Abstract:
A lightweight yet durable, self-adhering, protective overshoe with integrated cleaning bosses providing a more efficient and complete method for athletic cleat or boot cleaning, maintenance, handling and storage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to overshoes. 
     PRIOR ART 
     During normal shoe use and in many outdoor sports such as soccer, golf, lacrosse, baseball, football, track and mountain climbing, for example, where cleated shoes are used; the sole of the shoe attracts and retains mud, dirt, grass, moisture and debris during play. Due to the dirty nature of cleated shoes, there are numerous problems associated with the use and storage of such shoes. One problem is that cleated shoes will be ineffective for the next round of play if the mud and debris dries and is not removed. Consequently, the most common methods a participant has to deal with these issues is to remove the sport shoes and either bang them together or scrape them against an object like a stone, stick or curb to remove the debris. This is very messy and the player is left to stand outdoors barefoot whilst extracting the debris or one must carry a separate cleaning brush to insure the sport shoes are maintained properly. This is cumbersome and inefficient. 
     Alternatively, when the sport play is finished, some players choose to remove the cleated shoes and throw them into a sport bag or car until needed again, causing dirt and debris to litter the chosen storage space. Usually, a second pair of clean shoes is donned so that the drive home is safe and so that the car or other clean environment that the wearer steps into is not sullied by the retained debris and mud, yet the problem of removing the retained debris still is not addressed through this activity. 
     Another problem is that these activities take place outside and, if the weather conditions are bad (e.g. rainy or thunderstorms/lightening), or if practice or play ends after sundown, there is a need to have quick mobility and walking on abrasive surfaces with cleats on or changing shoes at this point is not safe or ideal. 
     Furthermore, there is also the problem of determining the best site to don the sport or cleated shoes. Due to the dirty nature of the outdoor shoe and the need to insure that cleated shoes are not worn on abrasive surfaces to prevent premature cleat wear, many players put their sport shoes on outside, at the site of play. Many sports enthusiasts would prefer to don the cleated shoes in the comfort of their home but, because the shoes are dirty and the cleats can scratch hardwood and other walking surfaces, this luxury is not afforded. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need to have a single article that can not only cover and protect any cleated or athletic type shoe, regardless of shoe brand or cleat configuration, but can also integrate the necessary and important steps of cleaning, ventilating and storing the athletic shoe to provide clean, quick mobility and efficiency in using and maintaining these types of shoes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An overshoe for engaging an athletic shoe and for providing an integral cleaning tool for cleaning the athletic shoe is disclosed. The overshoe includes a sole having an outsole and insole. An upper is connected with the sole for allowing the overshoe to engage the athletic shoe. In one embodiment, at least one boss extends upwardly from the insole at the heal section such that the boss can be used to clean the bottom of the athletic shoe. The overshoe is flexible so that the upper can be rolled back allowing the boss to be used for cleaning, for example, around the cleats of the athletic shoe. The bosses are sized to fit in a non-interfering relationship to the cleats on an athletic shoe when the overshoe is worn over the athletic shoe. 
     The present invention seeks to provide a complete solution by addressing the inevitable problem of cleaning the shoe so that it can be covered, eliminating the need to keep a separate cleaning object or alternative footwear to change into, and because air holes can be included in the device, the overshoe can remain on the cleated shoe and be stored while the inner cleated shoe dries. Additionally, additional aids in the drying process such as a cloth covered bag filled with desiccant to speed the drying process while maintaining the original shoe shape without shrinkage or the need to fill the shoe with newspaper as many sport shoe users do, may be used. Furthermore, some shoes such as those with leather uppers, should be polished in order to maintain the longevity, form and aesthetics of the shoe. Shoe leather and other conditioners are available so that the user can polish the shoe. Because the described overshoe has a self adhering and snug fit, it allows for a pre-cover that is pre-impregnated with conditioner to be donned before the outer shoe cover. While the user is walking with the two covers over the inner shoe, the conditioning cover is rubbed into the sides of the shoe and provides an automated method for conditioning the inner shoe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invented overshoe. It shows the insole, the overshoe upper, and bosses or protrusions which extend into the interior area of the insole at the heel area. The bosses and a hook-shaped protrusion on the rear of the overshoe are cleaning tools. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view showing the overshoe of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the overshoe of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the overshoe of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional, elevation view of the overshoe of  FIG. 1  illustrating the bosses engaging cleats from an athletic shoe, or the like. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the overshoe of  FIG. 1  with the bosses extending above the insole and the upper peeled-back to a non-interfering position relative to the bosses. In this position the bosses are used for cleaning. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the overshoe from  FIG. 6  being used to clean the bottom and cleats on the athletic shoe. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the overshoe of  FIG. 1  engaging an athletic shoe. 
