Shoe Liner Shielding Device

Abstract

A shoe liner shielding device for reducing soiling of an inner surface of a heel cap includes a first panel, which is flexible and shaped substantially complementarily to a heel cap of a respective shoe. A set of couplers that is coupled to a first face of the first panel is configured to selectively couple to a liner of the respective shoe so that the first panel substantially covers an inner surface of the heel cap. The first panel is configured to reduce soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with a sock on a foot of a user that is positioned in the respective shoe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to shielding devices and more particularly pertain to a new shielding device for reducing soiling of an inner surface of a heel cap.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to shielding devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a first panel, which is flexible and shaped substantially complementarily to a heel cap of a respective shoe. A set of couplers that is coupled to a first face of the first panel is configured to selectively couple to a liner of the respective shoe so that the first panel substantially covers an inner surface of the heel cap. The first panel is configured to reduce soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with a sock on a foot of a user that is positioned in the respective shoe.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a shoe liner shielding device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new shielding device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the shoe liner shielding device 10 generally comprises a first panel 12, which is flexible and shaped substantially complementarily to a heel cap 14 of a respective shoe 16. The first panel 12 may comprise fabric, or other material, such as, but not limited to, neoprene, rubber, silicone, plastic, and the like. The first panel 12 may be substantially isosceles trapezoid shaped or have another shape that is substantially complementarily to a heel cap 14 of a particular shoe 16, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Other shapes of the first panel 12 include, but are not limited to, rectangular, oval, and the like. The first panel 12 has corners 18, which may be arcuate, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a pair of cutouts 20 extends arcuately into an upper edge 22 of the first panel 12. Each cutout 20 is positioned proximate to a respective opposing end 24 of the first panel 12 to define an extension 26 that is substantially complementary to a pull tab is coupled to the heel cap 14 of the respective shoe 16. Thus, the first panel 12 is complementary to the heel cap 14 and the pull tab of the respective shoe 16.

A set of couplers 28 that is coupled to a first face 30 of the first panel 12 is configured to selectively couple to a liner 32 of the respective shoe 16 so that the first panel 12 substantially covers an inner surface 34 of the heel cap 14. The first panel 12 is configured to reduce soiling of the inner surface 34 of the heel cap 14 due to contact with a sock on a foot of a user that is positioned in the respective shoe 16. Soiling of the liner 32 due to lint, oils, and dirt is prevented by the first panel 12.

The set of couplers 28 comprises at least one of an adhesive layer 36 and a first element 38 of a hook and loop fastener 40. With the set of couplers 28 comprising the adhesive layer 36, as shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 also comprises a sheet 42 that is shaped complementarily to the first panel 12. The sheet 42 is removably couplable to the adhesive layer 36 and is configured to prevent inadvertent adhesion of the adhesive layer 36. The sheet 42 is positioned to be selectively decoupled from the adhesive layer 36 so that the adhesive layer 36 is configured to couple the first panel 12 to the liner 32 of the respective shoe 16. The first panel 12 thus is configured to reduce the soiling of the inner surface 34 of the heel cap 14 due to contact with the sock on the foot of the user that is positioned in the respective shoe 16.

With the set of couplers 28 comprising the first element 38 of the hook and loop fastener 40, as shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 also comprises a second panel 44 that is shaped complementarily to the first panel 12. A second element 46 of the hook and loop fastener 40 is coupled to a first side 48 of the second panel 44. An adhesive film 50 is coupled to a second side 52 of the second panel 44.

A third panel 54, which is shaped complementarily to the second panel 44, is removably couplable to the adhesive film 50 so that the third panel 54 is configured to prevent inadvertent adhesion of the adhesive film 50. The third panel 54 is positioned to be selectively decoupled from the adhesive film 50 so that the adhesive film 50 is configured to adhesively couple to the liner 32 of the respective shoe 16. The second element 46 thus is positioned to be selectively coupled to the first element 38 to removably couple the first panel 12 to the liner 32 of the respective shoe 16. The first panel 12 thus is configured to reduce the soiling of the inner surface 34 of the heel cap 14 due to contact with the sock on the foot of the user that is positioned in the respective shoe 16.

In use, the set of couplers 28 is used to couple the first panel 12 to the liner 32 of the respective shoe 16 so that the first panel 12 substantially covers the inner surface 34 of the heel cap 14. The first panel 12 is configured to reduce soiling of the inner surface 34 of the heel cap 14 due to contact with a sock on a foot of a user that is positioned in the respective shoe 16.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A shoe liner shielding device comprising:

a first panel, the first panel being flexible, the first panel being shaped substantially complementarily to a heel cap of a respective shoe; and

a set of couplers coupled to a first face of the first panel wherein the set of couplers is configured for selectively coupling to a liner of the respective shoe such that the first panel substantially covers an inner surface of the heel cap wherein the first panel is configured for reducing soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with a sock on a foot of a user positioned in the respective shoe.

