Footwear Covering Device

Abstract

A footwear covering device for covering and insulating a front segment of an article of footwear includes a sleeve into which is insertable so that the sleeve substantially surrounds the front segment. The sleeve thus insulates a front portion of a foot that is positioned in the article of footwear. A fastener is attached to the sleeve proximate to the first end and selectively attaches to the article of footwear so that the sleeve is removably attached to the article of footwear.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to covering devices and more particularly pertains to a new covering device for covering and insulating a front segment of an article of footwear. The present invention discloses an insulating sleeve designed for insertion of a front segment of an article of footwear. The sleeve comprises a pocket into which a portable heating device is insertable for warming purposes.

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

The prior art relates to covering devices for footwear, which may comprise insulating wraps for skates, toe box caps for shoes attachable by straps and buckles, pocketed panels that cover uppers of footwear, and hook and loop straps attached to pockets. Related prior art comprises boots having integral compartments into which heating packets are insertable and modified insoles that cover toes. What is lacking in the prior art is a covering device comprising a sleeve with an integral pocket into which a portable heating device is optionally insertable. Upon insertion of an article of footwear into the sleeve, the sleeve is configured to insulate, and the portable heating device is configured to warm, a front portion of a foot that is positioned in the article of footwear.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a sleeve, which is configured for toe box first insertion of an article of footwear through its first end so that the sleeve substantially surrounds a front segment of the article of footwear. The sleeve thus is configured to insulate a front portion of a foot that is positioned in the article of footwear. A fastener is attached to the sleeve proximate to the first end and is configured to selectively attach to the article of footwear so that the sleeve is removably attached to the article of footwear.

Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a footwear covering system, which comprises article of footwear that is inserted toe box first through a first end of a sleeve so that the sleeve substantially surrounds a front segment of the article of footwear. The sleeve is configured to insulate a front portion of a foot that is positioned in the article of footwear. The sleeve is held in place by a fastener. A portable heating device is positioned in a pocket on an inner surface of the sleeve and is configured to warm the front portion of the foot.

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 a top view of a footwear covering device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an end view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new covering 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 5, the footwear covering device 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12, which is configured for toe box 14 first insertion of an article of footwear 16 through its first end 18 so that the sleeve 12 substantially surrounds a front segment 20 of the article of footwear 16. The sleeve 12 thus is configured to insulate a front portion of a foot that is positioned in the article of footwear 16. A second end 22 of the sleeve 12 is preferably closed so as to reduce heat loss, but also may be open so that the sleeve 12 is positionable on articles of footwear 16 having front segments that are dimensionally longer than the sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 can be configured so that is sized complementarily to articles of footwear 16 of various sizes. The present invention also anticipates a lower face 24 of the sleeve 12 comprising rubber, silicone, leather, elastomer, or the like so that the lower face 24 is wear resistant. An inner surface 44 of the sleeve 12 may comprise metalized polyester, or the like, as a radiant barrier to heat escape from the sleeve 12.

A fastener 26 is attached to the sleeve 12 proximate to the first end 18 and is configured to selectively attach to the article of footwear 16 so that the sleeve 12 is removably attached to the article of footwear 16. The fastener 26 serves to hold the sleeve 12 in place on the article of footwear 16. The fastener 26 may comprise a sheath 28, which is attached to the first end 18 of the sleeve 12. A drawstring 30 is positioned in the sheath 28 so that opposed end segments 32 of the drawstring 30 protrude from a slit 34 in the sheath 28. The opposed end segments 32 are configured to be grasped in hands of a user, positioning the user to pull on the drawstring 30 to tighten the sheath 28 around the article of footwear 16. The opposed end segments 32 can be tied as one would tie a shoelace to secure the drawstring 30 in a configuration wherein the sheath 28 is tightened around the article of footwear 16. The present invention also anticipates two slits 34 in the sheath 28, with each opposed end segment 32 protruding from a respective slit 34.

A cordlock 36 is slidably attached to the drawstring 30 and is configured to attach to the drawstring 30, selectively and fixedly, to fixedly position the drawstring 30 in the configuration wherein the sheath 28 is tightened around the article of footwear 16. The present invention also anticipates other means of tightening the first end 18 of the sleeve 12 to the article of footwear 16, such as, but not limited to, resiliently stretchable bands, hook and loop fastening straps, or the like.

The footwear 16 covering device 10 also may comprise a panel 38, which is attached by its opposed side edges 40 and a bottom edge 42 to the inner surface 44 of the sleeve 12 to define a pocket 46, as shown in FIG. 4. The pocket 46 is positioned atop the front segment 20 of the article of footwear 16 upon donning of the sleeve 12. The pocket 46 is configured for insertion of a portable heating device 48 for warming the front portion of the foot. Such portable heating devices 48 are known to those skilled in this art and include, but are not limited to, air-activated hand warmers, crystallization-type hand warmers, battery powered hand warmers, hand warmers fueled by highly refined petroleum naphtha, charcoal, or the like. The present invention also anticipates other means of retaining the portable heating device 48 in a desired position, such as, but not limited to, hook and loop straps, resiliently stretchable bands, or the like.

The present invention also includes a footwear covering system 50, as shown in FIG. 5. The footwear covering system 50 comprises an article of footwear 16, which is inserted toe box 14 first through a first end 18 of a sleeve 12 so that the sleeve 12 substantially surrounds a front segment 20 of the article of footwear 16. The sleeve 12 is configured to insulate a front portion of a foot that is positioned in the article of footwear 16. A fastener 26 is attached to the sleeve 12 proximate to the first end 18 and is selectively attached to the article of footwear 16 so that the sleeve 12 is removably attached to the article of footwear 16. The footwear covering system 50 also may comprise a panel 38 and a portable heating device 48. The panel 38 is attached by its opposed side edges 40 and a bottom edge 42 to an inner surface 44 of the sleeve 12 to define a pocket 46, which is positioned atop the front segment 20 of the article of footwear 16. The portable heating device 48 is positioned in the pocket 46 and is configured to warm the front portion of the foot.