         FIG. 9  is an alternate embodiment of the overshoe in a sandal-like configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An overshoe is disclosed for engaging an athletic shoe and for providing a cleaning tool integral with the overshoe for cleaning the athletic shoe. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth such as specific dimensions. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances well-known techniques, such as those for fabricated molded shoes and the like, are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a lightweight yet durable overshoe with integrated cleaning bosses to allow the player to easily remove the mud and grass from the athletic shoe at the site of play, while the cleated shoes remain on the players feet for ease of use, and then allow the player to don the protective overshoe to insure that any small pieces of dirt and debris fall inside the overshoe and to allow mobility without degradation of the cleats or the external environment. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention insure that the inner sport shoe is allowed to dry properly through strategically placed cutaway holes that serve to both ventilate and add gripping places for easy application of the overshoe before or after cleaning to provide the user with quick, clean, mobility after or prior to sport play. 
     The multipurpose overshoe comprises an abrasion and tear resistant outsole integral with the insole and upper, which contain strategically placed bosses to allow the cleated sport shoe to be cleaned of lodged mud and debris before or after donning the shoe for protective and mobility purposes. The overshoe has a low profile, which allows the user to put on or take off the inner cleated athletic shoe or boot without being required to remove the overshoe for simplified handling, storage, and usability. Additionally, the overshoe upper has ventilation grips, in order to insure airflow to the cleated shoe, to aid in gripping during application or removal of overshoe, and to allow the device to be turned inside out or to be easily manipulated to access cleaning bosses placed in or on the frame of the overshoe for cleaning purposes. The overshoe can be translucent or colored with sport logos or patterns and may include separate adornments that can be inserted into the ventilation holes to individualize and enhance the appearance of the overshoe. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate one preferred embodiment of a protective overshoe  10  with integrated cleaning protrusions or bosses  20  extending into the interior of the overshoe from the heel region. The overshoe  10  is sized to fit over a cleated athletic shoe or boot  12  ( FIG. 8 ) while the cleated shoe or boot (henceforth called cleated shoe) is worn by the wearer. The overshoe  10  may be of different sizes such as small, medium and large to encompass most junior&#39;s, men&#39;s and women&#39;s cleat sizes but may include extra small or extra large. The overshoe in one embodiment is devised so that the left and right feet are identical and will accommodate different brand and spike/cleat  11  ( FIG. 7 ) configurations of the cleated shoes  12 . The overshoe  10  may be made of any material such as neoprene, reinforced rubber, polyurethane, various other thermal plastic elastomers or any suitable material as a single member and can be manufactured through cast or injection molding techniques or through other means as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     In one embodiment the overshoe  10  is molded in one piece from a polyurethane product—Vitaflex 40, from Smooth-On Corporation, 2000 Saint John Street, Easton, Pa., 18042. The material of choice for mass manufacturing could have similar properties of elasticity, abrasion resistance, tear strength and durability to withstand the pressure and tearing of the internal shoe&#39;s spikes/cleats  11  while walking or running. Vitaflex 40 has a durometer of 40 Shore A with a tear strength of 82 pli and elongation at break of 660%, which is sufficient for walking and running on pavement, up and down hills, during testing with no breaking, tearing or loss of fit. 
     Accordingly, the overshoe  10  has the general shape of a cleated shoe  12  and from top view, as seen in  FIG. 1 , comprises an insole  13 , having of a sole section  16 , shank  17 , and heel section  18  with integrated cleaning bosses  20 , an outsole  14  and an integral upper  21 . Ventilation grips  15  are disposed through the toe region  22  and upright heel region  19 . An alternate cleaning boss  23  extends from the upper part of the region  19 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , from the plan view the sole section  16  and heel section  18  areas are recessed (to a depth of 2 cm in the one embodiment) to insure that the spikes/cleats  11  on the cleated shoe  12  are completely enclosed when the overshoe  10  is donned to prevent leakage of any residual small pieces of mud, dirt, or debris. 
     In any overshoe, the sole and heel parts are subjected to the greatest wear due to walking, while the shank part there between, being set upwardly to accommodate the arched shank in the inner shoe, receives less wear. For cleated overshoes  12 , the additional pressure and stress of pointed spikes/cleats  11  bearing down on the insole of the overshoe adds an even greater stress. For these reasons, the ground contacting areas of the sole section  16  and heel section  18  are made of a greater thickness than the shank  17 . In one embodiment, the sole section or socket  16  is 0.7 cm thick while the shank  17  is approximately 0.4 cm thick at its center. The thinned shank  17  provides front to back stretch allowing for elongation to accommodate multiple shoe sizes in the small, medium, large format as described previously. Additionally, the shank  17  is channeled (see channel  17 A of  FIG. 2 ) so that the middle of the shank is thinner than the side areas for two reasons. First, some cleated shoes  12  like those for soccer as an example, have an additional spike/cleat  11  that extends into the shank  17  area along the outer edge and therefore the side edges of the shank  17  need to be of a thickness to insure that the spike/cleat  11  does not tear through during walking. Second, the thinner mid region of the shank  17  tends to pull the sides in and around the cleated shoe  12  when stretched, thereby providing a snug fit with no bulging. 
