COMBINATION WATERPROOF FOOTWEAR COVERING AND CARRIER BAG ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly, whereby the footwear covering is worn over the wearer's foot and/or sock while walking around a wet, snowy or slippery surface. The footwear covering includes a water-resistant body having an interior cavity. The body has a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion defining the interior cavity. The carrier bag stores the footwear covering therein and is adapted to be unobtrusively worn about a wearer's body during activity and sports. The bag is made of bendable, water-resistant material having an opening and interior compartment. The bag includes pair of adjustable straps extending outwardly therefrom and a means for fastening the straps to the wearer's body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application entitled “Lodge Lofers” (Ser. No. 61/755,570) filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 23, 2013 and provisional patent application entitled “Sock With Protective Sole and Bag Therefor” (Ser. No. 61/757,483) filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 28, 2013. Both applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to footwear coverings, and more particularly, to a combination water-resistant footwear covering having a protective flexible sole and waterproof carrier bag for storing the same. The footwear covering is to be worn over the wearer's foot and/or sock while walking around a ski lodge or other wet, snowy, dirty or slippery surface. The carrier bag is designed for storing the footwear covering therein and adapted to be unobtrusively worn about a wearer's body during activity and sports or attached to luggage.

2. Description of the Related Art

Active skiers and snowboarders retreat from the slopes into the lodge and remove their boots to relax, have lunch, or just take a break after a long day of skiing. After removing their boots, skiers are forced to walk around the lodge and into the parking lot on wet, grimy, cold floors until they retrieve their shoes. Always having your shoes available and within arm's reach is challenging. This is especially true for active skiers who travel large mountains skiing from one mountain lodge to another during the course of the day. Taking a break and being able to remove your boots is therefore not always possible or even practical when your shoes are in a different lodge or in your parked car.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly which allows wearers to actively engage in activity and sports while having their footwear covering readily accessible.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly, wherein the carrier bag is capable of storing footwear coverings therein and then adapted to unobtrusively attach to the wearer's body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier bag having adjustable straps adapted to wrap around a leg, arm, torso, waist or back of a wearer for conveniently and unobtrusively transporting the footwear coverings contained therein from place to place while simultaneously engaging in normal activity or sport.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a footwear covering having a waterproof sole adapted to be worn over the user's foot and/or sock while walking around a ski lodge or other wet, dirty, snowy or slippery surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a footwear covering having a removable inner sole having at least one layer, adapted to be inserted into the interior cavity of the footwear covering for allowing a user to walk around indoors or outdoors on wet, snowy or slippery surfaces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a footwear covering adapted for use by trampoline jumpers, travelers, students and those sharing communal spaces, hunters, hikers, bikers, golfers, skaters, loungers at home and all others engaged in leisure or sport activity which may require a specific shoe, hospital recovery, or travel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a slip-on footwear covering is provided having a single flexible body having a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion. The footwear covering includes a bendable waterproof outer sole. The outer sole is attached to the body proximate the lower portion.

The outer sole may extend at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portion of the body. The outer sole may have a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The body and outer sole may be made of neoprene. The outer sole may also be made of synthetic resin.

The footwear covering may include a removable bendable inner sole having at least one layer that may include a first layer made of neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material. Alternatively, the first layer may be made of foil adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a footwear covering is provided that is wearable on a foot of a wearer. The footwear covering includes a single water-resistant body having an interior cavity for receiving the foot of the wearer therein. The body has a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion defining the interior cavity. The footwear covering includes a bendable inner sole removably insertable into the interior cavity of the body proximate the lower portion.

The water-resistant body may be foldable and may be made of neoprene. The inner sole may have at least one layer including a first layer made of neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material. Alternatively, the layers may include a first layer made of foil adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

The footwear covering may include a bendable waterproof outer sole attached to the body proximate the lower portion. The outer sole may extend at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portion of the body. The outer sole portion may have a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The outer sole may be made of neoprene. The upper portion of the body may include a tab.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly is provided wherein the combination is securely wearable about a body portion of a wearer. The footwear covering includes a water-resistant body having an interior cavity. The body has a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion defining the interior cavity. The footwear covering includes a bag of bendable, water-resistant, washable material having an opening and interior compartment for receiving and holding the footwear covering therein. The bag includes a pair of adjustable straps extending from the bag. The bag includes a means for fastening the straps securely about the body portion of the wearer.

The bag may include a zippered opening. The combination assembly may include a bendable waterproof outer sole attached to the body proximate the lower portion. The outer sole may extend at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portion of the body. The outer sole may have a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.

The body and outer sole may be made of neoprene. The outer sole may also be made of synthetic resin.

