion of a boot upper; closure means for closing and opening a portion of the insulating upper to facilitate placement and removal of the insulating upper over the boot; and a wear-resistant sole portion operatively attached to first and second sides of the insulating upper, the sole portion of sufficient size to span the bottom width of the boot when the cover is fitted thereto; the sole portion further extending upwardly to substantially overlap the insulating upper on said first and second sides, providing a wear-resistant surface to the sides of the upper.

The insulating cover may be formed from side panels joinable over the boot by said closure means.

In one embodiment, the insulating upper and sole portion define at least one opening to accommodate a ski boot binding.

In another embodiment, the insulating upper further comprises a sizing strip of elastomeric material, the sizing strip attached between each side panel to facilitate use fitting of the insulating cover over a variety of boot sizes. The sizing strip may be composed, for example, of Dura Stretch® or Power Shield® fabrics. The sizing strip may be at any suitable location about the upper. In one embodiment, the sizing strip is at the rear of the upper. In another embodiment, the sizing strip is at the front of the upper, and the closure means may be provided within the sizing strip.

In a particular embodiment, the insulating upper, sole portion, and sizing strip define at least one opening to accommodate a ski boot binding.

The insulating upper may be formed from wear-resistant material, water-resistant material, or may be covered with a wear-resistant and/or water resistant coating. In suitable embodiments, the upper is formed from elastomeric fabric. Accordingly, the insulating upper may be formed from any suitable material to shield the boot from outside elements, providing an insulating effect. Suitable materials for use in forming the upper include Neoprene, Cordura®, Gortex®, and nylon.

In a further embodiment, the closure means is a zipper, which may be a two-way zipper. The closure may extend along the entire length, width, or circumference of the upper, or may be provided only in portions of the upper.

In another embodiment, the wear-resistant sole includes a wear-resistant surface such as Cordura® or Tufftek®.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a boot cover fitted over a ski boot;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a boot cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the side panels and sole portion of the boot cover shown in FIG. 2 with the closure unfastened and prior to attachment of a sizing strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present invention provides a boot cover for providing insulation to a boot, shoe, skate, or other article of outdoor footwear. The boot cover is particularly suitable for use in covering a ski boot, and may be worn over the ski boot at all times.

Overview

With reference to FIG. 1, a boot cover 10 is shown fitted over a ski boot 90. The boot cover 10 includes an upper 11 formed from inner and outer side panels 12, 13, and a sole portion 14 extending beneath the boot from the inner panel to the outer panel to provide a base for the boot cover. The sole portion 14 additionally overlaps the inner and outer side panels to some degree to form inner and outer patches 15, 16 over the side panels 12, 13 at locations typically prone to abrasion and wear. Such overlap thereby avoids a linear seam along the base of the boot, instead providing an additional layer of fabric at this location to resist wear.

The boot cover shown in FIG. 1 includes a sole portion 14 that spans the width of the boot bottom but need not span the entire length of the boot. In the example shown, the sole portion 14, together with the inner and outer side panels 12, 13 define a front opening 20 and a rear opening 21 to accommodate toe and heel lugs 91, 92 of the ski boot 90. When the cover is fitted over the boot, toe and heel lugs 91, 92 remain accessible for engagement by corresponding ski bindings. Thus, the cover does not require removal or adjustment when the user desires to attach or remove the boot from the ski bindings, and the cover may remain fitted over the boot at all times the boot is worn.

The insulating cover upper 11 suitably includes one or more closures 30 for assisting the user in fitting the cover over the boot. As the degree of opening is determined by the needs of the user and the bulk of the boot to be covered, certain designs may include appropriately placed closures about the ankle opening of the cover. Other designs, for example the ski boot cover shown in the drawings, may include a full length closure from the ankle opening 17 to the toe opening 20. For added ease of use, the closure shown in FIG. 1 is a front two-way zipper closure to provide the user with access to any or all of the ski boot adjustment straps as necessary, and to facilitate fitting of the cover over the bulk of the ski boot.