In one example of use, a portable heating device 48 is positioned in the pocket 46 and the sleeve 12 is donned by the user so that the portable heating device 48 is positioned atop the front segment 20 of a first article of footwear 16 of a pair of articles of footwear 16. The opposed end segments 32 of the drawstring 30 are pulled to tighten the sheath 28 to the article of footwear 16. The cordlock 36 then is squeezed and slid along the drawstring 30 until it is adjacent to the sheath 28, as shown in FIG. 5, at which point it is released. Using a second footwear covering device 10, the procedure above is repeated on a second article of footwear 16. The present invention is anticipated to be useful in warming the front portions of feet of users who partake in outdoor activities in cold climates and users who work in cold environments, both indoor and outdoor. The footwear covering device 10 can be used with articles of footwear 16 of a variety of types, such as, but not limited to, snow boots, hiking boots, shoes, and the like.

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 element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A footwear covering device comprising:

a sleeve configured for insertion of an article of footwear through a first end of the sleeve such that a toe box of the article of footwear is inserted into the sleeve first, such that the sleeve substantially surrounds a front segment of the article of footwear, wherein the sleeve is configured for insulating a front portion of a foot positioned in the article of footwear;

a fastener attached to the sleeve proximate to the first end and being configured for selectively attaching to the article of footwear, such that the sleeve is removably attached to the article of footwear;

a panel attached by opposed side edges and a bottom edge to an inner surface of the sleeve defining a pocket having an open end facing the first end of the sleeve, an opening into the pocket being spaced from the first end of the sleeve, the pocket being positioned atop the front segment of the article of footwear upon donning of the sleeve, wherein the pocket is configured for insertion of a portable heating device for warming the front portion of the foot; and

wherein the fastener comprises a sheath attached to the first end of the sleeve, the sheath extending around the first end a slit positioned in the sheath, and a drawstring positioned in the sheath, such that opposed end segments of the drawstring protrude from the slit, wherein the opposed end segments are configured for grasping in hands of a user, positioning the user for pulling on the drawstring for tightening the first end of the sheath around the article of footwear.

2. The footwear covering device of claim 1, wherein a second end of the sleeve is closed.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The footwear covering device of claim 1, further including a cordlock slidably attached to the drawstring and being configured for selectively fixedly attaching to the drawstring for fixedly positioning the drawstring in a configuration wherein the sheath is tightened around the article of footwear.

6. A footwear covering system comprising:

a sleeve;

an article of footwear having a toe box, the toe box being inserted through a first end of the sleeve such that the sleeve substantially surrounds a front segment of the article of footwear, wherein the sleeve is configured for insulating a front portion of a foot positioned in the article of footwear;

a fastener attached to the sleeve proximate to the first end and being selectively attached to the article of footwear, such that the sleeve is removably attached to the article of footwear,

a panel attached by opposed side edges and a bottom edge to an inner surface of the sleeve defining a pocket having an open end facing the first end of the sleeve, an opening into the pocket being spaced from the first end of the sleeve, the pocket being positioned atop the front segment of the article of footwear upon donning of the sleeve; and

wherein the fastener comprises a sheath attached to the first end of the sleeve, the sheath extending around the first end a slit positioned in the sheath, and a drawstring positioned in the sheath, such that opposed end segments of the drawstring protrude from the slit, wherein the opposed end segments are configured for grasping in hands of a user, positioning the user for pulling on the drawstring for tightening the first end of the sheath around the article of footwear.

7. The footwear covering system of claim 6, wherein a second end of the sleeve is closed.

8. The footwear covering system of claim 6, further including a portable heating device positioned in the pocket, wherein the portable heating device is configured for warming the front portion of the foot.

9. (canceled)

10. The footwear covering system of claim 6, further including a cordlock slidably attached to the drawstring and fixedly attached to the drawstring, such that the drawstring is fixedly positioned in a configuration wherein the sheath is tightened around the article of footwear.

11. A footwear covering device comprising:

a sleeve configured for insertion of an article of footwear through a first end of the sleeve such that a toe box of the article of footwear is inserted into the sleeve first, such that the sleeve substantially surrounds a front segment of the article of footwear, wherein the sleeve is configured for insulating a front portion of a foot positioned in the article of footwear, a second end of the sleeve being closed;

a panel attached by opposed side edges and a bottom edge to an inner surface of the sleeve defining a pocket having an open end facing the first end of the sleeve, an opening into the pocket being spaced from the first end of the sleeve, the pocket being positioned atop the front segment of the article of footwear, the pocket being positioned atop the front segment of the article of footwear upon donning of the sleeve, wherein the pocket is configured for insertion of a portable heating device for warming the front portion of the foot; and

a fastener attached to the sleeve proximate to the first end and being configured for selectively attaching to the article of footwear, such that the sleeve is removably attached to the article of footwear, the fastener comprising: a sheath attached to the first end of the sleeve, the sheath extending around the first end a slit positioned in the sheath, a drawstring positioned in the sheath, such that opposed end segments of the drawstring protrude from the slit, wherein the opposed end segments are configured for grasping in hands of a user, positioning the user for pulling on the drawstring for tightening the first end of the sheath around the article of footwear, and a cordlock slidably attached to the drawstring and being configured for selectively fixedly attaching to the drawstring for fixedly positioning the drawstring in a configuration wherein the sheath is tightened around the article of footwear.