SHOE-COVERING PROTECTION ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A shoe-covering protection assembly which can be worn easily, by enabling at the same time to walk freely on ground in any condition and to be transported easily when not used, comprises an overshoe footwear (1), made of waterproof foldable material, and close-fitting wearing means (15) for adjusting the shape of said overshoe footwear in the insole (6), heel (14), rear vamp (10) and instep regions thereof.

Description: SHOE-COVERING PROTF.CTiON AfifiRMF.T.V DESCRIPTION The present invention refers to a shoe-covering protection assembly of the kind comprising a pair of overshoe footwear, made of waterproof foldable material, to be worn for protecting shoes and clothes from rain, mud, dirt and the like. Assemblies as the abovementioned illustrated one are known, they usually comprise bag-shaped footwear, which can be worn over shoes and are fastened to legs by means of strings and/or bands, or laces surrounding the leg at the heel, calf or knee thereof. This kind of footwear, even ensuring the required waterproofness, hampers walking and runs the risk of being slipped off if worn for a prolonged period of time. Furthermore, by forming folds under the sole, it does not guarantee a good ground sensibility and does not allow a good grip on the ground, in particular on surfaces made slippery by water. Another kind of protection assemblies provides the use of half-rigid overshoe footwear, equipped with its own sole and heel and which can be fastened to the leg by means of belts. This overshoe footwear, boouleg-like, offers a good protection but is not much practical due to its encumbrance hampering an easy transport, which is the most important requirement enabling protection also from sudden needs, such as unexpected downpours, change of tyres in the rain, skid-chain mounting, and so on. The technical problem which is the basis of the present invention is to provide a protection assembly which allows obviating the abovementioned disadvantages with reference to prior art . Such problem is overcome by a shoe-covering protection assembly as above illustrated, characterized in that it comprises close-fitting wearing means for adjusting the shape of said overshoe footwear in the insole, heel, rear vamp and instep regions thereof. 9 - According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said close-fitting wearing means comprise at least a first lace with adjustable length, fastened to the overshoe footwear at the region of the rear vamp proximate to the heel, provided to surround the instep region and apt to generate a traction from the bottom upwards, substantially diagonally compared to the leg lower part . The main advantage of the shoe-covering protection assembly according to the present invention lies in the fact that it can be easily worn, allowing at the same time to walk freely on ground in any condition with any kind of previously-worn shoe or boot, and to easily transport it when not used. The abovementioned assembly footwear adheres to the sole, to the heel, to the rear vamp of the shoe wearing it, allowing the user to benefit by all tactile sensations transmitted by the shoe without these being altered or deadened by folds or the like. Furthermore, when not used, the protection assembly of the invention can be folded back, occupying small room. Additional features and advantages of the protection assembly according to the present invention will be better understood in the light of the here below detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of example and not for limitative purposes with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein : figure 1 shows a perspective view of a component of the shoe-covering protection assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; figure 2 shows a perspective view of a component of the shoe-covering protection assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention; figure 3 shows a perspective view of a component of the shoe-covering protection assembly according to a - J second embodiment of the present invention; figure 4 shows a perspective view, partial cross- section, of the component of figure 3 in a particular pattern thereof; figure 5 shows a rear view, in elevation, of the component of figure 3 with the pattern of figure 3; figure 6 shows a rear view, in elevation, of the component of figure 3 with the pattern of figure 4 ; figure 7 shows a longitudinal section view of a detail of a component of figures 3 to 6 , taken according to the line A-A of figure 3 ; figure 8 shows a perspective view of an accessory of the shoe-covering protection assembly according to the invention; figure 9 shows a perspective view of the accessory of figure 8 in a different pattern; and figure 10 shows a perspective view of the accessory of figure 8 in an additional pattern. With reference to figure 1 in particular, a right overshoe footwear is illustrated, denoted 1 as a whole, belonging to a shoe-covering protection assembly which, even if it is not illustrated in its entirety, obviously