Abstract:
A shoe cover comprising: a soft shell adapted to be worn over a shoe to cover at least partially the worn shoe. The soft shell having a front portion covering at least partially an upper toe region of the worn shoe, a metatarsal portion covering at least partially an upper metatarsal region of the worn shoe, and a heel portion covering at least partially an upper heel region of the worn shoe. A cutout is in the soft shell, the cutout having a substantial portion located in a lateral sub-portion of the metatarsal portion of the upper. A closure mechanism closes/opens access to the cutout from an exterior of the shoe cover.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims the benefit of Canadian Patent Application Number 2,864,552 filed on Sep. 19, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present application relates to sport shoe covers of the type worn to protect a cyclist&#39;s feet from water and/or cold, for instance as used in the sport of cycling or cross-country skiing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    Cycling shoe covers are commonly used by cyclists in given riding conditions. For example, cycling shoe covers may be made with a waterproof fabric so as to protect the feet from rain. Cycling shoe covers may also be used for thermal insulation and hence keep a cyclist&#39;s feet warm during the cycling activity. Cycling shoe covers are also known for their aerodynamic properties. Cycling shoe covers allow the cyclist to use cycling shoes in spite of the weather conditions, as an alternative to buying other gear such as winter cycling boots. 
         [0004]    Because of these uses, and as drag must be minimized in cycling, cycling shoe covers are typically tight-fitting so as to closely conform to the shape of the foot, including the cycling shoe worn under the cycling shoe cover. This allows the cyclists to use their cycling shoes in spite of bad weather conditions. 
         [0005]    However, while cycling shoe covers are advantageously used for the conditions mentioned above, they may be considered to be impractical in that one&#39;s shoes are concealed by the cycling shoe covers. Hence, it is not possible to adjust the tightness of the shoe lacing system. Moreover, cycling shoe covers may be uncomfortable as sweat may accumulate in one&#39;s shoes as captured by the cycling shoe covers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    It is an aim of the present disclosure to provice a sport shoe cover that addresses issues associated with the prior art. 
         [0007]    Therefore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a shoe cover comprising: a soft shell adapted to be worn over a shoe to cover at least partially the worn shoe, the soft shell having a front portion covering at least partially an upper toe region of the worn shoe, a metatarsal portion covering at least partially an upper metatarsal region of the worn shoe, and a heel portion covering at least partially an upper heel region of the worn shoe; a cutout in the soft shell, the cutout having a substantial portion located in a lateral sub-portion of the metatarsal portion of the upper; and a closure mechanism to close/open access to the cutout from an exterior of the shoe cover. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a shoe cover comprising: a soft shell adapted to be worn over a shoe to cover at least partially the worn shoe, the soft shell having a front portion covering at least partially an upper toe region of the worn shoe, a metatarsal portion covering at least partially an upper metatarsal region of the worn shoe, and a heel portion covering at least partially an upper heel region of the worn shoe; a cutout in the soft shell, the cutout extending from a front end limit to a rear end limit thereof, the rear end limit being in the metatarsal portion, the front end limit being in one of the metatarsal portion and the front portion; and a closure mechanism to close/open access to the cutout from an exterior of the shoe cover. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cycling shoe cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the cycling shoe cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a first assembly view of the cycling shoe cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a second assembly view of the cycling shoe cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing access to a shoe lacing system; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the cycling shoe cover of  FIG. 1   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring to drawings, more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a cycling shoe cover at  10 . While the shoe cover  10  is a cycling shoe cover, a similar shoe cover in accordance with the present disclosure could be used in other sports. For instance, a shoe cover in accordance with the present disclosure could be used for cross-country skiing gaiters, with an opening in the toe portion of the shoe cover for attachment of the ski shoe or boot with the binding. However, for simplicity, reference is made hereinafter, with examples, to a use of the shoe cover  10  with a cycling shoe A ( FIG. 5 ), although other uses are considered. A gaiter in included in the definition of shoe cover. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the shoe cover  10  may have a sole  11  and an upper  12 . The sole  11  and upper  12  is an integral soft shell piece made of one or numerous panels. The selection of the main material for the shoe cover  10  depends on the contemplated use and specifications of the shoe cover  10 . For example, Neoprene™ is a material that is well suited for uses in colder weather, with different thickness of Neoprene™ impacting the insulating properties of the shoe cover. Another material considered is expanded PTFE, for water-resistant uses. Other materials given as example include polymeric waterproof fabrics, etc. The shoe cover  10  may have strategically located patches of specific material. For example, robust materials such as Kevlar™ may be used for the sole  11 , or for the toe region of the shoe cover  10  as the toe region may require additional abrasion resistance. Reflective patches may also be used for safety issues, as well as elastics such as at the shin to have the shin opening conform to the shin, etc. Moreover, the shoe cover  10  may have a panel constituted of different layers, having different functions. For example, a fleece inner layer may be laminated to a Kevlar™ outer layer. 