The combination assembly may include a removable bendable inner sole having at least one layer. The layers may include a first layer made of neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material. The layers may include a first layer made of foil adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

The fastening means of the combination assembly may be an interlocking clip having a male portion attached to one of the straps and a female portion attached to the other of the straps.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a method for carrying a pair of footwear coverings on a body portion of a wearer during activity is provided. The steps of the method include obtaining a water-resistant bag having an opening having an interior portion and a means for fastening the opening. The opening alternates between an opened position and a closed position. Opening the bag thereby exposing the interior portion. When the bag is in the opened position the interior portion is configured to receive the pair of footwear coverings. Storing a pair of footwear coverings in the interior portion of the bag. Closing the bag thereby securing the footwear coverings within the interior portion. When the bag is in the closed positioned the fastening means is configured to contain the pair of footwear coverings within the interior portion. Attaching the water-resistant bag around the body portion of the wearer.

The method may further include the step of engaging in an athletic, sport or leisure activity by the wearer while donning the water-resistant bag with foot coverings therein.

The method may further include the steps of detaching the water-resistant bag from the body portion of the wearer, opening the bag thereby exposing the interior portion, removing the pair of footwear coverings from the water-resistant bag, and donning the pair of footwear coverings. The method may further include inserting an inner sole into the pair of the footwear coverings.

The method may further include the step of washing the footwear coverings and water-resistant bag after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to combination water-resistant footwear covering and carrier bag assembly as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a footwear covering of the present invention including a body portion and sole;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sole of the footwear covering of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a footwear covering of the present invention showing a body having an interior cavity and exterior sole portion;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back of the footwear covering of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom and side of the footwear covering of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the footwear covering of FIG. 3 showing an inner sole being inserted into the interior cavity of the body of the footwear covering;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the inner sole of the footwear covering of FIG. 6 showing a first layer;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the inner sole of the footwear covering of FIG. 6 showing a second layer;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the inner sole of the footwear covering taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 showing the first and second layers;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front of the carrier bag assembly of the present invention having a zippered interior compartment and adjustable straps;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the carrier bag assembly showing the interior compartment in an opened position adapted for use storing the footwear covering of FIG. 1 therein;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the carrier bag assembly showing the interior compartment in an opened position adapted for use storing the footwear covering of FIG. 3 therein;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the back of the carrier bag assembly of FIG. 10 showing the adjustable straps fastened together in a closed position; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly adapted for use storing the footwear covering within the carrier bag and being worn about a leg of a wearer's body during sport.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly 9 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the footwear covering 10A of the first embodiment includes a single slip-on flexible body 12 that may be waterproof or water-resistant. The flexible body 12 has a lower portion 14, a side portion 16 and an upper portion 18 which define an interior cavity 20. The length and width of the body 12 is customizable in an endless variety of different sizes to accommodate wearers having every shoe size and width. The interior cavity 20 is the foot-receiving portion of the slip-on footwear covering 10A. In this first embodiment, when a foot is received within the interior cavity 20 the upper portion 18 of the body 12 extends upwardly beyond the ankle proximate the calf region of the leg of the wearer.

The footwear covering 10A of the first embodiment includes a bendable waterproof outer sole portion 22 adjacent the lower portion 14. The outer sole portion 22 is preferably attached to the body 12, proximate the lower portion 14. The outer sole portion 22 may extend upwardly in order to cover, at least partially, the side portion 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates the outer sole portion 22 of the footwear covering 10A, which is preferably made of flexible poly vinyl chloride plastic or other synthetic or natural plastic or rubber-like material for providing water-resistance, durability and traction to the footwear covering 10A. The outer sole portion 22 may be composed of a hard material in order to provide additional traction and durability, while still being waterproof and able to bend. The outer sole portion 22 includes a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions 24. The protrusions 24 of this embodiment are preferably round and composed of the same or similar material as the outer sole portion 22. The waterproof outer soles 22 keep the user's feet dry from water or snow on the floor, which is often tracked indoors by other people, and the protrusions 24 provide traction on slippery wet floors and protect the wearer's feet. Alternate embodiments may include outer sole portions 22 having arch supports for providing additional comfort and recesses for receiving heat packets for warming the wearer's feet.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the footwear covering 10B resembles a slip-on shoe. The body 12 remains a single water-resistant member having the interior cavity 20 adaptable for receiving the foot of the wearer therein. In this second embodiment, the upper portion 18, preferably made of neoprene, only extends proximate the ankle portion of the leg of the wearer. The upper portion 18 also includes a tab 30, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for aiding the wearer in slipping-on and removing the covering 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates the outer sole portion 22 having a plurality of protrusions 24 for providing traction when walking around outside or on slippery or wet floors. The sole portion 22 is preferably made of neoprene or other synthetic or natural rubber-like or plastic material for providing water-resistance, durability and traction to the footwear covering 10B. The protrusions 24 may extend outwardly from the sole portion 22 and be of the same or similar material, or alternatively, not extend outwardly at all and be defined by a different material or surface texture in order to provide traction and resistance.