comprises a left overshoe footwear similar and specular compared to the right one, plus accessories which will be described in detail hereinafter. The footwear 1 is of the kind apt to be worn when it is necessary to protect shoes and clothing, in particular socks/sockings and trousers' legs, from the atmospheric factors, such as rain or snow, mud and dirt in general. For this purpose some parts corresponding as position to the equivalent parts of feet and/or shoes will be denoted by referring to these last parts. The footwear 1 comprises a sole part 2, a vamp- covering part 3 and a first bootleg-like part 4. The sole part 2 is made of foldable material, waterproof and half-rigid; in particular it is made of a thin rubber plate or the like, for example para rubber which is transpirable, insole- shaped and sewn to the vamp-covering part by means of a waterproof seam. The sole part 2 defines a rough contact surface capable of strong grip, to enable the footwear 1 having a good grip on slippery surfaces. The sole part 2 can be divided into different regions, in particular the insole region 6 and the heel region 7. The vamp-covering part 3 and the bootleg-like part 4 form a single whole constituted by parts sewn between them, made of waterproof material which is flexible and foldable . Said material can be, for example, a waterproof synthetic cloth whereas the seams too are waterproof by means of, for example, a plastic or silicone coating. Advantageously, the material of the vamp-covering parts 3 and bootleg-like parts 4 can be transpirable and waterproof, such as Gore-tex ® and the like. The vamp-covering part 3 can be divided in different regions, in particular a tip region 8, an instep region 9, a rear vamp region 10, an annular ankle region 11. To prolong its life, the footwear 1 includes strengthened areas, by means of, for example, thicker layers or of several overlapped layers at the tip region 8 and the heel region 7. The bootleg-like region 4 too can be divided into a leg front region 12 and a leg rear region 13. A heel region 14 can be then seen which, considering that the footwear 1 is employed to cover a shoe, partially extends both in the heel region 7 and the rear vamp 10. The footwear 1 shows a substantially smooth inner surface, to improve wearing comfort, and an outer surface, high visible by night, which is fluorescent and/or partially reflecting with bright colours such as yellow, orange and the like. The protection assembly footwear 1 of the present invention comprises close-fitting wearing means, denoted 15 as a whole, for adjusting the shape of the overshoe footwear 1 at least in the insole 6, heel 14, rear vamp 10 and instep regions thereof upon wearing. The close-fitting wearing means 15 comprise a first lace 16 with adjustable length which is fastened, at its ends, to the overshoe footwear 1 at the region of the rear vamp 10 proximate to the heel . The lace 16 is provided to surround the instep 9 region and shows a lacing 17 constituted by a buckle with which it is possible to tighten or stretch the lace 16 for adjusting it to the shoe wearing the footwear 10. Considering that the rear vamp part 10 proximate to the heel 14 is at a lower level compared to the instep region 9, the footwear 1 is located substantially diagonally compared to the lower part of the leg wearing it, by generating a traction from the bottom upwards which keeps the whole sole part 2, the tip region 8, the heel region 14 and the rear vamp region 10 adherent to the shoe wearing the footwear 1. In fact, the first lace 16 adjusts the shape of the insole region 6, which is indirectly subjected to traction through the heel region 14 in contrast with the tip region 8 which remains substantially blocked at the shoe tip, and the instep region 9 which is directly concerned by the lace 16. Advantageously, the first lace 16 comprises a lace part 18 which is elastically extensible, being constituted by a common elastic sewn at the remaining parts of the lace 16. The presence of this elastic part 18 allows to adjust the tension of the first lace 16 more efficiently and, consequently, to better adjust the shape of the footwear 1 when it is worn on shoes of different sizes . In the footwear 1 shown in figure 1, the close- fitting wearing means 15 comprise furthermore a first elastic band 19 which is cross- incorporated in the foldable material of the footwear 1, located in the instep region 9, in an intermediate position between the first lace 16 and the tip region 8 in particular. The first band 19 helps in adjusting the shape of the footwear 1, of the instep region 9 and the insole region 6 in particular. As previously illustrated, the footwear 1 extends from the ankle region 11 with a first bootleg-like region 4 ending with a first, substantially circular-shaped, upper edge 20. The footwear 1 further comprises a linear opening 21 which can be closed again through approaching and joining means 22. The opening 21 extends substantially vertically from the ankle region 11, in particular from a point immediately above the fastened end of the first