         [0017]    While the shoe cover  10  is described as having a sole  11 , it is considered to have a large opening at the bottom periphery of the upper  12  instead of a sole as in  FIG. 2 . In such a case, straps  11 A are used to attach the shoe cover  10  to an undersurface of the cycling shoe A. The straps  11 A may have complementary Velcro™ patches. Accordingly, the underside of the shoe A is exposed, such that a cycling shoe cleat B is also exposed for engagement with an automatic pedal. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a front tab  11 B may extend across the toe region to conceal an underside of the front of the cycling shoe A. The front tab  11 B may consist of a rubber tarpoline, to provide adequate elasticity for the front of the shoe cover  10  to conform to the front of the shoe A. A peripheral elastic  12 A may delimit the bottom periphery of the large opening of the upper  12 . The peripheral elastic  12 A may be a Kevlar™ bias, for example, or any other suitable elastic. 
         [0018]    Other configurations are considered, such as a full sole  11  with cutouts for the cycling shoe cleat B projecting from the undersurface of the cycling shoe A to be exposed for being used with automatic pedals. Cutouts may also be provided in the heel region, so as to allow a walking cycling to walk on his/her shoe heels. If the shoe cover  10  is used for other sporting activities, appropriate cutouts are made as a function of the sport shoe configuration. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the upper  12  is generally divided in a foot portion  13  and an ankle and shin portion  14 . The foot portion  13  of the upper  12  generally protects the shoe/foot, whereas the ankle and shin portion  14  covers the ankle and at least a portion of the shin of the user. The shoe cover  10  may have a front closure mechanism  15  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The front closure  15  may be a zipper-like or Velcro-like closure mechanism by which the front of the shoe cover  10  may be closed/opened for the foot and shoe to be inserted and removed from the shoe cover  10 . Alternatively, the closure mechanism  15  may be a rear closure, although not shown. As another embodiment, the shoe cover  10  may not have any closure mechanism, and rely instead on the elasticity of the fabric for a foot to be inserted at the opening at the ankle and shin portion  14 . Although not shown, a strap may be provided to overlap the end of the closure mechanism and add additional closure integrity to the shoe cover  10 . 
         [0020]    The upper  12 , and more particularly the foot portion  13 , may be generally separated in three areas, namely a front portion  20 , a metatarsal portion  21  and a heel portion  22 . Without being limited to a rigid boundary, and as loosely shown in the Figs., the front portion generally covers the toes of the cyclist, whereas the metatarsal portion covers the mid-portion of the foot, including the region encompassing the metatarsal bones of the wearer&#39;s foot, while the heel portion  22  protects and surrounds the heel of the wearer. The metatarsal portion  21  may be separated in an outer (or lateral) sub-portion  21 A and an inner (or medial) sub-portion  21 B. The outer sub-portion  21 A generally goes from the second metatarsal bone to the side of the fifth metatarsal bone and is thus laterally positioned, whereas the inner sub-portion  21 B goes from the second metatarsal bone to the first metatarsal bone and is medially positioned. 