Upper

When fitted over the boot, the upper 11 of the boot cover provides added insulation to the foot inside the boot primarily by shielding the boot from wind and build-up of snow. The insulating cover is therefore made from one or more layers of fabric suitable for providing this insulating effect. In suitable embodiments, this fabric is water and wind resistant or a suitable coating is applied to the fabric to convey water and wind resistance. The cover may include a further layer of material such as foam, fleece, neoprene, or the like, however in most cases the wind and/or water resistance alone will provide suitable insulating properties.

It is further desirable that the upper be durable to resist wear, while providing a smooth surface to avoid accumulation of snow on the upper. Materials particularly suitable for use in manufacture of the upper include Cordura®, Gortex®, and nylon.

It may be possible in some circumstances to pull the cover over a boot through the ankle opening 17, particularly if the upper is made from elastomeric fabric such as neoprene. However, providing closures within the upper facilitates fitting of the boot within the cover as well as providing access to the boot during wear as necessary. For example, while skiing, the user may partially open the upper to access a ski boot adjustment strap or boot laces.

In selecting an appropriate size and type of closure, one should consider each of the following factors: the size, bulk, and flexibility of the boot; the degree and frequency of access to the boot and foot that a user may require, the material of which the upper is constructed, and the flexibility and coordination of the typical user. For example, a ski boot is relatively bulky and inflexible, the user may require periodic access to the boot, and it is generally difficult for a skier to manually manipulate devices located at the rear of the boot as this must be done “blind” due in part to the limited flexibility of the boot. Therefore, front two-way zipper closure is suitable for use in a boot cover designed for a ski boot.

Conversely, a boot cover designed for placement over a shoe during a curling match may not require a closure, as the upper need not be wind resistant and could simply be made from an elastomeric fabric such as neoprene, which may be fitted by stretching the ankle opening of the cover over the shoe.

In another example, a cover for placement over a hiking shoe or boot may include several small closures in order to tighten or loosen the fit of the cover over the shoe during use, to access various portions of the shoe during use, or to provide pockets within the cover to store small items.

With reference to FIG. 2, the upper includes inner and outer side panels 12, 13, joined at the front of the boot at closure 30 and joined at the back by a sizing strip 40. The sizing strip 40 is flexible and elastomeric to allow the side panels 12, 13 to be separated to the degree necessary for fitting the upper over the boot. As seen best in FIG. 3, the configuration of the side panels 12, 13, and of the sole portion may accommodate a range of boot sizes. Fitting to a boot of narrow width will require only a portion of the sole to span the bottom of the boot, causing the bottom edges of the side panels to begin further up the boot sides, Conversely, fitting to a boot having a wide bottom will require more of the sole portion beneath the boot, with the bottom edges 22, 23 of the side panels 12, 13 to be closer to the bottom edge of the boot.

By placement of a stretchable or elastomeric sizing strip between the back edges 24, 25 of the side panels 12, 13, the cover will snugly fit over either a narrow or wide boot, and the sizing strip will additionally provide some lengthwise stretch to the cover to accommodate some variation in boot length.

In embodiments in which the sizing strip is not present, the side panels 11, 12 may be seamed together directly, or may be formed from one continuous piece of material.

A sizing strip may similarly be provided at the front of the upper, for example, on either side of the closure, to provide further stretch and size accommodation to the cover. This is particularly useful when the closure is an engageable type of closure such as a zipper or hook and eye fasteners that will not be pulled open by tension across the upper.

The sizing strip should be more resilient than the remainder of the upper to avoid undue stretching of the side panels 12, 13. For example, suitable fabrics for use in providing a sizing strip include DuraStretch® and Power Shield®.

Sole Portion

The sole portion serves to hold the upper over the boot, while providing a wear resistant surface to areas of the boot cover that are typically subject to significant wear. One failure of prior art boot covers is the presence of a linear seam along the bottom side edges of the boot, which is the location that is typically most subject to excessive abrasion by the opposing boot, the ground, and the environment. Particularly while participating in sporting activities such as skiing, the bottom boot edge and boot sides typically encounter the ground during carving and when walking (without skis), and also experience wear resulting from contact with ski poles and other equipment. The presently described boot cover therefore includes a sole portion that extends across the width of the boot bottom and overlaps the sides 11, 12 of the boot cover to provide side patches 15, 16 over the cover.

