Abstract:
A boot cover for a boot having an elongated tubular throat portion is provided which includes a textile sheath having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge having a length sized to at least partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at an upper attachment location offset from a mouth of the boot, and the lower edge having a length sized to at least partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at a lower attachment location in the lower region of the boot. The boot cover also includes an attachment system coupled to the textile sheath to removably attach the boot cover to the throat portion of the boot in a secure manner. The textile sheath is configured to conceal a substantial portion of the throat portion of the boot when the boot cover is attached thereto. Methods of attaching boot covers to a boot are also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/320,192 filed Apr. 1, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure is related to accessories for footwear, and more particularly, to decorative and/or protective covers for boots having an elongated tubular throat portion. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Various footwear coverings are known which may protect footwear from the elements, such as, for example, rubber shoe coverings which include a sole and an upper integrally molded together. Such rubber shoe coverings may be stretched over a pair of casual or dress shoes, for example, to protect the shoes from rain and snow, for example. Theses rubber shoe coverings, however, can be cumbersome to attach to shoes and are often unsightly. Other types of shoe coverings include stretchable booties that may be placed over the soles of footwear to protect against soiling or contamination of a floor surface. These known foot coverings are limited to use on the soles and lower surrounding areas of footwear and are often unsightly. These footwear coverings are thus limited in the ability to provide coverage of footwear surfaces remote from the sole of footwear for protective and/or decorative purposes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The boot covers described herein are particularly well suited for removably attaching to a boot having an elongated tubular throat portion, such as, for example, shearling or sheepskin style boots. Advantageously, the boot covers may be attached to boots of varying sizes to augment or enhance the appearance the boots and/or provide protection of the underlying boot structure from the elements, for example. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment, a boot cover for a boot having an elongated tubular throat portion may summarized as including a textile sheath having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge having a length sized to at least partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at an upper attachment location offset from the mouth of the boot in a direction toward the lower region of the boot, and the lower edge having a length sized to at least partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at a lower attachment location in the lower region of the boot, and an attachment system coupled to the textile sheath to removably attach the boot cover to the throat portion of the boot, the textile sheath configured to conceal a substantial portion (i.e., greater than fifty percent) of the throat portion of the boot when the boot cover is attached thereto. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the attachment system may include a first elastic cuff having a perimeter sized to completely encircle the throat portion of the boot in a stretched configuration at the lower attachment location and a second elastic cuff having a perimeter sized to completely encircle the throat portion of the boot in a stretched configuration at the upper attachment location, and the textile sheath may be tubular and extend between the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff. Furthermore, the textile sheath may have a length exceeding the distance between the lower attachment location and upper attachment location such that the textile sheath loosely drapes between the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff when the boot cover is attached to the boot. The textile sheath may also be generally cylindrical and a circumference of the textile sheath may be greater than a perimeter of the throat portion of the boot at any location along a height thereof. In some embodiments, the textile sheath may taper from one end to an opposing end. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the upper edge may have a length sized to partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at the upper attachment location and the lower edge may have a length sized to partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at the lower attachment location, and the attachment system may be coupled to opposing side edges of the textile sheath. The attachment system may include one or more laces attached via eyelets to the opposing edges of the textile sheath which are configured to draw the opposing edges of the textile sheath together and bridge a gap therebetween. In other embodiments, the attachment system may include a zipper mechanism attached to the opposing edges of the textile sheath which is configured to draw at least a portion of the opposing edges of the textile sheath together and bridge a gap therebetween. 