lace 16, on the leg rear region 13 as far as intersecating the first upper edge 20, resulting divided thereby. In this way, the complete separation of the bootleg-like part 4 into two side opposite flaps 23 of the overshoe footwear 1 is caused. The approaching and joining means 22 are composed by a water-tight zipper, located continuously along the edges of said side flaps 23. At the first upper edge 20, said close-fitting wearing means 15 comprise a second lace 24 with adjustable length, fastened by seams to the footwear 1 and provided to surround the leg front region 12. Said second lace 24 is structured substantially like said first lace 16, comprising a buckle 17 and an elastic part 18 too. The ends of the second lace 24 are fastened proximate to the corresponding edge of the side flaps 23. The footwear of figure 1 may be provided with different heights: as far as soon above the ankle or as far as below the knee. By referring to figure 2, a footwear 1 substantially similar to the previous one is shown, apt to be provided with higher heights, to cover the whole thigh of the user . Compared to previous ones, the close-fitting wearing means 15 of the footwear 1 according to the present embodiment comprise a second elastic band 25 which is located on the leg front region 12 of the bootleg-like part 4, proximate to the ankle region 11. The second band 25 is arranged in a cross position and is incorporated in the foldable material of the footwear 1. The close-fitting wearing means further comprise a third elastic band 26, located too on the leg front region 12, arranged in a cross position and incorporated in the material of the footwear 1. The third band 26 is located proximate to said first upper edge 20, below the second lace 24. In the figures 3 to 6 a footwear 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is structured substantially like the footwear of figure 1, further comprising a second elastic band 25 located in the leg front region 12. The footwear 1 comprises a covering flap 27, substantially rectangular-shaped, which is fastened, by means of a continuous seam for example, with one side thereof to a bootleg-like part 4 at said first upper edge 20. In particular, the covering flap 27 is fastened along the whole perimetral circumference, being parallel and at short distance from the edge 20, to the inner surface of the footwear 1. The border of the flap 27 close to said circumferential line are substantially located on the lines of the borders of the side flaps 23 of the bootlike part 4. The covering flap 27 further shows a second upper edge 28, substantially parallel to said first upper edge 20. Said flap 27, made of flexible and foldable material, is further apt to be extended upwards and to be folded back once fallen horse-like on said first upper edge 20 with the second upper edge 28 and apt to be located on an additional perimetral circumference located on the outer surface of the footwear 1 under the first upper edge 20. The covering flap 27 comprises, at the second upper edge 28 thereof, fastening means 29 to the outer surface of the first bootleg-like part 12. When said fastening means 29 are operating, the covering flap 27 forms a toroidal room 30 delimited thereby. The fastening means 29 comprise areas apt to be mechanically adhered between them 5, as Velcro ® small flaps equidistant on the second upper end 28 and on said perimetral circumference on the outer surface of the footwear 1. The overshoe footwear 1 according to the present invention further comprises a second bootleg- like part 31, waterproof and made of flexible and foldable material too, apt to provide protection to the clothing worn under it. Said second bootleg-like part 31 is joined to said first bootleg-like part 4 so as to represent the continuation thereof. It is fastened at said first upper end 20, for example by means of a continuous seam, and shows, in turn, a third upper end 32. In the present embodiment, the linear opening 21 extends from said ankle region 11 and goes through the leg rear region 13 of both bootleg-like regions 3, 41 by intersecting all upper edges 20, 28, 32 so as the side flaps 23 of said bootleg-like parts 4, 31 can be really separated to enable a leg be introduced in the footwear 1. The approaching and joining means 22, in the present embodiment, comprise a continuous zipper located on said side flaps 23, so as first and second bootleg-like parts can be joined together. The second bootleg-like part 31 can be put it back, folded back or rolled up, inside a toroidal room 30. In particular, in the present embodiment and in the figures 3, 5 and 7, it is rolled up. At the third upper edge 32, said close-fitting wearing means 15 comprise a third lace 33 with adjustable length, fastened by means of seams to the footwear 1 and provided to surround the leg front region 12. Said third lace 33 is structured substantially like said first lace 16 and like said second lace 24, comprising too a buckle 17 and an elastic part 18. The ends of the third lace 33 are fastened close to the corresponding edge of the side flaps 23. The