Abstract:
A waterproof foot covering is provided that is disposable in a preferred embodiment. The foot covering may be a single layer of a thin, resilient, waterproof material or may consist of two layers, an outer layer of a thin resilient, waterproof material and an inner layer of fabric or some other material. Means to provide air pockets between the inner layer and the outer layer are provided. Preferred embodiments include additional features to secure the foot covering on the leg and foot, provide additional warmth and ventilation and prevent slippage. The foot covering is particularly helpful to athletes playing outdoors or to those who work outside in wet weather in preventing discomfort caused by cold and wet feet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/758,909, filed Jan. 13, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    In general, the inventive arrangements relate to foot coverings and, more specifically, to waterproof foot coverings. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates to foot coverings, and, in particular, water-resistant or waterproof foot coverings or socks that may be disposable in a preferred embodiment. The socks described herein are particularly helpful to soccer players and others who are required to be outside in wet weather or to participate in athletic competition on wet grass or turf. A significant problem encountered when playing soccer or other sports outside in wet weather on a grassy surface is getting wet and cold feet. This is also a problem encountered by those who hike outdoors in wet weather or work outdoors. 
         [0004]    Soccer shoes are typically worn tight on the foot because the tight fit allows the player maximum “feel” of the ball. Particularly when a shoe is tight, the player becomes uncomfortable when the sock gets wet because the wetness of the sock presses against the foot. The toes then become cold and the player is uncomfortable. Furthermore, when the foot is cold and wet, the player&#39;s feel of the ball is diminished. 
         [0005]    Similarly, because of both the need for a tight fit in soccer shoes and the need for maximum “feel” of the ball, wearing additional layers of socks, or wearing thick socks, in an attempt to keep the feet warm and dry is not feasible when playing soccer. These factors combine to make soccer players significantly uncomfortable when the outside conditions are both wet and cold and places them at a significant playing disadvantage. 
         [0006]    The waterproof foot covering described herein solves these problems. It is exceptionally thin so that the fit of the shoe is unaffected and the player&#39;s “feel” of the ball is undiminished, while the player&#39;s feet stay dry and warm. Furthermore, the invention is preferably disposable so that every sock is “brand new” and thus totally waterproof, dry and clean. 
         [0007]    Soccer players typically are required to wear team socks as a part of their uniform. These team socks cover the shin guards that are worn to protect the legs from injury. Some players wear two socks on each foot to prevent friction and resulting blisters, namely, a very thin undersock and a team sock. The disposable waterproof sock described herein could be worn either over or under the team sock. Where both an undersock and a team sock are worn, the invention alternatively could be worn over both of the socks, over the foot but under both socks, or over the under sock but under the team sock. 
         [0008]    As described, it is desirable to provide a water-resistant or waterproof foot covering of very thin material to protect the feet of soccer players when playing outdoors on wet grass or turf. It would also be advantageous to provide a waterproof foot covering for use by others who work or play out of doors in wet weather. It would also be desirable to provide a waterproof foot covering that is inexpensive to manufacture and is disposable after use. 
         [0009]    It is also advantageous to provide a waterproof foot covering having a thin layer of fabric, thereby enhancing the warmth and comfort of the user. It is also desirable to provide a waterproof foot covering having two layers with air pockets therebetween to enhance warmth. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a water-resistant or waterproof foot covering of very thin material allowing users to wear their “normal” shoes comfortably in wet conditions. 
         [0011]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a waterproof foot covering that is disposable after use. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a waterproof foot covering for use by soccer players or others who work or play outdoors in wet weather. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to provide a waterproof foot covering that is inexpensive. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the invention to provide a waterproof foot covering having a thin layer of fabric to provide further comfort for the user. 
         [0015]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a waterproof foot covering having two layers and air pockets therebetween to provide additional warmth to the user. 
         [0016]    Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only. The drawings illustrate a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the waterproof foot covering; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the sole portion of one embodiment of the waterproof foot covering of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the sole portion of another embodiment of the waterproof foot covering shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the waterproof foot covering, in cross-section along the length thereof. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a close-up cross-sectional view of the two layers of the waterproof foot covering shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a drawing of a foot showing the waterproof foot covering in phantom lines on the foot and leg of the wearer. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]    As generally shown in  FIG. 1 , the invention consists of a water-resistant or waterproof foot covering or sock  1 , made of thin, resilient, stretchable resin material such as latex, vinyl, nitrile, plastic or similar material, formed in the general shape of a foot and a portion of a lower leg, and therefore similar in overall shape to a sock. The material used to manufacture the sock  1  is ideally of a similar thickness to that of plastic produce bags available at grocery stores. The sock  1  is sealed except for open end  2 . The sock  1  is pulled onto the user&#39;s foot by inserting the user&#39;s foot through the open end  2 . In this manner, the sock  1  can be pulled onto the foot and up over the ankle in the same way that other socks are put on and worn. The sock  1  can be manufactured in various sizes if desired and the leg portion can vary in height up the calf, but should be long enough to reach the ankle and, ideally, to extend up to the mid-calf portion of the leg, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, the sock  1  can be manufactured from elastic or stretchable plastic or elastic mesh to allow the sock  1  to be more formfitting around the foot. Elasticity in the material used in manufacture also decreases possible tearing and enhances durability. In another embodiment, the sock  1  is made of fabric or mesh adhered to or combined with the resin material, thereby providing a “formfitting” sock and increasing its durability in active use. Alternatively, the sock  1  is made of fabric sprayed with a waterproof material. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a preferred embodiment of the sock  1  has two layers. The inner layer  4  would be preferably a fabric of thin, moisture-wicking fiber so that internal moisture is wicked away from the foot, whereas the outer layer  5  in this embodiment would be of a waterproof material. This two-layer sock  1  may also incorporate tiny external “ribs”  3  in the inner layer  4  to create small air pockets between the inner layer  4  and outer layer  5  of the sock  1 , thereby pulling moisture away from the foot while trapping heat within the sock  1 . Alternately, the outer layer  5  could have ribs  3  projecting toward the inner layer  4 . 