         [0010]    According to another embodiment, a method of attaching a boot cover to a boot having an elongated tubular throat portion may be summarized as including positioning a first elastic cuff of the boot cover at a lower attachment location in the lower region of the boot, the first elastic cuff having a perimeter sized to completely encircle the throat portion of the boot at the lower attachment location in a stretched configuration; and positioning a second elastic cuff at an upper attachment location offset from the mouth of the boot in a direction toward the lower region of the boot such that a tubular textile sheath extending between the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff conceals a substantial portion (i.e., greater than fifty percent) of the throat portion of the boot, the second elastic cuff having a perimeter sized to completely encircle the throat portion of the boot at the upper attachment location in a stretched configuration. Positioning the first elastic cuff and positioning the second elastic cuff may include spacing the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff apart at a distance less than a length of the tubular textile sheath such that the tubular textile sheath drapes between the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff. The method may further include repositioning one of the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff to reduce the distance therebetween and increase the degree to which the tubular textile sheath drapes between the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff, or repositioning one of the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff to increase the distance therebetween and reduce the degree to which the tubular textile sheath drapes between the first elastic cuff and the second elastic cuff. The method may further include repositioning the second elastic cuff to within a mouth of the boot or folding a portion of the throat of the boot over the second elastic cuff at the upper attachment location such that the second elastic cuff is concealed from view. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment, a method of attaching a boot cover to a boot having an elongated tubular throat portion may be summarized as including positioning a textile sheath of the boot cover so that a lower edge of the textile sheath is at a lower attachment location in the lower region of the boot and an upper edge of the textile sheath is at an upper attachment location offset from a mouth of the boot in a direction toward a lower region of the boot, the lower edge having a length sized to partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at the lower attachment location, and the upper edge having a length sized to partially encircle the throat portion of the boot at the upper attachment location; and attaching opposing sides of the textile sheath of the boot cover together so that the boot cover encircles and conceals a substantial portion (i.e., greater than fifty percent) of the throat portion of the boot. Attaching opposing sides of the textile sheath of the boot cover together may include drawing one or more laces attached to the opposing sides of the textile sheath via eyelets tighter. In other embodiments, attaching opposing sides of the textile sheath of the boot cover together may include drawing at least a portion of each of the opposing sides together with a zipper mechanism. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a boot cover according to one embodiment, shown during use on a boot having a relatively tall throat portion. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the boot cover of  FIG. 1 , shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the boot cover of  FIG. 1 , shown removed from and beside the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the boot cover of  FIG. 1 , shown during use on a boot having a relatively short throat portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the boot cover of  FIG. 1 , shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the boot cover of  FIG. 1 , shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 4  with an end of the boot cover positioned within a mouth of the boot. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view a boot cover according to another embodiment, shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the boot cover of  FIG. 7 , shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a boot cover according to another embodiment, shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the boot cover of  FIG. 9 , shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a boot cover according to yet another embodiment, shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the boot cover of  FIG. 11 , shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  a side elevational view of a boot cover according to yet another embodiment, shown during use on the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and fabrication techniques associated with textiles and footwear may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
         [0026]    Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0027]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0028]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1 through 6  illustrate one embodiment of a boot cover  100  which can be removably attached to a boot  102 ,  102 ′. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the boot cover  100  can be slipped over or positioned around a boot  102  or removed from the boot  102 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The boot cover  100  extends longitudinally between a first end  104  and an opposing second end  106 . Each of the first and second ends  104 ,  106  in the illustrated embodiment terminates at an elastic cuff  108 . Each elastic cuff  108  in the illustrated embodiment is circular or oblong in shape to extend around an elongated tubular throat  110  of the boot  102 . A tubular sheath  122  of textile or fabric extends between the elastic cuffs  108  of the boot cover  100 . 
         [0030]    More particularly, when the cover  100  is attached to the boot  102 , the tubular sheath  122  extends between a lower region  112  of the throat  110  of the boot  102  and an upper region  118  of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . The lower region  112  of the throat  110  of the boot  102  is near an upper ankle of a wearer above the heel portion  114  and instep portion of the boot  102 . The upper region  118  of the throat  110  is near the mouth  120  of the boot  102 . Accordingly, the cover  100  extends from an area near the upper ankle of a wearer to a position near the upper end of the boot  102  offset from the mouth  120  to conceal a substantial portion (i.e., greater than fifty percent) of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . In some embodiments, the sheath  122  of boot cover  100  may conceal between about seventy percent and ninety-five percent of the throat portion  110  of the boot  102  when the boot cover  100  is attached thereto. 
         [0031]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the boot cover  100  is removed from the boot  102 , the natural perimeter of each of the cuffs  108  is smaller than the natural perimeter of the throat  110  of the boot  102  at a corresponding upper and lower attachment position. As such, when the boot cover  100  is slipped over or positioned around the throat  110  of the boot  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the cuffs  108  are stretched beyond their natural state. This stretching, and the residual forces created thereby, compress the throat  110  of the boot  102  within the cuff  108  and retain each of the cuffs  108  in the position desired by the user. 