     While in the described embodiments the bosses  20  are shown in the heel section  18 , they may be placed elsewhere in the overshoe interior. In general, they should be in a non-interfering location with respect to the cleats. 
     The heel section  18  is also graded but in an opposite fashion, as compared to the shank, so that the center line is thicker (approximately 0.8 cm in one embodiment) than the outer edges (approximately 0.6 cm for this embodiment) to allow inversion of the heel area in order to access the cleaning bosses  20 . This heel section  18  may include at least one integrated cleat cleaning boss  20  but, ideally, may contain 3 cleaning bosses  20 , positioned along the center line of the heel section  18  or in any area where the majority of cleated shoes  12  are ideally free from cleats  11 . In this embodiment, the cleat cleaning bosses  20  are made with a height of approximately 1 cm and spaced apart approximately 1 cm from each other, so as to fit in an interlocking fashion with said cleats  11  on said cleated shoes  12 , (which are of the approximate same dimensions) for cleaning purposes, prior to or after donning of said overshoe  10  when inverted and exposed as in  FIG. 7 . 
     The outsole  14  as shown in  FIG. 3  includes traction pads  24  to prevent slipping. The traction pads  24  may be of a different or the same design as shown in the present embodiment or may be gently sloping knobs as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 8 . One characteristic of the ideal traction pads  24 , besides that they insure stability of walking during wet conditions, is that they are spaced well enough apart so as to not allow the attraction of mud or debris between the raised areas. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the donned overshoe  10  from the left side in a cross-sectional view. In this figure it can be seen that the outsole  14  is attached to and integral with a low profile upper  22 . A spike or cleat  11  is engaging sole socket  16  and heel socket  18  with sloping side walls and spaced ventilation grips  15 . Note in this view it appears that the cleats are aligned with the bosses  20  when in a preferred embodiment the center line of the cleats and bosses are parallel, not aligned. The upper  22  slopes down from the quarter  19  to the shank  17  and rises minimally to rest slightly above the toe of the cleated shoe  12  as also seen in  FIG. 8 . The upper is minimized to allow the cleated shoe  12  to fit easily into and be removed from said overshoe  10  and to allow the user to untie the laces and remove the cleated shoe  12  for storage while the overshoe  10  remains in place, thus affording the user the ability to don the cleated shoe  12  anywhere, without concern for ruination of said cleats  11  or the external environment. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in this embodiment there are five ventilation grips  15  in the forward area of the upper  21  at the toe section  22  and five ventilation grips  15  in the rear of said upper  21  at upper heel section or quarter  19 . The rounded, triangular design and placement of the ventilation grips  15  serve several functions. First, the ventilation grips  15  provide air holes to allow the leather of the covered cleated athletic shoe  12  to dry properly. The overshoe, thus, may be used to store the athletic shoe. Second, the ventilation grips  15  are rounded to prevent tearing while providing finger holes for gripping and pulling, thereby acting as gripping aids for donning and removal of the overshoe  10 . Third, the ventilation grips  15  in the quarter  19  of this embodiment as seen in  FIG. 4  are designed as interlocking rounded triangular cutaways that result in two inversion cuffs  25  that, allow the heel socket  18  to be easily inverted for access to the cleaning bosses  20  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Fourth, including these numerous cutaways or ventilation grips  15  reduces material costs. Lastly, because there are ample numbers of the ventilation grips  15  to allow airflow, some of the holes can be adorned with plastic inserts, similar to those currently made for Crocs brand shoes, but perhaps in sport logos and other associated themes. 
     Referring again to the drawings, a hook-shaped cleaning boss  23  is shown at the quarter  19  of the overshoe  10 . This cleaning boss  23  is provided to enhance the usability of the overshoe  10  by providing an additional way to clean the cleats  11 . Boss  23  may be used in an overshoe with and without the bosses  20 . There may be areas of the soiled and muddied cleated shoe  12  that require another type of cleaning tool that has a different shape to aid in the cleat cleaning process. In one embodiment, the alternate cleaning boss  23  is sharply shaped like a pick and is integrated into the outer frame of the overshoe in order to allow accessibility without inversion by grasping the entire quarter  19  from the rear and using the alternative cleaning boss  23  to pick or scrape out the mud and debris between the soiled cleated shoe  12  prior to or after donning said overshoe  10 . 
     An alternate embodiment with a sandal-like overshoe is shown in  FIG. 9 . The overshoe  100  includes a heel section  180  and a sole section  160 . Each of the sections may be fabricated from a flexible material such as commonly used for sandals. Bosses  200  extend upwardly from the sole section  160  and correspond to the bosses  20  previously described. An upper  210  formed from an elastic material, again such as commonly used with sandals, allows the overshoe  100  to engage an athletic shoe. 
     The overshoe  100  may be made in separate pieces and then assembled or as one integral member, which may be molded as a flat member. 
     Thus, an overshoe has been described with integral cleaning tools for cleaning athletic shoes or the like.