close-fitting wearing means 15 of the footwear 1 according to the present embodiment further comprise a fourth elastic band 34 which is located on the leg front region 12 of the second bootleg-like part 31, half-way between the first 20 and the third upper edge 32. The fourth band 34 is arranged in a cross position and is incorporated in the foldable material of the footwear 1. By referring to figures 8 to 10, an additional component of the protection assembly according to the invention will be described hereinafter. In figure 8 a case 35 of the protection assembly is illustrated, having a first pocket 36, apt to receive said right overshoe footwear 1 and a second pocket 37, apt to receive a left overshoe footwear. The case 35 is made of foldable and flexible, waterproof and resistant material . It comprises a first outer wall 38, a second outer wall 39 and an intermediate wall 40. Said walls 38, 39 and 40 are rectangular with equal sizes and are juxtaposed between them. They are joined on a common side 41 whereas the additional sides of said first and second outer wall 38, 39 are equipped with closing means 42, which in the present embodiment are constituted by a conventional zipper. For their particular joint, the walls 38, 39, 40 are book-type arranged; the first outer wall 38 forms, through the intermediate wall 40, the first pocket 36 and the second outer wall 39, through the intermediate wall 40, forms said second pocket 37. The pockets 36 and 37 are then completely separated between them and can be closed again. They are each apt to receive a properly folded-back footwear and to isolate it completely. When it is empty, it is possible to roll up the case 35 in the common side direction. It comprises second closing means in a rolled-up pattern which comprise a fourth lace 43 equipped with an anchoring jerkily system 44 like Velcro® and an elastic part 45, apt to be applied to a first anchoring system 46. The fourth lace 43 is fastened to a first wall 38 of the case 35 at a short side thereof, whereas the first anchoring area 46 is located close to the fourth lace 43 (figures 8 and 9) . When full and/or empty, it is possible to fold back the case 35 in two, folding then each pocket 36, 37. The case 35 comprises third closing means in a folded pattern which comprise said fourth lace 43 and a second anchoring area 47 located close to the short side opposite to the one of the fourth lace 43 (figures 8 and 10) . The case 35 further shows, on the first outer wall 38, clasping means to a belt C or the like, comprising loops 48. The abovementioned shoe-covering protection assemblies can be subject to variations comprised however in the scope of the present invention. In particular, an additional movable elastic lace may be provided, to be arranged to surround the foot at the stirrup position. This expedient can be useful, for example, if the shoe to be protected has medium-high heels. Furthermore, the laces can be fastened to the footwear by means of jerkily fastened means such as those utilizing Velcro® strips which, as buckles, ensure to adjust the length of laces. Furthermore, a half -rigid stronger sole can be then provided, apt to adhere to the sole of the shoe to be protected. This sole can be then utilized to envelope the footwear. Additional adjusting systems may be then provided, which utilize strings or the like to tighten the footwear to the leg. Furthermore, it is possible providing a footwear without the linear opening by zipper, equipped with an upper enlarged access opening. The bootleg-like part results then enlarged and equipped with proper bands to make it adhere to the leg. Obviously, the footwear of the abovementioned protection assembly may be produced in various sizes, to adjust to shoes of different size, and with different lengths, to adjust to various situations. The sole may be equipped with different groove ' s to adjust to different ground conditions. Apart from the abovementioned advantages, the abovementioned protection assembly, thanks to the laces' elasticity and to elastic bands, may be worn much easily, by adjusting to the shape of shoes of different kinds which can be worn by the user, from light shoes to small boots . Additionally, the footwear may be unworn by simply acting on the lacings arranged on the laces and on the linear zipper opening. Furthermore, in the extensible version thereof, the abovementioned assembly may be utilized in different operating situations requiring, on one side, the protectio of shoes only and, on the other side, the protection of the whole leg. The protection assembly further guarantees the maximum comfort and safety upon use. Thanks to the case, it is possible to put it back in small rooms. The pockets keep the footwear separated preventing the dirt deposited on them from being transferred elsewhere. In order to meet additional and specific needs, a skilled in the art can make additional different variations in the abovementioned shoe-covering protection assembly, all comprised in the protection scope of the present invention, as determined by the following claims.