FIG. 6 illustrates a removable bendable inner sole 40, which inserts into the interior cavity 20 of the body 12 of the footwear covering 10B by extending transversely across the width of the lower portion 14 of the body 12 and longitudinally from a back or heel portion 13 to a front or toe portion 15 of the footwear covering 10B. The inner sole 40 is made-up of at least one layer. The inner sole 40 is preferably made in a single large size to accommodate the largest of feet and is able to be cut by the wearer with scissors to accommodate any size length and width feet of the wearer.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate the inner sole 40, which is formed by adhering together a first layer 42 of foil, warming material, neoprene or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and a second layer 44 of water-wicking or water-absorbing material like wool or synthetic wool. A third layer (not shown) is positioned between the first and second layers 42, 44 respectively and preferably made of cotton. Together the layers are bendable and may also be formed of other synthetic or natural materials not limited to those of the preferred embodiment. Preferably, the first layer 42 is positioned downwardly for insertion into the interior cavity 20 of the footwear covering 10B. The first layer 42 is positionable adjacent the lower portion 14 for providing stability and durability to the footwear covering 10B, while the second layer 44 is positionable adjacent the bottom of a wearer's foot for keeping the wearer's foot dry and comfortable during use.

FIG. 10 illustrates the carrier bag assembly 50 preferably comprised of a substantially rectangular-shaped bag 52 of bendable, water-proof or water-resistant, washable and nylon material. FIG. 11 illustrates the bag 52, which has two opposite sides 54 and an interior compartment 56 defined between the sides 54. The bag 52 includes an opening 58 extending from one side to the other side for exposing the interior compartment 56. A fastening means or zipper 60 extends along the opening 58 for opening or closing the interior compartment 56. As shown, the interior compartment 56 is adapted for receiving and holding a pair of footwear coverings 10A, 10B therein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a pair of the footwear coverings 10A of the first embodiment secured within the interior compartment 56 of the carrier bag assembly 50. FIG. 12 illustrates a pair of the footwear coverings 10B of the second embodiment secured within the interior compartment 56 of the carrier bag assembly 50.

FIG. 13 illustrates a pair of adjustable straps 62 extending from the sides 54 of the bag 52 and adapted to wrap the bag 52 around a portion of the wearer's body. The straps 62 include a means for fastening securely to the wearer. Preferably, the fastening means 64 is an interlocking clip, including a male portion 66 attached to a distal end 63 of one strap 62A and a female portion 68 attached to a distal end 63 of the other strap 62B, which buckle together to secure the bag 52 around the wearer or provide a sling for carrying the bag on your shoulder. Alternative variations are contemplated wherein the straps 62 are adapted to provide means for carrying the bag like a backpack, sling or even hang from inside of a jacket having an interior tab. In addition, the bag with footwear coverings therein may be stored in a jacket or pants pocket.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the straps may wrap the bag 52 around a leg of a skier or snowboarder while the interlocking clip 64 securely holds the bag 52 in position. Alternatively, the bag 52 may affix around an arm, waist, torso or any other portion of the wearer's body as selected. The bag 52 comfortably secures to the wearer such that the wearer is able to continue to partake in normal activity and sport.

When the activity or sport is finished and the appropriate uniform, shoes, boots or gear removed, the footwear covering 10A, 10B is readily accessible for wear. When the wearer resumes the activity or sport, the footwear covering 10A, 10B is easily replaced inside the interior compartment of the bag 52 before selectively securing to the body so that the activity or sport can be normally resumed.

The preferred use of the combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly 9 first includes opening the bag to expose the interior compartment 56. When the bag 52 is in the opened position 52A the interior compartment is configured to receive a pair of the footwear coverings 10A, 10B. The wearer stores a pair of the footwear coverings 10A, 10B in the interior compartment 56 of the bag 52 and closes the bag 52 by zippering shut the fastening means in order to secure the footwear coverings within the interior compartment. When the bag 52 is in the closed positioned 52B the fastening means is configured to contain a pair of the footwear coverings 10A, 10B within the interior compartment 56. The wearer is free to selectively attach the water-resistant bag 52 around their leg by wrapping the straps around the leg and interlocking the male and female portions 66, 68 of the clip 64 of the fastening means together.

To retrieve the footwear coverings the wearer unbuckles the male and female portions 66, 68 of the clip 64 and unwraps the straps 62 from their leg. The wearer then unzips the zippered opening 60 of the interior compartment 56 of the bag 52 and removes a pair of the water-resistant footwear coverings 10A, 10B therefrom.

