Wearable Footwear-Based Cleaning Apparatus
A wearable cleaning apparatus includes a sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces; and an upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus.
This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/099,774, entitled “WEARABLE CLEANING APPARATUS” filed on Sep. 24, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention pertains to footwear incorporating wearable cleaning apparatus, and, more particularly, into a sandal-based cleaning apparatus with exchangeable cleaning bottoms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWearable footwear that function as cleaning apparatus are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,775 to Muecke is directed to a “Tootsie Mop” that is a shoe-like member with a bristles integral to the shoe-like member. Similarly, wearable attachments to footwear, such as a shoe attachment have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,014 to Edwards. Edwards describes a mop attachable to a shoe via straps and the like. The prior art cleaning related footwear lacks efficiency required for modern households and businesses needing effective cleaning for the many surfaces now present. Moreover, prior art cleaning related footwear require cumbersome attachments or dedicated footwear only appropriate for cleaning one surface type. A need exists for footwear that is both efficient and appropriate for cleaning many types of surfaces.
The disclosure herein provides such an apparatus by disclosing footwear capable of cleaning a variety of surfaces efficiently. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides a wearable cleaning apparatus that includes a sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces; and an upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus.
In alternate embodiments, the fastening system further includes a hook and loop configuration wherein the sole and/or one of the one or more alternate bottom portions are securely attached via hooks integrated into the bottom of the sole and loops protruding upwardly from the one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. In one embodiment, the fastening system as a partially disposable fastening system wherein at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions is a disposable cleaning surface configured to fasten to the bottom surface of the wearable cleaning apparatus.
According to another aspect, the fastening system is formed from a same pliable material to enable secure attachment via a plurality of interspersed female to male components for connection of the sole to at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. Further, the one or more alternate bottom portions can include an absorbent fiber bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
According to another aspect, the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a scouring bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. In another embodiment, the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a polish-receiving material on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions. And in another embodiment, the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a mop bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
According to another aspect, the sole incorporating a fastening system includes a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces further can include at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions configured as a footwear bottom with a gripping surface. Further the one or more alternate bottom portions can include at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces disposed as one of a right and/or left sole.
According to another aspect, the wearable cleaning apparatus includes a sandal configured as a mate to the wearable cleaning apparatus, the sandal being one of a right and/or left sandal.
In one embodiment, the upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus is configured from a synthetic rubber to enable water-resistance of the wearable cleaning apparatus.
In one embodiment, the upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus is configured as a top portion of a sandal and/or a flip flop.
Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.
The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.
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The alternate fastening system 320 is further illustrated in
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All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Claims
1. A wearable cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces; and
- an upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus.
2. The wearable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces includes the fastening system comprising:
- a hook and loop configuration wherein the sole and/or one of the one or more alternate bottom portions are securely attached via hooks integrated into the bottom of the sole and loops protruding upwardly from the one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
3. The wearable cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces is configured to include the fastening system as a partially disposable fastening system wherein at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions is a disposable cleaning surface configured to fasten to the bottom surface of the wearable cleaning apparatus.
4. The wearable apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces is configured to include the fastening system formed from a same pliable material to enable secure attachment via a plurality of interspersed female to male components for connection of the sole to at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
5. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more alternate bottom portions includes an absorbent fiber bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
6. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a scouring bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
7. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a polish-receiving material on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
8. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more alternate bottom portions includes a mop bottom on at least a portion of one of the one or more alternate bottom portions.
9. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces further includes at least one of the one or more alternate bottom portions configured as a footwear bottom with a gripping surface.
10. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sole incorporating a fastening system, the fastening system including a bottom surface configured to enable secure attachment of one or more alternate bottom portions, the one or more alternate bottom portions including at least one bottom surface configured for cleaning one or more surfaces is disposed as one of a right and/or left sole.
11. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a sandal configured as a mate to the wearable cleaning apparatus, the sandal being one of a right and/or left sandal.
12. The wearable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus is configured from a synthetic rubber to enable water-resistance of the wearable cleaning apparatus.
13. The wearable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus is configured as a top portion of a sandal.
14. The wearable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper foot receiving portion integrally extending from the sole to form a foot receiving portion of the wearable cleaning apparatus is configured as a top portion of a flip flop.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 24, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 30, 2010
Inventors: Diane Hogan (Austin, TX), Terri Milan (Austin, TX)
Application Number: 12/566,366
International Classification: A47L 13/10 (20060101);