Claims: C AIMS 1. Shoe-covering protection assembly, comprising an overshoe footwear (1) made of waterproof foldable material, characterized in that it comprises close- fitting wearing means (15) for adjusting the shape of said overshoe footwear (1) at least in the insole (6) , heel (14), rear vamp (10) and instep regions thereof. 2. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 1, wherein said close-fitting wearing means (15) comprise at least a first lace (16) with adjustable length, fastened to the overshoe footwear (1) at the region of the rear vamp (10) proximate to the heel, provided to surround the instep (9) region and apt to generate a traction from the bottom upwards, substantially diagonally compared to the leg lower part. 3. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one part (18) of said first lace (16) is elastically extensible. 4. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein said first lace (16) has a lacing (17) . 5. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 4, wherein said lacing (17) comprises at least a buckle . 6. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said close-fitting wearing means (15) comprise one of more elastic bands (19, 25, 26, 34) cross-incorporated in the foldable material of the overshoe footwear (1) . 7. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 6, wherein at least a first elastic band (9) of said one or more elastic bands (19, 25, 26, 34) is located in the instep region (9) . 8. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said overshoe footwear (1) extends from the ankle region (11) with a first foldable bootleg-like part (4) ending with a first upper edge ( 20 ) . 9. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least a second elastic band (25) of said one or more elastic bands (19, 25,26, 34) is located frontally in said first bootleg-like part (4) . 10. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein at least a third elastic band (26) of said one or more elastic bands (19, 25, 26, 34.) is located frontally close to said fist upper edge (20) . 11. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the claims from 8 to 10, wherein said close- fitting wearing means (15) comprise at least a second lace (24) with adjustable length, fastened to the overshoe footwear (1) at said first upper edge (20) , provided to surround the leg front region (12) . 12. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least a second lace (24) is structured substantially like said first lace (16) . 13. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the claims from 8 to 12, wherein said overshoe footwear (1) has: * a foldable covering flap (27) , fastened at said first upper edge (20) along the whole perimetral circumference of the first bootleg-like part (4) , having a corresponding second upper edge (28) and being apt to extend upwards and to be folded back on said first upper edge (20) , said covering flap (27) being equipped with, at the second corresponding upper edge (8) thereof, fastening means (29) to the outer surface of the first bootleg-like part (4) to form a toroidal room (30) delimitated by said covering flap (27) ; and * a second bootleg-like part (31) extending from said upper edge (20) , ending with a third upper edge (32) and can be put it back folded back and/or rolled up inside said toroidal room (30) . 14. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 13, wherein the fastening means (29) comprise areas (5) apt to be mechanically adhered between them. 15. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein at least an additional elastic band (34) of said one or more elastic bands (19, 25, 26, 34) is located frontally in said second bootleg-like part (31) . 16. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the claims from 13 to 15, wherein said close- fitting wearing means (15) comprise at least a third lace (33) with adjustable length, fastened to the overshoe footwear(l) at said third upper edge (32), provided to surround the leg front region (12) . 17. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 16, wherein at least third lace (33) is structured substantially like said first lace (16) and/or like said second lace (24) . 18. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said overshoe footwear (1) comprise a linear opening (21) which can be closed again through approaching and joining means (22) extending substantially in a vertical way from said rear vamp (10) region. 19. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 18, wherein the approaching and joining means comprise a water-tight zipper (22) . 20. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said linear opening (21) extends by intersecting each of said upper edges (20, 28, 32) causing two side opposite flaps (23) of the overshoe footwear (1) be completely separated. 21. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 13 and from 18 to 20, wherein said zipper (22) is located continuously along the side flaps (23) of said first (4) and. second (31) bootleg-like part. 22. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the overshoe footwear (1) comprises a sole part (2) made of half-rigid material, defining a rough contact surface (6, 7) capable of strong grip. 23. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 22, wherein said sole part (2) comprises a plate, insole-shaped, made of rubber or the like. 24. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the overshoe footwear (1) has strengthened areas at the tip (8) and the heel (7) regions. 25. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the overshoe footwear (1) is made of waterproof transpirable material. 26. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the overshoe footwear (1) has a substantially smooth inner surface. 27. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the overshoe footwear (1) has a fluorescent or partially reflecting outer surface with bright colours to allow high visibility by night. 28. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a case (35) having a first (36) and a second pocket (37) , which are separated between them and can be closed again, apt for receiving a right overshoe footwear (1) and a left overshoe footwear, said case (35) being made of waterproof foldable material . 29. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 28, wherein the case (35) comprises a first outer wall (38) , a second outer wall (39) and an intermediate wall (40) juxtaposed between them and joint at a common side (41) in a book-type pattern, the additional sides of said first and second outer wall (38, 39) being equipped with first closing means (42) of the pockets (36, 37) delimited by said walls (38, 39, 40) . 30. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the case (35) has second closing means (43, 46) which can operate when the case (35) is rolled up on itself and empty. 31. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims from 28 to 30, wherein the case (35) has third closing means (43, 47) which can operate when the case (35) is folded back on itself and contains a pair of said overshoe footwear. 32. Shoe-covering protection assembly according to any of the preceding claims from 28 to 31, wherein the case (35) has clasping means (48) to a belt (C) or the like.

Inventors: D ANDREA MARIANO, D'ANDREA, MARIANO
Applicants: ANDREA MARIANO D, TOMA S R L, D'ANDREA, MARIANO, LA TOMA S.R.L.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A43B3
IPC codes: A43B3