The sole portion is preferably formed from a wear-resistant material or bears a wear-resistant coating to resist routine abrasion and prolong the life of the boot cover. Suitable materials for use in manufacturing the sole portion of the boot cover include Cordura® and Tufffek®. Alternatively, a wear-resistant coasting may be applied to the sole portion to provide similar effect.

Notably, the sole portion 14 need not provide a complete sole to the cover, and may be provided as one or more permanently affixed or detachable straps from the inner side panel to the outer side panel, with at least one of the straps extending upward over a portion of one side of the upper to form the wear-resistant side patches. For improved durability, each strap should overlap both sides of the upper. Such overlap portions protect wear-susceptible portions of the upper and avoid the presence of a seam along or adjacent the bottom edge of the boot.

In the example above of a curling shoe cover, such cover may include two distinct strap portions, one for providing wear-resistance to the bottom and sides of the cover, and an additional removable strap for providing a sliding surface beneath the shoe.

The portions of the strap that overlap the side panels of the upper may further be used to display a logo or design, or may be formed in the shape of a particular recognizable image.

Toe and Heel Openings

With reference to FIG. 1, a toe opening 20 is formed to allow the ski boot toe lug to remain uncovered for engagement with the ski. The toe opening is defined by: the sole portion 14, which in this example does not extend beneath the toe portion 91 of the boot; the side panels; and the closure, which permits complete separation of the side panels at the front of the boot.

Similarly, at the rear of the cover, heel opening 21 is formed to allow the ski boot heel lug to remain uncovered for engagement with the ski. The heel opening 21 is defined by: the sole portion 14, which in this example does not extend beneath the back heel portion 92 of the boot; the side panels; and the sizing strip 40.

Various design changes may be made to accommodate any openings that may be necessary to customize the boot cover for use over a particular piece of footwear.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An insulating cover for fitting over a boot, the cover comprising:

an insulating upper for placement over a portion of a boot upper;

closure means for closing and opening a portion of the upper to facilitate placement and removal of the upper over the boot; and

a wear-resistant sole portion operatively attached to first and second sides of the upper, the sole portion of sufficient size to span the bottom width of the boot when the cover is fitted thereto;

the sole portion further extending upwardly to substantially overlap the upper on each of said first and second sides, thereby providing a wear-resistant surface to each side of the upper.

2. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the upper comprises side panels joinable over the boot by said closure means.

3. The insulating cover as in claim 1 for fitting over a ski boot, wherein the upper and sole portion define at least one opening to accommodate a ski boot binding.

4. The insulating cover as in claim 2 wherein the insulating upper further comprises a sizing strip of elastomeric material, the sizing strip attached between the side panels to facilitate fitting of the insulating cover over a variety of boot sizes.

5. The insulating cover as in claim 4 wherein the upper further comprises a second sizing strip of elastomeric material to further accommodate fitting of the upper over a boot.

6. The insulating cover as in claim 4 wherein the sizing strip is at the rear of the upper.

7. The insulating cover as in claim 4 wherein the sizing strip is at the front of the upper.

8. The insulating cover as in claim 4 wherein a sizing strip is present at the front and rear of the upper.

9. The insulating cover as in claim 4 for fitting over a ski boot, wherein the insulating upper, sole portion, and sizing strip define at least one opening to accommodate a ski boot binding.

10. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the insulating upper comprises wear-resistant material.

11. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the insulating upper comprises a water-resistant or wear-resistant coating.

12. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the insulating upper comprises elastomeric fabric.

13. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the insulating upper comprises wear-resistant fabric.

14. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the insulating upper is composed of Neoprene, Cordura®, Gortex® or nylon.

15. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the closure means is a zipper.

16. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the wear-resistant sole comprises wear-resistant fabric.

17. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the wear-resistant sole comprises a wear-resistant surface.

18. The insulating cover as in claim 1 wherein the wear-resistant sole is composed of Cordura® or Tufftek®.