         [0028]    Where a two-layered sock  1  is desired, a preferred embodiment would allow the inner layer  4  and the outer layer  5  to be, at least partially, separated so that the sock  1  could be washed and dried if the sock  1  is not disposed of. Alternative embodiments could provide for complete separation of the two layers or for a seal between the two layers around the open end  2  only so that the inner layer  4  could be pulled out of the outer layer  5  for drying purposes. The use of an inner layer  4  of fabric, while adding some thickness and cost to the manufacture of the sock  1 , would add additional comfort and reinforcement. 
         [0029]    Instead of the use of a fabric in the manufacture of the inner layer  4 , the inner layer  4  of sock  1  in another embodiment could be manufactured of a thicker plastic material, a second layer of plastic like the outer layer  5  or another type of resin material. The inner layer  4  and the outer layer  5  could be adhered together where desired for the purpose of reinforcement and increased strength and durability. Another preferred embodiment in either a single layer sock  1  or a two-layered sock  1  may include powder, such as baby powder, within the inner surface of the sock  1  to absorb moisture and prevent excessive buildup of sweat during active use, thereby making the sock  1  easier to put on and take off. 
         [0030]    Because the material used in manufacture of the sock  1  is so thin, it takes up little space in an athlete&#39;s bag, a hiker&#39;s pack, or an outdoor worker&#39;s bag and can therefore be easily packed in a sports bag or knapsack to be available for use if there is an unexpected change in weather conditions. The invention thereby enhances safety as well as comfort and is easy to take along in case it is needed. The sock  1 , particularly if manufactured solely of water-resistant or waterproof material, is quite inexpensive to manufacture, making it feasible to dispose of the sock  1  after use. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the invention is improved by using means of tightening and holding the sock  1  in place around the user&#39;s leg and thereby further keeping moisture away from the user&#39;s foot during use. A preferred means for this purpose is the use of plastic tape  6 , similar to the tape used on disposable diapers, to wrap the sock  1  at its open end  2  tightly around the leg, thereby keeping moisture out. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic tape  6  is attached to the sock  1  and incorporated therein. Alternatively, Velcro or elastic could be used around the leg or along the open end  2 . Other types of tightening devices, such as a draw string, could also be used to tighten the sock  1  around the leg, thereby preventing moisture from leaking in. Tightening the sock  1  around the leg also helps to keep it in place and in a comfortable position on the leg when in use. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , alternative embodiments include means to tighten the sock around the wearer&#39;s ankle or calf to lock moisture out and heat in and to also hold the sock  1  in position during active use. Additional pieces of plastic tape  6  or other tightening devices as described above, could be incorporated around the ankle portion  7  of the sock  1  and/or the arch portion  8  of the sock  1  to further keep the sock  1  securely in place and to make the sock  1  conform more closely to the shape of the foot. Such additional features help to maximize comfort and fit of the sock  1  in a tight shoe. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the sock  1  has a leg portion and a foot portion and the foot portion has a sole portion. The sole portion is reinforced around the heel portion  11  and/or the ball portion  12  of the sock  1  to strengthen the sock  1  and decrease the likelihood of tearing the sock  1  when in active use. The sock  1  could be reinforced with fabric, gel pads, or heel inserts, preferably used inside the sock  1 , which could either be affixed to the sock  1  or removable. Alternatively, the sock  1  could be manufactured with greater thickness in the heel portion  11  or ball portion  12  of the sock  1  for greater durability. 
         [0034]    A preferred embodiment also includes at least one ventilation strip  9  above the ankle on either side of the leg portion  10  of the sock  1  to allow air to pass in and out between the inside wall of the sock  1  and the outside wall of the sock  1 , thereby enhancing air circulation between the inside and outside of the sock  1  and reducing moisture inside the sock  1 . The strips are preferably 0.5 to 1.5 inches long and may be two in number on either side of the leg portion of the sock  1 , although varying sizes, numbers of strips, location and methods of placement are possible. The ventilation strips may simply be one or more small perforations in the plastic material of the sock  1 . 
         [0035]    Additionally, the shape of the sock  1  could be tapered at the arch portion  8  for a tighter fit onto the foot. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , alternative embodiments of the sock  1  could also include one or more anti-slip nubs  13  on either or both the heel portion  11  or ball portion  12  of the sole portion of the sock  1 . Alternatively, one or more anti-slip strips  14  on the sock  1  could be included to create better traction when in use. The anti-slip nubs  13  or anti-slip strips  14  could also be positioned on the sides  15  of the sock  1  to better keep it in place during use. 
         [0036]    Although the invention is useful for athletes, it is also useful for anyone who works or exercises outdoors where the feet are exposed to moisture, including, but not limited to, other athletes who play outdoors, including by way of example only, those who play football, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby and baseball as well as spectators, coaches and staff. It could also be beneficial for hikers, runners, firemen, policemen, farmers, foresters, rescue personnel, airport personnel, boat crews and cleanup crews. 
         [0037]    It should be understood that the various preferred embodiments are shown and described above to illustrate different possible features of the invention and the varying ways these features may be combined. Apart from combining the different features of the above embodiments in varying ways, other modifications are also considered to be within the scope of the invention. Consequently, this application describes exemplary, representative, and non-limiting embodiments of this invention. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of this invention are not intended to be limited to any of these embodiments. Thus, many changes and modifications—as apparent to those skilled in the art—are within the scope of this invention without departing from the spirit hereof, and the inventive arrangements are inclusive thereof.