         [0032]    The sheath  122  of the boot cover  100 , on the other hand, can be made with a perimeter considerably larger than the perimeter of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . As a result, the textile or fabric of the sheath  122  can drape loosely over the portion of the throat  110  of the boot  102  covered by the boot cover  100 . Depending on the textile or fabric used for the sheath  122  and the size of the perimeter of the sheath  122 , the designer can vary the drape to obtain a preferred appearance. Similarly, by spacing the cuffs  108  closer together during use, the user can create additional loose textile or fabric in the sheath  122  during use; or by spacing the cuffs  108  further apart during use, the user can pull the textile or fabric of the sheath  122  taut during use. 
         [0033]    The sheath  122  of the boot cover  100  can be made from a single piece of fabric sewn together along a single seam, and the seam can run either longitudinally or along any other path. Likewise, the sheath  122  can be assembled from several pieces of fabric, either like fabric or dissimilar fabric, along several seams. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1 through 6  illustrate boots  102 ,  102 ′ in the form of a shearling or sheepskin style boots having a relatively tall throat ( FIGS. 1 through 3 ) or a relatively short throat ( FIGS. 4 through 6 ). However, other styles of boots having an elongated tubular throat portion  110  could also be used in combination with embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0035]    In particular embodiments, the boot cover  100  can range from five inches to twelve inches in length, although it could be longer or shorter if desired. The perimeter of the boot cover  100  can range from nine inches to fourteen inches in length; but again, this could be increased or decreased as desired. The sheath  122  can be generally cylindrical in shape or can be tapered anywhere up to one inch or more, as compared to the opposing end. In tapered versions, users may prefer to wear the boot cover  100  with the larger perimeter at the top of the boot  102 ,  102 ′. 
         [0036]    The boot cover  100  can be long enough to cover the throat  110  of the boot  102 ,  102 ′ from a location in the upper region  118  of the boot  102  to a location in a lower region  112  of the boot  102  near the upper ankle of the wearer. In some embodiments, the sheath  122  can be long enough to be tucked into the mouth  120  of the boot  102 ,  102 ′, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Embodiments allow for one inch, two inches or more to be tucked into the mouth  120  of the boot  102 ,  102 ′ during use. At the same time, the boot cover  100  can be made shorter or can be compressed by moving one or both of the cuffs  108 , causing the draping sheath  122  to drape even further. The same cover  100  can be used on boots  102 ,  102 ′ having different length throats  110  with varying degrees of draping. 
         [0037]    The boot cover  100  can be made from just about any textile or fabric, including woven and nonwoven fabrics, with preferred embodiments made from cotton, polyester, rayon, spandex, wool, acetate, linen, modal, Lycra, silk, acrylic, nylon, or blends of one or more of these and other materials. The textile or fabric can be dyed one or more colors, can have a pattern and/or can be decorated with sequins, beads, leather, lace, ribbon, metallic flecks, metallic stitching, or any other decorative elements. Similarly, the boot cover  100  can be adorned with buckles, zippers, buttons, fasteners, beads, or the like, whether operative or purely for decorative purposes. 
         [0038]    An individual of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, after reviewing this disclosure, that any number of variations could be made to the embodiments illustrated and discussed above without deviating from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the boot cover  200  is shown positioned over a throat  110  of a boot  102  in which the throat  110  is relatively tall. To the extent aspects of this embodiment of the invention is the same or similar to the previous embodiments, some details have been omitted in the interest of brevity. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , however, a sheath  222  of the boot cover  200  has a longitudinal gap  216  extending from a first end  204  of the sheath  222  to an opposing second end  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gap  216  extends the entire length of the sheath  222 . In other designs, the gap can extend only a portion of the length. 
         [0040]    When the boot cover  200  is removed from the throat  110  of the boot  102 , it can have an expanded perimeter larger than a corresponding perimeter of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . As a result, the boot cover  200  can be slipped over the throat  110  of the boot  102  from above. The boot cover  200  could also be wrapped around the throat  110  of the boot  102  by removing the laces  220 , extending the sheath  222  around the throat  110  of the boot  102 , then lacing up the boot cover  200 . 
         [0041]    The gap  216  is lined along opposing edges  210 ,  212  of the boot cover  200  with eyelets  218 , which may incorporate grommets for functional or decorative purposes. The illustrated embodiment incorporates seven eyelets  218  on each side of the gap  216 . Depending on the size and style of the boot cover  200 , the gap  216  can be lined with more or fewer eyelets  218 . 
