SOCCER BOOT OVERSKIN

Abstract: Footwear for use in playing a ball game. Specifically there is provided an elastomeric skin moulded in the shape of a soccer boot upper and adapted to be a stretch fit in order to locate snugly with the soccer boot. The skin can have a laminated non stretch toe section or non stretch backing to the toe section in order to increase durability in that part of the elastomeric stretch skin. Alternatively the elastomeric skin can be provided on a finished soccer boot covering the entire upper of the soccer boot and being located by way of suitable adhesive or vulcanising. The elastomeric skin can have a number of surface finishes (ribbed, dimpled, etc...). The provision of the elastomeric material on the upper or an item of soccer footwear affords greatly increased control to a player when kicking a ball.

Description: SOCCER BOOT OVERSEEN. This invention relates to footwear for use in playing a ball game. A number of ball games, e.g. football and ruby, require the player to control and strike the ball with the foot. It is however well known that the ball may skid off the players footwear, particularly in wet or greasy conditions. The result is that the ball can be difficult to control and, when struck by the players foot, may not travel in the intended direction. ' It is an object of this invention to obviate or ' mitigate the abovementioned disadvantages. According to a first aspect of this.invention there is provided an item of footwear for use in playing a ball game, the item of footwear having ' an upper provided with an external area of an elastomeric material. Elastomeric ' material may be provided at or around the toe of the footwear, and/or in the region of the - instep thereof, and/or at any region- of the footwear by which the ball is likely to be controlled or struck. Conveniently the elastomeric material may be provided over the major area of the upper of the item of foot¬ wear. The elastomeric material surprisingly enhances the control which the player has over the ball when it is played on an area of footwear provided with the material. Preferably the elastomeric material is a soft natural or synthetic rubber and may be smooth or non-smooth (e.g. dimpled) surface-. The elastomeric material may be affixed to the footwear item by adhesive or be vulcanising or may take the form as specified below,for the second part of the invention. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an accessory for an item of footwear for use in playing a ball game, the accessory comprising an elastomeric skin adapted to be a stretch it onto the upper of the item of footwear. The accessory is itself preferably shaped so as to have a portion which will substantially cover the upper of the item of footwear, but nevertheless is preferably open soled so as not to interfere with studs ' or other gripping formations on the sole of the item of footwear. This accessory may however include a relatively narrow inwardly directed projecting portion around its lower peripheral edge adapted to locate and engage on the sole of the item of footwear to assist in holding the accessory in position. The accessory will however mainly be held on the item of footwear by its elastomeric properties allowing it to be stretched over the footwear item before reclining into tight fitting engagement therewith. The invention is illustrated by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: OMPI Figure key to attached drawing, Figure 1 shows one embodiment of accessory in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; and Figure 2 shows the accessory in position on a soccer boot. The shape of the accessoryis self-evident from figure 1 and the manner in which it is fitted onto a soccer boot is clear from figure 2. Figure 3 indicates the locating edge. . Figure 4 indicates the instep locating strap. -BUKEA LT Q ΛIPI

Claims: CLAIMS With the illustrated-accessory fitted to the soccer boot it has been found possible to have good control.of a ootball even under adverse conditions, as well as ensuring that the ball may be struck without- fear of it skidding off the boot, thus ensuring ' that the ball travels in the direction intended. -fυREΛt OMPI

Inventors: FERRIS FRANCIS, FERRIS, FRANCIS
Applicants: FERRIS FRANCIS, FERRIS, FRANCIS
Application year: 1983
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5