         [0021]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , an access patch  30  is provided in the metatarsal portion  21 . The access patch  30  has a panel  30 A in which a slit  31  is defined. The slit  31  has a front end limit  31 A and a rear end limit  31 B. The slit  31  may be part of a closure mechanism  32 , so as to be opened/closed. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism  32  is a zipper fastener system, although other closure mechanism could be used as well, such as slider zip fasteners, Velcro™ closing mechanism, foldover flaps with buttons, magnets, etc. The slit  31  is mostly, if not completely, positioned in the outer sub-portion  21 A. In a more particular embodiment, the slit  31  is in register with the shoe region covering the third to fifth metatarsal bones. In another particular embodiment, the rear end limit  31 B is in the outer sub-portion  21 A, and the front end limit  31 A is also in outer sub-portion  21 A or extends to a rear region of the front portion of the upper  12 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the slit  31  is shown as being opened. It is observed that, because of the positioning of the slit  31  in the outer sub-portion  21 A, the user of the shoe cover  10  has access to components of a shoe lacing system C. In  FIG. 5  the shoe lacing system C is shown as being a Boa™ lacing system, with dials thereof being adjacent to slit  31 , such that one&#39;s fingers can rotate the dials. The slit  31  could equally be used for accessing ratchet-type lacing systems or Velcro™ straps, among other common cycling lacing systems. Although the expression “lacing” is used, the shoe lacing systems C may not actually have laces. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the panel  30 A of the access patch  30  is shown as having an irregular shape with a fin  33 . The panel  30 A of the access patch  30  may be made of a material that has a greater elasticity than that of the soft shell fabric of the upper  12 . For example, the panel  30 A may consist of polyurethane, while the exposed surface of the soft shell shoe cover  10  is Neoprene™. The elasticity is desired so as to open up the slit  31  in the manner shown in  FIG. 5 , and give access to the lacing system C. Because of the presence of a fin  33 , additional elasticity is provided. Stated differently, the panel  30 A has a flaring shape in a direction of the rear end limit  31 B. 
         [0024]    The slit  31  may have any appropriate length. However, a length ranging between 9.0 cm and 13.0 cm (i.e., from 3.5″ to 5.1″) may be sufficient to provide suitable access to the lacing system and to enable ventilation through the open slit  31 . The length is bound by the front end limit  31 A and the rear end limit  31 B. 
         [0025]    Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is illustrated a sequence of steps by which the access patch  30  is added to a softshell shoe cover to form the shoe cover  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the shoe cover must have an elongated cutout  40  that will be in register with the slit  31 . Accordingly, when access is provided to the lacing system as in  FIG. 5 , the user passes his/her fingers through the slit  31  and the panel of the upper  12  at the elongated cutout  40 . According to an embodiment, the elongated cutout  40  results from a die cut. 
         [0026]    The access patch  30  is fabricated when the closure mechanism  32  is glued (e.g., laminated) to the access patch panel  30 A. The closure mechanism  32  therefore includes tape surrounding the slit  31 , with a slider moving between the front end limit  31 A and the rear end limit  31 B to open/close the slit. The access patch panel  30 A has an elongated opening  30 B of appropriate size pre-cut in it, for the closure mechanism  32  to be secured about the periphery of the elongated opening  30 B. In embodiment, a lamination process is used in such a way that the joint between the closure mechanism  32  and the access patch panel  30 A is waterproof. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the resulting access patch  30  may then be laminated onto the soft shell Neoprene™, with polyurethane (panel  30 A) being compatible with the Neoprene™ for lamination. Additional fixation methods are considered, such as stitching, ultrasound welding, etc., so long as the shoe cover  10  does not lose its desired properties (e.g., waterproofness, water resistance, windproofness). Other methods are considered as well for the fabrication of the shoe cover  10  of the present disclosure. 
         [0028]    Moreover, while the use of a zipper fastener constitutes an embodiment of the present disclosure, other configurations are considered. For example, the closure mechanism  32  may be secured directly to the soft shell of the upper  12 , instead of using the access patch panel  30 A, with the closure mechanism  32  closing the elongated cutout  40 . Alternatively, the closure mechanism  32  may be a foldable flap covering a simple slit in the soft shell material of the upper  12  instead of the cutout  40 , with the foldable flap using Velcro™ or like means to releasably attach to the soft shell  12  while covering the elongated opening  40 . In such a case, the cutout  40  need not be elongated, although the cutout  40  may be a slit. In any event, the cutout or slit is a closeable vent. For example, if the user of the shoe cover  10  desires ventilation, the closure mechanism  32  is used to open the slit  31  (in the embodiment with the slit  31 ), thereby creating an opening allowing the interior of the shoe cover to “breathe”, for instance by allowing perspiration and excess humidity to exhaust. 
         [0029]    Reference is repeatedly made to a shoe cover. It should however be clear that the cover  10  is intended to cover any appropriate type of footwear, such as boots, booties, cleats, or any other appropriate item of footwear.