         [0042]    One or more laces  220  can be interlaced between the eyelets  218  and across the gap  216 , allowing the user to cinch the boot cover  200  onto the throat  110  of the boot  102 . The laces  220  may be made from any suitable material, including but not limited to cotton, leather, nylon, polyester, spandex, Lycra and acrylic. 
         [0043]    The boot cover  200  can be designed with additional gaps  216  and laces  220  for decorative or other purposes, and the gaps  216  can be aligned longitudinally, helically or in any other manner along the length of the boot cover  200 . 
         [0044]    The illustrated boot cover  200  is fabricated from a trapezoidal piece of cloth measuring 4.5 to 9 inches long, 9 to 14 inches wide at one longitudinal end, and 11 to 16 inches wide at the opposing longitudinal end. The boot cover  200  can be tapered back in approximately half an inch—or more or less—at the end corresponding to the upper region  118  of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . 
         [0045]    The boot cover  200  is sized such that an upper edge  230  of the sheath  222  can be located in the upper region  118  of the throat  110  of the boot  102  while a lower edge  232  of the sheath  222  can be located in the lower region  112  of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . In this manner, the cover  200  can be configured to conceal a substantial portion (i.e., greater than fifty percent) of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . In some embodiments, the sheath  222  of boot cover  200  may conceal between about seventy percent and ninety-five percent of the throat portion  110  of the boot  102  when the boot cover  200  is attached thereto. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the boot cover  250  is positioned over a throat  110  of a boot  102 ′ in which the throat  110  is relatively short. Features of this embodiment are similar to the embodiment described above; however, the size of the sheath  272 , the length of the laces  270 , and the number of eyelets  268  is reduced to correspond to the reduced length of the throat  110  of the boot  102 ′. 
         [0047]    Other embodiments of the invention can incorporate a zipper, Velcro, frog buttons, or any other suitable fastener for coupling the opposing edges of the boot cover  200  across the gap  216 . For example,  FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporating a zipper  308 . In this particular embodiment, the boot cover  300  is shown positioned over a throat  110  of a boot  102  in which the throat  110  is relatively tall. To the extent aspects of this embodiment of the invention is the same or similar to the previous embodiments, some details have been omitted in the interest of brevity. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , however, a sheath  322  of the boot cover  300  has a zipper  308  attached to opposing side edges  310 ,  312  of the sheath  322 . The zipper  308  is configured to draw the opposing edges  310 ,  312  of the sheath  322  together to attach the boot cover  300  securely in place. 
         [0048]    Similar to the other described embodiments, the boot cover  300  is sized such that an upper edge  330  of the sheath  322  can be located in the upper region  118  of the throat  110  of the boot  102  while a lower edge  332  of the sheath  322  can be located in the lower region  112  of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . In this manner, the cover  300  can be configured to conceal a substantial portion (i.e., greater than fifty percent) of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . In some embodiments, the sheath  322  of boot cover  300  may conceal between about seventy percent and ninety-five percent of the throat portion  110  of the boot  102  when the boot cover  300  is attached thereto. 
         [0049]      FIG. 13  illustrates still yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this illustrated embodiment, the boot cover  400  is positioned over a throat  110  of a boot  102  in which the throat  110  is relatively tall. Features of this embodiment are similar to other embodiments described herein. For example, the boot cover  400  includes a textile or fabric sheath  422  that extends between elastic cuffs  408  at opposing ends  404 ,  406  thereof. At an upper end  404  of the cover  400 , however, a decorative trim  410 , such as, for example, fur, fringe or other material, is attached such that it visually forms an upper end of the boot  102  that is distinct from the boot  102  unadorned with the cover  400 . According to this illustrated embodiment, a wearer may prefer to position the upper elastic cuff  408  beyond the top end of the boot  102 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . Alternatively, the upper elastic cuff  408  may be positioned near the mouth  120  of the boot  102  in the upper region  118  of the throat  110  of the boot  102 . Further, although the decorative trim  410  is shown positioned at the top end of the throat  110  of the boot  102  near the mouth  120 , the decorative trim  410  may be positioned at an intermediate position along the throat  110 , offset from the mouth  120 . Further, decorative trim may be added at the lower end  406  of the cover  400  or at other positions. 
         [0050]    The above are just a few examples of embodiments of the present invention. Aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this specification and the corresponding drawings, will immediately appreciate that deviations can be made to the illustrated embodiments and/or written details without deviating from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0051]    In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.