2. The device of claim 1, further including the first panel comprising fabric.

3. The device of claim 1, further including the first panel being substantially isosceles trapezoid shaped.

4. The device of claim 3, further including the first panel having corners, the corners being arcuate.

5. The device of claim 3, further including a pair of cutouts extending arcuately into an upper edge of the first panel, each cutout being positioned proximate to a respective opposing end of the first panel defining an extension substantially complementary to a pull tab coupled to the heel cap of the respective shoe such that the first panel is complementary to the heel cap and the pull tab of the respective shoe.

6. The device of claim 1, further including the set of couplers comprising at least one of an adhesive layer and a first element of a hook and loop fastener.

7. The device of claim 6, further including a sheet shaped complementarily to the first panel, the sheet being removably couplable to the adhesive layer wherein the sheet is configured for preventing inadvertent adhesion of the adhesive layer and such that the sheet is positioned for selectively decoupling from the adhesive layer wherein the adhesive layer is configured for coupling the first panel to the liner of the respective shoe wherein the first panel is configured for reducing the soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with the sock on the foot of the user positioned in the respective shoe.

8. The device of claim 6, further comprising:

a second panel shaped complementarily to the first panel;

a second element of the hook and loop fastener coupled to a first side of the second panel;

an adhesive film coupled to a second side of the second panel; and

a third panel shaped complementarily to the second panel, the third panel being removably couplable to the adhesive film wherein the third panel is configured for preventing inadvertent adhesion of the adhesive film and such that the third panel is positioned for selectively decoupling from the adhesive film wherein the adhesive film is configured for adhesively coupling to the liner of the respective shoe such that the second element is positioned for selectively coupling to the first element for removably coupling the first panel to the liner of the respective shoe wherein the first panel is configured for reducing the soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with the sock on the foot of the user positioned in the respective shoe.

9. A shoe and shoe liner shielding device combination comprising:

a shoe;

a first panel shaped substantially complementarily to a heel cap of the shoe; and

a set of couplers coupled to a first face of the first panel such that the set of couplers is positioned for removably coupling the first panel to a liner of the shoe such that the first panel substantially covers an inner surface of the heel cap wherein the first panel is configured for reducing soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with a sock on a foot of a user positioned in the shoe.

10. A shoe liner shielding device comprising:

a first panel, the first panel being flexible, the first panel being shaped substantially complementarily to a heel cap of a respective shoe, the first panel comprising fabric, the first panel being substantially isosceles trapezoid shaped, the first panel having corners, the corners being arcuate;

a pair of cutouts extending arcuately into an upper edge of the first panel, each cutout being positioned proximate to a respective opposing end of the first panel defining an extension substantially complementary to a pull tab coupled to the heel cap of the respective shoe such that the first panel is complementary to the heel cap and the pull tab of the respective shoe;

a set of couplers coupled to a first face of the first panel wherein the set of couplers is configured for selectively coupling to a liner of the respective shoe such that the first panel substantially covers an inner surface of the heel cap wherein the first panel is configured for reducing soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with a sock on a foot of a user positioned in the respective shoe, the set of couplers comprising at least one of an adhesive layer and a first element of a hook and loop fastener;

a sheet shaped complementarily to the first panel, the sheet being removably couplable to the adhesive layer wherein the sheet is configured for preventing inadvertent adhesion of the adhesive layer and such that the sheet is positioned for selectively decoupling from the adhesive layer wherein the adhesive layer is configured for coupling the first panel to the liner of the respective shoe wherein the first panel is configured for reducing the soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with the sock on the foot of the user positioned in the respective shoe; and

a second panel shaped complementarily to the first panel;

a second element of the hook and loop fastener coupled to a first side of the second panel;

an adhesive film coupled to a second side of the second panel; and

a third panel shaped complementarily to the second panel, the third panel being removably couplable to the adhesive film wherein the third panel is configured for preventing inadvertent adhesion of the adhesive film and such that the third panel is positioned for selectively decoupling from the adhesive film wherein the adhesive film is configured for adhesively coupling to the liner of the respective shoe such that the second element is positioned for selectively coupling to the first element for removably coupling the first panel to the liner of the respective shoe wherein the first panel is configured for reducing the soiling of the inner surface of the heel cap due to contact with the sock on the foot of the user positioned in the respective shoe.