Alternative uses are contemplated and this application should not be limited to the preferred use by skiers and snowboarders after skiing and snowboarding. Trampoline jumpers, travelers, students and those sharing communal spaces, hunters, hiker, bikers, golfers, skaters, loungers at home and all others engaged in leisure or sport activity, which may or may not require specific shoes, hospital recovery, or travel may seek to use the present invention for a variety of different uses and reasons not limited to those discussed herein.

In conclusion, herein is presented a combination water-resistant footwear covering and carrier bag assembly. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description.

It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A slip-on footwear covering, comprising:

a single flexible body having a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion; and

a bendable waterproof outer sole, said outer sole attached to said body proximate said lower portion.

2. The footwear covering of claim 1 wherein the outer sole extends at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portion of the body.

3. The footwear covering of claim 1 wherein the outer sole has a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.

4. The footwear covering of claim 1 wherein the body is made of neoprene.

5. The footwear covering of claim 1 wherein the outer sole is made of neoprene.

6. The footwear covering of claim 1 wherein the outer sole is made of synthetic resin.

7. The footwear covering of claim 1 further comprising a removable bendable inner sole having at least one layer.

8. The footwear covering of claim 7 wherein the layers include a first layer made of neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

9. The footwear covering of claim 7 wherein the layers include a first layer made of foil adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

10. A slip-on footwear covering wearable on a foot of a wearer, comprising:

a water-resistant body having an interior cavity for receiving said foot of said wearer therein, said body having a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion defining said interior cavity; and

a bendable inner sole removably insertable into said interior cavity of said body proximate said lower portion.

11. The footwear covering of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant body is foldable.

12. The footwear covering of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant body is made of neoprene.

13. The footwear covering of claim 10 wherein the inner sole has at least one layer.

14. The footwear covering of claim 13 wherein the layers include a first layer made of neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

15. The footwear covering of claim 13 wherein the layers include a first layer made of foil adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

16. The footwear covering of claim 10 further comprising a bendable waterproof outer sole attached to the body proximate the lower portion.

17. The footwear covering of claim 16 wherein the outer sole extends at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portion of the body.

18. The footwear covering of claim 16 wherein the outer sole portion has a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.

19. The footwear covering of claim 16 wherein the outer sole is made of neoprene.

20. The footwear covering of claim 10 wherein the upper portion includes a tab.

21. A combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly, wherein the combination is securely wearable about a body portion of a wearer:

a footwear covering including a water-resistant body having an interior cavity, said body having a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion defining said interior cavity; and

a bag of bendable, water-resistant, washable material having an opening and interior compartment for receiving and holding said footwear covering therein, a pair of adjustable straps extending from said bag and a means for fastening said straps securely about said body portion of said wearer.

22. The combination assembly of claim 21 wherein the opening of the bag is a zippered opening.

23. The combination assembly of claim 21 further comprising a bendable waterproof outer sole attached to the body of the footwear covering proximate the lower portion.

24. The combination assembly of claim 23 wherein the outer sole extends at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portion of the body.

25. The combination assembly of claim 23 wherein the outer sole has a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.

26. The combination assembly of claim 21 wherein the body is made of neoprene.

27. The combination assembly of claim 23 wherein the outer sole is made of neoprene.

28. The combination assembly of claim 23 wherein the outer sole is made of synthetic resin.

29. The combination assembly of claim 21 further comprising a removable bendable inner sole having at least one layer.

30. The combination assembly of claim 29 wherein the layers include a first layer made of neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

31. The combination assembly of claim 29 wherein the layers include a first layer made of foil adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

32. The combination assembly of claim 21 wherein the fastening means is an interlocking clip having a male portion attached to one of the straps and a female portion attached to the other of said straps.

33. A method for carrying a pair of footwear coverings on a body portion of a wearer during activity, the method comprising:

a. obtaining a water-resistant bag having an opening having an interior portion and a means for fastening said opening, wherein said opening alternates between an opened position and a closed position;

b. opening said bag thereby exposing said interior portion, wherein said bag is in said opened position characterized by said interior portion configured to receive said pair of footwear coverings;

c. storing a pair of footwear coverings in said interior portion of said bag;

d. closing said bag thereby securing said footwear coverings within said interior portion, wherein said bag is in said closed positioned characterized by said fastening means configured to contain said pair of footwear coverings within said interior portion; and

e. attaching and securing said water-resistant bag unobtrusively around said body portion of said wearer.

34. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of engaging in an athletic, sport or leisure activity by the wearer while donning the water-resistant bag with foot coverings therein.

35. The method of claim 33 further comprising the steps of detaching the water-resistant bag from the body portion of the wearer; opening the bag thereby exposing the interior portion; removing the pair of footwear coverings from the water-resistant bag; and donning the pair of footwear coverings.

36. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of inserting an inner sole into the pair of the footwear coverings.

37. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of washing the footwear coverings and water-resistant bag after use.